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Contributions to the Early History of New Zealand

1850

1850.

January.

19.—The schooner Amazon, 130 tons, Capt. Howell, advertised to sail for California, the "Land of Gold," if 30 passengers can be found at £20 each.

Fatal boat accident to man named Stewart, of Otago. He was proceeding in a boat with two others to Port Chalmers, when some words arose between Stewart and another, and a scuffle ensued, and both parties fell into deep water. The accident was seen from the Port, and pilot boat saved one. The boat was the same as that by which Mr. Watson and the others had been drowned.

February.

23.—Prospectus of Dunedin Property Investment Company. Objects: To enable its members to become the possessors of heritable property, and to secure a profitable return for the investment of money. Shares, £5 each. Fortnightly payment, 1s. Entry money, 2s. 6d. Rate of interest charged on advances, 5 per cent. Interim Committee: Thos. Bain, John Hill, Wm. Young.

First fire—Monson's house, Water of Leith.

March.

2.—Advertisement notifying that "Tee-total" society is being formed in Dunedin.

16.—Publication of proclamation by Lieut.-Governor Eyre declaring Dunedin and Port Chalmers to be towns.

26.—Arrived, ship Lady Nugent, 668 tons, Parsons, from London, with emigrants.

Second anniversary fête. Races on rising ground near Halfwny Bush. Regatta on 27th, at Port Chalmers.

April.

6.—Leader in News detailing progress of settlement. The population on April 1 was: Married—Males, 212; do. females, 197. Single—Males, 458; do. females, 315. Total, 1,182. Arrived, per Lady Nugent, 38. Grand total, 1,220. Consisting of Church of Scotland, 423; Church of England, 306; Free Church, 302; other Dissenters, 111; Methodists, 15; Catholics, 13; Jews, 2; no page 301sect, 10. Total, 1,182. Buildings—Stone, 5; brick, 5; weatherboard, 83; poles or logs, 14; grass and poles, 10; clay, &c., 85. Total, 202. Cultivation — Potatoes, 92½ acres; garden ground, 49; oats, 27¾; wheat, 20¾; grass, 19½; barley, 10¼. Total, 219¾ acres. Total fenced in, 316¾ acres. Live stock— Cattle, 921; sheep, 3108; pigs, 732: goats, 169; horses, 45. Prices current—Flour, £20; bread, 9d.; beef, 6½d.; mutton, 6d. to 6½d.; pork, 6½d.; butter, is. 9d.; potatoes, £3 10s. to £4 10s.; sugar, 4d. to 6d.; milk, 4d. quart; coffee, 1s. 6d.; tea, 2s. 6d.; tobacco, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.; firewood, 9s., 10s., and 10s. 6d. per cord; coal not yet in the market; candles—mould, 8d.; lime, composed of burnt shells, 2s. per bushel. Wages—Daily labourers, 3s. to 3s. 6d. per day; shepherds, £30 to £40 per year with rations; agricultural labourers, £25 to £30 per year with rations; domestic servants, £8 to £18 per year; carpenters, 5s. to 6s. 6d. per day; masons, 5s. to 7s. per day; wood cutters, 4s. 6d. to 5s. per cord; sawyers, 12s. to 14s. per 100 ft.; shingle splitters, 9s. to 10s. per 1000.

May.

11.—News complains that surplus from six quarters' revenue, £920 19s. 6d., is not spent, but lies in strong-box of Customs office.

First flour and saw mill started (Valpy's), at Water of Leith.

June.

4.—H.M.S. Acheron returned, having completed survey of South Coast.

5.—Testimonial of purse of 80 sovs. presented to Mr. H. B. Graham at a public meeting (Mr. George Lloyd in the chair and Mr. Popplewell vice), in order that he might be induced to reconsider his determination to discontinue publication of the News, and try it for another year.

12.—Public meeting in school-house to protest against sub-treasurer sending the accrued surplus (£900) to Wellington. Committee formed to prepare memorial to Lieut.-Governor on subject.

July.

13. — Publication of letter from Alfred Domett, Colonial Secretary, stating that surplus would be returned, haviug been taken merely for safe keeping, also that in future notes of Provincial Bank of issue would be exchanged for specie.

Lock-up proclaimed a public gaol.

Messrs. Alex. Todd, Henry Oatts, Robert Williams, William Purdie appointed magistrates.

16.—Mr. A. C. Strode appointed R.M. and Sub-Treasurer.

Judge of Supreme Court appointed for Otago (Judge Stephen).

August.

6.—Arrived, ship Mariner, 687 tons, Harland, from London direct, with 171 cabin and steerage passengers, of whom beween 40 and 50 were for Otago.

September.

4.—Arrived, Poictiers, barque, Beal, from London, via Taranaki and Wellington.

October.

24.—Arrived, Phœbe Dunbar, 704 tons, Michie, from London direct.

30.—News publication changed to every tenth day, to enable proprietor's health to hold out till end of quarter.

November.

17.—Arrived, H.M.S. Fly, with Governor-in-Chief (Grey) on board, en route for Auckland Islands.

25. — Dr. Robert Williams appointed Coroner for Otago.

30.—Tenders called by Mr. A. C. Strode, Resident Magistrate, for extending jetty, also for erecting public hospital.

December.

3.—Public meeting (Captain Cargill in the chair) decided not to ask Government for Provincial Institutions.

Opening of Oddfellows' Hall in Princes Street, and second anniversary banquet of Hand and Heart Lodge.

11. — Publication of text of Provincial Councils Bill, sent by Governor "for any observation which the settlers might wish to make thereon."

20.—Subscription started to erect building for Church of England.

21.—Last issue of Otago News, and farewell leader by editor.