The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1353, 1 February 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1881.

If there is one greater pest than another throughout the length and breadth of the colonies it is the street larrikin, and, although so far this town has not produced any particularly notorious specimens, at the same time it bids fair to eventually outshine others in this respect, should this nuisance now in its embryo state be allowed to develop into maturity. Why gangs of boys—some of them youths verging into manhood—should be allowed to preambulate the streets as soon as the shades of night set in, and shout, scream, or rush hither and thither to the annoyance of not only respectable people walking in the streets, but also to those engaged in business, we fail to comprehend, a?, were some over-excited individual to act in a similar manner, he would soon

find the strong arm of the law extended and his eccentricities, if so they may 'be called, promptly suppressed. Probably there is no better opportunity afforded o£ noticing the objectionable nuisance to which we refer than on the occasion of some theatrical or other performance in the town, when, as a rule, they not only congregate around the doors of the building to the discomfort of those entering, but the s"mall minority of this class among the audience, always making themselves painfully prominent by the hideous Hoises with which they signify their approval or otherwise of the performance. That parents are to blame in numerous instances, there is not one moment's doubt, as children of tender years are allowed, at will, to frequent the streets at hours when, if their parents gave the matter the least serious consideration, they must be only too well aware that their offspring can but learn habits that only tend to demoralise, if not eventually lead to crime. We say in all honesty of purpose that the sooner this evil is nipped in the bud, the better for all concerned, as- it cannot be supposed that the community at large will tolerats larrikinism in any form in their midst when it becomes a public nuisance. Doubtless the guardians of the peace, by a little judicious exercise of their authority, could quietly though effectively suppress the evil to which we now draw attention.

We are glad to observe that a longexpected public work, viz., the second section of the Kumara sludge-channel, has at last been commenced, and we trust that the contractor will now use every endeavour to complete this section with as little delay as possible. A meeting of the Kumara Prospecting Association will be held at the Town Hall to-morrow evening. A meeting of the Hospital Committee will be held at the Secretary's rooms this evening. The various applications sent in for the office of medical attendant to the Hospital will not be considered until this day week, as, the applications do not close before Monday evening next. The First Westland Rifles intend to send a representative team to compete at the meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, to be held at Nelson in March next, and have intimated to Lieut. Munyard, of the Kumara Contingent, that they will be glad if one or two of the best shots from here were included in the team. Probably some of our local marks* men will be in a position to attend in connection with their Hokitika brothers-in-arms, and, if so, give a good account of themselves. Tenders are invited for that most necessary and urgently-required work, the formation of the present pack track between Dillman's Town and Larrikins into a dray road. Plans and specifications can be seen at the residence of the County Chairman, Seddon street, where all particulars are obtainable. In the interests of the large mining community living at Larrikins, it is to be hoped that whoever is the successful tenderer, the work will be expeditiously carried out, as the want of this road has been most keenly felt by many in the extra cost of their daily living, through all provisions having to be packed to their destination. In connection with this road we are requested to state that the agreements relative to those claims through which this road passes are now ready for signature. Operations for floating the Hyderabad, we learn from the Foxton Herald, are progressing satisfactorily. She seems to be as tough a job as the s.s. Taupo. The Southland News has evidently no very high opinion of the prowess of the local cricketers, when in an article on their performance in the late match with the Australian Eleven it says :—On future occasions something should be clone to relieve the nervous apprehensions of the twenty - two representatives of local cricket something that would enable them to go to the wickets comparatively free from "funk." As it was, the least observant onlooker could not fail to perceive that nearly all the local men were " all of a quiver " as they faced the bowler, evidently regarding the ball as a dangerous missile. Now, this could be obviated by making it a condition that any future crack Eleven should use a different kind of ball, say a soft elastic one, nicely inflated, so that it could not

possibly hurt anybody. Of course there would have to be a proviso against anybody being "caught out." Or it might be made a condition that the eleven should play with one eye blindfolded, or even that there should be only two stumps about a foot apart instead of three when the local men were "in." These precautions would add greatly to the comfort of the gentlemen engaged, and would permit of a few of the team being allowed to field in a style that, judging from what is said to have occurred, would be congenial to their Sybaritic tastes. It may be only a malicious joke, but it is currently reported that two of the "dons" did their fielding the first day (when it was "so preciously hot, you know ") in a recumbent position, and when called on to go after a ball that had just passed their way, lazily requested a small boy to fetch it. Such energetic players as these would realise the luxury of a cigar and one of Ouida's latest novels on the field. Colonel Gordon is credited by the North China Herald with having offered this plain language to the Chinese Ministry:—"lt is idiotic for China to think she can take the field against Russia. But, if you will fight, then carry your Court and Emperor, your archives, and the rusty and creaking machinery of your central government far away into the interior of the country; for, once hostilities are begun on the eastern seaboard, Russia will, in a few weeks, be mistress of Peking. Only be assured that this means the downfall of your dynasty*" A novel fly-catcher was exhibited—probably unintentionally—by a tradesman of Tay street, Invercargill, on Friday. Pas-sers-by were very much amused at observing a rat amongst the crockery and other articles exposed for sale in the window, but their amusement soon changed to wonder when it was seen that the animal was busily engaged in catching flies. The owner of the establishment was amongst the spectators, but we (News) have not heard yet whether he intends taking out a patent for his fly-catcher, which by the way, he may have some trouble to catch. M. Gastaldoni, of Vincenza, Italy, has invented a new pianoforte, which can make the sound of each key last as long as the player wishes,-just like a violin, flute, or any other instrument, violin or not. And yet it is not an organ, but only a pianoforte. Liszt, Rubenstein, and other great pianists, are quite enthusiastic over this invention, and say that quite a new era in pianoforte playing begins with it. A late Maori prisoner in Dunedin renders Te Whiti's potato puzzle thus : " Had you given me this potato before it was cooked, it might have been planted, and borne fruit, of which we might both [ have partaken ; but it has already been cooked) and is of no use except to be eaten ; it cannot be planted." A surgeon in Hobart Town summoned a butcher for a large sum for attendance on his wife, but the butcher said the medico was a bungler, and that through his want of skill his wife died. Three other doctors (certificated ones) supported the butcher's view in the evidence they gave, and the verdict was that the money J should not be paid. Nice for the surgeon. This is the way a Canadian paper heads its repoi't of Hanlan's victory over Trickett : "Victory !" Canuck Scoops the Antipodean !"—"Ned Stops to Wipe his Face in the Thameß !" "Utter discomfiture of the Corn-stalk's Friends and Backers !"—-" The Cham' pionship of the World won in 26 Minutes 19 Seconds !"