LOOKING BACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 273, 31 August 1935, Page 4

LOOKING BACK

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Aug. 31, 1885.) New Wing Considered.—At a meeting of the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held on Wednesday, a letter was read from the Colonial Secretary’s Office informing the Board that its application for increased accommodation for aged and infirm men and for £l2O for an additional wing at the Ashburton Home, would be considered when the Estimates were passed. A Book-reading People.—We are, on the whole, a book-reading people. There are 385 public libraries in the colony, inclusive of quasi-private libraries. The total income of the' public libraries is £BBOB. The total amount of the Government grant distributed is £3898. Of this £1772 went to the North Island and £2126 to the Middle Island. First of Border Leicester Mutton.— With his well-known enterprise, jlr R. Lancaster had a special show of Border Leicester mutton at his premises in in Burnett Street yesterday, which we understand, is the first of the breed sold in the district. The sheep were bred by Mr Andrew Dawson, of Waterton. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian/’ Aug. 31, 1910.) Peculiar Accident.—A peculiar and alarming accident is reported to have occurred in an Ashburton home. A mother and her three-months’-old child on her lap and was endeavouring to soothe it when a hair-pin from her head dropped into the baby’s mouth, and lodged in the throat. All efforts to dislodge the pin were unsuccessful, and it is thought that an operation will be necessary. ~ Influenza Epidemic.—As has before been stated, the influenza epidemic is particularly strong in the Ashburton district, and it may be mentioned that a farmer at Wakanui has nine out of ten horses sick from this cause; while five of his family are also laid up with the scourge.