FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16567, 3 June 1914, Page 7

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

(From the "Lvttelton Times" of Thursday, June 2, 1864.) The brig Australia, with two hundred passengers bound for Picton, left Invercargill ou Slay 15. and after being nearly a week at sea, the vessel threatening to founder, they ran into the port of Akaroa, and the brig was run ashore to prevent her from sinking. Some of tho passengers are described as being in tho cabin, but by far the greater number were in the hold. It is probable that they had not' much to Ioso; we are told at any rate that they lost everything, and were glatl to save their lives' at any cost. So far as we can ascertain the facts, one hundred and seventy persona were by this accident: thrown destitute upon our coast. Fortunately, there was a small settlement at hand, where shelter and necessaries could be obtained, but the duty of supporting so large a number was far too great a burden to fall upon the charitable people of Akaroa alone for any length of time. The case was one for public recognition. It was reported to Lyttclton and Christchurch, and we should have supposed thai, prompt steps would be taken to succour the unfortunate whom accident had thrown upon our charity, out of the ample resources of the province at large. But ten. days have now elapsed, and we regret to say that nothing or almost nothing has been douo.