FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD. The following are extracts from the New Zealand Herald of .April 6, 1881 : The Auckland Society, of Arts, which opens its first, exhibition today in the Choral Hall, was established to encourage the production and disposal of works of art by exhibitions, art unions, etc., free of commission on sales and any expense to the producers, except the cost of carriage. These exhibitions will be annual and will embrace all kinds of work into which artistic skill or design enters. Our cable messages from Sydney state that the German war vessels Habgicht and Hertha are to proceed to Samoa with a view to annexation. H.M.S. Miranda also goes to Fiji and Samoa. The remains of the late Tsar of Russia, Alexander 11., have been interred with great ceremony, states a European cablegram. The funeral obsequies were of a most impressive character. The young Tsar, prior to the final depositing of the remains in their last resting place, imprinted a kiss upon the fare of his dead father. He was greatly moved, and the scene was a. most affecting one. The Prince of Wales.and the Duke of Edinburgh were among the principal mourners. The Grand Duke Vladimir will act as Regent until the new Tsar's coronation. The Hamilton troop of volunteer cavalry turned out for half-yearly drill on April 4. There were 31 of all ranks on parade. Before dismissal they were served out with the new white horsehair plumes, instead of spikes, for the helmets, a very doubtful improvement in appearance.