The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1880.

Kumara Times, Issue 1134, 24 May 1880, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1880.

To-day being the anniversary of the birthday of her Majesty the Queen was observed with few exceptions as a general holiday, the Post and Telegraph offices being open only during the usual Sunday hours. A large number of the local Rifle Contingent left by special tram at an early hour to attend the review at Greymouth. The Chriatchurch coach with six bags of mails and two passengers for here arrived shortly after noon yesterday, the delay having been occasioned by the heavy fall of snow on the ranges, and the flooded state of the rivers. The warning notes of the fire-bell were heard shortly after three o'clock yesterday morning, the cause being that the night watchman, Mr Orams, observed a large volume of smoke issuing from the premises of Mr Monaghan, in Seddon' street, near the Union Bank, and immediately gave the alarm. Constable Chambers, who was on night duty, was also present, and by the application of a few buckets of water, the lire, which was in the chimney, was quickly extinguished before any further damage occurred. The concert at the Adeiphi Hall this evening is one that we feel assured will meet with a large amount of patronage, as the programme is replete with choice vocal selections, and there are a number of ladies and gentlemen of Hokitika fame who have kindly given their valuable services on the occasion, and whose names alone aro aufiicieufc guarantee that the various pieces will be well rendered. The drawing of Hannah's grand art union is, owing to the concert and the absence from town of many who are interested, postponed till Monday next,

the 31st May. There are a few tickets left, which will be swept oft' this evening. The whole of the property of Mr Hansen, of the Post Office Hotel, Hokitika, <vho is leaving the coast, will be submitted to public auction, by Messrs Pollock and Bevan, to-morrow. The sale will commence at 2 so as to enable speculators from this town an opportunity of being present. Tenders are invited for a bridge, with approaches, over the Inangahua River, near Reefton, plans and specifications of which may be seen at the Public Works Office. One of the oldest Maoris on the Coast (the Argus reports) died yesterday at the Maori whare, Mawhera Quay. His name was Te Mati, s 6 we understand, and he was ninety years of age. The Adelaide and Dunedin Queen's Birthday Cup races would be run to-day. Among the horses drawn in Tonks's Sweep on the former event, Richmond and Pollio are held in Greymouth. We have not heard the result of the drawing of Cameron's or the Press consultations on the latter event; The Adelaide Autumn Race Meeting created little interest. For the Cup the start was good. Electricity led off, and subsequently gave way to Pawnbroker. At the half-mile First Water showed in front, and continued to lead, winning by two lengths. Time—3min. 39 sees. Superstition is on the increase amongst the Natives owing to the teachings of the new prophet Parora Ita, from Wairarapa, He prophecies great floods in two months' time, when all the Europeans will be drowned, and the Natives get their own again. His teaching and prophecies are great rubbish, but the local chiefs fear the spread of superstition, and say that all the trouble with the Pakehas has originated from such lunatics. Toreha has called a meeting of Maoris for next Friday to fix the boundaries within which the prophet and his disciples shall not enter. The competition between the passenger boats to Sydney and Adelaide is vevy keen, and fares have been greatly reduced. Circulars have been issued inviting subscriptions to a memorial to J. Batman, one of the earliest settlers in Melbourne. The proposal is assuming a definite shape.