KUMARA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 12 January 1927, Page 7

KUMARA NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent). Onto each lite some rain must fall. Some days be dark and deary;’’ but the time-honoured wish “A Merry Xmas and Happy New Year’’ wa- , much in evidence during the festive sea , son, and it is to be hoped that the good fellowship which ushered in 1J27 will . continue during the year, and that dir f.erences of opinion will not alter tvieno ship. Criticism is a wholesome check, which often helps matters forward a? a kite rises before the wind. So let u.join together, as citizens to do the best wa can to promote the good and wel fare of the town. “Evil is often wrought by want oi thought, As well as want of heart.’' So if there is a grievance to be remedied or a wrong to be put right, our newspaper press can be relied upon to help by stepping into the breach and diverting into the necessary channel enough of the irresistable force of public opinion to sweep away the offending matter. So mote it be! The Kumara State and Convent School pupils are joining with the other schools in the Hokitika district in the annual school excursion, which will be held at on Thursday, 3rd February. A local astronomer predicts that th*recent eclipse of the sun in the early morning will mean a dry spell on the West Coast. He arrives at this eonclu sion by the recollection that after the eclipse of the sun in the evening oi May last there was a continual rainfall on the West Coast. It therefore behoves the housewives to conserve the water supply. The danger of lighting fires in this dry weather cannot be too strongly impressed upon those who are inclined i -ry in this manner. The Okuku sawmill at DillmanstowH. was in danger on Monday evening; but the prompt action of neighbours in the vicinity was the means of saving this valuable property. Several local residents took their parture on holiday by Tuesday s ex < ; press among whom were Mr A. Vlack (of Wairoa, ILB.). Mr. Geo. i’amment : Town Clerk, (for Wellington), and Mr. Theo Saraty (for Wanganui). Several jothers have gone to South Westland I Punakaikai and Otira. '[ Kumara people have taken seriously Lo cricket, and the doings of the local I team are being watched with keen interest. In the recent match against C-oe den, Kumara team won by 10 wicket 4 ! which now places our boys on even ■ terms with the leaders in tiie competition. T’ne local pitch is regarded as i the best on the Coast, and we are look- ' ing forward with pleasure to many interesting and enjoyable games being . played locally. The death of Francis William McMahon took [dace at the Westland Hos- ’ pital on Monday afternoon at the age II of G 8 years. The deceased was well ’ known in Kumara, where he had resiti|l ed for fifty years, ell was ir native of 1 County Monaghan, Ireland, and came "with his parents to Australia and New ’’ Zealand, following mining pursuits. He ' was one of the members of Kumara's first Fire Brigade, and took a keen, interest in all kinds of athletic- sports.| His wife predeceased him about thre • years ago. He leaves a daughter, Mrs 1 O’Neil, of Taumarunui, ami two sons. ' Charles (of Auckland), and Henry (oi 4 1 Kumara), also two brothers, Teter am; I Edward of Auckland, and a sister, Mr? . Dillon, of Wellington. The family will -lhave the sympathy of many friends. ) A fire broke out in the former resiJ donee of Mrs Joe Manizone (Jun.) ‘ in Main Street in the small wee hours of New Year’s Day. The building had been unoccupied for some time, but contained a complete outfit of fuiui(ture. Incendiarism is suspected. The Ku mara Fire Brigade were holding their annual social evening, ami in their ef- - forts to quell the outbreak, many oi the 3 members had their good suits destroy- - cd. Although this property was not m--1 sured, still the firemen feel in duty bound to sparo no efforts to put out a fire. Although Kumara has no lire - Board, still it has a team of willing fire I mon <nnnnd to none in New Zealand.

mon second to none in New Zealand, and it is to be hoped that the companies wlii.-li have property covered in Kninara will recognise the efforts of the Kumara Volunteer Brigade to save pro perty. Luring the holidays an unusual num her of pleasure motor cars ami campers have enjoyed the scenic beautiearound Kumara. The principal attraction being the Lake Brunner Road where at least one hundred ears con taining picnic parties have had a pleasant oqting during the holidays. It is reported that the Grey Count) lorry deposited a load of benzine at Greenstone, and that in the near future il. is intended to work the grader on the Tcremakau Settlement Road, and it is probable that the Lake Brunner road will also receive attention. The general opinion seems to favour a few loads of metal and. gravel to eater tor tin: increasing timber traffic in that district. This popular tourist resort cor tainly warrants good reading faciliites. An accident which might easily have had. serious results happened to Mr. D. Freitas, employed at. Steel and Reedy’s mill, Payne’s Gully. He, with other bushmen, was felling a tree when a limb came down, just grazing his head, and severely bruising his shoulder and arm. Though he will be incapacitate., fo'r some time he was fortunate to escape the full force of tho falling limb