1856. JANUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2300, 31 March 1898, Page 28

1856. JANUARY.

12th. — News reached Dunedin (9th) of fall of Sebastopol. Great rejoicings. 19th.— Arrival (13th) of Governor Gore-Brown and family, per s.s. Zingari. (17th) Public dejeuner. 26th.— Provincial Council (19th) finally agree to land regulations. FEBRUARY. 2nd. — Intimation in leader that Governor, during recent visit, declared the Bluff a port of entry, made necessary appointments, and" ordered a town to be laid out. Same issue, address by Dunedin Town Board to Governor. MARCH. Ist.— The Oil Bias, 175 tons, drawing 9ft. 81n., came up to within 400 yards of Dunedin jetty. Bth. — Public meeting to consider proposed Education Bill. 15th.— Supper given by Provincial Council to Captain Nicol, of Oil Bias ; and channel between islands through which he brought the ship named Nicol's passage. 22nd.— Provincial Council determined (18th) to discontinue interments in old cemetery (now renerve next Arthur-street School), and prooure one, duly subdivided, near " Little Paisley " (the present Southern Cemetery). Description commenced of country about the Bluff and southward. 29th.— Eighth anniversary of province (23rd) Cattle, 8,851 ; sheep, 83,196; horses, 854.

APRIL. oth. — Advertisements notifying creation of i five school districts, viz.. Green Island, Dunedin, j Taieri, Tokomairiro, and Clutha ; also convening public meetings to elect committees and provide schools, etc. Waste Lands Board constituted. Commissioner, P. Proudfoot; Nominees, W.H. Reynolds, John McGlashan. Elected, Dr. Purdie, J. Anderson, J. Hill, Jas. Paterson, John Duncan. Board met on loth. 26th. — Meetings held under education ordinance. Meetings convened under roads ordinance. Ploughing match («rst in Otago) at Tokomairiro (lhth). Prize money distributed, £25. Bullocks in yoke with driver: Plcwighman, Louis Dawson ; owner, JE. Duthie ; driver, J. Mackenzie, 1; ploughman, James McNeil; owner, J. Smith ; driver, Thomas Winton, 2. Bullocks in harness without driver: E. Martin, 1 ; W. Gillies, 2; D. Louden, 3. Horses without driver; R. Gillies. MAY. 10th.— First meeting Education Board (7th). Present ; McGlashan, Reynolds, Burnside, Howden, Martin, Rev. Mr. Bannerman, and Mr. Proudfoot (in the chair). Mr. Ayson appointed teacher at Tokomairiro. JUNE. 14th.— Meeting (Oth) of householders of Dunedin to elect School Committee. Meeting at Taieri declined to elect < 'on'initee or proceed in any way under education ordinance. AUGUST. 9th.— Mr. John Graham oflers to carry weekly post, Dunedin to Clutha, for £150 per annum. 23rd.— Statistics of Otago, Land Regulations, eto. 30th. — Kilgour (Logic, Customs) v. Wycherley (captain of :-',ir Edward Papet), (26th) for breach of immigration regulations. Fined £129 Is. 6d. in all, including costs. SEPTEMBER. 6th.— Master of Sir Edward Paget further fined (Sept. Ist) 12s. 6d. each for 38 passengers. 6th.— Proclamation of hundreds by Governor Gore-Browne. Message from Governor to House determining to hold sittings at Auckland and Wellington alternately. Also arrangements for first loan from Britain. OCTOBER. 4th.— Arrival of Strathniore, 450 tons, J. Mann, from London, with 184 passengers, including Major Richardson, Dr. Hulme, Mr. Livingston (Rector of Academy, appointed in Scotland), ■wife and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Hislop and family, and many othei s. 13th.— Education Board (October 2nd) decided to levy education tax of 10s. on every male above 21. 25th.— Formation of Flockowners' Association (October 13th). NOVEMBER. Bth.— Mr. John Hislop installed teacher at East Taieri (4th). Subsequent destruction by fire of barn in which the festivities were held, when wheat, machinery, etc., property of Rev. Mr. Burns, to the value of £1,200 were destroyed. DECEMBER. 6th.— Completion of series of four important letters on education by Mr. Gillies, which terminate with expression of opinion that no New Zealand born person should be allowed to exercise franchise or enter marriage state unless on production of certificate of educational fitness. 13th.— Provincial Council authorised Superintendent (Bth) to co-operate with other provinces in securing steam communication with Australia. Visit of BishopSelwyn of Melanesia (Ist inst.). Description of mission work. 26th.— First number of Colonist issued.