COMMERCIAL.

(by telegraph.l Dunedin, Aug. 13. Good sample milling wheat, 3s. lod. to 4s. 3d. ; fowl’s wheat, 2s. 6d. to 3s. ; feed oats, is. 4d. to is. sd, ; milling is. yd.; malt bar ley, 2s. gd. to 3s. 3d. ; feed, is. gd. to 2s. 6d.’; potatoes, L2 ss. to L2 7s. 6d. ; grass hay, L2 1 os.; oaten hay, L 3; chaff, L2 15s. ; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 55.; pollard, L 4; flour, Lio to Lio ios.; oatmeal, Lg ios.; pearl barley, L 18; onions, 7s- 6d. ; cheese, Sd.J; bacon, rolled, gd.; hams, sides bacon, B^2d. per lb. (grain fed).

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE. The following is the report of the Christchurch Corn Exchange for the week ending Friday evening, the 13th inst.:— Business during the week has been of a most unimportant character ; values in all classes of grain, with the exception of wheat, are little changed. The weather continues to be all that can be desired, and the prospects of a favorable season are exceedingly good. Wheat. —The market is somewhat bare of good milling samples. Millers are in the market, their stocks being low. Good milling quality is being enquired for at from 4s. to 4s. 2d.; second quality, 3s. to 3s. 6d.; chick wheat, 2s. to 2s. 6d.; seed wheat, 4s. to 4s. 9d. per bushel. Oats. —The demand is not quite so brisk as in the preceeding week, and values are a shade lower. Good short milling quality, Is. 6d. to Is. 7d. per bushel ; good feed, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.; inferior feed quality, Is. to Is. 3d. Barley.—The value of this cereal has experienced little or no change through out the season. The yield this season has been good, but the samples taken as a whole have been of inferior quality. Prime malting is saleable at from 3s. to 3s. 3d. Second-class quality 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. Feed parcels Is. 6d. to Is. Bd. per bushel.

Potatoes.—The market during the week has hardly been so active, but prices re main in statu quo. A few sales have taken place at from 225. 6d. to 255. per ton, at country stations within a radius of eight miles from Christchurch, bags extra. Cheese and Butter. —The market con tinues well supplied with these commodi ties, the supply being good, and the de mand sluggish. The former 4d. to 4id. per lb., the latter, Bld. to 9d. per lb. Hay.—Hay is worth 50s. to 555. per ton delivered in Christchurch.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1880.

The report of yesterday afternoon’s sitting of Parliament, and the telegram from our corespondent in Wellington, show us that Mr. Wright has fired his first shot in the House. He has made several short speeches previously, but none occupying any length of time. Last night, however, he girded up his loins, and struck out right roundly at all and sundry who had attacked the Royal Commission on Railways, of which he was a member. Nor did he spare the Government itself, but fear lessly attacked what he considered to be wrong in their public works policy. He succeeded so well in his first speech of any consequence that, our corres pondent tells us, he was loudly cheered by the House. The subject of rail ways was one on which Mr. Wright was specially strong, and any remark of his on the railway question is sure to be listened to and have weight.

