FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 7

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ' STAR ’ FILES Hot springs of considerable curative power have been discovered on the Maruia Plains, 45 miles from Reef ton. * • * * Cardinal fnicido Parocochi, Vioar-Gcncral of His Holiness, bas been intriguing to secure tlie succession lo (lie Papacy. The Pope lias commanded liim to resign. » * * » Several capitalists from I lie manufacturing disiriels of Kngland arc reported to be in Auckland looking for sites for the erection of factories. • « • • Melbourne. —Serious bnsli fires arc raging in the vicinity of Stawell. One station has lost 10,000 sheep. * • ♦ • People coming over from Milford Sound bring disquieting reports of the lax discipline exercised over the convicts engaged in road-making there. It is rumoured that they had planted two boats, it is supposed, for the purpose of escaping along the coast.

* * • * There ave 43,581 acres of land in Otago at preosnt under survey. Of this area 26,300 acres arc situated in the Nascby district, 15,300 in t lie Mataura district, 1,114 in Hie Lawrence district, and 867 in the Dunedin district.

« » » • While the cloi'k of the Bank of Scotland was collecting a cheque at the National Provincial Bank of England, a thief stole his satchel, containing £12,000 in notes, and csca ped.

* * ♦ • London.—'The man Saddler, in custody on suspicion of having committed the last Whitechapel murder, is now supposed to be “Jack the Ripper,” and the knife which it is believed he used has been found. #

It. was shortly alter the Doncaster races had taken place that Sir William Cummins was accused of cheating the Prince of Wales at cards, and the latter induced Sir William to sign a papei agreeing never to play at curds again. The incident was kept secret unlil Jnauary, when it oozed out. Sir William Camming alleges that ho signed the paper under compulsion. Only small slakes were being plavcd for, and, although the mailer is only trivial, Radical members daily ask ruie-dions in Parliament respecting dm "suspected gentleman resigning his position in the Army. Opinion is divided whether llm Prime of Wales should have' exposed Sir William Gumming or concealed his offence. #

There has heen n heavy =ea on the coast for some days. At SI. Clair (he waves wore lirciikin>' with "real force over (lie to)) plat form of I lie baths, so lhal (iiirino (he ladies’ hour it was unsafe, to go in. « * # *

Rcriin. —-The Emperor lias expressed his disapproval of Bismarck’s attitude towards die Government, which will only damage his prestige. Bismarck disclaims being the author of a text in the Press on Russian policy- , . , .

\mong the matters which arc engaging Iho attention of the Government is the question of a uniform system of school hooks for the colony. A plan which hints most favour at present is the appointment of a commission to draw up the necessary hooks The printing will be done by the Government printer, and provision will probably lie made for free distribution by local eonimillees in cases where they are satisfied Ihe parents are too poor to pay for them. Nothing definite, however, lias yet been sett led T and (he proposals so far arc quite

in embryo. # # The Aineriean' lire importing glass -hades in an ii I'jki ureil in Aurkinml I'm' e'eelrii; I;,nip-, (In’ 'ixlli eoii.'ignmenl Inning been shipped ilie other day.