CHRISTMAS has arrived once more and

West Coast Times, Issue 10670, 24 December 1897, Page 2

CHRISTMAS has arrived once more and

everyone is making airangements to spend it in a manner befitting the chief festival, oi the year. But it is a time for more than festivities and holiday making. It is especially a time for renewing , old friendships, reviving old associations and burying past enmities. More than this [t is a time when we should think of the welfare of others as well' as ourselves of briugiag comfort to those who n<ied sympathy, help to those who whnt assistance, and joy and gladness to those on whom the burdens o£ life press with undue severity. Happily in a district such as this there are npt many in want, but those who do should not lack. Whilst we are preparing to enjoy ourselves let us at least see that those around us have sufficient to eijable them to enjoy the festive season as well. If each one does his or her part they will not only have conferred happiness on others, but they will also do that which will increase their own enjqyment. In parting with our readers before this great festival we send our greetings and wish one and all

A Merry Christmas.

There will be no issue of this paper tomorrow, Christmas Day.

Mr B. M. Litchfield, Inspector of the Blink of New Zealand, is at present on an official visit to this district. He has many Mends on the Coast who can recall the d^ys when he was accountant at Hokitika and subsequently manager at Greymouth. He will profoab'ly spend his holidays at the Grey.

Owing to Mr Macfarlane's absence at Kumara yesterday the sittings di the Warden's Court were adjourned to Jan. 13. The Magistrate's and Warden's offices will be closed from to-day to Jan. 4. We learn from Mr J. R. Hudson, who has been engaged for some months by the Government overseering road work 3 between the Paringa and the Haast, that the rainfall has been exceedingly heavy, much more so, Mr Hudson thinks, than we have experienced here. " He says that for five weeks of a stretch he did not know what it was to be dry. What a country for thirsty souls !

Mr Thornhill Cooper, the representative of the fire insurance companies, invites tenders for painting, glazing, and sundry repairs to building injured by the late fire. Specifications may be seen at the Empire hotel where tenders close this evening at 6 o'clock.

Very promising reports continue to be received of the results of washings of several claims throughout the district, some of whom will be able to establish a record for the period. The purchases of gold during the next few days should be very large.

It is well to remind all who send Christmas and New Year cards through the pbst office that one end must be open to permit of inspection and the enclosure must not contain anything of the nature of a letter. Unless these provisions are complied with the communications will be charged at letter rates.

Cyclists and running men interested are reminded that acceptances for Monday's sports on Cass Square close [this evening. A fair number of acceptances have already been received.

Mr Adair, the County overseer for the Jackson's Bay district, who recently left for Melbourne on leave of absence, was authorised by the Chairman to place before the Premier, at Wellington, when passing through, the urgency of certain flood damages repairs which were not included in the County Council's original application for relief. These works aggregated £80, and this sum has been approved by the Premier. The amount will be expended on the road south of Blae River.

Princess Theatre was a scene of busy activity all day yesterday, a small army of workers being hard at work preparing for the Fire Brigade Bazaar to open there next Monday. The four principal stalls were well advanced and will constitute a striking portion of the general arrangements. The Baeaar will be on a very complete scale, and it is safe to say will be most attractively got up. A rehersal of some of the dances took place last night, and they were voted a great success. They will be the leading features of the free entertainments each-evening. Altogether everything points to a great success, and it is hoped that the net result will be a satisfactory credit balance in favor of the^ Brigade, a most deserving body, and now urgently in need of funds. To-night will be the last exhibition of the Art Union prizes and gifts at Mr Thos. Cahill's.

The Phillips Dredging Company, Mahinapua Creek, will h&ve their first cleaning up to-day. The blankets show gold freely and a good washing is anticipated.

The Grey Star says Mr J. A. Lutz, who has purchased Mr Skene's butchering budness, will work it as an agency of the Greymouth business. Mr G. Heinz was busily employed yesterday fixing the stand pipe at the well in front of the Town Hall. The condition of the pipe sufficiently explained the reason for such a small flow of water at the recent fire. The holes at the bottom were nearly all closed with rust, only two or three being open for the in-rush of water. In addition to this obstruction several stones, covered with rust, were in the pipe, having been put in from the top, and these further obstructed the flow.

