LATEST.

LATEST FROM EUROPE ( Reuter’s} London, Nov, 24. The Homeward mails via San Francisco, were delivered to-day. Mr. Gladstone has ai rived in Edinburgh, and was enthusiastically received. The Chilian Fleet defeated the combined Peruvian and Bolivian fleets off Iquiqui, capturing a corvette. Dublin, Nov. 24. Daly has been committed for trial; Paget and others were remanded. Mr. Parnell, at a meeting on Saturday, counselled moderation fur the attainment of their ends. Other meetings in various parts of Ireland have passed of quietly. At the wool sales to-day, 6,931 bales were catalogued.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Reuter’s Telegrams.) Melbourne, Nov. 24. Sailed—Tararua. Sydney, Not. 24. Sugar, Company No. 1 prices, £4O. At a land sale to-day, 329 feet frontage to George street, realised £160,000. Sailed—Wakatipu.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, November 25. In the Legislative Council to-day, after some small preliminary business, and an hour’s discussion on the petition of Mr. Jackson, late Surveyor-General, Mr Chamberlain brought forward his motion—“ That all fencing laws should be abolished,” asserting that the common law of England was sufficient. The discussion was however adjourned. The,Council sat from four to five hoars in Committee on the Qualification of Electors Bill, and, on adjourning at a late hoar most of the clauses had been dis posed of as amended. • At the evening sitting, the remaining damps of the Qualification of Electors Bill were passed through Committee, and the Bill was ordered for the third reading. It will he recommitted on Thursday. ■The Protection of Animals Act Amend ment Bill was thrown out on the voices. The Council ruse at 8.55 p. m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

‘ Tuesday, Nov. 25. The following is the division list on the ' no-confidence amendment, taken at 4 a.m. , morning. The question was put that tm» House resolve itself into Committee of Supply : Ayes, 17—Messrs Atkinson, Bowen, Colbeck, Driver, Gibbs, Hirst, H., Hurst, W. J. (teller), M'Caughan, M'Lean (teller), Oliver, Holies ton, Seymour, Studholme, Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, Wakefield. . Noes, 6—Messrs George (teller), Harris, Lundon, Moss, Shephard, Stewart (teller). AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. PETITION. Mr Stewart presented petitions from ' Otago against the duty on tobacco. QUESTIONS. The questions set down in the Order f Paper. Wbre, on the application of the ; Htm. J, Hall, postponed until to-morrow. ORDER OF BUSINESS. • On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, ; Sit George Grey suggested that other : business should be gone on with, so as to idlqw the proposals of Government to be ; more fully understood by the country. The Hbn. J. Hall said that these pro- J posals had been before the country for sometime, and after the disposal of the motion on the subject discussed on the "previous evening. Government could see no reason whatever for further postpone ment. DISTRICT NORTH OP AUCKLAND. V ; Mr; Lundon moved—‘“That a sum of £30,000 be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for public works proposed to be Mined out north of the City of Auckland, ' ‘ the expenditure to be entrusted to each'of the County Councils interested. ” * , Mr Lundon agreed to withdraw the motion, which was assented to.

' ' ( , THE COASTING TRADE. MrMosa ipoyed—“ That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that foreign 'Teasels striving in New Zealand ports 'jut. ; be allowed' .to engage in the coasting trade, but should be con fined to the discharge of original cargo At such port or ports as they may desire, and to the loading at such port or ports ; that the 'Coasting Trade and Regula tions Act, 1871/ be amended accord- Hon. Major Atkinson promised , that thesubjectwould beattended to during the receas. It was a large question, and ought not to be rushed through in a hurry. He suggested that in the meantime the motion should be withdrawn. The motion was put, and lost on the voices.

COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. The House then resolved itself into

. Committee of Supply. The Postmaster-General and Commis -1 sioner of Telegraphs "Vote, chief offices and sub-offices, £43,B6l—was passed. Conveyance of mails by sea—£6B,slo — The particulars of the vote were as ■ follows :—Contingencies, bonuses and gratuities, £2500; Chatham Islands

