MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m.p and 5 p.in., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a. in. and 10.15 a. in. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers; and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. ' For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 0 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. •From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. Fr«m Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St; : G. Douglas, • Postmaster.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. i All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to-be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER. TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1880.

At the Borough Council meeting last night a most unpleasant discovery was made—viz., that by some inadvertence, or want of knowledge of the law relating to those Government sweets—now things of the past—the pound for pound subsidies, on the part of those guiding pur municipal affairs last year, the Borough had lost a sum equal to the whole of its rates for the year 1879. The pound for pound subsidy had not been received by the Borough during the year 1879, and the present Mayor had recently written to Mr. E. G. Wright to ascertain what was required to be done by the Boyough to entitle it to the subsidy. Mr. Wright wrote in reply that, in .order to qualify the Borough to participate in the pound for pound subsidy for 1879, it was neces sary that a rate should have been struck, and a claim sent in on or before Ist May, 1879. This, it appears, was not done, and as a result some £1,200 or so has been lost to the Borough. It will bo re membered that some trouble arose last year over the making out of the roll, and the valuer was allowed two months to finish it. The delay has been fatal to the Borough’s claim, and it is not to be wondered at when, a substantial loss like this has been suffered that Mr. St. Hill should “let out” pretty roundly at some body, though we fail to see why he should have directed his reproaches at the Clerk any more than at the then Mayor and Councillors, who were all equally to blame, with the Clerk. It is no use cry over spilt milk, and the members of the Council, we fear, as well as the ratepayers will have to grin and bear it. Perhaps at that sweet time in the Council’s history when the Chamber was the airing ground of Councillors’ eloquence more than the scene of practical business, had there been less feeling and more work, there would have been time found to look after trifles like £1,200 of subsidy ; but there was so much “you’re anothering” round the Council table at that highly oratorical period that a matter so unimportant as a half of the municipal revenue might, of course, easily be overlooked —and, ap parently, it has been.

In Bankruptcy.— Mr. W. R. Boyle has been appointed creditors’ trustee in the bankrupt estate of John Hircock. The Domain Tree Thefts. — Yesterday Constable Neill apprehended two lads on a charge of stealing trees from the Domain, The Mount Somers Railway.— The sum of L 4,000 has been set aside on the Public Works Estimates for the Upper Ashburton Railway. Presbyterian. —lt was announced on Sunday that the recently elected elders of the Ashburton Presbyterian Church would be ordained the eldership at the forenoon service next Sabbath. Vital Statistics. —Thirty-seven “little strangers” came to Ashburton district (bless their little hearts), during the month of July; four persons went to their long home ; and Cupid was success ful in uniting only two loving hearts. The Sunnyside Asylum —Dr. Hacon, late assistant physician at the Warwick County Asylum, has been appointed Resident Medical Superintendent at the Sunnyside Asylum. Dr. Hacon is to enter upon bis duties on August 15. Entertainment at Longbeach. —A grand entertainment is announced to take place in the Longbeach Schoolroom on Saturday evening next. From what we know of the promoters and the character of the entertainment as a whole, we can anticipate for our Longbeach friends a rich treat. The Cattle Yards. —Yesterday thecom mittee entrusted by the County Council with the supervision of affairs connected with the new cattle yards, and comprising Messrs. W. C. Walker, John Grigg, John Carter, and George Jameson, visited the cattle yards reserve and selected a site for the yards, which has now been pegged out, and the contractors will probably start work this morning. The Rifle Corps. —On Friday evening next the members of the Rifle Corps will have a special inducement for attending parade. On that evening a presentation is to be made to Color-Sergeant Dolman, in recognition of his services to the corps as drill instructor. The testimonial will take the form of a color-sergeant’s badge, with which will also be given a souvenir in the shape of a silver mounted pipe. The band, in their new uniform, will also be present. The Grain Trade.— The stations in this district show by far the largest des patch of grain during the last season —in fact the only stations showing an export tonnage of figures were those given below, and as the figures attached indicate : tons. cwt. qrs. Rakaia 16,948 16 2 Chertsey ... 19)57$ !5 3 Ashburton ... ... 11,020 14 2 Tinwald ... ... 3’ loz 4 0 Winslow 1,980 16 2 Hinds J ,3 22 l 9 3 Ealing 98 22 Rangitata ... .. L 2 SB 4 0 The Hospital Tenders.—At a meeting of the Hospital Committee yesterday after noon tenders for hospital supplies were accepted as under:—For funerals,Mr. T. A. Gates ; for drugs, etc., Messrs. Neate and Cambridge, six months each, Mr. Neate to commence ; meat, Mr. R. Lancaster, six months.; groceries, Messrs. Orr & Co. ; medical comforts, as well as the tender for fuel, Messrs. Fricdlander Bros.; milk, Mr. Gardiner. The Committee resolved to adopt the rules and regulations for the hospital (as amended), and to publish them for general imformation ; and also to ask the Domain Board to co-operate in enlarging the hospital site. Gambling. —Thomas Doru, licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, was fined LlO yesterday for permitting gamb ling to take place in his hotel. The Raeburn Tragedy. —The inquest on the murdered woman Young was resumed on Saturday, and adjourned till Wednesday. Two Chinamen have been arrested. In the hut of one of them was found a pair of newly washed trousers, with blood spots on them. The New Rush.— The correspondent of the Christchurch Star at Hokitika, telegraphs More diggers have arrived en route for Okarito, and a steady rush is now setting in. It is to be hoped that none will come without capital, as it is not likely that many wages men will be em ployed just yet. I hear that some store keepers are going down. Fire in Christchurch Railway Station. —Afire occurred on Sunday fore noon in the room of the general manager, Christchurch railway station. It is sup posed to have arisen from some native coal left in the grate overnight. The brigades were called out, and extinguished the"tire before much mischief was done. Pedestbianism. — At Auckland, Young Willis successfully completed his task of walking 108 miles in twenty-four hours considerably inside tire time. He went on to 110 miles, and left off at 8.55, having still 35 minutes to spare. He could have accomplished Scott’s feat of 112, but his trainer, McDonald, would not permit it. Willis was loudly cheered at the finish.

