The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1883.

Kumara Times, Issue 1991, 16 January 1883, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1883.

To-night at the Theatre Royal, the Willmott Combination will present to the public of Kimiara a really grand treat in the highly amusing and celebrated comedy, by Lancaster, “The Guv’nor !” Since tho Combination were at Kmnara a few weeks ago, we notice Mr Willmott has secured the services of Mr R. W. Rede, so well and favorably known, especially in the character of “ Deacon Skinner,” also of Mr C. Hall, the scenic artist. The Combination, therefore, already powerful, must be excellent now. We cannot do better, perhaps, than cpfote the Avords of an esteemed private Hokitika correspondent avlio, in a communication to us yeste; ' wrote as follows concerning the entt dug proprietor and the Willmott Combination :—“ In many respects Mr Willmott is entitled to more than general notice. There has been no one in Hokitika avlio, in so short a space of time, has won more general admiration and esteem. His Combination is the most talented, and in other ways far the best and the largest, that has visited the coast for the last ten

years. Ido not know whether they play “ The Guv’nor ” or “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in Knraara, but either of these plays, as enacted by the Willraott Combination, is worth going miles to see.” So that Knmara playgoers will, as advertised, have the privilege of seeing two of the Combination’s very best pieces. We sincerely hope that the opportunities thus presented will not be lost, but that crowded audiences will testify to general excellence and merit.

The news of another terrible disaster through fire reaches us by cable to-day. During a circus performance atßerditchev, a town many miles north of Odessa, on the Black Sea, a fire broke out, and the ways of exit being blocked, it is estimated that fully 300 people lost their lives by being trampled upon or burned to death. The sad event is stated to be only second in magnitude to the great fire at the Ring Theatre in Vienna, when about 900 lives were sacrificed.

A mishap occurred to the noon mail coach this morning. When just descending Sandy’s Hill towards Kumara, the brake gave way, and a capsize seemed for a time inevitable. The coach was pretty well filled, being occupied principally by members of Mr Willraott’s Combination ; the gentlemen jumped off with all dexterity, and Mr Bassett, the driver, who had the horses well in hand, succeeded in pulling up against the left bank or sideling. The lady passengers then alighted, and, locking the wheels, Mr Bassett resumed his journey to the foot of the hill and into town without the slightest injury having befallen anyone. Miners seeking investment will find two shares offering in Thomson and party’s four men’s double-area claim at Patrick’s Terrace. Application is to be made at the claim, which is near the Dillman’s Town road.

Judging by a telegram from Charleston yesterday, which stated that “at 11 a.m the s.s. St Kilda was passing here in tow of the tug Dispatch, all apparently going on well,” the Argus this morning says : “It would appear as if the Dispatch was towing the St. Kilda on to Westport instead of back to Greymouth ; but as she arrived outside the bar last night it is assumed she was looking for the boat in charge of the second mate, who was sent ashore with the news.” We have since learned that the St. Kilda was towed into the Grey River by the Dispatch at an early hour this morning. The necessary repairs will be effected by the Dispatch Foundry Company. The Mahinapua leaves Dunedin on Wednesday next for West Coast ports, calling at Oamaru, Lyttelton and Wellington. She will sail on her return voyage on Tuesday, 23rd inst. The Waipara will, as usual, connect with her at Greymouth.

Great preparations are being made in Wellington for the reception of the Governor, who is expected to arrive at Wellington on Friday. On the arrival of the steamer Wakatipu she will be convoyed up the harbor by the yachting fleet of Wellington. As his Excellency leaves the vessel he will be met by the Mayor and members of the City Council and representatives of other public bodies, who will present addresses of welcome. Two triumphal arches will bo erected. It is expected that the whole of the Friendly Societies, Volunteer Companies, Fire Brigades, and Salvage Corps will take part in the procession. During the day the school children will, if the masters can possibly arrange it, also take part in the proceedings. In the evening there will be a torchlight procession through the town.

The Charleston Herald thus details an event contested on Boxing Day at the annual fete in aid of the Hospital : ‘ ‘ Tilting in the Bing—first prize, £3. Entrance os. Five entries or no event. — W. H. Brown, I.—This being the only event of the kind ever taking place in Charleston, considerable interest was taken in the affair. Seven noble steeds and a like number of spirited riders competed for the money and honour in a truly chivalrous style. It was an imposing spectacle to see each horseman, armed with a broken billiard cue, making spasmodic efforts to run the thin end of the stick through a little ring attached to a stake and about 7 feet from the ground. Some daring equestrian feats wore performed by the competitors, one of them actually cantering his steed, in his endeavours to outdo his rivals for the coveted prize. We noticed some men very busy putting up the posts after eveiy round, and it seemed to us as if some of the riders intended to carve their names on each post as a memento of their prowess. This interesting event was concluded near sundown, the winner securing the ‘pot. 1 ” (

Information received from the AgentGeneral by the mail states that he intended dispatching the ship Halcoine for Lyttelton on the 13th December, with a full complement of immigrants. He mentions that he is advertising for experienced domestic servants, who are willing to proceed to New Zealand.

On Wednesday last, for the first time, the Otago Daily Times printed a weather chart, showing the weather over temperate latitudes of Australia and New Zealand at 9 a.m. on the previous day. It is to appear daily in future. The Patea Mail thinks “£BO a-year as salary to the County Clerk is only sufficient to retain the services of a man whose conscience will allow him to help himself from the public till, and thus supplement his miserable pittance.” Only sufficient, no doubt.

A correspondent sends a contemporary the following :—“ While passing through a township in the Seventy-mile Bush, the other day, I was somewhat amused at a notice posted in front of the building there known as the ‘ Hall. ’ It ran thus—- ‘ Nobis. Dance will be helled at Skinner Thetricle Hall, on December 23th. Admissing, Gentlemen 0s 6d Ladys Free (gritus).’ ” Captain Murdoch, of the ill-fated Austral, went Home by the last San Francisco boat, in order to be present at the inquiry to be held by the Board of Trade in London.

The largest blast ever attempted in the colony was fired at the Glen Osmond quarries, Adelaide, lately. It consisted of what was equivalent to 90,80dlbs of powder. The quantity dislodged by the blast was estimated at 200,000 cubic yards of road metal.

England denies the claims of France to Madagascar. A memorial read to Lord Granville on the 28th ult. by a delegation showed there were three times as many English there as French, and that the English trade quadrupled the French trade. Earl Granville, in reply, said he was not aware of any treaty that gave France the right to exercise a protectorate over Madagascar.

For the year up to the 31st ult. the total receipts of the Suez Canal show an increase of £367,600. It cannot, therefore, be held that the interests of its shareholders have suffered in the least from the disturbances in Egypt. On the contrary, the Canal has probably been very much the gainer, at all events for the time being. Whether or not its high charges, if maintained, will check the past rate of increase in its receipts now that some lines of steamers have found it possible to trade round the Cape remains to be seen.

In the Madras Presidency, during 1881, £2205 was paid in rewards for destroying 136 tigers, 720 panthers and leopards, and 543 other animals. 1302 persons and 8938 other animals were killed by wild animals and snakes, tigers killing 135 people and 3328 cattle. The cattle killed by wild animals in the presidency during the year are valued at £17,789. The Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machine may be had upon Time Payment, easiest terms for any part of the countiy, no matter whei'e 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 particulars free by post from James Renton, sole .agent, Kumara and Hokitika.— [Advt.]