THE CHURCHES.

SUNDAY AND WEEK NIGHT SER VICES AND MEETINGS. EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH.— Tancbed Street, West. Rev. A. W. Hands, Incumbent. Sunday. Morning at 11 a.m., Mr. J. Ward. Afternoon at 2.30, Sunday School. Evening at 6.30, Mr. J. Ward. .Wednesday. Evenings S^fTies at 7 p.RR, Rori A. W. Hands. Choir Practice-at 8/ Vestry meets on First Wednesday m September. Thursday. Confirmation Classes at 6 p.m.,and Sun day School Teachers’ Meeting at 7.30. Country Services—To-Morrow. Mount Somers at li a. m., Rev. A. W. Hands. Alford Forest at 3 p.m., Rev. A. W. Hands. Tinwald at 3 p.m., Mr. J. Ward. Longbeach and Waterton, Mr. Grigg. RAKAIA PARISH. Rev. W. H. Elton, Incumbent. Sunday. St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia.— Morning at 11, Lay Reader. Evening at 7, Rev. W. H. Elton. St. John’s, Barrhill, 3 p.m., Lay Reader. Kyle, 3 p.m., Lay Reader. St. Barnabas’, Methven, 11, Rev. W. H. Elton. All Saints, Sherwood, 3 p.m., Rev. W. H. Elton. Communion. —First Sunday in the month at St. Mark’s. Second Sunday at St. John’s. Fourth Sunday at St. Barna bas. Fifth Sunday at All Saints. Baptism in St. Mark’s, and Children’s Service at 3 p.in.-—Second Sunday in the month. Sunday School. St. Mark’s, St. John’s, and Kyle, at 2.30 every Sunday. '' Friday. Evensong and Choir Practice at 7.30. — St. Mark’s. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—Have lock Street, West. , Rer.-A. ,M; Beattie, Minister. Sunday Services. Morning at 11, and Evening at 6.30, in the.Qhurch.—Rev. A. M. Beattie. In Walcariili School at S o’clock, afternoon, fortnightly.—Rev. A. M. Beattie. In Ashton School and Waterton Library Hall alternately, at 3 o’clock afternoon —fortnightly—Rev. A. M. 'Beattie. Sunday School in the Church at 2.30 afternoon.—Mr. W. Gavin, Superinten dent. , Tuesday. Finance Committee —First Tuesday . of every month, in the Church at 7.30. S. S. Teachers’ Association —Second Tues day of every month, in the Church at 7-30. Wednesday. Pastor’s Bible Class ’ in the Church Vestry—Weekly at 7- Week night Service at B—Rev. A. M. Beattie. Thursday. Tinwald School —Weeklyjservice at 7.30. . Friday. Choir Practice at 7.3o—Mr. Savage, con ductor ; Mr. A. Stott, organist. RAKAIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. —Town Hall, Rakaia. Rev. B. J. Westbrooke, Minister. Sunday. Rakaia Town Hall at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. —Rev. B. J. Westbrooke. Kyle at 3 o’clock. WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. —Cameron Street, East. , RevU W. Keallj Pastor. Morning, at 11, Rev. W- Keall. Evening, at'6.3o, Mr. J. Alison. Sunday School—Afternoon, at 2.30. Address at 3.30, by Mr. G. W. Andrews. COUNTRY SERVICES. Old Men’s Home—Afternoon, at 3, Mr. H. M. Jones. Willowby—Afternoon, at 3, Rev. W. Keall. Tinwald—Evening, at 6.30, Rev. W. Keall. Seafield—Afternoon, at 2.30, Mr. J. Olsen. Sunday School at 1.30. Wakanui —Afternoon, at 2.30, Mr. J. Alison. Monday. Cameron Street Church —Prayer meeting at eight o’clock. Tuesday. Class Meeting at 7.30. , Thursday, Class Meeting, ’ at 7 ; Preaching Service at eight. Friday. Choir Practice at 7.30. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. —Wills Street, East. Rev. A. J. Smith, Pastor. Sunday. Morning School at 10 a. m. Morning Service at 11 a.m. Afternoon School at 2.30 p.m. Evening Service at 6.30 p. m. Monday. Ladies’ Class—ln the Church at 7.30 p. m. Tuesday. Divine Service at 7.30 p.m. Wednesday. Sunday School Singing Practice at 7 p. ra. Thursday. Class Meeting in Church at 7.30. Friday. Choir practice at 7.30. NEWLANDS PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. Sunday. Morning School, 9.30. Divine Service at 11 a.m. and at 6.30. ASHBURTON FORKS. Sunday Afternoon Service at 2.30. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL.— Burnett Street West. Rev. Father Chervier. Mass at 11 a.m. on the second Sunday of every month. Benediction service in the evening of the same day at 6.30.

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE

The following is the report of the Christchurch Corn Exchange for tiie week ending Friday evening, the 20th inst.