Service, £160; Interprovincial Services, < . £6600 ; West Coast Middle Island Service, £4000; Wellington, Kaikoufa, and Lyt telton Service, £360; Wellington and Patea Service, six months, £150; Blind ' ; Bay Service, £240; Taumnga and Opotiki " ' Service, £300; Fiji Service, £2500 ; San ’' Francisco Service, £32,500 ; Suez Service, ; ’ £9OOO ; ' Intercolonial Service, £SOOO ; ' Agents and travelling allowance, ', ■'£l76o'; Auckland Steam Services, £B6O ; ‘Westpdrk and Karamea Service, £2OO. " 'Conveyance of Inland Mails—Auckland, v £5250; Thames, £3OO ; New Plymouth, •: JI £800; Napier, £3000; Wanganui, £650 ; ' ;Wellington, £4000; Blenheim, £800; :i . J Nelsbn, £6OO ;• Westport, £800; Grey ?' ; mouth, £900; Hokitika, £1360; Chriat church, £4600; Timaru, £1260 ; Oamarn, '£4000; Dunedin, £7260; Invercargill, ! f,; £llOO. , ■ /The Vote was passed with some dissent carnage 0 f mails by railway under special arrangement for eight months, £8000; special trains (ten months), £I6OO ; total, £9600. Explanations were

made to thtj that, tip. djipa.rfciqc,iu thought it fi-nly 'fair fliat it should bo credited with these sums, ia order to show the net earnings. The Hon. E. Richardson objected to such an arrangement, as it only compli cated accounts.

Mr. Macandrow argued that it was im portant that the full value of the railway system of the Colony should appear in the accounts.

On a division, the vote as printed was passed. Postal contingencies Telegraphic Department, £110,668. In. explaining the vote, the Hon. J. Hall stated that Government had deter mined to do away with the system of paying overtime to operators, and to pro vide for extra work, the staff would be increased and the hours of attendance also increased. Mr. Shrimski reminded them that a memorial on the subject was now before the House, and lie suggested that the disposal of the vote should be considered in conjunction with that memorial, Mr. George moved—“ That the item be reduced by 5 per cent., making a deduction of £4155.”

Mr. Lundon suggested that the opera tors should be changed about from place to place, at least every two years. That was necessary for the maintenance of secrecy. Mr. Reeves supported the suggestion, but would make the term of residence in any one place one instead of two years. He would suggest that the vote should be increased instead of diminished.

Mr. Macandrew suggested that the telegraphic forms should be printed, and a better description of paper employed. Mr. Turnbull suggested that in the case of persons requiring the establish ment of new stations at any particular place, they should be required to guaran tee any deficiency in the working ex penses. A plan of that kind would be the means of preventing demands not necessary in the public interest. Mr. Dick said that the new system of not paying overtime would have the the effect of reducing salaries from £4O to £3O. He thought that unfair. The arrangements were otherwise unsatis factory. Good men were kept at small salaries in the large towns, and inferior hands were drafted off to the country districts, where other offices were given them besides that of telegraphists. It was the worst paid department in the public service. Mr. George pointed out that there was a large increase this as compared with last year. The vote as printed was passed. Subsidy to Eastern Extension and China Telegraph Company, for Australian cable, £SOO ; contingent subsidy, £450 ; proportion of subsidy under duplicate cable contract, £2OOO. These votes were passed. Education, £242,715 ; public libraries, £SOOO ; Native schools, £15,399. The Hon. W. Rolleston spoke in favor of a free system of education. The cost per head was £4 Bs, which compared favorably with the other colonies where the free system had been adopted. Pro vision had been made for the establish ment of a deaf and dumb institution. A person to take charge of it was on his road from England, and it was the inten tion of Government to establish it on a satisfactory footing. For that purpose a further vote would be asked for a build ing, and on the arrival of the master in New Zealand steps would be taken for its erection.

The Hon. W. Gisborne said that the colony aimed at a high standard of educa tion at public cost. The country was bound to furnish elementary education, but not the higher standards. At present the colony was providing education as good as that provided for the best families at home. If it went on much longer the whole education system would have to be sacrificed, and in the matter of higher education some contribution from the parties obtaining it should be got. Mr. Turnbull moved that the item be reduced by £5.C00. The amendment was lost, and the vote as printed put and carried. The House adjourned shortly before 2, after voting the estimates for the Justice Department without alteration.

Per our Special Wire.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, November 26. There was little debate in the Council to-day, a large amount of time being oc cupied in Committee on several local Bills.

The Council adjourned at quarter past five.

