The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1883.

Kumara Times, Issue 1979, 2 January 1883, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1883.

r i ew Year came in with somewhat more uian usual vivacity this time. At half-part eleven o'clock on the 31st nit. the Fire Brigade mustered in full force at the brigade's station ; from thence, the fire-bell being rung, they marched at twelve o'clock procudcd by St. Patrick's

Drum and Fife Band, along Seddon street, up Main street, as far as the Post Office, back agaiu and to the upper end of Seddon street, bearing torches in their hands, the youthful band playing the while several stirring airs in excellent time and precision. On returning to the Town Hall light refreshments were provided for the Brigade and Fife Band, and the latter, before leaving, performed the national anthem " God Save the Queen." A large quantity of fire-works were let off from various parts of the town, and the scene presented was one of unusual animation. It would have been even greater probably had New Year's eve not fallen on a Sunday ; as it was there was great rejoicing. Watch-night services were held at Holy Trinity and the Wesleyan churches. The usual children's picnics were held at Messrs Keech and and Malloy's paddock and the Catholic school grounds on New Year's day, and afforded pleasant recreation for young and old. A fuller report of these will be given to-morrow.

The members of the local Hospital Committee will hold their usual meeting at the Secretary's Room this evening.

A panorama of the ever memorable Victorian Government exploring expedition of Burke and Wills from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1861 will be exhibited at the Theatre Royal, to-night, at eight o'clock. The entertainment will conclude with many amusing tricks of legerdemain.

We are pleased to observe by the West Coast Times that " a very handsome compliment was paid Mr Arthur Davis, driver of the Christchurch coach, last evening, by a number of friends meeting at the Empire Hotel, and presenting him with a gold watch and chain. Mr Bonar, who was called upon to make the presentation, commented on the good feeling which prompted the action. Mr Davis had made for himself, by his general attention on the road, and by his courteous and obliging manner, many warm friends who svere desirous of recognising his services in some way. Mr Davis, in a few suitable words, acknowledged the high compliment which had been paid him, a compliment which was entirely unexpected on his part."

In refernce to Agents-General, the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press telegraphs :—" I understand the Government have received no intelligence, confirmatory or otherwise, of the cable message published by the Press Association to the effect that the Secretary for the Colonies had decided to receive Agents-General on the same footing as Ambassadors. The telegram is rather vague, and it is believed that it merely refers to some minor details in respect to their relation to the Colonial office with which Agents have expressed their dissatiifaction on more than one occasion."

A special cable message in the Melbourne Age is as follows :—" Despite the reports circulated to the contrary, Arabi Pasha is in poor circumstances, and the Egyptian Government, acting on the suggestion of Lord Dufferin, have therefore decided to make him an allowance of £SOO a year so long as he observes the conditions under which the capital sentence passed on him was. commuted to one of exile."

We (Inangahua Herald, December 28th) are glad to learn that Mr Osborne is progressing very favourably. In the fall while riding Fishhook he fractured his right arm, but concussion of the brain presented the most serious symptoms.

Three misfortunes are reported by the Chrisfcchurch Press, as follows:—"On Boxing day an accident happened to two Rangiora men in a buggy at Ohoka racecourse. The horse rearing fell on the shafts, breaking them, but the occupants had a narrow escape. During the afternoon on the racecourse Police Sergeant M 'Donald's horse startled by some other horses galloping, bucked and fell, covering his rider, and broke the small bone of the sergeant's right leg. He was attended by Dr. Ovenden. On Monday A. Wilson, groom at the Junction Hotel stables, Rangiora, returning from Christchurch with a buggy and pair, was thrown out and had his collar bone dislocated. He was attended by Dr Gordon."

One hundred and fifty-nine newspapers were registered up to November last for transmission by post in the colony of New Zealand.

In the divorce case, heard at Nelson on Wednesday last, M'Kay v. M'Kay and Campbell, co-respondent, a verdict has been given for the petitioner with £3OO damages. The petitioner claimed £IOOO. Judge Richmond said it was the first case in New Zealand where damages had been

claimed in a divorce suit. A rule nisi, returnable in five months, was granted for the dissolution of the marriage.

A rather peculiar coach accident happened at Orepuki the other day. When the coach was brought to a standstill opposite the court-house (says the Riverton Star), one of the passengers rose out of his seat for the purpose of jumping out of the vehicle, but a movement of the horses was the means of his losing his balance and falling out of the front of the coach amongst the horses' feet, clutching the driver (who was standing with the reins in his hand) and bringing him down also. The horses immediately started down the hill, the coach—containing two children—turning a complete somersault, the children being underneath. Considerable misgivings were felt as to the fate of the youngsters, but surprising to relate, they were rescued quite unharmed. The coach was much injured.

At the Templeton sports near Christchurch on Wednesday last, in the hop, step, and jump, P. Donnelly covered 39 feet 7 inches. T. Gudsell was second with 39 feet 5 inches. The running long jump was won by W' Nelson, 17 feet 7 inches. W. Nelson 17 feet 1 inch.

The Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machine may be had upon Time Payment, easiest terms for any part of the country, no matter where you live. With perfect ease and simplicity they will make very fine double seams or fells, will kilt, braid, make their own braid and stitch it on at the same time, bind, cord, ruffle gather, sew on ribbons and trimmings, tuck, hem to any width, bind scallops, and fold dress material with raw edges, bind on the bias, embroider curtains or antimacassars, stitch heaviest tweeds or moleskins, muslin or calico. Every kind of family or factory sewing. The Wertheim machines wind their own bobbins without guidance as level as reels of cotton. They are guaranteed for ten years, but will last a a lifetime. Easy to learn, light in running, strong, handsome, and durable. Catalogues, samples of work, and particulai*s free by post from James Renton, sole agent, Kumara and Hokitika.—[Advt.]