THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ON MONDAY NEXT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2704, 22 May 1885, Page 2

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ON MONDAY NEXT.

For the last few weeks there have been conflicting interests between the Volunteer and Fire Brigade companies, so many members of the one being also representatives of the other company. We believe that some months before the Queen's Birthday parade at Hokitika was thought of the Kumara Fire Brigade sent friendly challenges to Hokitika and Greymouth for a triangular competition here on the Queen's Birthday, expecting at the time that it would turn out doubly successful, as it was then generally understood that both the Hokitika and Greymouth Volunteers were to be at Kumara on that day. Both brigades having accepted the challenge, our local brigade lost no time in making all preliminary arrangements for the competition, and for a fancy dress ball, advertised to be held on the same night. We therefore certainly cannot blame those members of the Volunteers (who also are members of our local Fire Brigade) in ex-" pressing themselves dissatisfied when at the last moment there was an attempt made to call out a general parade to Hokitika. Several meetings have been held on the subject, and now, we understand, it is made optional for any Volunteers to go to the Hokitika parade who may choose. The result will doubtless be satisfactory to the great majority of those concerned, and also to the public, as our local brigade could not with honour have withdrawn from the competition, and a proposal to postpone the competition to the 13th June would have been to shut out the Greymouth Fire Brigade, who replied that they would compete on the Queen's Birthday or not at all. Hokitika alse declined to come on that day. No expense or trouble is being spared by the local Fire Brigade to make next Monday as pleasant as possible. The fancy dress ball, in particular, the second one only in Kumara, promises to exceed in brilliancy that of last year, for independently of our local patrons, who are making great preparations for fancy costumes, we are informed that many visitors from Hokitika, Greymouth, and other places are expected. Although a fancy dress ball, we are requested to state that ladies and gentlemen in simple evening dress will be made equally welcome ; tickets can also be obtained for admission to the gallery, at 2s 6d each.