The House met at 2. 20 p. m. OUT ON SUNDAY. Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would ast the Government if a man named P. Armstrong had been given into custody by the railway manager at Westport for being unlawfully on the wharf on a Sunday. FINE ARTS COPY RIGHTS. A message was received from the Legis lative Council that the Fine Arts Copy right Bill had been agreed to with amend ment. Mr. Hall moved that the amendment be agreed to. Sir G. Grey objected to the amendment, alleging that it was the commencement of a vicious system. Authors were asked to deposit, free of charge, copies of their works in certain public libraries. He knew of one case in which an author in England, when the system was first in troduced, being mulcted in a sum of £I2OO in this way. If an author chose to send his works free, there could be no objec tion ; but it was absurd to say he should be compelled. Mr. Hislop moved the adjournment of the debate till that day week, which was carried. SETTLEMENT. Mr. Shanks asked what steps, if any, had been taken to have the land at Mataura reserved and settled, for the purpose of paying for the construction of the Edendale and Foxton Railway (being about 43,000 acres), surveyed into suit able sized sections, and thrown open for sale ; also, if they will be prepared to place a considerable portion of the des cribed land in the market upon the deferred system. Mr. Rolleston said it was being reserved until it had acquired special value from its proximity to the railway. As j’et it had not acquired such value.

M |N Ms, Replying to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Oliver said it was not intended to appoint an Inspector of Mines for the Middle Island. A CAOL WANTED. Mr. Finn asked Government if (hey intend to erect a public gaol at Queens town. In reply to which,

Mr. Oliver said the matter wouklhc con sidered in connection with the general question of distinct gaols in rural districts. MISCELLANEOUS.

Replying to Mr. Bam,

Mr. Oliver said Crown Grants would be issued to the Invercargill Benevolent Institution when the Society had been incorporated. Replying to Mr. Shrimski,

Mr. Hall said that the W. J. Hurst mentioned in the Estimates for the present year—Class 1 in Colonial Secretary’s Department—as entitled to £B4 for services rendered as Chairman to the Auckland Hospital Committee was a member of this House. Replying to Mr. Pyke,

Mr. Bryce said that £621 had been paid to Dr. Duller during the present year for services rendered as counsel for the Native- Land prisoners.

ASHLEY GORGE BRIDGE, Replying to Mr. Moorhouse,

Mr. Oliver said provision would bo made for completing the approaches to the Ashley Gorge bridge.

MUNITIONS OP WAR. Replying to Mr. Andrew, Mr. Hall said the papers of correspon dence hearin ; <>n the subject of the manu facture of ammunition and war materials in the colony would be produced. Replying to Sir George Grey, Mr. Oliver said provision would not bo made on tiie Supplementary Estimates for a drill hall for the Thames Volun teers. SCHOOL OP MINES. Replying to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Rolleston promised that enquiries would be made as to the necessity for es tablishing a School of Minos in the colony. THE CONSTITUTION ACT. On the motion of Sir G. Grey, leave was granted to introduce a Bill to amend the New Zealand Constitution Act, 1852. MONDAY SITTINGS. Mr. Hall moved —“That, for the re mainder of the session the House do sit on Mondays at half past seven p. m., for the transaction of Government business only ; and that on Thursday, Government business shall have precedence.” Mr. Macandrew complained that Go vernment was desirous of occupying too much time with Government measures, to the manifest exclusion of private mem bers’ business. GOLD MINING. Mr. Finn moved—“ That the House will to-morrow resolve itself into Com mittee of the whole, to consider a respect ful address to be presented to the Gover nor, praying that his Excellency will cause the sum of £IO,OOO to be placed on the Estimates, for the purpose of encouraging gold mining industries within the Colony of New Zealand.”

The House di\ idcd —Ayes, 26 ; Noes, 22. The motion was lost. THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Mr. Murray moved that a commission of five persons be elected by the House by ballot to investigate the manner in which the public services of the Colony are con ducted, to summon witnesses and take evidence upon oath, and report to Parlia ment at next session, how, in their opinion the administrative and depart mental business of the Colony may be so systematically organised and conducted as to secure efficiency and economy united to the requirements and means of the Colony. Mr. Hall said the matter would be attended to by Government, and he hoped on that assurance the motion would bo withdrawn. Numerous demands, made by small communities for all the benefits of a complete civil service, in many cases altogether unnecessary, were the cause of many complaints being made against the service. He hoped members would im press that fa;t on their constituencies Messrs. Turnbull and Speight spoke in favor of the motion, and hoped it would not be withdrawn. The latter said it was a notorious fact that men had been pitch forked into positions in the service in con sequence of their family or their relations, for which they were utterly unfit. He did hope something would be done to remedy the evil. Mr. Macandrew said he agreed in the opinion, that if anything was to be done it would have to be done by the Govern ment itself. If they would give the Ministry sufficient time, he believed groat good would be done : much more than could poasibly be achieved by a commis sion.