It is obvious the Fire Brigade should see that their plant and appliances are in good working order. They accept the responsibility of performing certain public duties, amongst which is the supervision of all appliances necessary for fire prevention. We now learn, after the destruction of a large block of buildings which should now be standing, that the appliances were detective in many reSpecK The reputajbion of the Brigade and the safety of the town require that more active and careful supervision should be displayed in future. There is quite a run at H. Schroder & Son's gift sale. The wonder is how such a quantity of presents can be given away, but it is quite simple ; every cash purchaser from 2s 6d upwards is entitled to a gift in proportion to purchase made. Please call early and sscure a present.— _Aavt. ___ A^ shocking acculenj; happened at'Burnett's Face, Westport^ on Saturday afterndon, and resulted in the death of" a little girl, aged four years, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Smith, of that place. It has been the custom for years past to ''blow off" steam from the boiler of the haulage engine at every week end. On Saturday afternoon the driver, Mr Saunders, as usual at the termination of the shift, tutrned on the steam and went home, af jter locking the engine room. The exhaust pipe is turned into a small box draiD, to "provide against accidents. It appears that the children were playing around the flying steam, and the unfortunate little one, it is supposed, not being able to see clearly in the thick haze, massed her footing and fell headlong unde!r the boiling steam, which was blowing oi at something like 801bs pressure. Her playmates immediately ,gave the alarm, but by the time assistance arrived the poor child was literally boiled alive. Dr. Reid was quickly summoned, but the burns were of such a terrible nature that

the child succumbed shortly after being carried home. Gi;eat sympathy is expressed for the parents in their sad bereavement. A Melbourne corresponded writes: — Mir Clement Wragge waited patiently for a'" fine weather period " before he ventured on the ascent of Mount Kosciusko, where he is going to establish an observatory which will be useless. But " Bully Boy," or some other fantastically named antarctic disturbance came along, as if of malice prepense, and the party had only got 13 miles up the mountain when an adverse current cut in and brought with it rain and mist, which stopped further progress. The Arctic tent of course • was in the rear, and though a camp was formed and calico tents put up these were soon saturated, while the blankets and clothing bdcame drenched. On Friday the rain pelted as mercilessly upon the party as if the Queensland meteorologist had not been there, and it required all the beauty of Saturday's weather and the excitement of reaching ihe top of Mount Kosciusko to make the party forget the risk they had run °f permanent rheumatic pains and otiher disorders which follow exposure. The summit was reached at midday, after several snowdrifts had been safely crossed and the tents were pitched beside the cairn. These had to be weighed down with stones, as the wind was very strong. A night was passed on the summit with the thermometer at Isdeg below freezing point, and the observatory having been established the party subsequently beat a retreat.

An Australian girl's essay on boys says: " Boys are men that have not got as big as their tappers, and girls are women that will be ladies by-and-bye. Man was made before woman. When God made Adam, He said to Himself, Well, I think I can do better if I try again. Then He made Eve. Boys are a trouble ; they ware out everything except soap. My papa is so nice I think he must have been a little girl when he was a little boy. Man was made aiid on the seventh day he rested. Woman was then made and nobody has ever rested since."

The strawberry season has (says the Waimate Times), as usual had a very disastrous effect on the school attendance. No fewer than 113 children were absent on Monday " Strawberry picking." The truant officer hunted up those on whom attendance could be enforced, while other steps were taken in thewayjof serving notices, but the only result was that the number of absences was reduced to 106. It has been therefore decided to close the school a week earlier than was intended — a very wise course, we should say for the School, and the parents, also for the strawberry growers.

Jlollowuys Pills. — In the .complaints peculiar to females these PiJld are unrivalled. Their use by the fair sex has become so constant for the removal of their ailments that rare is the household that is without them. Amongst all classes, from the domestic servant to the peeress, universal favor is recorded to these renovating Pills ; their invigorating and purifying properties render them safe and invaluable in all cases ; they may be taken by females of all ages for any disorganisation or irregularity of the system} 1 — speedily removing the cause and restoring the sufferer to robust health. As a family medicine they are unapproachable for subduing the maladies of young and old.

FIiORILINE FOR THE TijiETHAND BREATH A few drops of the liquid " Floriline " sprinkled on a wet tooth-brush produces a pleasant lather, which throughly cleanses the teeth froui all parasites or impurities, hardens tne gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, gives to the teeth a. peculiar pearly whiteness, and a delightful f ragance to the breath. It removes all unpleasant odour rising from decayed keeth or tobacco snioke. inthe Fragrant Floiiline,' being composed uspart of honey, and sweet herbs, is delici ous to the taste, and the greatest -toilet discovery of line age. Price 2s 6d of all Chemists and Perfumers. Wholesale depot, 33, Carringdon, London England.— Advt,

Valuable Discoveiiy for teh Hair — If your hair is turning grey or white or f a Jin off, use " The Mexican Hair Renewed for it will positively restore in every case Grey or White hair to its original color without leaving the disagreeable smell of most 1 ' Restorers." It makes the hait charmingly beautiful, as well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald .spots, where the glanas are not de ayed. Ask your chemist for "The Mexican Haik Rknewer." Sold at Chemist and Perfumery everywhere for 3s 6d per bottle. Whofeale Depot, 33,|l?arringdon Road London, Engand

" Chateau Tanunda " brand Delicious Adelaide Glaret, etc.

Walker's Whisky Look for gold capsule.

Queen's Ale Brightest and best imported.