ASHURST.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 24

ASHURST.

Referring to the Manawatu Times’ Ashurst correspondent’s remarks re the deposit of tbe sawdust from Mr Corpe’s mill in the river Pohangina being injurious to the tKout, I think it wonld be a matter well worth ascertaining the opinion of a manlike Sir James Heotor. No doubt it is a question that in his long experience may have come under his observation, for I do not expect the Pohangina is the first river that has been the receptacle of sawdust from a timber mill. On Saturday the country all around Ashurst was one mass of dense smoke. Bush fires could be Been in every direction, and evidently seemed the order of the day. I fear those who did not burn will deeply regret it, for about 8 p.m. it came on to rain hard and continued all day Sunday without intermission. The result "of burns I shall be better able to describe iu my next. In connection with bur Annual Athletic Sports Meeting on St. Patrick’s Day, Mr Grammars tenders for the publicans’ booth at £7 10s, temperance booth at £1 and fruit stall at £1 were accepted by the Committee. The fences to Sports’ ground hare been repaired, and with the course stumped aud marked, and, with the proviso of fine weather, a successful days’ sport may be anticipated as our nominations are numerous, and we this year have tbe advantage of railway connection with other places.

I see from an extract from the New Zealand Gazette that the Governor (Lord Onslow) has appointed the following gentlemen as trustees to provide for the maintenance and care of the Ashnrsb Public Cemetry—viz., Messrs F. W. Whibley, J. McCool, S Ingram,- G. Searle, and G. Kib ford.

Mr A. Grammer oommenoed pioking bis hops last Tuesday week. He had a very fair crop, but the rough wind we’vo lately had have bruised them very much. Consequently a bright coloury sample cannot be expected. We now want in Ashurst a doctor who would combine a chemists’ shop with his practice, and I hear that an application has been made by a London doctor, provided sufficient guarantee is forthcoming. I trust a medical man in our midst will soon be an accomplished fact. There was great exoitement here last Thursday week, and the cause was the arrival in Ashurst of one of the noted Old Country importations viz:, tbe weasel. When seen an exciting chase took plaos, which ultimately led to the extinction o! the enemy in the hen roost. The animal was in good condition, and had evidently been living on the fat of the land. The new Land Regulations have at last been issued, and read by most of us with feelings of unmitigated disgust and disappointment. Can they really havo been compiled by men thoroughly conversant with the land and its selectors. Surely they mußt have known that in rescinding the old Act, relating to right of purchase, that they were depriving us of our old prerogative—viz., our houses being our castles. Deprive an Englishman of the right of purohase and you take away the one great

-stimulus to prosperity, tha loadstone of his existence, as it were. I hear the Palmerston Small Farm Association has collapsed, and 1 feel satisfied the Ashursfc Association will do the same.