Roads. —ln the Public Works estimat es the amount put down for the road from Nelson to Greymouth and Westport is L 15,000 ; for roads and bridges in the South-west Goldfields, L1,G05. Also, all amounts which were voted last year for different reads and bridges, but not ex pended, are again placed on the estimates.

More Captives. 'The Hinemoa arrived at Lyttelton yesterday, with forty-lb’e Maori prisoners. While marching up to the gaol, under the escort of seven of the Armed Constabulary and Lyttelton police, the jolly dark-skins entertained the Port residents with singing and gesticulations, but they are described as very peaceful criminals.

The Governor. —Sir H. Robinson has received intimation of his appointment to the government of the Cape. He will leave almost immediately, Via Australia and England. Lady Robinson goes to Australia this Aveek to see her daughter there. Master Robinson goes home in the Raleigh. Sir Arthur Gordon succeeds Sir Hercules as Governor of New Zea land, but Sir Hercules will not await his arrival, which is not likely to take place for some time.

Supposed Suicide. —A Blenheim tele gram dated Sunday saj’s A melancholy event happened to-day. About 2.30 this afternoon the body of a man was found floating in the bend of Taylor’s river, by a boy named Robinson. On making the discovery the boy ran and told his father, who procurred assistance, and the body, which proved to he that of Thos. O. Sullivan, was drawn to the bank. Medical men were quickly in attendance, and evei’y means were tried to resuscitate the body, which ivas quite Avarm, but Avithout effect. The unfortunate man had been greatly embarrassed in business affairs lately, and filed his schedule a few Aveeks ago. This seemed to prey upon his mind, inducing to intemperate habits. He left his home, Avhich is near the river, not two hours before he was discovered, and there being scarcely three feet of water at the spot, it is presumed that the act was pre meditated. Great sympathy is felt for his Avife and young family.

The Balkans. —There are ominous signs of war in the Balkan peninsula. The Government of Bulgaria are massing troops on the Roumelian frontier, with the apparent object of securing possession of the Bulgarian provinces south of the Balkans. Remonstrances have been ad dressed to the Bulgarian Governmenf on the subject.

The Skobeloffs. —lt is rumored at St. Petersburg!! that the Turcomans have captured and beheaded General Michael Skobeloff, the commander of the Russian expedition sent against them. Madame Skobeloff, mother of the general, has been murdered at Tchigrin, a town in the district of Kier. The husband of the deceased, as well as her son, are officers of distinction in the Russian army. The principal assassin having been recognised, was pursued, but he committed suicide to avoid arrest. The others engaged in the murder have been captured. Madame Skobeloff, was treasurer of the Panslavic cause, and as such carried large sums of money about with her. It is now sup posed that plunder was the cause of assass nation.

A Mormon Incident. —“One day I saw a woman running across the fields to wards our house, pale and trembling. When she came in she looked round her as if she were frightened, and she asked if any one besides our own family were pre sent. On being assured that there was no one present whom she might fear, she said— ! Two men came to our house late last night, and asked to see my husband, who had already retired. He was in bed, but they insisted that he must get up, as they had a message from ‘ the authorities’ for him. When they saw him they re quested him to go with them to attend, they said, some church business. I became very much alarmed, for poor husband had spoken rather freely of late of some of the measures of the Church ; but he tried to reassure me, and finally left the house with the two men. In about an hour after they came back, bearing between them his lifeless body. They laid him upon the bed, and then one of them pulled aside the curtain which constituted our only cupboard, and took therefrom a bake kettle and stood it beside the bed, in order to catch the blood that was flowing from a fearful wound in his throat. They then left the house, telling me to make as little noise about it as possible, or they might serve me in the same way. The men were masked, and I cannot tell who they are ; but I spent a fearful night with my poor dead husband.” —“An Englishwoman in Utah."

A Wonderful Clock. —The most as tounding thing a contemporary ever heard of in the way of a timepiece is a clock described by a Hindoo rajah as belonging to a native prince of Upper India, and jealously guarded as the rarest treasure of his luxurious palace. In front of the clock’s disc was a gong, swung upon poles, and near it was a pile of artificial human limbs. The pile was made up of the full number of parts of twelve perfect bodies, but all lay heaped together in seeming confusion. Whenever the hands of the clock indicated the hour of one, out from the pile crawled just the number of parts needed to form the frame of one man, part joining itself to part with quick metallic click ; and, when completed, the figure sprang up, siezed a mallet, and, walking up to the gong, struck one blow that sent the sound pealing through every room and corridor of the stately palace. This done, he returned to the pile, and fell to pieces again. When two o’clock came, two men arose and did likewise ; and so through all the hours, the number of figures being the same as the number of the hour, till at noon and midnight the entire heap sprang up, and, marching to the gong, struck one after another each his blow, and then fell to pieces.