Mr. Murray said, that having directed attention to the subject, he would lie pre pared to withdraw his motion, which was done. LAND FOK ROADS. Mr George moved—“ That the House will, to-morrow resolve itself into com mittee of the whole, to consider an address to His Excellency the Governor, praying that 20,000 acres of land in Rodney County, be set aside for purposes of con structing roads in the said County.” Mr. Seddon moved as an amendment, that the question fur consideration should be the granting of lands to County Councils for making roads. Messrs. Macau drew and Pyko spoke in support of the amendment. Ma Sheehan moved the adjournment of the debate for a fortnight, which was earned. Mr. Macandrcw moved that it be an instruction to Committee on standing orders to consider and report as to ex pediency of adopting a new Standing Order which shall provide that in the event of this House not being adjourned before the hour of midnight, it shall adjourned at half-past twelve without the question being put, the business under consideration to stand adjourned till the following day. In event of the House being in Committee of the whole, the Committee shall stand adjourned at half past twelve without the question being put; the Chairman to report to the Speaker at the next sitting of the House. The motion was discussed and carried on the voices. PROPOSED REDUCTION OF SALARIES.

Mr. Andrews moved that all salaries of civil servants amounting to £2OO, and over, per annum, be reduced by 5 per cent. ; and that salaries of Ministers and members’ honorarium be reduced by 10 per cent.

?-l”. liCi.l-ao If.lived ,t!| i.liiU, the number of civ I servants be reduced by 10 ]:or cent. The debate imer rii[»lo.l by cite n. dO adjourn menu EVENING SITTi The House resumed ar. ,*..‘;l). itt (Jotiniiitfe j ei the Who’e, to con sider the <j ec.e :■ cl fliat tie’s lion-,, com curs with the Goldiields Commii'ee im m the petition of Richard Reeves, ;n;.l others, of Chatkts.hm and Wesl]i eg, IN, 1- sun Smith West Goldfields, and recom mends Government to make provision ac cordingly. Mr. flail opposed the motion. It pro posed an expenditure Government could not afford ; and further, he objected to the Committee assuming for itself adminis tratuo functions.

Mr. Macandrew supported the motion, and explained that half the interest, was guaranteed by the Hull r Comity, and would be stopped out of subsidies, and the other half repaid out of proceeds. The expendituie had been promised, and it would be an act of repudiation to refuse it now.

Mr. Reeves, Sir G. Grey, and Messrs. De Latour and Gisborne, spoke in favor of the motion.

Mr, Hall said the late Government had stopped outside the Appropriation Act;' and so far as they ware concerned, they had not the money to spend. This, and other works, would have to wait until the colony could better afford their cost. Mr Richardson suggested the with drawal of the motion until the Public Works Statement had been made.

The House divided—Ayes, ol ; Roes, !. The motion was adopted. Several Bills were advanced a stage.

THE ASHBURTON MAYORAL ELECTION.

Although yesterday there was not the same excitement displayed, nor the nmn her of vehicles travelling about with no other object than the wearing out of the horses’ shoes, nor the quantity of printed matter on gorgeous paper to be seen as at the first election of Mayor, there was a keen interest taken in the question of who should be the Chief Magistrate of tl e Borough of Ashburton for the ensuing year. The Council office. which yesterday did duty as a polling booth, was sur rounded by a fair crowd of burgesses, who buttonholed doubtful electors in such a brotherly way, that one regretted not having an accommodation lull ready lor endorsement, as it seemed that either candidate was ready to promise any thin'. However, it speaks well lor our fellow-townsmen that no illfeoling was displayed, and “ chart ” was the order of the day. Betring was freely indulged in on the result of the election, and the tobalisator erected by some enterprising bookmakers did some business. The sup porters of Mr jvess seemed to think that his return was a “ioregono conclusion, - ’ and hacked their candidate heavily, free'y offering 1) to 1. A supporter of Mr. Friedlander, we learn, pockets over €l4 the total represented by the “ foolish .3 s” lie took ou the event. When the polling time was over, and seven o’clock drew near, the excitement became stronger, and quite a rush was nude for the gate of the Chamberllcsarve, when the Returning Officer and the poll clerks made their appearance. A minute or two before seven o’clock

Mr. Braddell, tlio Town Clink, an nounced the figures as follows ; Mr Hugo Friodlander ... ... b 1

, Joseph Jvcss

Majority for Mr. Friedlander... 7 He therefore deck: eel Mr. Friedlander duly elected. As usual cheers greated the announce ment, and Mr. Friedlander, who was a little late, drove up to the Council office, and., al i.gut ing, said he was sorry they had been kept waiting, but ho was not j’et too late as it wanted two minutes-to seven o’clock'. Ido thanked them for the position in which they had placed him, and promised that the interest he had taken in the town’s welfare would ho increased by the honor they had that day done him. lie was not a strong man, and the exertion of that day had worn himout. Re would not, therefore, trouble them with a long speech, hut would simply congratulate them on the absence of all ill-feeling from the day’s contest, and at once make room for Air. Ivess.

