LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 35, 20 November 1937, Page 6

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Nov. 20, 1887.) Racing Club’s Meeting—The spring meeting of the Ashburton Racing Club takes place to-morrow and on Thursday. The fields are large, and. should the weather be favourable good sport can confidently be anticipated. Flemington Cheese Factory— The Flemington Cheese Factory invites tenders for the purchase of whey. iParticlars appear in an advertisement. The Election of Mayor—Mr T. Sealy aind Mr A. Harrison were to-day nominated for the office of Mayor. The election will take place on November 30. Police and Salvation Army—Owing to the obstruction caused at Jones’s corner on evenings when the Ashburton Salvation Army hold their open air services on the railway reserve oppdsite, the police have, w© understand determined to keep the footpath dear, and proceedings will be taken against any person who fails to move when requested.

Steam Fire Engine— A petition is largely signed, requesting the mayor to call a public meeting;to allow the burgesses to consider the question of procuring a steam fire engine for Ashburton. It will be remembered that the Borough Council at its last meeting determined to purchase an engine should £2OO be forthcoming jn; private subscriptions.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO.

(From the “Guardian,” Noy. 20, 1912.) Penny Stamp Machine—A penny in the slot stamp selling machine has been installed near the letter receiving boxes at the Ashburton post office. The mechanism and the stamps are contained in a small steel box, with ample space at the bottom for the- pennies. To procure a stamp a penny is inserted in the slot. A little pressure is needed from the fingers, as the penny has to lift a weight, which sets the mechanism in motion- The penny on leaving the slot, runs down a shoot, touching a lever which releases a stamp and restores the machinery to working order for the next customer. A Mischeviious Act—On Saturday, night someone' wrenched from the tele-' graph post to which it was fastened by means of bolts the at the corner of Victoria and Cass Streets. In wresting the box from the bolts the side was tom out and, a number of letters which, it contained -were scattered about. Neither the- box nor the letters were, taken away, and the damage done is attributed to pure mischief. » ~