The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1497, 15 July 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1881.

Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., was a passenger by the coach this morning for Christchurch, returning to Wellington. Mr P. Dungan also, as a delegate from the Water-supply Committee, towards whose expenses the Borough Council last night voted the sum of £35, proceeded by the same coach. No other than criminal cases will be dealt with at the Court-house oil Monday evening next. We are requested to draw attention to this fact so as to save miners and others the trouble of coming to the Court on that day. All other than criminal business will bo adjourned till Tuesday morning, at 9 o’clock. Mr Jack, ex-mayor of Hokitika, was never credited with having said many clever things, but he has recently set up in the funny line. At a public meeting held at Hokitika he had the execrable taste to say that “he hoped that the next Minister of Public Works would not be an ironmonger.” This remark, coming from the quarter it did, was simply disgraceful, Mr Oliver, by commercial ability and integrity, succeeded in acquiring an independence, and commands the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure and honor of knowing him. As Minister, he held a very unthankful office. With a “new-chum” Parliament to deal with, abused in broken English by individuals rabid on the Grey ticket, and caring for nothing but blackguarding the opponents of their then idol, is it surprising that he declined to allow coarse vituperation to coerce him into making special concessions to his venemous detractors ? Mr Oliver is not only a clearheaded man of business, but he is also an educated gentleman with tastes sufficiently cultured to prevent him from being understood or appreciated by the “tag, rag, and bobtail ” of colonial society, and this, it may be presumed, is one reason why he has been the subject of such tall talk, and senseless abuse.

A Gazette notice, dated Wellington, 30th June, states that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint James Holmes Esq., of Kumara, to be a member of the Licensing Courts for the District of Kumara and Greenstone, vice the Rev. E. A. Scott, resigned.

At the meeting of the Central Board of Education yesterday at Greymouth, Mr Perkins was elected permanent Chairman. F. A. Learmonth, Esq., Mayor of Hokitika, was last evening presented with a farewell address and purse of sovex-eigns by the Hon. A. Bonar, on behalf of the burgesses of Hokitika. Mr Learmonth was also presented by the Volunteers with a gold pencil case, made from gold obtained on this Coast and locally manufactured. He left Hokitika by the Christchurch coach this morning. The attention of lady and gentlemen amateurs is directed to an announcement which appears above. Mr Keenan’s ball, postponed from last Friday, will be held this evening.