Confirmatory reports from various dis tricts are to hand with respect to the sea sonable weather for farming operations. The unusually mild winter has enabled the farmers to carry out sowing under the most favored circumstances. The rainfall from the beginning of the year in many parts is stated to be below the average. At Christchurch Meteorological Observatory, the recorded rainfall from first of January to the end of last month has only been 10.93 inches, the general average for the same period being 15.92 inches since the beginning of 1866. Up to the present date the measured rainfall much resembles that of the year 1878, which for the first seven months was only 9.50 inches. The grain market is in a languid state. The farmers do not seem disposed to realise upon their wheat, even at the ad vanced rates which have recently taken place. At the present prices there is no opening for the buyers operating for the Home markets. The local millers will have no difficulty in purchasing for their requirements, and it is probable that rates may then recede, unless the harvest pros pects in the United Kingdom become unfavorable. The intercolonial wheat markets are easier. Advices from Adelaide tons of cereals have been shipped, and that there is a balance of 87,607, yet avail able for export out of last year’s crop. The market value for the best wheat is re ported at 4s. 2d. to 4s. 4d. per bushel, and these values have been asked for cargoes. Freights are now procurable there at 50s. per ton for export to the United Kingdom. The season in South Australia has been very favorable, and the crops in consequence promise well. Wheat. —The wheat market is in short supply of good milling wheat. The local millers are still operating freely. Sales have been effected during the week at full rates for average size parcels for milling purposes. Farmers in easy circumstances are not anxious to sell. Wheat in prime milling order is worth 4s. to 4s. 2d. per bushel. There are several enquiries for seed wheat, which is saleable at 4s. 3d. to 4s. 9d. according to quality. Chick feed is in demand at 2s. to 2s. 6d. per bushel. Oats. —The demand has improved. The price has not altered during the week. First-class bright milling are obtainable at Is. 6d. to Is. 7d. per bushel. Feeding kinds are in free supply at Is. 3d. to Is. 4d., and inferior kinds do not command over Is. to Is. 2d. Barley. —There are enquires for first class malting barley at 3s. to 3s. 3d., second class at 2s. to 2s. 3d., feed at Is. 6d. to Is. Bd. per bushel. The supply of inferior qualities is in excess of the demand. Potatoes—There is a total absence on the part of the trade to do business. The stocks held by the farmers are heavy. There is no inducement to ship to the Sydney marKet. As the season advances there will be a slacker demand, and con sequently the present rates are not likely to be maintained. Since last week's re port the price has fallen. For potatoes in prime condition values cannot be quoted at over LI to LI 2s. 6d. per ton. Grass Seed—For .rye grass there has been a fair demand. Well cleaned samples are offered at from 2s. 9d. to 35., medium to inferior at 2s. Cd. to Is. 6d. per bushel. Cheese and Butter—The former is offered freely from 4d. to 4id. per lb. Butter is in good supply at Bd. to 9d. per lb., with a slack inquiry. Hay —sos. to 555. per ton, delivered in town. [by telegraph.] Dunedin, Aug. 20. Prime beef, 30s. to 325. 6d. per loolb.; mutton, to 3d. per lb.; good sample milling wheat, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. ; fowl’s wheat, 2S. 6d. to 35.; feed oats, is. sd. to is. 6d.; milling is. 7d. to is. Bd.; malt barley, 2s. gd. to 3s. 3d. ; feed, is. gd. to 2s. id.; potatoes, L2 ss. to L2 7s. 6d. ; grass hay, L2 los.; oaten hay, L 3 ; medium wheat, 3s. gd. 1045.; chaff, L2 155.; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 55.; pollard, 1-4 ; flour, Lio to Lio 10s.; oatmeal, Lg 10s.; pearl barley, LlB ; onions, 7s. 6d. to Bs.; cheese, Sd, ; bacon, rolled, gd.; hams, sides bacon, per lb. (grain fed).

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, s follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Kakaia, &c., at 9 a.m and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Timvald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Porks, 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, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 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, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Dougi.as, 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. 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.

AUCTION SALES.

Tuesday, August 24. Messrs. Davies and Winter, at South up to 6th instant report that 212,528 Rakaia Saleyards, at 2 p.m.—Farm Stock,

MARRIAGE.

•F goes—McLaren. —On August 19, at St. Mary’s. Church, Otaio, by the Rev. L. C. Brady, Charles Compton Fooks, surveyor, Ashburton, to Maggie, youngest daughter of the late Mr. James McLaren, sheep farmer, Bre mar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. 140 g

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1880.

Mount Somers Pound. —Applications are invited by the Mount Somers Road Board from persons willing-to take the position of poundkeepor for a term of twelve months.

Gone Bung. The Ellesmere Adver tiser, published by Mr. Joseph Ivess, has hauled down its flag, and ceases publication after this week. Mr. Sher lock’s paper, the Guardian, will now have the Southbridge field all to itself. The Guardian, in a leading article, states that it has bought out its rival on liberal terms.

Lecture at Cambridge. Mr. H. Cape-Williamson, schoolmaster at Cam bridge, delivered a lecture last night, in the Cambridge School, on “ Agricultural Chemistry.” Our reporter arrived at a late hour this morning, and we are forced to hold over his report. There was a fair attendance, considering the boisterous night, and Mr. Megson was chairman. The subject was ably treated, and in a popu lar style. The Gale!— The north-west gale of yesterday seems to have been pretty severe, in the northerly portion of this island, and to have done considerable damage. The telegraph lines between Christchurch and the distributing station at Blenheim have been blown down, and communication with Wellington is in terrupted. This accounts for the absence of our usual budget of late cablegrams and telegrams.

