The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2639, 20 February 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1885.

The Hon. Mr Larnach, Minister of Mines, is taking prompt action in reference to the various matters brought under the notice of himself and the Premier during their visit to Kumara. We understand instructions have been given that more flush water is to be used at the head of the channel, to prevent stoppages, and the Manager is advised to be more liberal in gauging the water to miners. Also, we learn that authority will shortly be given to proceed with the new tail-race, care being taken not to infringe upon the legitimate rights of the parties who are opposed to its construction.

Nominations for the Licensing Committee of the Licensing District of Arahura were received at the Court House, Stafford, up to noon yesterday. Only five gentlemen (the required number) were nominated, viz., Messrs Tennant, Byrne, Cox, Fitzgibbon, and Murphy, and they are consequently declared elected. Next Thursday is the day appointed for the election of a Chairman.

We understand that Tait, who was so severely injured by a fall from some fluming, lies in a very dangerous condition at the Hospital. Complaints reach us that the Surgeon-Superintendent's orders are not to strictly attended in reference to the admission of visitors. If this be the case it behoves the House Committee to see into this matter. Surely no one knows better than the medical gentleman under whose care the patient is what is best for him, and a serious responsibility, if not actual crime, attaches to any person wilfully disobeying the surgeon's instructions. An extra attendant had to be procured last night, as the patient has become violent.

The Warden's Court was opened this morning, but there was very little business to be transacted, and it was adjourned till Friday, 6th March. Mr D. Macfarlane, who will relieve Dr. Giles during his absence at the meeting of the New Zealand University Senate at Auckland, arrived at Hokitika yesterday morning, from Jackson's Bay. Dr. Giles was a passenger by the coach this morning to Christchurch, en route to Auckland. A London cablegram, received this morning, announces the death of Madame Sainton Dolby, the well-known vocalist; aged 64.

Constable Hannan reported yesterday that a hut at Pipers Flat, near Stafford, occupied by five Chinese, was burned about 9 p.m. on Wednesday. All the occupants were away at the time, so that it is not known how the fire originated but it is supposed to have done so from the chimney, where a quantity of dry wood was stacked. The occupants' bedding and clothes were destroyed by the fire, besides £3 in cash. The Chinese estimate their loss at £7O.

In his report to the Westland County Council, read at Wednesday's meeting, the County Chairman reported in reference to track from Hughes' diggings to Kumara Beach road, that he visited the district with the intention of going over the proposed line of track, but the weather came on so bad that he could not do so. He would attend to the matter before next meeting. A meeting of the Ministerial Reception Committee is appointed to be held at the Town Hall on Monday evening next, at eight o'clock.

Tenders are required by the Long Tunnel Company for the construction of the second section of the tunnel tail-race, including shaft. Tenders must be sent in to Mr D. Hannan, the legal manager, by 8 p.m. this day week. To-day is published the programme of the entertainment to be given on Monday, March 2nd, in aid of Holy Trinity Church Sunday School.

The Volunteer Fire Brigade purpose holding a fancy dress ball in May next. A four-roomed cottage in Main street is advertised for sale. Terms can be known on application at the premises. Two hundred and thirty pounds were recently collected in aid of the family of Samuel Wilson, one of the "Six Hundred," who died lately at Addington, near Christchurch.

When the Khartoum relief force was about to move from Dongola to Ambukol Lord Wolseley found great difficulty in obtaining a garrison for the former place. The Sussex Regiment were invited to leave eighty men to aid in garrisoning the town, and volunteers were called for. The only ones who responded to the call were twenty-five men who were sick with entric fever, and had no ambition to go forward. An attempt was then made to compel eighty men to remain behind, but it was abandoned owing to symptoms of a general mutiny in the regiment.

A contemporary writes :—"Some inquiries having been made as to the precise nationality of General Gordon, it may be repeated that he was the son of the late General Henry Gordon, and was born at Woolwich on January 28, 1833. It is singular that the relieving force under Sir C. Wilson, arrived at Khartoum on the anniversary of General Gordon's birthday, only however to find the town in the hands of the enemy. It is stated that the Claimant has been warned by the Home Office to be more guarded in his language at meetings which he addresses, and that unless he is careful his ticket-of-leave will be recalled. The Nelson Colonist understands that the defalcations of the late Bisley, of Motueka, so far as the Friendly Societies, for which he was acting as secretary and treasurer, are concerned, amount to about £BOO, the Oddfellows being affected to the extent of i 390, and Foresters to someting over £4OO. His other liabilities, so far as are yet known, do not exceed £2OO, while his assets are valued at £IOOO, so that he cannot be said to have been insolvent. The unhappy man has left a widow and eight children, the youngest only six weeks old, totally unprovided for.

Moral Turpitude.—Blame attaches to a jury of intelligent men when they condemn a man for crime whose moral nature has been perverted by indigestion, diseased liver and kidneys. A thoughtful judge may well consider whether society would not be better served by ordering a bottle of Hop Bitters for the unfortunate in the dock instead of years of penal servitude. Read

A Good Account. —"To sum it up, six long years of bed-ridden sickness and suffering, costing £4O per year, total £240, all of which was stopped by three bottles of Hop Bitters taken by my wife, who has done her own housework for a year since without the loss of a day, and I want everybody to know it for their benefit."—John Weeks, Butler. Find