Some weeks ago quite a stir was raised in the towns! ip by the discovery that, poisoned baits had been indis criminately, and as lavishly as indis criminately, scattered about the streets, evidently with the object of sending the Ashburton caninity to the happy hunting grounds. Numbers of dogs, more or less valuable, were sent to their last account, to the chagrin of their owners and to the consternation of the lieges, who feared that the baits, which were tidily made-up parcels of bread and butter, might prove just as tempt ing to innocent and unsuspecting child ren as they had proved to the poor dogs. Large rewards were offered for the discovery of the poisoners, but there the matter ended, and for a time “ the plague was staid.” Whether the death dealer was afraid of awkward con sequences attending discovery, and this fear led him to stay his hand, or he ceased his diabolical work simply be cause his deadly ammunition had run out, we know not. If he stopped from fear, he has evidently taken heart again and plucked up new courage, owing to his escape from detection last time; or, perhaps, there is no feeling of fear in the matter, and he starts afresh because he has got a new supply of the drug. Anyhow, dogs are again dying every where, and the danger, to which child ren as well as dogs were exposed on the last occasion, is once more renewed. Numerous complaints have been made to us of pets having been poisoned, and the “ dog fiend” seems to have adopted exactly the same tactics as he chose on the occasion of his previous exploit. There seems to be a feeling lurking in many bosoms that there are too many dogs running about, and a little weed ing out will not harm much, and there are not wanting those who rather sym pathise with the poisoner’s motive, whoever he may be, in ridding the township of an overgrowth of canine fungus. It has to be remembered, however, that owners of dogs who pay their license fee are entitled to have their property respected just as much as other men, and blackguards like this fellow, who seeks the life of the pels, should have no sympathy whatever in his dastardly work, even if it were not fraught with danger to human life. Doubtless he will find, should the police by any accident run him to earth, that he has been playing with a dangerous toy, and that the ammuni tion he carries on his war of extermi nation with is not altogether blank car tridge. The R.M. will know exactly how to deal with him should he ever be unlucky enough to stand in the pri soner’s place at the Court. The most grievous part of the whole thing, how ever, is not the loss of the dogs—the owners will survive that; —but it is the evidence it affords of how easily deadly poisons can be commanded in this co lony. When arsenic and strychnine can be got hold of at will in sufficient quantities to lay poisoned bails at every street corner, it is high time that some thing were done to have the law re lating to the vending of poisons so con structed that every grain of drugs dangerous to human life, imported or manufactured in the colony, should be kept within control of the law, so that no fool or villain can lay hands upon it when the humor pleases him, and use it for any purpose whatever. At present, poisons appear to be difficult to obtain in small quantities by the general public, and cannot be procured without a satisfactory reason for the purchase asked and given. But the same drugs can be had wholesale, ap parently, and no questions asked, so long as their destiny is understood to be a sheep station. Evidently there is a screw terribly loose somewhere.

The history of New Zealand is but a short one—little more than half a life time of a human being,—yet the his torian of New Zealand, when he essays his task, will find more material for his work in the short history of this colony than that of any other southern colony can supply. The gallant pioneers of our civilisation undertook no child’s play when they attempted the co lonisation of these islands. In addition to the difficulties that all pioneers have to encounter when they attempt to break up the virgin soil of a newly discovered country, our pioneers had to contend with the natives of the land. Had these natives been savages of the ordinary run, the pioneers would have been en countering a difficulty and an obstruc tion common to all leaders of the way in history ; but the Maoris were hot savages of the ordinary run, but savages that were at once highly intelligent, courageous, and warlike, and possess ing these qualities in such a degree as no other aboriginals have exhibited. Their high intelligence is proved by the fact that at this late hour, when the white population outnumbers them in the ratio of ten to one, the Maoris are able to hold their rights .against the Go vernment, and point out where Christ ian statesmen have departed from the teachings of the Great Master, whom for centuries England’s boast has been that she served, while the Maoris’ knowledge of Him is but of yesterday. Of their warlike character and their courage, those who went against the Maoris in the war had sufficient evi dence, while in the matter of fortifica cation the most military nation of the present age, whose armies boast of a hundred conquests, and whose ships,

