The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2317, 31 January 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884.

The Christchurch coach arrived about ten o’clock last night, the delay being caused partly by the flooded state of the rivers and partly by a misfortune which happened on Tuesday evening when crossing one of the three tributaries known as the Otira Creek or River. From what wo can learn, in crossing one of these tributaries the wheels of the coach came in contact with a boulder on the ford, by which means the coach was upset, the king bolt gave way, and the horses galloped off with the fore part of the coach. Of course the passengers on the box seat and the driver (Arthur Davis) were thrown therefrom into the creek. Davis retained possession of the reins, but seeing Miss Ecclesfield (a young lady of 13 to 15 years of age), one of those who had been thrown from the box, floating away on the stream, ho let go the reins to save the girl, whom he succeeded in securing after rolling over himself two or three times in the creek. He put her in a place of safety, and then turned his attention to those in the coach, who, as a passenger described them, were huddled together like hens in a coop. Meantime the horses had reached the next stream, where they became entangled by the traces, harness, and pole, the result being that before they could be released from each other the two pole horses got drowned ; one of them is said to have been the best horse on the line. The release of the other horses was effected, we understand, by some surveyors at the Otira, who, hearing the noise, got on their horses and went down to the river and cut them adrift. The passengers | in the coach were all rescued from j their most uncomfortable position ; and proceeded to Keenan’s accommodation homo. wide!' is not many hundred yards a. , ; ■ <: !!m calastropho. J 'lucre were ivu passenger's went with the

coach from Kumara on Tuesday morning. Some doctor and his lady with Miss Ecclesfield (from Hokitika) occupied the box-seat. Inside were Mrs Horne, Miss Monahan, Miss Roberts, Rev. Father Mulvihill, Mr John Guy (from Greymouth), and Master Henry Holmes. Mrs M'lnerney was also a passenger, but alighted at her home at the Taipo. Several articles loose on the coach were carried down the stream and lost; among them were three small mail bags—one from Hokitika to Bealey, one from Hokitika to Otira, and one from Lake Brunner to Christchurch. We believe this is the first and only serious casualty which has befallen Arthur Davis, who has been in in the employ of the present mail coach contractors for many years, and has proved himself a most skilful and careful driver. The passengers got a good sousing at the creek, but would be thankful to reach terra firma in safety. They resumed their journey to the Bealey yesterday, where they arrived last evening at six o’clock, proceeding |on to Springfield this morning. Woodyear’s Electric Circus is experiencing some difficulty in getting along the road from Christchurch. They expect to perform in Kumara to-morrow week. Dr. Lemon, Commissioner of Telegraphs, is now on an official visit of inspection to Hokitika. The Times says : ‘ { He will place in hand the erection of the long promised telephone between Hokitika and Stafford and Waimea.” The Union Company’s steamer Mahinapua leaves Greymouth for Dunedin direct, to-morrow at 11 o’clock. This morning’s Argus reports :—“An application was made in the District Court yesterday before Mr Barton, Registrar, in re Brown and Howe, bankrupts. The debtors applied for an order compelling the trustee (Thos. Pollard) to call a meeting of creditors. Mr Guinness appeared for the debtors and Mr Perkins for the trustee. The evidence taken contained nothing of general interest. Judgment will be given to-day by the Registrar, some points as to jurisdiction having been raised by counsel.” A track is being laid off to the new rush to Larrikins Creek, Mokihinui. After finishing the track to Larrikins, Mr Thomson will continue the survey through to Lyell, and a pack track will be at once constructed. The Agent-General is sending out a lot of partridges to the Nelson Acclimatisation Society. The Hon. R. Oliver has rented for a year the beautiful house and gardens in Wellington of Sir James Prendergast, who has gone home on sick leave. The hammer-throwing contest between Donald Dinnie and W. Matheson will take place on the Caledonian Society’s ground, Dunedin, on February 16. It is probable that the wrestling match between Dinnie and Hudson will also take place on that day ; and as a programme of bicycle events has been arranged to be carried out on the same occasion, an interesting day’s proceedings should be the result.