The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1883.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1337, 17 December 1883, Page 2

The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI- WEEKLY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1883.

We publish this morning the popular consultation of the Fidelity Company on the Dunedin races, which, will be run on the 21st, 22nd. and 23rd February next. Four thousand programmes of 20a., the whole embracing 192 prizes. Each ticket will b© drawn five separate times, ihree drawings for the three races, and two drawings for the sixty bonds. The eveut » expected to fill rapidly for the full amount, so that intending subscribers should make early application. The advertisement will be found in another column. The right to the booths and stall at the forthcoming Christmas races were submitted to auction on Saturday last, and fetched the followiug prices : No. 1 (steward's booth), Mr F.;^ Smith, L 7 3; No. 2 booth, Mr R. Roxborough, L 6 4; refreshment stall, A. Smith, Lll ; cards, L3,J. Little. Total, Ll6l We publish in another column the acceptances received for the Inangah.ua Cup. It will be seen that only.sevau horses have accepted out of sixteen nominations, showing pretty clearly the opinion of homeowners as Jto the handicapping. The number of entries for most of the other events was, however, unexpectedly large, and the total sum received by the club for entries largely exceeded LIOO. It is to be regretted that the entries for the first day's hurdle race have only reached the minimum of three. It was, we believe, decided at the meeting to disqualify the jockey < 'ahill from riding at the meeting, but we have not heard the grounds of disqualification. A number of names were suggested as local handicappers for the remaining events of the meeting, but no definite arrangement was made. ' • A " public " meeting was called for Wednesday evening last at th« Southern Cross Hotel, for the purpose, as the advertisement stated, of "Receiving the officers' report and financial sta'emen , and to elect officers for the ensuing twelve months " for the Reefton Fire Brigade. The meeting, however, did not take place, for the simple reason that nobody responded to the invitation. A n advertisement, apparently from the same source, appeared subsequently, again inviting a "publio" meeting to be held in the Athenieum, the business this time being to "form a new brigade." At this latter meeting the "old brigade," which apparently consists of two persons — a "captain "and the night-watchman, attended, and in the course of business it transpired that besides the ** aptain" and the night-watchman there was another little reminiscence of the "old brigade" in the shape of an awkward liability of some L6O or L7o*, which it seemed to be the object toahunt upon the proposed new brigade. The meeting, however, did not seem to relish this proposal, and prudently suggested that the "old brigade" should wind up its own affairs, and prepare a financial statement showing exactly how matters stood. It was represented that the proper persons to receive the "Captain's" resignation were those who appointed him, and not the "public." It was promised that a financial statement of the officers of the "old brigade" would be made on Tuesday evening next. In the meantime, however, the night-watch-man, who, it would seem, is the principal creditor, wants his money no doubt, and his impatience for its payment can be quite understood in view of the evident anxiety of the "captain" to cast the responsibility of the situation upon a new brigade. The fire apparatus, we underi stand, is vested in trustees, and consequently cannot be destrained upon, which fact does not lessen the difficulties of the situation. The night watchman will haveto be paid no doubt, but it is only right before any new brigade is formed that both the night watchman and the public should know exactly who is to pay him. No matter what your feeling or ailment is, Hop Bitters will do you good. Prove it and see.