LOOKING BACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 305, 8 October 1935, Page 4

LOOKING BACK

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Oct. 8, -1885.) Wakanui Protective Works.—According to arrangement, the Protective "Works Committee of. trie Ashburton County Council visited the Wakanui protective works on Thursday. They ivere met by a number of farmers and land owners in the vicinity, and proceeded to examine the river doivn to Mr D. Fitzgerald's property. The committee are of opinion that the groin fulfils the purpose tor which it was constructed in an admirable manner. The plantation of willows made by Mr D. "Wilson. in the vicinity of the works, together with those of tiie County 'Council," are doing veiy well, and the Council hope stock owners will take means of preventing damage being done to the trees by cattle. Invercargill-Bluff Railway.—The Invercargill people are in grim earnest in regard to entering into competition with the railway from that place to the Bluff. They have added four sixhorse waggons to those already: at work carrying merchandise, and arrangements are being made in order , to- render the new system as efficient as possible. ,

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Oct. 8, 1910.) Well-known Headmaster.—Many old residents of the Ashburton County will no doubt remember Mr Hector Dempsey, who some 27 years ago was headmaster of the Ashburton. Borough and Hampstead Schools, the Hampstead School in those days being a side school. After leaving Ashburton, Mr Dempsey was appointed headmaster of the Central School, New Plymouth, a position which he lias held for 26 years. On the lapsing of this long period of service, the citizens of New Plymouth, to mark their appreciation of the work he has so faithfully "performed, presented Mr Dempsey with an illuminated address. The presentation was made by the Mayor (Mr Tisch), who is also, a former resident of the Ashburton district, having been in the sawmilling and farming industry at Alford Forest, and at one time was the owner of the accommodation houses at Alford Forest and Spreadeagle. Photograph of Captain G. Coleman. —The Ashburton Bowling Club has had a photograph of the late Captain Coleman, one of the founders of the club aud an early president, enlarged and framed and hung in the bowling pavilion. The late Captain Coleman, who was a bowling enthusiast, bequeathed £SO to the club’s funds at the time of his death, and thus enabled the club to extinguish its indebtedness. ' ' '