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Kumara Times, Issue 1736, 24 April 1882, Page 2

A public meeting will be held at Reynolds' large room, Dillman's Town, this evening, at eight o'clSdc, to receive and consider the Report of the deputation to the Minister of Mines relative to the petitions from miners concerning the late proposal to adopt the system of payment in advance for water and the terms and conditions proposed for the use of the sludge-channel. To-morrow, between the hours of 9 a.m. and G p.m., at the Dillman's Town polling booth, a poll will be taken for the purpose of determining whether the number of publicans' c/r New Zealand wine or bottle or accommodation licenses may be respectively increased in the Licensing District of Arahura. Mr A. M. Eyes, has been appointed Presiding Officer, to take the poll. The polling for the Licensing District of the Borough of Kumara will be taken on Wednesday next, during the same hours.

The Kumara Rifle Volunteers will parade for monthly inspection to-morrow evening, at the Adelphi Hall.

Solar spots in great variety and form have appeared during the past month, ineluding several large spots surrounded with f aculaj of great brightness. The present year is a supposed period of maxima for the appearance of these peculiar phenomena. Yesterday these spots were to be seen ; but as the sun rotates on its axis once in every 25£ days one of these large spots is now on the southern limb and will disappear to-morrow. The other large spot will also disappear in three or four days. These spots are so large as to be distinctly visible with a piece of smoked glass. Two other spots nearer the centre of the disc may also be seen with an ordinary telescope, but with a darkened glass, to protect the eyes. Some scientists say there is some connection between the late electrical disturbances and these sun spots. Last Monday evening, when the Aurora Australis (as it is called) was visible, wherever fine, throughout New Zealand, the Telegraph Department reported : " It was found ileceessary this afternoon, owing to electrical atmospheric disturbances of a most unusual nature, to refuse telegraphic work for all stations. The land lines and cables were affected to such an extent that it was impossible at times to communicate with distant stations.The disturbance of current was first noticed at about 11 a.m. travelling from the Bluff, and it gradually found its way to the extreme end of the North.lsland, where the lines also became almost unworkable, and it is only at intervals that work can be sent and received. At 7 p.m. there was a slight improvement, but at 9.30 the work south of Dunedin was at a complete standstill. There is a constant current on the wires equivalent to nearly three times the strength of the batteries usually employed, and changing from a negative to positive currents."

At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before A. C. Campbell, Esq., J. P., Annie Cust, on a charge of drunkenness, was fined ss, with the usual alternative.

A poll of the burgesses will be taken on Monday, May Ist, to consider whether it is advisable to raise a loan for the purpose of bringing in a water supply for Kumara.

The new Licensing Act of New South Wales appears to be no easier to carry out in its details than that of New Zealand. We read in a Melbourne paper that " Senior-sergeant Wood, stationed at Carcoar, committed suicide in a determined manner by blowing his brains out with a gun. Wood, who had been 25 years in the force, had lately been appointed inspector under the Publicans Act, and it is supposed that the trouble and worry consequent on carrying out his duties drove the unfortunate man to commit the fatal deed."

A well-known M.H.R. from the West Coast, who (the Lyttleton Times states) is supposed to be particularly 'cute as a rule, had a severe sell the other night at the circus. The old, old "gag" or the drunken man who interferes with the clown was introduced, and the supposed " drunk and disorderly" happened to be unusually well-made-up on this occasion. His proceedings at the door of the tent attracted the notice of the "number," who rose from his seat and added his expostulations to those of the circus men. Of course the delighted pro. was apparently persuaded to retire ; but pre* sently out he came again, and, staggering up to the ring, fell over into the arena, right under the horses hoofs. This was too much for the horrified legislator, and despite the expostulations of a friend, who vainly endeavoured to explain the state of affairs, he jumped over the boards dragged the fellow on to his feet, and fairly carried him out of danger. The circus hands, Press men, and heaps of others standing in the gangway were choking with delight and laughter, but nothing would persuade our hero that he had not deserved the Humane Society's medal, until the inebriate got on the horse and commenced peeling his clothes off in the approved style. A painter who could have caught the expression of his face then, and transferred it to the art gallery of the Exhibition, would be a made man. But wait till the boys at Wellington get hold of this story, Dick, me bhoy. We (Ross Advocate) regret to state that operations have been temporarily suspended in the Ross Gold Mining Company's main shaft, on account of the "pug" getting too pugnacious. Messrs Malfroy and Morgan, mining manager and contractor, went to Hokitika on Friday to be present at a meeting of Directors. During his recent visit to Grahamstown in South Africa, the Rev. Dr. Moran, was presented by his former congregation there with a very handsome gold cross, in which were set a number of diamonds, as a souvenin According to the local Star, in the course of his address Bishop Moran gave a very interesting account of New Zealand, and especially of that portion of it—Dunedin—which was his own home, and of the progress made by the mission over which he presided. For a half-hour or so he entertained his hearers with a most interesting and graphic description of New Zealand, expatiating with the fervour and admiration of a born Zeakiider on the beauties of its scenery, ita forests, and rivers and lakes, its fruitful vales and towering mountains. He carried his hearers away with him, so eloquent was he in his praises of the beautiful land of his adoption. The Lingards were to open at San Francisco on the 13th February, in "The Money Spinner."

Val Vose, ventriloquist, is performing at the Globe Theatre, Boston, Mass., and his new figures are spoken of as the best ever seen in that country.