EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26558, 5 September 1947, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©taoo ©ail? Himes DUNEDIN, SEPTEMBER 5, 1862. “Perhaps the most important piece of news brought by the Airedale from Wellington is that Otago is to have a resident judge of the Supreme Court. To none sO much as those interested in trade has the want of a resident judge been so apparent. Not only has it been an inconvenience, but through this want great injustice has been suffered by many, and the dishonest debtor has been kj a position of advantage.” ' “The boat Young America, which was successful in a recent sailing match at the Port Chalmers regatta, ran into the brig Ellen on Tuesday aiternoon during a strong breeze and while laden with ballast. She sank immediately, but has since been raised in halves,'the concussion having split her from stem to stern.” “ The Lyttelton again took a few passengers to Waikouaili, but along with the Samson returned with numbers more. Only a small proportion of those returning ha% r e managed to reach the diggings, or, if they have done so, have been forced off by the want of provisions, or the absence of preparation on their own part. Though some creeks and ranges have to be crossed, the majority speak well of the Waikouaiti road, and many of those returning by that route had experience of the other roads, which they describe as considerably more difficult.”

“An almost unprecedented dullness has pervaded our markets during the past few days. The town trade has been flat in the extreme, and the demand for the older diggings has ceased in the meantime, whilst any wants for the Ddnstan diggings have not yet been felt in first hands, and even the inquiry that had been noticeable for mining tools, e.tc., has died away.”

“A mounted escort, under the command of Sub.-inspector Morton, of the Tuapeka district, arrived last evening with 87890 z ldwt of gold. Two circumstances have to be considered in estimating this quantity as a fortnightly return; first, that it is fully a fortnight since the rush from all the old fields to the Dunstan diggings commenced; second, before, starting almost every man would deposit at the offices all the gold of which he was possessed rather than risk keeping it during the long and toilsome tramp. The roads are described as being in a very bad state, just now. A dray or two had got stuck, and after their loads had been removed they were dug out of the mud.”