The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1882.

Kumara Times, Issue 1680, 16 February 1882, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1882.

From what we can learn there is every prospect of the entertainment at Foley’s Hotel, Westbrook, to-morrow evening, for the benefit of the Kumara Hospital being a success. The committee have been very active in making preparations, and we doubt not the comfort and convenience of visitors will be ensured as far as practicable by the enterprising host whose premises are to be besieged. As we have before intimated, the Kumara Hospital has proved a much more convenient refuge than the Grey Hospital for treating accidental cases, fractures, and acute chronic diseases, and we believe we are correct in stating that most of the patients in the Hospital at this present

moment \Vere brouglit or lia.il from tlie northern side of the Teremakali; and this being the first public appeal on the northern side of the boundary river, it is hoped it will be liberally responded to. After the various amateurs have performed their part, those who are fond of dancing will have an opportunity of enjoying themselves to the strains of good mnsic. There is At present indication of fine weather, and we hope to See a large attendance-.

The intercolonial cricket match between New South Wales and Victoria bids fair to surpass anything we know of in the annals of cricket. The magnificent batting of Murdoch, who put together the large individual score of 321 beats by a long way all previous colonial performances, and, with Garrett’s score of 163 and Jones’ 109 or more, we find these three players making an aggregate of about 600 runs. The other eight added 170 or so, making the single innings amount to the remarkable total of 775. By our telegrams today, it will be seen the Victorians made a great effort, but the last wicket fell for 9 runs short of Murdoch’s single score, and they had to follow for their second innings. Blackham and Horan are making a good stand, the former being near to the three figures when the stumps were drawn on Tuesday. The agent of the Union Steamship Company writes us that owing to a clerical error the departure of the Alhambra was announced for Melbourne on the Ist March, whereas this steamer having left Melbourne on Saturday last will now be due at the Coast ports on Thursday, the 23rd instant, on which date she will be despatched for Melbourne direct, as usual. The Rev. W. West, of Kumara, held divine service at Totara Flat on February 7, to a congregation of about 35. At the Conclusion of the service (the Argus reports) he asked all those to remain who were interested in getting a Presbyterian Church built. Some months ago a committee had been formed to take initiatory steps for building a church. The report of the committee was read, together with a subscription list to the amount of £IOO ; and plans and specifications proposed by J. Anderson, Esq., Greymo'uth, to cost about £2OO, were submitted. The following reply appears in the Australasian under the heading of “Pedestrianism,” and appears to be in reply to a correspondent who signs himself “ Kumara.” We suppose it has reference to the running for the Cup at the Christmas Sports held in the Recreation Ground:—“The man who struck the other should be disqualified for ever from running there again. As to the others we cannot offer an opinion, as your account is rather confused.” Tenders are invited by the Hospital Committee for the supply of thirty cords of firewood. Tenders to be left with the Secretary on or before Tuesday, the 21st inst. Rich gold-bearing quartz has been found within half-a-mile of the township of Waikaka, Southland. A specimen deposited with the Bank of New Zealand is reported by an exchange to contain “ gold in exceeding large quantities, apparent to the naked eye throughout the specimen.” The locality has all the indications of being extensively auriferous. A publican at Marton, North Island, lias been summoned for a breach of the Licensing Act in having permitted a game of chance, called “ devil’s pool,” to be played on his premises. Mr Ward, the presiding magistrate, held that it was a game of skill, and dismissed the case. Messenger has issued a challenge to scull anyone in New Zealand for £IOO, but declines to row the match in Wellington. A correspondent of the Marlborough Press, under date February sth, says ; A reef has been pegged off by two miners named John West and Charles Thompson. It is situated near Dead Horse Creek. I visited it myself and tried se\ eral dishes, which showed encouraging prospects. It is a large reef and well defined, and shows gold all through the stone, but very fine. They have driven about five feet into the reef, but are not through it yet. Ground is being pegged oft in all directions. Of the Alpine explorers the Christchurch Press informs us that the Rev. Mr Green brought with him a companion and two well tried and experienced Swiss guides. Proceeding to the Museum, Mr Green consulted Dr. Yon Haast, and examined, with his guides, the maps and drawings of that pioneer explorer of our Southern Alps, together with the splendid photographs of Mr E. P. Sealy, of Timaru. The party left last Friday morning for the

Mount Cook district, where, near the termination of the TasniAn glacier, the principal camp will be made. It is Mr Green’s intention to try and reach the summit of Mount Cook from the eastern side, from the Tasman glacier. ' After having accomplished this, Mount Darwin, at the head of the Tasman glacier, will be attempted. As Mr Green is making also scientific observations during his Alpine explorations, we expect that valuable results will reward him for his trouble, and we wish him Complete success in the arduous work before hinii Salmon fishes and epicures (says the Southland News of Thursday) were favored with a sight to-day calculated to make them rejoice. This was a specimen 11 monarch of the flood,” which was caught yesterday at Dipton and forwarded to Mr E; Tanner, Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society. Some doubt existed if it was a true Salmon, but a couple of experts after a close examination of teeth, fins, and other points, declared it could not be classed otherwise. Be that, as it may, the fish is a very fine one, measuring over all 21in;, with a girth of about llin. A Wellington correspondent telegraphs to the Greymouth Star Ministers are busy getting business ready for the coming session, when a keeri fight for office is anticipated. It is believed that a reconstruction of the Ministry must take place. The position of the Ministry is doubtful, and the Opposition members seem confident of success.