ELGIN SCHOOL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Elgin School Committee was held on Friday last in the schoolroom. Present— Messrs. J. Stanley Bruce (Chairman), Henry Moffat, P. limes, and John Keir. The Chairman’s statement was as fol lows ;—I have to congratulate you upon the great success of your school. Although it has been open but a few weeks there are already forty-five children on the register, which is more than could be ex pected at the start and during the winter months. I have further to congratulate you on thesuccessfulentertainmentheld on opening the schoolhouse, which netted L 7 7s. (id., and at which there wore forty three children admitted free. I have also to state that the Government have estab lished a postofß.ee at the schoolhouse, but without allowing any remuneration to the post-master, but Mr. Proudlock has most kindly consented to his services gratuit ously. The Board of Education have ac cepted Messrs. Sealy Bros.’ tender for plant ing, &c., for L 7 10s., and appointed Mrs. Proudlock as sewing mistress. The correspondence was next read, being principally with the Board of Edu cation, relative to planting site, appoint mentment of sewing mistress, clock for schoolhouse, globe, &c. Mr. Henry Moffat proposed, and Mr. P. Innes seconded—“ That the Commit tee, on behalf' of the district, propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Proudlock for agreeing to act as postmaster without re muneration.” Carried.

The accounts before the meeting, amounting to Ll 9 lls. fid., were then passed for payment, and the Committee adjourned to Wednesday, the 3rd Sep: tember.)

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. There were present—His Worship the Mayor (presiding), Messrs. Rudolf Fried lander, George Parkin, Donald William son, George H. St. Hill, Weymouth Roberts, George M. Robinson, Alfred Harrison, and Thomas Bullock. MINUTES. The Mayor took occasion, on the read ing of the minutes, to controvert the statement made by Councillor Williamson at last meeting regarding a discussion on the minutes, which he (the Mayor) held should take place before, and not after the minutes had been confirmed. Mr. St. Hill pointed out that the notices of motion of which he had given notice were not entered in the minutes in the order in which he had tabled them. He would move them in the order in which he had tabled them. Mr. Williamson said that, with all due deference to the Mayor’s ruling, there was on the occasion referred to no motion before the meeting. mayor’s statement. The Mayor delivered the customary statement, in the course of which ho said that, in reference to Mr. St. Hill's ques tion regarding the necessity for butchers taking out licenses, by-law 104 explained itself as inapplicable to vendors of food. With reference to the hollow place at Mr. Williamson’s, the Mayor had been to Christchurch on the matter, and he believed if the Clerk wrote on the subject to the rail way' authorities the hole would be seen to. With regard to the motions tabled by Mr. St. Hill, one of these at least could not be brought forward, as by a minute of November last the Town Clerk had been appointed for a twelvemonth, and Mr. St. Hill’s motion could not be enter tained until that resolution were An Act had been overlooked which gave tenth part of the land in Boroughs to Municipal Councils, and the Clerk had been instructed to write to the Minister on the subject, and also to Mr. Wright, the M.H.R. for the district. The balance at the bank amounted to L 268 Os. 6d.; rates collected since last meeting, L 9 145.; previously, L 990 14s. 9d.; dog fees; L 5 ; previously, Lll9 10s.—total, L 124 10s. Licenses—Cabs, L 3 ; drivers, LI 55.; carriers, L 9; hawkers, LI ; kerosene, LI. Public buildings Town Hall, LI SUBSIDIES. Mr. E. G. Wright wrote, in answer to enquiries by the Mayor, that to qualify the Borough to participate in the pound for pound subsidy for 1879, it was necessary that a rate should have been struck, and a claim sent in on or before Ist May, 1879. The Mayor said that as the rate had not been struck until after the date given above, the Borough could not participate. Mr. St. Hill complained that Council lors had not been made acquainted by the clerk or other officer with facts of this kind. There was evidently neglect somewhere of the Borough’s interests, or L 1,200 could not thus be sacrificed. THE FIRE BRIGADE. A letter was read from the Secretary, Ashburton Fire Brigade, as follows : “I am instructed by the Fire brigade to lay the following statement before you, as fiom the reports in the local papers it is evident that the Council have decided not to pay the Brigade’s subsidy until November, from a misconception of the facts of the case. “The Brigade became entitled to a payment of L 25 on each of the following dates—May ig, 1879; Nov, 20, 1879 ; and May ig, 1880 ; also, to a further grant of L 25 towards cost of uniforms, making a total of LIOO of subsidies to be paid by the Borough to the Brigade, of which sum only 1.50 has as yet been jraid, and we have, therefore, at the present time, the sum of LSO still clue. The Brigade have no wish to press the Council for the funds, but would respectfully draw their attention to the attached balance-sheet, showing an actual oebit balance of L 6 195. 2d. against the Brigade, in addition to which sum they will become liable in a week or so for further payments on account of goods ordered from England. The Brigade have, therefore, respectfully to request the pay ment of the subsidy, or a portion thereof, to meet existing liabilities.—l am, etc., W. Adams, Hon. Sec., Ashburton Fire Brigade.” The Mayor referred to the minute of resolution under which the Brigade was appointed an institution under the Coun cil, subject to rules approved of by the Council. By that resolution a subsidy of LSO per annum was to be paid to the Brigade, but it was not set down at what dates this money was to be paid, so that the Council were the financiers, and not the Brigade. Mr. St, Hill thought the Brigade should not be allowed to suffer any financial em barassment, as they were a deserving and public-spirited body. He had been under a misapprehension regarding the funds of the Brigade, and he had understood them to have plenty of money. He had thus done the Brigade an injustice which he wanted now to rectify. He would do so by moving that L 25 be paid to the Brigade even though at last meeting he had moved its payment in November. The Mayor said the previous resolution would require to be rescinded first. Mr. Parkin explained the position finan cially in which the Council stood to the Brigade. Mr. St. Hill asked leave to move with out notice, that the resolution passed on July 26 be rescinded, which being granted, the motion was passed. Mr. R. Friedlander moved—“ That L 25 be handed over to the Fire Brigade, and that they be informed that the LSO grant is payable annually.” Mr. Parkin suggested half-yearly pay ments, as the most convenient to the Brigade, but would second the motion.

