The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2318, 1 February 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1884.

The members of the Fire Brigade do not approve of the site chosen by the Borough Council for the erection of the shed or station for the new fire engine, which is now on the way out; but this is owing, we suppose, to the assumption that the shed will be built on the site now occupied, or parallel with it. If this be the intention of the Council, we think it would be a mistake, as there would not then be sufficient room, in a hurry and on a dark night, to turn the new engine in safety, without risk of some one falling into the creek in front. But there is a way of getting over that difficulty by building the shed in front of the Pound, parallel with First street, so that there would be almost a straight run out into Seddon street. The engine is expected to arrive shortly, advices of its shipment having already been received. But nothing has been done as yet by the Borough Council in supplying tanks for water, without which a good Brigade and a powerful engine will be alike futile when their services may be most required. We regret to learn that great damage has been done to the telegraph insulators on the poles between Westbrook and the Greenstone Junction through destructive practices of children throwing stones at them, and using catapults with the same object. Yery severe punishment awaits any one caught in the act, and it is advisable that parents should caution their children against such pursuits. Since the advent of Dr. Lemon on the Coast, orders have been given to replace all very old or unsound telegraph poles along the line between Greymouth and Kumara. In the matter of Brown and Howe, a case in bankruptcy, Mr Barton, Registrar, gave his decision in the case by ordering that the trustee summon a meeting of creditors within 14 days. An application for costs by Mr Guinness was refused. The Returning Officer (A. F. F. Etheridge, Esq.) for the licensing district of Araluu’ajiotifies in another column that the election of five persons to constitute a comuiitiuo for ti.o .-.aid district will take plage on (huuuUiy, the 10tlx day vf Febtu-

ary; and that nominations will be received at the Court House, Stafford, up to noon on Saturday, the 9th inst. The quarterly licensing meetings of the Arahura district for 1884 are appointed to be held as follows The Court House, Stafford, March sth, June 4th, September 3rd, and December 3rd, each day at noon.

We have received the Union Steam Shipping Company’s Pocket Guide for February. During the winter months— May or June, the most favourable time of the year to visit the South Sea Islands—it is proposed to despatch one of the largest of the Company’s steamers on a special excursion from Auckland, to Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and other islands of the South Pacific. The trip will probably occupy thirty days from date of leaving and returning to Auckland.

Amongst the passengers outward yesterday by the s.s. Mawhera was Sergeant O’Grady, for Wellington. The Argus says that he takes with him those articles of apparel belonging to Donohue which are said to be marked by blood stains, for the purpose of having them scientifically examined by Mr Skae, analyst of the Colonial Museum. It will be remembered from the evidence that the alleged bloodstains showed but faintly, as if they had been partially washed out; and it is quite possible that Mr Skae may find it a difficult task to decide positively on the matter. But as he is a very clever analyst he may find a way of unfolding the secret.

Mr Menteath, of the firm of Messrs Jones and Menteath, barristers and solicitors, Reefton and Greymouth, was admitted to the New Zealand bar on Wednesday, at the Supreme Court, Wellington.

Mr W. C. Gilbert, dentist, announces his intention of visiting Kumara, for a day or two, on Wednesday, the 13th February.

The following telegram was received by the Rev. Mr Lawry yesterday morning from the District Representative at the Wesleyan Conference :—“ Station sheet altered as follows :—Waiuku, Lawry ; Patea, Salter ; Greymouth, Law.” This/ the Times understands, was quite unexpected, and the reason for the change has not yet been made known.

Mr R. A. Proctor, in a letter to the Argus, says he expects ere long to revisit Australia.

In the shop of Mr Peter Laing, Wellington, there was exhibited a few days ago a strawberry resembling in shape and size a turkey’s egg, and weighing 2ozs.

The Victorian team of bowlers played their second match in Dunedin last Saturday afternoon against a team chosen from the Dunedin Club. The local men, of course enjoyed a considerable advantage, all of them playing upon their own green, and the visitors were beaten by a very much larger number of points (135 to 96) than was the case in the intercolonial match.

A lunatic who escaped from the Nelson Asylum lately was captured in a somewhat singular, if not amusing, manner. Dr. Boor, the medical officer at the Asylum, happened to be driving in the direction of Wakefield, and chanced to see the man whom he at once recognised, walking along the road. He at once stopped and offered to give Gibson a lift, an offer which was readily accepted, and doctor and patient drove together into town and the former landed his charge at the Asylum.

During a thunderstorm recently, Mr M‘lsaac, a telegraph lineman, received, a rather heavy shock from the lightning. He was at the Inglewood office (says the Taranaki Herald), and had one hand on a terminal, when a flash struck the wire and went off on the guard like a ball of fire as large as a man’s two fists, with a report as loud as a cannon. Mr M‘lsaac says he not only felt a tingling sensation in his fingers, but it seemed as if someone had struck him a heavy blow on the chest. His two first fingers turned as white as chalk, and remained so for about ten minutes.

A beauty competition lately started in the Old Conntry by the Sporting Times has created a great deal of interest in sporting and theatrical circles. Miss Kate Vaughan, the well-known burlesque actress, gained the prize, being first with 1208 votes; Miss Ilaisy Yorn being second with 1171 votes. The far-famed Mrs Langtry comes third on the list with 1012 votes ; Miss Violet Cameron and Miss Connie Gilchrist come next, but a long way behind, they having only polled the comparatively small number of 880 and 300 votes respectively,