FIFTY YEARS AGO

Nelson Evening Mail, 29 May 1917, Page 7

FIFTY YEARS AGO

—— . I. (From the"? I nil of 29 th May, 1867.) A telegram received from C'bristchurcb .states that a terrific gale was experienced in HokiTika on Thursday last, which demolished 22 houses. The river was heavily flooded, and created fearful damage. We understand that a party, consisting of Messrs R. Burn and T. Younger. the chairman and secretary of the Board of Works, Mr Thomas "Miles, contractor, and Mr Symms. will leave town this evening ior the purpose of visiting Astrolabe Island, in order to examine the granite stone there, with a view to its application in the construction of the. proposed dry dock and of other publicbuildings in the city. We shall look forward with no small interest to the report of these gentlemen on a subject of such great, local interest-. Captain Lusher, who, 14 years ago. visited the island of Opara, on the route from Panama to tnese shores, and who piloted the Kaikoura on her last t-ip to that place (now adopted as a coaling station for the. Panama, boats) is at present in Nelson awaiting the arrival of the Midas, which left Wellington for Sydney a short time ago, m order to be docked and fitted up as a, coal and store ship. Captain Lusher then proceeds to Opara, of which island he will take charge on behalf of the Panama Company, and we understand that he will be accompanied by several individuals, who feel desirous of testing the capabilities of the island, one side of which is said to be formed of a valuable petroleum slate, by many suspected t-o be coal. It may therefore eventually prove that, instead of being compelled, as at present to transport coals from Newcastle to Opara, tha old adage may be. reversed, and supplies may, at some distant period, reach Newcastle from