The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2688, 4 May 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1885.

The prospects of peace, according to the London Daily News, are improving, as the Czar is said to lie earnestly desirous of peace. But if the prospects be grounded on the cable message which follows this announcement, there is little importance, we think, to be attached to the Czar’s willingness to submit to arbitration the question “ whether the despatch sent to him by the British Government on March 17 has been misconstrued by him or not.” What the British Government want submitted to arbitration is a thoroughly defined and permanent boundary line between Afghanistan and Turkestan, whether that line include Penjdeh, Merutchak, or even Baba Moorghab; but certainly nothing south of the Hindoo Koosh ranges, below which only a few miles is the important town of Herat, regarded as the “Key to India.” The native Press in India is showing earnest loyalty to Great Britain j the feeling generally among

Europeans and natives is that of indignant anger at Russia’s persistent aggression. A correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph writes: “ There is the greatest imaginable enthusiasm among the Indian Native troops at the possibility of a Russian war, the idea of which is immensely popular among them. They declare that every native regiment could double or treble its numbers for such a campaign.”

To meet a further demand for copies of “Notes from Professor Black’s Instructions for Testing for Metals,” we reprint them on the last page of this paper.

In accordance with a resolution of the Borough Council at its meeting on Friday evening, notice is given by the Town Clerk that exhibits for the Wellington Industrial Exhibition will be received by him at the Town Hall and will be forwarded by him to Wellington. It is rumoured that a Greymouth contractor is the lowest tenderer for the construction of a bridge over the Taipo, The tenders closed on Saturday last. We understand that owing to the increased rate of insurance and war risks, the banks intend shortly to reduce the price of gold 6d an ounce. The steamer Waipara took on her last trip from Hokitika for transhipment to the Mahinapua at Greymouth, 30650 z, 6gr. gold bullion, valued at £12,260, shipped by the Bank of New Zealand, being their purchases since 2nd April last.

Industrious gentlemen having spare half-hours or hours, may devote them to a good purpose in Joining other bees to clear the ground adjacent and belonging to the Holy Trinity Church Trust, starting (weather permitting) •on Wednesday next.

An inquest was held at the Sea View Asylum, Hokitika, on Saturday afternoon at three oclocb, on the body of a patient named Thomas Harrold (better known in Kumura as “Pigeon Tom”). J. Giles, Esq., Coroner, presided, and a Jury, of whom Mr Keller was chosen foreman, was sworn in. The Times says The evidence showed that deceased was admitted to the Asylum in June last, suffering from paralysis and mental imbecility. Dr. King deposed that death resulted from general decay, and a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was given.

The Rev. Father Fitzgerald died at Dunedin recently. This is said to be the first death of a Catholic priest in the diocese.

The strike in the United Alpine Company’s coal mine at Westport has terminated. The men now work at the reduced rate of wages, £3 3s per week.

Boaz’ Ninth Grand Hamburg Drawing for <£4ooo, 8000 members, is now open. It will take place under the supervision of a committee of eight subscribers, as formerly, and the prizes will be paid over as early as possible after the drawing. The demand for the great American remedy, Hop Bitters, in this part of the world has become so great that the Hop Bittsrs Co., whose head-quarters are at Rochester, New York, JJ. S. A., have been compelled to open a laboratory in Melbourne. It is in charge of Mr M. H. Yau Bergh, a gentleman of several years’ experience with this Company, and the trade may be assured of receiving goods equal to the parent house, and the most courteous treatment. The H. B. Co. have establishments at London, Paris, Antwerp, Belgium, Breda, Holland and Toronto,’ and their American Bitters are probably the best known medicine in the world.