FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD. AUCKLAND DRAMATIC SOCIETY. The following are extracts from the New Zealand Hebald of September 27, 1881: The Auckland Dramatic Society have issued a veiy handsome programme, or " bill>of the play," for Thursday evening, printed in gold. It consists of a border containing full-length portraits of the different characters in the piece, "On Guard," very well drawn and having an artistic effect. One side of the carte represents a series of fern trees, also printed in gold. At the foot is a representation of mountains and a ship in full sail. To those who would preserve it it will form a very elegant souvenir of the first public performance of this society. The natives of Mokau are exhibiting some anxiety to have that locality opened as a goldfield. They desire the Native Minister to meet them at a conference at Waitara, when definite arrangements will be made for giving up the land to the Government for the purpose of having it proclaimed a goldfield. The Victorian Railway Department have a proposal to introduce one uniform rate for passenger fares on the suburban lines. It is proposed to make the fare 3d for any single journey within a radius of nine and a-quarter miles. Advice has been received from Kandahar reporting that a great battle has been fought in the neighbourhoodi.of that city between the armies of the .Ameer and of Avoub Khan. It. resulted in heavy loss to b'oth sides and the ultimate defeat of Ayoub's troops. o.' the latter two regiments are said tf have deserted, ana Ayoub was compelled to abandon his and baggage. He lias since, it is stated, fled with the remnant of _ his army to Herat, and the citadel of Kandahar :s now undefended.