The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MAY 12, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2400, 12 May 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MAY 12, 1884.

A misfortune occurred on the high road yesterday morning. Two or three young men were driving up to Kumara from Hokitika in a single buggy, and when between the Loopline road and the Kapitea Creek, they passed Mr Peter Moore’s waggon, which, as is common for him on his return home, had one horse tied behind the waggon. The waggon, we are

informed, was drawn up alongside the road and was at a standstill. In passing, the buggy was rounded sharp on to the middle of the road, and came into contact with the hind off leg of the horse behind the waggon. The animal thus struck staggered and went on all fours into the ditch. The collision broke the shafts from the buggy, which was capsized, the occupants of course being thrown out, and, fortunately, without sustaining any serious injury. One of the occupants succeeded in overtaking the runaway animal, so that with the exception of a few bruises and scratches to men and horses, and broken shafts, no harm was done. But now comes the most ludicrous part of the affair. Mr Bassett, of Cameron and Bassett, with his four-horse coach, was not far behind the buggy, and was proceeding to help to extricate the horse from out of the ditch, but it was found that this could not be done without the inevitable spade or shovel, so the coach drove on to the nearest habitation, less than a mile distant, which proved to be that of Mr E. Rogers, a labourer, in the employ, we believe, of the County Council. A horseman whom Mr Bassett met was requested to return as far as the hut with the view of expediting the delivery of the spade for the relief of the animal which had fallen into the ditch. Much to their surprise, however, although the circumstances were explained, the request was at first refused, the hut-man saying that if he did not get his shovel back he would not be able to go to work in the morning ! With much persuasion the shovel or spade was at last procured, and the horse was eventually liberated out of the ditch little the worse for his long incarceration.

With regard to the convict Donohue, now under sentence of death in Hokitika Gaol for the murder of James Gifford in January last, the Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times telegraphed on the 7th instant: —“There was a long meeting of the Executive Council to-day at which all the Ministers except Mr Mitchelson, who is away from Wellington, were present. The principal busi. ness, it is understood, was to consider the case of the man Donohue, who was convicted of murder on the West Coast, but concerning whose sanity doubts were subsequently raised, and on whose case Dr. Grabham, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, was specially instructed to report. The Government, I believe, were unable to deal with the matter before, as, since Dr. Grabham’s report was sent in, very few of the Ministers have been together in Wellington at one time. The Executive Council arrived at a decision as to the fate of the convict this afternoon, and this will be forwarded by the first mail to his Excellency the Governor in the form of a recommendation. In accordance with the usual practice, its nature will not be made public until his Excellency notifies his pleasure in the matter.” Unless it transpire by telegraph, his Excellency’s “pleasure” can not be known by the Westland sheriff before the 21st or 24th inst.

Tenders for the construction of tracks from Goldsborough to Big Dam, and from Kumara Beach Road to the Greymouth Tramway close at Hokitika tomorrow at 5 p.m. Plans and specifications for the first-named contract can be seen at Mr R. J. Seddon’s, or at Mr J. M'Whirter’s, Goldsborough ; and for the last-mentioned contract at Mr Seddon’s only. Tender and schedule forms may also be obtained at these places. The Union Shipping Company have been obliged to refuse a number of passengers for the South Sea Islands excursion, the applications being considerably in excess of the number fixed. The company, therefore, contemplate repealing the trip on the return of the Wairarapa provided a sufficient number book for the trip by the 3rd June. The number needed is 70.

A life of Chinese Gordon has just been published in England, to be sold at a penny for the benefit of the poor. He is at present, and deserves to remain so, the most popular hero since the Duke of Wellington.

Poverty and Suffering. dragged down with debt, poverty, and suffering for years, caused by a sick family and large bills for doctoring, which did them no good. I was completely discouraged, until one year ago, by the advice of my pastor, I procured Hop Bitters and commenced their use, and in one month wo were ail well, and none of us have been sick a day since ; and I want to say to all poor men, you can keep your families well a year with Hop Bitters for less than one doctor’s visit will cost. I know it.”—A Working Man, Read.

How to Get Sick. —Expose yourself day and night, sit too much without exercise, work too hard without rest,' doctor all the time, take all the vile nostrums advertised, and then you will want to know

How to get Well, —Which is answered in three words—Take Hop Bitters! Read.