EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26541, 16 August 1947, Page 6

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago Bail? ©mca DUNEDIN, AUGUST 16. 1862. ' . “ Yesterday afternoon two men went to the Treasury in Dunedin and deposited a bag of gold weighing 871 b. They declined to say where they had obtained this rich parcel, but stated that there was room for plenty more men where they had been working. The names of the two men are Hartley and Simmons.” The Daily Times believes that the gold was obtained from the neighbourhood of Mount Watkins, near Waikouaiti, as it had been reported that a party of men with a packhorse had been coming into occasionally at night, and always leavang before morning. “It is to be hoped they will not leave town without indicating the spot,” says the Daily Times. “ They will then have fair claim to a reward, whilst otherwise they are sure to be tracked out.” “On Rabbit Island, which is one of the islands which divide the channel in Port Otago, there are some buildings not generally known of, intended to be used as a quarantine station.” The Daily Times points out that they are never used, and suggests that steps should be taken to prevent the place becoming a comparative wilderness. The Daily Times reports that the total number of prisoners in gaol on * Friday night was 88—76 males and 12 females. Thirteen males were imprisoned for debt. “Some fresh sets of harrows have been manufactured for the Harbour Department, to be used in breaking up the sand bank lately formed in the channel inside the heads. The first attempt by the Samson was not found to be so effective as was expected, and it is hoped that these harrows, improved as they have been compared with their original construction, will produce a better result when brought to bear upon the bank.”

At the inquest on Peter Green before Mr Edwin Rich, coroner, at Mataura, a verdict of wilful murder was recorded against Captain Tibbets, who had shot him. At the inquest on Captain Tibbets himself, the jury held that he had been shot by his brother, Charles Tibbets, in self-defence. One witness said that he did not think Captain Tibbets was in his right mind.

“Telegraphic communication bej tween Port Chalmers and Dunedin is at last an established fact. The first message was transmitted through the wire yesterday, and we presume that in a day or two the line will be available to the public.”

The charges for admission to the Royal Princess Theatre on the occasion of the performance by the' Garrick Club in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Asylum, were as follows: Private boxes, £4 4s, £3 3s, and £2 2s; dress circle, 7s 6d; stalls, ss; pit, 2s. The plays to be staged were Douglas Jerrold’s domestic drama, “The Rent Day,” and “The Lottery Ticket” .and “Boots at the Provincial.” Mr B. L. Farjeon was to appear in “The Lottery Ticket.’ , ■