EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26619, 15 November 1947, Page 6

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago 2)atl\> Uimes DUNEDIN, NOVEMBER 15, 1862 In a leading article on the Maori situation, the Daily Times says: “ Every day of delay in recognising and boldly meeting the difficulty strengthens the antagonism of the Maoris. While Sir George Grey is visiting and talking amongst them they are consolidating their alliances and organising thenplan of action. Old feuds are by the influence of a national movement being healed, or set aside, and everything tends to the belief that, when the struggle does come, for come it will, and that sooner than many suppose, the rebellious Maoris will be found, well prepared.” “A fine young man named James Merns, alias McDougall, on his way to the diggings has,” says the Daily Times, “ met his death from partaking of the tutu plant. He and his mates were camping near Wetherstones, where he took some grass in his mouth and ate, some of the poisonous plant or berry. He soon complained of illness, and was conveyed to the hospital, where he died next day.” The Daily Times gives particulars of the plan adopted by the Launceston Municipal Council to provide relief work for unemployed. Men are, offered 3s per cubic yard for- stonebreaking, but no individual could receive more than 3s for the work of any one "day. Any man who had broken more than 3s' worth in the one day was allowed to carry the surplus forward to his credit in the following week. It was also stated that women were employed in stone breaking in Hobart and were earning 2s per day. H.M.S. Fawn has been paying a visit to Hobart town, and while there Captain Cator advertised for 20 boys between the ages of 15 and 18, and it was almost absurd (says the Launceston Examiner) to see the readiness with which apparently all the boys in the town became candidates fou naval glory. Had Captain Cator advertised for 150 instead of 20 he couid quite easily have obtained them. . : . One of the conditions of engagement was that every candidate should bring his parents’ or guardian’s consent. This, as might have been expected, was the cause of several forgeries.

The Daily Times in a lengthy article deals in a trenchant manner with Dr Yates, resident surgeon of the hospital. A Daily Times reporter had called at the hospital to obtain particulars about the death f of a patient who had been crushed by a fall of earth while working in the Octagon, and, says the paper, he was received in a most discourteous manner and referred to the impending sitting of the coroner’s court for any information he might desire. “ Such a display of temper on an unoffending reporter speaks for itself and naturally leads one to think of the poor patients exposed to the practically irresponsible control of its possessor. . . . Scarcely a medical man in the town ventures within its walls. . . . One thifig is certain. Whilst its portals are guarded by its present surly Cerberus neither medical men, the public, nor the press are likely to visit it, unless absolutely compelled to do so.”

“At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Mr E. B. Cargill drew attention to the fact that the province was likely to suffer in the estimation of people in England from the gold being shipped to Melbourne instead of to England direct. ’ It was pointed out by Mr James Rattray that there was not often a chance of shipment direct, but still Mr Cargill’s idea might,” says the Daily Times, “'be practically carried out if the banks in Dunedin would consent to ship to England via Melbourne. In this connection Mr Moss pointed out the want of an agent to represent the province in London.”

“The Fancy Bazaar.—To the Editor of the Daily Times. Sir,—l beg leave to enclose a cheque for £lO 16s 9d. being the voluntary contributions of the officials and workmen employed on the Bell Hill and other works. They wish the amount to be handed over to the Rev. Mr Edwards, to be applied to the purposes of the bazaar in aid of the building fund of the English Episcopal Church. I may add that the small amounts paid by the workmen iqpy be attributed to their very limited means. They have unanimously expressed their regret that they could not give more to so laudable an object.” The letter is signed by Henry Stratford. Bell Hill works. The Daily Times publishes the names of the lengthy list of subscribers.

“ Notice is hereby given that Messrs Jones. Smith, and Sutherland are about, canvassing for the purpose of having a complete directory for the town of Dunedin, the same to be ready for printing in 14 days from date.”