FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18170, 7 November 1930, Page 3

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

NEWSPAPER SNIPPINGS. “NATIVES MISS A SPREE.” (By Pollux.)! 0 Tempora; 0 Mores; Glancing over the flies of the Waikato Times of half a century ago I came across the following items which should prove of interest to 1930 readers. The Auckland express, leaving Auckland at 4 p.m., arrives at Hamilton at 1.55 next morning, according to a railway timetable. The New Zealand Houses of Parliament were illuminated by the electric light for the 'first time, on Tuesday evening. The influential Tauwhare chief, Te Raihi, is still lying dangerously ill at Tamahere and the natives for the most part are looking forward to his death. A few of them, anticipating the even!, had come to Cambridge to see after some £9O due their departing brother, in order that they might secure the money to have a good tangi over his remains. From present appearances, however, they are very likely to be deprived of their spree. On Saturday evening a promenade concert took place in the Lobby (writes the Parliamentary correspondent) and it was kept up until an early hour on Sunday morning. That strict Sab-

batarian, Mr Jas Maoandrew, is up In arms and is denouncing the whole affair as an Invasion of Parliamentary privilege. I can only add that it was a very gay assemblage and a highly enjoyable evening. If such rigid Presbyterians as Mr Maoandrew would lay themselves a little more open to the divine influences of music, their Sabbath services would be a trifle more acceptable to the world than they are. A somewhat unusual, we might say unpleasant sight was witnessed outside a hotel in Duke Street, Cambridge, on Thursday last. A number of natives were carrying the dead body of the native Hoani Paheha, who was drowned at Taupo about 10 days ago and who was picked up in the Waikato River on Thursday morning. When reaching the hotel they lowered their burden to the ground and walked inside to refresh the inner man, leaving the remains of the unfortunate man while they did so. It is reported that the Prince of Wales expressed a desire to have Henry Irving knighted at the Irving banquet on July 4. The Queen is disposed to refuse, as the honour has never been bestowed upon an actor; The Channel tunnel scheme is emerging from its long slumber. A grfeat mapority of scientific engineers who have given testimony befor.* a committee of investigation favours it and opposes the opinions of military authorities.

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