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Kumara Times, Issue 1572, 11 October 1881, Page 2

Madame Lotti Wilmot, the celebrated " Inspirational Lecturess," will make her appearance at the Theatre Royal, Kumara, this evening. Prom a contemporary we learn that " Madame Wilmot was born of French parents in London in 184'.), that she first appeared on the stage in 18114, and three weeks later married a wealthy East Indian. Having retired from public life, she travelled on the continent and was engaged in the Hospitals during the Franco-Prussian war. She became a widow in 1874, having one child, and thereafter she became lessee of some of the London Theatres. In 1877 she came to the Colonies, and in the following year

she became a temperance and inspirational lecturess, and received the credit of obtaining more signatures to the pledge than any other person, and she also visited the prisons and hospitals. Later on she lectured in Melbourne on fifty-two Sundays, and caused sensations by reason of her subjects. She afterwards took expriest Chiniquy in baud, and received crowded audiences, clergy of all denominations attending. Her faith is said to be unsectarian—that she believes religion is one's life, and heaven will be for those who do their duty below, and obey the Ten Commandments." Madame Wilmot has chosen a subject for her lecture this evening which at once admits of a very wide range for reflection and exchange of ideas—" Courtship and Marriage." It is very rarely we have the opportunity, especially from a feminine point of view, of hearing this subject dealt with from a public platform, and doubtless there will be many who will to-night flock to hear a lady who possesses more the common share of intellectual and elocutionarypowers boldly pronounce her opinion—on the one hand on "attentions not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood ;" and on the other of that life which is said to be "always an insipid, a vexatious, or a happy condition." The admission will be 2s. After the lecture Madame Wilmot will, at Stewart's Hotel, hold a sitting in circle for "the Investigation of Spiritualism and Mesmerism," for which, as will be seen in the advertisement, a special charge is made. Captain Edwin not having forwarded to-day the usual " indications" of bad weather, a fine night and a good house may be reasonably anticipated. The Union Steamship Company's s.s. Albion leaves Dunedin to-morrow, via Ly ttelton and the West Coast. She comes to the Coast direct from Lytteltori, and will leave for Sydney and Melbourne on her advertised date, Sunday, the 16th inst.

There was "a new application," we were informed this afternoon, of one of the new hand fire-engines recently imported into this town. It appears that several residents of tliat portion of Seddon which intersects Main street have for some days past been fearing that a case, standing on two legs and which appeared to be full of spirits, would ere long explode, being to. all appearance in a state of spontaneous combustion, and so cause injury to property as well as discomfort to the neighbors. Accordingly this afternoon the case was turned out into the street, and to the amusement of the spectators forced along Seddon street beyond the precincts of the Town Hall, some holding and pumping the water-engine whilst others were.applying vigorously the hose, to keep tho spirits from exploding. The case is said to belong to a man who goes by the name of " Yankee Brown." , The annual soiree' in connection with the Bible and Crown Loyal Orange Lodge is to be held in the Public Hall, Kumara, on Thursday, the 3rd November. The arrangements will be under the same able management, whose efficiency has characterised previous successful festivals.

Tenders are required by the Borough Council for improving and metaling part of Seddon street. Specifications can be seen at the Town Hall. Tenders are required to be sent in before noon to-mor-row week, 19th inst.

Mr John Tait, the photographer, will arrive this evening, and at any time tomorrow and two or three days after, .will be prepared to take pictures of individuals or families by the grand colodion negative process of photography, excellent speci* mens of which, his own artistic efforts, may be seen suspended at Drummond's corner. An early call is requested, as his stay is positively limited. Studio, Main road, opposite the Education Board Office.

A correspondent of the Argus, telegraphs from Christchurch yesterday : '' Mr T. S. Weston waited on the Premier this afternoon in relation to West Coast business. The toll on the Brimnerton bridge is to be removed. The Little Grey bridge, and the bridge over the luangahua at Christy's will be commenced in January. The Premier will see Mr Rolleston about proceeding with the road from Cobden to Barrytown, and the tracks from No Town and Nels.ui Creek to Bull Hill." The nett proceeds of the ball at Marsden on Friday, Sept. 30th, for the benefit of the Grey River Hospital, amounted to i'2l as (id. For the same charitable purpose a ball was held at Dunganville last Friday evening, when between £BO and £9O was taken. We have not yet heard what the expenses were, but we infer that Maori Creek, which is the original name of the township, must be in a very flourishing condition.

To the annoyance of hotel-keepers, pool-players, readers, printers, and a host of residents of Greymouth, the gas in that town last night ceased somewhat abruptly to diffuse its wonted light and heat, and the town was " under a cloud," occasioning " slight ebullitions of temper, with language at once fiery and forcible." Up at Narribi, Victoria, the driver of the mail had a new arrival on the box, several shades greener than usual. As they drove along, an old-man kangaroo appeared on the side of the road, standing, as is their wont, with paws hanging out (saith in the Australasian). On coming up, the driver, with a polite bow to the old man, said, "No bag for you this morning, sir." Kangaroo hops off—" Box-seat" looking on wonderingly. To him the driver quoth—" Kangaroo trained at neighboring station to carry mail-bag—had none for him this morning—you saw how he went off J" And then "Box-seat," admiringly remarked, "By Jove, when I have a station 111 have one of those fellows."