PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2661, 18 March 1885, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

[united press association.! TWO CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH, Auckland, March 16. Particulars re burning of Tamahere Hotel shows that Mr Camp, publican, was roused by two men riding past; when wakened he at once mack; for the staircase, but when half way down he was driven back by flanks and smoke, and waking up his eldest son Harry, about 18, told him to try and save his brothers, he then got out of one of the front windows and clambered along the parapet and let himself down by the lamp over the door, he then got the ladder used for lighting the lamp, and put. it. to .Mrs Cinnp's window with gnat. r..„ui.lf', hor and her new uoru baby out of the wiudow, also four i

httlechildten. Meantime, Harry Camp got hold of his brother Willie, and carned him to a staircase which ruus up the back of tho house; there he met a man who took the child f,- olu \^ m Harry then faced the fire and tried to go back and save his brothers Edward aged 4, and Albert, aged 11; t \ )e flilmes and smoke beat him back, and sweepmg over him forced hi ui to ,• ' through the flames by the window at the back. He was severely burnt about the head and chest, and one of his arms broken. He now lies at Mr Armstrong's house in a precarious condition, attended by Dr. Casky. The Iwo boys Edward and Albert, both perished in the flames. Willie Gamp was also severely burned, but is in no danger. Tt is supposed that the fire was caused through some ashes bio win" under the hotel from an ash pit. M°r Camp has lost every penny, the insurance being i„ favor of the Buildi Society. ° A MAORI PROPHETESS. Auckland, March 16. A religious craze has broken out »mon g the Natives, through a prophetess named Maria, daughter of Opara Pungara. A bout 200 Hokianga Natives believe in her divine powers. Her theory is that the millenium is at hand : that on the ranges of Hokianga crowds of departed Maoris will immediately assemble. The great river will then suddenly appear from the heavens and wash all the spirits of the departed there congregated, who will become as white as the Pakeha. Many of her followers, trusting in this immediate advent, have sold, and are all selling oft their houses, cattle, and even crops tor any sum they can obtain. Europeans are taking advantage of this reported prophetess. Daily sacrifices are made of dogs, cats, and some say even children, to the Deity.