EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27387, 12 May 1950, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago Ball? Himes DUNEDIN, MAY 12, 1865. The Molyneux Mail says that “marriages are woefully scarce in that locality,” and exalts on the union of a happy young couple, whom the Catholic clergyman, the Rev. R. Duhiz, united in the bonds of matrimony last week. “All Clyde,” says the Mail, “appeared to enjoy the sight which, in these dull times, was an exceedingly welcome one.” The stern-wheel steamer Tuapeka, which, for the past two years has been plying on the Clutha River, arrived in port at 9 p.m., having left the mouth of the river at 1 p.m. From Port Molyneux to the Taieri fine weather was experienced, and the trip was made so far in three hours 10 minutes. Subsequently a strong head wind and sea were met as far as Cape Saunders, and the vessel had to proceed at half speed. The Tuapeka, notwithstanding the regular and constant work which she has accomplished on the river, has returned to Port Chalmers rather improved in appearance, and the few alterations inquired should be completed in sufficient time to enable her to be placed in the trade within 10 or 14 days in thoroughly: good order. .

“ Public dissatisfaction grows more and more pronounced every week as to the neglect of the authorities, whoever they may be or have been, of the interests of the mining population with regard to roads and tracks (reports our Lake district correspondent). All that hag been done for us has been two very indifferent pack tracks to Maori Point and the Twelve Mile. Arrow. Skippers is still isolated. Cardrona, only approachable in the winter via the Dunstan, and Queenstown, still enjoys the unenviable felicity of not being connected with the rest of the province by a single road of any kind except a swampy track through a morass to Arthur’s Point. The piecrust promises of successive executives have truly proved puff pastry; and we begin to think that the great lights of Dunedin regard the upper districts of the province as admirable fields for the practice of political humbug and for the display of their peculiar idiosyncrasy of ‘how not to do it.’”