LOOKING BACK

Western Star, 6 April 1934, Page 2

LOOKING BACK

APRIL, 1883. (From the files the Star ). A meeting of tell Riverton Shipping Company was held on Monday to consider altering the specifications of the Western Star «which was being built byMr J. Beer. The Underwriters’ Association insisted that the deck be laid down in kauri, which would cost 24s per 100 ft as compared with red pine Costing 6s per 100 ft. About 6,000 feet would be required for the deck. The contractor stated that the anchors, cables and gear had been ordered from Home. Seven men were employed on the hull, and sails and rigging were being made. As the Orepuki railway is now nearing completion the residents are determined to keep pace with the- times. A bra-ss band is already in existence, and the next move is to resuscitate the old volunteer corps which resigned some years ago on account of the isolation of the place. The work of boring for coal and shale is being carried out by Mr McAllister.

The Wallace County Jockey Club held its race meeting on Mr Mills’ paddock on the highlands on Monday. Following were the results: Handicap Hurdle Race—Cathedral 1, Bobby 2. Maiden Plate—Cathedral 1, Play Boy 2, Glencoe 3. Wallace County CupFidget 1, Warwick 2. Walking Race— Charley 1. Distance Handicap—Fidget 1, Sam 2, Cathedral 3. Hack Selling Race—Sam 1, Little Fraud 2. Consolation Race —Glencoe 1, Little Fraud 2, Bob 3. Hospital Race—Paddy 1, Daybreak 2, Rangatira 3. About £6 was collected on the ground for this race.

Tho Waimea Plains Railway Company held its annual meeting yesterday. It has a large debit balance owing to tho large amount of interest being paid on borrowed capital. It was decided to levy a rate of 3s 4d through the district concerned, in terms of the District- Railways Act, for the year ending March 1883. As another year is nearly. up the rate will actually amount to 6s £d

Anxiety is being felt in Cairo regarding the safety of General Gordon. Severe fighting has taken place between tire British troops and the Arabs under Osman Digna. The latter has been defeated and has taken to the hills with his followers. A reward of £IOOO is offered for his capture. Mr Nicholas, the new teacher of the Native school at Colac Bay has entered upon his duties. The following letter has been forwarded by a correspondent in respect to the name Colac. The grandfather of a now ten years dead Hoani Kolac—John Kolac—at one time lived at Colac, and it by some means got dubbed with his name. The Kolacs were well liked at Otakou and the blooming widow (now past the allotted span) has had the nerve once more to enter into holy bonds. This district has in its time been able to boast of some odd specimens. One old Maori named Portagee was a team in himself. Being on several occasions brought up for getting tight, the local magistrate by way of putting a stopper on his frequent appearance in the box said he would fine him a pound. Portagee said it was too much and considered five bob was enough and that was all he would give. Thfs same old genius happened to force his way into the presence of tlio Duke pf Edinburgh on board a gunboat when lying at Port Chalmers. Portagee was asked by the Duke to take a. glass of wine. Wine be _d —d said’he. Give me a big whisky. The dusky \ i itor got his waipera and was handed ou to the wharf.

Donald Dinnie, the Scottish athlete, left this colony for Sydney on Friday last. After fulfilling certain engagements in New' South Wales and Victoria ho will return to Christchurch where his match with Robertson for £SO a-sido will probably take place.