Ashurst Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 38, 26 September 1891, Page 3

Ashurst Notes

{OTJB OWN COKBESPONDENT.] A strong Small Farm Association has been formed, consisting of 50 members. was a meeting last night at Mr D. Hngbey's. He had been deputed by the I Association to interview the Minister of Lands, and makes a formal for 200 acres for each member. The ap- - plication' was received, and Mr Hughey brought back a shetch plan made in the Survey Office while he waited, showing the .block of land allotted to the Association. The application was made under the new. Land Act — 50 years lease at a rental of 4 per cent. But as that has not become law most of the members would prefer taking up their sections with 1 per •cent added and purchasing clause. A .great majority of the members are farmers sons— used to bush life, and would ■make good settlers. This is to be called 'the Gordon Settlement. Mr John Cotter, of Siberia, has put the ■first truck load of wool on rail at Ashurst station. I remember hearing years ago the Messrs Whibley carried the first load of wool over the Oroua bridge on the JFeilding road. The Ashursfc Trotting Club has secured * course on the Ashurst flat on some :gr.ound belonging to Mrs C. McKenzie, for -i>lo per annum, for a seven years' lease, and an application is being made for 5 acres of the Government Eeserve to eniarge the course. We may expect to soon hear of Ashurst's first race meeting. The Colonial Bank opened a branch in Ashurst on Wednesday last. It will be a .great saving of travelling to our back country settlers. It is a long way to go to Palmerston or Feilding to get a cheque gashed, .or transact other financial business, we iar^e very glad indeed that the iiantiasKad the enterprise to start. Mr <Juyv : a Palmerstpn solicitor, also intends to visit Aatitirst every week. " Average of lambing here is about 110 j>er cent; and feed plentiful. The butchers are buying shorn wethers at the sales. Shearing will soon become general. are much warmer now. The Pohahgina has been very high for -several day's- lately. The willow-faggots teicLin 1 by, the Bailway Department to yrbteet the banks have done good already, and- will soon form such a network of ijobts%at it will be almost impossible to break through. Any person having loose adyer! banks; would' do well to come and «ee i^filS^plan adopted here to save them.