LOOKING BACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 270, 28 August 1935, Page 4

LOOKING BACK

FIFTY YEARS SYNE,

(From the “Guardian,” Aug. 28, 1885.)

Ralcaia Railway Servant Mr G. Aldous, who has been connected with the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks railway since the opening of the line, and who is now leaving the district owing to the recent changes in the Department, was presented with a purs? of sovereigns by a number of his Methven friends on Tuesday night. The presentation was made by Mr J. Hiobs, who referred to thg obliging and courteous manner in which Mr Aldous had invariably fulfilled his duties. Mr Aldous briefly replied, acknowledging the presentation in suitable terms, and expressing the regret he felt at being removed from the district where he had made so many friends, and ho might say, no enemies. Prospecting Association Farmed.—A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Prospecting Association was held on Tuesday. Messrs Spillard and Compton, who had been canvassing for support, reported that they had obtained the names of over 50 persons willing to take up shares in the Association, if formed, and that they had received £lO 13s deposits. On the motion of Mr Weymouth Roberts, seconded by! Mr J. M. Mcßae, it was decided to form a Prospecting Association (limited liability), the first issue to be limited to seventy at £1 each. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Aug. 28, 1910.) Polar Exploration Telephone.—The telephone is about to be introduced into polar exploration. Captain Scott’s expedition to the Antarctic has been presented by the staff of the National Telephone Company, in London, with a telephone equipment which may be laid down on the Surface of the ice by advance parties for a distance of 26 miles, enabling them to report progress to depots’ in the rear. No insulators are necessary for laying the wires, as ice and snow are non-con-ductors ; so the outgoing and return wires will be loosely laid parallel about 6ft. apart. With the other items, a single 24-volt storage battery has been supplied, and the instruments are a standard band set with black celluloid mouth pieces and ebonit? ear-pieces. The wire is -hard-drawn aluminium. Whilst the behaviour of the mouth and ear pieces under extreme cold is open to conjecture, the low temperature 7 & is stated, will enormously increase the tensible strength and conductivity of the wires. Full instructions will, of course, be given how to install the equipment. The outfit is regarded by scientists likely to materially improve Captain Scott’s chances of success in penetrating to the South Pole.