ASHBURTON NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7562, 29 May 1885, Page 6

ASHBURTON NEWS.

The Ashburton, or rather the Flemington. Cheese and Butter Factory, has added ham and bacon curing to its ordinary operations, and Mr William Turton, one of the best bacon curers in the Colony, has been retained to look after the new department. This step lias been considered advisable, seeing that, for some months outside the milk season, the factory is virtually idle.

The Ashburton Eifles arc to have the services of a regular drill instructor. Ever since the Company’s establishment, it has been beholden for instruction in drill to—first. Sergeant W. E. Dolman, now First Lieutenant of the Company; and second (since Mr Dolman's promotion), to ColourSergeant Hayes. Both of these gentlemen are members of the Company, and both having an excellent knowledge of drill, have rendered yeomanly service. . In fact, but for them, and Captain Douglas’ own ability as a “ drill,” the Company would now have been in a sad state. Now, however, a regular drill instructor for South Canterbury has been appointed in the person of Sergeant Jones, lately of the 94th, and this non-commissioned officer will visit Ashburton every Monday. It is feared that the day will have to be altered, as Monday evening is about the worst evening in the week for both officers and men of the Ashburton Eifles attending parade. Tuesday or Thursday would be far preferable. Sergeant Jones is quartered at Timaiu, and will make weekly visits to the various country corps existing between the breakwater city and the hub of the Plains.

The Ashburton ’“ Guards” have not yet been officially accepted, and Government does not appear to be in a hurry to say whether they will be accepted or not. The wheels of a Government machine move slowly —in fact, take the proverbial “ Government stroke ” —but notwithstanding, the men attend two parades per week, and are making rapid progress in drill. Colour-Sergeant Hayes, of the Eifles, and Mr W. B. Moss, of the “ Guards,” are the drill instructors.

The Acclimatisation Society are greatly exercised in their minds over the possible pollution of the Ashburton Eiver by the drainage of dye, &c., from the woollen factory which is about to begin operations on the river bank. The Society is to take no action at present, believing that it will be time enough to do so when the factory starts work. Is the Society aware that any drainage the town of Ashburton has is discharged into the river from the main outfall drain, and that a. continual stream of water flows down each street and past each ratepayer’s door, carrying away to the river-all the impurities of the streets ? The planting season is round again, and the auction rooms give indications of it.

Six thousand frudTand forest trees will go under the. hammer on Saturday, and the Borough Council will soon have under its consideration the question of planting the Town Belts with; long lines of forest trees. Notwithstanding the promises made by the Minister of Public Works on -the occasion of his recent visit to Ashburton, the foot-crossing - over the railway at Cameron street, which would be such a very great convenience to the residents, has not yet been commenced, and no indications are apparent of an early beginning. The Borough Council have decided to draw the Minister’s attention to the fact. The results of the local option poll in the Ashburton (suburban). Upper Ashburton and Mount Somers Licensing Districts, has been a decided majority against any increase. Some people are much disturbed as to how this vote will affect the licenses granted for a day or two at a time to the racecourse and the Caledonian Society’s sports grounds, both of which places are within the Ashburton (suburban) district, in which no licenses at all exist. Can these occasional licenses be granted in face of this local option vote ?

Last Monday the Rev Mr M'Neill, the recently appointed pastor to the new Presbyterian charge, which extends along the foot of the hills from Methven to the Rangitata, was inducted. The ceremony took place in the Springburn school, and there was quite a large contingent of clergymen present. They comprised the Revs Elmslie and Erwin from Christchurch, Porter from Prebbleton, Beattie from Ashburton, and Blake from Tinwald, all of whom took part. There was a large attendance of residents in the district, and many had come from long distances. Representatives were present from all the sub-districts, from Rangitata in the south to Methven in the north, while many had come considerable distances down the gorges in the hills. After the induction a tea meeting was held—such a tea meeting as only the good wives of the hills can organise and provide for; and after full honour had been done to the good ladies’ hospitality, a social meeting followed. Addresses were delivered by the clergymen, and music, both vocal and instrumental, was supplied by the little knot of talented musicians the Mount Somers and Alford" Forest district is known to possess. At half-past nine things were still going on joyously, when such a storm came on as the place has not experienced for many a day. The noise was so great that no speaker could make himself 'heard in the building, and the music was as great a failure against the storm that roared overhead. The meeting, therefore, had to reluctantly disperse, not, however, before the farmers had very handsomely subscribed among them the better part of, £4O to buy their new clergyman a horse and buggy. Many clearing saleshavebeenheldrecently, and some of our best farmers are feeling the pinch of low prices for grain. The times are very trying, and a striking evidence of the “ survival of the fittest” is being given, the fittest, however, meaning the men with the best bank account., The bankruptcy list is also swelling, and during the last, few weeks a good many have asked the aid of the Court to clear away their financial troubles.