EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26782, 27 May 1948, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago 2)afl\> TEtmea DUNEDIN, MAY 27, 1863. “ The exports to New Zealand exhibit a decline of over £28,000, and this fact of itself woefully represents the knowledge of our requirements, and the position we occupy as an export colony.” “ The John Duncan has left with 47,3230 z of gold, a large export by one ship from Otago. We were certainly surprised that an extraordinary effort was not made by the banks to augment the quantity, in consideration of no other vessel offering opportunity of direct shipments.” “ Steps have been taken by persons in the gmploy of the Militia Office to ascertain the number of inhabitants in Auckland within the prescribed age—from 16 years of age to 53, able to bear arms in the force. On Monday and Tuesday, says the Southern Cross of the thirteenth, many houses in the city were visited, and a great number of names placed on the list. Volunteering seems to be progressing satisfactorily.” The Daily Times commercial report • states: “ The prevailing depression in business continues and cartage, if anything, may be quoted good to a shade lower than our last quotations. With ■ reference to the present low prices of carriage, a reduction in the value of bulky goods at the diggings is not to be wondered at. It is evident to all experienced traders that any sudden change in the weather, which may happen in a week’s time, will doubly enhance the present rates, and it is therefore a matter of finance on the part of the up-country storekeepers. In the absence of demand stocks continue to accumulate. We have so frequently advised prudence as regards imports at this season of the year that any further remarks on this subject would be superfluous.” “During one of the civil cases in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr Ward took exception to the appearance of articled clerks to conduct cases. The magistrate, Mr A. C. Strode, said he had considered the point and saw no objection to the practice. There was a great distinction between cases on information and summons, and those of a civil nature. In the former, Jervis's act made it imperative that the party summoned should appear by himself or by a qualified attorney; in fne latter he had never objected to the appearance of a deputy properly authorised. There had been a marked misconcep- , tion amongst some ■ portions of the public from a non-recognition of this distinction.