Mr. Williamson hoped the Council would reconsider their position with the Brigade. The Council’s income had been reduced by one-half since the arrange ment with the Brigade had been entered into, and in these times of reduction the Brigade might accept a reduction too. Mr. R. Friedlander thought the Coun cil could not give less than L 25, as the other L 25 was given by the insurance companies. Mr. Parkin said the Council had under taken to find uniforms for the Brigade, but they had not done so. The members of the Brigade had found the uniforms, at a cost of LIOO, and towards this L 25 only had been paid by the Council. An amendment by the Mayor, to pay the L 25 at once, was carried. THE WATER-PIPES. A memo, from the Town Clerk at Lyttelton informed the Council that the sizes of pipes which the Council had to dispose of would not suit the Lyttelton Borough. The Town Clerk, Akaroa, wrote, re gretting the inability of the Borough Council of that place to avail themselves of the Council’s liberal offer to supply iron pipes. The Mayor recommended advertising the pipes in Dunedin. THE BOROUGH SOLICITORS. Messrs. Branson and Purnell wrote stating their willingness to act as solicitors for the Borough. SIGNS OF BUSINESS, i, A letter was read from Messrs. Matson, Cox, and Co., requesting permission to lay down a line of rails across West street, to give access to their new store, now in course of erection. The Clerk was instructed to procure plans, &c., of the railway crossing, the matter to be discussed at next meeting, when fuller information was before the Council. A COMPROMISE OFFERED. Mr. John Hefl'ord, carrier, applied to the Council for consideration on account of being out of work and meeting with an accident, : and offering tl.e use of his services as well as his team as an equivalent for the licensing fee.

Mr. G. M. Robinson said Mr. Hefford had done work for the last month quite sufficient to enable him to pay his fee, and he (Mr. Robinson) weuld move that the letter be not received. Mr. R. Fredlander seconded. Mr. St. Hill commiserated Mr. Hef ford’s state in having suffered recently from an accident, and moved that Mr. Hefford be allowed to work out his license fee, under instructions from the foreman. Mr. Parkin seconded. Mr. Robinson said Mr. Hefford could afford to work one team and employ a a man to work another. A person in that position ought not to come to that Council to beg. Mr. Parkin denied there was any begging. After some remarks from Mr. Fried lander in reply to Mr. Parkin, who said the men employed by the Council were not ratepayers, while Hefford was, Mr. Harrison testified to the fact that Hefford had been suffering from an acci dent for some time. Mr. Williamson said they had no right to remit a license fee. They' could give the man work, but he must pay his fee. After some further discussion a division was taken, when Mr. Robinson’s resolu tion was carried by five to three. MR. QUILL’S CROSSING. Mr. Quill wrote complaining of the crossing at his hotel,.which had been left in a dangerous condition. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the matter would be attended to. THE SHANTIES. John Purcell, a resident in one of the Baring Square Reserve “ shanties ” wrote asking for a month’s grace. Mr. Parkin said he heard the shanties were to be shifted to the reserve opposite the Herald office, and that would be a greater nuisance. The Council resolved to adhere to their former resolution. RESERVES. The Reserves Committee recommended the letting of the reserve at the Hinds, the town reserves, and also to advertise that persons desiring to rent reserves could communicate with the Borough Clerk. The report of the Committee was ad dopted. The letting of the reserves was left in the hands of the Reserve Committee with power to act, ENGINEERS’ REPORT. Water Supply. —The concrete dam and earthwork at the intake at Mr. William son’s are nearly completed. It would be advisable, for better protection from cattle, &c., to fence about four chains of the race with post and wire and cap rail, and a wicket gate to give access to fhe sluice, &c. . We have had some channels cut and clay deposited in parts of the gully in the Domain, in order to prevent so much waste of water. The stream is now flowing steadily, but more rapidly than before. Concrete Kerbing and Channelling. —The contractor has made good progress with the work, which we expect will be com pleted befox’e the next meeting of the Council. Fencing at Reservoir. —We have arranged with Messrs. Jenkins and Choate, as authorised by the Mayor, to erect the fencing, etc., at the corner of the Domain at West and Wills streets for the sum of Ll2 14s. Lamp-post, Havelock, and West Streets. We have had this lamp-post erected and supplied with a kerosene lamp, and arranged with the foreman for its lighting. The Labor Gang have been engaged in making good footpaths necessitated by the now kerbing and channelling, and at work connected with the water supply.

