THE WEEK IN HISTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 9

THE WEEK IN HISTORY

.... Brief note is here Of things large-writ (and oft-timeo redj In Man’s storied, progress through the Ages. February 1— Province of Nelson founded, 1842. Anti-Transportation League of Australia formed, 1851, Commander Matthew F. Maury, American bydrographer, died, 1873. Fortnightly mail, England to Australia, established, 1880. February 2 Kawhia Harbour opened to trade, 1883. Funeral of Queen Victoria, 1901. King Carlos I. of Portugal and Crown Luiz assassinated, 1908. February 3 Sir John Franklin’s remains discovered, 1859, Marshall Canrobert, Preiuch commander in the Crimea, died, 1895. February 4—John Rogers, Protestant clergyman, burned at Smithflold, 1555. George Herbert, English poet, died, 1633. Harrison Ainsworth, novelist, born, 1805. Coomassie, Ashanteo, captured by Lord Wolseley, 1874. Mendeleef, distinguished chemist, died, 1907. February 5 First book printer in Hebrew, 1475. Sir Robert Peel born, 1788. Guadeloupe, West Indies captured, 1810. Treaty of Waitangi signed 1840. Sir George Grey’s second terms os • Governor of New Zealand ends; Sir Georgo Bowen arrives, . 1868. Thomas Carlyle died, IS3L Tohu, Maori prophet, died at Paribaka, 1907. February 6 Great flood in Brisbane; Victoria Bridge destroyed, 1898. Spanish-American peace treaty ratified, 1899. February 7 Charles Dickens born, 1812. Oudh, North India,' annexed t» British territories, 1856. H.M.S. Orpheus wrecked on Manukau bar, 187 lives lost, 1863. Pope Pins IX. died. 1878. Russia and Japan break off negotiations, 1904. FIFTY TEARS AGO. (From the “ Wellington Independent.”) Government 1 ‘ Gazette ” notices include proclamation of certain 11 five shilling., lauds ” in the Warekaka and Turanganui blocks to be put up to auction, and of the Fencing Act bo brought into operation in the Turakina district. The Masterton Highway Board is gazetted. Attention is called to the urgent need of an enclosed piece of sea water for the convenience of the bathing public. A gang of prisoners has been set to work draining Te Aro swamp preparatory to putting'it in order lor the purposes of a park and cricket ground. The appearance of an English Opera Company in the Oddfellows’ Hall is recorded, among the members being Madame Garandini, the singer. The final sentence of the notice may recall memories to some of our readers. It runs: ” It is to be regretted that ifidies visiting the hall should be annoyed by the whistling and stamping of boys in the back seats, and it is still more annoying that one of the performers should have to appear and chastise them for it.” Bush fires are doing a good deal of damage in the Wairarapa district./” Marlborough Provincial Council is dissolved owing to a deadlock between parties. An important gold find is reported from the Buller, a 30oz nugget being included in the large quantity p£ the metal secured. Taranaki and Wanganui news ismostly of purely local interest, with an uneasy note as to the probable outcome of discontent among the Maoris. A deputation of Waikato natives that visited New Plymouth boasted that Sir Georgo Grey dare not send a steamer up the Waikato river, and state that if white people occupy Tataraimaka the Maoris will attack Waitara. Prices of stock are high. At Dunedin fat cattle are quoted at £lB 10» to £2O 10s for light weights of good quality, or 65s to 70s per 1001 b for bestquality, and 50s to 55s for second. Latest American news chronicles the progress of the Civil War, in which neither Federals nor Confederates appear to he gaining any notable advantage. Mention is made of the havoo wrought by the privateer Alabama, which had so far captured twenty-two trading vessels, of which nineteen went reported to have been destroyed. THE OEPHEUS TRAGEDY. Friday next marks the fiftieth anni* versary of the most disastrous wreck recorded in the annals ol New Zealand shipping. On February 7 th, 1863, H.M.S.S. Orpheus arrived at the Manukau bar from Sydney with stores. A. W.S.W. wind was blowing, with a terrific sea, and the warship got into difficulties on the bar. The trader Wonga Wonga, Captain Benner, had just left Ouehunga for Wellington, and on seeing the Orpheus in trouble Captain Renner returned to the pilot station, where be found two of the warship’s boats. The pilot boarded the Wonga Wonga, took the boats in tow, and steamed as near to the Orpheus aa possible. The sea was now breaking clean over the warship, which was, aground on file south spit and labouring heavily. The boats were nulled close under the warship’s jibboom, and tlie wrecked men jumped into the boiling surf, from which as many as possible were picked up. The second lieutenant of the Orpheus and his men ic the two boats made superhuman efforts far into the black storm-thrashed night to rescue their •minmates, hut wS-u morning dawned jr, was fou:d that cut of a company or 354 187 had perish' a, including Commodore Barnett.