FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 23100, 28 October 1938, Page 15

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ‘STAB’ FILES DUNEDIN EXHIBITION PLANNED. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. “ That an exhibition be held in Dunedin towards the end of 1889 ” was a motion carried at an enthusiastic meeting of Dunedin business people in the' Chamber of Commerce. Mr John Roberts, in the chair, could see no reason why New Zealand should not hold an exhibition in the Colony’s jubilee year. As to a site, no city in the Colony could offer a better one than the reclaimed ground in Dunedin, while the improving market for New Zealand’s produce should assure its success. It was proposed that £5,000 should be raised locally. Tho Executive Committee appointed was; Messrs J. Roberts (convener). A Burt, J. Mitchell, R. Twopeny, R. Hallenstcin, A. Lee Smith. G. L Denniston, J. Ross, J. H. Morrison, W. Emery, M. Sinclair, J. Robin. N. Wales, J. L. Gillies, the mayor, 11 S. Sparrow, H. Driver, G. Zeile, A Bartleman, T. W. Kempthorne, R. Glendining, R. Wilson, J. T. Mackerras, Dr Belcher, G. Bell, W. Graham, Sir R. Stout, J. Allen, M.H.R., A. H. Ross, M.H.R., W. D. Stewart, M.H.R., Dr Pitchett, W. Barron, M.H.R., H. S. Fish, M.H.R., R. L. Stanford, W. Brownlie, and A, E. Hart. • • • • CAVERSHAM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Rev. Daniel Dutton, formerly of Woodlands, Southland, having accepted the call from the Caversham Presbyterian Church, was inducted to his new charge by the Dunedin Presbytery. The Rev. Mr Porter acted as moderator. * * * • OVERLAND FROM MILFORD. Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R., has sent the following telegram from Lumsden:—“Messrs Q, M'Kinnon, W. S. Pillans, Fred. Muir, and self arrived overland from Milford Sound; all well. The overland route to the Sutherland Falls and Milford Sound will be practicable in summer after cutting a track. The scenery is simply magnificent. The Sutherland Palls have been measured, but the result is not announced. Viewed from above, we estimate their height at 1,500 ft.” ■ « • * GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCES. It is gratifying to he able to state that, notwithstanding the adverse facts of the recent commercial depression and the exodus, not even yet ended, the numbers at the Otago Girls’ High School are higher this year than they have been in the experience of the present rector. The number for the four quarters of the rear have been respectively 184, 187, 186, and 181. The sixth form numbers 26. Of these no fewer than 22 are sixth standard pupils from the State schools. * * • * DEATH OF OLD IDENTITY. After a residence of over 36 years in Otago, Mrs John Gillies has passed away peacefully at the age of 87. Tracing a lineage on her father’s side from the French Huguenots, she came to New Zealand at the age of 50 years. She was a well-known and respected resident of Dundein. ♦ * * • CANDIDATE FOR MAYORALTY. A meeting of ratepayers favourable to the return of Mr Hugh Gourley as mayor of the city was attended by about 80 poisons. It was unanimously resolved —“ That Mr Gourley was the most fit and proper person to occupy the mayoral chair.” * * * * POPULATION STATISTICS. The total population of Australasia as at December 31, 1887, was 3,551,751, made up as follows:—Victoria, 1,036,119; New South Wales, 1,042,919; Queensland, 366,940; South Australia, 317,446; West Australia, 42,448; Tasmania, 142,478; and New Zealand, 603,361. For the whole of Australasia the arrivals by sea for the year were 238,732, and the departures 173,691. The births numbered 120,051, and the deaths 47,563, so that the actual gain of population was 147,529. » * • * A GENEROUS DONOR. At the jubilee meeting in connection with the Congregational Union held in Melbourne Mr G. W. Taylor undertook to contribute £IO,OOO a year for three years, making in all £30,000, if the congregations found another £30,000, which would suffice for the establishment of an affiliated college in the University. A grammar school for boys and a high school for girls could be established for £20,000 a-piece. If these were looked upon favourably he would be willing to> contribute £IO.OOO a year for five years provided the congregation found £50,000. The offer was heartily accepted.