The Works Committee make the follow ing recommendations : 1. That no horse posts should be allowed at the edge of the footpaths in East street, and that the present ones be removed. 2. To form and shingle the footpaths in the, following streets : —Cameron street west, from West street to Park street, both sides ; Cameron street west, from Park street to Winter street, S.W., side ; Wills street west, from West street to Park street, N.E. side ; Tancred street east, from Williams street to Town Belt ; Cox and Peter streets. Books and Son, Borough Engineers. FENCING. It was resolved to have the fluming and upper part of the water race fenced, as suggested by the Engineers, and the action of the Engineers in regard to the fencing was approved of. THAT DAMP. It having been asked of the Engineer why the West street reserve lamp had not been lit, Mr. • Fooks stated Tutty, one of the Borough workmen, said Cr. St. Hill had ordered him to light it only on Sundays. Mr. St. Hill denied this in toto. It was ultimately decided that the lamp be lit regularly in future. HOUSE POSTS. The Works Committee’s recommendation that horse posts be forbidden where con crete channelling is laid down, was dis cussed. Mr. Bullock said this would be a hard ship in many cases, and the Mayor coin cided. Mr. Robinson said the posts in front of his office were used by everybody, and a horse-tail looking in at his office door was nothing unusual. Mr. Bullock moved that the posts already standing in East street be per mitted to remain. Mr. Friedlander seconded. A division was taken on Mr. Bullock’s motion, which was carried by five to four. SHINGLING. The recommendation as to shingling certain streets on the west side of the railway was recommended by the Mayor to be held over till next meeting, when Mr. Parkin’s motion for a fnll statement of the Borough’s finance would be con sidered. Mr. St. Hill protested, as nothing had been spent on the west side of the railway, and the matter had been fully considered by the Works Committee. If the recom mendation were not attended to the Works Committee would be made look childish. The Mayor moved in accordance with his suggestion, and Mr. Robinson seconded. Mr. St. Hill said that seconding was a specimen of how some members came to the meetings once a month, and undid what the working members had spent in doing. Ultimately the Mayor withdrew his motion, and the Committee’s recommend ation was adopted. RUT CHINING OFFICER. Mr. St. Hill asked on what authority the Mayor appointed a returning officer, as by the Local Elections Act the proper authority for appointing a returning officer was the local body. The Mayor in reply said the Act did not give him any special power to appoint a returning officer. Mr. St. Hill said that last meeting a bill of three guineas had been paid to the clerk, and when the sum had been questioned it had been put forward that the appointment had been made by the Mayor. The Council had a voice in these appointments, and they should he made annually. The Mayor said the Clerk had been ap pointed by the Council, and such fee as had been paid to him had been under the Council’s consideration. It was not righ that these matters should be brought up after the accounts were passed. They should be brought up at the time.

Mr. St. Hill said these accounts were smuggled into the Council. Mr. R. Friodlander took exception to the attacks which were continually being made by Mr. St. Hill upon Mr. Braddell. He had no right to accuse an officer whose

mouth was shut of “ smuggling in” an ac count. Mi’. St. Hill denied having any ani mosity to Mr. Braddell, or to any one, and withdrew the expression “smuggled.” FINANCE. Mr. Parkin moved the motions of which ho had given notice - For (1) a statement of the probable income and expenditure of the Borough up to the end of the present financial year ; (2) such statement to show in what manner the Committee propose to reduce the present heavy de partmental expenditure ; and (3) that the said Committee report at the next usual meeting of the Council, and if necessary fresh members be appointed on the Finance Committee at this meeting. The first two motions were agreed to, and Mr. Williamson’s name was added to the Finance Committee. The Committee, as constituted with this change, to report at the next meeting of the Council. MR. ST. HILL’S MOTIONS. Mr. Williamson recommended to Mr. St. Hill that he should defer his) motions until the Finance Committee had reported, Mr. ; St.' Hill agreed, but thought l there was nothing, to. prevent, the motion regard,- 4 ing the ‘ Borqu^h’;s ! printing being mdn siderod, which whs "that tenders be asked ; for all printing, these to be opened by the Council. ■ A Mr. Parkin seconded the motion, and, after a somewhat sharp discussion, it was carried without opposition. THE SEPTEMBER ELECTION. The Clerk was instructed to advertise the nominations for Councillors in the official paper not later than the 24th hist. The Clerk was also appointed to the office of Returning Officer for the Borough, and after some discussion, a motion by Mr. St. Hill, seconded 4 by Mr. Parkin — “ That the remuneration of the Return ing Officer be one guinea”—was lost, and one by the Mayor passed—“ That the remuneration be two guineas.” COMMITTEES. Mr. Harrison, who took the seat of Mr. Saunders, was added to the Committees on which Mr. Saunders hold a seat. SMALL ACCOUNTS. : The clerk was authorised to pay small accounts from the petty cash, these bills to be brought before the Council at the meeting following the payments. LICENSES. Cab licenses were granted to Edward Oughten and Thomas Stevenson ; a kerosene license 'was granted to Mont gomery and Co.; and a hawker’s license to John Gordon. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L 64 6s. were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.

THE WATER SUPPLY.

