The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1883.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1215, 3 January 1883, Page 2

The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI- WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1883.

Mr Gilbert, dentist, will reach Reefton this evening.

The mail coach arrived from Greymouth yesterday afternoon, bringing twenty-two returning holiday - makers. A large number of Reeftoniles still remain in Greymouth and Ahaura, but will probably reach here during the next few days.

It would appear that the report current as to the injuries sustained by the horse Rawden were somewhat exaggerated. The "animal, though much shaken is not seriously injured, and his trainer is confident of being able to get lots of running out of him yet.

An inebriate was brought before Mr Bowman J.P. yesterday morning, and was mulcted in the usual penalty of 5s with the alternative of 48 hours imprisonment. The prisoner was also charged with indecency, and the case being proved, he was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment.

Two pic-nics were held on Monday last — one at Crushington and the other at Dick's paddock, both of which were very largely attended. A cricket match and a tennis party were also held in Smith's paddock, so that there was no dearth of amusement for holiday makers. The day was beautitully fine for out-door gatherings, and full advantage was taken of the occasion by the public.

The No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark Company are determined to lose no time in opening up their mine. The holidays being now fairly over the directors have met and made a call to provide the sinews of war, and it is the intention to start vigorous operations at once. The position of the ground is unquestionably good, and the development of the mine will be watched with great interest.

The Ahaura people have every reason to be satisfied with their race meeting this year, the attendance being unusually large, and the racing on the whole was very good. The following is the result of the first day's running : — Publican's Purse : Lillipie. Produce Stakes : Spread the Light. Ahaura Handicap : Lillipie. Trotting Match : Black Bess. Hack Race : Weasel and Consolation Stakes : Snowdrop. ;L6O was collected the same evening for another day's racing, which took place yesterday.

The Grey races were brought to a close on Monday last, the attendance being hardly as large as might be expected, owing probably to the counter attraction of the pic-nics of the State and Catholic schools, which were held on the same day. The Hurdle Race brought out only two horses, Whalebone and Orient, and after a somewhat doubtful race Whalebone finished three lengths ahead. The next event was the Hack Race, which afforded some genuine interest, until Hark-away, who appeared to have got in rather cheaply, was called upon and ran through his company, winning by a couple of lengths. The Grey Valley Stakes brought out a field of four, The Field, Lady Harris, Levant, and Marie Stewart. Lady Harris was the favorite, but disappointed expectation by finishing third, the Field winning hands down.

. New Year's Day was ushered in with the usual rejoicings. The members of the Heather Bell Lodge, mustering about 50 members, together with the Fire Brigade, formed a procession and paraded Broadway for about an hour. The members of St. Andrew's Order were all attired in their tartan regalia, and headed by the band, each holding a lit torch presented a fine appearance. Broadway was crowded till about three o'clock, fireworks were let off, and all joined in wishing their friends and acpuaintances, "A Happy New Year." M$ Schulhof and Mr Kater had Chinese lanterns suspended across the road from their various establishments which materially assisted in making the view most picturesque.

The annual tea and concert under the auspices of the pastor and congregation of the United Methodist Free % Church, Reefton, was held in the Chapel, Shielstreet, on Thursday evening, the 29th ult. Pieparations for the tea were begun early in the morning, and in anticipation of a large attendance ample provision was made. "Nor were the Committee disappointed, for at the appointed time the building was crowded to the utmost, No pains had been spared by the ladies presiding to make the tables as attractive as possible, and the beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers lent a great charm to the scene. Besides the usual concomitants of tea and cakes, there was fruit in abundance, and the guests seemed to thoroughly enjoy the spread. After tea, the