Monster Panorama of New Zealand. —A monster panoramic exhibition by limelight is announced by Messrs. Bevan and Davies to take place in the Ashburton Town Hall next Monday night. We understand' it is the intention of the pro prietors to make a tour of the Colony, and with this end in view they have procured a most powerful and ingenious apparatus which will give on the canvas'a constantly steady light, with amazing brilliancy, the disc being ten feet in diameter. The views will embrace scenes from nearly every part of the colony, and also some special scenes from Australia. It is to be hoped the energetic conduct and enterprise of Messrs Bevan and Davies will meet with unbounded success. Good Templar Anniversary. —The third anniversary of the Dawn of Peace Lodge of Good Templars was celebrated by a tea meeting in the Town Hall on Thursday. About 150 people sat down to the good things provided by Messrs. Marsh and Groves, and by several friends who had contributed trays. The follow ing sisters of the Order presided over the tables ;■ — Mesdames Poyntz, Manhire, Hefford, and Holmes ; Misses Hardley, Davis (2), Andrews (3), Davis, and Mul ford—the two latter attending the bache lors’ table. After the hall had been cleared the Dramatic Society performed the now well-known drama “ Ten Nights in a Bar Room,” which is intended to show up in all its horror the terrible evil of intemperance. The leading character, “ Joe Morgan,” was played by Mr. Poyntz ; the part of Mrs. Morgan was taken by Mrs. Manhire ; and a young daughter of Mrs. Manhire played the difficult part of Joe Morgan’s child. Simon Slade, the publican, was under taken by Mr. Higgins, and Mr. J. Hardley took the character of Frank. Harvey Green, the gambler and rogue, fell to Mr. Jessop’s lot, and the character of Willie Hammond the squire’s son, was allotted to Mr, Fooks. Mr. Romanic, a travel ling philosopher, was entrusted to Mr. Felton, and Miss Hardley took the part of Mrs. Slade. The comedian of the com pany was disposed of in the character of Sample Switchel, whose sweetheart, Melutable Cartwright, fond of yellow back novels, found an exponent in Mrs. Thompson. All things considered, the piece went smoothly, and some of the scenes were very well managed indeed. Regarding the effect of the piece, wo are afraid it will not be much of a temperance teacher, for, to our seeming, the audience failed altogether to get into sympathy with the drama. Joe Morgan (Mr. Poyntz) in one scene goes into delirium tremens, and Mr. Poyntz did this part of his work very well, but with a very con trary effect upon the audience, who seemed to enjoy each paroxysm of “ the horrors” as an excellent joke, and laughed accordingly. Indeed, most of the pathetic passages throughout the play were received in this way, by a portion of the audience at least. The scenery was all that could be desired —as it must be when Bourk paints ; but we missed the string band, whose absence left Mr. Gates single-handed at the piano. There was a fair audience on Thursday. The piece was repeated last night, to a smaller, but certainly more appreciative audience, and went very well indeed, the performers acquitting themselves creditably.

Another Fire. —Marlborough is getting together a somewhat fiery reputation, blazes in that province having been fre quent of late. A large two-storey build ing at Mount Pleasant was totally des troyed by fire on Tuesday night. The only person in the house at the time was an old lady, who was not aw r are that any thing was wrong until the neighbors came to extinguish the flames.

Clo?e Running. —What of this in the way of coincidence ? Nearly twelve months ago (says the Thames Advertiser) the marriages were announced of two brothers, on the same day, by the same clergyman, and to-day is inserted the announcement of the advent of two olive branches, die births being almost equally concurrent. Both children are girls, and the nurse says “as like as two peas,” Further than this it may be said, one doctor and one nurse had been engaged for both, but this ar rangement w r as upset by the course of events.

The Schoolmaster Willis.—Two or three days ago a schoolmaster named Willis was sentenced to two months’ hard labor for assault. He was scarcely in gaol when a deputation, introduced by the Hon. Mr. Bryce, interviewed the Minister of Justice on his behalf. The Minister promised to consider the matter, and see what could be done to lighten or remit the sentence. On Thursday another deputation besieged Mr. Rolleston, who replied that the matter was under con sideration. The second deputation was headed by Sir Wm. Fitzherbort. Te Whitx’s Policy. —The New Zealand Times correspondent telegraphed from Pungaraliu camp on Thursday ; —Te Whiti has determined to send four men per day to prison until the whole have been ar rested, and should the constabulary object to arrest them fourteen will be sent the next day, and in event of those being re jected fifty will be sent the day after. The men are chosen by Te Whiti and Tohu, two by the former in his whare and two by the latter in his. At first so many volunteered that the chiefs had to adopt the selection system. Te Whiti made a very long speech, of which the following will give you an idea of his tone. He said, “ all the evils I have stirred up shall not be made clear. Neither of the two races know how I shall finish my work. Taking men to prison is not good work, when they are taken for nothing- This quarrel shall not be left for another year to finish. It shall be finished this year. ’ ’

Coal.— lt is rumored that a valuable seam of coal has just been discovered at Gisborne, North Island. Gas. —The Christchurch Gas Company have declared a dividend of 7 per cent, on the half-year. The Governor. —His Excellency and Lady Robinson and suite leave Wellington for Sydney en route for England on Sept. 3rd. Christchurch Rates. —During the past six years the rates annually collected in Christchurch have risen from L 4,500 to Lll,ooo. Lyttelton Jetty. —The construction of the new breastwork and jetty at Lyttel ton was commenced on Thursday,'and is to be completed in twelve months. The Licensing Bill. —ln the usual slaughter of the innocents at the end of the session the Licensing Bill is included, so that legislation on the liquor question has been postponed for a session. An Illicit .Stile. —For illicitly distil ing “blue ruin,” George M'Gusfy and Thomas Taylor have been fined LIOO each, or twelve months’ imprisonment in default, by the Dunedin Court.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

