ALFORD FOREST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1856, 13 June 1888, Page 2

ALFORD FOREST.

(KIOH OUR OWN OOBBESPONDBRT.) On Friday last, being the day fixed for the funeral of Mr 0. Hart, at MethveD, a large number of residents from Al?ord Forest, Springbvtrn, and Mount Bometa attended, not only to show respect for the departed, but also sympathy with the beraaued widow. The 1.0. G.T. Lodges, and the Royal Purple Star Orange Lodge, both mustered well, he being a member of both A most impressive exhortation to those assembled was given at the widow's residence, by Mr J. Allison (Wesleyan), and the funeral service at the grave was most affecting, the hymn "Safe In the Arms of Jesus" being solemnly iGndered at its conclusion, it will be lemombered "that Andrew [ Gundereon's house built on Mia Government •ections, was burned down a few weeks ago, the owner being a considerable loser, even should he receive the fifty pounds for which he had paid premium. Application was made to the office receiving the premium, and a reply received that the ease had been placed m the hands of the head office, and no doubt a .satisfactory reply would be received Bhortly, The "satisfactory" reply came In the shape of a return of the exact amount of premium paid. Thus after four months of false security the unfortunate man loses all he possesses, la this fair? A legal opinion will be obtained, and posßibly something more will be t,done m the matter as it is one affecting the interests of society. Another question arises. What becomes of the twenty pounds advanced to »ettlers by the Government for tbe erection of the house ? I may add that all the new settlers have received back their premiam money, and are today totally uninsured. On Sunday last the lObh mat Divine service was conducted by Rev 0 Murray late missionary at the New Hebrides (for the Free Church of Scotland), Having lectured previously at Springburn, a large congregation assembled, evidently delighted with his former descriptions and anxiously waiting a renewal. After addressing a few words of kindly feeling to the Sunday School children, he aßked their prayers for his boys whom he had been compelled to leave behind through ill health, though he hoped, with God's blessing, soon to be back again. The usual Presbyterian service followed, and mission hymns were aung. His sermon was really descriptive of thoao who, like himself, literally go -with their lives m their hands to lighten the dark corners of the earth, full of the habitations of cruelty, A most touching account he gave of the intense sorrow manifested at the loss of their dear ones, and m conclusion he said the wonder was not that so little had been done m such a short period of mission influence, but that churches had been built by the natives themselves, having proper flooring, windows, and iron roofs received direct from Australia, but alljpaid for by the converts. He besought the prayers of the congregation for the good work. Timber cut into short lengths by eteam power is very active juet now, orders coming m freely. Mr Js. A. Peache, of Mi>unt Somers, will shortly be able to supply that great want of Canterbury liny, atja very reasonable rate. Large inquiries have been made all round, ani may orders received by him. Mr Donald McKenzia has just erected a splendid 6 roomed house near the Single Tree, having a vary ornamental and useful appearance. It is quite an improvement to the neighborhood. Mr W. T. Smith too has made extensive additions to his place, and Mr Duncan McLeod has just completed a handsome Tee building m place of the one destroyed by fire, and yet people rava about depression. Advance Canterbury ! ! !