DAYS THAT HAVE GONE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15986, 31 January 1914, Page 6

DAYS THAT HAVE GONE.

——«»— TJJK WK.BK'S ANNIVERSARIES. Feb. I.—Nelson province founded, 1842. Lord Palmers) on bccame Prime Minister, 1855. Mme. Clara I'nlC born, 1374. Merv annexed by Russia, 1384. Hall (sentenced to death, 1887. 11. M. Stanley visited Uunedin, 1892. Feb. 2. —Crinan Canal destroyed, 1859. Part of Monaco purchased by Franco, 1861. Witness protest against, re-election of Mr .lames Macandrew, 1861. Arrival of All England Eleven, 1864. Great lire in Stafford street, 1864. Gold Const ceded to Great Britain, 1872. Funeral Queen Victoria, 1901. King Curios J. and Crown Prince of Portugal assassinated, 1908. Feb. 3.—Montevideo stormed and captured, 1807. Mendelssohn born, 1809. ' , Lord Salisbury horn, 1830. Launch of lirst Dunedin-built vessel, 1851. I Wholesale suspension of Irish members of Hoyse of Commons, 1881. Feb. 4. —Bishop Jcnner arrived in Uunedin, 1869. Lord Wolsolev entered Kumassi, 3.874Colony of Fiji constituted, 1575. Thomas Carlyle died, 1881. 11.M.5. New Zealand launched at Portsmouth, 1904. Feb. s.—Sir Robert Peel born, 1788. Cunard lino's first steamer, Britannic, launched, 1840. Revs. Will and Bannerman reached Uunedin, 1854. Feb. 6.—Queen Anne born, 1664. Charles II died, 1685. Seringopatam brsn gi d, 1792. Sir Henry Irving born, 1838. Treaty of Waitangi signed, 18-10. Lord Monteagle died, 1866. Feb. 7. —Battle of Evlau, 1807. Charles Dickens born; 1812. Famous Portland vase ut British Museum smashed by drunken man, 1845. Annexation of Oudo proclaimed, 1856. H.M.S. Orpheus wrecked Manukau bar, 1863. Sir Charles Windham died, 1870.

11. M. Stanley, the famous African explorer, arrived m Dunedin on February i, i 892, and delivered in the Garrison Hali that evening the first of a course of four lectures. His subjcct was, " Through the Dark Continent," and lie was listened to with the greatest interest by a very large and representative audience. So great was the interest aroused in his visit ibat for the convenience of country visitors late trains were arranged for to "take passengers after the lecture as far north as Pahnerston and as far south as Milton.

Monaca, a territory of south-eastern France, is the smallest of the sovereign principalities of Euroye, its him lining only eight squaro miles. The principality, which was held by the Genoese family Grimaldi from the year 968, at one time included Mentome and Roquebrune, but on February 2, IS6I, the prinoo ceded these two towns to Franco by treaty for a sum of four million francs. Monaco still includes the town of Monto Carlo, famous for its gaming tables. These are at present controlled by a join stock company, which has obtained a concession till 1947, and pays an annual tribute of £70.000, which will eventually increase to £100,000, for its privileges. None of the inhabitants of Monaca have access to the tables; and their interest in the maintenance of the status quo is secured by their complete exemption from taxation and the large prices pa:d for their lands.

Oil Fuoruary is,, njoi, the Old go witness published an editorial protest against the proposed re-election of Mr James Atacandrew as Superintendent ot me province. 'ihe tact recalls a curious incident in the ear;y history of Otago. On January 28, ifc6l, tot -Uaoaijdrev/ was arrested lor clebt on a judgment obtained at tlie suit of a creditor lor a very considerable amount. Ho was conveyed to the g¥ioi *ii which debtors were at that time contined; but lie promptly took advantage of a legal provision to circumvent tho intentions of his persistent creditor. By an ordinance of tho Legislativo Council tho Governor had power to proclaim any place a common gaol, and this power, with many others, had been transferred by tho Provincial Council to the (Superintendent. Mr Macandrew therefore issued an ingenious proclamation, declaring his own residence, Car is brook House, " to -be one of tho public gaols of the Colony of New Zealand," and induced the gaoler to allow his removal there. Ho lived in retirement in his home for a month till a proclamation arrived from Goveriior Gore-Brown declaring Carisbrook House not to bo a public gaol. The Governor also acceded to tlie majority petition of the members of the Provincial Council, and removed Mr Macandrew from office as Superintendent, and from the Cornmission of the Peace. Air Macandrew contested the election in the following May, when he was defeated by Major J. C. L.' Richardson by 292 votes to 189. A very destructive lire broke out in Stafford street, near Ho]>o street, On February 2, 1864, and proved to be the most disastrous that had occurred in tho history of the town up to that time. The fire 'commenced in the rear of the premises of Messrs G. and G. Hart, general merchants. The alarm was given shortly after 7 o'clock in the evening, and the Fire Brigade was soon on the spot with an engine, but it was greatly hampered by want of -water. The flames soon extended up the street to Messrs Rovsc, Mudie, and Co.'s premises, and downward to the shop of Mr James Mills, gunmaker. Mr Merrie's tailor's shop, and three small buildings occupied by a restaurant keeper, a bootmaker, and a storekeeper were the next to catch fire. In the effort to prevent the fire from spreading downwards the offices of Messrs Mills. Dick and Co. were pulled down, and after Gasper's extensive bonded store was in the grip of the flames similar tactics were adopted to prevent the flames spreading beyond it. Several other stores and email houses were destroyed, but the pulling down of a number of cattages and other buildings sufficed to save the greater part of the block, the whole of which was for a time in danger. The burning stores contained many highly inflammable mixtures, and tlie huge shootir. flames of many rich tints formed a memorable sight. The damage was estimated at fully £100,000. The Portland or Barberini vase in tlie British Museum is the finest example of cameo glass work that has come down to us. It was discovered about the middle of the 16th century in a marble sarcophagus in a sepulchre at a place called Monte del Grano. about 2£ miles from Rome. The j sepulchre was supposed to have been that of the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus. It was placed in the palace of the Birberini family at Rome, where it remained till 1770. when it was purchased by Sir Win. Hamilton, from whom it. passed to the Duchess of Portland, in 1787. The Duke of Portland, in 1810, deposited it on loan in the. British Museum. It' is a beautiful specimen of Greek art. composed of a glass-like substance with fnrures and devices raised on it in white enamel. Its height is 10 inches, and its diameter in the broadest part seven inches. On February 7, 1845, n madman named William Lloyd threw a stone at the vase and smashed it to ahundred fragments. The pieces, however, were joined together with extraordinary skill bv Mr Doublodav. and the beauty of the design and execution may still be appreciated. It is now shown to the public in a special room.