FORTY-FOUR YEARS AGO TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 15729, 17 February 1915, Page 7

FORTY-FOUR YEARS AGO TO-DAY

(From the 'Evening Star," February 17, 1871.) The railwav fracas resulted in an information being laid against the engineers «•: the- Provincial Government, for taking possession of the western line, and in them being committed for trial. To-day the information laid by tho engineer's against. _ tlie contractors (Messrs Proudfootj for wilfully damaging the lino was and tho defendants were committed for trial. All the parties were Liberated on bail. The contractors have now taken possession of the line, and taken up the rails in different via cos, while sheds for the accommodation of tho men in possession have been erected on the line. ******* There has been great excitement in the Auckland share market consequent on the recent rich finds in the Caledonian mine. ******* Mt M'Xeod has been returned for the Pay of Islands by a majority of 64 over Mr Hush. Carkton. and for Rodney Air 11. \V. Farnall defeated Mr Shepherd. ******* The snperintendenta! election is causing jrreat excitement in Southland, where Mr Macandrew is hkely to poll 90 jrer cent. of the votes. fSouthland certainly did elect Mr Macandrew, but his majority there was not as large as anticipated.— Ed. E.S.] ******* Mr John M'NeilJ has been elected Mayor of Balclutha without opposition. * * * * * * * The Airedale ran or. a reef off Waitara on Tuesday morning, ■during thick weather. The place where she lies, is 10 miles north of Taranaki. Mr Prinze (purser) rod© from Wa.it.ira. to New Plymouth, and got tin? Phtehe .put back to take en tho Airedale's mails and passengers. The mail bags were two hours Sfsder water. Captain Kennedy remains by tho Airedale, and expects to save the Ej&ehinery and cargo, if tho weather holds tbir. The ship was insured for £6,000 In tho Southern Company, that being the turn she was bought for. ******* While the ehip Otago was being towed to sea a steerage passenger fell ovcrhoard. Captain Hart, of the Geelong, perceiving tho accident, at once stopped the tug, and although there was a, nasty pea and a strong wind at the time, the second officer, followed by one of the boys on the Otago. sprang overboard and placed a lifebuoy over tho man's head and shoulders., thrss supporting him until all were rescued bv tho pilot boat.