EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago ©all'? 'dimes DUNEDIN, MAY 20, 1863. The arrival of the P. and O. steamer Northam at Hobson’s Bay brought news of the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra, which took place on March 10. Commenting on the marriage, the Daily Times in an editorial said: “The state of affairs in the North Island will perhaps interfere with any extensive rejoicing in that part of the colony, but that is no reason why the Middle Island should not indulge in the pleasurable demonstrations which the marriage must call forth. We would suggest that his Honor the Superintendent should set apart a day for a. general holiday throughout the province, so as to afford the inhabitants an opportunity of expressing their joy.”

“It appears from the following extracts from the Kilmore Examiner, that we may shortly expect the arrival of a feline consignment, of which the miners of the Dunstan will doubtless gladly avail themselves: ‘ We hear that a young man, about to start from this place for the New Zealand diggings, is making arrangements for the transport to that place of about 100 cats. It would appear from the last accounts from that quarter that cats are worth about £1 to £5 each.’”

“For the second time the Lady Bird has sailed with. upwards of 100 passengers, a majority /of whom are diggers proceeding to Nelson with the intention of visiting the diggings on the Buffer River.”

The Daily Times quoted the following from the Lake Wakatipu Mail: “It has been rumoured that a nugget composed of gold and quartz, and weighing 3600 z, was lately brought into Queenstown and sold for £250 We have made diligent inquiries concerning this rumour, but up to the present time.are compelled to acknowledge our inability to trace the story to its source.” .

A Tuapeka correspondent wrote: “The township of Lawrence is improving in appearance. Several large buildings are being erected and great improvements are also being made to the accommodation of the Government buildings.”