The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1886.

Inangahua Times, Volume XI, Issue 1672, 1 March 1886, Page 2

The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1886.

A Parliamentary paper to had shows that during the five months between the 31st March and 31st August last year— the amount expended upon the Otago Centeral railway was £27,843, the contracts in hand up to the 31st August last reaching the sum of £98,839. This work having been twice condemned by Parliament and a Royal Commission, after a searching inquiry, having reccomended the abandonment of the undertaking as an utterly useless one, the advocates of "Otago Central or bust" ought to be pretty well satisfied. The question should, however, be raised nt.xt session whether this extravagant and profitless expenditure can be allowed to continue in its present isolated form. It is not even claimed that there can be any possible returns from this railway for many years to come, and yet it is being rushed ahead as though the very salvation of the Colony depended upon its completion. In its silence upon this question, while loudly denouncing the East and West Coast railway, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce has to our way of thinking showed a degree of selfish localism which is both unreasonable and inconsistent, and which must deprive it* utterances of anything like Colonial importance. The concert nn Friday evening in aid of the Public School prize fund proved very successful, the gross proceeds reaching to about £17. The attendance was very good. The concert was under the patronage of the Inangahua Rifles, but, the red coats were not so numerous as might be expected. The concert opened with an overture well played by the Rifle Band. Master B. M'Dowal recited very cleverly "The yarn of the Nancy Bell,'' and for which he was warmly applauded. Mr Heard, a new comer, who possesses a pleasing and cultured voice sang " The Little Hero," in capital style. Miss Watkins followed reudering "Katie's Letter," in a very pleasing manner. The next item on the programme was "Jack's Yarn," a song of the sea, by the Rev. Mr Jones, which was given in excellent voice. "When the Dewdrops fall" by Mrs Scantlebury, was sung with great taste and expression. Mr Montgomerie followed with the evergreen ballad. " Molly Asthore," which was remarkably well sung. Miss Moller was even more than usually effective in the charming song of "Pierrot," and was very warmly applauled. The "Outpost," by Mr Lynch ■ and " The Vagabond," by Mr Nash, were each capitally sung, and a ooni«t solo, "Terence's Farewell," most ably performed by Mr J. Richards, brought the first portion of the programme to a close. In the second part, besides the ladies and gentlemen already mentioned Mr G. Casley sang "Our National Defenders," in a floe spirited style. Mrs Absolom, who was in excellent voice, sang " Thou Art So Near," with marked effectiveness. " The Tar's Farewell," excellently sung j by Mr Ballantyne brought the programme to a close. The concert was a very enjoyable one throughout, as shown by the fact that the audience was persistent in its demands for encores, which in the case of ihe lady vocalists were responded to in most cases. Mr Smith, the agent of the " Called Back Company," reached Reefton by coach yesterday evening. He is as yet doubtfull whether the company will visit Reefton, owing to the heavy expense which the inland journey would involve. The company comprises eighteen performers, all of the first rank of colonial theatricals. Should they appear here it will be on Friday and Saturday next in the world renowned drama of "Called Back," and Bouccicault's master piece of Arra na Pogue. The company are billed to play at Greymouth on next Monday and Tuesday evenings. They open at Westport this evening, for a season of four or five nights. As the company is really a high class one and far and away ahead of anything of the kind we have as yet had on the West Coast, we trust that some substantial inducement will be offered to the company to take Reefton ia their tour. The Nelson Hail says :— We have seen a specimen of gold bearing stone — brought over by Mr Bayfeild from Johnston's United Mining Company, weighing altogether some 80 ounces, estimated to contain from 5 to 6 ounces of gold, taken from the new drive, which runs in the direction of the old Decimal and Perseverance workings. The specimen is wonderfully rich, being at the rate of about 18,000 ounces to the ton. We hope the shareholders will obtain many tons of similar stone. Mr W. H. Thompson, better known as " Zulu " Thompson, who visited the Coast in December with a diorama of the Zulu war, has filed a bankruptcy petition in Wellington. A telephone station will shortly be opened at Hatter's Terrace, Nelson Creek. The Christchuroh paper says :— Miss Christian appears on alternate nights at the Oddfellows' Hall ; Miss Smithson has possession of tho theatre ; while opposite toMiw Smithson the circus band brays merrily o' nights. So for once ho have more amusement than we can patronise. At Miss Christian's concert a local amateur (who has become a professional) has appeared, in the person of Mr Fitz- Nigel Nicholls. Mr Fitz-itfigel (hitherto familiarly known as Dick) has been a familiar figure at social gatherings here for the last 10 years. He has a nice voice, but not quite up to the level of Mr Armes Beaumont's. Indeed, the contrast between them on Monday evening was rather marked, but something must be allowed for inexperience and nervousness. "Keating'* Powder" destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application . Sec the article you purchase is " Keating V as imitations aro noxious and ineffectual. Sold in Tins, 6d., Is., and 2b 6d each, by all chemists. Clergymen, lawyers, Editors, Banker* and Ladies need American Hop Bitten daily, for nerve foroe. Read.