The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2667, 8 April 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1885.

The Taipo races on Easter Monday were very successful, so much so as to induce several of the settlers on the Christchurch road to consider the propriety of holding another meeting in about six weeks time (near the Queen’s Birthday, which this year falls on a Sunday). Of course whilst there was a very good gathering of settlers from all parts, it was evident the distance was too gieat for many visitors from Hokitika and Kiimara, it appears there is a paddock in the vicinity of Mr Haylocks, at Kawhaka, admirably adapted fur a racecourse, and which only requires to be ploughed to make a course a mile and three-quarters round. It might be worthy of consideration whether Kumara might not join in with a proposal made to convert this paddock into a Kawhaka or Kumara racecourse. At all events we believe several settlers have resolved to cany out a part of the project by ploughing the proposed course at their

own expense. But a preliminary meeting is to be held at Kawhaka next Wednesday evening, at eight o’clock, to consider the question in all its bearings, and it will be competent for any one to attend, from whatever part of the district they may hail.

The London Times of yesterday morning announced that peace has been concluded between France and China, partly on the bases of the treaty at Tientsin in May last, but with this stipulation that no indemnity will be claimed by France, as was the case in that compact. By the treaty referred to China was to recognise the French protectorate over the provinces of Tonquin and Anam, with frontiers as then existing. It also provided that the three southern provinces of China, namely, Quang-Tung, Quang-Si, and Yun-Nan, should be opened up to trade, the Chinese granting the French exclusive trading facilities with Southern China. The ordinary meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the Town Hall last evening ; present—Mr H. Burger (in the chair), Messrs Nicholson, Rudkin, Wooldridge, Hannah, Voysey, Metcalfe, and Hope. After the usual routine business had been gone through, Messrs Pearson and O’Hagan were appointed Auditors. Accounts to the amount of £SB 13s 6d were passed for payment. The Wardsman’s monthly report was received and adopted. Receipts were handed in as follows : —By Mr Wooldridge, £5 10s ; by Mr Metcalfe, £1; by Mr Garguilo, £2 ; by Mr Burger, £1; by Mr Yoysey, £2 10s ; being a total of £l2. The Dillman Town Dramatic Club entertainment at the Theatre Royal last evening was fairly attended, and, it is needless to say, gave great satisfaction to those present. The Brass Band were in attendance, and played some choice selections at intervals. The two pieces lasted well into midnight. The company received several manifestations of approval. There were a very large number of passengers by the tram this morning for Greymouth, so many in fact that it was said some four or five had to be left behind till afternoon. The majority of the passengers comprised the Dillman Town Dramatic Club, who give a performance at the Public Hall, Greymouth, this evening, in aid of the Grey River Hospital, on which occasion they will produce the romantic drama “ The Sea of Ice,” performed by them with such success here on the 3rd of last month for the Church of England Sunday School. To-morrow, we understand, the Club will give another entertainment in Greymouth for their own wardrobe fund. A fire occurred on Monday night at Slattery’s Hotel. It appears a candle had been placed too near to a bag suspended against a bedroom wall. The bag caught fire and this communicated to the scrim. A cry of “Fire!” was made in the street, the fire-bell rang, and in a remarkably short space of time the Fire Brigade and all their appliances were brought to the spot. But in the meantime the Messrs Murphy Bros, had fortunately extinguished the fire, and the services of the Brigade were, happily, not required. The fancy goods and other articles not sold at the Hospital Fete at Easter will be put up to Dutch auction, for the benefit of the Hospital, at the Masonic Hall this evening, at 8 o’clock. There will be a meeting of the Fete Committee at the Town Hall on Friday evening next, at 8 o’clock. All accounts incurred by the Committee for the benefit of the fete must be sent in to Mr W. Nicholson, Treasurer, before 7 p.m. to-morrow. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before A, C. Campbell, Esq., J. P., Elizabeth Christie was charged with being drunk, and was fined £l, costs of Court 2s, and £1 Is medical fee, with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment. Commander Edwin wired at 12.20 p.m. to-day -“Bad weather may be expected between north-east and north and west; glass further fall, and rain within twelve hours.” We acknowledge receipt from the Postmaster of the Postal and Telegraphic Guide for the quarter commencing April. Among the principal alterations since the January issue of the Guide we find that mails from Reefton and intermediate offices are now delivered at Greymouth at 3 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., and mails are delivered at Reefton at 4.30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., and at all intermediate offices equally early. Since 15th December, 1884, a delivery of telegrams within a mile radius has been established at Springfield (Christchurch). The UnionJCompany’s steamer Mahinapua leaves Dunedin for West Coast ports (calling at Oamaru, Lyttelton, and Wellington) on Friday, 10th inst.

We have received the Union Steamship Company’s Pocket Guide for April. Lord Wolseley looks very well after his men, according to the Army and Navy Gazette. This journal also remarks;— One of the last telegrams from Korti to Cairo was for 2000 white umbrellas to be personally conducted up the Nile with all despatch by a specially selected officer. As the troops are already armed with veils and goggles, the Cairo Commissaries are now cruising about the Moski in anticipation of a further requisition of a conple of thousand fans to complete the field equipment for the final advance on Khartoum.

During a thunderstorm in Northern Queensland recently, 27 sheep were struck dead by lightning.

Special Telegram from Soudan.— Vance Klaus Hassalaer wishes to state that his father —Mr Von Don Fidegro Hassalaer—has arrived with a large stock of boots, which he is now offering for sale, and will sell to-night and the following days during Easter.—Vance Klaus Hassalaer has determined to clear all his remaining stock of groceries, drapery, &c., at a great sacrifice.— [Advt.]

“ You Don’t Know Their Value.”— “ They cured me of biliousness, and kidney complaint, as recommended. I had a half-bottle left, which I used for my two little girls, who the doctors and neighbors said could not be cured. lam confident I should have lost both of them one night if I had not the American Co. ’s Hop Bitters in my house to use. This is why I say you do not know half the value of American Hop Bitters, and do not recommend them highly enough. ” See