The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEKMY. MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1885.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1588, 17 August 1885, Page 2

The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEKMY. MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1885.

The political atmosphere in Wellington continues in a very disturbed condition, and the prophets predict the early breaking of the storm. If we are to credit the latest lobhy minors, a motion of no-confi-dence will he tabled upon the meeting of the House to-morrow, but we are getting rather fatigued of these reports, particularly in view of the fact that the prophets do not seem to be able to suggest as the mover any member of the Opposition who would be likely to carry weight in a hostile move. We have had over and over again this Resaion the assurance of Major Atkinson that he has no desire at present to return to office, and we hardly think thatsince the last of thesp announcements anything has occurred in the situation of affairs—particularly of financial affairs— to induce him to alter his mind. Mr Ormoud has been repeatedly mentioned as a not unlikely champion of t!ie family of Orpheus C. Kerrs in the House, but while Major Atkinson remains the acknowledged head of the Opposition, and declines to lead an attack upon the Government, it is unlikely we think that a public man of Mr Orniond's standing will allow himself to be made use of for the occasion. Sir George Grey is virtually played out. His experience of the preceding session, and particularly the fate of his last mishappened no-confidence motion, will, or certainly ought to, discourage any further attempt on his part to oust the Ministry unless then an adverse motion is to come from either Major Atkinson or Mr Ormond, it is hardly likely to come at all, and looking at the matter in this light, we can only regard these constant threats of a no-con-fidence motion as a kind of sword of Damocles, ht,ld over the head of the Government as a menace of the fate which awaits them should they move any further in the matter of the East and West Coast railway. We have been asked to notify that the County Rate Collector has received positive instructions to enter legal proceedings at once for the recovery of outstanding rates, and "the instruction will be acted upon without further notice. A telegram having been received by Mr A. Burnham from MrMenteath, M.H.R., stating that the Government have consented to accept the services of the proposed Reefton Rifle Volunteer Corps, a public meeting was held on Saturday evening last for the purpose of enrolling members, and Mr W. Hindmarsh having been voted to the chair, explained the conditions upon which the services of the Corps were accepted. The Government would supply arms, accoutrements and ammunition, but no capitation allowance. After discussion it was decided to proceed with the formation of the Corps. A role was then submitted for signature when the required number of fifty persons offered their, names. The election of officers was then proceeded with, the result being as follows : — Captain : Mr A. Burnham ; First Lieutenant, Mr T. North ; Second Lieutenant, Mr F. Boase. Mr St. George was appointed Secretary, and Mr Cooper treasurer of the Corps. Captain Burnham announced that he would at once communicate with Mr Menteath, and upon a reply being received of the formal enrollment of the Corps a drill would be called and the regular drill days fixed and other business transacted. We believe it is proposed to also organisu a Cadet Corps of boys attending the State and Catholic Schools. The preliminary steps in that direction have already been taken, the Government promising to provide carbines and accoutrements, so that if the two schools act in concert a very strong juvenile company can be formed. Unifwrms would, of course, have to be provided apart from the Government, but this could no doubt easily be done with the aid of a concert or entertainment. It is unnecessary to point out the advantage to be derived by youngsters from drill instruction and lessons in discipline and it is to be hoped that the proposal will be acted upon with alacrity, in which case Reefton will no doubt be able with the two Companies to make a good martial display during the coming Christmas holidays. It is with very great regret w« have to record the total destruction by fire of Mr F. Aivher's hotel, store, and residence at the Inangahua Landing. The intelligence reached here by the overland Nelson coach yesterday. The particulars to hand are very meagre, but we gather that the fire occurred between 3 a.m. an 1 4 a.m. yesterday morning, the tint person to •jive the alarm being the puntiiiAii, who lives in a cottage cl<>B« by. By this time the whole building whh in flfum-H and Mr Archer had barely tin»«; to g«t liis family out of the house in tlioir niglitclutliiiH. Fhe flames spread s<> i api-lly tint nothing whatever was saved, riot oven a hiii^lo ' irticlu of clothing. Mr Archer's low* in a mavy one, as besides the prnirmefl, fur- i littire and hotel stock, ho had ,i largo ) itock of general groceries. Tho greatest j ympathy is felt for the sufferer who hud

just got comfortably established, and whose years of saving have thus been swept away in a Binerle hour. Farther particulars will no doubt come to hand to-day. Mr Binna, Inspector of Mines, reached Reefton on Frid ly > last, on his annual official visit of inspection. The police on Saturday last affected the arrest of a woman on a charge of unsoundness of mind. After placing her in the lock-up it was found necessary to place her under restraint, owing to the violence of her conduct. She v ill be brought before the resident Justices to-day. The local footballers phiyod a scratch match on Saturday last. The ground was rather spongy, and the falls were numerous. A most keen and exciting match ensued, and which was eagerly watched by a large number of spectators, k communication is expected from the Greymouth club shortly, fixing the date of the return match. We learn that the steamer Koranni grounded on leaving Westport on Saturday last, and yesterday morning was still hard and fast. The Grey Arrju* says : — Mr Archibald Hunter of Nelson Creek succumed to his injuries yesterday morning. This was no surprise to those who had any idea of the desperate nature of those injuries. His body misrht bo said to be literally crushed. Even Dr MacCarthy had from the first but very faint hopes of bringing his patient round again, though of course it was unnecessary to publish the fact while there was any room for hope. Mr Hunter was one of the oldest residents on Nelson Creek, where he carried on busi ness as a butcher and hotelkeeper. H« leaves a wife and four children. It is understood that his life was very well insured, policies on it having been taken out in the Government office and in the Mutual Provident. Mr Hunter was 45 years of age, and was a native of Donegal, Ireland. Many friends made during his long residence in the district will regret his premature ending and sympathise with the widow in her sorrow. * good joke is told on the Masonic L6dge at East Orange, N. J. During the E.A. Degree the candidate had just entered and been placed in " due form," when an alarm of fire drew the attention of the officers and brethern to the fact that the drug store on the first floor of the Masonic Hall was on tire. In one minute and eleven seconds every member of the lodge was in the street. An applicant for charity, who ' hadn't put his foot to the ground since last summer, was the first one out of doors, and hasn't be<m seen since. The candidate, however, remained in the same position that the Deacon had placed him, ami when complimeuted on his bravery, remarked : 4 You can't fool mo ; I knew that was part of the degree.' TOWLE'S PEIWYROYAT, AND STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct all irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so prevalent with the sex. Boxes Is 1^.1., and 2s. 6d., of all Chemists. Prepared only by £ T TowJe, Chemist, Nottingham, England, Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses, Beware uf Imitation* When the brain is wearied, the nerves unstrung, the muscles weak, use Hop Bitters as made by A merican Co. ' Read