FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 17

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ITEMS FROM "THE POST"

FIEST HAEBOUE BOAED

ELECTION

UNEMPLOYMENT IN CITY

The elections of the first Wellington Harbour Board took place on Monday, 9th February, 1880, soven candidates — Messrs. Georgo Honry Bayliss, Paul Coffey, John Eccs George, John Bateman Harcourt, William Valentine Jackson, Edward William. Mills, and Isaac Pliminer—being nominated for election as the two city representatives. "It is very satisfactory," stated "The Post" editorially, "to find that the ratepayers of Wellington have so eligible a list of candidates from which to make their selection of members. Equally satisfactory is it to see so large an amount of interest taken in the Harbour Board election that no fewer than seven candidates are put forward for the two seats." The election resulted in the return of Messrs. Cof' fey and Jackson at the head of the poll. Mr. J. E. Nathan was unanimously elected to represent the Wellington Chamber of Commerce on the board; the shipping interest chose Captain Kose as its representative; the Hutt and the Wairarapa County Councils appointed Mr. F. A. Krull and Mr. S. Lancaster respectively; while the Government nominees were Mr. Levin, M.H.8., Colonel Pearce, and Captain Williams. The first meeting of the board was announced to bo. held in the' City Council Chamber on Friday, 20th February. FREE LIBRARY MOVEMENT. Fifty years ago Wellington had no free public library, though there had been several vain attempts to found one. The "Evening Post" for 10th February, 1880, records that: "As all efforts hitherto made to establish a free public library in Wellington by means of any action on the part of the public have proved ignominious failures, the matter has now been taken in hand privately by a few gentlemen, who held 8 preliminary meeting at the Museum yesterday afternoon. Those present were Dr. Newman (in the chair), the Hon. Mr. Mantell, Dr. Hector, Messrs. Kenneth Wilson, Didsbury, Bryce Bain, York, and Bous Marten. Several other gentlemen, including Mr. Levin, M.H.E., Archdeacon Stock, Dr. Buller, and the Key. J. Patterson, although not present, were stated to have expressed their sympathy with the movement and their willingness to assist. Dr. Hector explained that by order of Parliament •the old Provincial Library of Wellington had been placed in his custody at the Museum as the nucleus of a public library.. With these books and the libraries of the New Zealand Institute and Wellington Philosophical Society there would be a valuable scientific and reference library of some 3000 volumes to start with. It was proposed to form an incorporated society under the Act, and a provisional committee was formed, Mr. Bryce Bain being appointed honorary secretary, and several subscriptions being promised on the spot. It was pointed out that such a library would in no way come into collision or competition with the Athenaeum, and it was hoped that the two would work harmoniously together." . DISTRESS IN WELLINGTON. There was a considerable degree of unemployment and distress in Wellington in the early part of 1880. "It may be fairly doubted whether the people of Wellington yet thoroughly realise the deplorable fact that a very sad amount of absolute destitution and severe suffering actually exists In their midst," stated ''The Post" in.its leading article of 11th February of that year. "We have so long been accustomed to think that in this Colony no man willing and able to labour need starve or be long out of employment, that ' it comes with somewhat of a shock to hear of men being utterly unable to obtain work—being out of work for months together, and_ reduced, with their wives and families, to a state of dire distress and helpless dependence upon public and private charity. Yet such unhappily is the case. • . The local relieving officer, Mr. A. G. Johnson, had an interview only recently with the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer on the subject, and is preparing a full detailed report for the Government. It is to fee feared that the report when completed will exhibit a state of affairs existing in Wellington, at the present time which cannot be contemplated without dismay. Something already has-been done by the Goevrnment, by the Benevolent Institution, and by private charity towards the relief of this distress, but it will require very much more than has yet been attempted before any appreciable good can be effected. . . . Some very painful cases have been brought under our notice during the last few days, and it is to be feared that the number of such cases is steadily and -apidly increasing." Tho work provided by the Government on the Wellington-Foxton railway lino afforded a means of livelihood for the more stalwart and robust of the unemployed, added "The Post," but there was very urgent need for finding suitable work—not indiscriminate alms giving—for those not able to undertake such arduous labour. "The case," it stated in conclusion, "is one of grave urgency, and unless prompt means are taken to stem the increasing tide of want and misery, the task may prove beyond our power." FROZEN MEAT AND PROPERTY VALUES. A cablegram, dated 9th February, 1880, announced that the bulk of the first shipment of frozen' meat and butter, brought by the Strathleven from Sydney, had been offered on the London market that day, "when the mutton fetched 6d and the beef 5d per pound. The beef is considered superior in quality to that imported from America, and is fetching higher prices. Australian "butter sold at 120s per cwt—equal to tho price of the same- quality English butter, and 6s better than the American." Kef erring to this and other cablegrams, the editor of tho "Evening Post" stated in a sub-leader dated 11th February: "It is hardly possible to over-estimate the importance to the Australian colonies of the news conveyed in the cable messages of the last few days, respecting the complete success of the attempt to carry fresh meat from Australia to London. . . As the total cost of conveyance to England is said to be only l*d per lb, it will be seen that the prices leave a good profit to the Australian run-holder; and, as we are told the London salesmen could take 10,000 sheep weekly, the squatters need have no difficulty in getting rid of their stock. Probably the first effect of this innovation will be to materially increase the value of station property in Australia."