ride rulers of the sea, was not above learning a lesson that she now teaches to her youth in the military schools. The relations between the Maori and European have ever been unhappy. Though conquered, perhaps, as civi lised men regard conquest, the natives have never been subdued, and their spirit has never been broken. To-day they clamor for their rights, as they read them, as loudly as they did before the war, and he would be a divinely-in spired prophet indeed who could tell whether the upshot of the difficulty between the natives on the West Coast and the New Zealand Government will be war or peace. Successive Govern ments followed successive policies in dealing with the natives, and the Moari question of to-day, thanks to the weak ness of some administrations and the incapacity of others, is a ravelled skein that can be straightened out, if at all, only with great care and patience, and forbearance, and withal no small diffi culty. But the task of solving the question must be faced, and the Go vernment now in office are undertaking this task to the best of their ability. They sent as Commissioners to enquire into the West Coast difficulty perhaps the tw© best qualified men for the duty —Sir William Fox and Sir F. Dillon Bell. All sorts of fun, all sorts of sneers, have been poked and thrown at the Commissioners, and the Govern ment that sent them, by that Govern ment’s unfriends, but the task has been essayed, and the Commissioners have reported. We heard them at their appointment denounced as unfit for the position—we heard them charged with being both judges and accused when they set about the work of reporting upon the West Coast Difficulty, but whatever has been said has not pre vented them from laying before the country a report on the native question which is in itself a history of the colony from 1839 to the present date, so far at least as our relations with the natives are concerned. It is not difficult to follow the facile pen of Sir William Fox in the clear, almost radiant little sketches of the several wars, and the policies pursued by the successive Go vernments that in turn dealt with the Maori question. . The report now before us is the second given by the Commissioners, but in it they com mence at the beginning and trace the Maori difficulty from its first rise. The ground traversed by the report is wide, and in the short limits of a newspaper article it is impossible even to summarise all it says, for with no waste of words, and direct dealing with the subject, the document, exclusive of many folios of evidence taken, occupies thirty-four pages of solid foolscap print. But, leaving the early history of the Maori question, we come to the result arrived at by the , Commissioners, and we sum it up in a short extract from the report itself:— Early in 1865 General Cameron took the field, with several regiments of Imperial troops and large militia and native contingents ; and > a campaign began which lasted several months, ‘ ending in the complete defeat of the insurgent , tribes, nearly all whose people, except Te Whiti, William Kingi Matakatea, and a few 1 other chiefs, had been engaged in hostilities against us. At the end of this war in Septem ; her 1565, the whole coast from Wanganui to the White Cliffs, forty miles north of New Ply mouth, was confiscated under the powers of the New Zealand Settlements Acts. But the 1 natives were not driven from their tenitory. They were all, by very liberal arrangements of the Government, restored to a large part of their country, and continued in seemingly friendly relations with us for nearly three 1 years. Then again in 1868, in sympathy per haps with a renewed outbreak by Te Kooti on the East Coast, a portion of the West Coast natives under Titokowaru raised the standard of rebellion, and swept away nearly all the settlements, over a space of forty miles, which had in the interval been planted in the coun try between Waitotara and Waingongoro. . This outbreak ended in the defeat of Titoko waru, who fled with the most part of his fol lowers through the fastnesses of the great forest into the Ngatimaru country behind Wai tara; while amongst the resident natives nearer Waitotara, the Fakakohi were taken prisoners, and the Ngarauru were removed for a time into the Wanganui district. The country between Waitotara and Waingongoro being again open for settlement, w r as reoccu pied by our settlers ; and afterwards the Paka kohi and Ngarauru people were brought back and placed on reserves, defined and surveyed for them by the Government, where they have continued to live to the present day. The substantial interests of these restored natives have, in the district now referred to, been well provided for ; and, except some questions of minor consequerce, there did not appear to be much to require our intervention. It is north of Waingongoro that there still exist great complications, arising so far as we can dis cover from the vacillating policy of many Go vernments.

This extract shows where the greaterr or was made. The Chief, Titokowaru, who has recently come again into notoriety, fled with his followers into the back'bush, but through the indeci sion of the Native Minister they were allowed to return and use the confis cated lands at will. No reserves were marked off for them, and no provision whatever was made for their peaceful dwelling on those confiscated lands, as had been done for other amnestied tribes, and their occupation was simply winked at. Sir Donald M‘Lean was not willing to risk another war, and chose rather a policy of quiescence, still, however, holding, or at least not relinquishing the claim which confisca tion gave to the Government. It was doubtless a critical time, and we do not blame Sir Donald M‘Lean for doing what he did. He could have driven Titokowaru off at the bayonet’s point perhaps, or he could have insisted on their return to the land conditionally upon their accepting well defined reserves, or he could let them alone. These three courses, the report tells us, w-ere open to Sir Donald, and he chose the last, The colony in its West Coast war had been aided by the English troops. These were now back in England, while the Native King was demonstrative in his warlike threaten ing, and the arch-fiend, Te Kooti, was still free. The borrowing policy had just begun, and a loan had been floated, t 0 raise which the lenders had been assured that the standard of Maori rebellion W a ? s9*y. n f° r ever - At this distance of tirne, snugly at pur firesides, with no armed savages pur hedges waiting to take a pot-shot at us, we can comfortably discuss andj criticise ||Sir Donald’s action; but we can scarcely vouch for any ojther course we would have chosen than that Sff Donald chose had we filled his shoes %t jths li me - ®ut it is from this choice of fhp same, that this trouble springs. Mr. W a ?°lh , in his last speech to the Coleridge | ©lectors, tritely said the Maori was no fool, and the Maori knows well how to take advantage when advantage offers. He knows that war is just as distasteful to the white dweller in the homestead as it is to the dusky dweller!

in the pah, and he knew it in 1865 as well as he knows it in 1880. He was not slow to seize the opportunity that Sir Donald gave, and to crawl within the proscribed boundary. He knows to-day that only at the very last moment will the whites take up arms against him, that the colony is not in a position to readily engage in any ex tensive-movement against him, and so he becomes defiant, or at least trouble some.

