FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD The following are extracts from the New Zealand Herald of September 14, 1883: ' The asphalt contractors'' men were busy yesterday repairing the crossings in Queen Street, and some of them require it badly. The heavy traffic on this street necessitates a more expensive class of crossing than in other streets. There is one from Shortland Street to the Colonial Bank which the contractor considers it is a hardship to have to repair. He is now coating it with _ heavy lot of asphalt, although so irregular is the bottom that in one place a paving stone has to be allowed to Pr purther alterations have been effected in the meeting room of the City Council. The long table in the centre or the room, at the head of which the Mayor presided and round which the councillors sat, has been ' removed. A low platform has been placed at the southern end of the room, in the centre of which-the'Mayoral chair now standsIn front of each member of the council is a polished writing desk. These alterations have improved the appearand or the chamber, and will no doubt be a great convenience to the council. The hostility and ferocity of the natives of some of the islands in the South Pacific have again been, demonstrated by a terrible tragedy. -News has been received of the massacre or five of the crew of the schooner Lavinia, trading between the islands and Levuka, and a Government agent, by the savages who people the smaii but picturesque, island of Apf.