LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 80, 16 January 1936, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the "Guardian," Jan. 16, 1886.) Temperance Lecture. —Last evening Mr F. Fulton addressed an audience in the Town Hall on the subject of temperance, the title of his lecture being "An Eye-opener." The hall was literally packed, almost every available seat being occupied. The chair was taken by Mr W. C. Walker, M.H.R., and also occupying seats on the platform were the Revs. D. McNicoll and A. Blake. Pupil Teachers' Examination. —The report on the recent pupil teachers' examination was read at the meeting of the Board of Education at Christchurch on Thui-sday. We notice that Miss A. Meyenburg and Mr B. Low, of Asii burton, passeu their first year, Misses Bruce (Rakaia) and Barratt (Ashburton) their second year, and Mr W. Dodd (Tinwald) his third year. Samoa Seized.—The British Consul at Apia has officially informed Mr Guzerd, the English representative at Noumea, that Germany has seized Samoa.

European Peace. —The Empercr William, addressing the German people to-day, expressed his confidence in the continuation of the peace of Europe. Increase of Sparrows.—The "spugs," as the clever- writer of the Ashburton letter of the "Lyttelton Times" somewhat ' inharmeniously terms those winged pests legitimately known as sparrows, are multiplying in all directions with a rapidity that threatens serious loss to the farming community. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the "Guardian," Jan. 16, 1911). Band Concert. —The Temperance Brass Band will give an open-air concert in the Domain to-morrow evening, commencing at 8 o'clock. In addition to a popular programme (including the Palmerston North Contest selection), the band will give an exhibition of the contest quickstep manoeuvres. Residents Depart.—Prior to their leaving Ashburton for the Mataura dis- * trict, Mr and Mrs George Osborne were presented by the congregation of the Church of Christ with a. handsome mantel timepiece, suitably inscribed. The presentation was made by Pastor F. W. Greenwood, who spoke in eulogistic terms of the guests' work as members of the church since its establishment in Ashburton. Mr Osborne had ably conducted the chcir during the whole period. Past Oddfellow Grands.—At a meeting of Past Grands of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, last evening, it was decided to re-open the. Nil Desperandum Lodge, which was founded in Ashburton in 1900. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Bro. W. E. iDolman; vice-president. Bro. James Thompson; secretary, Bro. F. Hancox. The following officials were elected to fill minor positions: —Bros. J. H. Rule, J. Phelps, A. Childs, R. H. Davis and F. Pritchard.