EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 6

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

i FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago ©ail? TEimes • T DUNEDIN,'MAY 14, 1864. ‘ “We understand that there is to be a race ’meeting at Waikouaiti on the Queen’s Birthday, May 24. and the following day. The programme is promised immediately. It will include as a principal feature a steeplechase over the Cherry Farm paddocks, and several other races both of a district and open nature. Mr Hamilton will give his valuable assistance as clerk of the course.”

. ’ “ The monthly return of the money orders issued and paid at the various post offices in Otago has been compiledand handed to us for publication. During the month of April the total issues were 575 orders, representing the sum of £3054 7s 9d, and 180 orders were paid, amounting together to £824 3s 9d. The total number of orders issued since the adoption of the system is 8389, and the total amount of money represented by them. £43,407 6s Id During the same period there have been 2120 orders paid, amounting to £10,678 55.”

“ The captain of the schooner Zephyr arrived at Lyttelton on the 10th inst. from Pelorus Sound with timber, and stated that McLean and party had found 121 b weight of gold m the course of a week. A passenger who returned to Lyttelton by the Otago steamer .gives a • different version. He states that he worked a claim near Wilson’s and could not obtain payable gold. A few diggers were doing well, but large numbers were returning from the diggings.”

“The ship Silesia already reported as at the Heads was towed up by the Favourite in the forenoon. She brings a large general cargo, part of which is railway plant, deliverable at Invercargill or Bluff, and 24 passengers who, on arrival, presented Captain Carmichael with an address, bearing testimony to his seamanship and kindness during the passage. The Silesia left London on December 28 and has had a fine passage throughout, making a very straight course from the Cape and the Snares for the greater part of the way in 43deg south. The only heavy weather was experienced in the Bay of Biscay, where Captain Carmichael sighted a water-logged ship, tvhich, after receiving bearings, made for Cork. In 40dg lOmin S. and 42deg 057 min E., an unfortunate accident occurred by which one of the hands, named David Falconer, lost his life. He was employed in some light duty on the top-gallant forecastle when he was missed, having, it is supposed, accidentally fallen overboard. The vessel was immediately put about, but nothing could be seen of him. This happened at 11.50 on March an and in ♦lie latitude stated-”