FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17804, 1 February 1930, Page 5

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

THAMES IN 1880.

Culled From The “Star.”

PECULIAR RELIC FOUND,

SEVERAL MINES AUCTIONED.

The following extracts are taken from the files of the “Thames Evening Star” of 1880: — A Peculiar Relic. A remarkable discovery has been made near Mongonui, near Cape Karaka, says the “Star.” One of the sandhills, on being 'blown away by the recent gales, brought to view a heap of bones and the remains of a house. The natives know nothing about it, and have no tradition of there being any settlement or burial place near there. It is 'believed that examination will show that they are the Remains of a race of people who inhabited New Zealand prior to the immigration of the Maori. Important Mines Sold. The Caledonian, Tookey’s, Golden Crown, and Imperial Crown were put up for sale by the Thames County Council, who held mortgages upon them. The Caledonian ‘ fetched £3OOO, being bought by Mr W. Rowe, and the Imperial Crown by Mr R. Comer for £l7O, none of the others reaching the reserves.

Not These Days I

Heading the article “A Fair Price For Land.” the “Star” publishes the following' information: -“The Government has agreed to open the unsold portion of the Te Aroha township 'block-of Jand on deferred payments at £2 per acre.”

Thames Volunteers.

The -Thames Volunteers, consisting of the .Hauraki Engineers, the Thames Scottish, the Thames Rifle Rangers, the Thames Naval Brigade, the Thames Scottish Cadets, the Thames Naval Cadets, with their various bands, had a parade of inspection before Major Withers, the ■officer commanding the district of the time. The following officers were on pdrade: Major T. L. Mur-., ■ray, in command. Captains, Mennie, Small, Farrell and Watson,, Lieutenants Barlow, Johnstone, Gordon, Douglas, Denby, Brownlow, Leydon, White and Gibbons, Quartermaster Symington, Adjutant Schofield and Instructor Grant. A very eulogistic report 'by Major Withers on the steadiness of all ranks was delivered, and the town turned out en fete after the ceremony, each company finishing the day at its favourite hostelry, where the deeds of the day were discussed.

Whew !

Evidently the . Customs-house official had-not yet made his peace with the editor of the “Star,” for he is given a gratuitous advertisement .thus: —“A larrikin morquito, 'buzzing about whapf on Monday last, alighted-on the nose of the Customshouse official and: tumbled off stonedead. The yprdict was ‘delerium tremens.’ •/ This fatal accident will, it is feared, seriously affect shares in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company.” (The Customs-house officer was agent for a rival insurance company to the one for which the “Star” was agent.)