Mr. Tvess was in the position of a defeated candidate, hut it was not a dis graceful defeat. Tie owed those who had supported him a deep debt of gratitude for their exertions in his behalf. He must confess that ho was disappointed at the result, as many must have been untrue to the pledges that had been given to him. But his defeat would not stay the interest he took in Ashburton. USs opponent, the successful candidate, m very bad taste bad accused him of having a great power of talk—an'accusation lie was not ready to confess to—ami of controlling:'.!) organ the power of which ho had prostituted to further his own ends and injure his opponents. He denied that the paper he controlled had taken any part in the election ; its voice had been purposely stilled, for bad bo made use of it te further his own election ho would have been guilty of a fulsome thing As the ratepayers know him heater, they would be disabused of the impression regarding him that bad been left upon their minds by misrepresentations ofbmiseh. Ho was sure be bad acted in the best spirit ; and bo was sure also bo bad boon the best abused man in Ashburton. Ho was not thin skinned, and the abuse he had had showered upon him did not have very much oilbct upon him. There was much purification wanted in the Cmmcii, and liis endeavors bad been directed towards purifying the public business of the town. The electors, however, bail willed that ho was not to be one of the purificators and it only remained for him to again than); ihoso who bad endeavored to give him an op portunity of serving them. Mr. Friodlander moved a vote of thanks to the returning omcor and the crowd dispersed.

Ownixo Soteriotuty.—A corrospon of the “ Now York Hova’d,” writing fiom Birmingham, says that recently a leading manufacturer in Shcdield showed his workmen an assortment of American made goods, and taking r.p a pair of tailor’s shears, offered to give tho Union £SO if any one of-lus men, in a month, would produce one pair of shears as good as the American sample.

ABltaUjttrttßf COUNTY CCUKCTL. r i ; 11 ; ;i’im■::I nve'in rof tho Ashburton 1 Tmdy ‘.’i»iis> ii «a 4 1 1 et .1 to-day at the Iliad .Board i i;!i;:,', 'Tcsent :Ml •Ssl'S W. C. V.'., !’;..!• (■ '!iArm ,•:), R. G, \Vri:;lii, IC. 8. C ■;•••'. •! •!■>. 'li - :' r, J. .ricks >a, 0. ileid :; , I 1 C.t r.c, !’.m. r:: <• s.uif.iiA.v’s srvncM ‘ i\ ' I.M in I ,:e Act, (he morning of ihv (.’■ Mtli- ii ;I.os place to-day at noon, for the purpose electing a Chairman. The ordinary meeting is held to-day at 11 a. lit. instead of the one which would have belli summoned on Occcmhei' drd, a; id id other ordinary imi-i*;;it» will be called before (.be Ist Wednesday in .lamia:y, 1880, on which 1 presume the Council will meet in the new chamber.'.

You have id doubt in feed Unit a petition has been sent to the Legis lative Council, praying that the Bill to provide a certain part of the South ilakaia with e ater may not be entertained. 1 have caliou immediate action to have inserted advui'!Cements in the • papers calling on those owners and occupiers of land in the district affected willing to do

so to sign a petition in favor of the Hill. The result of this will lie laid before you to-day. In accordance with the authority placed in my hands, I lure entered inlo an agreement with “ .Lyttelton Time:: ” for lithographing the County map fvm sheets supplied by llm Chief Surveyor.

Those U.hographic maps the Conn hi w;i!, I think, bo a.b'e to soli at a-price suiiicimit t i coup Rolf lor the expenditure in curred.

V.'iih reg:v,',l to the 11.-’agitata, iral'le bridge, some of tho iromvmk ordered from Kngland, such as bolts, etc., are on board tho ILuoivs'ey Hall, but tho member for tho district, whom 1 advised, thinking it might, in some way interfere with his negotiations with the Government, in forms mo, as yon will see, these can he obtained in the colony and will not delay (.he erection of the extension. The Government have notified their willingness, as per loiter before you, of their intention of taking in hand the extension of this bridge, on the distinct undertaking that the cost of the extension is to be equally divided between the Ash burton and Geraldine Counties.

Tim hospital will, 1 understand, he ready for occupation laf re next meet'n , an I 1 suggest some stops should he taken' for a fi rand openin' , ibis being the (ha • public work i n lorta! e i by you that 1 a, been complete 1. 'The instruments require I for the institution have hem duly ordered from England, and will bo received in time I hope for the occupation of the building.

