LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 191, 26 May 1934, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE.

(From the “Guardian,” May 26, 1864.)

Improvements. The Ashburton Brewery is undergoing several alterations at the present time. A malthouse is in course of erection rvhich, when completed, will do away with the imported malt, the proprietors -Gthqn -being in a position to prepare their own material. The building is being erected of concrete and when finisEed will be 18ft. by 18ft. _ From the floor to the perforated ceiling will be 14ft. and from the latter to the roof another 14ft. The old storeroom of the brewery is being converted into a department for steeping and other purposes, the whole floor being concrete of three inchqs in thickness. All the latest improvements will be introduced into the malthouse and before many weeks are over operations yvill be commenced. Relief of Khartoum. —Rumours that the British Government are making preparations for the dispatch of an expedition into the Soudan have gained credence, and it is ' believed that a strong military force will be conveyed by steaihers as far as Assoun, where the first interruption to free navigation on the river Nile occurs. Officers attached to the British war vessels now stationed in Egyptian waters, are already engaged in equipping steamers for river navigation and several vessels are -being fitted in a manner suitable for the conveyance of troops to Assouan. Presentation. —An illuminated address, executed in gold and colours and handsomely framed, lias been designed for presentation by the South Rakaia residents to Mr O. N. Mackie, on the occasion of that gentleman’s departure for England. : s - '

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” May 26, 1900). Meteorological Observations. The ' Town Clerk has received terrestrial and , minimum thermometers front the Government Meteorological Department so that the instruments at the Domain weather stations are now complete. , For some time past the registers of frost have been approximately gauged. . Feed Abundant at Staveley.—Owing to the favourable season so_far experienced, it is stated that there is still' an abundant feed supply in the Staveley dairying district and the. milk supply.! at the factory continues satisfactorily. The season has been a very successful one and there is every indication that the industry will be carried on on more extensive lines next year. Conditions in Back Country.—An Ashburton resident, who has just returned from a trip- to Mesopotamia, in the back country, informed one of our reporters that the pastoral conditions there were very favourable. There is plenty of feed for the oeriod of the year, stock are thriving splendidly and station-holders are confidently lookin" forward to a successful season. School Closed.—Owing to the small attendance, the Education Board _ decided, at its meeting on Wednesday, to close the Huntingdon School as all the children there live .under three miles from another school.