EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26641, 11 December 1947, Page 6

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©taoo 2)aih> TKmes DUNEDIN, DECEMBER 11, 1862. “We notice by an advertisement in another column that the bakers of Dunedin have raised the price to lOd the 41b loaf.” “In the Government Gazette is published an agreement by which Alex. Begg and Chas. Diehl undertake to eradicate thistles from certain defined portions of the district of Otepopo and Oamaru, and to keep them under for two years for a sum of £825, payable by instalments.” Advice from the Arrow and Shotover Rivers states that provisions are in very great demand and very scarce. Flour, 3s per lb; sugar, 3s to 3s 6d; tea, 7s to 7s 6d; meat, Is 4d to Is 6d; with the consumption far exceeding the supply. There is no doubt but that all provisions will be sent via the south end of Lake Wakatipu, this road being nearer from Invercargill and better than via Dunstan and Dunedin. Mr Walsh, gold broker, reports from the Dunstan that “during the past week gold has again been offered freely and I have bought several large parcels. New places are still opening, one of the latest being Hill Sinking, about four miles from Fox's gully. The working is from 15ft to 20ft and the gold I have bought from this locality is of a very heavy, and waterworn nature. Bank price is £3 12s 6d per ounce.” “JVlilton Brewery, Tokomairiro. A. D. Duncan begs to inform hotel keepers, farmers and others of Tokomairiro, Woolshed, and surrounding « diggings that he has opened the above brewery, where they can rely upon getting the best ale at reasonable prices.” During, the discussion in the Otago Provincial Council on the Licensed Auctioneers' Bill, Mr Hardy said he was glad to hear that the morals of Dunedin had so improved that it was no longer necessary to give champagne in order to get good biddings. But the drink plan was common enough in the country, and it was generally supposed that £lO spent in drink came back with £lO more in the shape of high bids.