The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 1006, 20 December 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1879.

The Christchurch coach, with eight passengers for Kumar a and a very heavy mail, left Cassidy’s, Kowai Pass, this morning although its unusual detention oil the other side of the range has not yet been accounted for. The mail will in all probability reach town to-morrow, should the coach which left Hokitika yesterday morning succeed in crossing the rivers. It had not arrived at the Bealey at nine o’clock this morning. The entertainment announced at the Theatre Royal, last evening, . for the benefit of Mr Jolly did not take place, owing to the inclemency of the weather.

In accordance with a wish expressed by those who organised the entertainment, Mr Jolly last evening announced that the performance was postponed until Wednesday evening next. A meeting of the Teremakau Bridge Demonstration Committee was held at the Town Hall, yesterday afternoon, his Worthc Mayor in the chair, and all the members of the Committee present. Mr Wylde was appointed Secretary, and, by a resolution of the meeting, was instructed to communicate with the County Council of Grey and "Westland, asking their assistance towards the expenses of the official opening of the bridge. The name of E. Bam, Esq., was added to the Committee, as it was pointed out by one of those present that Mr BarlT, as the late member of the district, had been mainly instrumental in procuring the construction of the work. The co-operation of the Friendly Societies, as also the Children’s Picnic Committee, was agreed to be requested on the occasion of the official opening of the bridge. The Committee then adjourned, pending the answer of the two County Councils relative to what assistance they would give in the matter. Our local marksmen will now have a good opportunity of displaying their skill with the rifle, as Mr Atkin will this evening open his Rifle Gallery iu conjunction with the Bowling Saloon. We have had to-day the pleasure of inspecting at the Clarendon Hotel, one of the largest collection of “warblers” ever congregated in one room, consisting of canaries, linnets, and two distinct species of the finch tribe, in all over two hundred feathered songsters of the “ first water. ” As a collection of birds alone they are well worthy of a visit; but to those who are desirous of obtaining a really good canary an opportunity is now afforded by visiting Mr Brandraiiller’s aviary that will probably never again occur in this town. The Patea correspondent of the Wellington Post writes :—Little or nothing has occurred of late in Native matters to cause any anxiety to settlers in this district, but Te Whitx is rather boastful as to his strength and his power of compelling the Government to “buckle down” to his wishes. His power amongst the Maoris, however, is fast evaporating, and already the Tongahae and the Mata- ; ngorava tribes have left Te Whiti, stating as their reason that they have waited for three years for Te Whiti to show his power in any one instance of which he says he is capable, but they have seen him do little but talk. They say they will listen to him no longer, but will see what the Government are going to do, and if Te Whiti’s or the Government’ power is paramount in New Zealand. Other tribes are more or less incredulous as to Te Whiti and Tohu’s boasted powers, and would follow the example of other Natives and leave Parihaka for the least possible cause. Various other tribes in this district are wishing the survey of the plains to be resumed at once. The number of Natives now at Parihaka is considerably less than is supposed, there being at most 100 fighting men, and great dissatisfaction is r a PP arent amongst the whole of Te Whiti’s followers at the non-fulfilment of his prophecies, and the continued vacillation practised by him. Following the heading “not very appetising,” the Lyttelton Times reports ; “ We were shown on Saturday a patent wire pipe-cleaner with brush attached, which was taken out of the centre of a 501 b bag of flour purchased at the shop of a Christchurch baker. The pipe-cleaner when thrown away had evidently been saturated with nicotine, as the 4 machine’ was encrusted with a hard coating of flour, which had extended for a considerable distance and spoiled several pounds of the material. No better instance need be adduced of a rule being established disallowing smoking at any time inside all bakeries.” During his management of the Lyceum Theatre, the late Mr Fletcher was frequently visited in his dressing-room by the Prince of Wales, who took lessons from him in the art of 44 making up.” One clay his Royal Highness suddenly presented himself before the Queen in the guise of a mendicant. His dress wits tattered, his face begrimed and dirty, and his hair, or rather the wig he employed for the purpose, in appropriate disorder. Her Majesty, not doubting that by some means a genuine beggar had got into the palace, flow in great alarm to a bell, but before the attendants could reach the room the prince threw oft’ his disguise. He was very proud of- the fact that the Queen had not recognised him.—Theatre. A story is told of a shrewish woman who tried to Wean her husband from the public-house by employing her brother to act the part of a ghost, and frighten John on his way home. 44 Who are you V’ said the guidman, as the apparition rose before him from behind a bush. 44 1 am was the reply. 44 Gome awa’ John, nothing daunted. Gxe s a shake o’ your hand, I am married to a sister o’yours.”