LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 89, 25 January 1938, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the "“Guardian,” Jan, 25, 1888.) Fire Prevention.—A good deal of discussion in regard to the fire brigade and fire prevention took place at the meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council last night. One man sent in a bill for seven shillings, five of which were for ringing the bell and two for work done on the occasion of the fire in the plantation at the Old Men’s Home, and the brigade forwarded to .the Council a list of men who expected to be paid for 'services rendered by them at the fire»cn the north east belt. Cr. Scott said the brigade looked upon these claims as very improper ones, and a very bad spirit was shown when men would not assist in saving property from destruction without expecting payment for any little work they might do. The brigade had itself refused to sanction the passing of the amounts claimed, but had referred the men to the Council. The man who wanted seven shillings was oaid for ringing the bell.

Holiday for Centenary.—At the meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council Or. Reid said he had been desired to ask whether a holiday would be declared on Thursday next, the day of the celebration of the New South Wales centenary. The Council decided that the proper course would be that if the burgesses desired a holiday to get a petition circulated.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Jan. 25, 1913.) Speed Over Traffic Bridge.—A man, giving evidence at the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court this morning, said that though h© had seen from 30 to 50 motor-cars or motor-cycles cross the Ashburton traffic bridge in one day. and about, three times that number of other vehicles, he had not known one' to cross the bridge at a speed which was not in excess of six miles an hour. Mr Buchanan took this as evidence that the by-law fixing the speed as six miles an hour was unworkable, hut Mr Christie, the inspector, stated that he never took action if the speed did not exceed ten miles an hour.

Sheep Worrying.—A very bad case of sheep worrying, and probably one of the worst that has been made public for some time, was brought under the notice of a “Guardian” reporter today. Invited to pay a visit to Mr H. McElrea’s wool and skin warehouse, some skins of sheep, which formerly belonged to Mr Langdcn, of Westerfield, were produced for his inspection. Two or three of the skins were badly torn in all directions and in quite a number there were large holes. In all there were 16 skins that were badly damaged. It was stated by Mr Langdon that he had found one of the sheep with its shoulder torn out and in a .dying condition,.