THIRTY YEARS AGO

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 284, 29 October 1934, Page 2

THIRTY YEARS AGO

EXTRACTS FROM “ STANDARD OCTOBER 29, 1904.

It was the intention of the Borough Council to asphalt the thoroughfare adjoining the Opera House, and to place a gas lamp at the foot of the hill. Locomotion was reported to be difficult owing to the huge oulders with which the road had been constructed.

Gold was reported to have been found in the Mount Bruce district, between Eketahuna and Masterton.

The situation following upon the attack on British trawlers by the Russian fleet was stated to be extremely grave, and national indignation was rising. The Mediterranean squadron had been ordered to sail for Gibraltar, and the Home fleet was in the Firth of Forth, ready ,to intercept the Russian Baltic fleet, which it was stated would be asked', and compelled, if necessary, to return. It was described as a “nuisance.” The British Government had fixed noon of the following day as the time limit to the granting of demands for reparations for the wounded British seamen. The British Stock Exchange was depressed. The Russian Admiral had informed his Government that his fleet had had a serious encounter in the North Sea. It was alleged that eight torpedoers had suddenly surrounded the transport Amadul, steaming at the head of the line. The Russians declared they sa-w guns on two boats, and that none of the sailors looked like fishermen. Thinking them to be Japanese, the Russians had fired on the vessels after the latter had discharged a cannon. The cannon which probably frightened the Russians w r as a bomb rocket as a signal for netting. Plans had been sanctioned by the Czar for the duplication •of the trans-Siberian railway at a cost of £11,000,000. He had also approved of the Admiralty’s scheme to create a new fleet at a cost of £40,000,000.