In this report, maugre the sneers that have been thrown at the reporters, and the discredit sought to be cast upon them, there is more given that will tend, properly used, to enable the Le gislature to avoid dangers that lie in the way, and of which no warn ing voice was at hand to give notice— and to point to the rectification of wrongs done to the Maoris, —and a way to pacify them, than could have been elicited, we believe, from the in vestigations of any other two living men. Both know Maoridom well, and their report shows that a full knowledge of its phases was at their finger ends. It also shows that they know full well where the error was made, and they are not afraid to bear what blame attaches to themselves in the making of it, to wit :

Nor are we here to refuse, as members of the Ministry of that day, our own share of the blame for having allowed a difficulty to grow up by small degrees, which has since become the unwelcome inheritance of every Govern ment. The wisdom of assigning specific lana to the returned rebels has been proved in Taurua’s case ; nor can it, we think, be reason ably doubted that Titokowaru himself, as well as the tribes which had remained loyal, would at that moment have welcomed and accepted some definite reserves as the condition of his return in peace. Yet no impaitial man will be tempted to condemn the Government, without thinking how great were the difficulties and anxieties which beset them at the time.

To Correspondents. —Wo will en deavor to answer “ Pedestrian’s” query in our Tuesday’s issue. More Work. —The County Engineer invites tenders for fencing and trimming gorse fences. In Bankruptcy. Henry William Robinson, of Newlands, and Thomas Hicks, of Ashburton, have filed declara tions of insolvency. The Mails. —The s.s. Australia, with the London mails of July 15, left San Francisco on the 2nd inst., her contract date. The City of New York, with the July colonial mails, arrived at San Fran cisco on the 10th, two days in advance of eontraet date.

The San Francisco Mail.—Supple mentary mails for the United Kingdom, etc., via San Francisco will close to-day (Saturday), at 5 p.m., for despatch per express train. Late fee letters may be posted in the mail van up to the time of its departure for the North.

Etertainment at Longbeach. Our Longbeach readers are reminded that the grand optical entertainment will be given in the Schoolroom this evening. A very attractive programme has been prepared, and an unusually good evening’s enjoy ment may be anticipated.

Reported Sticking Up atßakaia. —A man named Thomas Daily was received into the Christchurch Hospital yesterday with a broken leg. He asserted that ho was stuck up by a man at Rakaia, and in jumping off his dray to defend himself, fell under the wheel, and the man made „ff. Local Industries. —Our readers are reminded that the public meeting called for the purpose of considering the ad viaableness of forming an Association to promote the development of the indus trial resources of Ashburton and district will be held at the Town Hall on Monday next, at 2.30 p.m. Methven. — Notwithstanding the ap parent interest taken in the meeting held at Methven some time ago to consider the proposed County waterworks scheme, the ratepayers failed to put in an appearance to attend the meeting called for last Thursday. Putting aside the question of their own concern in the matter, we think, as a recognition of the trouble that must necessarily have been taken by Mr. Chap man in forwarding the various resolutions passed at the former meeting, the rate payers should have made an effort to ensure at least the attendance of a sufficient number to form a meeting, and give the matter of the replies received from the County Council some consideration, for although the Waterworks Bill has passed the House, we apprehend that the rate payers will still have some voice for or against the question of borrowing so large a sum of money as it is anticipated will be required to complete the scheme which has been brought forward fby the County Council. “Ten Nights in a Bar-room.”— Under the auspices of the Dawn of Peace Lodge of Good Templars, who celebrate the anniversary of their institution on Thursday next, the well-known drama of “Ten, Nights in a Bar-room” will be played by the Amateur Dramatic Club on that evening. The representation will fallow immediately after the customary tea meeting, which will commence at an hour allowing ample time for preparation for the performance. Great care has been taken with the cast and rehearsals of “Ten Nights in a Bar-room,” and promise is given that no point of the play will he lost by those who have undertaken the •various characters. The drama is one, as its title doubtless indicates, inculcating Die lessons of temperance, and it is just such a piece as one might expect to he produced under the asupices of a temper ance body ; but in addition it gives play to all the dramatic ability possessed by those engaged in it, and the opportunity given to distinguish themselves will doubt less be taken by the members of the Club cast for the piece, Perhaps the greatest strength of our Club is thoir good fortune in possessing an excellent scenic artist, and the mounting of this piece will not by any means be neglected.

