The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1629, 16 December 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1881.

The heavy downpour of rain militated greatly against the success of the entertainment given by the Amateur Dramatic Club last night, not only by preventing many persons from leaving their homes, but also by actually rendering inaudible the words of the lady and gentlemen performers, by its pattering on the roof of the theatre, in fact, at one time the performers could not hear each other, and they had to wait till the worst of the thunderstorm was over. After this, however, the performance went on smoothly to its conclusion. At one of the intervals, Mr R. J. Seddon returned the thanks of the committee of the Benevolent Society to the lady and gentlemen amateurs for their services, and also to those present who had turned out from their homes on such an inclement evening. In consequence of many persons who had bought tickets not being able to get out, the amateurs, he said, had kindly volunteered to repeat the entertainment to-morrow (that is, this Friday) evening ; and those persons who were present would receive passes which would enable them also to attend by paying half price. The weather having, to all appearance, taken a favorable change, we hope to see a crowded house to-night.

file folly of allowing a thoroughfare to be formed upon a substratum of rotten logs was fully exemplified on Wednesday. A waggon having five and a-half tons of dead weight on it was proceeding along Main street, and, when passing the Post Office, the wheels broke through the surface, and the team was brought to a standstill. Several abortive attempts were made to extricate the waggon from its position, when a horse known as the " Ring-tailed Roarer " was brought from an adjacent stable, and hitched on to the team. He did not prove equal to the occasion, but went quietly to sleep. At length three of the horses of Cameron's splendid team were brought round, and, being yoked up, the word of command was given, and the waggon was in a few seconds placed on sound ground. Government have accepted the Westport Coal Company's tender for the supply of 30,000 tons of coal for railway purposes during 1882.

Mr D. Wright will give his concluding address at the Presbyterian Church this evening, at 8 o'clock. It will be seen by a lengthly programme in another column that some of our energetic townsmen are resolved that Kumara shall not be behind the sister coastal towns in the matter of Christmas Sports. A strong committee has been formed, to whom the Borough Council has granted certain concessions in the Recreation Ground, on a guarantee that a specified amount of money be given away in prizes to be competed for ; besides which Mrs R. J. Seddon will give a silver cup, valued at thirty guinneas, for a grand champion challenge foot race, open to all comers. This should bring together all the best runners on the coast, who have now been communicated with. "We refer our readers to valuable sales of property to go under the auctioneers' hammer to-morrow.

Tenders are required by the Hospital Committee for supplies during the next half-year. Mr John Tait, the photographer, will be at his rooms, in Main street, to-morrow, ana till Monday, where he will have great pleasure in meeting all persons who desire to "secure the shadow ere the substance fade." Of course we know there are a good many persons who live in the hope that their substance will never fade. Mr 0. E. Hugo will probably give them a very different notion next Monday evening.

The supposed volcano at West Wanganui proves, as was surmised, to be a coal-seam on fire. Dr.. Hector, (says the N.Z. Times) has received a letter on the subject from Mr J. Ross, of Collingwood, of which the following is an extract: — "On my return here, I found one of the men from the Golden Ridge claim, who had brought in the news of the volconic eruption at Wanganui, and I have ascertained from him that the precise locality is at Malone's Creek, about a mile south of the Golden Ridge claim, which you may perhaps know is at Slatey Creek, at the foot of Bald Hill. One of the coal seams at Malone's had become ignited some four dr five years since, and the hill has at last slipped, and left the chasms open which were mentioned in the report. The smoke is still issuing from these, and I am told that some logs of wood thrown in were rapidly burnt." Cablegrams received since Lhe 22nd November have afforded rid information concerning the sculling match which was to have come off at St. Louis oh that date between Hankn and Trickett, and we presume the match fell through. But news via San Francisco to the 2ist nit; would imply otherwise, as it states : "Hanlan demands of Trickett 200dols. as a condition of rowing him for lOOOdols. a-side at St. Louis. It is regarded as a bluff. The course is in magnificent condition, and Trickett is anxious to row." What is meant by the water "course" being in "magnificent condition," we are at a loss to know. Probably it should read "They (the men) are in magnificent condition."

The' Supreme Court, Timaru, was occupied all Wednesday in the arson case against Lewis and Abraham Moses. At 10.30 at night the jury returned a verdict of "Not guilty."