The borough water supply is gradually nearing the reservoir, and the trust in its ultimate success so firmly held by the majority of the residents is fast drawing towards realisation. There w r ere those who sneered at the scheme, and who still sneer, but the water is within a stone’s throw of the reservoir, and a goodly stream flowing is sufficient answer to those sneers. The deeper holes have been puddled with clay, the water confined to a narrow channel where the gully was wide, and paths cut for the stream where the rises wer.e obstructive. This policy has been successful in bringing the flow down to the point where the gully forks, and passes round what is intended to be left as an island in the midst of the stream. The engineer lias evidently in view filling the reservoir first, and allowing the water to back up afterwards to fill the many little basins that lie at intervals along the windings, of the gully through the domain. At the present rate of progress there is just the possibility of the water being at the reservoir before the borough is ready to receive it.

THE GOVERNOR.

It will doubtless be with some regret that our readers will receive the informa tion given to-day that Sir Hercules Robin son is to be withdrawn from the Governor ship of New Zealand and sent to the Cape, to replace Sir Bartle Frere. Sir Hercules, during his brief stay in this colony, has been a popular Governor, his many good qualities commanding at once the respect and admiration of the settlers, and . we cannot, therefore, regard his departure other than regretfully. He himself, until very recently had no notion of a change coming so soon, for he had made extensive arrangements for a stay amongst us of some duration. He was gradually getting together a stud of excellent horses, and the turf will lose by his departure a genuine lover of sport for sport itself. Sir Hercules’ place will be supplied, how ever, by a good man in Sir Arthur Gor don, presently at the Fiji Islands. Of Sir Arthur, “ Men of the Time” gives the following account : “ The Hon. Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, K.C. M.G., youngest son of George, fmirth Earl of Aberdeen, some time Prime Minister of England, by his second wife Harriet, daughter of the late Hon. John Douglas, was born November 26th, 1829. In 1854 he was elected in the Liberal interest Beverley, having defeated Mr. G. W. Hastings, and'he ret.lined the seat until the general election of 1857, when he unsuccessfully contested Lisk eard against Mr. Ralph Grey, who was after wards appointed a Commissioner of Customs. Sir Arthur Gordon was assistant private sec retary to his father when Foreign Secretary, and also when Prime Minister; and he was specially attached to Mr. Gladstone’s mission to the lonian Islands in 1858. He was ap-i pointed Governor of New Brunswick in 1861; Governor of Trinidad in 1866; and Governor of Mauritius in October, 1870. In 1871 he was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.-' When the Fiji Islands were created into a separate colony called the colony of Fiji, Sir .Arthur Gordon, was appointed its first Governor and Com mander-in-Chief, February 4th, 1575 ; also, Consul-General and High Commissioner for’ the Western Pacific, 1877. He was nominated a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St.: Michael and St. George in August, 1878. Six*i Arthur married in 1863, Rachel Emily, eldest' daughter of Sir J. G. Shaw-Lefevre, the Clerk of the Parliaments.

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(By Telegraph from our own Correspon dent. ) Wellington', Aug. 9. The announcement by the Premier that Sir Hercules Robinson would leave the colony at the end of this month, or the beginning of next, was received in silence by the House this afternoon. The statement that Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon was to succeed him was received with loud Opposition cheers. Sir Arthur is said to be a great friend of Sir George Grey, an ardent protector of aborigines l ! and has a knack of quarrelling with his Ministers. Mr. Oliver’s Public Works Statement finds no friends on either side of the House, and would have been roughly handled this afternoon by the friends of the Government, but for a gross personal attack made on Mr. Oliver himself by Messrs. Shriraski, Pyke, and Hamlin, in which no respectable member could allow; himself to be mixed up. The Premier announced to the House this afternoon that twelve Bdls would at once be struck off the Order Paper. Nine others may go if they can’t get through without debate in a 'morning's sitting. The Licensing, Representation. and Electoral Bills are to be got through if possible. The Native Bills will be tried, but the Financial Bills are the only ones to which the Premier applies the words imst bt.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE SOUTH ASHBURTON BRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The letter of your correspondent at Alford Forest, in your issue of July 31st, is certainly such a surprising pro duction that one would naturally look for the letters advt. in brackets at the end, its laudation of Messrs. HilTand Thomas being so very richly laid on. Still, though it may be true that the Pudding Hill bridge is a well finished structure, arid reflects great credit oh all concerned , it is rather too bad of your own correspondent to cast “odorous compari sons” on the equally well constructed bridge over the South Ashburton, which, so far from being constructed of black birch, and quite green, is wholly of iron bark (except the decking, which is of the above-named objectionable material), and, which if not of the very best material, and thoroughly seasoned, is of the usual quality, and as well seasoned as procur able. It is to be feared that the competent judges mentioned by your own, who de plore the penny wise and pound foolish system, with the waste thereby incurred, can know just .about as much as your own himself of matters appertaining to bridge building. In justice to Mr. Butt, the contractor for the. South Ashburton bridge, it'is well that there are others in this district who are not only capable of judging such Works, but are also willing; to, testify to,the faithful manner in which' the work has been carried put. It, is doubtful whether your own’ correspondent has ever seen the South A shburton bridge.-' With ; regard to. Messrs. Hill and Thomas’ guarantee that the Pudding Hill bridge is fully equal to railway traffic, although one does not wish to, decry their judgment, stillit is to be feared that they are not quite proficient enough in engineering to give adecided opinion.' The Pudding Hill bridge is constructed on the same principle as the North Ashburton, and of the same material; and although even tod strong and substantial for ordinary traffic, is still, in some essential points weak with refer ence tb railway traffic. It is to be regretted that ,the opening of the South Ashburton bridge, which is now finished; will be delayed for some time on account of the contract for the approaches bavin been thrown up, thereby necessitating the calling of fresh tenders.. Perhaps your own correspondent will kindly explain to the uninitiated the style of approach he alludes to as having a “decided outward inclination, allowing sheep, &c., to be driven conveniently along it.”—l am, &c., Piles.