The Ashburton Cricket Club.—A committee meeting of the Ashburton Cricket Club was held on Thursday in the County Council Chambers. Present— Messrs. Poyntz, Douglas, Amos, Den shire, Price, Fooks, A. Westenra, Strang man, and Main waring. Mr. Denshire was voted to the chair. Sundry small accounts were passed for payment. Reports from the Sub-gqmmittep' were received re pro curing roller and collecting subscriptions. In the latter matter, it was reported by Mr. Douglas that about L 6 or L 7 had been collected. It is to bo hoped mem bers will assist the Committee, and pay up as soon as possible, as the expenses this season are rather heavy, and a quantity of material will have to be pro cured before cricket can be started. With regard to procuring a roller, it was de cxclecl tba£ Jlf, Poyntz should arrange to havg a concrete one made. It was de cided to leave the arrangement of matches to a committee appointed ’ for that pur pose. Mr. Marsh reported that the pdint ing of the pavilion would be finished in a day or two. The treasurer was ordered to pay the amount due upon satisfactory completion of the work. On the motion of olr- Poyntz, seconded by Mr. Den shire, it was to open an account at the Bank of Now HiSeakuid jn the name of the Ashburton Cricket "Club, cheques to be signed by the treasurer and counter signed by the secretary. Several' new members were elected, and the meeting adjourned until that day three weeks.

Raeaia Restaurant. —The premises lately occupied by Mr. 0. S. Howell, at Rakaia, have been opened by Mr. A. J. Andrews as a restaurant and boarding house.

The Grain Trade at Chertsey.-- The quantity of grain carried from Chert sey station during the last season was only 10,578 tons 16 cwt, 3qrs., not 19,578 tons as has been stated

Meeting at Winslow. —The adjourned meeting of householders, favorable to the establishment of a school, was held at the hotel. Present—Messrs. C. Martin, Harris, Cavenagh, Bradbury, Sycamore, Bell, Walker, Gourlay, Rainey, Wilson, Williamson, and Grace. Mr. C. Martin was voted to the chair. The minutes of the former meeting were read and con firmed. Letters were read from Messrs. Grigg and Barker respecting sites for the proposed school, the former informing the committee it could have the land at LIO per acre. The petition to the Board signed by twenty householders was read and ap proved. It was proposed by Mr. Harris, and seconded by Mr. Cavenagh, and carried—“ That the Chairman forward the petition to the Board of Education, with a letter of explanation with reference to same.” A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman for the trouble he had taken in the matter. The meeting was then adjourned until the reply was received from the Board. Presentation to Color-Sergeant Dolman.— Last night an inspection parade of the volunteers was held at which thirty three of all ranks attended. The band appeared in their new uniforms, which have been very well made by Mr. Craig head, and played several martial airs. After parade w’as over the Company formed up, and Captain Bullock addressed the men, speaking in high terms of the Color-Sergeant’s ability as a drill, and the obligation the Corps was under to him fer tile care he bestowed upon them and the interest he took in their progress. With out Sergeant Dolman, in fact, it would have been difficult for the Company ever to have become efficient; with him it only wanted regular attendance on the part of the ■ members. The Captain then presented the Color-Sergeant with the badge of his rank, which badge had been subscribed for by the members of the Company in token that they were not unappreciative of his kindness. Mr. Dolman then replied in a short speech, thanking the Corps for their recognition of his efforts to do his duty, and urging upon them the necessity of regular attendance, without which they would never become the efficient soldiers he wished to see them. After cheers had been given for the Sergeant and the officers, the Corps was dismissed, and the members entertaind by their Captain.

Sacked. : Two pilots, Louden and Patou, have been discharged from the service at Port Chalmers for disobeying the Harbormaster’s orders. The Walking Mania. —A seven-mile walking match for LIOO is to come off to-day in Auckland between a ped. called Hendry and a half-case named Fernandez.

The W ullxngton Fire. —Some persons supposed to belong to the Wellington Salvage Corps gained admission to the premises recently burned in Wellington, and carried off some valuables. The police have the matter in hand. Fatal Accident. —A woman named Mrs. Cole was killed three days ago at Aniseed Valley, Nelson, by a fall from her horse, the horse falling on her. The jury returned a verdict of “ accidentally killed.”

