Untitled

Kumara Times, Issue 1480, 25 June 1881, Page 2

The labours of the Dillman’s Town Committee who were appointed by public meeting to adopt means for urging on the General Government the necessity of an increased water-supply for the Kumara goldfield are drawing to a close. A petition to Parliament, which appears in another column, has been adopted by the committee, and has already been signed by over 400 miners. This will be forwarded to Wellington in a few days when the list of signatures is complete ; and it is earnestly to be hoped the committee will have the satisfaction of seeing their exertions rewarded, and that this district will not have to sink into nonentity, when the precious metal lies beneath us, through the tardiness or heedlessness of the powers that be. The two Christchurch coaches left the Bealey at the usual hour this morning, and arrived here at 3.15 p.m. There were eight passengers by Mr Rugg’s coach. Among the arrivals at Kumara are the lady Mayoress of Greymouth and Mrs Warner, who were met at the junction of the Loopline and Christchurch road by their respective and respected lords Mr Nancarrow (Mayor of Greymouth) and Mr Warner, solicitor, of the same town. Considerable anxiety was caused at Barrytown during the last few days in consequence of the somewhat sudden disappearance of Mr Richard Morgan from his claim at Canoe Creek ; and this state of feeling reached Kumara and the Lead when Mr Gilbert Stewart yesterday evening received a telegram from Greymouth requesting him to acquaint Mr Robert W. Morgan, the missing man’s brother (who is a miner at Larrikins) that it was feared that Richard Morgan had met an untimely end. It appears that it had been the intention of Morgan to come to Barrytown on Thursday, the IGth instant, for the purpose of recording his vote at the late election, but he did not put in an appearance. As he did not return for his customary meals, a search was made, with the unsatisfactory result that Morgan was not to be found, and that his hut had not been used for several days. A systematic examination of his claim and its surroundings was then instituted. A slip having taken place close to the washdirt paddock, some of the party at once sluiced it away, but found no signs

of Morgan. Others searched a tunnel and adjoining localities, also without success. “Morgan,” the Grey' River Argus stated “had not the slightest reason for leaving Canoe Creek clandestinely, and he was liked and respected for his quiet manners by all who knew him.” Mr Robert Morgan proceeded to Greymouth this morning ; and we are pleased to learn that shortly after his arrival there he received the joyful tidings that his brother Richard was “ all right, at Westport.” Although advertised for Tuesday morning, we are requested to announce that the sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s and Warden’s Courts next week will open (as it has of late) on Monday night, at 8 o’clock. Concerning the Licensing Bill now bebefore Parliament, the Wellington correspondent of the West Coast Times telegraphed yesterday:—“The Colonial Secretary, who is in charge of the measure, thinks the Bill will still get through both Houses, but it is so much altered, that many are of opinion it will not become law. Clauses passed this afternoon regulate that barmaids may not be employed more than eight hours a day and not after eleven at midnight. Dancing in hotels not to be allowed under any pretext. Sir William Fox has been fighting for a constant supply of tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, milk, cream and biscuits in every bar.” The sympathisers with Mr Hannan, of the Post-office Hotel, in his efforts “to replenish the coffers of the Borough Council ” were numerous and confiding ; and we understand the festival terminated, though at a late hour, when the receipts amounted to the sum stipulated in the original notification. The new American red, white, and blue pool game, as now played in Sydney and Melbourne, is, we observe by announcement elsewhere, to be introduced at Mr Rugg’s billiard saloon, every evening, from to-night we believe. The game is said to supersede all other games of pool in fascination and interest. It will be under the management of Frank Pole, the experienced marker. A Christchurch contemporary reports a rather distressing occurrence in connection with the late storm which took place on the property of Mr A. C. Knight, Tikau Bay, Akaroa. An employee of Mr Knight was living with his wife in a small house near the creek, which it seems had been blocked up by a landslip, thereby causing a stoppage and allowing a large pool to get together. The heavy rain of Friday night swelled the creek into a raging torrent, and, the dam giving way, carried the house down the gully, breaking it to pieces with all its contents, the occupants barely escaping with their lives. The poor man not only lost all his clothes and furniture, but £lB in money, which was in his purse. While searching among the debris for his money he discovered his watch, which he had left on a nail in the house, hanging ou the branch of a tree, and, strange to say, the watch was going. An odd incident is reported from the Transvaal. A private of the 97th, who had poisoned himself with native grog, a villainous sort of brandy, was brought in as dead, and an inquest was held upon him. He was found to have died by overdrinking bad alcoholic liquor, and was in the course of the morning taken away for burial. While being borne to the grave the shaking up in the coffin awoke him, and he shouted lustily to be let out, causing a general scare among the men carrying him. The man was released, and is still alive, and his narrow escape will doubtless make him more cautious as to the quality of his liquor in future. Spofforth is not only a good cricketer, but is also a first-class short distance runner. At the last Sydney Amateur Athletic meeting the event of greatest interest was the 100 yards flat race, which resulted in a dead heat between Spofforth and Rush. As Spofforth got away with the lead and Rush gained upon him considerably during the last twenty yards, it was thought that in the run off Rush would easily dispose of the “demon,” but Spofforth again got away at the start and succeeded in putting in the first fifty yards a gap of at least two yards between himself and his opponent, which he kept till the finish, winning easily in 10|secs. The most jubilant at Spofforth’s victory were Messrs Murdoch and Bonner. The Australian captain says he is in a position to match Spofforth against any amateur in the colonies for a stake-bet of £IOO. M. Gastaldoni of Vincenza, Italy, has invented a new pianoforte, which can make the sound of each key last as lon*' as the player wishes, just like a violin! And yet it is not a violin but a pianoforte. Liszt, Rubinstein, and other great pianists say that quite a new era in pianoforte playing begins with this invention.