The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2673, 16 April 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1885.

The mineral ores testing class at the Theatre Royal, under Professor Black, was well attended last night; and at 9 p.m. Mr Montgomery continned his lecture on “Mineral Veins,” which lasted neatly two hours. Mr E. J. Seddon occupied the chair. At its conclosion, on the motion of Mr Campbell,

seconded by Mr Todd, a vote of thanks was given to Mr Montgomery for his kindness, and for the valuable assistance he had rendered Professor Black in the testing courses. Following up the instructions of the Professor on the subject of “Sodium Amalgam,” three or four students were this morning experimenting with this substance, and, so far as we could gather, with very satisfactory results. Professor Black will deliver the last of his series of lectures to-night at 9 o’clock, the first of the subjects announced being of special importance to miners on this goldfield, viz., “ Alluvial drifts.” He will also lecture on “ Copper and Tin ; their Ores and Smelting.” The lectures will be illustrated with numerous experiments, and should prove, as all the lectures have been, highly instructive and entertaining. It is to be hoped the very large class, consisting of 48 members, which has been formed, will not let the opportunity slip, while the Professor is here, of resolving itself into one for permanent study and usefulness. Assistance, we understand, will to some extent be given by the Government in the use or purchase of materials, and we feel quite sure that Professor Black will do all in his power to assist in its formation. We have been promised some notes of the process of testing mineral ores, and intend as soon as practiable to publish them. Meanwhile students will do well to take steps to form a permanent class that the good seeds sown by Professor Black may bear fruit and not be lost. On and after after Tuesday next the coach running between the Bealey (for and from Christchurch) and Hokitika will pass through Kumara, as formerly. “As an instance of the rapidity with which messages are now received from Europe,” the Argus says, “it may be stated that some of Reuter’s telegrams published on the 26th inst. reached Melbourne from London in 1 hour 58 minutes only, which is fully equal to the shortest time on record.” But, after being transmitted so many thousands of miles they almost invariably take 1 hour and between 40 and 50 minutes in being forwarded from Wakapuaka via Wellington to Kumara, or less than an 80th part of the whole distance. Commander Edwin wired at 3.30 p.m.— “ Indications glass fall soon, and strong winds between north-east and north and west after ten hours from now.” The Dillman’s Town quadrille assembly has been postponed, the necessary permission for holding the assemblies in a licensed room having been overlooked. Permisson has now been granted, and the assembly will be held on Friday evening, at 8 o’clock. Robin Hood’s Consultation on the Great Autumn Meeting closed with 12,000 subscribers, and the nett distribution of prizes was as follows :—Great Autumn—--Ist prize, a solicitor in Christchurch, £1296 ; second, a lady at Rangiora, £540 ; third, a company of residents of Leithfield, £270. Easter Handicap—First, a hotelkeeper, Wellington, £270; second, a fitter at Duncan’s Foundry, £135; third, a carpenter at Riccarton, £Bl. Hurdle Handicap—First prize, a policeman in Christchurch, £IOB ; second, coach proprietor, Riccarton, £54 ; third, storekeeper, Taupo Quay, Wanganui, £27. In the special consultation, which ran up to 1425 shares in two days, first, value £l6O, was drawn by a corn and produce dealer in Christchurch ; second, £96, by a tinsmith at Southbridge ; third, £64, by a mariner in Lyttelton. All the other prizes have gone throughout New Zealand. At the two drawings about sixty shareholders were present from various parts of New Zealand, also representatives of the Press. Mr Field, the Nelson bicyclist, who, after the long journey from Nelson to Kumara and Hokitika, started to Christchurch and Invercargill, broke down near Palmerston, 41 miles north of Dunedin, after covering 550 miles. A mile flat race was won on Saturday by Hancock, who ran against M'Cormick at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. The stakes were said to be £SO a-side, and the race occupied smin. 4sec. Beware of packages of injurious stuff purporting to make genuine Hop Bitters ; also preparations and fluids said to contain all the properties of American Hop Bitters. They spring up on account of the great popularity of the genuine, which is only put up in large square-panel amber-colored bottles, with the names “Dr. Soule,” and “Hop Bitters” blown in the glass, and is the best family medicine ever made. Read