Fatal Accident. —Yesterday a man named James Prideaux was found dead at the graving dock, Lyttelton. He had been drinking for some days, and had evidently climbed over the fence on Go vernor’s Bay Road, and fallen over the cliff into the dock, breaking his neck.

Warning to Cooks.—A woman named Lynch, in the service of Father Lenehan, at Milton, -was so badly scalded through the bursting of au unopened tin of salmon she had put into a pot on the fire to get warmed, that it is feared she will lose her eyesight.

A Waif of the Sea — At Blenheim, on Thursday, an inquest was held on the body of the man found on the beach on the previous day, and a verdict was re turned of “Found dead.” There was nothing to afford a clue as to the identity of the deceased. The description of the man is ; —Age, about twenty-five ; height, sft. 7in.; dark brown hair, and medium build. A silver ring, made from a two sliilling piece, was on his second finger.

The Fire in the Christchurch Rail way Station. —A coroner’s inquiry was held on Thursday afternoon, at the Ter minus Hotel, Christchurch, into the cir cumstances connected with the fire at the Christchurch Railway Station last Sun da}'. The following verdict was returned : —“ The opinion of the jury is that the place has been wilfully set on fire by some person or persons unknown, but there is no evidence to show by whom.”

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE NORTH AND SOUTH ASH BURTON BRIDGES.

To the Editor,

Sir, —As “ Piles ” leaves off by asking questions, I will begin by asking one. Has lie not omitted to notice that the bridges contrasted are both in the Alford Forest district, and that the one at Mount Somers is not even alluded to? The Hood’s crossing bridge is a splendid structure, in ferior to none in point of material and workmanship, but the one to which I re ferred is that over Taylor’s stream, being almost in a line with that over the North Ashburton. The work here, too, is every way praiseworthy, but for the sake of so called economy, unseasoned black birch has been largely used, which must in the opinion of all in this neighborhood inter fere greatly with its durability. There is not the slightest intention of casting im putation upon the contractors. While they have faithfully crrried out their work according to contract, there remains, as 1 stated before, the general opinion that if ironbark had been used as in the North Ashburton, and the one to which “ Piles ” invites comparison, while the cost would have been greater, the extra durability would have well repaid the outlay. With regard to implied advts. “ Good wine needs no bush,” and “ Piles” must not take every expression used in favor of other men’s work as condemnatory of his own. I am, &c., Alford Forest.

ASHBURTON DISTRICT COURT.

Cause List pou Monday, August 16,

Fergus v. Peter and Wright v. Fletcher —adjourned from last Court day. Megson v. Stalker.—Claim, Ll3O. For plaintiff, Mr. Hamersley ; for defendant, Branson and Purnell,

WoocJ, Shand, and Cq. v. McKerrpvv and Co.—-Claim, L 156 13s. 4d, For plain tiffs, Garrick and Cowlishaw ; fqr de? fendants, Branson and Purnell. Ivess v. Martin.—Claim, L 27 Is. Bd.

In Bankruptcy, Mr. Crisp applies for an order re Thomas Clark, declaring deed of assignment completely executed. Mr, O'Reilly applies for discharge in the bankruptcies of Thomas Hurley, James Porter,' and Samuel Corrigan ; and Mr. Crisp for a like order fe J. R. 'Aitken.

R.M. COURTS.