Tenders for the supply of dog collars for .IHSO will he placed before yon, also those for protevtiv s works in the Ashbur ton River, above Digby’s bridge.

As there will be a longtime before next meeting, I beg to suggest that you should make provision for payment to contractors on certificates by your Engineer and the Architect.

I bring up before you at this meeting, the question of erecting a traffic bridge alongside of the present combined bridge over the Ashburton, which subject the Ashburton Borough Council wrote to you on on 2nd August, and which was deferred for consideration. Since last meeting another supply of trout lias boon received and successfully liberated. in; raschtat v traffic rrioob. Mr. Crigg said that some op the mem bers of the Geraldine County Council were under tlie impression that the extension of the bridge was to be with cylinder piles. Mr. E. G. Wright said that as the solid bon piles wore on hand, and the General Government had decided to take the work in hand, and to utilize the ma terial ordered tor it, the Geraldine Comity Council could not now offer any further opposition. ms rxorxEini’s report. The Engineer reported as follows ; “Sin—Thavo the honor to report that since the date of last mooting of Council, the bridge ovor Hind’s Tliyer for Snr yoyo"s road Iv sb an completed, and Mr. Butt tlm contractor had in hand, the erec tion of bridges over Taylor’s stream, at Alford Forest. So far, the pile driving there has been a difficult operation. The rules have boon going at the rate of less than 1-1 Cth of an inch per stroke, and it has been found necessary to draw some of them which wore damaged before getting to *lio required depth. Three of the tiers are now scum; at depths varying from 13 feet to lo foot 0 inches in the solid ground, Rut bridge building' in that quarter will, I fear, he a tedious process, unless the contractor can secure the use of a steam pile driving machine Mi 1 . Ben ham’s work at North Ashburton river bridge at Digby’s is still proceeding satis factorily, and at the present rate of pro gress should ho finished in about two monies.

“ t the last mooting of Council, it wo"ld appear the ouestion of erection of bridge over North Ashburton river at Budding llill was not unite determined on. Should, this matter he finally settled to-dav, tenders for the bridge might he called for at once. Some protective works for Budding Hil! river near this sito would also rcfjinrc to he executed before tho completion of the bridge in order to gum’d against the approach at north cud Vicing washed awav.

Asinnjin’fw voiiks ruornfTtvw wosks. “As re'iimstcd by the Council, 1 have referred iilnns :nnl specifications for tho scheme, which extends ore) - a mile and n. half of tho southern hank of the North Ashburton river, from Mr. Ooode’s downwards, ami include;; that portion of the river which presently threatens the greatest damage to property in the Fm-hs, this being tho nortion to which tho Upper Ashburton Road Hoard drew tlie attention of the Council some time n;{ >, and on which i reported on a pre vious occasion. Sine'- that time the riv«r has gained still further on the southern hank, and the ex pense for repairing will now, therefore, he greater in proportion, hut it seems to me that in the circum stances anything less than (he work now proposed would not he sufficient to chock the. encroachment which, is m>w taking place on the property in tho Forks ad joinin'' 1 !iat part of the river. Tenders will he placed before you to-day for these works.'

“ In connection with (his soldo.•(, f new state (hat several ratepayers in (he Forks swnned to ho under the impression that tho works now tendered for wore to ex tend more or less over the whole length of river frontage along the Forks. I mention this in order that there may ho no further misunderstanding in this res

a* * in- object in view aj present is ' clearly to prevent the North Ashburton river o'erllowing the adjoining roads and property in tho district referred to, and .-■o foilniMg junction with the south branch of the Ashburton river, which is scattviy half a mile distant, and on a coir-vh'raoiy lower level. 1 have not had •in opportunity of examining tho whole .esus.ii. of river hanks towards the hills, half so far as ! have examined there is at present no other district of tho Forks so seriously threatened as that now pro posed to bo dealt with, and if the works now tendered for were once executed the protection of any other portions may, 1 think, be deferred for a little time, when the general question will probably be taken up by a Board of Conservators. DRAINAGE MAP. “ With reference to the order which the Council issued at last meeting for the pre paration of a drainage map of the County, I should feel obliged by receiving specific instructions in regard to the manner in which the Council wish this matter to be carried but, or, at all events, the particu lar objects they wish to be kept in view in preparing it. I presume the work is in tended to be done iu compliance with the requirements of section No. 173, of Public Works Act, 1876. If carried out in its entirety, it will be of such magnitude as to occupy a considerable staff for two or three years, as a system of contour level ling will have to he instituted all over this County,and the lines and levels of all ex isting creeks and water courses, road drainage, and outfall drains, as also levels along the courses of tho various rivers on the p'ains will have to be determined. “ Possibly, too, the new Drainage Act about to be introduced may necessitate quite a different line of action to that implied under head of ‘ Drainage ’ in Act referred to, and so render abortive, to a certain extent, any measures which might be taken in that direction in the meantime.

