THE Otago Daily Times. “Inveniam viam aut faciam.” [Established November 15, 1861.] DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1868.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. “ Inveniam viam aut faciam.” [Established November 15, 1861.] DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1868.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

Th-- first practical step towards the construction of the Graving Dock, at Port Chalmers, will be taken this week. Yesterday a whole lighter-load of barrows and other necessary tools, were received at Port Chalmers, from Dunedin, for the beginning of the work.

From the following telegram published in the “ Wellington Independent,” of August Ist, under date Blenheim, Friday, the Middle Island appears to be likely to have to deal with Maori misdeeds:—“A native disturbance is anticipated in Havelock. A telegraphic message has been sent asking that arms may be sent immediately to Havelock. The Pelorus natives have held two koreros, which resulted in their claiming Havelock as being Native land; alleging that it was sold to the Europeans by the wrong parties originally. The Natives have assumed so threatening .an attitude that the settlers are much alarmed. Information on the matter has been sent to the Government;” The “ Wanganui Herald ” says;—“We hear that a commission will shortly be appointed to inquire into certain matters arising out of the Turo Mokai affair. The clouds are gathering darker and darker over the reputation of Major Hunter, and if the charges made against him are untrue, it would be well they were refuted as soon as possible. With respect to the question— Who was in command? the superior officers themselves were not aware who was. Hunter commanded the troopers, and Von Tempsky the infantry, and it would appear that each considered his command independent of the other. It is said that Hunter objected, to move, although asked to do so by Von Tempsky, and that the latter then threw his sword upon the floor and jumped upon it. It is quite true that one of the troopers shouted out for Hunter to ‘go back to the ".Vdikato,’ and that the cry was taken up by the whole of them. The news is also confirmed that Hunter, never got out of his whare. He said the firing was all nonsense. Father Roland distinctly saw the flashes of the firing at Waih'i.”

It is satisfactory to find that, throughout the Colony, attention is directed to improving the condition •of wool The “Wellington Independent" says:— “ It is very satisfactory to notice, from recent English commercial reports, that the price of wool rules higher than it has done for many months The average prices obtained for ordinary sorts of wool do not, however, adequately represent the improvement which has taken place. It may now be accepted as a fixed rule that the finest sorts of wool average relatively far higher prices than the common. It is quality, not quantity, that would pay best to our wool growers. As an illustration of the price which can be obtained for well-prepared wool, it may be mentioned that the wool sent Home by Arthur Braithwaite. Esq., of Waiwetu, in the Asterope. was disposed of at the May Sales, and realised the very satisfactory price of Is 10d per pound. But then the wool was excellent, had been most carefully washed and every care taken to ensure that it would reach the market in a first-class condition. We believe that this is_ the highest price that has been obtained for any wool grown in Wellington since the days of low prices commenced. some two years ago.”