FROM THE "STAR” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 10

FROM THE "STAR” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

ADVERTISEMENTS AND NEWS OF AUG. 24, 1868.

BAY OF ISLANDS COAL 3Ss Per Ton. J. WOOD. Cashel Street West. Depot: Railway Station.

The barque American Lloyds arrived off the heads late last night; owing to the S.W. gale she was unable to come up to an anchorage in the harbour; she is anchored about three miles outside the heads. It would seem that an import of grain from South Australia to this colony has commenced. A telegram in the “ Sydney Morning Herald,” dated August 7, states that the Bravo is loading for Invercargill arid Hokitika with cereals. From a Wellington Despatch.—A special messenger arrived last night with the following news: The stronglyfortified pa Te Ngutu O Te Manu was captured on Friday morning, and bum* ed to the ground, by 270 men of the Colonial Force, under M’Donnell, von Tempsky, Bucks, and Page. The Maoris fought bravely, but could not stand against our men, who, armed with tomahawks, revolvers, and long knives, made short work of them. The whole attack lasted twenty minutes. At the end of an hour from the time the pa was attacked, not a vestige of it was to be seen. The Maoris effected a good retreat, after nine of their number had fallen. They were able to carry off their wounded. Three of otir men were killed, and eight wounded. When the march back was commenced, M'Donnell found the enemy had concentrated upon his rear, and were keeping up a galling fire. Their fire was returned, and they at length retired. The officers and men behaved very well. Trotting Match.—A very exciting match came off at Rangiora, on Saturday last, between Mr Murphy’s Bantam and Mr F. ITepworth’s Dandy, the distance being from the Lion Hotel to Woodend—via Ward’s Hotel—in all about eight miles. Being both local and well-known horses, the preliminary arrangements had aroused considerable interest, and backers of both were not wanting. The race being fixed for 7 a.m., a large number of the local sportsmen began to assemble shortly after half-past six, and several bets were laid, Bantam appearing to possess the most supporters. The horses were started a few minutes after the appointed time, on very even terms, and a close contest seemed to be in store. Unfortunately Bantam broke before proceeding a quarter of a mile, and Dandy, keeping steadily on, he fell some distance to the rear. Again they were on tolerably even terms, but Bantam persisted in his bad practices, and broke several times. Perhaps this was to some extent owing to the crowd of horsemen following close at his heels, and certainly the proceeding was censurable, but, be it as it may, he continued to fall further behind at every mile,' Mr Hepworth’s horse going in a beautifully steady manner, with a swinging pace, and ultimately winning by about fifty yards. The time occupied was 33 minutes, and, although many thought Bantam would have won had the spectators given him a wider berth, Mr Hepworth’s horse deserves a] 1 credit for his victory.