LOOKING BACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9793, 8 February 1923, Page 2

LOOKING BACK

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO.

(From "Guardian," Feb. 8, 1898.) Miss Minnie Morton, of Oamaru, has been appointed to the charge oi the Jttangitata island School. We ("North Otago Times") have heard of one tanner in the Oamaru district who had 150 acres in crop, and by a curious coincidence he had. 150 stooks—onestook to the acre. The size of the stooks is not given, but we presume they were not made abnormally large, in order to give the coincidence existence.

The fourth monthly exhibition in connection with .the Mount Somers Horticultural Society was held in the schoolroom on Friday afternoon. There was a very large attendance of visitors. The following were the chief prize-winners :—Gladioli, Itev. H. Purchas 1, Mr Christcnseh 2. Mrs Beckley's exhibit had the best bloom but wanted variety. Sweetpeas.— Miss C. Peach 1, Miss Peter 2. Best general collection—The prize for this has to be gained by winning the greatest number of points throughout tne year. So far Miss Peter has the greatest number of points. Show bouquet—Miss Herring. This exhibit was very tastefully arranged, and won the admiration of all present. Bouquet for children—Miss H. Bockley. Vegetables—(collection) Mrs Timson 1. This was a splendid collection and of good growth. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening. Present The Mayor (Mr Chas. lieid) presiding, and Crs. Sealy, Paul, Hanmer, Baker, Davis, and Collins. The Mayor reported that the debit balance at the bank was £1641 Is 2d, and the income since last meeting £l4 17s 6d. Mr Alfred Harrison wrote complaining of the inadequate supply of water for fire prevention purposes near the Hospital. The chief engineer explained that there was plenty of water, but the notice to the ranger was only given after a fairly effectual attempt to deal with the fire had been made by beating it out. It was decided to write to Mr Harrison in terms of the engineer's explanation. The report from the conference of bodies interested, who had adopted Thursday in each week as the halfholiday under the Act, was adopted.