The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2299, 10 January 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1884.

A meeting of the Hospital Committee was held last evening at the Town Hall; after which the delegates of the various Friendly Societies also met. Particulars will appear to-morrow. Owing, as was presumed, to the heavy rain up country the coach from Springfield did not arrive till between ten and eleven o'clock last night. Ten passengers were brought by it. The coach proceeded on to its destination, Hokitika, at 11 p.m. In the Gazette of the 3rd inst., received to-day, we observe that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Mr John Gow to act as may be required in accordance with section 38 of "The Regulation of Mines Act, 1874," at inquests on deaths from accidents in mines, in the absence of the Inspector of Mines for the Mining Districts of Westport and Greymouth. At the practice meeting of the Fire Brigade last night it was resolved, at the anniversary next month of the formation of the Brigade, to hold a banquet. Captain Edwin wired yesterday that bad weather might be looked for from any direction between north and east and south-east; the glass to fall again soon with an increase of sea and wind backing, together with more rain. The friends of Captain Whitwell will be gratified to learn that he is fast recovering from the serious accident he met with three months ago at Nelson. Mr Wakefield, of Timaru, has announced his intention to contest the Selwyn seat, and he addresses the electors on Tuesday. T. Langdon and Co., Hokitika, were the successful tenderers for the construction of the dray road from the branch Dillman's Town road to the Special Settlement, Teremakau River, their tender being yesterday accepted by the Westland County Council. The Ahaura correspondent of the Argus reports yesterday that Chesterman's cottage was burnt that morning at 4 o'clock. It was a total loss. The cause is unknown, but is supposed to be lightning. The owner was away at Reefton at the time. The building was uninsured. The Greymouth cricketers left on Tuesday afternoon in the steamer Murray. The team consists of Clements, Aldridge, M'Davitt (2), Malcolm (2), Matheson, Murphy, Morris, Perkins, Walton, and Kettle. The match with Nelson is definitely fixed for Saturday, but the visitors to Nelson hope to contest a friendly game with Wakefield, Brightwater, or Motueka, on Friday. The Star says:—"The team is not of as heavy metal as it might be, as some of the best players cannot go, but the list of names published above should be able to render a good account of themselves." The Westport Times of Tuesday last very much regrets to state that Mrs W. Champion, who was afflicted with paralysis a few days since, expired on Sunday evening. Sincere sympathy is felt on all sides for the husband and large family thus bereaved. The deceased was a most kindhearted lady, and almost innumerable acts of unostentatious goodness are recorded of her. "Twelve Little Girls Kidnapped" would prove a sensational heading for a poster convening an indignation meeting during a period of popular excitement" but is, nevertheless (the Australasian remarks), merely the sober statement of an actual fact. That number of female children, from 12 to 14 years of age, have been taken to India against their own will and without the consent of their parents, most of whom are greatly distressed by the event; the theatrical manager who carried them off has since died, and his father has assumed the control of the troupe. The children were originally engaged to give a series of theatrical performances in the Australasian colonies only, but when they reached Cooktown they were placed on board a vessel in spite of their protests and entreaties, and conveyed to Penang, en route for India. One of the skirls, named Flora de Lorme, was obtained in New Zealand four years ago. The girls are continually trying to get home, but without gfifegt,