‘ ‘ I am of opinion that, in order to ob tain data, which would be serviceable within a reasonable period, it might be advisable to adopt a modified course by takimr sections along road lines, and estab lishing a series of bench marks in the vicinity of water courses, the levels ex tending generally over those blocks of the County in the first instance, where ques tions of drainage have already arisen. “ The bench marks already supplied on the upper side of railway, between Ash burton and Tlakaia rivers, will probably prove of some use in this respect, and a series of bench marks might bo similarly fixed on the other portions of the plains. “ The new maps of the County about to be issued, will, I ['resume, show all the watercourses on the plains at the dates of latest surveys. Airy formed since then would have to be added, and then with the system of block levels proposed, schemes of drainage could be devised with rather more facility. At the same time with reference to the’general questions of flood water or drainage which have re cently been before the Council, I may state "my conviction that the preparation of a Comity drainage map would not materially assist in carrying out the details of any of the proposed schemes, and the ultimate expense for the purpose I have indicated would probably be out of all pro portion to the benefit to be derived. “ As the question is a very wide one, and as I fear I labor under some misapprehen sion as to the actual wishes of the Council in this respect, I hope they will he kind enough to indicate the line of procedure they wish mo to take in this matter, and what principally is required to be shown on tire drainage map. 1 ‘ 1 have granted certificates for the payments due to contractors for this month. ’

“ William Baxter, County Engineer.”

BRIDGE OVER TAYLOR’S STREAM.

Mr. Wright considered that the depth to which the piles were driven on the North Branch bridge was not sufficient. Mr. Baxter, County Engineer, stated that the depth specified was 14 feet below the bed of the stream. Some of the piles did not move a sixteenth of an inch with

twenty minstes driving—the driving was through rough boulders. Mr.' Wright considered that as the stream was a mountain one, rnd liable to sudden and violent floods, it would he better to sink the piles as far as possible, and then drive them. The suggestion was adopted. SITE OP NORTH ASHBURTON BRIDGE. Mr. Jackson suggested putting the bridge at a point higher up the river than that fixed upon, so as to save expense of protective works. The Engineer explained that on the site fixed upon, the bridge would be more costly. The matter was referred to the Engi neer for a further report. DRAINAGE MAP. Mr. Wright, after considerable discus sion had taken place, moved —“ That the drainage map at present, required by the Council, is one showing only the major water channels and streams throughout the County, to enable the Council to make provision for getting rid of storm water.” Mr Jackson felt that it was necessary the natural water courses should be clearly defined upon the map, so that no mistake should be made ; and he further suggested that duo notice should he given to owners whose land would he interfered with, Mr. Wright said the Engineer usually did his work in a most workmanlike manner, and ho thought the matter could ho safelv loft in his hands.

Mr. Grigg seconded the motion, which was carried. OIIATRMAN’s EXPENSES.

Mr. Grigg moved—“ That an honorarium of £IOO be voted to the Chairman to moot necessary expenses incurred by him during the year. This was carried. The Chairman accepted the vote, on the same principle he had accepted it last year—via., that of the now recognised principle of legislation in Now Zealand, that the expenses incurred by the public men should be borne b • the couni ry ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Council, as required by the Act, was then held, and tno Chairman was re-elected. Mr. Grigg, the proposer of the rc-eloction, and Mr. Wright, the seconder, paying Mr. Walker a high compliment for his energy and ability in discharging the Council’s busi ness. THE WATERWORKS BILL. The ordinary meeting of the Council was then }*eld, tlio first business taken being the County Council’s Waterworks Bin " In response to a request by the Chair man, Mr. Wright detailed the course of the

