The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1553, 19 September 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1881.

The Zealandia, with the San Francisco mail, arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. The a.s. Hero, for Sydney via Newcastle, is to be tendered at the ports this evening. It is with regret we announce the death of Mr Alexander Kettles, of the firm of Campbell and Kettles, of Kumara, which took place at Keller's Cafe' National Hotel, Hokitika, at nine o'clock last night. The deceased caught a severe cold a few weeks ago, which seems never to have left him, and he went from Kumara yesterday, purposing to visit Sydney for a change of air. fie was well known and respected for many good qualities. He was an old resident of the Coast, and the news of his death will be received with much regret by a large circle of acquaintances. The Gold Duty Abolition Bill was thrown out in the Upper House, on Saturday afternoon.

Not so much excitement as probably anticipated was noticeable during the earlier part of to-day in the election for one of five candidates for a seat in the Borough Council. The actual contest is probably between three of the five, viz., Messrs Mulvihill, Pearn, and Pollock. The knowing ones say that as the two last-named are likely to "split" each others' votes, Mr MulvihilTs name will be found at the head of the poll. As the Returning Officer will not enlighten ua on the subject till after six o'clock this evening, we must wait patiently for the publication of the result till to-morrow.

The old adage-that >;?' Misfortunes never come singly" was exem*plijfj#d-in a somewhat disagreeable to the parties concerned. Four gentlemen >had resolved Oh aii excursion to Maori Creek, which ia distant from Kumara about 18 or 19 miles, and for this purpose hired a buggy and pair from Rugg's wellknown livery stables. About nine o'clock they made a successful start and had covered the worst part of the Zigzag descent to the Teremakau bridge, when, just as they were rising from the creek, over ground which is a temporary deviation from the road now undergoing repairs, the bar which connects the traces on the near-side of the buggy snapped of. The horses were very -fresh and appeared somewhat startled at the snap, but, being well in hand, they were quickly brought to a standstill. In this predicament it was found not practicable to proceed by temporarily fastening the bar, so the horses were taken out, the buggy moved off the road, aud the party led their horses back to the stables. Nothing daunted, however, they resolved to resume their intended journey, and this time obtained a gig for two, whilst the others were accommodated with respectable mounts on two of Mr Rugg's newly-broken-ins. So that in about an hour afterwards they were again on their way down the Zigzag and to Maori Creek, whither they arrived in due course. They intended starting back at about four o'clock, but the numerous old faces that came to greet the party at Host Barnhill's from the time of their arrival to the moment of departure, caused much reciprocity of feeling, and the party started homeward not until five o'clock. The occupants of the gig were enlivened on their way home with the company of a young lady, formerly a resident of Kumara, who had chosen this seemingly favorable opportunity of visiting her friends here. All went well till they came to that portion of the track made as a temporary deviation of the road this side of Houlahan's junction, which recently caved in through being carelessly tunnelled. The horsemen were attentive at this juncture, one leading and the other at the rear of the vehicle. Just as the driver was merging on to the Greenstone road near what is known as "Hobart Town Jack's " hut, the shades of evening having far advanced, the left wheel of the gig came in contact with some huge boulders at the corner, the gig was overturned, the horse fell, and the occupants were tumbled or pitched out. We are happy to state that with the exception of severe shakings and sundry bruises, all three escaped any worse fate. After very little time, with the assistance of "Old Jack" and a traveller, the horse was released, the gig righted, and the party resumed their journey, arriving in town at about 8.30 p.m.

Further particulars concerning the wreck of the Union Steam Navigation Company's steamer Teuton, bound from Cape Town to Algoa Bay, state that the vessel struck on the rocks at Gunners Quoin Point, about 30 miles west of Cape Agulhas. She was backed off the rocks, but sank head foremost in deep water. Three boats, containing in all 27 persons, put off from the ship, and one of them arrived at Simon's Town, a small settlement about 25 miles south of Cape Town. The rest of the passengers and crew, makin« in all 200, were drowned. H.M. corvette Dido proceeded to the scene of the disaster. Eighty-four persons who were passengers by the Teuton from England had landed at Cape Town previously to the vessel continuing her voyage to Alcoa Bay. At the funeral of Mr Moorhouse, on Saturday, last the chimes pealed the "Dead March in Saul" as the cortege proceeded through Christchurch to the Riccarfcon cemetery. All the shop&rwere closed during the funend, and flags were hoisted at half-mast jjjn.- the Provincial Government buildings, and other places. With regard to the Mathias Pass, the Surveyor-General (Mr M'Kerrow) in his report submitted to Parliament last week, says that a stock road between Canterbury and Westland. is practicable and 'desirable

by that route. Mr Mueller, the Chief Surveyor of Westland, has thoroughly explored it with great difficulty and trouble, and disposes of the idea that a stationary engine will be necessary to the working of a railway if carried over that line. The exploring party found the rivers very high, and the country very difficult. Supplies ran short through a mistake of the relief party, and they had to support life for three days on a scone. Ground so difficult waa traversed that swags and men had to be let down and lifted from ledge to ledge In order to fight through. The Australia, mail- steamer,- todk £60,000 worth of gold for California. Archbishop Steins, of Auckland, died at St. Kilka House, Woolloomooloo, the Sydney residence of the fathers of the Society of Jesus. It is rumoured in New York 'that Edward Hanlan the champion sculler, has signified his intention of retiring from rowing.,

Tamati Whaka, the oldest Maori chief in the Wairarapa, died at Moika lastweek. The deceased was much respected by both races throughout the Valley. Respecting his age, it is reported by his people that the old man often spoke of his being " so high," indicating with his hand the height of a child seven or eight years of age, when Captain Cook visited New Zealand, though this is probably an exaggeration. Whaka was present at the Land Court recently held in Greytown, and the old chief then had the appearance of a hale old man, rather tali and stout in proportion, with a full tattooed face, and an absence of that expression of latent savagery so characteristic of the ancientMaori.