The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2356, 17 March 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1884.

To-day being St. Patrick’s Day was observed as a holiday by the Banks and drapery establishments. The tram conveyed a few passengers to Greyraouth this morning en route for the annual races, which take place to-day and to-morrow on the Omotumotu course. To-night there will be entertainments at both theatres here. To-night, at the Adelphi Theatre, under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor and Borough Council, the Fire Brigade, and the three Bands of the town, a grand vocal and instrumental concert and dramatic performance will be given in aid of the funds of the Kumara Dramatic Club wardrobe. This club has on many occasions given their services gratuitously, generally devoting a good deal of their time, and money too, to the preparation of entertainments in aid of some charitable cause ; and it is to assist the club in a better representation of the various characters that have necessarily to be produced at these entertainments that the public are asked to come forward to-night and contribute by the purchase of tickets to a performance which will have a twofold purpose, viz., an excellent programme for enjoyment on St. Patrick’s night, and the satisfaction that the proceeds will be appropriated for future charitable objects. The Catholic Brass Band have kindly consented to play from Dillman’s Town at seven o’clock to and at the Theatre ; the Kumara String Band will attend and render some excellent musical selections ; songs by a number of amateurs will be given ; and, after an interval, the celebrated melodrame of “ Robert Macaire ” will be produced by the Dramatic Club. Mrs Williams is announced as pianist, and Mr A. Miller as leader of the orchestra ; so that really good music and a good house should be relied upon. Fisher’s new Comedy and Burlesque Company will give their last performance here at the Theatre Royal this evening. It being St. Patrick’s night a grand special Irish bill will be presented, including Irish songs, dances, and farces. Mr E. Alexander, the favourite Irish comedian, will recite “ Shemus O’Brien ” or “The Rebellion ofJ’9B.” The management having reduced the prices of admission, all lovers of a genuine evening’s amusement should not miss the opportunity afforded them this evening. Judging from the success of the entertainment on Saturday night last, a good house may be predicted.

The interprovincial cricket match between Otago and Canterbury was concluded on Saturday, and resulted in a victory for Otago. The scores were as follow: First Second Grand innings, innings. Total. Otago 104 73 = 177 Canterbury ... 44 106 = 150 27 Cooke, of Canterbury, was carried shoulder high from the field for his capital bowling performance. The privileges for the Reefton Jockey Club races, to be run on the 24th and 25th of this month, were sold by auction by Mr Patrick Brennan at Reefton on Saturday, with the following result:—No. 1 booth, £39; No. 2 booth, £37 ; refreshment booth, £l2 ; games, £1; programme of races, £5. The Jockey Club bought in the gates at £BO, and the Grand Stand at £SO. The West Coast Times this morning says:—“lt is understood that Mr Gisborne will be a candidate at the next general election to represent this [Hokitika] constituency.” The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes : rumoured that various schemes in the direction of diminishing the present heavy cost of education are before the Cabinet. The necessity of something being done towards more economical working has been strongly pressed on the mind of Government through the fact that nearly half a million extra would be required next year to satisfy the aggregate claims of Education Boards for what they all declare to be urgently necessary works.” The same correspondent telegraphs ; “As various imaginary sums have been named as the probable saving to be effected to the present process of retrenchment, I may as well say that at present it is not expected there will be any material saving on next year’s total expenditure, because the amount of compensation will necessarily be extremely large, and probably swallow up the past year’s savings. The difference in subsequent years will, however, be very considerable.”