■ Friday, August 20. (Before Mr. P. Guinness, R.M.) lunacy from drink. Peter Fagan, brought up on a charge of lunacy from drink, was remanded until to-day. ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A HORSE. Peter Govin, charged with cruelty to a horse, was defended by Mr. Branson, and X>led not guilty. Charles Smithel, contractor, stated that on the 17th inst. accused, who was in his employ, was engaged, with a pair of horses, scooping a road. One of the horses was a very good animal, the other not quite so good,- but very willing. Govin had been in witness’ employ for about two years, and knew how to drive very well. On the date mentioned, wit ness saw Govin on four different occasions strike the off side horse with one of the swingle-tree bars. Blows were struck behind the horse’s ears, on the ribs, and on the flanks. Witness cautioned accused on the first occasion when he struck the horse, and told him the penalties of the law for such conduct. The horse bled from the nose, but there was no cut visible. When witness spoke to accused in the afternoon he threw a stone at wit ness, and cut him on the iiead with it. Never had occasion to complain of Govin’s conduct before. By Mr. Branson—The first blow was struck behind the ear ; the second on the ribs and flank ; the third on the hips ; and, I think, the fourth between the ears, and the horse then dropped. I had had a little drink that day, but I was not drunk. Do not recollect when accused went away. The last time accused struck the horse I ran up, and told him to leave. The reason I did not interfere before was that I did not consider the blows serious enough to in j are the animal. I was not on horseback that day until I came to town. I then had three horses with me, and was not drunk. Mr. Branson—Then, l ain prepared to swear you were, for I saw you. Examination continued—l was stunned by the blow from the stone. Am indebted to Gavin for wages and also for a loan of money, but have not brought this action as a matter of spite. Am prepared to pay the amount I owe accused. Recollect Gavin saying to me, “ I don’t want to have anything to do with you, Charley, only pay me the money.” The horses are mine, but I did not think it necessary to take the horses away from accused. Constable Smart said lie arrested the accused, who stated he was innocent of the charge. Saw the horse which was said to have been beaten. One eye was partly closed, but could sec no marks of blows. Smithel shewed me a cut on his head, where, he said, accused had hit him with a stone. Blood was flowing- from the wound. By Mr Branson—Smithel had been drinking, but was quite capable of taking cave of himself. Mr. Branson characterised the evidence of Smithel as a tissue of falsehoods, and called Peter Gavin, the accused, who made a statement, the substance of which was that he had not struck the horse at all, that Smithel had got the wound on his head by falling from his horse while in a sttae of intoxication, and that the information was laid against witness by Smithel in consequence of the latter owing witness money. Sergeant Felton remembered prosecutor coming to the station and accusing Gavin of having ill-treated the horse. Smithel was the worse for liquor at the time. His Worship said the evidence was very conflicting, and as there was some doubt about the matter, the charge would be dismissed. ALLEGED LARCENY OF A £1 NOTE. Samuel Curie was charged with stealing a LI note from David Murray. Mr. Branson appeared for the defence, and after evidence had been taken of a very weak nature, bis Worship dismissed the case. ‘ Sergeant Felton bore testimony to the very excellent character which Curio had hitherto borne, and his Worship in dis charging accused from custody, added that he would leave the Court without the slightest imputation on his character. CIVIL CASES. Borough Council v. Restel. Claim L 4 18s. Judgment by default for amount and costs. Branson and Parnell v. J. F. Francis. Claim LI Is. professional fee. Judgment by default for amount, and costs 18s. Meharry v. Wilson. Mr. Branson for plaintiff. Adjourned on the application of Mr. Crisp, for the defendant, until Friday, 27th inst., in order to allow time to obtain the attendance of a material wit ness, and to put in a set off. Wallace v. Walsh. Claim L 4 10s., which it was alleged defendant had be come responsible for on behalf of one Harvey. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff; Mr. Crisp for defendant. This was a case which had been heard on a previous day, and it was then argued by Mr. Crisp that a document which was tendered as evi dence was a promissory note, and as such required to be stamped to make it legal. The document was notatamed, and his Wor ship coinciding with Mr. Crisp, granted a nonsuit. At the rehearing yesterday, Mr. O’Reilly again put in the document as evidence, which purported to be a guaran tee from Walsh to Wallace to become re sponsible for the sum of L 4 10s. due by George Harvey to plaintiff. Mr. Crisp protested against the paper being put in, as it was unstamped. Mr. O’Reilly said the document was not a promissory note, but merely a guarantee to pay a certain sum, and was in fact a simple agreement. The amount which was guaranteed was under L2O, and thus did not require to be stamped. Mr. Crisp, in reply, argued that the document was a badly drawn pro missory note. The 50th clause of the Stamp Act referred to agreements being stamped with an adhesive stamp, and although no amount was specified in the clause, it was inferred that any agreement entered between two parties should be Stamped before it was binding. The re ference to agreements under L2O made by Mr. O’Reilly was only inserted in the schedule to the Act, and the learned gentleman argued that no schedule to a statute could over-ride the clauses of the Act. His Worship ruled that the document was an agreement, and in the course of some observations, stated his opinion to be that documents of less value than L2O did not require stamps.

After hearing evidence on the merits of the case, his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff with costa, and expressed his regret that .no appeal could be made against his decision, as it would be satis factory to have the doubtful matter set at rest as to whether agreements in which money to a less amount than L2O was in volved required a stamp to make them legal. Wakanui Road Board v. T. Rattray.— Claim 7s. 6d., unpaid rates. Mr. J. Wilkie appeared for the Board. Defendant denied ownership of the house and section for which he was rated His Worship reminded Mr. Rattray that the proper time to have put in this plea was when the Assessment Court was sitting. De fendant’s name was on the roll, and the notice had been served, hence the Bench had no alternative but to give julgment for the amount and costs, 7s. Same v. Peter Rattray.— Claim 155., unpaid rates. Defendant said he con tested the case on account of not having received the proper notice. When the demand for payment was made, he found the amount was in excess of what he had hitherto paid, and not having received a notice, he thought some error had been committed. Mr. Wilkie gave evidence that defendant’s name was on the roll, and Francis Wilkie, son of last witness, swore to leaving the legal notice at de fendant’s house. Judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs, 7s.

ALFORD FOREST.

" 1 (From our Own Correspondent.) A ball was given last Monday evening, at the Alford Forest Hotel, to cele brate the completion of the bridge over the North Ashburton. Messrs. Thomas and Hill, with their: workmen, together with many of the inhabitants, were present. Dancing commenced at 9 o’clock, to music supplied by Mr. Price and friends. The room was tastefully decorated with ferns, whose beauty con trasted well with that of the many ladies who were present. In the intervals, songs wore given, and in the course of the evening speeches were delivered, praising the rapid completion of the bridge and che solid character of the work, Mr. Thomas, in reply, said, although not great gainers by the contract, they had done their best, .and in every work they felt they were establishing their name in the beat possible manner by carrying out their part of the business conscientiously. He thanked the ladies especially for honoring the occasion with their presence, and Mr. Tisch for the happy manner in which he had made provision for . the affair. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and the party did not separate till rosy morn. A meeting was held in the Main School on the 18th inst. for the purpose of pro viding a properly fenced site as a burial ground. It was resolved that Mr. A. M'Parlane wait upon the Chief Surveyor, in Christchurch, asking for information, to be laid before the next meeting, on the 28th inst. A daughter of Mr. John McKenzie was buried at Mount Somers on Sunday last, a large concourse of friends showing sympathy by their attendance.

