The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2790, 31 August 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1885.

The severest squalls of wind and rain with which this part of the West Coast has been visited for many years, and accompanied by lightning and heavy thunder, were experienced here this forenoon. Telegraphic communication with Christchurch (via Hokitika) is cut off for the present, owing probably to land slips or fallen trees ; and only one wire is available for communication between this and Reefton, and consequently w ith Wellington, Australia, and other parts of the world. Owing probably to this cause we had not received at the time of our going to press any communication from our Wellington correspondent. A cablegram received late on Saturday evening states that complaints have been received by the British Government from Colonel Ridgway and other members of the Afghan Boundary Commission to the effect that the Governor of Herat has been tampering with letters addressed to members of that Commission, and also that he has been guilty of rude behaviour towards them. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before P. Dungan and F. A. Monckton, Esqs., J. Ps., David Williams was charged with using bad language within the hearing of passers-by in a public street ; and, after being severely admonished and cautioned, was dismissed. The first meeting of the newly-elected Committee of Management for the Kumara Hospital will be held in the Town Hall to-morrow evening, at 8 o’clock. Maher’s Swiss Mountain Hotel at Rimu was totally destroyed by fire at two o’clock on Saturday morning. Hathaway’s Hotel, on the opposite side of the right-of-way was much damaged. The insurance wasMaher’s building, £4OO on the stock, and on the furniture and billiard table £3OO, reinsured for £350 in the South British— Maher was fully covered, but Hathaway was not insured. The fire originated in the Avail between the billiard room and the bar. Many will regret to hoar of the death of Mr P. Johnston, of Ross, who expired on Thursday morning last. Deceased was one of the first residents in Ross, and had always taken part in public matters. He bad for many years been Secretary for the Ross Hospital Committee. Commander Edwin wired at 12.32 p.m. to-day : —“Bad weather may be expected between north and west and south-west, and further fall of glass ; but rise after 12 hours. Indications of more rain.” In another column we publish a local song written by Mr 11. R. Rao for the recent Fire Brigade performance at Hokitika, and wli icli caused roars of laughter on that occasion. Having still a few articles of jewellery and fancy goods loft, which will be sold still cheaper than last week, Mr Singer has resolved to keep open three days longer, in order to effect an entire clearance of his stock. The Hokitika True Blues purpose giving an Orange supper and ball on the evening of Friday, November Gth prox., at the Town Hall and Drill Shed.

In the hop, step, and jump contest between Hunt and Stirling for £2O a-side at Wellington, Hunt was the favorite at long odds. Stirling took the first jump, and went 41ft 9in. Hunt in his first effort evidently tried hard, but landed several inches behind his adversary. In the next he started a foot behind scratch, and cleared 42ft Sin. This distance Stirling could never reach, his biggest jump being 41ft lOin, though it is said he has a record of 44ft llin. He was, however, suffering from a weak ankle. Mr Pettingell is training Hunt for his race with O’Loughlin. Messrs Girdwood, Lahman and Co. will sell by auction at the Preston Yards, Greymouth, to-morrow, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, prime fat pigs and stores, and heavy-weight cross-bred sheep. A Scolding Woman. —The barbarities of the ducking-stool for the cure of scolding women, though abolished by law, are now oftentimes practiced by a kind of social barbarity none the less reprehensible. Women scold only when they are ill. Instead of blaming them we should prescribe American Co.’s Hop Bitters. The entire system will undergo a genial, pleasant change. The nerves will be quieted and ascerbity of word and thought will give place to amiability and affection. Healthy women do not scold or fret. Read