The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2670, 11 April 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1885.

With regard to the attack made by the Russians on the Afghan position near the river Kooskh, and concerning which Mr Gladstone made a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday night that the Afghans gave no provocation for the attack, a cable message to-day from London states that a despatch has been received from Sir Peter Lumsden, commanding the British troops at Herat, in which the Major-General qualifies the statement that the Russian attack was entirely unprovoked, and states that when the Russian force menaced the Afghan outposts at Penjdeh the Afghans crossed the River Kooskh, and took up a stronger position. We do not attach any value to the statement of the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. De Giers, to the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg "that the Russian officers in Central Asia were unaware of the agreement arrived at between England and Russia on the 13th ult. that no advance should take place on either side in Afghanistan, pending negotiations on the frontier question." The engagement with the Afghans took place on the 30th ult., and the news of the result reached St. Petersburg on the Bth or 9th of April, that is within 10 days. Now as the agreement between England and Russia that no advance on either side was made on the 13th ult., and the battle took place on the 30th of the same month, it is unreasonable to suppose that the Russian officers had not, in 17 days' time, been apprised of the agreement. Surely this explanation of the Russian Minister cannot be accepted by England. + To-night, at the Theatre Royal, the public will have the opportunity of hearing one of the greatest masters of the violin that has ever visited the southern hemisphere. The accounts that have reached us of his marvellous power to sway multitudes by the witchery of his single instrument are general and unanimous. An Auckland contemporary remarks :—" The tone which he obtains from what is of course a magnificent instrument must be heard to be at all understood. It is rich, penetrating, replete with subtle feeling—at times, tremulous, at times passionate—by turns everything that the necessity of the moment demands. The delicacy and grace of the piano and' diminuendo passages it is easy to believe could not be surpassed; but when the need comes for brilliant, striking execution, the artist rises to the occasion with the absolute confidence that characterises the whole of his work. A Box office is opened at Mr Spiers', the bookseller's, where seats may be secured prior to the hour of opening the Theatre. Professor Black gave his second lecture on geology, at the Theatre Royal, last night, to a fair and attentive audience, though not quite so numerous as on the first night, But 20 additional students joined the testing class, making 43 in all. This is the largest testing-class the Professor has as yet had since commencing

his lectures in Otago six months ago. More particulars will be given on Monday. Persons desirous of forwarding exhibits of the industrial resources of the county to the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition are requested to communicate immediately with the County Chairman, giving as full details as possible of the nature of their exhibits, the space they are likely to occupy, &c. The Westland County Council at their meeting on Wednesday voted £IOO towards forwarding the objects of the Exhibition, and the mode of expenditure was referred to the Finance Committee, with Mr Jack included, to report to next meeting. To-day's Argus reports : —" A quarry workman named James M'Williams, recently from Kumara, met with a very serious accident yesterday afternoon, through a large stone falling from the face without warning. When picked up he was found to have been injured on the back of the head, which showed a large gash, while two of his toes were cut off. At first it was thought that the injury to his head would lead to fatal results, but latest accounts from the hospital last night were that the injuries were not so serious as had been apprehended, and that the patient was in a better and more hopeful condition than when brought in. It is to be hoped that last night's news may be more than verified to-day." Middleton, alias Harvey, the horse stealer, appeared before J. Giles, Esq., R.M., yesterday, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hokitika, and was charged with stealing the Corse, saddle, bridle and overcoat, valued at £l6, the property of Mr M'Ennis, Clerk of the Court, Kumara. The horse and the other property were identified by Mr M'Ennis as his propert}'. Mr C. Horgan deposed to the purchase of the saddle from the accused for 255, and Mr J. Thompson said he purchased the horse, bridle and overcoat for £2 10s. The accused was committed for trial to the next sitting of the Supreme Court, which will be held at Hokitika on Thursday next. The Arahura bridge restoration is almost completed, and the structure has been open for traffic for the last week or over. The Times states that " the bridge is now 162 feet longer than the original one, and is therefore considerably over 1000 feet in length altogether. The new work has been very substantially erected and done in quick time, over six weeks at least sooner than if done by contract. The cost has been less, strange to say, by employing labor, than it would have been by contract." The original Dillman's Town Quadrille Assembly will re-open for the winter season in the Public Hall, Dillman's, in a few days. This hall is well adapted for social gatherings, being detached from any public house, and is therefore strictly private. A new tricord piano has been secured, aud the music is to be under the leadership of Mr A. Miller, which will be a guarantee of its efficiency. REVOLUTION. Public Notice.—Whereas it is publicly rumoured, and not without foundation, that the Flying Dutchman will be missing some fine morning shortly : such being the case he is determined his patrons shall have the benefit of the entire stock that will put competition out of the question ; and rather than the goods shall be handled by the limbs of the law they will be sold at a great sacrifice. Inspection invited, as the goods are of the first water. The sale will last until Monday next, and all goods must be sold. A fresh arrival of boots, groceries, drapery, &c, &c— [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. I am 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 yon do not know half the value of American Hop Bitters, and do not recommend them highly enough." See