In Town and Out

Southland Times, Issue 22898, 25 May 1936, Page 8

In Town and Out

NEWS OF THE DAY The Real Discoverer. While Gabriel Read is generally given the credit for being the discoverer of gold in Gabriel’s Gully, at the back of Lawrence, there is no doubt that Edward Peters, or “Black Peter,” was the first man to prospect in the district, and it was his work and knowledge that enabled Read to make his famous “strike.” At the 75th anniversary of the discovery of gold in Gabriel’s Gully little was said of the work of “Black Peter,” but during the course ,of the celebrations Mr Harry Hart appealed to those present to do something to show appreciation of the part played by Peters in the opening up of the gully. “I understand,” he said, “that ‘Black Peter’ is buried at Balclutha, where he spent the latter part of his life, and I consider it would be a kindly and thoughtful gesture if his grave were found and a small memorial erected over it.”

The Church in Germany. “The Church is at the present moment being persecuted again in Germany,” said his Lordship the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin (Dr. James Whyte) in his address at the opening of the new convent school at Gore yesterday. “The time is not far distant when Herr Hitler and his merry men will find themselves obliged to go to Canossa.” He had previously referred to the fact that the Church would today be celebrating the feast of Pope St. Gregory VII., known as Hildebrand, who had been called upon to defend religion against an emperor who was attempting to deprive the Church of its rights. Dr Whyte said that the time came when the Royal tyrant sought forgiveness in the most humiliating manner. The Pope was at Canossa, and, satisfied with the penace already done by the emperor, became reconciled to him. That incident gave rise to a proverbial expression: “I won’t go to Canossa!” used boastfully by the enemies of the Church to signify an intention to defy the Pope.

New Zealand Butter in ’ndia. The popularity of New Zealand butter in India is indisputable, according to Mr J. E. Campbell, Mayor of Hawera, who has returned after a tour of the East. Introduced to India in large quantities five years ago, the New Zealand product had become immensely popular and had secured a large market, said Mr Campbell. The native storekeepers had no hesitation in proclaiming its virtues and reliability. Ghee, the native butter, was always procurable, but New Zealand butter had the European market. The ease with which New Zealand butter spread had been criticized by a missionary, said Mr Campbell. This man thought the New Zealand article became too hard during the winter, and although showing a preference for New Zealand butter, he purchased an Australian brand during that period. Greater development of the market t ppeared to be hampered by the lack of direct shipping facilities. Much of the butter retailed at Calcutta was said to have reached its destination via Ceylon. Link With Early History.

The comparatively short span of years between to-day and early history in New Zealand was illustrated by an incident which befel Mr J. E. Evans, of Wellington. Purchasing a tin of tobacco, he found in it a picture card, one of a series showing scenes in New Zealand history. This one depicted the site of the camp occupied in 1859 by the 65th Regiment (“Royal Tigers”) at Onepoto Valley, Napier. When he saw it Mr Evans was able to produce from his pocket a uniform button belonging originally to a member of that regiment. Mr Evans had had this interesting relic, which bears the inscription of a tiger and the legend “India—l4—Waterloo,” for about five years. It was found by him in his garden at Lyall Bay, where, according to the late Mr David Sutherland, whose father farmed a large portion of Maranui when Wellington was young, the soldiers used to go for shooting practice in the sandhills. Mr Evans is a keen student of history. He states that there is evidence of the changing of the title of the 14th Regiment (whose button he found) to that of 65th Regiment, and that its familiar title of the “Royal Tigers” is still preserved in the name of a city hotel close to Mount Cook where the regiment was garrisoned.