THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1861.) DUNEDIN, MONDAY, MAY 27, 1867.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23511, 27 May 1938, Page 6

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1861.) DUNEDIN, MONDAY, MAY 27, 1867.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

For the last few years it has been clear to thinking minds that the relations between Great Britain and her Colonies could not continue on their existing footing. Carefully keeping out of all interference with foreign politics, voluntarily retiring from her position as a first-rate power, as Great Britain unquestionably has, it was evident that sooner or later, with all her intervention (to use the established euphemism for keeping out of mischief) policy, she must become embroiled with a great maritime power, and that then her Colonies would be sources of weakness to her. But for many years past the end and aim of Great Britain’s Ministers have been the tiding through the current session of Parliament, dealing with as little as was absolutely required to be dealt with, neglecting as much as could be neglected. She has had no great public men to cope with the European statesmen. They may have had the mind and the abilities, but the education was wanting. . . .

• The firing for the Bible, presented to the Volunteers by Mr Hay. took place at the Kaikorai Butts on Friday afternoon. Ranges—2oo, 400, and 500 yards: five shots at each; Wimbledon targets: Hythe position. Thirty-one men competed, and the interest was sustained throughout. Corporal Stalker and Private Lacey —both Wakan Rangers —tied with a score of 46. On shooting off. each made a bull’s-eye: but at the second trial, Stalker scored an outer, and Lacey carried o(T the prize with a centre. It is worthy of notice that the firing lasted two hours and a-half; and that 454 rounds were fired, showing an average of three shots a minute. . . .

The Second Ball of the Naval Brigade was held in the Anderson’s Bay Hotel on Friday evening. The room was well filled, and the party included several visitors from Dunedin. The music was supplied by Mr West, and the dancing was kept up till morning. A meeting of teachers was held at the Schoolhouie, Tokomairiro, for the purpose of forming a Branch Schoolmasters’ Association. . . . More favorable accounts are said to have been received from the Woodstock diggings, in the neighborhood of Hokitika. The “West Coast Times’’ believes that the place will turn out a good diggings. . . . All doubt of success in the construction of the Railway Tunnel at Christchurch is dispelled.- The intervening rock between the two ends has been pierced through, and it is found that the line is perfectly straight and level.