LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 249, 3 August 1932, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Aug. 3; 1882). Rabbits Plentiful. —From llakaia we learn that rabbits have been very plentiful on the island and thereabouts this -season ; bunny is frequently .met with on the Rakaia plains, and toward the hills they have rapidly increased in numbers. *ln the vicinity of Ashburton rabbits are prevalent and have provided good sport tor a few of the residents lately 1 . They have not increased in numbers as much as some people would like, but still there is a possibility of too great an increase becoming a pest. Utago suffers badly and Canterbury farmers should be warned of f heir danger once tlie dreaded rodent crosses the Waitaki and takes possession of the fair lands of Canterbury.

County Council Planting Arrangements.—The following is a precis of the arrangements agreed to by the Planting Committee of the Ashburton C’ounty Council at its last meeting:— Upper Ashburton Riding: Two blocks, R. Rennie’s and near Winslow, and one block on Rangitata plains not planted to be planted. Mount Hlutt Riding: The blocks recommended by the Road Board to be planted; Mr J. Jackson to superintend the work. Mount Somers Riding: The chairman (Mr W. C. Wlalker) to have power to get the Valetta block partly reploughed arid sown, and tlie reserves (five in number) as asked for by the Mount Somers Road Board to be planted; 'also 40 acres of reserve near the Mount Somers railway terminus to be planted. Mr Isaac Taylor was requested to supervise the work in the five reserves referred to. Ashburton Riding: Six reserves to be planted. The Volunteers.—An inspection of the local Volunteer Corps by SergeantMajor Morgan took • place recently, when there was a good muster of men j the, company being headed in a subsequent parade by the band. SergeantMajor Morgan expressed himself in high terms of appreciation regarding the efficiency of the men.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Aug. 3, 1907). Primitive Methodist Church.—To celebrate the centenary of the Primitive Methodist connection, trie local church members held a meeting on Tuesday night. The Rev. R. J. Lid; deli presided, and the Rev. J. Guy, of Christchurch, gave an interesting lecture on “The Pioneers of Primitive Methodism.” It was decided at the meeting that in order to fittingly celebrate the event, the church debt should be extinguished, and on an appeal being made, the sum of £305 was rapidly given. It is expected that within a few days this amount will reach the sum aimed at—£3so. During the evening the choir, under the leadership of Mr Jones, rendered several anthems, and Miss - Claridge presided at the organ. . . Ball a± Arundel.—A ball in aid of the Arundel Gun Club was held in the Howard Hall, Arundel,* on Friday evening. There was a large attendance, and the gathering was considered one of the most successful yet held in the district. With good music;.’ 1 a splendid floor, and refreshments of the .best, time passed very pleasantly, and the gathering broke up at an early hour in tlie morning. Mr W. Ashby was M.C., and Messrs Evans and McCormack supplied the music. . . St. Andrew’s Young Men s Social Club.—There was a very fair attendance at the weekly meeting ot bt. Andrew’s Young Men’s Social Club last evening. The second round or the club’s draught tournament was played off, and a number of other games were indulged in. During the evening recitations were given by Mr G. H. LTarK, and songs by Messrs C. Wilson and H. Property Sale. —Messrs Fnedlande” Bros, report having sold, on account o, Mrs Digby, her 150-acre farm to Mr Georo-e Mcßae, and in conjunction with Mi* D Thomas: Mr IV- Prebble, junr. s homestead farm of 386 acres at Flemington to Messrs Anderson Bros.