FROM THE “ STAR ” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 9

FROM THE “ STAR ” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

ADVERTISEMENTS AND NEWS OF JUNE 16, 1869

The schooner Three Brothers is missing from the harbour. It is supposed that during the night she parted her cable, and that the crew ran her out to sea. The captain is not on board. Gourlay Family.—These talented artistes arrived by the s.s. Wainui this morning. We understand they will appear for a few nights at Christchurch and also at Kaiapoi and Lyt'telton. Acclimatisation.—Some valuable additions to the poultry stock have been brought out in the Caroline Coventry, consisting of Brahma Pootras, Dorkings, and Spanish fowls, Aylesbury, and Rouen ducks. The voyage appears to have affected the Brahmas the least, which are splendid birds, probably unmatched in the colony. The birds are all imported by Mr G. Gould, who has already contributed so largely to the reputation of the province for possessing first-class poultry. Presentation.—Last night the members of the City Fire Brigades met at the White Hart Hotel, for the purpose of conveying to Captain G. 11. Wilson their estimation of his conduct whilst acting as Superintendent and Chief Fire Inspector. A silver inkstand of neat design and workmanship, with an illuminated address, were selected as the means of doing so. The inkstand bore the inscription, “Presented to Captain G. H. Wilson by the members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, on his retiring from the office of Superintendent, April 27, 1869.” H.M.S. Rosario returned yesterday from a cruise among the various groups of Islands in the South Pacific, and by Captain Palmer, the commander, we have been courteously supplied with the following particulars respecting the seizure of the Daphne schooner, while engaged in conveying native islanders from the New Hebrides to Brisbane. On being boarded by the boat from H.M. ship, the unfortunate natives w r ere found huddled together on board the schooner entirely naked, unable to make themselves understood, and were unaccompanied by an interpreter. They were at once taken on shore, and placed under the charge of the British Vice-Consul, an officer (Lieut. Bingham) and prize crew taking possession of the ship, with orders to bring her on to this port for adjudication. Captain Palmer is of opinion, from what he has observed, and intelligence gleaned, that a wholesale system of slave traffic, in its worst form, exists in certain groups, Tanna being apparently the headquarters.—Sydney ‘‘Morning Herald,” May 22.