FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM * STAR * FILES Sir Morell Mackenzie, the noted London surgeon, has received a summons to proceed immediately to Ban Reno in the North of Italy to attend upon the Crown Prince Frederick of Germany. The summons for Sir M. Mackenzie’s immediate attendance on Prince Frederick was despatched by the Crown Princess in consequence of serious symptoms having reappeared in her husband’s throat. It is feared that another operation will be found necessary;

A return has been compiled showing the Customs revenue collected during a series of twelve-monthly periods ended September 30. The figures are somewhat startling, as showing the large and steady decrease that has taken place in this chief item of revenue since the year ended September 30, 1882. In that year Customs yielded the large sum of £1,518,280; two years after it had fallen almost exactly £IOO,OO0 —viz., £1,410,334; in another two years it had decreased nearly £100,00(t —to £1.322,921 and this year it has fallen to £1,263,000, there being thus a falling-off of £255,000 (or at the rate of nearly 17 per cent.) in five years. The imports for similar twelvemonthly periods are of lower value than in any twelve months since 1880, and are less by £757,053, £1,214,780, and £1,509,100 _ respectively than for the three previous years. For the same periods the value of exports for the year ended September' 30 was £7.044,237. being the largest for years, and £819,209 in excess of the imports. The net increase since last year in New Zealand produce is £555.862; wool also showing an increase of £760,465 on the previous year, or at the rate of nearly 27 per cent. The increase in the weight of wool exported is 7 per cent., so that about £200,000 represents the increase in weight, and £560,000 improvement in value.

The, following were elected officebearers at the annual meeting of the Otago Institute: —President, Mr A. Wilson, M.A.; vice-presidents, Mr F. R. Chapman and Dr de Zouche; hon. secretary, Mr G. M. Thomson, F.L.S.r treasurer, Mr J. C. Thomson; committee, Rev. Dr Belcher, Professor Parker. Professor Scott, Professor Gibbons, Dr Hocken, Messrs D. Petrie, and C. Chilton.

The decease of Mr Alfred Domett, formerly Premier of New Zealand, was referred to in Parliament by the Premier, who said that Mr Domett was a very old colonist, and was distinguished for his character, his ability; and his high intellectual qualities. He was one of the early settlers who had left his stamp upon the Colony, which was thoroughly and justly proud of him; and it seemed only reasonable that the House should recognise on his passing away the many excellent qualities of one of the pioneers of settlement in New Zealand—a man who had loft his mark not only upon the legislation, but also upon the country’s civilised life. He therefore moved: “That this House desires to take the earliest opportunity of recording its sincere sympathy with the widow, family, and friends of Mr Domett in the great loss they have sustained in the death _of that gentleman, who not only during many years rendered valuable public service to the Colony, but also in his admirable poetical writings has preserved interesting and valuable pictures of this country in its early state and of its aboriginal race which will be of value and interest to New Zealanders at all times.”

Mr Joyce is introducing a Bill into Parliament under the title of Shop Hours Bill, which makes it penal for all retail premises (except licensed houses, refreshment houses, and newspaper offices) to be open except during the hours of from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.. and till 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Chemists and druggists may supply medicine at all times, but their shops shall not be open for the sale of anything else.

• The Great Eastern has been sold by auction for £21,000.