FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

From ‘ Star ’ Files. Commissioner Howard, of the Salvation Army, yesterday opened the new barracks at Christchurch, which have b#en erected at a cost of £2,500, and will accommodate close on 2,000 persons. The local division of the Army was strengthened by 400 officers and men from various parts of the colony. The proceedings passed off with eclat. ■•• * • The experiment of throwing the seats in the First Presbyterian Church open to allcomers on Sunday evenings was tried in Invercargill. The building was crammed to the doors, a great many strangers being present. The place was well ventilated, but the crush was so great that several persons, aifected by tho closeness of the atmosphere, had to retire. The minister (the Rev. J. Ferguson) expressed his gratification at the success of the innovation, and announced that if necessary he would give up his seat on the pulpit platform for visitors.

The Rugby match, New South Wales versus Wairarhpa, was played at Masterton, the visitors winmxig by 6 points to 5. '

• • ♦ • In the game New South Wales-Can-terbury, the latter team won by three tries to nil.

Otago won their match against blew South Wales by 23 points to 0. Scorer* for Otago were J, B. Thomson, Bee, Strong, and Morris. • * # ♦

Tho Invercargill tramways and plant have been purchased by an Invercargill and Christchurch syndicate. The price is understood to be £3,000.

A crowded of the Napier ratepayers, there being 1,300 people present, adopted resolutions in favour of tbe repeal of the by-law which prohibits Salvation Army processions in the borough.

The death is announced in Invercargill of Captain Elies, who was captain of the Philip Laing, the second vessel to be despatched to New Zealand in connection with the foundation of Otago in 1848. Captain Elles’s wife was the daughter of Dr Burns, the first Presbyterian minister in Otago. Cap- ' tain Elies was receiver of land revenue at Invercargill for a number of years.

Correspondents in the * Star ’ say that considerable dissatisfaction is expressed over the choice made by the Selection Committee for the fifteen to play New South Wales.

The death is announced in Dunedin of Mr I. N. Watt, 8.M., for many years sheriff, and lately coroner at Dunedin.

• An anonymous circular has been . issued in the Punjab urging the native tribes to rise in revolt and expel the English from India. • # * • In the year 1869 New Zealand spent £2,541,607 on strong drink, or £lO IQs per head of the population. In 1885 the expenditure on intoxicants was £2,289,514, or only £3 16s per head. This shows that the depression is being felt more heavily at the present time than it was 16 years ago. • • ft • The Ruapehu, from Plymouth via the Cape of Good Hope, berthed at Port Chalmers with 42 saloon, 59 second saloon, and 103 third class pasengers. The vessel had a rough passage out.