EXHIBIT 24



                          CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K/A)
of First Financial Corporation of our report dated January 17, 1994, included in
the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders of First Financial Corporation.

Our audits also included the  financial  statement  schedule of First  Financial
Corporation  listed in Item 14(a).  This schedule is the  responsibility  of the
Corporation's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on
our audits. In our opinion,  the financial statement schedule referred to above,
when considered in relation to the basic financial  statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
No.  2-90005 on Form S-8 dated March 16,  1984,  No.  33-17304 on Form S-8 dated
September  17, 1987,  and No.  33-36295 on Form S-8 dated August 9, 1990, in the
PostEffective  amendment  No.  5 to  Form  S-1 on  Form  S-8  (Registration  No.
33-16948)  dated May 12,  1988,  and No.  33-69856 on Form S-8 dated  October 1,
1993,  with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and schedule of
First  Financial  Corporation  incorporated  by reference in the Amended  Annual
Report (Form 10-K/A No.1) for the year ended December 31, 1993.


/s/ Ernst & Young
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 26, 1995