LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 184, 19 May 1941, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” May, 19, 1891) The Smokeless. Rifle. —(Paris: At tho coming military manoeuvres, which are to be carried out on a large scale, extensive experiments will be made to test the effhoncy of the. Rebel smokeless rifle.

The Chilian "War.—-Valparaiso: Another engagement lias taken place between tho Government troops and tho rebels, the formc-r being routed. The battle raged fiercely for live hours, the fighting being of a most desperate character. Commander Roubles, who led the Government/ forces, gallantly fought every inch of ground until he was shot down. His body w'as afterwards found hacked to pieces. President Balmaceda has made a proposal to tho rebel leader that each .side should exchange prisoners captured since the outbreak of the revolution.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From tho “Guardian,” May 19, 1916) Big Fields of Grain. Threshing operations .have now practically concluded iii the Methven district, although one or two threshing-mill owners are. still engaged. Altogether the harvest lias been a good one, especially in the district above Methven.

Mr Aleck Orr’s crop threshed out at 53 bushels to tho acre, and Mr Robert Middleton’s crop averaged between 50 and 54 bushels. These must be considered remarkable crops compared with those in the Ashburton district, and goes to show the value of the land around Methven. Speaking to a “Guardian” reporter, Mr Aleck. Gritsaid that last year his crop threshed out at 65 bushels to the acre. . This year his solid straw Tuscan wheat came on splendidly, and grew rts thick as it is possible for \vheat to grow. Rain, came just when harvst operations in the Ashburton district were in full swing, and he anticipated that it would be the making of his crops, and lie confidently anticipated 70 bushels to tlie acre. Contrary to expectations, the rain did a great deal more harm than good, and rust set in. This spoilt the sample and .consequently the crop fell much below 70 bushels to the acre.