The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 3159, 18 December 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1886.

Incidentally only we hear that old John Richards is for some days past dead and buried, and probably no one, among the many who would have been most willing, has been afforded the opportunity of paying their last tribute of respect to this aged and respected host. Ever since the Christchurch road was first opened, " Old John," as he was familiarly known, kept an accommodation house near the Waimea Creek, about seven miles hence and near the 21st milestone from Hokitika. About five years ago, age, infirmity, and eccentric habits united in impairing his former robust health and intellect, and he was cared for at Rugg's Kumara Hotel. After several months, however, his intellect still giving way and his eccentricities proving somewhat dangerous, it was found necessary to remove him to the Sea View Asylum, Hokitika. He proved very useful about the grounds of the institution almost to the day of his death, and we learn that he was buried on Wednesday last. Every regular traveller along the road knew "Old John's" as a place where they could always make themselves at home, and get a clean, good, and wholesome meal: and many a footsore, weary, and penniless wanderer has partaken of the hospitality of " Old John." The Kumara Cadets assembled last evening in the open air opposite the Post Office, under Captain Wylde, for instruction in drill. A good hour's work was done, the boys showing remarkable aptitude, and evidently taking great interest in their drill. Considering that last night was only the third time the Cadets had assembled, the way in which they went through the various evolutions was very creditable indeed, and gives promise of great things in the future. The Christchurch coach arrived this afternoon at the usual hour, bringing the West Coast portions of the San Francisco mails.

An excellent opportunity is now offered the public of visiting the Ocean Beach, as Mr Rugg is prepared, if sufficient inducement offer, to run a coach there and back every fine Sunday morning, starting from Rugg's Kumara Hotel at nine o'clock, and returning at an hour of the day to sirt the convenience of the majority of the passengers. There is no necessity for us to comment upon the advantages and charms of the sea shore: Byron shortly expresses it—

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar : I love not man the less, but Nature more. T!-e Grey Comity OV.innan (A. R. Guinness, Esq.) in his annual report read to the Council on Wednesday last, gives the actual liabilities of the Council on November 24, 1880, as £13,984 15s lid,

the assets at £6IBO 16s 4d, and the deficiency £7803 19s 7d, besides which deficiency there is a sum of about £4OO claimed by contractors and others for compensation and extras on contracts, and disputed claim for damages for injuries sustained on County roads. There are in the county 138 miles of dray roads, 250 miles of pack horse tracks, and 35 miles of foot tracks ; 65 dray bridges ranging from 20 feet to 765 feet in length, and having a total length of 6401 feet. There are in addition 1676 feet of culverts on dray roads, each of a less span than 20 feet. There are 38 pack horse bridges of from 20 feet to 120 feet span ; and of a total length of 1477 feet. There are in addition 1718 feet of culverts suitable for horse traffic, each of a less span than 20 feet There are 66 foot bridges ranging in length from 20 feet to 1000 feet, and of a total length of 6224 feet. During the current year ending November 24, 1887, he estimates the revenue will amount to the sum of £12,728, and the expenditure, including the liabilities mentioned, £18,043 19s 7d. Not a penny was allowed in the estimate for new works.

In a cricket match between the ShawLillywhite team and an Australian eleven at Melbourne, the latter elected to go in first and at the close of yesterday's play had scored 206 for the loss of five wickets. "iEgles," in the Australasian, writes: "After the race meeting in a remote country township, there was continued revelry, and the serious business of the day being over, the constable who kept the peac«—single-handed on this occasion—consented to be refreshed with locally brewed beer. Temporarily overcome, the difficulty was how to dispose of him. An acquaintance, who had probably read 'Pickwick,' borrowed a wheelbarrow, and conveyed the curator of the peace—somewhat deviously, it must be admitted—to his quarters just by the lock-up. The motion had a revivifying influence, for, on arrival, the representative of the law aroused himself, and, despite all protestations, forthwith handcuffed and locked up his friend on a charge of "insulting behaviour."

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