LOOKING BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 251, 4 August 1937, Page 4

LOOKING BACK.

FIFTY YEARS SYNE. (From the “Guardian,” Aug. 4, 1887.) Improvement to School.—Another great improvement at Alford Forest is the arrival of a large school bell, lately received, which will enable the children to know the proper school hours, it will be used, too, when Divine service is held, and will be summed up as a most useful acquisition.. A new galvanised iron outhouse, which was much needed, has been erected for the convenience of the master. Taylor’s Bridge Terrace.—The contract of Mr Michael l'agan for cutting down the gradient of Taylor’s Stream Terrace, at Aliord Forest, the scene of the late lamented and fatal accident, has been executed in firstclass style, the benefits of the alteration being self-evident. With a few weeks’ fine weather to harden the face, the change will be fully appreciated by travellers. Hunt Club Steeplechases.—The Ashburton County Hunt club steeplechases take place to-morrow on the racecourse. We regret that no holiday has been proclaimed for the occasion. The totalisator will be under the control of Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, and Mr J. Henrys, of the Commercial Hotel, has secured the right to vend spirituous and malt liquors. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. (From the “Guardian,” Aug. 4, 1912.) Minister Inducted.—At St. Stephen’s Church last evening the Rev. John Robert Burgin was instituted as incumbent for the Parish of Ashburton by the Very Rev. Dean Harper, assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Ensor. The Rev. Messrs J. H. Mathias (Rakaia), B. G. Fox (Tinwald), P. H. Pritchett Mount Somers) and J. H. Rogers (Hinds) also took part in the ceremony. A welcome social was afterwards held in the church schoolroom, where short addresses were delivered by the churchwarden (Mr D. Wood), who welcomed the new vicar on behalf of parishioners, and by Archdeacon Ensor and the new minister. Vital Statistics.—The vital statistics for the Ashburton registration district for July are as follow, with those of the corresponding month last year in parentheses:—Births 18 (20), marriages 2 (4), deaths 4 (12). Payment of Rates.—The Minister of Lands has promised Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P., that he will get a report on the matter between the Anama Road Board and the Commissioner of Crown Lands regarding the payment of rates on the Ruapuna No. 2 settlement.