The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 2927, 17 March 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1886.

Although there is some uncertainty as to the date of the birth of St. Patrick, the distinguished missionary from Rome to Ireland in the year 432, the 17th March (to-day s date) has long been commemorated as the birthday of the saint commonly known as the “Apostle of Ireland.” To-day on this account, as usual, wore the appearance of a holiday, the banks and some of the larger stores being closed. There were about 50 passengers (several of whom came by conveyances early this morning from Hokitika) went by the 8 am. tram to the Greymouth Jockey Club’s Annual Meeting, which takes place to-day and to-morrow.

To-night the Dillman’s Town Amateur Dramatic Club appear at the Adelphi Theatre in “The Octoroon.” The costumes for the piece are now complete, and are said to be both characteristic and unique. Different colored lights and fires will enhance the effect of the different sensations. A grand allegorical vision is to be introduced, entitled “ The Avenger of Paul, or the last that was seen of Wahnotee.” The performance will commence at eight o’clock, and we hope to see a large attendance on this festive occasion. An efficient orchestra will discourse music incidental to the drama.

At the Theatre Royal to-night Messrs Foley and Berkley will give their celebrated original entertainment “Chic,” which, it is said, has been received everywhere with unbounded applause and genuine enthusiasm. The performance will commence with an operatic comedy entitled “Our Fathers, or Family Ties,” introducing these gentlemen in a series of no less than thirty characters ; after which will be produced the extravaganza “An Open House,” which is spoken of as most amusing, introducing numerous songs and dances, and a pretty Irish jig. The “Called Back” Company will be on their return visit to Kumara on Friday and Saturday, when the lovers of well-pourtrayed drama and comedy will be again favoured with the treat of seeing and hearing these justly celebrated actors on the stage of the Theatre Royal. It is scarcely necessary for us to remind our readers who they are, or to dilate upon the merits of their professional abilities ; they played here last Friday and Saturday, and the increased audience on the second night (the first also being a large one) is as good an omen of the appreciation of the public as we can commend for notice. On Friday they will produce Charles Dickens’ beautiful drama “Jo; or Lady Dedlock’s Secret,” and on Saturday a drama and comedy—“ Never too late to Mend,” and “ Scotch Nannie.”

The coach, carrying a supplementary mail for Christchurch, left again this morning at half-past eleven for Waimea Creek, where the bridge has been washed away. Labourers were engaged yesterday in endeavouring to construct a temporary bridge, and if this be not ready, an effort will be tried to ford the creek. Failing these, the mails and passengers (ten in number) will be forwarded by settlers’ spring carts to the Taipo, where there is another coach on the other side of that river. Mr Cassidy, with the coach from the Bealey, started westward at eleven o’clock to meet Davis’s coach. It will be late to-night probably before the coach returns with the East Coast mails.

.The late flood in the Teremakau river took a big slice off the northern bank opposite the sludge-channel tailings-site. Mr Seddon, M.H.R., telegraphed to the Minister of Mines on the subject as follows : —“ I strongly recommend you to get H. A. Gordon, Esq., to report on the probable cost and best means of securing the northern bank of the Teremakau River opposite the discharging point of the No. 1 Sludge Channel. Unless something is done quickly, the Teremakau River will change its bed. If allowed so to do, will tend to cause stoppage of discharge of tailings from the channel.” The reply, received yesterday, was as follows ; “Thanks for suggestions. Will instruct Gordon to attend to matter.—W. J. M. Lakxacii. ”

In reference to tbe Teremakau to Bell Hill road, we understand the Resident Engineer has been directed to push on with the plans us rapidly as possible ; and, with the view of hastening matters, he has also been asked to send over tracings to the Lands Department, in two-mile sections as finished.

Commander Edwin wired at 1.15 p.m. this afternoon —“ Bad weather is expected between north and east and south-east; ghws full, turd much ruin,”

We understand instructions have been received by the Westland Lands Board from the Crown Lands Department not to issue any more leases in the township of Dobson until inquiry has been made in reference to the terms of the agreements being issued for such leases.

Mr Rose, Government Inspector of Post Offices, visited the Kumara Office yesterday, and, we are pleased to say, expressed himself as being highly pleased with the management and satisfactory state in which he found affairs generally in our local department.

The Messageries Maritimes Company are having six new powerful steamers built, with a view to establishing a fortnightly service between Marseilles and Sydney. In reference to the death of James Hampton, a farmer at Templeton, who committed suicide on Wednesday night or Thursday morning last, it is reported that on Wednesday he returned home from Lincoln a little the worse for liquor, but he gave no indication of any suicidal intention. He had a cheerful talk with his wife, and went to bed apparently in good spirits, but in the morning he was found hanging by the neck in the chaffhouse, quite dead. He had fastened a rope to a strong beam in the roof, and adjusted some bags of chaff to make a drop. He had been in a despondent state of mind for some years, principally on account of a threshing machine he had purchased. It turned out a bad investment, and he had been heard to say it would be the death of him. He was 55 years old, and leaves a wife and eleven children.

The Oxford (“dark blues”) crew are again the favorites for the University boat race against Cambridge, at 2 to 1.

w - J- MTlroy and Co., Main street, Kumara, beg to announce that they are purchasers of gold.— [Advt.] Notice. Several cases of splendid Boots and Shoes have just arrived, and are now open to view at M. Wall’s Boot and Shoe Shop, Main street. Prices low.— [Advt.J

Skill in the Workshop. —To do good work the mechanist must have good health. If long hours of confinement in close rooms have enfeebled his hand or dimmed his sight, let him at once, and before some organic trouble appears take plenty of Dr. Soule’s Hop Bitters. His system will be rejuvenated, his nerves strengthened, his sight become clear, and the whole constitution be built up to a higher working condition. Read