The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1632, 20 December 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1881.

The business at the Post and Telegraph Offices throughout New Zealand will be suspended on Monday, the 26th inst., and Monday, the 2nd January ; but a special notice appears above, by which it will be seen accommodation will be afforded to meet requirements. The Hospital Committee will hold their usual meeting this evening, when tenders for the half-yearly supplies to the Hospital will be considered, Mr O. E. Hugo, the physiognomist, delivered his first lecture on the subject of physiognomy last evening, at the Adelphi Theatre, treating generally on “ The Human Face.” He illustrated his remarks by frequent reference to bold diagrams, some of them of eminent personages. At the conclusion of his lecture, which lasted about one hour, he invited any gentlemen from the audience to step forward, and pace the hall in front of him, and he would give some delineations of their general character. Four, one after the other, availed themselves of this public trial, and then, taking seats on the stage, Mr Hugo proceeded to give a description of each man's character', from his own cute observation of their facial expression. He was pretty correct in many points, but it was evident that he lacked knowledge of some of their general habits, otherwise the descriptions given would doubtless have been more marked. This evening Mr Hugo will give a lecture on “ Character in Nose,” also illustrating with numerous diagrams. The lecture will'commence at 8 o’clock, and the charge of admission is only one shilling. Commander Edwin wired yesterday as follows : —“ Bad weather is expected between N.E. to N, and W, ; glass further fall and increase of sea.” Later—- “ After 12 hours, considerable sea, and after 1G hours rivers Hooded.” The Warden’s and R. M. Courts will open at 9 o’clock to-morrow morning. A cablegram from Washington, U.S., on the 9th inst., stated that “the convention providing for the exchange and money order system between the United States and New Zealand and New South Wales, was signed to-day by the President.” We have been favored by the

Postmaster (Mr MacDermott) with a copy of the table for conversion of English money into United States gold coin (dollars and cents); and, for the convenience of many parties who have hitherto experienced difficulty in transmitting small sums to America, we elsewhere reprint the table.

Tenders for the right to erect and keep booths and stalls oh tlie Recreation Ground during the Christmas sports will be received up to 8 o’clock this evening, at the Buck’s Head Hotel.

Mr Bain, the Hokitika (corporation messenger, has been missing since Thursday night, and (the Times reports) notwithstanding all the efforts made iri various quarters to discover some trace of him, these have, so far, proved futile. The missing man was last seen shortly after 11 o’clock p.m. on Thursday* in Revell street, south; He was then crossing the street, but it is not known in which direction he went. Inquiries have been made at Kumara, Kanieri, arid along the Christchurch road, but no news of him has been obtained ip these places. There is no known reason for his disappearance, and the occurrence is therefore the more mysterious. A petition from ratepayers of the riding of Lyell, comprising not less than onehalf the number, and representing in the aggregate not less than one-half of the rateable property therein, have petitioned the Buffer County Council to abolish the Lyell Local Revenues Board District, and merge the same in the Buffer County. Charles Mirfin, editor of the Inangahua Herald, was brought before the Magistrate yesterday (so a telegram states) on a criminal information, charging him with having forged the name of Jones, a solicitor, to* five telegrams. Jones was chairman of Weston’s election committee, and it is alleged that defendant, on the polling day, presented for transmission five telegrams purporting to be signed by Jones and addressed to Weston’s principal supporters at Brunnerton, saying that Weston’s return was impossible, and asking the receivers to do their best for M £ Lean, an opposing candidate. After hearing the evidence for the prosecution, the defendant was committed for trial, at next sitting of the District Court, bail being allowed.

Mr J. Hannah announces the arrival of a choice selection of new gold tine! silver' watches, jewellery, bracelets; chains, brooches and earrings, collarettes, necklets, and lockets, most of them admirably adapted for Christmas presents ; in fact; the articles imported are of so extensive and varied a description that we can merely suggest, as does the advertisement* that an inspection of them be made; In a recent sermon by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher upon “ Death ” the' preacher asked, “How should a Christian look at death ?” Mr Beecher replied—“ Well, in the first place, he should not look at it at all—on purpose. Or* if if lie looks at it, he should do so only to stimulate himself to lead a better life here, and not to brood over the horrors of an imaginary hereafter.” People wondered how they would feel when dying. “ I’ll tell you how you’ll feel —most of you,” said Mr Beecher ; “ you’ll feel stupid ; that’s all you’ll feel. You’ll want to go to sleep. Dying is Jts easy as going to sleep in most instances.” Once in a while there was a triumphant or radiant death, or a remorseless death* but not once in a million times was there Sitch a death as is described in books; That was all “flummery.” Mr Beecher attached no significance to the manner in which a man expired, as it was principally the result of physical accidents, and afforded no test of his moral state.