The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2308, 21 January 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1884.

A public meeting is to be held at the Theatre Royal, this evening, for the purpose of taking steps to have the interests of miners and others thoroughly represented at the inquiry which is to take place at ten o’clock to-morrow morning, at the Court House, in reply to the invitation of Warden Giles ; who, together with Mr Gordon, Inspector of Mines, has been appointed by the Minister of Mines to meet claimholders and parties interested in the working arrangements of the sludge-channel and water-race. The meeting to-night will take place at eight o’clock. The following telegram in reference to these matters was sent by the County Chairman (P. Dungan, Esq.), on Saturday last, to the Minister of Mines : “ Big to inform you Just had coiumuuica,'

tion from Miners Executive Committee, of Kumara goldfield, to the following effect :— * Willing for third party to be appointed with Dr. Giles and Mr Gordon.’ Trust that the suggestion of the miners will meet the approval of the Minister of Mines.” The Christchurch coach, with Australian and interprovincial mails, arrived about six o’clock on Saturday evening, having been detained by the bad state of the roads, caused by the recent heavy and incessant rains. An alarm of fire was given out between half-past eleven and twelve o’clock on Saturday night, and soon afterwards, the fire-bell pealing forth, a large crowd assembled at the scene, which proved to be the residence of old Thomas Harrold (better known perhaps as “Pigeon Tom”), situate on the new road, Seddon street west, some distance behind the Crown Hotel. The Fire Brigade turned out promptly; but the fire when first discovered had such complete possession of the tenement that it was quite impossible to save anything. The efforts of the brigade were, however, very useful in preventing the fire from extending to other buildings. Harrold, we are sorry to say, lost all he possessed. The Pons’ 1812 comet, to which we lengthily referred in an article last Friday week, was plainly visible to the naked eye last night from about 9 to 11 o’clock, west by south, and when first seen was about 20 degrees above the horizon. With the assistance of an opera glass the seventy years’ visitor will appear to better advantage. It will continue visible for about two weeks, weather permitting, its brightness gradually increasing as it moves east and south. After crossing the earth’s orbit it will, according to the best calculations, arrive in perihelion (nearest distance to the sun) on Friday next. The eighteenth competition for the Kumara Rifle Company’s silver medal took place on Saturday. The weather was unfavourable, but some good shooting was made. On this occasion Yol. Ellery became the winner for the second time ; so that now the match is becoming interesting, as this makes two (Yols. Smith andEllery) who have two wins to their credit, and, either winning it a third time, the medal will become such Volunteer's absolute property ; each of the two Volunteers named will have 5 points handicap to the good. The following were the scores on Saturday ; Handi--200 400 500 cap. TL Yol. Ellery 17 17 12 955 Yol. Sampson 20 18 16 scr —54 Yol. Smith 16 16 13 550 Yol. Barry 17 13 12 446 Yol. Schulstad.... 17 15 11 245 Yol. Merveldt ' 15 9 10 539 Yol. Hobbs 15 15 5 439 The Miners Ball, we hear, is likely to be weE patronised. The committee are actively devoting themselves to make it a success, and tickets are seUing fast. We have it on the authority of several members of the committee that any surplus accruing as profits wiE be given to the funds of our local Hospital. This being the case those who do not dance as weE those who may be doubtful about going need not hesitate to purchase tickets, for they will know that if they are not represented it wiE be so much double gain to the institution which all desire to see well supported. The Brass Band wEI turn out for the occasion, and at 8 o’clock on Friday, wEI announce in Dillman’s that preparations for the ball at the Theatre Royal, Kumara, are ready by playing several lively airs from thence and into town. The Baud wiE also play to several dances during the evening. The examination of State School teachers in and from various parts of the Westland educational district was commenced in the Kumara State School this morning, by Mr Smith, the Inspector. The total number of persons who have come forward for examination is 21, viz., 12 females, and 9 males. Of these we learn 16 are for Class E, and the other five for completion of certificates. St. Patrick’s day school was opened this morning, when 162 children presented themselves. This is the largest attendance yet recorded at the reopening of the school after holidays, and shows, therefore, an increasing desire in the community for educational instruction. The whole of the New Zealand Loan of one million, being the second mElion under the Three Million Loan Act, the Agent-General telegraphs, was placed above par. The total amount tendered for was £5,070,000. Tenderers at £IOO 5s Gtl receive 54 per cent., the remainder being placed above that price. The probable average will be £IOO Bs. There were in all 600 tenders, one tender alone taking, up the whole amount.

The Union Company’s steamship Tarawera started yesterday, on her second special excursion trip from Port Chalmers to the West Coast Sounds, with 90 passengers. She is to arrive back on the 28th inst. The Fisher Comedy and Burlesque Company played a capital all-round performance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. The attendance was not nearly commensurate with the character and variety of the entertainment, and this was' the subject of general remark by nearly everyone present. Mr Fisher drove his troupe yesterday towards Ross, where they will perform to-night. The Willmott Combination will not appear in Eumara on Wednesday, as announced ; but will defer their entertainment till Friday next. To-morrow and Wednesday they play in Hokitika,the drama of “ Eilleen Oge and on Thursday Miss Crawford takes a benefit,, when she will play Clande in the beautiful drama of “ The Lady of Lyons.” Messrs Mark Sprot and Co., under instructions from the Trustees in the estate of Mr W. 0. J. Kortegast, will to-morrow week dispose by public auction of 1000 shares in the Long Tunnel Gold Mining Company, and also of the freehold section opposite the Hospital, with the cordial factory erected thereon. The dreadful death of James Gifford near Greymouth has more than passing interest to many in this locality (writes the Southland Times). The unfortunate man was a brother of William Gifford, of the Bluff pilot staff, and also of Mrs Burnett, Woodlands. He paid a visit to his friends here just two years ago at the holiday season, and is described as a quiet, respectable man. As Gifford was a strong, active man, it seems probable that the attack made on him was unsuspected, and that one of the first of the deadly knifethrusts must have disabled him and left him at the mercy of his merciless assailant. Some broken-hearted individual, having apparently for ever lost the one idol of his affections, now seeks another sweetheart upon whom he can place confidence, and share with him his joys and sorrows. Applicants must not, however, be too confiding, as “ Y.Z.” only advertises for “ a sweetheart,” not for a wife ; but as particulars are, inferentially, to be supplied on application through the post, it is quite sufficient for us to draw attention to the matter. Up to the present time 31 intercolonial cricket matches have been played between Victoria and New South Wales, of which 18 have been won by Victoria and 13 by New South Wales, leaving Victoria five matches to the good. In and from 1867 Victoria won six matches in succession, and New South Wales followed in and from 1874 with seven successive wins.