LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 153, 10 April 1933, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the "Guardian," April 10, 1883.) Ashburton Racing Club.—The committee of the Ashburton Racing Club met last evening at the club's rooms. Present—Messrs E. G. Crisp (in the chair), T. Quill, M. Friedlander, and Drs. R. Ross and T. Leahy. Tenders were received for the lease of the racecourse and their consideration held over. It was determined to sell the whole or the privileges and to entrust the working of the totalisator to Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin. Several improvements at the racecourse were decided upon. The Library.—The contract for the new Ashburton public library lias been signed by Messrs Nelson and Coutts, contractors, Ashburton. The building, which is to be brick, is to cost £969 17s 6d, and operations will begin at once. Free Sittings—At a largely attended meeting of the parishioners of St. Stephen's Anglican Church last evening, when the Rev. E. A. Scott occupied the chair. Mr S. E. Poyntz's motion that all sittings in the church be free was lost by one vote. Mr G. Jameson was elected clergyman's churchwarden, and Mr F. Mayo parishioners' churchwarden. Dr. J. E. Trevor and Messrs J. Hunt, H. T. Winter. F. Ferriman, T. Zouch, J. Curtis/ T. Pm'tchard, Wood, and Fclton were elected to the positions of vestrymen. Mr W. H. Zouch was apponted auditor for the ensuing year, being also thanked for his work in this direction in the past. . v Baptismal Service—« The Rev. C. Dallaston, i» connection with the Baptist cause in Ashburton, held a public baptismal service in "the Ashburton River on Sunday last.. There were two females and one man immersed. There was a good congregation on the riverbank and service was afterwards held in the Templar Hall. TWENTY-FtVE YEARS AGO. (From the "Guardian," April 10, 1908.'} Awa Awa Rata Domain.—The following members representing the, Ashburton County Council paid a visit Of inspection yesterday to a reserve of 87 acres, situated mid-way between Alford Forest and Mount. Hutt, at Pudding Hill, Methven, recently acquired frqm the Government for recreational pur-, poses:—Councillors J. Lambie, . M. Stitt, W. Morgan, W. J. Dickie, J. Cairns, Messrs F. Mainwaring and F. Pritehard; and there were also present by invitation Messrs D. Cameron; M. Lewin, A. McLennan, C. W. Purnell, and P. J. Mora. The County Council party left Ashburton. by drag, and arrived at the reserve, which is about seven miles above Methven, at about 2.30 p.m. The reserve, which was inspected, is covered chiefly with maiden bush, ferns and other native flora, in- ! eluding some fairly heavy timber. There is an abundant supply of water from several small spring-creeks. It was subsequently decided to have the reserve fenced in; to erect a. cookhouse ; and to open up a new road leading more directly to the reserve. Teaching Appointments.—The Canterbury Education Board, at its meet>g on Wednesday, granted leave of absence to Miss C. Hill, Elgin, for three months. The following local appointments were made: Mount Somers; Mr J. C. Sheldon, master; Wakanui (Seaview), Miss M. C. Cassidy, mistress; Westerfield, ' Miss C. Davies, mistress. Post Office Savings Bank.—The total amount due to depositors in the British Post Office Savings Bank at the end of 1907 was £157,518,000. Consols were sold from the Post Office Savings Bank Fund during the year to the amount of £2,193,464, at an average price of £B4 3s 5d per cent.