FROM THE “STAR ” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 9

FROM THE “STAR ” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

ADVERTISEMENTS AND NEWS OF DEC. 24, 1868.

From a Wellington telegram.—When the recruits by the Otago arrive, Colonel Lyon will have nearly 500 constabulary. Everyone is chafing at the continuance of a mere defensive attitude at the front. A SIX-HORSE COACH WILL LEAVE COBB AND CO.’S OFFICE FOR lIEATHCOTE REGATTA ON SATURDAY MORNING, DECEM- • BER 26, AT 11 A.M. L. G. COLE, Proprietor. WELLINGTON, December 23. The shareholders of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company are holding private meetings to consider the continuance or otherwise of the company. On Saturday the shareholders were favourable to a continuance of operations, but on Monday they voted for winding up. Breach of the Footpath Ordinance.— John Brown was. summoned for obstructing a footpath, by wheeling a barrow over it. The offence was proved by Sergeant Pardy, but accused having evidently done it unknowing of wrong, his Worship dismissed the case with a strong caution to be more careful in future. Christmas Fare.—Last night the customary show of Christmas cheer took place, and the streets were thronged with people up to a late hour. As a whole the result may be deemed as satisfactory, although the display was almost entirely confined to the butchers, the grocers and poulterers being evidently indifferent to this timehonoured old English custom. The shops of the former were stocked with a magnificent lot of meat. The lambs were of very superior quality, being for the first time all half-bred. The beef WaS m a S° of remai 'kable merit, and would have done credit to similar displays m the Old Country.

Fire in the Oxford Bush.—On TuesflfrH 1 b St if ne °/. the saw yers in the Oxford bush wishing to clear a road, set “ re _J°. , the scrub and undergrowth On Friday the fire was, to all appearances extinct, but a strong nor'-west springing up on Saturday, fanned the v^ rSlnt 3- abW ' which s P r ead with great rapidity. Regarding the fire a correspondent writes:—“lt commenced not far from Mr Fenwick’s mill in a Wh surrounded by small owners of snlit m f ke th , eir hvm S by sawing, splitting posts and rails, shingles etc Jtate d nf " Ct '^ aS beßn in * considerable state of excitement during the weekparties having timber, rails, etc in the them , haVe be£ ? Very busy removing them to some place of safety. Mr Fenmhl Jnd r t e^ OVed the “Sine from his mill, and the men are busily engaged in removing as many of the valuables as possible. Whilst I 'write, a furious nor -west is blowing, and the fire is °n creasing. Much valuable timber will bt and many men will suff er by loss of property and by being unable to carry on their employment “

IXeathcote Regatta.—A meeting of the committee was held at White’s Hotel last night, Mr J. O. Gilchrist in the chair. The subscription lists were submitted and showed a sufficient amount of collections to pay all prizes and working expenses. The list of entries was produced by the secretary, and comprised the following boats:— For boys’ pair-oar: Juliet, Isis, Old Black Eagle and Undine. Sailing race: Shandy-gaff, Harp of Erin, Swallow, Night and Morning, and Frost Fish. Four-oar (rowing) : Isis, Emu, Greyhound, Lurline, Express, Snowdrop, Tui. Dinghy sculling: Night and Morning and Frost Fish. Pair-oar (with coxswain) : Isis, Avon, Cygnet, Old Black Eagle, Juliet, Undine, and Tui. Champion scullers: Torpedo, Stranger, Isis, Ellah, Undine. YVatermen’s boats: Blue Bell, Lowland Lass, Lass of Erin. Consolation (post entry) : Duck Hunt: The Duck, Old Black Eagle. Some of the details required by the committee not having been included with the entries, the time for completion “was extended to four o'clock this afternoon.