The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2657, 13 March 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1885.

On Monday, the 2nd inst., we charged Reuter’s Agency with remiasness in not telegraphing, on the previous Saturday evening, the result of the sculling match between Beach and Clifford, for £2OO a-side and championship of the world, which took place on the Parramatta River, near Syndey, on the Saturday afternoon, at an hour corresponding to between five and six o’clock New Zealand time, and should have reached ns between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m, same evening. Under date March 6th, Reuter’s Agent at Wellington replies as follows : “ Sir—l regret the fact that we were unable to send you the result of the Beacb-Cliflford race on Saturday last; but this company (Reuter Telegram Co.) is entirely blameless in the matter. Our Sydney agent handed in the result at 5 p.m. ; but for some at present unexplained reason the message did not reach Wellington until 8.40 p.m,, when the lines to all but the large towns were closed. I have made a complaint to the Telegraph Department regarding the delay to our message, and have asked our Sydney agent to institute inquiry at that end. I fear, though, no satisfactory explanation will be forthcoming. Delay is of frequent occurrence between Sydney and New Zealand, but fortunately not with often important items.” Prom this it seems the delay was either at Sydney or between Sydney and Wellington, and there can be no blame attached to our local offices. We think a little more attention should be shown by the Telegraph Department than appears to be the case with press—or at all events interesting press—messages, for which often hundreds and even thousands of people are anxiously waiting—all, be it remembered, on the tip toe of expectation, for the news to one individual, or paper, or papers, as the case may be. In respect to the event in question Reuter s agent at Sydney was somewhat remiss, in, having sent a message on Friday night that “Owing to new regulations having been issued prohibiting competitors steamers from following the race, ir is doubtful if the sculling match between Reach and Clifiord will take place to-morrow and then not sending any word on the Saturday morning to evening papers whether the match was really going to take place at all that day. This only went to increase suspense in the minds of those who were anxiously looking for (he result. Reuter’s agency in Sydney does not seem to be much impressed with what is or is not of interest to the public of New Zealand, for similar negligence was repeated on Saturday last, when tlie result of the Champion Race in Victoria, second only in importance in the year to the Melbourne Cup, which took place at Pootscray on Saturday afternoon, was not transmitted to New Zealand till half-past ten o’clock on the following Sunday morning.