LOOKING BACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10163, 18 July 1924, Page 6

LOOKING BACK

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From "Guardian," July 18, 1899.) Local Sales at Addington.—At Addington on Wednesday the following sales of Ashburton County sheep were •made:—-For J. Stringfeilow (Chertsey), 116 wethers at 16s 7d to 19s; executors late D. Henderson (Methven), 57 wethers at 18s 9d; Leitch (Rangitata), 103 wethers at 17s 6d; W. Harrison (iiakaia), 60 half-bred wethers at 17s dd, merino wethers at ,17s; Chatmoss Estate, 156 wethers at 17s; F. de C. Malet (Valetta), 60 ewes at 15s lid to 16s 3d; D. Morrow (Montalto), 64 wethers and ewes at 16s, 31 merino wethers at 14s 6d; G. Clephane (Waipara), 115 wethers at 16s to 16s sd; it. Clephane, 57 wethers at 16s; Lagmhor Estate, 186 at 14s 6d to 15s lid • P. R Baker (Methven), 60 at 15s lOd. Literary Society.—The usual weekly meeting of the Catholic Club was presided over by Mr L. Hanrahan. -The schoolroom was crowded with members 'and their friends to witness the first appearance- of the society's Dramatic Club. The room presented quite a theatrical appearance, the stage, proceniurn, wings, and scenery (which is dl the work of the Dramatic Club) being very attractive. The stage-mana-ger, Mr W. Bowden, certainly deserved the round of applause he received, for the efficient manner in which he has trained his pupils. Ashburton Trotting Club.—A Press Association wire to-day advises that the Hon. Mr Garell has agreed to give the Ashburton Trotting Club an extra permit. Alarming Vital Statistics.—A telegrom from Dunedin says that the subject of a continuous decline in the school attendance was discussed at the Education Board meeting to-day. Several teachers wrote that there was no prospect of an increase for some years ; to come at Cast, as there were no young children in their districts, and country registrars reported that very few births were being registered. The chairman (Dr. Brown) said it was alarming to study the vital statistics of the colony. The chairman and -Mr Gallaway 'were appointed a ommittece to make enquiries. Three months' notice was ordered to be sent to one teacher in each of 12 schools, dispens- i ing with their services, the schools being over-staffed. The attendance had been down for two quarters. Notice was sent to seven other schools in which the attendance has been down for one quarter, that if it has not im- ) proved by September 30, assistant teachers would be withdrawn.