LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 61, 23 December 1935, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From.the “Guardian,” Dec. 23, 1885.) Escape from Horrible Death.-—A rather narrow escape from a horrible death has been reported to us. , Last Friday night, a person living near the town went to sleep in front of a Are, and some time afterwards she awoke to find her clothing in flames and the floor burning also. A neighbour luckily happened to be passing at the time, and being attracted by the woman’s cries entered the house. He succeeded in putting out the fire in a short time. The woman only received a few slight burns, but, had there not been assistance at hand, it is only too probable that she would have paid a fearful penalty for her thoughtlessness in going to sleep before a large fire. Rakaia Railway.—The Rakaia and Ashburton Forks railway was formally handed over to the Government on Friday last. Installation of Mayor.—At the installation of the Mayor (Mr R. Friedlander), yesterday, one of the speakers referring to the small attendance, said that champagne had evidently! lost its attraction for Ashburton people. He said he remembered the time when the mere mention of champagne would be sufficient to draw a crowd for miles, but those palmy days seemed ot be gone now forever. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Dec. 23, l£)10.) ; Borough School Break-up.—The breaking-up ceremony yesterday afternoon at the Borough School was. held in the school grounds, with the Rev. Hi. E. Bellhouse, chairman of the school committee, presiding. The girls, under the direction of Mrs E. \V iilis and Miss G. Makeig, gave creditable displays- of dumb-bell, club and flag drill, while the cadets, ‘under , Captain S.-G. Macfarlane, gave a display of physical exercises. The headmaster (Mil G. Schneider) presented his an-' nual report, which - showed that the school had done remarkably good work throughout the year. in the school and in outdoor sports.. Mr O. W. Nicoll gave a brief address, in which he said that boys should be impressed with the fact that smoking cigarettes was hot being manly. Rangatea Hockey Club.—Over 30 members and friends of-- the Ladies’ Rangatea Hockey Club .went to the Longbeach estate on Thursday, where, by kind permission of Mr John Grigg, they held their annual picnic. Express Service.—The double express Service tvas inaugurated yesterday, and the passenger freights, both '' north and south, were fairly, large.