ASHBURTON — Friday, August 13. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) James Fisher, defended by Mr. O’Reilly, was charged with being drunk and dis orderly. The offender was the defendant in a civil case last Tuesday, and being in a state of intoxication when attempting to give evidence, had been given in charge by his Worsnip. Fined LI. Four first offenders were fined 55., or the alternative of twenty-four hours. Thomas Nolan and Jeremiah Hefferman were brought up on remand charged with . the larceny of some trees from the Ash burton Domain. Mr. Purnell for the prosecution. Mr. O’Reilly, for defendants, asked for a further remand, to allow of time to com municate with an important witness in Timaru. His Worship granted a further remand, but said it was to be understood this one would be final, and the case would go on next Tuesday without fall. • > A DOG- CASE. • '; ■' Chambers v, James. Mr. Crisp for, plaintiff; Mr. Purnell for defendant.;. This was an action-by which the plaintiff sought to recover a dog which he alleged was wrongfully detained by the de fendant. There was a claim of L 5 for damages sustained through plaintiff being deprived of the services of the animal. Plaintiff gave evidence that a man named Smart gave him a dog last May twelve months. Lost the dog from Highbank. Heard that George James had the dog in his possossion. Saw the defendant three or four months since in Ashburton. De fendant told witness he had not got the dog in town. Next morning, saw the dog in the possession the defendant. De manded the dog, but defendant said he would not be done with it before two months. Witness had never sold the dog. Valued the dog at Ll 5. Had suffered a deal of inconvenience from not having the dog. By Mr. Parnell—-Smart is not m Ash burton. He gave me the dog at Long beach. Smart’s brother was there. Smart told me to stick to the dog. I have not registered the dog for this year. I could not register the dog, because it was out ot my possession. Lost the dog eight months ago. Took no steps to find the dog. Do not know when the dog was born ; but think it to be about four years old. No one was present at the con versation when I claimed the dog from de fendant. Have not heard that the dog be longs to a man named Hazzard. By Mr. Crisp—The reason why 1 did not advertise for the dog was because I thought it would go back to Longbeach.

David Smart said lie was brother to John Smart, who is not in the district now. My brother gave the dog in dis pute to Mr. Chambers in my presence. My brother was going away at the time. He also gave Chambers a receipt at the same time.

By Mr. Parnell —I am living with Chambers.

George James said he found the dog in the township about eight months ago. The dog followed me. I first found that the dog was following me when I got to Dromore. Registered the dog on 24th April, 1880. Chambers claimed the dog when I had had it about three or four months. Ho told mo that Smart, who was in California, had left the dog with his mother, and that when he sent for her, she was to take the dog with her to him. A man named Hazzard also claimed the dog. Chambers never produced any receipt for the payment of registration fee.

By Mr. Crisp —I have never stated that the dog was worth LlO. Chambers offered me a LI note in payment of ex pense which I had been to for registration fee. He told me at the Somerset Hotel that he had bought 3,000 sheep, and wanted the dog. I told him that I was busy with it, and that he could not have it yet.

By Mr. Purnell—Several persons have had the dog. If Chambers had proved to me in conversation that the dog was his, I should have relinquished any claim to it. Understood that Hazzard would have been hero this morning.

Thomas Ireland said he had been ac customed to act as judge of dogs at shows, both in Australia and Dunedin. By the dog’s mouth, I should think it was not more than two years old. Br Mr. Crisp—Have been a judge of greyhounds, terriers, bull dogs, sheep dogs, and nearly every other kind of dog. By the Bench—There is no mark in a dog’s mouth like there is in a horse’s, by which its age can be told. By Mr. Crisp—Do not think the dog is over two years of age. There are no marks on a dog’s teeth to denote what age a dog is.

Council having addressed the Bench, His Worship gave judgment, ordering|the dog to be restored to Chambers, but he would not allow the damages. In default of the dog being given up, the sum of L 5 must be paid. Defendant to pay costs, L2 17a.

Defendant elected to pay the L 5 ; but as the dog was in Court, his Worship said the dog must be given up. Mr. Purnell objected to his Worship amending the judgment, but the Bench stated that until the judgment was entered up, it had the power to amend. Mr. Purnell said that to save any trouble, his client would give up the dog. unpaid rates. Wakanui Road Board v. Smith.— Claim L2 55., for unpaid rates. Mr. Wilkie, Collector to the Board, appeared for plaintiffs, Mr. Crisp for the defence. Mr. Wilkie stated that this was a test, case brought by the Board to prove the liability of the owner of property to pay rates in default of the occupier so doing. Mr. Wilkie read the clause of the Act bearing on the case, and stated that Risely Bros,, who were the occupiers of the pro perty for which the rates were liable, were insolvent. He had made a verbal applica tion to the defendant for the amount sued for.

E. M. Buchanan also gave evidence to the effect that he had twice asked for the money from defendant. Mr. Crisp asked for a nonsuit on several points. In the first place the authority to sue, which had been put in by Mr. Wilkie, purported to be signed by the Chairman and Clerk to the Board, whereas there was no evidence before the Court that these signatures wore genuine. Again, he argued, that it had not been proved that the signatures of those officers were a sufficient authority. Mr. Wilkie referred the Bench to the Canterbury Roads Ordinance, under the provisions of which nearly all the Road Boards were working, which empowered the Chairman and Clerk of a Board to give the necessary authority to sue, and if the case were-adjourned for a couple of hours, the Clerk of the Road Board would be able to be present and produce the minute book of the Board containing the resolu tion empowering him (Mr, Wilkie), to sue. 1

Mr. Crisp read the clause of the Rating Act which repealed the Canterbury Roads Ordinance referred to by Mr. Wilkie. He (Mr. Crisp), claimed a nonsuit on another point, and that was that the defendant had not received a written notice demanding payment of the rates. Under the Act this was absolutely necessary.

