ASHBURTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4564, 9 December 1882, Page 3

ASHBURTON ITEMS.

♦ [Bs TeibohaphJ [rBOM OUB OWN OOBBBBPONDBNT.J ABHBURTOIJ, Dec. 8. A now cheese faotory is proposed to be established in the Wakanui district, and a meeting of persons interested is called for Tuesday evening at the Wakanui fichool. The success of the Flemington Factory prompts the promoters of the movement. The lower part of the district of Wakanui is specially suited for grazing cows and producing milk. Mr Archibald Forbes' agent (Mr Smyth) telegraphs to the Lyilelton Times agent here that Mr Forbes will not bo able to come to Ashburton, as promised and previously arranged for; but will give two lectures after fulfilling his appointments at Olirlßtonureh. Mr Forbes ie safe for crowded houses at Ashburton. The Ashburton riflemen are busy in squads at target- practice just now, and nearly ovory morning at live o'clock a firing party leaves for the range. On Saturday night a mooting of the Committee and leading members of the corps will bo hold to consider the question of holding a sham fight at Ashburton, Mrs Holder, the Ohristchurch evangelist, preaches in the Primitivo Methodist Church, AshburtoH, on Bunday next, morning and evening. Tho Hov Alexander M'Lennan, at Drcsent in ohargo of the Methven and Mount Somers Presbyterian district, is announced to conduct services in tho Gaelic language on Christmas Day in the Aehburton Proabyterian Church. A moeting of the leading settlers in Mount Somers waß held on Thursday evening in the local Library to arrange for receiviug the Minister for Public Works, who visits the Mount Bomera district on Saturday morning. A Committee was appointed to prepare an addroßs of welcome to tho Hon W. Johnston, and a number of gentlemen volunteered to supply conveyances to bring the Minister and Ashburton viaitors from An&ma station to Mount Somers and bacK. The Ashburton Caledonian Society has published an excellent programme of eports for Boxing Day, and a grand turn out of Scotchmen is oxpectod. Mr Mulcolm Millor, a popular farmer in tho district, has presented a handsomo medal to bo competed for by young lads in Highland dancing. An accident happened at Ashburton Forks on Thursday night to Measrs Pierce and Weldon, tho well known farmers at tho Forks. They wero returning home from Ashburton in a buggy, to which a young horao was harnessed, and wero thrown out, tho horse having shied at a raco horse which was passing with clothing on. Mr Pierce was rather severely hurt, but Mr Weldon, who was pitched out on his head, lies ia a procarious Btote. Iho crops in this district still keep true to their early promise of an abundant and very early harvest, both grain and graßs looking uncommonly well, but a Bhowor of rain would not come amiss. Tho Church of tho Holy Namo of Jesus, tho now Catholic Church roeontly completed at AshburtOii, is to bo formally oponod on Hunday first by Bishop Hedwood and tho Bov Fathers Ginaty and CoiTey. Tho " I'welfth Mass " is to bo sung by a choir of j 1kv:1 singers of various denominations, under ! iho baton of Mr H. A. Gates, choirmaster at H, ';itephen's, Mies G&tee preaiding ut the . Luruiouium.