FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 22708, 23 July 1937, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ‘ STAR ' FILES The Legislative Council of Western Australia has declared in favour of the introduction of responsible Government by 13 votes to 4, The official members did not vote. • * * * The trials of the Brennan torpedo at Sheerness were a complete success. At different ranges the torpedo repeatedly struck a rapidly-moving vessel. Sir J. Lorimer and Captain Thomas expressed the opinion that the torpedo would be useful for Australian defence. * * « • Week-end football matches resulted: Montecillo v, Zingari-Richmond, one try each; Taieri 4, University 0; Union 0, Kaikorai 0. *'* « • The total value of exports from New Zealand during the second quarter of 1887 is £1,283,789, as against £1,299,835 for the corresponding period of 1886. This brings up the total for a twelvemonth ending with the quarter to £1,937,003, as against £6,580.849 for the proceeding year. It will | be seen that the total value of imports I for the 12 months ended on June 30 is less than the total of exports by nearly £600,000. This, in the circumstances of the Colony, we take to be a healthy sign and an indication of the process of bringing our expenditure within our means. The improved total for the year is almost entirely accounted for by wool, in which the enhanced value and increased production result in the growth of the year’s value by over £700.000. With two or three exceptions, the other items of New Zealand produce figure for a decline in total values. • • • • A heavy southerly gale in Wellington _ Harbour caused the freezing hulk Jubilee to drift on to the Petone Beach. A boat containing six men put off to the Jubille, but capsized, and four men were drowned. • • » * The glove contest between R. Matthews and C. Richardson _ for £IOO aside and l the championship of New Zealand was awarded to Matthews after 10 rounds, on the grounds that’ Richards had broken the .rules by hugging after being ordered by tbe referee to release. Matthews had much the better of the contest. * * * * A sensation was caused in London by the report that the famous explored, H. M. Stanley, had been shot dead in Central Africa while leading an expedition to the relief of Emin Bey. Later messages discredited the rumour. « * * * A great nugget of gold has arrived in Sydney, having been discovered at Maitland Bar in the Mudgee electorate. It is a grand prize and is about the largest, purest nugget of gold found in Australia. Proposals have been put forward that the Commonwealth Government purchase it. The nugget, the value of which is over £1.400, is a beautiful specimen, and will probably be the onlv thing of the kind l on show at the Melbourne Centennial. • * • • A Queensland editor has just had to pay £3l for libelling a doctor by stating that the town “ had long been in want of a good physician.”