LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 49, 7 December 1940, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Dec. 7, .1890) Methven on Election Night.—There was almost a riot in the township or Methven on election night. Party feeling ran very high, and there was" great excitement. It is to be presumed that some partisans of the least promising cause kept their spirits up by pouring spirits down, and that others who were partisans of the cause whose star was in the ascendant failed not to honour its triumph in a cup of that which causetli the face of a man to shine. At all events strong oratory was indulged in and loud declamation, that - ceased not at the more convincing argument of the fists. Constable Morgan had no enviable position—a .constable... alene in excited Methven on an election night—and he forebore a long -time, Jorebore until he saw the bounds of law and order 1 so far overstepped that his ditty was made painfully apparent to him. He then stepped in, and unaided cleared one of the hotels. Outside he found it necessary to arrest one whose zeal had so far outrun liis discretion as to make him no longer fit to be at large. But the crowd resented this, and an attempt was made to rescue the prisoner. The constable is a tight little athlete, and if not as burly as some guardians of Ashburton’s peace, makes up for want of bodily size by greatness of heart. With indomitable plucky lie held to his man against the crowd for some time. At last he was compelled to appeal in the Queen’s name for aid, and mentioned the name of a resident with muscle enough to have quelled the whole row* himself by his own unaided arm. But this man “neglected to interfere. The Mr William Morgan, storekeeper, “sailed in’ - to the constable’s help, and tlie two were able for some minutes to hold the prisoner, hut force was triumphant in the end, and the prisoner escaped. Both the constable and the gentleman who came to his assistance experienced considerable bodily hurt in the scuffle* tho former suffering a had dislocation of the thumb, with damaged ribs, besides it is said, being in Toby Balch s case. Mr Morgan also shows the results or rough usage. Among the crowd itself, several of the partisans looked next morning as if they had been trying to teach French at Kilalve, and their eves were closed for alterations .and repairs. So soon as the escaped prisoner can be arrested, more will he heard of the matter.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AOO.

(From tlie “Guardian,” Dec. 7, 1915)

Germans on Move.—German troops and guns have been pouring into France and Belgium for upwards of a week. The indications are that Gallwitz will be sent against the AngloFrench in Serbia, the Bulgarians con-: sidering that they will not he called on to fight the Anglo-French.