The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1883.

Kumara Times, Issue 2062, 9 April 1883, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1883.

The meeting which was to have been held at the Town Hall on Saturday evening for the purpose of electing a committee of gentlemen to collect and apportion funds for the relief of the sufferers by the late disastrous fire in Main street

was, on account of the weather and the small attendance, postponed till Thursday evening next, at the same hour and place. On Saturday, after the sentence of James Wylde, the Supreme Court, Hokitika, was occupied all day with the trial of an action, Gibson and wife v. Hewitt, to recover £1250, trust moneys. The case was tried by a special jury, and a verdict was returned for plainiiffs on all the issues. The Times says that the evidence revealed some singular conduct on the part of the defendant.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday evening last, no Justices being town at an earlier period of the day, Margaret Fletcher was brought up before R, J. Seddon and T. R. Connell, Esqs., J.Ps., and charged with drunkenness. Accused pleaded guilty, and was convicted and fined 10s, and 2s costs, or, in default, 24 hours' imprisonment in Hokitika Gaol. The same delinquent was also charged with using obscene language in a public street, viz., Seddon street, on the previous day, to which she also pleaded guilty, and was convicted and fined £1 and 2s costs, or in default, seven days' imprisonment in Hokitika Gaol. The prisoner was conveyed thither on Sunday morning in charge of Constable Hannan and this officer will afterwards return to his station at Stafford Town.

Tlie ordinary meeting of the Kumara Hospital Committee will be held in the Town Hall to-morrow evening at eight o'clock.

A statement of sums collected by some kind friends towards defraying the funeral expenses of the late Jonathan Marks is published in another column ; and the Secretary Kumara Hospital desires us to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of £8 7s 6d, being the balance after paying all expenses.

The Inangahua County Council on Thursday last let contracts for the maintenance of the main roads throughout the county for a term of twelve months. The works are let in eleven extending from the Grey Junction to Tophouse—a distance of about 120 miles. The total amount payable under the contracts is £3054 10s. With reference to the celebrated case of Geoi'ge Longhurst a petition for the release of whom was presented to the Governor recently, the Wellington correspondent of the Press states : "I believe I am justified in saying that there is not the slightest probability of the prayer being granted. I understand that his Excellency as well as the two Judges who tried the cases, and also the majority at any rate of the Ministry, are firmly convinced of the prisoner's guilt. It is said that many of the signatures to the monster petition on his behalf were those of mere children."

The polling at Lawrence for the £IOOO loan for the purpose of constructing a sludge-channel through the town (to which work the Government contribute £2000), was held last Monday. A great deal of interest was evinced over the affair, and out of a possible 237 votes 209 were recorded—2ol in favour of the proposal and eight against it. His Worship the Mayor (M.'Fraer, Esq.) announced the result at 6.30, and the announcement was received with cheers.

A man named Robert English was found dead in his bed at Lincoln on Tuesday evening. The Press reports that the deceased had been discovered in a state of intoxication about two hours previously by a Mr Macvey, who conveyed him to his home at Greenpark, and where he subsequently died.

The Oamaru Mail contains the following amusing paragraph:—"At last Friday's meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board, during a discussion on Parliamentary practice, Mr Shrimski contradicted the Hon. Mr Miller in a very emphatic and gesticulatory manner. Mr Miller thereupon rose, and addressing the chairman said : ' I appeal to you, sir, for protection against Mr Shrimski. He is intimidating me.' Mr Shrimski ejaculated, ' You had need to be.' Those who have a knowledge of the physical characteristics of the two gentlemen will appreciate the joke."

The first steel boiler made in New Zealand was received at the Mosgiel Woolen Factory lately. It was made by Messrs Kincaid, M'Queen, and Co., of Dunedin, and is IGft. long by sffc. Gin. in diameter. It has been tested up to 1801 b. pressure to the square inch, although it is only intended to work it up to 901 b. During the passage of the steamer Waihora from Greenock to Melbourne Mr Copeland and M.r Jacob, sec'.md-claa3 passenger, died of consumption. Alexander M 'Donald, the assistant steward

of the vessel,, was missed on ths 11th March and could not be found, although strict search was made for him. He had previously been suffering from debility, and it was supposed he had either jumped or fallen overboard some time during the previous night. The Times of March 27 publishes a letter from Lord Fitzroy which discusses the proposals recently made for the encouragement of emigration to British Colonies. The writer objects to any money being voted or to rates for assistance to emigration, but thinks that the various colonies should pass immigration votes. The colonies, however, should impose two conditions—one that immigrants should pay a proportion of their own passage money, and that only those should be assisted who possess vigorous health and are fitted for active manual labor. The latter condition, he is of opinion should be rigidly enforced.

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 particulars free by post from James Renton, sole gent, Kumara and Hokitika.—[Advt].