LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 34, 19 November 1937, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Nov. 19, 1887) Steam Fire Engine—The Borough Council has decided to procure a steam fire engine of the type recommended by the Fire Brigade Committee, provided £2OO is raised by the way of public subscription. The engine it is contemplated, to procure is one of Shand Mason’s B verticle engines, and will cost about £SOO. The Woollen Company—The second annual general meeting of the shareholders in the Ashburton Woollen Manufacturing Company was held at the Arcade Chambers on Thursday afternoon. Mr G. H. Greenwood (chairman of directors) presided. The report and balance were adopted on the motion of Mr T. Bullock seconded by , Mr H. Friedlander. Messrs G. Jameson A Harrison and G. H. Greenwood who were the retiring directors, were reelected. Mr John Grigg was also proposed as a candidate, but in view of that gentleman having written a letter intimating that he desired to withdraw in consequence of it being inconvenient to him to ‘ attend the meetings,' his name was withdrawn. Mr J. G. Restell was re-elected auditor. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, the directors and the staff and the meeting adjourned. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, (From the “Guardian,” Nov. 19, 1912) Unusual Growth —The wet weather has been responsible for unusual growth, and, everywhere weeds and other useless products of the soil are defying all attempts to keep them fully in check. Some of the streets of Ashburton are showing a fine crop .of pasture just now, sufficient to tempt any man who finds difficulty in obtaining green feed for his horses and cows to break the Borough by-laws. Grass is all very well in the right place, but it does little good in the streets, and if the borough workmen could find time to have some of it cut, the thoroughfares would look better and the water in the channels would not be subject to so many interruptions in its flow. The conditions of those places where the water from the channels disappears into the underground, pipes at the Belt is anything but agreeable, owing to the unsightly congregation of rubbish, which is never completely cleared away. Trotting Stallion Dies —The well known trotting horse “General Lyons” owned by Mr J. W. Cass, of Wakanui, died suddenly on Saturday. The stallion was a very valuable one and regret will be felt in breeding and racing circles at his departure.