The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 2937, 30 March 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1886.

Rioting among the operatives in Belgium is spreading. The town of Charleroi, where it seems to be greatest, is virtually in a state of siege, so a cablegram informs us, and the strikers are holding possession of and stopping all industries in the place; and in consequence of the threatening state of affairs, King Leopold has called out the Army Reserves. Charleroi is noted for its manufactures in hardware, glass, woollenyarn, &c. The district is rich in coal, and the number of smelting-furnaces and nail factories is very great; in fact, the ironworks of Conillet, which lie within a mile or two of Charleroi, yield a third of all the cast-iron produced in Belgium. The Census Enumerator for this district, Gerhard Mueller, Esq., Hokitika, requests that any householders who have not been supplied with a Census Schedule will notify the same to him.

The performance of the greet temperance drama “ Ten Nights in a Bar-room ” by the “Galled Back” Company at Hokitika last night drew a large audience. The company play at Boss to-night and to-morrow night; at Stafford on Thursday ; and at Krrmara on Friday and Saturday, when they will produce, on the first night, Boucicault’s well-known Irish drama “The Shaughraun,” and on the second, Charles Dickens’ beautiful drama “Jo” or “Lady Dedlock’s Secret.” Mr J. M‘Ennis, Clerk of the Courts, received a telegram this morning from Mr Macfarlane, R.M. and Warden, stating that ho had been instructed to meet the Hon. the Minister of Mines on Saturday next, at the month of the River Haast.

The reception of four young ladies (Misses H. Sheedy, M. Taylor, °M‘Donnell, and Ryan), as nuns was to take

place to-day at St. Patrick’s Church, Greymouth, Bishop Redwood being assisted in the ceremony by a large number of priests.

Commander Edwin wired yesterday afternoon at 3.30 that bad weather may be expected from any directions between south-west and west and north, glass to further rise, and after 12 hours from then to fall again with wind backing. Owing to the fresh in the Grey river yesterday there was nothing in or out, the only vessel in being the Maori, and she would probably leave to-day. The New Zealand Tom Thumb, a genuine dwarf, who was born at Green Island, near Dunedin, and who, although 15' years of age, is only. 30 inches in height and 201bs. in weight, is now .on a visit to Auckland. He is spoken of as a sprightly lilaputian, full ofjwit and humor, who understands his audience and excites their wonder. A Canterbury paper describes him as follows “He is really a marvellous little fellow, in no way deformed, unless that word be applied to his diminutive stature, and is well worth a visit. He is shorter than the original Tom Thumb, 251bs. lighter, and better formed. He sings cheerfully and whistles so loudly as he dances to his own music that one wonders how so much sound can issue from such a tiny frame. He seems an especial favourite with the ladies, who all want to kiss him, and it must be admitted that he accepts this part of the business as naturally as though he was six feet high.” Some excitement was caused in Timaru a few days ago by a battle between a shag and a number of dogs. The shag had been shot and its wing was broken, but in spite of its disablement several retriever dogs, who attacked it, had to retire worsted.