LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 88, 24 January 1938, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Jan. 24, 1888.) Mount Somers Roads.—At the meeting of the Mount Somers Road Board there were present Messrs Walker (chairman), Harrison, McFarlane, and Edson. Letters were read: (1) From Mr McMillan, asking the board to push on the work at Ross’s Cutting as rapidly as possible.—The overseer was instructed to attend to Mr McMillan’s wants, and to push on the work. (2) From Air P. Tisch, offering to lease the recreation reserve opposite the Alford Forest Hotel.—The clerk was instructed to reply that the board had at present no power to deal with the matter. (3) From Mr A. E. Peache, asking permission to take the tramway across the road.— Granted. (4) From Air I>. H. Potts, drawing the board’s attention to the necessity of some fencing for Booth’s Cutting.—Resolved to ask the County Council to grant sufficient funds for the work.

The Caledonian Society.—At the annual general meeting of directors of the Ashburton Caledonian Society there was a fair attendance, and Air C. Reid was voted to the chair. The annual report said that the society would enter its tenth year £2O better than the preceding year. Air D. McLean was elected president and Alessrs W. H. Kneen and W. J. Steward vice-presidents.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Jan. 24, 1913.) Swimming at Tinwald.—The Tinwald Swimming Club keeps on increasing its membership, and as a natural consequence is in a good position financially. About £ls or £l6 has just, been expended on improvementes to the baths, which are now replete with all conveniences. A bridge has been thrown across the baths, cutting off a portion which will be used by learners and poor swimmers, and leaving a racing course of 50 yards. A Coincidence.—Air E. Brittenden, who resigned from the railway service just before Christmas, took his first train as guard out ot Ashburton 34 years ago. At that time Air C. J. Cowan (the present Ashburton stationmaster) was a cadet. Air Brltteiiden remained in Ashburton about two years, after which he went to OamarU, and from that time on he did not run a train out of Ashburton until after his resignation. On resigning he was granted three months’ leave of ~ absence, his resignation taking effect at the end of the holidays. During the holiday he visited liis son at Tinwald, and while there he was called on to act as pilot guard for a train which had lost its tablet. Singularly enough Air Cowan was connected with ids first and last train, and the engine-driver of his last train was on the first train he took out.