The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 3169, 31 December 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1886.

"The illimitable, silent, never-resting thing called Time, rolling, rushing on swift, silent, like an all-embracing ocean tide," lias brought us to the close of another year, and in a few hours eighteen hundred and eighty-six will havo passed away. The most prominent among the events of the past y?ar as affecting this district are undoubtedly the construction of the No. 2 sludgechannel and the passing of an Act to consolidate and amend the laws relation to mines and mining, and which will ever from this be known and quoted as "The Mining Act, 1886." The miners' ripbt will, on nnd :«.ft»r I*t .Lmn.trv be reduced to i.vs shi,lings, and wil, U« available and in force throughout the colony in all parts outside of a " Native

district," where it will be twenty* shillings. The rental on licensed lands for gold raining purposes will also be reduced to 10s per acre per annum for the first year after occupation. We mny also mention the completion of arrangements between the Home Syndicate and the New Zealand Government for the construction of the East aud West Coast and Nelson Railway. Although the first sod of the line will not be formally turned till some time during the next month, the contractors, Messrs M'Keone, Robinson, and Avigdor have really commenced the contract, by laying rails on a portion of the line which had already been begun by the present Government. We are not, however, in this article, going to comment on these subjects; but merely refer to tbem as woilcb or events which in years to come will be remarkable periods in the future history of this district if ever and whenever it shall come to be written. Standing, as we now do, on the verge of another period in our existence, and in accordance with old and familiar precedents, we most heartily and sincerely wish one and all, without distinction or difference, A Happy New Year !

To-morrow, being New Year's Day and a general holiday everywhere, there will be no publication of the Kumara Times. The usual New Year's Eve torchlight procession will take place to-night, commencing at eleven o'clock. Every member of the Fire Brigade is notified to meet at the station punctually at half-past ten o'clock, to make final arrangements for the success of the demonstration. The fireworks will include sky rockets, roman candles, blue lights, mines, four-billions and tri-billions, jewel fountains, gerbs (or Chinese trees), golden flower pots, wheels; green, blue, and red fires. So that the display during and after the procession will be on a scale of grandeur surpassing all previous years. The annual picnic for the children at : tending the various schools, and' their relatives and friends, will take place tomorrow (New Year's Day). The children will meet at the State School at 10.45 o'clock in the morning, and, the weather being favourable (as at present there is every prospect) will march in procession to Messrs Keech and Malloy's paddock on the bank of the Teremakau, where booths have been erected for convenience of supplying refreshments during the day. Swings and a swing-boat have been erected for the occasion ; and teere will be all sorts of games for young and old. The Brunnerton Brass Band is engaged for the occasion. In the evening there will be a grand vocal and instrumental concert, in the Theatre Royal, for the benefit of the Picnic Fund. The Picnic Committee have arranged with the New Zealand Blondin to perform on the tight rope on the ground at Messrs Keech and Malloy's paddock to-morrow. The feats will include the highland fling, wheelbarrow eccentricities, and the Swiss basket carriage. We acknowledge receipt from the Goldfields Department of a Supplement to the Gazette of December IG, containing the "Regulations under the Mining Act 1886." We observe that John Gow, Esq., of Greymouth, is appointed Inspector of Mines, under "The Mining Act, 1886," as from the Ist January, 1887. J. M'Ennis, Esq,, is appointed, under the same Act, to be Receiver of Gold Revenue and Mining Registrar for the district of Kumara. The many friends of Mr James Hatch, of Charleston, will regret to hear that he expired on Snnday last. He was quite well on Friday, and was engaged in his usual duties, but he was suddenly taken ill, and on Sunday, between 12 and 1 o'olock, he died. His complaint was strangulation of the bowels. Mr Hatch was one of the earliest residents of Charleston, and by a life of strict probity and industry had gained the respect of all. His sudden death is deeply regretted on all sides, and sincere sympathy is expressed with Mrs Hatch and family. Commander Edwin wired to-day, at 1.20 p.m.— "Indications glass further rise, with south-easterly wind." It is not often such a variety of fruit is seen in Kumara as may now be in Mr Burger's shop window. There are cherries, cherry plums, green cooking plums, gooseberries, greengages, pears, &c, fresh tioui gardens m Nelson ; raisiiis, almonds, datoi find hg 3 . Fireworks of every description can be obtained at Mr Burger's fancy reposi-tory.—-[Ad vx.]

Some additional sports were got up in the Recreation Ground this afternoon, among them one of 200 yards—competitors to walk 50 yards, hop 50, go on allfours 50, and finish off with running.so yards. The Glass Jar of Peas at Messrs Sprinz and Hamburger's drapery establishment was opened on the advertised date, Tuesday, 28th inst., the peas counted, and the following customers found to have guessed nearest to the actual number in the jar:— No. of Peas in Jar. Miss Nellie Spindeler ... 4980 Andrew Baritty 4900 , Hugh Anderson 4900 MissM'Keegan 4900 Wm. Seater ... ... 4995 The_ actual number of peas in the jar was 4945. The prizes awarded were a watch, silver locket and chain, silver set, clock, and an album. Under the new Municipal Corporations Act, which comes into force on January next, the Auditor-General of the colony becomes the auditor of all Borough Council accounts. A very sudden death occurred in Greymouth yesterday, Mr P. Murphy, fruiterer, Mawhera Quay, dying after a short illness of twelve hours only. Deceased was an old resident of the town. The trial of Hall, for the murder of Captain Cain, is fixed to be held on the 24th prox. The Grey River Argus remarks : "The Hokitika cricketers have again declined to play the final contest for Griffen and Smith's Cup. The telegram speaks for itself :—«lmpossible to °play before end of January or beginning of February.' The Grey players are very much disappointed at the refusal of a direct challenge, as such a thing is not recognised in cup matches. It is a pity that the Hokitika Club have thus virtually resigned the Cup, or if not, trust to the leniency of their Grey opponents to have the final contest postponed indefinitely." The Austral, which arrived at Melbourne on the morning of the 22nd inst., made a phenomenal passage from England. Her mails were in Adelaide in 30 days 5 hours, or a, week under contract time. Tenders are required by the Grey District Education Board for building an addition to the Westbrook School. Specifications can be seen at the Council Chambers, Kumara. Tenders must be sent in to the Secretary, Mr E. T. Robinson, Greymouth, not later than Monday, 10th January. A Roman Catholic priest, named Father Riordan, formerly of New Zealand, has been removed to Kew Asylum, near Melbourne, being of unsound mind. Persons who Patronise news-Papers should Pay Promptly, for the Pecuniary Prospects of the Press have a Peculiar Power of Procuring and Promoting Public Prosperity. If the Printer is Paid Promptly, and his Pocketbook kept Plethoric by Prompt Paying Patrons, he Puts his Pen to the Paper in Peace, and his Paragraphs are more Pointed, Pungent, or Prosy. He Paints his Pictures and Phases of Passing Phenomenons in more Pleasing Palliatives, and the Perusal of his Paper is of more Pleasure to his People. Place this Piece of Proverbial Philosophy on some Post, Pillar, or wallPaper, where all Persons can Perceive it.