The Kumara Times Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 2888, 7 January 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1886.

We regret to learn that the Hokitika State School was burned to the ground this morning, between three and five o’clock. The Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, but owing, it is said, to all the available water being exhausted in about five minutes, nothing more could be done to save the building. The origin of the fire is at present involved in mystery ; but there is little doubt it is the act of an incendiary. The Colorado Minstrels tendered a benefit to Miss Amy Vaughan, the interlocutress of the company, at the Theatre Royal last night, but the attendance of the public was not what might have been expected for such genuine performances. Nevertheless the programme was carried out to the entire satisfaction and delight of the audience, and the grand tableau “ Rule Britannia ” was again exhibited. The songs were well rendered ; and the laughable farce of “ The Crushed Tragegian ” sent the audience away home in good humour. The company open in Greymouth to-morrow evening. We have received No. 1, Vol. 6, of “ The Bible Standard,” a monthly organ of the New Zealand Evangelistic and Publication Association, 16 pages demy quarto, devoted to the advocacy of practical godliness, and the exposition of Scripture respecting conditional immortality, resurrection, the return and reign of Christ, and the final destruction of all evil. It is the best got up and neatliest printed religious periodical we are acquainted with in New Zealand. The Kanieri picnic, which was held at Robinson’s paddock yesterday, was, the Times reports, one of the most successful of these pleasant gatherings. From an early hour, coaches and vehicles of every description, loaded with pleasure seekers, were crowding to the ground, and fully 2000 people must have been present. In addition to the residents of the neighborhood numbers came from Hokitika, and both Ross and Kutnara were represented. A ball was held at the Kanieri Public Hall last night. The admirers of Robert Burns, the Scottish National P oet, who are desirous of celebrating the forthcoming anniversary on the 25th January, are requested to meet at the Globe Hotel, Dillman’s Town, on Monday evening next, at 8 o’clock. Just before the fall of Khartoum, we learn from an English paper, all the rebels were extremely terrified at the approach of the English, except the Mahdi himself, who kept up his courage. Directly after the surrender the Mahdi went across the river in a steamer, and made his evening prayer at Khartoum, returning, however, the next day to Omdurman. Gordon’s head was hung up on a butcher’s hook in the bazaars of Omdurman for five days. Every passer by threw slippers, stones, or mud at it, and spat upon it. All the papers and such like things were burned, but the clothes and decorations were sold by auction in the bazaars. The linen shirts fetched five piastres. Seven Greeks found in Khartoum were massacred. The death of the Mahdi took place on the 9th Ramadan. No one knew what he died from ; but he had grown so enormously stout that it needed five men to raise him from his seat. Zigada first heard the news of his death from a few people in the bazaar. Not believing it, he went to inquire, and met the Mahdi’s chief eunuch, who had been Zigada’s own eunuch. He con finned the story. The Mahdi left 145 wives—amongst whom were many members of Zigada’s own former harem, and a European girl named Klein, daughter of a tailor murdered in Khartoum. Khalifa Abu Maik took the command on the Mahdi’s death. Under instructions from Mr W. Passmore, Mark Sprot and Co., will sell by auction, at Millson’s yards, Union street, Kumara, on Tuesday next, fifteen wellbred quiet heifers, one and two-year olds, ten fat lambs, and one light draught mare, quiet and staunch. Mr Edward Shaw, of Wellington, solicitor, has filed a declaration of insolvency. Cured of Drinking.—“ A young friend of mine was cured of an insatiable thirst for liquor, that had so prostrated his system that he was unable to do any business. He was entirely cured by the use of American Co.’s Hop Bitters. It allayed all that burning thirst, took away the appetite for liquor, made his nerves steady, and he has remained a sober and steady man for more than two years, and has no desire to return to his cups ” From a leading R. R. Official. ’ ■