LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 65, 26 December 1936, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From “Guardian,” Dec. 26j 1886.) Christmas Gifts.—The master of the Ashburton Home desires to acknowlege with thanks the following donations for Christmas treats for the inmates: —Mr Charles Clark £1 Is, Mr T. Bullock £1 Is, Mr J, Tasker, sausages; Mr D. H. Brown, plum pudding; Ashburton Bread Company, large cake; Mr J. Hepburn, milk; !a friend, strawberries. Picnicking on the Beach.—At this time of the year, especially on such a fiercely hot day as we had on Saturday, the very idea of a trip to the beach and the sight of the big crested waves is cooling and refreshing, and it is not surprising, therefore, that on Christmas Day there was a perfect exodus Wakanuiwards. The road was alive with vehicles of all sorts, from the big hay cushioned dray, loaded up .with a smiling happy family, to the more ambitious buggy and pair, or the roomy or well-horsed coach on or in and around, on which from the step to the box seat every available place was occupied. The Drama Society.—The Ashburton Dramatic Society announces for New Year’s Eve a performance of the nautical drama “f alse Colours.” The east includes a large number of well-known amateurs, whose name is sufficient guarantee of excellence.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From “Guardian,” Dec. 26, 1911.) Boxing Day Attractions—Conditions were bright to-day, and as the sun got through the clouds at intervals the ground quickly dried and the day passed off pleasantly. The main local ting Club’s summer meeting, but many went by train to Mount Somers to attend the races there, while not a few journeyed to Temuka by the special express to attend, the Caledonian sports. An athletic sports meeting was to have been held at Rakaia, but tlie heavy rain of Monday was too much for the grounds in the Domain, which were left practically under water.

Seasonal Greetings.—We have pleasure in acknowledging Christmas and New Year greetings from the Minister of Agriculture, Commerce and Agriculture, and also from Mr W. F. Massey, M.P. The Ministerial card contains 12 pages of pictures illustrative of the agricultural, commercial, and educational life of the Dominion, as well as the tourist and health resorts.

The River Rises.—The heavy rain rain last night caused the Ashburton River to rise very rapidly, and some men who were encamped near the embankment on the traffic bridge had a very cold and unpleasant awakening' this morning.