FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 23378, 22 September 1939, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ‘STAR’ FILES OTAGO’S FIRST,POET. DEATH OF ME JOHN BARR. At the ripe age of fourscore year*, another of the old celebrities of Otago has closed his earthly career, Mr John Barr, of Craigielea, was-a native of Paisley, being born there in 1809. Receiving a practical knowledge in his trade as an engineer, he hudt up an important connection as a ship bunder, several' high-class steamers being turned out from his yard. He landed at Dunedin in 1852, and for a while occupied “Craigielea,” at Halfway Bush. His claim for special notice is that he was the first inhabitant of this province, who claimed and obtained, in his day, the rank and status of a poet. #’ * # ’ * CRICKET CLUB’S OFFICERS. Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Grange Cricket Club were:—President, Mr R. G. Stone; vice-presidents —Messrs E. Coxhead, W; Findlay, W. H. Smith, Alfred George, J. Munden, and.J. Jagoj captain, Mr W. Parker; deputy-captain and. treasurer, Mr G.: Restieaux; secretary, Mr E. Currie; selector, Mr A. Muir; committee, Messrs J. Baker, G. Restieaux, and Albert Turnbull. . . , * * * • FROZEN MEAT SHIPMENTS. Arrangements are being made for great extensions of tonnage of, frozen, meat equal to all the demands for next year. Some weeks ago those controlling shipping interests in New Zealand represented that ‘six new cargo, ships would be needed to meet the requirements of the trade of New Zealand next season. * * # • • GERMANS IN AFRICA. Prince Bismarck, replying to : the South-west Africa Company’s request for imperial protection, said it was not part of Germany’s colonial policy to - introduce State institutions among civilised races. * * » * AMATEUR ATHLETIC OFFICIALS: Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, were -.—President, Dr Brown; vicepresidents—Mr R. E. Ni Twopenny, Major Goring, Dr Roberts, and Mr G« L. Denniston; treasurer, Mr A, G. Melville; committee—Messrs Bum, Chapman, Ness, Hooper, and Kerr, ♦ • « » RUGBY REPRESENTATIVES. The Otago team which defeated Canterbury by 9 points to 1 was:—Fullback, Thomas (Union)three-quarter-backs, Lynch (Dunedin), • Lang (Pirates)., and Owen (High School) : half-hacks, Cran (High School) and Restieaux (Alhambra); forwards—Duncan (Kaikorai), Esquilant (ZingariRichmond), Isaacs (Montecillo),.Mont-, gomery (High School), A. W. Morri* (Pirates), Rallingshaw (Zingari-Rich-mond), Sonntag (Dunedin), Tattersall (Union), and D. Torrance (captain, Kaikorai). • * * '♦ : EXHIBITION NOTES. The Southland section at the'forthcoming Dunedin Exhibition should prove interesting. Classes include geological and mineralogical collections, glassware, pottery, household furniture, brushware, hardware, carriages, scientific apparatus, works of art, wines, beer, animal . food, agricultural _ products, and numerous other exhibits. West Coast exhibits will include samples of various ores, including copper and silver, coal,.timber, and lithographic stones. There will be a fine collection of the last-named, along with specimens of work done in London: while a wonderful piece of work will be a hearthrug made from raw wool, and which in design and - appearance resembles a Brussels carpet. Exhibit* of ore and timber will be received from Jackson (Bay.