FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 3

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM * STAR * FILES In on® of the finest races ever rowed on the Parramatta River, Kemp easily beat-Hanlon for the sculling championship of the world ahd £SOO. An immense crowd watched the race, and although there was very little wagering a commission of £5,000 was invested on Hanlon. • » * • The English National Defence Bill provides for the calling out of the yeomanry volunteers and naval and artillery volunteers whenever the militia and naval. volunteers are ordered out for actual service. In the case of emergency the Government also has power to appropriate horse and vehicle traffic. • • • • The New Zealand collection of exhibits for the Melbourne Exhibition will occupy about 28,000 ft, the various classes being as follows:—Works of art, 6,043 ft; education, 2,965 ft; furniture, 440 ft; fictile manufactures, 170 ft; textile manufactures, 825 ft; raw and manufactured products, 12,940 ft; machinery, 5,555 ft; alimentary products, 1,589 ft; sanitation, 224 ft; agriculture, 510 ft; horticulture, 160 ft; mining, 3,326 ft; trophies, , 1,000 ft; London exhibits, 3,000 ft. • • • * At a meeting held at the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle it was resolved—■ (1) “ That this meeting haa observed with great regret the rapid growth of the practice of gambling in the colony, especially amongst the younger members of the community.” (2) _ “ That the meeting resolves to petition the Legislature to remove the sanction of Parliament to gambling by the introduction during the present session ofan Act repealing section 46 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, which makes it lawful for the Colonial "Secretary to grant licenses to racing clubs or authority to use totalisators at race meetings, and

repealing the section of the Gaming and Lotteries Act which sanctions sweepstakes on racecourses.” • « • • Two million and a-half copies of the first edition of Boulanger’s book have been distributed. The work suggests that a war may be necessary to avenge the injuries, and redeem the honour of France. .

The draft prospectus of the Dunedin International Exhibition Guarantee Committee provides for capital of £IO,OOO in £1 shares, of winch it is anticipated that not more than 10s a share will be required. It is intended that the Exhibition building shall be used as a skating rink and winter palace until the Exhibition is opened, and it is estimated that the building alone will cost over £4,000. The ‘ St. James’s Gazette ’ complains of the extraordinary _ strength of the Russian naval forces in the Pacific and the weakness of England there. The article goes on to say that in the event or an engagement between the British and Russian ironclads in the Pacific the defeat of the British China squadron could only be averted by a miracle. • • • * On May 19 a large fleet will assemble at Plymouth to celebrate the tercentenary of the destruction of the Spanish Armada. • • * « That there was an intrigue to prevent the succession of the Emperor Frederick to the throne (says * Truth ’) there can be no doubt. On the death of his father, Prince Bismarpk telegraphed to San Remo to say that if the Emperor Frederick did not at once come to Berlin the Prince would not answer for the consequences.