FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 23130, 2 December 1938, Page 3

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM 1 STAR ’ FILES THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS. Mil HUGH GOURLEY CHIEF MAGISTRATE. The election for the city mayoralty resulted iu the return of Cr Hugh Goui'ley, who defeated Mr C. 11. Chapman by 7UI votes to 512. At Fort Chalmers Mr E. G. Allen topped the list with 1.37. Mr W. Marray being second with 92, and Mr H. J. Pnllar third with 87. Mr James Secular (228) defeated Mr William "Wills (133) iu the Mornington borough, while at Caversham the polling was Mr M‘Laron 8.3, Mr Nutting 72, and Mr Bridgman 41. * * # ♦ FUTURE FOR MILFORD SOUND TRACK. Mr Quinton M‘Kinnon, the discoverer of the overland route from Lake Wanaka to the Sounds, writes thus about the journey to the Sutherland Fall: “ L intended to have accomplished the journey in one day had I gone alone, but a camera must be handled gently. Should a thorough good track be cut it will be an easy day’s walk in fine weather. A packhorse track from Lake To Anau to the bottom of the saddle could easily be formed; in fact, a track for a horse to travel right through would be of no great undertaking. 1 have no doubt that this locality will be visited shortly, when the beauties of Te Anau, among which the Clinton River stands first in my estimation, will be artistically described. What is required to render this a resort for sight-seers from all parts of the world is fitting accommodation by land and water, with easy access, all of which have been much spoken of. but appear still far from being accomplished.” •* * • • WORLD’S BEST CRICKETERS. An issue of coupons by Loudon ‘Truth’ to ascertain the best allround player, best batsman, best fast bowler. best medium-paced bowler, best slow bowler, and best wicketkeeper in the world, has resulted in Blackham being placed head and shoulders over all the world ns a wicketkeeper. Sherwin is second, but Blackham out-votes two to one, Grace, according to those who voted, is the best batsman, best all-round player, and best point; Lohmann best fast bowler, Turner best medium, and Reel best slow bowler. * « » * PRICE OF BREAD INCREASED. At a meeting of master bakers it was resolved that in consequence of the rise in wheat and flour the price of bread bo increased to 6d. » * • • GROWTH OF ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS. At the annual meeting of the National Electric Light Association of the United States, held at New York recently, the Chairman said: “There are at the present time (of which we have a record) 31 electric tramways completed and in operation in the United States, having an aggregate of 138 miles of single track, and operating 223 motor cars, and utilising 4,180 horse-power for stationary engines. There are also now iu progress of construction 49 other electric railways, aggregating 189 miles of single track, which will operate 244 motor cars; so that at the present time there are constructed and being constructed S 3 electric railroads, aggregating 327 miles of single track, and operating 467 motor cars. It is also estimated that the electric ears now in operation iu the United States will carry in the year 1888 no less than 17,045.500 fares. It can be better imagined than estimated what will be the ultimate outcome of an industry which has arrived at such a degree of development in three years.” « • • * NEW ZEALAND ABORIGINAL DOGS. The question as to whether there are in New Zealand aboriginal dogs, that is to say, dogs which are descendants of canines which were here anterior to the advent of the European, has often been discussed, and tne verdict has generally been in the negative. Mr Bruce, M.H.R., Mr William Cameron, and other Raraekaretu settlers inform the Rangitikei paper that they have often seen dogs which are in the strict sense of the term “ native dogs.” These animals are of a perfectly distinct type. They are big and strong, and in appearance they exhibit a combination of the wolf and the fox. Their colour is fawn. A couple of these dogs have recently been visiting the Raraekaretu flocks of sheep, for one of their characteristics is their fondness for lambs. • * • * NEW MAGAZINE RIFLE. Some important experiments with the new service magazine rifle at extreme distances have just been concluded at Aldershot. The target represented a battalion of seven companies at war strength, the front company being represented by iron and wood screens, and others by wooden screens. A heavy mist obscured the target at all the ranges, necessitating the expedient of directing the fire at an intermediate object on the principle known as indirect firing. At 2,Booyds the bullets pierced the wood and were flattened against the iron screens. VISIT OF PHIL ROBINSON. Mr Rhil (Robinson, formerly war correspondent for the London 1 Daily Telegraph,’ is lecturing in Dunedin. Mr Robinson represented his paper in the Afghan, Zulu, and other campaigns. j PERSONAL. Mr James Green has been re-elected chairman of the Waikouaiti County Council (he has held the position continuously for 12 years) and Mr William Hay chairman of the Clulha County Council.