concert was opened with a chorus by the ! members of the choir, which was ren- j dered in a very creditable manner. Mr Cooper sang a sole with great taste and correctness. MrKengous "Fairy Bells," j a new instrument, is a very sweet sounding ; musical invention and was manipulated with great precision. The solo by Miss A. Cassel was very nicely rendered, aEd her singing shows marked improvement. "Arm ye Brave'" although a difficult piece of music, was given in a masterly manner by Mr C. James, Miss Moeller was in excellent voice and rendered "Angels Ever Bright and Fair " very effectively. Next followed an address by Rev. Mr Sedgwick, on "Thoroughness" which was a clear and eloquent exposition of the want of solidity in many things of the present day. The second part of the programme opened with a duet by Miss Austin and Mr G. Casley "Larbcard Watch " which was very happily rendered, the voices blending harmoniously. Space will not permit of our referring at greater length to the concert, which, however, was altogether very successful and enjoyable. The Rev. Mr Parkin's delivered an able and amusing address upon the subject of " hand-shaking " and kept all present in a simmer of merriment. He referred to the different kinds of hand-shaking indulged in, and which he classified under the headings of the " Cordial shake " the "Hypocritical shake" the "Dignified shake" the "Patronising shake" and "the John Bull shake." The discourse was interwoven with humorous anecdotes, and copious illustrations and was altogether very diverting. At the close Mr Parkins referred to the possibility of his early departure from Reefton and acknowledge the uniform kindness and consideration he had always received at the hands of his congregation. A cordial vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Sedgwick, who occupied the chair, closed the proceedings.

The Chinese residents of Christchurch have subscribed nearly £60 towards the destitute patients' relief fund at the Hospital.

The President of the Royal Academy has intimated to Mr W. C. Bennett his willingness to add his name to the list of those who are willing to promote the placing a bust of Longfellow in Westminister Abby, "if there is a precedent, for such a step in connection with a poet not of English birth. "

Near the village of Beppo-moura, in Kotchi, Japan, an auriferous cave has been discovered in which strings and nuggets of metal are openly visible in the roofs and sides. The cave has hitherto been considered sacred, and the natives would not enter it, but steps have now been taken to work the gold.

The Pharmaceutical Journal reports the poisoning of a man who had been living on raw, unripe potatoes, and quotes the opinion of an eminent analyst that decided symptoms of poisoning result more frequently than people are aware of from any considerable consumption of potatoes, especially when they are very young or very old. The poison is said to be found chiefly, if not entirely, in the skin of the tuber.

Barnsby Cooper, the nephew of Sir Astley, used to tell a story, says Mr Serjeant Ballantine in his " Experiences " of his uncle, in connection with a murder committed at Rotherithe by a man named Patch. The deceased had been shot, and from the position that he was in at the time and the direction of the wound, Sir Astley, then Mr Cooper, was satisfied that the shot was fired by a lefthanded man. Patch assured his counsel that such was not the case with him, but when called upon to plead, held up his left hand. It may be necessary to mention for the information of some readers that at that period a prisoner pleading was always told to hold up his hand. Patch was convicted and executed.

The largest amount of gold exported from Otago in any one year was in 1863, when 614,3870z3. valued at £2,380,750, passed through the Custom house. The previous year, 1862, the quantity was 399,2010z. and in 1864 it was 436,0120z. The quantity each year has rapidiy decreased from these large figures, until for 1880 the whole amount was only 113, 6660z. va1ue £457, 705. Thetotalquantity exported from the start in 1861 until 1880, nearly 20 years, is 4,018,8850z. value £15,818,948. The value of wool for the same period exported was £15,746,856, leaving a small balance in favour of gold.

Forty-five years ago (says Chambers' Journal) a steamer named the Great Western lay fitting out in the harbour of Bristol. She was of no great size according to our ideas, being only 212 ft long; but the eyes of the mercantile world were directed to her, as she was the first steamer built for service on the Atlantic, and the interest was all the greater that the question was not, How long will she take to make the voyage to New York? but, Will she manage to steam across the Atlantic at all ? There are still among us those who can tell of the eager expectation with which the result of the attempt was awaited, and the rejoicing that took place when the news at last reached our shores that on the 23rd April, 1838, the Great Western had arrived in safety at New York, and that the great problem of ocean steam navigation was solved.

What is more acceptable as a New Year's Gift than a faithful portrait of youraelf, which you can rely upon-obtain-ing at the studio of Mr Tait, photographer, Broadway, next Beilby's Hotel. [Advt.]