Hill through the ileus* up to the sUgii it reached in Parliament. Despite every effort ho had made, the Committee to which the Bill had been referred would persist iu looking upon the Bill intro duced ns a private Bill instead of a local Bill, and the result was that the Bid was thrown out. He, how ever, had engaged Mr. Travers to pre pare a now Bill, which he had done, and this Bill would have passed safely through the House hut for a petition that had been prepared in this district, and pre sented to the House last Wednesday. This petition he had sent down to the editor of the “ Mail.” Looking over the signatories to that petition and comparing the acreage represented by them, he found that only 8000 acres were repre sented by them, or only 9 per cent, of the whole district intended to be affected. Referring to the petition, he criticised the assertions made in it. The second state ment made to the effect that several meet ings held in the district had bfeen op posed to the scheme, was an un migitated falsehood. Another statement was that only a bare majority in the County Council favored it. This -was an other lie; and he hoped the Council would show their unanimity by signing a counter petition. The petition presented said also that the engineering advice given was not sufficient to warrant the going on with the Bill, and that other engineers had pronounced the scheme impracticable. Mr. Wright said he did not know of any engineer—unless Mr. Wm. White was considered the embodiment of engineering skill—who had opposed the scheme, and the testimonials of Mr. Baxter were as high as those possessed by any other engineer in the colony. Besides the fact that the names on the petition were only nine per cent of the people in the district, there wereseverahiarnes whose sanction had not been obtained for their attachment to tho petition—for instance, Mr. Ed Saun ders’ name was there, and he (Mr. Wright) had learned that Mr. Saunders in no way sympathised with the tone of the petition. Mr. Wright then explained why he had introduced the new Bill in the Upper House. He had been advised that it was more expeditious to introduce it, and get it through its three readings there while the Upper House had not much to do, than to introduce it in the Lower House at a time when it.was full of business. Tho following memo, was laid on the table. PROPOSED DISTRICT TO BE RATED FOR PRO TECTIVE WORKS. From the upper boundary of tho Upper Ashburton Road District, from a point half-a-mile north of Cameron’s Road, by a line distant half-a-mile from said road, and following the south-eastern boundary of R.S 8053, thence north westerly along road to Digby’s Bridge, including the lands within the Forks, situated to the south of the upper boun dary of the Upper AshburtonßoadDistrict. The petition against the Ashburton Water Works Bill was inspected and several names were pointed out which were known to be favorable to the Bill, and the petition against, and the counter peti tion for, were read over clause by clause, and after considerable discussion the fol lowing telegram was drawn up : TELEGRAM. At its meeting to-day, one Councillor, Mr. Saunders, being absent, Council unanimous in rebutting statements made in petition presented against Ashburton Waterworks Bill every alleged fact is un true. Counter petition being signed, will go next mail. Council particularly contra dict statement that the Bill is supported by a bare majority of the Council. Council unanimous. Majority of persons signing petition do not own or occupy land pro posed to be dealt with by the Council under the Bill. ” The Hon. W. Buckley, who had promised Mr. Wright ,to take charge of the Bill in the Upper House, had told that gentleman he had only found one objection to it—that the Council had not asked for powers to borrow half a million instead of £IOO,OOO His experience of such works in Italy having led him to believe that no / country in the world would he so much benefited by a water supply as the Ash burton and Rakaia plains. CORRESPONDENCE. REGISTRATION OF DOGS. Town Clerk’s Office, Nov. 20. Sir —I have the honor to inform you that at a meeting held on the 17th inst. it was resolved that the Borough undertake the registra'inu of dogs within its limits. As I understand that the County Coun cil has called for tenders for collars, this Council is willing to obtain its supply from you at the contract price,—l have, &c.,

Thomas Bullock, Mayor. The Chairman, Ashburton County Council. Resolved that the application be granted. BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Town Clerk’s Office, Nov. 20.

Sir, — I have the honor, in reply to your letter of 15th inst., to inform you that at a meeting of this Council held on the 17th inst., it was resolved to request the County Council to take the necessary, steps to have the Board of Conservators elected, and that the Borough Council is willing the bear the proportion of the cost which the County Council may think fair. —I have, &c.,

Thomas Bullock, Mayor.

The Chairman, Ashburton County Council. Mr. Grigg thought that as a matter of kindness to the Borough their request should be granted. The Chairman said the County Council would prepare the preliminaries, if the Borough would undei'take the detail—col lecting rates, &c. The Chairman’s suggestion was agreed to.

TRAFFIC BBIFGE OVER THE RIVER. Town Clerk’s Office, 2nd Aug. Sir, — I have the honor herewith to hmd you copy of a resolution passed at the meeting of this Council, held on the 28th nit., and trust that your Council will favorably consider the object therein con tained, and have the work commenc'd as soon as possible. —I have, &c., Thos. Bullcck, Mayor. To the Chairman, Ashburton County Council

Copy of resolution : “That the attention of the County Council be drawn to the urgent necessity that exists of having a traffic bridge over the Ashburton river, in a line with the Great South .Road, taken in hand as soon as possible, the present bridge being bo often closed, which is a great inconvenience and loss of time, and, above all, most dangerous to life.”

THURSDAY NOVEMBER

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