THE WEATHER.

, : During the last day or two the residents in this quarter have been reminded of the spring and summer of 1878, when fierce nor’-westers ■ prevailed, and a calm day was more the exception than the rule. Since the beginning of the week the weather has changed completely from the cold to which we had been pre viously accustomed, and strong winds have blown from the north-west, raising the temperature considerably, and clouds of dust at the same, razing also not a few outhouses, and staving in several windows, but as yet no very great amount of damage has- been done. On Thursday night the gale was very strong, and blew almost a hurricane, and yesterday it kept up as if it meant business. • The express train was half-an-hour late in ar riving from Christchurch having been de layed by the winds and hindering accidents Chkistchukch, 2.30.

A strong north-west wind commenced to blow early this morning soon after day light, and increased to a terrific gale. It is the strongest from the north-west ever known at this time of the yeai’. Consider able.damage. has been done to trees, win dows, and verandahs, one of the latter being entirely destroyed. At Rangiora a stack of chimneys at the Junction Hotel were blown down, doing great damage to the building. At Lyttelton, the shipping have so far escaped damage, but in town a number of doors, windows, and one dial of the town clock were blown in. Roofs of buildings have been extensively damaged. A serious accident occurred at the gaol. A tempo rary iron roof in the north wing, now under process of construction was blown down, and a prisoner, named Pat rick Moss, who was on the roof at the time, fell to the ground, a distance of thirty feet, sustaining a severe cut on the back of his head and concus sion of the brain. He is now in a critical condition. Another prisoner was also injured, but not seriously. The high fence surrounding the quarters of the. Maori prisoners was also blown down. A sou of Mr. Williams, residing at Bridle Path was blown oft the roof of a house, and sustained severe, but not dangerous wounds.

The gale now scorns to be moderating a little.

The telegraph lines are all down north of Kaiapoi.

IMPORTANT TO LITIGANTS.

From the Wellington Post,

At the conclusion of a judgment sum mons case in the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, Mr. Shaw gave a ruling with reference to a question raised in Court last week, viz., is the defendant

to a judgment summons entitled to his travelling expenses before he can be com pelled to attend Court for the purpose of being examined as to his ability to dis charge a debt ! His Worship referred to a decision of Mr. Justice Williams on the subject, tho learned Judge ruling that such a defendant is in the position of a witness, and is consequently entitled to his expenses ; and, he (Mr, Shaw) found that it was most universal in the colony that where a defendant’s evidence was ac quisite to prove the plaintiff’s case he becomes a witness in the Court, and before an order could be made for contempt for non-appearance it was necessary to be shown that such a defendant had been paid his expenses. This practice was fol lowed in the Nelson, Dunedin, Hokitika, and Napier districts, and there seemed to be a consensus of opinion on the matter, which was fair and obvious. As the mat ter was one of considerable importance to litigants, he would like it to be understood that if a plaintiff’ is in a position to prove a defendant’s ability to pay at the time, then two courses are open to him—either to summon the defendant at the Court where the latter resides, or to tender his expenses to a foreign Court. Mi-, Fite, herbert remarked that Mr. Giles, R.M, of Hokitika, once ordered a plaintiff, to pay a defendant’s travelling expenses, and the defendant appropriated the money to pay hjs passage to Melbourne. Mr. Shaw etorted that in Dunedin, where the people were particularly “ canny,” such plaintiffs did not forward the money, but trans mitted a second-class ticket for the jour ney instead, so that if the defendant failed to avail himself of it he might be committed for contempt.

THE ASHBURTON COUNTY WATER WORKS BILL.

Abridged from the Hansard report. Tuesday, 3rd August, 1880. Mr. Wright moved, That the amend ments made by the Oominitte in this Bill be agreed to. Mr. W. J. Hurst rose with considerable reluctance to oppose the motion ; but he entertained the feeling that the House ought to watch with extreme jealousy the conferring of further borrowing powers upon local bodies during the present finan cial position of the colony! He admitted that the object of the Bill might bo a desirable one, but at the same time he strongly felt that it was highly inexpedient that the House should at present grant the borrowing powers asked for on what was-merely the rateable power of the dis trict. After referring to the scope of the Bill, Mr.. Hurst said he thought no harm could arise from delaying the passing of: this measure for twelve months. The House would then be in a better position for dealing with the matter. He would point out that the security given was not sufficient. He knew' that the answer to that would be that the House had nothing, to do with the question of security-; but the lender of the money relied upon the passing of Bills as being to some extent a security. He did not oppose the Bill on local grounds, but on financial, grounds. . As a- member of the Committee, he felt it his duty to direct the attention of hon. members fairly and frankly to the Bill. A communication had been received by the Premier from the Chairman of a Road Board in the : district, covering resolutions condemning the proposed work, and asking'for delay in order to receive a petition being signed in opposi tion to it. , There was ample provision in the Bill for taking a vote of the in habitants of the district on the question, but it seemed to be one on which the inhabitants of the district were not united. The people living in the portion of the district nearest to the hills, and who had a supply of water, did not require the Bill; but the people living on the lower portion of the plain, where they could nbt get water, desired the passing of the Bill. This district had only been settled for about five years at the outside, and the people who took up land there did so with a perfect knowledge of the difficulty of obtaining a water supply. The House would not be exercising its functions pro perly if it did not jealously watch the granting of farther borrowing powers, as it was a matter in which the reputation of the colonly was involved. A similar mea sure ivas passed through this House last session, but the Legislative Council ex cised from : it the borrowing powers, and he hoped they would do the same thing with this Bill. This House should not leave to the Legislative Council the duty of throwing out'these borrowing Bills, but should take its proper share of the duty. Having given expression to his view of tire inattef, he would accept the decision of hon. members on the voices, and if given against him he would not divide the House.

