ASHLEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6315, 13 August 1888, Page 3

ASHLEY.

« [fbom oub own cobbespondent.] depression. Surely the cloud ia lifting. The railway contract is signed. Even here the farmer is already furbishing up his horses and drayreadytogototherailwaywork. Thereis the probability of some rich minerals being unearthed, the finding of which to many minds will be the chief good of this railway, and then there is the land boom of Australia, which will no doubt extend here. The increased price of frozen mutton, with a present rise in the price of corn and other produce, looks like better times in store for us. ASHLEY EOAD BOABD. Our memberß are, I believe, at their wits' end to know how to dole out their little money to the beßt advantage. Report says it is causing warm discussions amongst themselves. The dray bridge is a continuous source of trouble, and what might be made one of the greatest advantages to this district is kept in abeyance in its present state by the neighbouring local bodies cavilling over it. The Ashley Road Board erected this bridge solely at their own. expense, amounting to some thousands of pounds. How we should like to see these local bodie&shell out assistance with their money in a pull, a strong pull, and a. . pull all together ! It only needs an addition,. thß interest of which, I believe, would only amount to about £40 annually to each body, which would overcome the difficulty and carry the present bridge all the way across, lasting the lives of the present ' ratepayers. LARRIKINISM AND DANCING. Two offenders in larrikinism at Ashleyhad to appear at Rangiora on Tuesday ' laßt, and got their deserts, at the handa-of our worthy Magistrate, in addition to the fines and costs imposed. They had to undergo the ordeal of a dressing-down by •the Resident Magistrate, whose ability in this respect I never* saw equalled. This affair has arisen from a dance being held : at the schoolroom once a week by the upper strata of Ashley. They drew a line when they issued their invitations. This has. caused a jealousy, and the larrikin elementhave shown their feeling, and got most deservedly punished, bnt the main faidt lies with the School Committee,. for such a' paltry rent to allow the school to be used tor such a purpose, verifying the views of a recent prominent Committeeman that it conld lead to no good. I note the Board of Education are likely to enter their protest, forbidding the school to be used for dancing purposes in future.