FROM THE “STAR” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 11

FROM THE “STAR” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

ADVERTISEMENTS AND NEWS OF DEC. 9, 1869. ; African Exploration.—A missionary who landed at Falmouth on Wednesday, October 6, from Zanzibar, brirgs important intelligence concerning the safety of Dr Livingstone. He states that letters have been received at Zanzibar by Dr Kirk from the great traveller himself, dated Lake Tanganyika. February, 1869. At that time Dr Livingstone was well, but short of provisions. He had been deserted by all the Europeans who had accompanied him, and was then living on rice and fruits supplied by Arabs. Acclimatisation.—Otago will, in all probability, soon receive some valuable additions to its feathered and fourfooted population. Mr John Ewen <of Sargood and Co.) has been busily en gaged collecting thrushes, blackbirds, starlings, goldfinches, partridges, pheasants and hares for shipment by the Warrior Queen, sailing on the 30th inst. The Earl of Dalhousie has promised a present of game, including red deer, to the Acclimatisation Society of Otago, and Mr Ewen hopes to have the whole shipped together by the end of the month. Home News.—An exciting scene occurred in the Parish Church at Ledbury during the morning service on October 3 The rector, the Rev John Jackson, was about concluding his sermon when a young woman, bearing a child in her arms, noiselessly entered the church, followed by her mother; and, walking round to the top of the middle aisle, faced the congregation. Here she held up the child, and in distinct terms informed them “ It was Mr Jackson’s.” It is authoritatively stated that legal pro ceedings will be at once commenced against her. The young woman’s name is Elizabeth Parry, and some twelve months ago she was in service as cook at the rectory, where she was confined. ♦.* j.j Matoaka Overdue.—Much anxiety is felt regarding the safety of the passenger ship Matoaka, 149 days out from New Zealand, having sailed on May 12 and not been spoken with. She belongs to the London and New Zealand Packet Company, of which Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co., in Leadenhall Street, are ti c agents. Eighty guineas premium per cent were on September 30 asked to effect insurances on the ship and cargo. Most of the specie, £50,000, is covered bv policies effected by the Union Bank. The ship is registered as A 1 for seven years, being built in 1853 at New Brunswick. Most of the cargo is wool. Although 149 days is a very long passage, other ships have taken a much longer time, arising from stress of wea ther and getting disabled, and it is possible she may have run into Falkland Islands.—“ Home News.” Wreck of the Red Jacket. —A large quantity of wre<2k has been washed ashore on the coast near Exmouth. Amongst the wreck were the quarterboard of a ship with the letters “ Red Jacket ” printed on it, and also a portion of the poop of a large ship. This fact, taken in connection with the circumstance that a lifebuov had be.-n previously picked up, and that a large vessel had been seen to founder very suddenly when off Brest, leaves lit’le doubt of the truth of the supposed loss. The Red Jacket sailed from Cardiff on September 11, with a cargo of coals for Bombay, and consequently experienced the full force of the heavy gales which swept the English Channel about the middle of last month, and created such havoc both with the outward and homeward shipping. The Red Jacket was a very fine ship of nearly 2400 tons, and at one time was the crack ship of the celebrated White Star line of Australian clippers.