LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 300, 30 September 1938, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Sept. 30, 1888) Acclimatisation Society.—The annual meeting of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon. Air W. C. Walker was in the chair. The report of the committee stated that although the Society had only been formed a year, it had worked well. Notwithstanding the expense of forming the Society, the first year was completed with'a credit balance. The Society had distributed 2750 fontinalis or American Charr in the fWalianui and Longbeach creeks and the Ashburton river. They had also distributed 10,000 trout in the river between Westerfield and the protection works. Only one case of poaching had been proved, and the offender punished, but owing to the exertions of the ranger poaching had been considerably diminished in the' district. The following officers . were elected:—President, Air W. C. Walker; vice-president, Alessrs W. S. Peter and F. T. Alayo; treasurer, Air E. G. Crisp; secretary, Air J. J. S. Quane; committee, Alessrs AV. F. Somerville, D. Aloore, James Jamieson, Jos. Stephens, and A. H. Shurv. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (From the “Guardian,” Sept. 30, 1913) Ashburton Hospital.—The improvements to the grounds of the Ashburton County Hospital are now nearing completion, and very satisfactory progress has been made by the gardener (Air D. Jones) who, with a staff, of five men, lias been engaged on the work for the past two months. The Pew main entrance has been formed in Cox Street, and long sweeping carriageway drives have been made therefrom, leading to the front of the Hospital buildings. One drive has also been formed round the rear of the nurses’ home, and a further one is in the course of construction round the new surgical ward and out at the back of the buildings in Cox Street. The alterations have considerably enhanced the beauty of the grounds, and an excellent view of the whole of the building is now obtained, entirely unbroken by unsightly trees. The largo lawns haye been sown down, and the grass has made a very good strike. Losses of Ewes.—-Farmers in various parts of the County report losses of ewes owing to haying been overfed! with rape. Crops of the latter have done particularly well this year.