LOOKING BACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10670, 15 February 1926, Page 2

LOOKING BACK

i TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

(From the "Guardian," Feb. 15, 1901.) Fat Lambs.—A grand line of 1000 cross-bred fat lambs from Mr John Orr's estate at the Hinds was sold to a Chr'istchurch buyer yesterday at 16s. The lambs will bo delivered at the Fairfield Freezing Works on Saturday'. vVe understand that this is almost the highest price for a big line paid this season in the South Island. <A special train of 28 trucks, carrying 2100 lambs on account of Messrs Nieoli Bros, passed through Ashburton yesterday on its I way to Islington. 1940 were an exceptionally fine line, being the- first draft of the season from the Ruapuna farm of the late John Balfemtyne . A Fishy Yarn.—During the winter months tlie residents on the sea coast between the Ashburton and Rakaia rivers make porodical visits to the beach during the early hours of the morning m quest of frost fish and oecasionallly their efforts aire rewarded. Visits are also paid occasionally afte ; - severe south-westerly gales and several fair hauls have been made of stranded fish. A short time ago a farmer of Seaview and his sons following the usual custom after -a gale were surprised to find an immense fish stranded. After almost Herculean labours, the fish was brought to the summit of the cliffs, and deposited in dit- cart m waiting for the spoil. On arrival at home the housewife had some misgivings regarding the of eating the fisn, it might be a sea serpent, a sea horse, a moon-struck wanderer, anything but a wholesome article of diet. Samples were despatched to. some Hibernian and Scotch neighbour.'? and the verdict was awaited with feverish anxiety. The Scotch people failed ou report immediately, out Paddy, grasping the situation, sent' for a second instalment, as the supply of mutton had given out. It was not. until th- third day had arrived that lim declared it to be the finest skate he had enjoyed for many a day, and ".he farmer realised that he had missed a toothsome delicacy. The iish was of immense size.