LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 187, 22 May 1941, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” May 22, 1S91). Band of Hope—Last night the reopening meeting of the Primitive Methodist Band of Hope was held in the church. There Avas a fair attendance about 1(X) people occupying the pews, and Mr J. W. fiardley presided. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Cocker, and Mr E. Watkins, cf Flemington. Recitations were given )>y Messrs G. Hight and H. and .T. W. Hnrdley, a reading by Mrs Bull, and the choir sang several of Hoyle’s hymns. About 30 people signed the pledge at the meeting. At the conclusion a coffee supper, provided by tho young ladies of the congregation, was given, to which about 70 guests sat down.

The Deatli of Von Moltke—Von Moltke’s death was very sudden, and the physicians tvho were summoned announced that it Avas caused by failure of the heart. He passed aAvay at 9.45 o’clock on tho night of the 2oth, quietly and painlessly. The news of tho Count’s unexpected death caused sorrow in the city. Von Moltke died in his study at his official residence at Konigsplatz. He appeared in his usual health early in the evening, and suppered as usual, his appetite being good. He rose from his seat with the intention of retiring, when suddenly he staggered, and would have fallen had it not been that a servant sprang to his assistance. The Count was then carried to his bedroom and placed upon the bed, upon which he died in a few minutes.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (From the “Guardian,” May 22, 1916). War in the Air —At Verdun, French airmen attacked German captive balloons, six descending in flames. Three enemy machines Avere brought down at Eparges. This morning enemy aviators bombed Dunkirk. On Saturday and Sunday night tho French successfully bombed railway stations at Metz, Saulons, Avricourt, and Rovd, munition depots at Bcaehe and Ohapelotts. bivouacs at Azanne and the village of Jernietz, AVhercin an important commanding post Avas installed. Two French dirigibles shoAvered bombs on tho railway stations and railways at Bricnlles and Dun.

A French colonel says that .500 aeroplanes were engaged in reconnoitring and fighting ever Verdun. As soon as the moon rose, air raids with ma-chine-guns and revolvers and cannons began, and lasted till dawn. Owing to the full moon air-fighting was practically continuous.