FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 22630, 23 April 1937, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ‘STAR’ FILES At a meeting held at Kurow to consider the rabbit question it was decided to request the Government to import into the Waitaki district not less than 100 stoats and weasels to be distributed over the country from Marcwhenua to Morvon Hills; the cost to be a charge on the landowners and leasehold tenants in proportion to the number of sheep shorn—so per cent, to be levied on the cost of importing them. * ♦ * • At Greymo.uth Bishop Redwood laid the foundation stone, of new Church of St. Patrick with ail the ceremony usual on such an occasion, and delivered an impressive address. The collection which, followed realised £l4O in cash and £3O promised. The Bishop, before the collection, read out the names of those who had subscribed most liberally. The sums ranged from £4OO down to £2O. The Bishop himself gave £25, and Father Cnrew £IOO. The contractors presented the Bishop with a very handsome silver trowel. The church will be'of brick and have a tower. , # * The death is announced of Sir Thomas Gore Browne at the age of 80. He was Governor of Now Zealand from 1854 to 1861, and afterwards Governor of Tasmania. Sir Thomas Gore Browne, who entered the Army at the age of 16, greatly distinguished himself in the fighting that occurred during the occupation of Afghanistan. He succeeded Sir George Grey as Governor of New Zealand, and showed considerable vigour in prosecuting the Maori War which broke out in the last year of his Government. * * * * The P. and O. Steamer Tasmania went ashore off the coast of Corsica. The passengers, numbering 200, were rescued with difficulty, but the captain, fifth officer, quarter-master, and 20 of the crew were drowned. • * * * Dr William Brown was elected chairman of the Otago Education Board. » » * * The Rev. R. A. Kerkham, vicar of St. John’s, Roslyn, and Mrs Kerkham were entertained at a farewell function on the eve of their departure on a visit to England. » * * * The Presbyterian congregation of Waikouaiti have declared for instrumental music. * * * * Sir George Grey intends to give the whole of his valuable collection of oil paintings to the Auckland Art Gallery. » * * * Our Lawrence contemporary has been informed that a runhoider in that district was recently called on to accommodate 70 swaggers. ;** * * The tobacconists of Wellington complain that a good deal of smuggling, is going on there, and they allege that tobacco is being sold locally at 3s a pound, which is under the duty. They ask the City Council to form, a by-law imposing a tax of £lO on tobacco vendors and £5 a year on cigar sellers.