EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26640, 10 December 1947, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago DUNEDIN, DECEMBER 10, 1862. It was stated in the charge brought against Peter Sherry of being illegally at large from Tasmania that if ha were to return to that colony he would get six months for going back. Jt appeared that the accused had been in Van Diemen’s Land and had ' been sent out, of Tasmania. The accused was further remanded for a week. “Lignite for fuel is abundant at Tuapeka and as it is found near the surface is in great request. At Wetherstones and near the Junction township, at the foot of Gabriel’s Gully, some large and valuable deposits hav« been discovered.” >■

The critic of the Daily Times takes strong exception to the singing of the well-known vocalist of that day, Madame Carandini of “ Cornin’ thro* the Rye ” at a Scottish concert at the Theatre Royal. Says the Daily Times: “ We would recommend her when next she gives such a song as ‘ Cornin’ thro’ the Rye ’ to sing nothing but the simple melody and a better impression on the audience will be the result. In such compositions unnatural shakes and trills are not merely in dubious taste—they are positively, offensive to the Scottish ear.”

The correspondent of the Daily Times at the Nokomai diggings reports that in consequence of the recent rushes the Nokomai is almost de r serted and only about 50 miners are left in Victoria Gully. On Mr Ree's run there is a mining population of about 1200, working on the Arrow; River and the Shotover. ‘ ,