EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26780, 25 May 1948, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©taQO Bail? tEtmes DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1863 “ Some rumours have been -current of recent depreciations in the value of certain goods at the Dunstan. The withdrawal of two or three store- ,, keepers from that market, and' the prompt realisation of their stocks, ac- «. count for the reports; in circulation, which, to a certain extent, are weil grounded. The Dunstan News announces the probable next escort return; at IO.OOOoz, and 5000 oz from the Lake. It appears that two of the banks did not forward their purchases by the last opportunity.” “An improvement has been'indicated at Port Chalmers. A complaint of want of lights on the jetties in Port Otago was lately followed by the erection of handsome lamp posts and brilliant lights in the jetties in Dunedin; and now the extensive shipping trade and ... steamer traffic of Port Chalmers are recognised by a hand lantern being allowed tcf dangle from the crane at the jetty, quite visible to all who may have time to make a diligent search for the same. The Harbour Department at the Port delights in the practice of humility.”

“There has been a good deal of comment on the fact that there has been no supply of gas during the last few days, and much questioning as to the cause. We understand that the stoppage has been made simply because the gas cannot be consumed satisfactorily to the buyer or the company until there is a moderate number of consumers, so that the pressure may be kept turned on from the work both day and night. In many premises the fittings are being put up as rapidly as possible; and in a few days, as we hear, the public will have a fair opportunity of judging of the illuminating power of the gas produced by the company.” “The improvements in connection with Forth street, Pelichet Bay, are now almost completed, and this street, which in common with most suburban roads, was almost impassable in wet weather, has now been put into a fair condition for traffic. We have not much faith in the stability of some portions of the work, although possibly- as much has been done as the funds available for the purpose would allow. There is one part of the embankment portion of the road which must inevitably give way if not supported by a bank of less inclination. Within a few yards of the raised culvert the roadway is on a narrow embankment, almost perpendicular on one side. It requires no great foresight to predict that the first heavy rain will cause the bank of loose earth and clay to fall and destroy the road at this point. The Town Board should direct the attention of the city engineer to this matter.”