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Kumara Times, Issue 1732, 19 April 1882, Page 2

The Burgess and Defaulters Lists of the Borough are now open for inspection at the office of the Town Clerk. In consequence of the flooded rivers the mail coach left the Bealey this morning three hours later than usual, and it is therefore improbable that the mails will arrive till after seven o’clock this evening. Joseph Taylor, Esq., has been duly elected a member of the Westland Central Board of Education. The Warden’s Court was to have been held to-day, but it is reported Mr Stratford was prevented from arriving by a landslip on the Marsden road ; and the Court was adjourned till to-morrow, much to the disgust and discontent of a large number of persons interested in cases to be heard. Persons having accounts against the Kumara Benevolent Society are required to send them in to the Rev. Mr Holland, the honorary secretary, on or before Wednesday next, the 26th inst. A general meeting of the society is to be held on that day, and every member is particularly requested to be present. With regard to the Ministerial situation, the Timaru Herald is in a position to say positively that the Governor invited the advice of the retiring Premier as to whom ho would recommend him to send for, and that Mr Hall advised his Excellency to send for Mr Whitaker, who had previously consented to form a Ministry if called upon, and to hold office until the meeting of Parliament. The Kumara Rifle Volunteers have resolved to hold a ball on the Queen’s Birthday (Wednesday, 24th May), at the Adelphi Theatre. They propose to invite or challenge the Volunteers of Hokitika and Greymouth to a friendly triangular rifle match at the Kumara Range on that

day, the number of competitors from each company to be not less than five nor more than fifteen. Messrs Wade and Spence will sell by public auction on Friday next, Slattery’s Hotel, which is on a freehold section iii the heart of Main street. The house is fully licensed. The furniture and household effects will also be submitted to auction. Fine weather to-day favored the movements of two bridal parties. The first couple arrived by tram from Greymouth on their way to Hokitika. The lady was some time ago a resident in Kumara, and rejoiced when longing swains presented themselves at her fountain to assuage their craving thirst. The bridegroom was a young photographer, lately from the Home country, and doing a fair business in Greymouth. The second couple were residents of Kumara, and held high festival at Gilbert Stewart’s hotel, where everything was sure to go well. A large crowd of spectators gathered to see them start on their wedding tour; they were young, good-looking, and well-matched, it is said. The customary shower of slippers as indicative of good luck pelted them from all quarters, and among these were a pretty little pair of infants’ scarlet shoes. There is a story attached to these shoes. It appears they were subsequently recognised as having performed a similar service some four or five years ago. “ I knew,” says a correspondent, “ something desperate was going to happen. Poor Jemmy! He, to part with an old friend which reminded him of blighted hopes and expectations for five years postponed, to arrive at last at the conclusion that it was hope against hope. At last common sense came to the rescue ; time was on the wing ; decay must ultimately set in, and there was a chance of the newlymarried couple finding a wearer for the dear little boots. Despair was depicted on his countenance : ho had to lean on a post for support. Mentally .he ejaculated, like the Oomishman— ‘ They are no use to me ; you can take them !’ and so they were pitched into the buggy, possibly in the hope that the young couple would be able soon to make use of them.” Mr B. Shadbolt, of Duvauchelle’s Bay, Canterbury, an old colonist, died on Wednesday, last, leaving a wife and several children. The deceased had lived on the Peninsula for many years, and (the Press states) was much respected by all to whom he was known, either in his business relations or as a private gentleman. A man named Joseph Coles, a miner, who has resided at Collingwood for some time, is reported to have attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. On Warden Gibbs receiving information, he requested Fletcher to see the man, there being no medical man at Collingwood, and Fletcher sewed np the man’s throat. Coles’ mind is affected. British India, according to the recent census, has a population of 252,541,210. This is the first complete census ever taken, and the result shows 15,000,000 more people than the usual estimate allowed. There are 10,427 males to every 16,000 females. The area of the provinces directly under British administration and of the native Feudatory States.is 1,472,854 square miles. The population, therefore, is 171 to the square mile.