The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2662, 1 April 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1885.

The remainder of the New South Wales Contingent arrived in the troopship Australasian at Suakin on Monday afternoon. The Australasian transport probably spoke some P. and 0. boat on the way, and, learning that the Iberia had already gone on to or arrived at Suakin, went straight on to her destination without calling at Aden. She is, however, only just a day behind the Iberia, and the troops would in all probability be in time to join in the march to Tamai and Berber. The news this afternoon, if true, is of a more gratifying nature. The Daily News London correspondent in Egypt states that Osman Digna has sent a flag of truce to General Graham asking for conditions of peace. It is also stated that the rebellion against the Mahdites pretensions is gaining ground rapidly, and that the malcontents actually hold the town of El Obeid against him. Next to Khartoum El Obeid (pronounced Lobeid) is the most important inland trading town in the Soudan. It has a population estimated at 30,000. The severe repulses sustained by Osman Digna’s forces have evidently had a very good effect. “Although,” says the New Zealand Times, ‘ 1 this colony has not sent a contingent to the Soudan, it may fairly claim to have assisted the New South Wales Contingent, seeing that there are close upon a score of New Zealanders in that body. Among others is Frederick Dransfield a son of Mr Joe Dransfield, of this city, who, being at Lyttelton at the time the agitation was at fever height, proceeded at once to Sydney, offered his services, and was duly enrolled. Having been in a New Zealand Volunteer corps, Mr Dransfield is well acquainted with drill and other routine ; and some idea of the progress which he made in the A Company may be formed from the circumstance that in less than a week from the day of his being enrolled he was made Color-Sergeant of the Company, which position he now holds.” Sergeant Schulstad, whose parents reside in Kumara, is in the B Company. Aix les Baius, whither the Queen has been recommended by her medical adviser to repair, and for which place her Majesty started on Monday last, is a small town of Savoy, in the south-west of France, and is situate in a delightful valley near Lake Bourget, seven miles north from Chambery. The King of Sardinia has a palace there. The hot springs, two in number, are of sulphurous quality, and of a temperature above 100° Fahrenheit. They are used both for drinking and as baths, and attract annually above 2000 visitors. The mails from Christchurch due here at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, had not arrived at the time we went to press (4.45 p.m.). Some April fool, whose real name has not yet transpired, rang the fire-bell at about one o’clock this morning. Whoever it was he made very quick tracks, or else concealed himself, as several firemen and others were very promptly to the shed without discovering who rung the bell, and only to reflect that it was the Ist of the month. We hope the culprit may yet be found out, and punished as severely as he deserves.

The Assessment Court for the revision of the Borough Valuation List will be held at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-morrow afternoon, at three o’clock. The public are reminded that the Wesleyan tea meeting will take place at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening, at half-past six o’clock, and not at six (as printed on the tickets). At the after meeting, which is to commence at eight o’clock, the Kumara Brass Band will perform, and a number of musical pieces rendered by members of the church choir and others who have kindly volunteered their services. The Band will play in Main and Seddon streets for a short time previous to the commencement of the public meeting. Commander Edwin wired at noon today “Bad weather may be expected; heavy gale between north-east and north and west, and glass further fall with heavy rain,” J

A very old resident of Greymouth, and intimately known throughout the length and breadth of this district—Mr Thomas Keenan—died at Westport on Monday after a very short illness, he being laid up only three days. The Argus states that deceased was a painter by trade, and was possessed of considerable artistic ability. As he had a great many friends his death will be regretted by them. The telegram stated that the complaint from which he suffered was Bright’s disease, through probably that may not be accurate, as the disease known by that name is of a lingering nature. Deceased was unmarried, but has a brother residing in the district. Tenders are invited by the Public Works Department for the Permanent Way contract of the Greymouth-Hokitika Railway. They will be received up to noon of Saturday, the 25th April, and must be addressed to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Greymouth. Drawings, specifications, and general conditions may be seen at the Public Works Office, Greymouth, and at the Survey Office, Hokitika. Special Notice.—The Flying Dutchman wont be rubbed out, as all the groceries left on hand will be sold on Saturday night, Monday, and following days, at a greater reduction than ever. 50 bags of fowls wheat to be sold. Fresh arrival of drapery goods, which will be sold without the slightest reserve. Mr Vance Klaus Hassalaer desires to announce that his father—Mr Von Don Fidegro Hassalaer—has arrived from England, and has brought with him 5000 pairs of boots and shoes, which he will sell to the public of Kumara at Easter, on the American principle, without the slightest reserve. Nortli British sluicing boots. Dont forget! Groceries at your own price.— [Advt.] Highway Robbery Almost, to sell the poisonous, drunken, purging stuff as medicine to honest men, innocent women, and harmless children to weaken and destroy their systems and health, when pure harmless Hop Bitters can be had that cures always and continually at a trifling cost. Ask druggists or phsicians. Read.