Mr. Hall happened to know something of the district to which this Bill referred, although he did not reside in it ; and per haps the House would allow him to state the circumstances under which this Bill was brought before the House. It was in troduced as a private Bill, and therefore the fullest notice had to be given with respect to its provisions iri the district which it affected. That had been done, meetings of ratepayers had been held in various parts of the district, and no doubt the House would hear from the mover that a large majority of the ratepayers had consented to the passing of the Bill. The object was to provide the tract of country between the Rakaia and the Ash burton, which at present had no running water, with water; —to lead the water from the upper parts of the district, which were provided, into the lower part,, for the use of stock and for cultivating the land. At present no water could bo ob tained, except by sinking sometimes to a depth of two hundred feet. It was true that this district had not been largely settled for any number of years; but that was no reason why the Assembly, should not allow the settlers, who wore a hard-working, industrious body of men, to raise, on their own resources, such money as ivas necessary to bring water to the land. That was all that was asked for, and water was as : urgently needed in that district as roads elsewhere. ; The settlers did not come to the Legis lature and ask for any assistance. ’ They merely asked that they might have per mission to raise L 50,000, upon the secur ity of their own rates, fora specific and most xiseful purpose. It would be a cruel injustice to those people to refuse-them the request they made. Much as he sympathised with the hon. member for Auckland City West in his desire to pre serve the credit of the colony, he thought hon. members would be taking a very un statesmanlike view of their duty if they should indiscriminately refuse such appli cations as this. The Bill had been very carefully considered by the Select Com mittee, who had made alterations in it, and recommended that, with those altera tions, it should pass, and he trusted the House would not discourage private enter prise by refusing to pass it. , The hon. member for Auckland City West referred to a petition from one part of the district against the passing of this Bill. Such a petition had no doubt been sent, and he (Mr. Hall) had received a letter on the subject, but he disagreed with the state ments in that letter. The petition came from a road district near the hills, which was not now in want of water, but the: settlers did not care for. their neighbors getting a water supply. This ought not to influence the House in passing the Bill.:

Mr. W. J. Hurst said that all he asked for was that some delay should take place, in order that a largely signed petition against the Bill might be presented to the House.

Mr. Hall could state that the question had been agitated for two years, so that there had been ample time to oppose the Bill. He therefore thought the demand for further time unreasonable. The House should help hard-working fanners to im prove their properties, when they did not ask for any monetary assistance from the colon}'. He trusted that the House would agree to the report,

Mr. Gisborne asked whether it was usual to introduce a private Bill’to-amend a public Act, as was done in this case, This private Bill altered the existing puR lie Act very materially in many respects. That might be a regular course, but was certainly a very inconvenient one. Fur thermore, this Bill, which was called a private one, asked for the authority of the Assembly to enable a body of ratepayers to borrow L 50,000 without any precaution being taken, as in the case of municipal and other bodies, that no claim should be made on the colony, or that they should not go upon the London money market. Mr. W. J. Hurst explained that pro vision was made in the form of tile .cou pons that the colony should not be re sponsible. Mr. Gisborne said that was all very well, but there was no such provision as proposed by the Colonial Treasurer in his Financial Statement with respect to local borrowing, in the Bill. However, what; he wanted particularly to call attention to was that the Assembly might pass a public Act one session, and next session a private Bill could be introduced, which was sent to a private Committee, and there virtually disposed of, without going through the usual course that public Bills had to be submitted-to.

Mr, Speaker said the course : was. .quite regular, because a private Bill had to go through a much stricter ordeal than a pub lic Bill. Notice had to be given in the

Gazette to all the parties interested, and a Select Committee had to make careful in quiry into all the provisions. Mr. Macandrew thought that one very good reason why this should be a private Bill was that if it had been a public Bill there would have been very little chance of its passing this session or any other session. So well was the machinery of the Legislature adapted to the circum stances of the colony that the best course for any private member wishing to get a Bill passed was to make it a private Bill, whatever might bo its nature or object. Mr Shephard said this Bill was very carefully gone through by the Select Committee. The borrowing power had been cut. down from LIOO.OOO to L 50.000, and many stringent provisions .had been inserted in the Bill. ' With regard to the petition referred to by the honorable member for Auckland City West, he might state that it was in evidence before the Committee that it came from persons whc, being already provided, or certain to be provided, with the water which the Bill would.give to the district generally, sought to shut out their neighbours. The evid ence showed that the productive power of the district would be largely increased by giving the people authority to tax them selves for the purpose of raising money to carry out this useful work. It would also be for the benefit of the colony at large, by enabling a part of the colony to pro duce a larger amount of revenue by means of direct and indirect -taxation than could be got from the land in its present unpro ductive state. . TTe believed the Mouse would be doing well to grant the moderate borrowing powers which the Bill now con tained; and if this experiment succeeded, as no doubt it would do, it would be well to adopt, the same course in regard to other parts of the country, as it would go far to increase ! the colony’s wealth by giving facilities- to settlers to improve, their land.