MOUNT SOMERS BRANCH RAIL WAY.

To the Editor.

Sir, —If you will kindly allow me a small space in, your \ aluablo paper I should like to draw the attention of your Ashburton subscribers to what is taking place about the Mount Somers branch line.

I am much surprised that the residents of Ashburton and those interested in its prosperity, take so little notice of the proposed deviation, of this lix e—or rather the, alteration of its terminus. - It is pro prosed, that instead of making it to Mount Somers, it shall be taken over towards the Minds.

Passing over the injustice this would do to land owners and others of Mount Somers and Alford Forest (who have bought land from Government with the understanding that a branch line would be made to Mount Somers) I-will try to point out to your town subscribers the effect this alteration would have on Ash burton.

Supposing the line were taken to the Hinds, we might at once give up all hope of its being bn ught back across the Ashburton river to the Mount Somers township, and must turn our attention and efforts towards the extension of the Methven line ; which I believe would have already beer made if the Government had not promised us the Tinwald line. If the Methven branch were extended-to. Mount Somers, all the valuable producia cff this district and Afford Forest would go to the Rakaia, and all the traffic of this part of the country’ —already thickly popu lated—-would be; transferred from. Ash burton to the Rakaia. If the Tinwald line is extended to Mount Somers —as originally intended— Ashburton and the surrounding - country will be cheaply supplied with timber, coal, lime, and building stone of the best quality in New Zealand. Ample work could be found for numbers of men, and the trade now carried on with Ashburton instead of being taken away would be greatly increased. If the line is taken over towards the Hinds, as proposed, there will only be a very limited traffic in agri cultural produce. . The -Railway Com mission recommended the extension of the line on account of the stone and coal of this district, but unless the line is brought to Mount Somers there will be very little of this traffic.

The Mount Somers Road Board have twice urged the County Council to use their influence with the Government to construct the line on Mr. Triphook’s sur vey. The 'first petition was shelved on the plea of having no tracing, and now that the tracing has. been supplied, they think it inadvisable to do anything in the matter.

Mr. Bullock seems to be the only friend Mount Somers has, and his proposal that the Government be requested to carry out the line as surveyed by Mr. Triphook, was not even seconded. Mr. Bmlock is entitled to the thanks of the Mount Somers and Afford Forest districts, and, ; at f the same time, doubtless sees which; way the interests of Ashburton lie. The i members for the Rakaia side of the: county very naturally want to keep the i Tinwald line as far .from Mount Somers! as possible; Mr. Coster and Mr. Jackson i even wanting to send it across to Peel Forest, and make a still greater certainty i for the Methven line and the Rakaia! township. Hoping to excite a little interest about -the line in Ashburton bjyshowing -that, it will be by no means a matter of indiffer ence to it whether the line comes to Mount Somers or not—l am, &c., A. Edward Peache. Aug. 6th, 1880.

MR. SILCOCK’S PAPER.

To the Editor.

Sir,— l don’t know if it is incumbent oh all who read papers on agricultural matters in connection with the Agricultural and Pastoral Association to defend their state-: ments through the medium of your columns, but by your permission, I would like to say a few words in reply to “ York shirobite.” I take the adverse criticism which your correspondent has been pleased to bestow on my paper, all in .good part ? but think he has made a hiistake in trying to patch! such an unworkable system as he would make out mine to be. I would much rather he gave his own scheme in del ail. And, Sir, if you don’t think it would be presumption on my part, I venture to as sert that if “ Yorkshirebite ” works his 1,000-acre farm of plains land on the same liberal scale as indicated by his letter, if he is not already on his “ last legs,” it will not be long before he is.

.1 can scarcely believe he is in earnest, for he commences by saying my system will be found “ somewhat expensive, and at once goes on to add more expense to itj I decidedly object to that— if he can show better returns, according to lua way of

; v-. working, I am sure he will have many willing; and grateful learners. My estimate of rent or Interest was based on Mr. Grigg’s figures, it was about the only point in this paper which was not attacked —and as my paper on the results of farming on. land valued at L 4 per acre was given in comparison with land valued at L2O per acre, it would not have been fair to the plain lands to charge interest at 10 per cent., whilst on better land it was only charged 5 per cent. I admit the rent is low, but more I think than “ Yorkshirebite ’’ will be able to pay, if he does much grain growing, and requires three men (besides himself), and seven horses to crop 250 acres. I cannot agree with him in his estimate of horse power required. I have carefully reckoned' the time it will take four horses to do all the work required in ploughing, sowing, harrowing, rolling, and harvest ing, and make it 225 actual working days. Neither can I agree with him in his estimate for horse-feed. 1 admit, being a little under the mark, but I think h.e has ‘ erred much further on’the other side, ac cording to English authorities if we allow feed only for the actual working,days, and allow oats at Is. 6d,. per bushel (miy price was Is.) the cost of corn for four horses would be L 25 125.. . : ' • A: :

