The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2873, 18 December 1885, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1885.

The monthly inspection parade of the Kumara Rifles will take place this evening, instead of, as usual, the last Tuesday in the month. To-morrow the Company will fire for the district prizes. A general meeting of cricketers is appointed to be held at Rugg's Hotel at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening, when all persons having an interest in the game are invited to attend. Cricket is certainly one of the best out-door exercises, as it brings all muscles and parts of the body into active operation ; military authorities hold it in such estimation that soldiers are encouraged to occupy their leisure time in its pursuit. Of late years it has been introduced largely into Scotland, Ireland, America, and the Continent of Europe, and in Australia almost since its foundation ; in fact, it is rapidly becoming naturalised all over the world. Victoria's indebtedness per head is .€32 12s Gd, that of New South Wales £3B 3s Gd, Queensland £52 19s Gd, South Australia £49 9s sd, and New Zealand £SB 4s Bd. At the end of last year the total indebtedness of Australasia to England was .£120,000,000. By the end of this year it will be £140,000,000. The prosperity and liberality of the Bank of New South Wales have again been evidenced by a bonus to its officers of 10 per cent, on their average salaries for the past twelve months. This recognition of their services will doubtless be duly appreciated, and is an example well worthy of imitation by other successful institutions. Thompson's panorama of the Zulu War, which has been very highly spoken of as regards its artistic merits by our contemporaries, is to be exhibited at the Theatre Royal, Kumara, on Monday and Tuesday next, for two nights only. This panorama is painted on 20,000 feet of canvass, and shows the principal events connected with the Zulu War, from the time of the firing of the first gun to the capture of Cetewayo. Further particulars given by Captain Everill relative to the New Guinea exploring party state that they turned up the Fly River into a branch pretty wide, and this was named the Strickland. They saw a number of natives farther up, but they always fled at their sight. The natives were anything but friendly, u.ncl

showed an intention of fighting. They ' sent a shower of arrows at the steamer, and the expedition was compelled to fire on them, but none appeared to fall or seem hurt. On one occasion there was an alarm that the steamer was going over, and she had to be lightened. Upon landing they had to cut their way through the jungle. They journeyed up the river in a whaleboat, reaching a position approximate to one on the boundary of the British possessions. The eatable food was a species of bread fruit. The natives are a fine race, and have very large noses of a pure type. Commander Edwin wired at 3.46 yesterday afternoon:—"Bad weather may be expected after 16 hours from now between north-east and north and west; glass falling and wind backing within 12 hours." We observe that T. O'Loughlin hag entered for the chief event of the Westport Christmas athletic sports—a handicap foot race, four events (300, 220, 440, and 100 yards), first prize, £ls ; second, £7 10s ; third, £2 10s. O'Loughlin is handicapped at scratch, to give to the second best man, F. Reed, 2 yards in the 300 and 220 events, 5 in the 440, and 1 in the 100. The names of the other competitors nominated and handicapped are as follow : T. Guy, J. M'Farlane, J. Griffiths, E. Griffiths, R. Cochrane, G. Cochrane, J. M'Laughlan, E. P. Smyrk, T. M'Auley, J. Thomas, A. G. Scott, S. Hollows, J. Hollows, G. Jones, W. Hennessy. The steamer Waipara left Hokitika on Wednesday'afternoon for the south, taking amongst her passengers a party of prospectors. They will land at Big Bay, and their ultimate destination is supposed to be Red Hill, a prospecting mineral license having been obtained from the Otago Land Board for a large block in that locality. The numerous West Coast friends of Mr Charles Phillips, the well-known commercial traveller, will learn with deep regret of the death of that gentleman, which occurred in Auckland on Monday night last. Mr J. T. Matson, of Chrisfcchurch, has several ostriches, and hopes to have a considerable ostrich-breeding establishment by-and-by. Never Return.—lt is said that one out of every four real invalids who go to foreign countries to recover health never return, except as a corpse. The undertakers, next to the hotel-keepers, have the most profitable business. This excessive mortality may be prevented and patients saved and cured under the care of friends and loved ones at home, if they will but use American Co.'s Hop Bitters in time. Read Indigestion.—The main cause of nervousness is indigestion, and that is caused by weakness of the stomach. No one can have sound nerves and good health without using American Co.'s Hop Bitters to strengthen the stomach, purify the blood, and keep the liver and kidneys active, to carry off ail the poisonous and waste matter of the system. See