FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD. The following are extracts from the New Zealand Herald of June 4,1881 On Thursday afternoon (June 2) telephonic communication was established by Mr. Furby between the Auckland Institute and the Onehuriga library and free reading-room, and later on, about 8 p.m., Messrs. Berry "(telegraphist), Glenny and Murdoch. Dr. Scott, and a number of other gentlemen were assembled in the Onehunga library and reading-room anxiously waiting their respective turns at the telephone in order to hear what was being said and sung in the Auckland Institute, a distance of about eight miles away. The songs "Sweet Bye-and-bye" and "Nancy Lee " were heard distinctly by most of those, present and were duly appreciated. speaking was indulged in at the other end the words could "be heard in Onehunga, but thev were not sufficiently distinct to 'be understood, which, no doubt, was attributable to some extent to the noise made by visitors coming and going, a strong wind which was blowing, and the instruments not having been in perfect, working order. Intelligence from Ireland continues to report serious affrays between the police and the people at-va,rious places over the eviction of tepants. The state of the country.is daily becoming more disturbed. The London papers, , in discussing Irish affairs, are almost recommending the Government to completely suppress the Land League.