THE WEEK IN HISTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8361, 22 February 1913, Page 9

THE WEEK IN HISTORY

.... Brief note is here Of things largo-writ (and oft-times red) In Man’s storied progress through the Ages. February 22 George Washington born, 1732. Bank of Australasia established,. 1820. Second French Revolution began, 1848. ' Maoris defeated at Rangiaohia, 1864. Sir George Bowen. cx-Governor of New Zealand, died, 1899. February 23 Martinique captured by Britain, 1809. John Keats, poet, died, 1821. Order of the Star of India established, 1861. February 24 Handel bom, 1685. Last British troops left New Zealand, 1872. February 25 Sir Christopher .Wren died, 1723. February 26 Loss qf the troopship Birkenhead, with 454 lives, 1852. Imperial Government relinquishes control over administration of native affairs in New Zealand, 1863. Great fire in Wellington, 1887. Centennial celebrations in Sydney. 1,888. February 27 British force defeated by Boers act Majuba Hill, General Colley ■ killed, 1881. Transvaal Convention signed. 1884. Battle of Paardaborg, Cronje surrenders, 1900. February 28— First Supreme Court opened in Auckland, 1842. Southland, separated from Otago, 1861. Belief of Ladysmith, 1900. FIFTY YEABSAGO. (From idle “Wellington Independent,**) A , “Gazette” proclamation fixes “Monday next, March 2nd, as the day on which the toll gate at Kw' Warra Warra will be opened.” Bain has fallen in Hawke’s Bay, breaking np 'a long-continued dry spell which was causing much anxiety to settlers. It is anticipated that the value of wool exported from Hawke’s Bay for the season will be £60,000. There are also 25,000 wethers in the district fit for the knife. Marlborough Provincial Council has been dissolved, and elections are in progress. In Otago, heavy yields of gold at the Arrow River and other diggings have stimulated further rushes. This has been especially the case with men from Melbourne, whence in one week . alone 2000 steerage passengers left for. , the new El Dorado. The gold escort is expected to bring 28,000 ounces to Dunedin for the current fortnight. Heavy rains have caused some of the rivers to rise, swamping claims and resulting in some fatalities. First accounts are received of an exploring expedition to the interior of Otago, under the guidance of Dr Heo= tor. Two hundred miles of country, much of it suited for settlement, had been traversed when the party was last heard of, and gold had also been struck at a new point. The prospectus of the New Zealand Trust and Loan Company, capital £500,000 in shares of £23, has just been issued in London. Latest European and Foreign News. —Distress in Lancashire cotton factory districts has reached its maximum; loss of wages _ amounts to £600,000 weekly. Subscriptions continue to come in from all quarters. New York is sending 200,(XX) dollars and a shipload of provisions. At a public meeting in 'Manchester £I3O,OCX) is collected in one hour for the relief funds. A conference of Rochdale co-operative delegates is considering a plan to form a company to cultivate cotton in Queensland. A Royal Commission has been set up to inquire into the operation of the laws relating to transportation and penal servitude. News is received of the battle of Fredericksburg in the American civil war, in which the Confederates gain a victory, the Federal troops retiring with a loss of 20,000 men. The French expedition in Mexico cost the countiy £3,500,000 in 1862. It is stated that the Mexicans are now favourable to French intervention. The Prussian press is being severely penalised for comments on political matters. Greece is searching for a king; the Hellenic Crown has been offered to several Royal personages, including the English Prince Alfred, but in each case it has been respectfully declined. SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN. The great dome of St. Paul’s Catho* dial, surmounted by its lantern with ball and cross, has been well described as the Crown of London. The fire which swept the great city in 1666 brought ruin and death to many; but to Christopher Wren, the gifted architect, it gave a great opportunity and everlasting fame. He was responsible jor about fifty better churches in London after the lire, besides other buildings, but it was his majestic andnoble conception for the new Cathedral that placed him on ttie topmost pinnacle of renown as an artist in building. Born in Wiltshire in 1632, Wren was over ninety when he died. He was forty-three years of age when she work of rebuilding St. Paul’s began, and seventy-eight when it was completed. As architect of St. Paul’s W’ren received a salary of £2OO a year. The cost of the building from first to last amounted to more than £1,000,000. Wren wished to rebuild London, after the great fire, according so' his plans, but although this ambition was not favoured by the governing authorities his influence made itself felt, evidence of which may to-day be discovered throughout the city and beyond. The Monument, Chelsea Hospital, and Greenwich Observatory are among Sir Christopher. Wren’s other notable works. He died in 1723, and was buried in the Cathedral his genius had created. His resting place is marked by the appropriate inscription “Si monumentum roquiris circumspice’’