THE WEEK IN HISTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 9

THE WEEK IN HISTORY

.... Brief note is hero Of things large-writ (and oft-times rotO In Man's storied progress through the igee. February 15 — John Hadley, English mathematician, inventor of the sextant (1730), died, 1743. Cardinal Wiseman died, 1865. Resignation of Dr. Pollen’s Ministry in New Zealand; reconstructed under Sir Julius Vogel, 1876. First shipment of New Zealand frozen meat to London leaves Port Chalmers, 1882. U.S. cruiser Maine blown up at Havana, 1898. Kimberley relieved, 1900. February 16— Lindley Murray, English gram* marian, died, 1826. First wool ship left Queensland for London, 1851. February 17— English celebration of 400th ism* versary of Oaxton’a invention of printing, 1877. February 18— Martin Luther died, 1546. First school opened in Australia, at Sydney, 1793. , Port Phillip entered and examined by Murray, 1801. Completion of New South WalesNew Zealand cable, 1876. Benin City captured, 1879. Durham mine disaster, 150 Uvea lost, 1909. • Capture of Trinidad by British, 1797. ' - « February 19— New Parliament Houses, Westminster. opened, 1835. Adelina Patti born, 1843. First Intercolonial , Exhibition opened at Melbourne, 1879. To Whiti and Tohu, Parihakn Maori leaders, released, 1883. February 20— - Defeat of Dutch Armada in English Channel by Blake, 1653. Waitara survey obstructed by Maoris; second New Zealand war begins, 1860. February 21— Bank of England suspended payment, 1799. Hobart founded, 1804. End of first Maori war; peace ratified at Wanganui, 1848. Battle of Gnjerat; British under Gough defeated Sikhs, 1849. Explosion in Kaitangatu coal mine; many lives lost, 1879. FIFTY YE4R9 AGO. (From the "Wellington Independent.”) Wellington Prices Current* —flutter, Is 6d per lb; bacon, lOd per lb: jlour. New Zealand, £l6 per ton; Adelaide, £l3 per ton; flour will likely rise. Sawn timber ia los per 100 feet. Political. —There is angling for the support of. Taranaki members of the New Zealand Parliament. “ Every party bids for support, and considering how evenly parties were balanced last session the little knot of three, re* presenting that province, were worth bidding spiritedly for. Of course, the spirited bidding took place with reference to what was to be done for Taranaki; for the place represented and not for the members themselves-—that ia always understood.” Reflections aroused by “ Gazette” notice announcing the appointment of two of the Taranaki members to public service v billets. „ , _ Tariff.—Several Chambers of Commerce are stirring to secure reform of the existing Customs tariff. Lyttelton and Wellington have expostulated and remonstrated with the Government, and now a voice comes from - Dunedin: “ It would tend to a much more satisfactory solution it the various Chambers of Commerce were to deliberate carefully on the question so that the Legislature might have the results of their inquiries laid before it, to be adopted m the new tariff.” Reference is made to the “ confusion, inconvenience, and annoyance of a system by which certain articles of indispensable use pay from 20 to 150 per bent, on their cost.” . . , A Maori Romance.—Greytown hat been convulsed through that which has in all ages set individuals, peoples,, and nations by the ears —" lovely woman.” A prominent Maori married, died, and left a widow, who quickly sought consolation by marrying again. The man of her choice, however, is of another tribe, and is disapproved of by her husband’s relatives, who are quite distinguished. The sovereign balm for this and many other urgencies has been sought and refused—and not only is no “ utu ” forthcoming, but madamo must needs tell the chief of her late spouse’s family a bit of her mind, and give him greater measure of tongue than is proper or agreeable. The chief is enraged, a korero is summoned, but no settlement is reached, and the outraged rangatira threatens violence if the salve money is not soon forthcoming. Ho thinks because he is a Queen’s man the Government will help him. _ The Maori King party talk of applying to the magistrate to strike the chief, who is an assessor, off the roll, and the quarrel promises matter for korero for 0 long time. TRINIDAD. Trinidad an island of the West Indies, discovered by Columbus in 1498, was taken from tue Spaniards by Sir Walter italeish in f£9d, and by the French from rile British in 1676. A squamon four t.nt.sh .warships, with a mi.itary force udaei -sir itaipn Abercromuy. Having ovtiini.ne tile defences the cn.adcl capitulated on February loth, 1797.