LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 128, 13 March 1939, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. ) (From “Guardian,” March 13, 1889.) Destructive Fire.—An extensive grass fire near the Hinds did a considerable amount of damage yesterday. It started on Monday and was supposed to have burned itself' out, but the stiff north-west gale which sprung up yesterday morning gave .the.flames a fresh start, and they swept a large extent of country. The fire originated, it is supposed, from some one dropping a match and the grass and tussock being like tinder quickly got alight’and- the lire swept through the - village settlement. It burned through the allotment of Mr D. O’Connor, who had. a lively .time in saving his house from demolition. The fire spread, over the country, burning the. fences in its 'Way, and yesterday morning, when all appeared right, the north-west wind had the effect of bringing the flames down on the Hinds township. The. concrete foundations saved the schoolhouse, the fire burning all round it. and destroying fences and young plantations.. Tlie teacher’s dweilingliouse was in consicL erable danger, and was only saved after strenuous exertions on the part of'jKlt. Davidson, of Coldstream, Messrs Nourish and others. The fire'bote down on the railway station, but after a hard fight the building was saved from'destruction. The fire later destroyed' "'a two-roomed cottage on Mr Smith’s allotment. e “ "~ TWENTY-FIVE YEAFts AGO (From “Guardian,” March 13, 1914.) High School Old Pupils.—The fourth annual general meeting of the Ashburton High School Old Pupils’ . Associa-;., tion was held in . the School Assembly Hall last evening. There was a, very fair attendance, and'the president (Mr R. B. Bell) occupied' the chair. The annual report showed that the membership had risen from 60 to 153 financial members, an increase 0f,150, per cent, The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted -as -follows:—President, Mr J. O. Jameson vicepresidents, Messrs 11. B. /Bell, . B. ; . Christian and E. H. Orr; secretary, Mr W. F. Watters, 8.A.--;-treasurer, Miss F E. Kershaw, M.A.; committee, the officers and Misses Hi G. -Collins,-M. Ross and V. Humphreys, and Messrs P. S. Crisp, M. H. 11. Jones, and P. Stephens. Matters mentioned were the desirability of forming .Subr-Assqcjations in Christchurch and Wellington,-and of forming a bond between the Ashburton Old Boys’ Football Club and the Association. At a subsequent meeting of the committee,, Mr :R, R. BelFwag,;; apy„ pointed deputy president-in view of. the fact that Mi". Jameson ttbuld not be 'able to attend all meetings." 1 * ...