EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26589, 11 October 1947, Page 8

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago 2)ail? ftimes DUNEDIN, OCTOBER 11, 1862 “Dunedin is very gay just now, and is likely to be more so. Not only are two theatres constantly catering for the public entertainment, but a concert hall is about to be opened in which Madame Carandini and others will perform nightly.”

“The Christchurch Press states that among the measures to be considered by the Canterbury Provincial Council are the construction of a deep water jetty at Lyttelton at a cost of £ 100,000, the opening up of Banks Peninsula by tramways, and the cutting of a road to the Grey River, on the West Coast (175 miles).”

Mr Barton appeared at the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Gresson, to defend John Gibson, who was charged with the manslaughter at the Woolshed (Tokomairiro) of Peter Ryan. In cross-examination of a woman who had been living with Gibson, Mr Barton tried to discredit a man named Hambrow, who was likely to be called as a witness for the Crown, when his Honor remarked that he did know that Hambrow was to be called as a witness and that he could not allow , Mr Barton’s questions. Mr Barton: “ Then your Honor had better defend the person yourself, for I declare I cannot.” After a lengthy hearing, the accused was found not guilty.

“ Miners can now by the new regulations occupy half an acre each for residence, with the right of transfer, and agricultural areas of 10 acres may also be obtained at the small annual rental of 5s per acre, thus enabling all who desire it to surround themselves with the comforts of home and to vary the toil of mining by the more agreeable labours of the garden or the field.”'

“A proposal has been made,” says the Daily Times. “ for the carrying out of a general scheme of telegraphic communication through the Middle Island. It was broached here by the Postmaster-general, and it is understood that the Provincial Government of Otago will be willing to enter into it and to place money on the Estimates for the construction of a line through the province to join those of Southland and Canterbury.”

“The inquiries for New Zealand bank shares during the past week have been numerous, and their market value may now be fairly quoted from 20s to 30s premium each. It is expected that they will exceed this margin after the half-yearly meeting on the 30th proximo, as the great commercial success of the undertaking j? patent to all the public.”

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was attended by Messrs James Rattray (in the chair), E. B. Cargill. Moss and Tickle. A discussion took place on the proposed mail service to England via Panama, Mr Cargill remarking that “if the thing was to be done at all it must be by some large English company like the Royal Mail Company v and that the co-operation of the General Government was essential to sum cess.”