KUMARA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1929, Page 12

KUMARA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). The annual concert in aid of St. Patrick’s school took place in the Memorial Hall on Friday evening. The stage, beautifully decorated with ferns and evergreens, interspersed with coloured lights, the work of Mr W. Routhan, had a most pleasing effect and was much admired by the large audience. The children performed their respective parts well, and reflected much credit on the Sisters of Mercy for their work in bringing them to such a state of perfection. The Kumara amateurs too, deserve praise for rendition of the choruses “The Desert Song,” “Gems from Show Boat,” and “The Wedding of the Painted Doll.” A visitor from Hokitika, Miss Morgan, gave some vocal items, which were greatly appreciated. Other items worthy of special mention were two violin solos by Mr Akers. The accompanists for the evening were Mi ss Mary Gilbert and Mrs Shirley, who carried out their duties pleasingly. At the conclusion of the entertainment, the Rev. Father Lordan returned thanks on behalf of the Sisters, to all those who had in any way contributed to the siiccess of the -evening. A disastrous fire took place on Sunday morning at about 5 o’clock when a cottage and contents owned by M r C. Cook, situated on the road between the Kumara Junction and Taramakau railway bridge -were totally destroyed. When the fire was first noticed, Mr and Mrs Cook and son were in the milking shed, situated about 150 yards away. The fire had a big hold when Mr Cook arrived on the scene, and only a few pieces of furniture could be saved.

About 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon the town was startled by a number of loud reports coming from the rear of Mr John Hurren’s store, situated in Main Street. Upon investigation it was found that four small boys had located a quantity oj; gelignite, and forthwith proceeded to endeavour to explode it by placing a number of plugs on a stone and dropping another stone on top of it. In this manner 25 plugs were disposed of and, strange to say, the youngsters escaped getting hurt nor was any damage done.