: ; Mr; : Wright could confirm: what had fallen from the hon. member for Waimea 'arid: the Premier.. The Bill was intro-, duced last' session, and was assented to bj the House, but the borrowing pbwers were cut out of it when it went to the Legisla tive Council. That necessitated his com ing again to the Asseriibly. The settlers of the district- had been called upon by circulars to express, their assent to or dissent from the measure, and of those who returned the ■ circular 106 assented arid twenty-six dissented, so that four-fifths of the parties concerned in this water supply scheme were quite willing that the Bill should pass, and that they should pay for the accommodation which should be afforded. With reference to the letter from the chairman of the Mothven meet ing, referred to by the hon. member for Auckland City West, he might state that it was got up at a meeting at which only eighteen ratepayers attended. Under the powers granted last session the County Council were incurring considerable ex pense in carrying the water-supply to Methven; and now those generous people, having got all they wanted, sought to prevent their neighbors getting what they: required by; further, borrowing.; As to the district being newly settled, he might inform the hon. member for Auck land: City West that it sent out nearly 30,000 tons of grain last year, and that the ratepayers; proposed , to -raise a special rate of 6d. per.acre to meet, the interest and sinking' fiihddf the amount they pro posed to' borrow. : Th'e think ing the,work qf, the highest value,; gave, them power to raise a special rate of 2s. in the pound. The'House must recollect :that the settlers in these dry plains were not now paying 2s. in the pound, but 20s. ‘ in the pourid, to get water ; and at best theyi could only get a much smaller supply thanjthey would if this Bill were passed. • Amendments agreed to. Wednesday, Aug. 4. : Mr. Wright moved that this Bill be' read:a third time. Mi-. W. J. Hurst felt bound to repeat the remark he made on the previous day —namely, that tins was the beginning qf. a new borrowing policy, after the had already realised 1 the firtancial position it occupied in the eyes of the world. It would be remembered by the House that another Bill of a similar character was recently passed ; but the reason for the passing of that 'Bill ’ was 'that' some L 250,000 had already been expended, and that if the House did not giye further borrowing powers the money already spent would bo wasted. But this was a first expenditure: —a new departure, and. it in volved a very serious principle. The Premier said on the previous day that the House would be inflicting a cruel wrong if they did not allow this money to be borrowed ; but it appeared to him (Mr. W. J. Hurst) that the colony had come to a: sad pass when it was obliged to pledge its credit for the purpose of im proving land by means of irrigation at this early period of its history. That was the meaning of the Bill ; and the import ance,of it, to his mind, lay in the fact that this might ultimately become a colonial liability, as it assuredly swelled the; ag gregate indebtedness. Sufficient con sideration bad not been given to the Bill by the House. : It was read a .first time and a second time without coiriment, and was referred to a Committee consisting of five members of the House. And what what was the evidence as to the necessity for this Bill ? Simply the evidence of the mover of the Bill and one other gentle man who happened accidentally to be in Wellington. And what was the effect of that evidence % That it would be a good thing if this money were borrowed, and that the purposes it would serve would be beneficial to the district ; and thejsecu rity they were to give was a certain rate to be levied on this laud. But suppose circumstances of depression overtook the district or the colony, he was not sure that the security would be at all sufficient; yet our passing of this Bill would to some ex tent be regarded as a guarantee by the English money-lender, that we had in vestigated the matter carefully, that we had put our stamp upon it, and that it was a safe thing to invest money in. That was the construction that would be placed on the passing of this Bill. The Colonial Treasurer had brought down a scheme to give borrowing powers to local bodies, and limiting the borrowing power to the colony ; but why not allow such bodies * tb borrow ! indiscriminately ? If Acts of this kind were to be introduced they, ought to be jealously guarded. What was the effect of this Bill 1 That this local body could go into the London money market and float debentures to the extent of L 60,000. But had not the colony entered into an undertaking that it woiild not trouble the London money-market for three years 1 ■ If they passed this Bill, givirig authority to borrow L 60,000, they might as well go in at once for another three millions. His own opinion was that .they ought to stay their hand until they, were again in a financially sound condition. With a property tax staring them in the face, increased Customs duties, and further rates for the main tenance of roads and bridges in conse quence of the withdrawal of the subsidies, they! ought not to place increased burdens bn the peopleßy allbwing this ‘measure ito’ proceed. A delay of twelve or eighteen months : would do no harm, and they wquld do no wrong by throwing out the Bill.. The Statement of the Minister for Public Works, which would probably be delivered that evening, would, he ex pected, show very clearly .that the colony was not in a position to enter upon works of this kind. He had the utmost confi dence in the future of the colony, but if over there was a time when caution and prudence should be exercised, that time was the present, and the House would be studying its best interests by preventing the passage of the Bill. He was not op posing it factiouslyi; ha was merely dis

changing what he conceived to bo a duty to the colon} 7 . Sir George Grey would like to know whether the Government, having now begun to realise the financial position of the colony, and this being a case in which private persons were anxious to borrow money, had considered the question of introducing a Bill to prevent any private person borrowing money until the finances were in a sound state.

Mr. Hall asked the hon. gentleman what his authority was for saying that the Government had only now begun to realise the financial position of the colony. Sir G. Grey said the speech of the hon. member for Auckland City West. Mr. Mali said that that hon. gentleman was a worthy and conscientious supporter of the Government, but he was not the mouthpiece of the Cabinet. But soon after the Colonial Treasurer took office he explained to the House in his - Financial Statement* that the Government' then realised the financial position into which the colony had been brought by their pre decessors, and the country then became aware of the gulf to the brink of which those gentlemen had brought the colony * of Afew Zealand. The Government did realise that ; and the country realised the position, and had thoroughly realised who was responsible for that position. That was his answer to the lion, member for the Thames.

