LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 276, 4 September 1939, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From “the Guardian,” Sept. 4, 1889) Cycling Club. —The first annual meeting of the Ashburton Cycling Club was held on Friday evening. Captain MuTler was in chair. The annual report and balance sheet,.showed- the- club to be in a very floujtishilffjg condition. When started in. May, 1887, the number of members was only eleven/" while now there were 28 on the roll. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr !D. Thomas; president, Mr A. Harrison; vicc-presiclent, Mr W. C. Walker, M.H.R.; captain, H. H. Stephens; sub-capthin, T. Wall: hon. secretary, R. Frizzelie ; . hon. ’ treasurer, W. G. Murray; -eqmiivittdel Messrs Muller, Salek, Millar aiid Jones. Moat Freezing.—Tim am: The local Refrigerating Company have determined to add to their works, to increase the freezing power from 800 to 700 or 1000 sheep per day, and to enlarge the storage room. The present works are .found too small for the business-offer-ing. :/v , 7; % Shearing Machine;—Wolshiey:- the inventor of the shearing machine, is arranging to float his patent into a company, with a capital of £350,000. Railways in China. —The construction of railways in China is proceeding at a rapid pace. Tenders have been received for the construction of a line to connect Chang Yeung with Pekin, the capital.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (From “the Guardian,” Sept. 4, 1914) Harry Lauder in Ashburton.—The world-famous entertainer, Harry Lauder, and his company of enternational artists arrived in Ashburton by the second express this afternoon, and were accorded a. very hearty and enthusiastic reception. Long before the arrival of the train a large number of people had assembled at the station, and a minute or two before it steamed in the Ashburton County Pipe Band arrived on the scene, and formed up in a circle outside the main entrance to the station. Mr Lauder was briefly welcomed by the secretary of the band (Mr R. Frizzellc) and Mr Charles Reid (an ex-president and was introduced to Drym Major, McKay and Acting Pipe Major T. Harriton to whom lie vouchsafed the information that “it was a ‘graund’ day:'” A brougham, attached to which was a couple of “Scots Greys” was in readiness and Mr Lauder, Mr Frizzelle and Mr Reid took their seats in the vehicle. Headed by the Pipe Band, a short procession was formed down East Street as far as Tailored Street, the. hand playing in spiriting Scottish airs en route. At Tancred Street a. turn was made and the procession made its way back to the theatre. Mr Lauder was, of course, the cynosure of all eyes. With his company he gave a. matinee performance in the theatre. The attendance was very large.