The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2307, 19 January 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1884.

At a meeting of the Miners’ Executive Committee at Dilimau’s Town, last evening, it was reso'vod by a large majority to telegraph to the Hon. W. Rolleston, applying that a third party be appointed in conjunction with Warden Giles and Mr H. A. Gordon to sit at the Court of inquiry relative to the working of the Kumara sludgechannel and water-race. On this subject we learn that the following telegram was sent yesterday by the County Chairman (P. Duugan, Esq.) to the Minister of Mines : Beg to acknowledge receipt of your telegram re inquiry into grievances on Kumara goldfield. The telegram has been given publicity for the information of the miners of Kumara. I would still urge a differen t appointment to Mr Gordon. The miners believe that he has most unfairly dealt with matters on this goldfield, prejudicing through his report its real value ; and are pressing claims on their part for the favorable consideration of the Government. By a notice which appears among the advertisements it will be seen that Tuesday next is fixed by Warden Giles for hearing statements from parlies interested in the working arrangements of the Kumara sludge-channel, and when he, together with Mr Gordon, will be happy to meet clairaholders. The Christchurch coach westward left the foot of the Otira at ten o’clock this morning, and was expected in town by 3.30 p.m. ; but it is probable from the appearance of the weather that the Smooth Wainihinihi is too high to attempt to cross, for the coach has not yet (5.10 p.m.) arrived here. There were no suits nor any business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Greenstone, yesterday, the day appointed for the monthly sittings of the Courts. A few mining applications were heard in the Warden’s Court, a report of which is given elsewhere.

Those who wish to enjoy a good night’s entertainment will this evening be afforded the last opportunity they may have of hearing the Fisher Comedy and Burlesque Company in choice little acts and songs, and also of witnessing some of the most daring feats which can bo performed by human skill and dexterity. The entertainment is well worth a visit. The doors of the Theatre Royal are to be opened at 7.30 p.m., and at 8 o’clock the curtain is to rise. A narrow escape from drowning befel Mr Crain, of the Fisher Comedy Company on Thursday. When the party were crossing Nelson Creek from Reefton, in a coach Mr Fisher has recently purchased from Messrs Mitchell and Campbell, there was somewhat of a fresh in the creek ; and whilst Mr Crain was in the act of crossing the footbridge, a drunken man followed him, and began swaying the frail structure by his antics. Both had hold of the wire hand-rail, which gave way, and both fell into the creek. Mr Crain went rolling over two or three times, and eventually got his foot entangled in the wire, and by this cause was held under water for some time. He managed to relieve himself of his coat, and in the struggle in the water he also lost his vest and watch and chain. With difficulty he was dragged ashore, and restoratives being applied, animation was restored. The foolish man was also rescued with difficulty. During his visit to Wellington, the Public Works Department informed Mr Rae that tenders would be shortly called for the Taipo bridge and the permanent way for the Arahura Railway. The West Coast Times yesterday reports :—“ Two or three business men in town have in their possession dishonoured cheques of the defunct Board of Education, which they cashed on behalf of employes of the Board. At present there seems no way of recovering moneys so advanced unless the members of the Board can be held personally responsible.” The weather has been intensely hot in Sydney and many places of the interior. At Bourke, on the 7th inst, the thermometer registered 126 degrees in the shade. In Christchurch, a week later, a frost was experienced in several localities around the city, and several gardens have suffered a good deal in consequence. People were surprised to see a frost in December, but one in the middle of January is even more phenomenal. The comet is telegraphed as having been seen by a local observer at Auckland, due west. It is also reported as being visible from Christchurch last night, though not to the unassisted eye; and to have been seen from Invercargill on Thursday night. At last we have some official information concerning the loss of life occasioned on some of the shores of the Straits of Sunda, where the great earth eruption took place on the 27th August last. The Daily News correspondent at The Hague sends the following :—“ The official Gazette contains a communication from the Governor of the Dutch East Indies to the Minister of the Colonies respecting the calamity in the Straits of Sunda. The Governor says the number of victims is not yet ascertained. Many were carried away by the sea. The Resident at Bantam estimates the number for Turingin alone at 10,000, and for the whole Province 15,000, among them being 32 Europeans, viz., 16 men, 6 women, and 10 children. In the Lampong district the number is not yet known, but it undoubtedly reaches several thousands. The Europeans were all saved except four. The European and native officials who lost their property will receive six months’ additional salary as compensation.” Tenders are invited for forming and metaling one chain of Third street and the turn-out near the Church of England, one contract. Specifications can be seen at the Town Hall. Tenders will be received at the Town Clerk’s Office till noon on Wednesday next, 23rd inst. Consultation No. 1 in the Robin Hood Great Novelty Company on the Dunedin Cup is rapidly filling up, and early application is requested from those who intend taking up shares. The Robin Hood Spring Meeting Consultation of 1882 (twelve months since) closed with 3178 subscribers at 10s each ; their Melbourne and New Zealand Cups, 1883, closed with 7069 at 10s each, showing the progress the company has made, and the estimation in which it is held. Mr George Brooks writes to the Christchurch Press “ Sir—Archibald Forbes spent an evening with my friend, S. W. Silver, of the ‘ Colonies and India,’ and

in answer to the question, ‘Greater traveller as you are than most, tell me the spot you are inclined to adopt to spend the evening of life V ‘ New Zealand,’ was his reply ; ‘ the climate, the people, the country all round are delightful. New Zealand has a great future.’ If you think the above will interest your readers please insert it.” S. W. Silver and Co. are the great silversmiths and jewellery manufacturers, of Comhill, whose London House has just been completely gutted by fire.