Mr. Wright said the lion, member for Auckland City West had been apeakingpn a subject with the merits of which hb was totally unacquainted, notwithstanding the fact that he was a member of the Com mittee which considered the Bill. . The hon. gentleman spoke of the district as a poor district. Ho (Mr. Wright) would only say that it would have rejoioed him very much if he had foundi land of the same quality in . the Waikato and other; parts of the Auckland. Province he: had' - recently visited. The hon.-gentleman was evidently not acquainted with the nature’ of the land in the Ashburton-District. •* The hon. member further aluded to the opposition which was shown to the borrow ing powers being granted to the Dunedin Harbor Board. There, was no parallel whatever between the two cases. In the case of the Otago Harbor there was a very large sum of money—a.quarter of a million —already spent, and with very doubtful * results. In this; however, the work was of a totally different character, and the ' object of the Bill was to enable a number of industrious settlers to borrow col lectively a certain sum of money with a view of improving their estates, and to that extent to place them in a much better - position to n eet the additional burdens which 'the State was about to lay upoa > them in the way of taxation. -The hon. ' gentleman also spoke of the want of evi dence before the Committee. Now, the> strongest evidence ;they couhLhave of the desirability of this measure was the fact’ ’ that; four-fifths of the landowners and others who would have to pay the rate had assented’to the proposal. When, the hon. ‘ gentleman said the Bill had passed through ■. the House rapidly, he overlookecLthe-fact _ that a Bill pass ,-d the House last, session. - with borrowing powers for LIOO,OO0 —’ substantially, the same Bill as this one, which sought to obtain borrowing powers for half that amount • i ; ■ Bill read a third time.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuters Agency.) - - London, Aug. 17. The American, wheat, harvest,prospects are favorable, and the yield is estimated . at 500,000,000 bushels. The third series of wool auctions opened to-driy. There was a good attendance of home and foreign buyers. 6,900 bales were offered, these . being inferior and ; -' i faulty wools of all kinds. . The tone of the bidding was hesitating. The auction closes on October Ist.

In: the House of. Commons the Marquis , of- Hartiiigton, Secretary of State for India, in submitting the Indian ‘ Budget, said that an increase of taxation was pro posed of L 18,000,000. He also mentioned that mo definite proposals had yet been by the British Government to render aid [Until; such times as hostilities were sus pended. ■ The wool sales opened with, prices at from a halfpenny to a penny lower than : last sales. ; Aug; 18. In the House of Commons to-day, the • >.■ Right Hori. W. E. Forster, Chief Secre tary for Ireland, denounced the wicked ness and cowardice shown by Mr. Dillon • in his seditious speech at Kildare, .but said . the Government had no intention of pro - secuting him. At the wool sales to-day 10,600 bales were offered, making a total of 17,500 , bales since the opening. The tone of thu market showed a better demand and prices were firmly maintained.' Arrived—Coromandel, from Port Ohal- ,■ mers. r ’ la the House of Commons the Em- , ployers Liability Bill has been passed. Theßight Hon. W. E. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has started' sud denly for Ireland. • Hia mission, however, at present is unknown. . • A repbrt was current to-day that two barrels of gunpowder had been found in a railway tunnel under Cork barracks, but" on inquiry the whole thing was proved to be a hoax. . Constantinople, Aug, 17. Hafiz Pasha has been dismissed. . Pams, Aug. 18. It is expected that the French crop this year will be an average one. ~ ’ - Calcutta, Aiig. 18. Further information to hand states that Ayoub Khan is now engaged bombarding Candalihr, and that the British forces are .; ‘ acting on the defensive. News comes to hand that the citadel at Candahar is invested on three .aides by Ayoub Khan’s army. ’ . General Stewart reports he has reached Gundmuk with the British force which , was left at Cabul after General Roberts ■ departed for Candahar, and the evacua tion of Oahul is now completed. • AUSTRALIAN. [Per Renter's Agency.) Melbourne, Aug. 18. All the Ministers have been re-elected. Messrs. Graham Berry arid Wm. M. K. Yale by small majorities, and Messrs. R. Richardson and H. R. Williams by large ones. Sydney, Aug. 18. A cablegram was received to-day from Murdoch, of the Australian cricketers,- who savs that the All England match has not yet been arranged, but a reply is ex- ■, pected in a few days.. ,: , . s . , f Sydney, Aug. 19. It is understood that Government.has.; .. notified to the banks its intention to with- ’ draw L 200,000 from its deposit/ . King Sound, Aug. 19. ... , The steamship Bangalore, with the in- • ward Suez mail, has arrived here. ; ' INTERPROVINCIAL. ' '.V 1 . (Per Press Association.) . ~r , : Wellington, Aug. J. 9,. , The charge of perjury against a bailiff , named • Clifford has. been further,. mended. " •. Miss Bligh passed, a good night, and la . progressing favourably from the effects of the poison. _ . , r ' A charge of embezzlement is being heard at the Masterton Court against Johnson, ■ ■ formerly the assistant clerk to the Court . s there, : , . Invercargill, Aug. 19. ~ A firebar Crosbie’s farm. at, Wyndhara (,m yesterday destroyed two stacks of oats aqdjUH" steam threshing machine.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1880,



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST; S' d. S' d' Butter, inferior to best lb IO 0 to I 2 Eggs, is? dozen - - I 0 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, $ lb o 6 to 0 8 Bacon, prime smoked, li? lb o 10 to 1 0 Hams in cloth, i? lb I 2 to 0 0 Flour in bags, I# loolb 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 251b 4 0 to 0 0 Lard, # lb - 0 7 to 0 0



Wohk. —ln these dull times it is satis factory to observe that work has not altogether ceased. We make this remark because we do not remember seeing in the Christchurch papers so long a list of adver tisements for tenders as appears Three hundred chains of fencing are wanted done by Mr. G. Pocock, Methvcn (labor only) ; two cottages at Springston, one at Rakaia (four rooms), a house and stable at Philipstown, a house in. Armagh street and a cottage in Wilson street (Christchurch), a shop and dwelling at Leeston, alterations and additions to the Temuka Hotel, a Presbyterian manse at Rakaia, four semi-detached villas in Ox ford street (Christchurch), a house at Addington, a fitetory arid shop in Christ church, a two-storey house near the Christchurch racecourse, four cottages in Gloucester'-street.'■Christchurch, one on the North Town Belt there, and a cottage in Merivale are amongst .the, building works for which tenders are asked. A road ffrom Lake Coleridge to Lake Lyndon, a concrete bridge over the Heathcote, and the re-formation of the Back Track, Mount Hutt district, will find employment for other kinds of labor.