SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

Western Star, 14 February 1922, Page 4

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

Mr A. Munyard, of Tapanui, is in possession of one of the first copies of the 'Otago Witness,' published on February 8, IS6I. The publication is contained in a sheet about the size of one page of a present-day daily paper, printed in four pages of four columns each. On the first j;age is a statement of the revenue and expenditure at Ohrjo for the quarter endincr December 30th, LSSO. There was a'"'total revenue of £998 8s 3d (of which £250 was. Customs duty »-u spirits) and the total expenditure £560 Is 7d>. One item of expenditure was "Scab Inspector, £l2 lGs." A news item is as follows:—On Monday, 3rd lust., we had the pleasure of witnessing the launching of the first vessel built- in this Settlement. Though the weather w.as unpropitious, yet we observed a good sprinkling of company, and the whole affair went off very satisfactorily." Under the heading of Dunec'lin Markets, the retail prices current on February 8, 1851, are given as follows: First flour, 2001bs, £2 6s. Bread, 41b loaf, Is. Beef, 6d to 6<d lb. Mutton and pork, 6d to lb. Fresh butter, Is (>d. Salt butter, Is 3c!i to Is 4d. Ground coffee, Is 4d.

Tea, Is Bd. Raw Sugar, 3Jd to 4d Loaf Sugar, 7Ad to 8d

Candles, Bd. Cheese, Ik. Milk, 3d to 4d quartNew Potatoes, (is to 6s 6d per cwt. Firewood, 10s to 12s cordi. It will thus be seen that while some lines are sold at much the same prices to-day, flour, beef, tea, candles, milk, and firewood are much dearer than was the case 71 years ago. In 1851 the ' Witness was published once evorv Fortnight.—'Courier.'