EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26746, 15 April 1948, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

. FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago ©all? {Times DUNEDIN, APRIL 15, 1863. “ Our Lake correspondent informs us that the escort thence, which is due to-day, will bring 10,5500 z of gold, of which 6000 oz are from the Arrow. The collection extended over nine days.” “We understand from the Lyttelton Times that the first locomotive ordered for the line has been shipped at Melbourne, and may be expected to arrive in a few days, and that the wagons and carriages required for working the line are in process of manufacture at Melbourne, the contractors having undertaken to deliver them at the Christchurch station in the month of August.” 11 The Dunstan News on the subject of postal communication between Dunedin and the diggings, says:—“ It frequently happens that by means: of what Shakespeare has termed ‘ the damnable habit of iteration,’ points are gained and plans accomplished, which would otherwise languish or die out. There are still left in high places specimens of the unjust judge, and in such circumstances we do not hesitate to become importunate, and again refer to the inefficient and ridiculous means adopted by the Chief Postmaster, in the conveyance of mails from this place to Dunedin. We have already pointed'out that if a mail were sent regularly by Cobb and Co.’s coach we could have communication with Dunedin four times a week, and have letters delivered here on the second day from leaving town.” The Dunstan News goes on to state that under the present system letters occupy up to six days in transit.