100 Years Ago

A hair-raising trip from the Hermitage to Christchurch was experienced recently by an Australian visitor, Mr Fritz Kurkshalss. The following are some extracts from his account.

After remaining dormant for some years the west coast of Stewart Island is again waking into activity.

A Reunion, under the auspices of the Waikouaiti Early Settlers' Association, was held at Waikouaiti yesterday in celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the foundation of the settlement.

The announcement that there will be at least two women candidates for election as members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the Otago district will, we believe, be regarded with a considerable amount of satisfaction

By being paid at the rate of 9d per yard, temporary labourers in the employ of the Taieri Drainage Board were able to make 9s per day.

Some particulars of the Government's proposals in connection with the irrigation of Central Otago and a small portion of North Otago are given in the Wellington Post.

• A large shoal of fish, principally red cod, followed or preceded the s.s.Tarawera into the graving dock at Port Chalmers yesterday morning, and when the entrance gates were closed the imprisoned fish attracted some attention as they swam round and round the confined area seeking for a way of escape.

A fire occurred on Bald Hill Flat on Wednesday night, by which the Cape Broom Hotel, owned by Mr John Dowdall, was burnt to the ground.

No observant person can have any reasonable doubt that there exists a good deal of justification for such a resolution as that passed by the Methodist Conference with reference to the prevalence of gambling and betting in New Zealand.

The general question of Sabbath desecration (involving picnicking, camping, boating, weekend excursions, Besses o' th' Barn Band concerts etc) came before the New Zealand Methodist Conference yesterday, and with practically no discussion the following resolution was carried: - "The Conference deplores the general laxity of the public in relation to the observance of the Sabbath.