Ashurst Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 89, 26 January 1892, Page 3

Ashurst Notes

» (fboh ooe own correspondent.) A meeting of '■ the St. Patrick's day Sports Committee was held in the Dramatic Hall on Wednesday evening. Present — Messrs G. Hunt (in the chair), Nelson, Bumble, Gallachin, Siddell, "Wells, Sanders, Corriford, and J. S. Freeman (secretary). The secretary read a reply from the Bailway Department, re rial train for sports day, saying that Department would grant a special train, providing the committee guaranteed the same amount as on race day. Mr Sanders proposed, "That the secretary forward a cheque to the Department, and accept their offer." Mr Gajlachin also proposed " That 100 posters be printed to be sent to districts where the Manawatu Times, the Standard, the Feilding Stab, and Woodville Examiner do not circulate." Messrs Siddell and Nelson, who were deputed to visit the Paimerston business men, reported that they had succeeded very well, showing there was a good feeling in Paimerston towards our St. Patrick's day sports. Mr Sanders proposed, " That any member of the committee not in his place for three consecutive meetings should be struck oft the roll," the object being to get working members, so: Very necessary on the day in question. Mr Sanders also moved, " That two amateur events be added to the programme." The election of officers was next proceeded with as followß ; — Mr SiddeU, jndge ; Messrs Siddell and Wells, ha.ndicappers; Mr Sanders, starter; Mr Bowerbond, judge of walking. Mr .Hayoittle gave so much satisfaction here last year that the secretary was instructed to ask him to officiate as timekeeper this year. The committee meets on Monday next at 7.80 p.m. to draw up the programme. I visited the Spnr road last Tuesday. Nothing is being done yet about the school teacher's residence. The school re-opens this week. I find there has been rather a disastrous bush fire up there. A fire .was set some two sections from Mr Bnnns, and the wind drove it on to him and got in among his grass seed, of which he had about sft sacks of cocksfoot cut. The fire also destroyed some sleepers and posts ; passing on from him it entered Mr Goldfinch's section, burnt some of his cut reed, and ran through a lot of the standing ; it also fired his bush, and although he bad not finished felling, yet there was a good barn. Mr A. F. Halcombe, one of the pioneers of the district, has been visiting the inland .parts of the Manchester Block, the Kiwitea, Birmingham, and, in fact, as far as settlement has progressed in that direction. He had not been round for seven years, and was quite astonished at the progress made. He was particularly struck with the substantial advance made at this end of the Manchester block, due in a great measure to that far-seeing policy of throwing open land for settlement, on the principle since adopted by the Government, viz. : occupation for a term without payment, thus giving the small capitalist a chance to acquire a home of his own. They have done a lot of work on their sections. He predicted a good future for Ashurst, now that she has her station, being an outlet for such a large extent of country capable of grazing 2£ to 3 sheep to the acre. The Ashurst station will soon be ready for the official appointed. Traffic has increased so. much since the line was opened that it was found a flag station was inadequate. It is computed that there are 200,000 acres of bush to burn in the Wellington Provincial District. If a good burning season, there will be an immense amount of seed, labor, and stock required. Solve the unemployed (?) difficulty for a time. There have been many burns in these parts (several the result of accidents), generally ; good. Would some of your experienced readers and farmers give their opinions as to whether it is right to sow the grass seed now, or wait till the usual time ? Doubtless some have tried in other years. I notice that if grass seed is not sown by the hand of man Dame Nature sows thistles and rauriki pretty plentifully, and they grow. Possession is nine points of the law, whatever starts first seems to hold its own.