I do not say the| quantity of oats per horse allowed by him is too much ; but-, if he reckons his oats and his acres he will' find that it will cost him nearly three shillings per acre for oats, not allowing anything for chaff, &c., which should be fully one-third more. This will make it four shillings per acre. Add to this the wages and keep of two ploughmen, which comes to 3s. 10|d. per acre ;’total, ,;7s. 10|d. per acre for horse feed and wages.. Add to this cost of ploughshares, wear and tear, risk on horses, and depreciation in value, and then ask “ Yorkshirebite” whether ft will not pay him better to let his skim ploughing by contract at :4s. .6d. per acre. • ■ I admit having made a mistake iin reckoning my quantities of grass and: clover seeds required for sowing down 200 acres. ' . 0;' : My reply to “ Yorkshirebite’s” query re gorse fences is, if he can’t trim them him ;self, let him pay for them out of .annual returns. j . The error in number of bushels, over 1 which he waxed poetic, was the. printer’s, and not mine. . . . ; In conclusion, ‘ I would like to ask “ Yorkshirebite” a few questions ,®n>the management of his real (not “imaginary”) farm : Where will you get your water from? Won’t you have to sink tha largest part of L2OO ini a well and wind-* mill pump 1 Will it not be cheaper and. better to buy or rent rams than fence a paddock for them, and have the and risk of keeping them 1 Will you need i a paddock for the calf of one cow f Won’t it be more profitable on the plains to keep working horses than breeding mares 1 Are two wires ‘ 1 a good and sufficient fence” enough to keep in crossbred pheep 1 If you break up your 1,000 acres all at onct?,: where will you keep your thousand, aheep. while the grass grows 2 ‘‘ Yorkshirebite,” you have made 1 a mistake. Your scheme, is for an unreclaimed piece of native soil —mine, for a farm in working order.— lam, &0., ’■ '■ 1 W. J. SILCOCK. -

SKETCHES FROM THE GALLERY.

(From our own, Correspondent.) ' Wellington, August 5.

There are no new members this write about, and old ones are never so' interesting. But changes are inseparable from our mortal state, and the old ones of this session are not adopting exactly the same course that they pursued last session'!' so that there is quite room to say some thing new about your local celebrities now exhibiting their powers amongst tlia people’s representatives. Of course the first Canterbury member we must notice is “ our Johnny,”. who is really a great cariosity in his way, chiefly because no amount of public ; office or public pay will teach him the;“ Govern? ment stroke.” At ten a.m, he.,is in Ms office, beset with enquiries and en quirers of every kind, and directing answers to heaps of letters. At eleven he makes his appearance at the Public. Ac counts Committee,'and can give that‘Com mittee a full and clear s explanation/upon the most minute details that would only be expected from a clerk who had nothing else to divert his attention. At 12.30 he goes to a Cabinet meeting/ and there nothing can pass in any department until he has entirely mastered the subject and assented to or amended the proposals 'of each Minister with as much courtesy as Fox, and yet with : more searching, nd spection than Stafford. At 2.30 he is in his seat at the House, where no one can ask him a question that he does not know all about. At one the next morning' he; may be heard pleading with the House to sit just one more hour, or to pass one more Bill, or to get through one more . class m the Estimates.' When he can keep s; a House no longer he goes to bed, takixig a few new Bills with him by way of light reading, just to see that they are all right and consistent with everything else that has been prepared by his Government. All this -seems to’ be nothing more than the natural course of life to him. Like a thin-skinned thoroughbred horse, he can stand any amount of work, but ho can’t stand the rough curb or the thoughtless whip and spur. When Seddon proposes to “ amend the phraseAcrlogy of this ’ere Bill,” or Macandrew advises him -to practice economy, or the Knight- of Kawau" informs him 1 that > the Prime Minister of the Colony should • not makb statements calculated to mislead the House or the colony, it is just a little too mu oh for his nervous temperament/ and. he is apt to boil over. . The sight of his face at present is ;'not i reassuring to those who knbw how ; much : he knows*' about - our financial condition—there is no. expression of hope upon it—his eyes show that they don’t get sleep enough—the quick start with Which he turns to every sound! in the House betrays the excessive tension of his too - long strung .nerves, and everything about him .shows that he .wants turning out to grass for a month. Mr. Rollestoh’s face looks brighter and happier than ever. He has a wonderful power of being 5 quite awake when he is wanted, and going sound asleep when he is being abused., He does his own work and laughs good-temperedly at Hail for wanting to do it for him, or for supervis ing what he has done. He does not speak much from the Government benches, but says that he his trying to get a repu tatkm for wisdom. He is never, weak . nor washy > but is rarely fluent—he seemsin a hurry, and that hurry makes him slow in his utterances. ~ At their right hand sits the .ihon. member for Kaiapoi, ready to pop up and have a go at anyone who attacks Ms friends. ;He can speak . with .his j face as well as with his tongue , and the looks he bestows on Seddou and Shrimski are as little flattering as the speeches he- flings at Stewart and Sir George Grey. He has a peculiar way of pronouncing “ the great Liberal) party,” which no one else could imitate. He is himself a strange combina tion of Liberal and Conservative—a Liberal - by nature, a Conservative by education drawn.to Liberalism by natural benevo lence and the highest sense of ; Justice, repulsed from it by the preposterous pre- of those who claim the name bat know nothing of the practice. He is. hot good at retrenchment, he can never find tho right person to operate on, and is only second to Gisborn in promptness to de fend any Civil servant. I mean,, of, course, second in zeal, not in ability ,or judgment, in; both-iof.rwhich:bet stands, headfand

shoulders above that eccentric phampioU of the wildest communism of property,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1880.



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