LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 220, 29 June 1933, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” June 29, 1883). South Rakaia Road Board Election. —The polling for the election of the five members to form the South Rakaia Road Board was held on Tuesday, Mr A. Makeig acting as returning officer at Rakaia and Air L. O'xley at Kyle. Some little excitement was caused by a rumour put in circulation that Messrs AV. Allan, Osborne and J. Lambie were coming forward for the purpose of obtaining a portion of the funds of the Board for the furtherance of the Dobbin’s Ford bridge, which was not really the ease. The object of the . party, if elected, was to have been that of economy rather than the expending of large sums of money. The circulation of the rumour before-mentioned put the ratepayers in the upper portion of the district on their “mettle,” and resulted in the rejection of Messrs Allan and Lambie, .giving the town one member, the district below the line one member and the upper portion three members. At the close of the poll at Rakaia, the numbers were:— Mackie 151, Holmes 137, Mann 131, Coster 103, ’ Osborne 104, Allan 81, Lambie 63. ’ Subsequently, on the arrival of the returns from Kyle, the relative 7 positions of the candidates was found to be unaltered, the numbers polled there being:—Mackie 2, Holmes 3, Mann 7, Coster 0. Osborne 20, Allan 17, Lambie 23. The official declaration took place at Rakaia on Wednesday, when Messrs Mackie, Holmes, Mann, Coster, and Osborne were declared duly elected.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” June 29. 1908). TinwaldJLeap Year Ball. —The young ladies of Tinwald held a Leap YearBall in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday. Though, the weather was rather damp, there was a large attendance. The hall was nicely decorated with evergreens for the occasion. The music was supplied by Messrs Andel'son (2), and Miss McLennan played an extra. Discing was kept up with much spirit till an early hour of the morning, and Mr Forsyth acted as M.C. During the evening, songs were given by Miss McLennan and . Air Brown; and the accompaniments were played by Mr Craven, and Mr AV. Fitzgerald gave a sailor’s hornpipe. Aluch credit was given to the committee and the honorary secretary (Aliss Giles) for the able way in which the function was carried out. Before the dance broke up. Air Diniford, on behalf of the committee, returned ‘ thanks for the. liberal support of the young people of the district. Small Birds’ Nuisance.—-Judging by the number of small birds’ heads purchased to date by the Ashburton County Council, the small birds are not partaking readily this season of the poisoned grain v scattered for then* destruction. This is no doubt due to the comparative mildness of the winter and the presence of Other forms of food. In past years, trapping birds at night with a net resulted in profit to the trappers.