The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1564, 1 October 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1881.

As there existed some doubts on the minds of many persons as to the interpretation of certain portions of the Licensing Act, we thought it advisible to obtain an opinion on the subject from Wellington and late yesterday afternoon received the following reply. “ Licensing Act comes into operation to-morrow”* (Ist October). We may here repeat what was stated in onr columns a few days since, thatalthongh the Act comes into operation on the Ist October, it -will not affect existing licenses during the term they yet have to run. The Christchurch mail coach left the Bealey at the usual hour this morning, and arrived at the Post-office here at 3,15 p.m. Mr Rugg’s coach came in at about 4 o’clock.

Notwithstanding the frequent warnings which have been given from time to time to persons cutting timber and piling it up, there are still some who persist in stacking it actually upon the Queen’s highway, regardless of the consequences. This morning, near the bridge at Piper’s Flat, Stafford, a dray, heavily laden, was approaching this way, when the leading horse shied at some newly-stacked timber on the road, and the driver, who is also the owner, had a narrow escape, but, as it was, lost fifteen dozen eggs through the dray tilting over the embankment. We learn also that Mr Bassett had a very narrow escape with his coach yesterday afternoon from the same cause. What are the road inspectors about 1 .. - The Supreme Court, Hokitika, was occupied all day yesterday with the trial of an action, Outhbertv. Jones, for slander and malicious prosecution, in which plaintiff claimed £SOO damages. The jury gave a verdict for damages, £lO.

The rnde hint that is sometimes given by a person in jest to one who is standing in the light of the windows whilst the former is reading, “ If yon had a pane of glass in you, I should be able to see better,” is not often verified in the case of the fairer sex, who are generally more thoughtful in this respect, we think, than

the “lords.” Yet we find one appearing in the Supreme Court, Hokitika, yesterday, who possesses this remarkable power of not interfering with light. She is reported to have said “ I am a window, residing atßrunnerton.’-’ Well, we hope there are many little “windows” in Bnmne'rton ; they will prove very useful in the dark coal mines among the numerous drives and seams of coal.

The original amount paid for what is now the richest mine in New Mexico, said to be worth £60,000,000, was 13s 6d in silver, a little gold dust, and an old revolver.