Mr. Wilkie argued that a written notice was not required-

His Worship said the points raised by Mr. Crisp regarding the signatures of the Clerk and Chairman, and of the authority which Mr. Wilkje had to sue might be got over by an adjournment of the case, but the latter point raised, referring to the necessity of a written notice being served, was fatal to the case, and hence he had no alternative but to nonsuit the plaintiffs,

RAKAlA. —Thursday, Aug. 12.

Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M., and Mr. Mackie, J. P. ! ■ . ; CIVIL CASES.

Milner and Thompson, v. E. Clark. Mr. Slater for plaintiffs. ' Plaintiffs sued defendant for L2O, amount of 'a bill of sale—T. E. Fagan to Milner and Thomp son, Christchurch. Defendant bought the piano at an auction at Fagan’s, under a distraint in a suit Saunders Bros, against Fagan. At the time of sale Fagan an nounced that there was a bill of sale over the piano to the amount of L2O, when the bailiff who was selling started the bid ding at L2O, to cover the bill of sale, tell ing the audience that he would hold the purchaser harmless; as regards the bill of sale. The piano was ultimately knocked down to defendant for L 25. After hear ing several witnesses for che defence, his Worship said, however hard the case might be for defendant, he felt himself bound to give judgment for plaintiffs with costs L 5 14s. 6d. ' ■ Lake v. Sharp—Case adjourned to next Court day, defendant to pay cost of ad journment. 1 Orr and Co. v. Mason —Osborne v. Mason—Mutter v. Slight. Judgment by default in each case.

Cox v. Raisbeck —Judgment for plain tiff. ■

Mutter v. Simmonds - Judgment for plaintiff, defendant to pay L2 a month or in default fourteen days imprisonment.

MOUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Mount Hutt Road Board was held in the Board’s office, Methven, on Thursday. Present—Messrs. Chapman (in the chair), Pannett, Alington, J. Jackson, and McMillan. • ; OVERSEER’S REPORT.., , The following report was read : “ Since the last meeting I hive only had work done that really required doing—such as filling u,j holes caused by the heavy traffic and the crossing repaired hi Dry Creek. The roads are in a very bad state at present, especially portions of the West Coast road. The first section, from south boundary, to the corner of Mr. Grigg’s land ; second, from Methven to Mr. Holmes,’gate ; third, from junction of Alford Forest and Mount Hutt road to top of large terrace these sections have had some heavy Iraffic upon them lately. The shingle has. been cut through and a quantity of earth brought to the surface. No. I re quires re-shingbng; ten yards of good shingle to the chain would be sufficient. No. 2 re quires only about from three to five yards of new shingle to the chain to fill ruts. No. 3 re quires re-forming, and about twelve yards of shingle to the chain—about thirty chains. The Coach road has been cut up very badly by timber wagons. The shingle on thia road does not seem to stand very well, and would re quire constant attention to keep the ruts well filled in. There appears to be a deal of traffic from Methven to the bridge over the north branch of the Ashburton river, and, as the timber wagons have cut up the tussock very badly, I would suggest that the road be formed twenty-five feet wide, and get thirty yards of shingle to the chain. The laid-off road from Pocock’s whare to Rakaia is full of holes, and requires forming. There are several roads that have been formed for some time —viz., Winchmore, Lyndhurst, Urrall, and Cairn brae, that require shingling. The contractors for Chertsey road are also the contractors for a section of the West Coast road. Shingling contracts will shortly be completed, the wet weather having delayed them some time, other wise the work would have beoh completed. 1 have inspected the road applied for, by Mr. S. Rolls. This road runs through a very rough and marshy piece of land. There are several very nasty creeks that would require cutting in and out of them. A drain would have to be cut: on the upper side of the road. The large creek and creek would take a large cutting at the junction. I estimate the cost of cutting and drain at £ ——. I have also made an estimate of the cost of cutting a drain on the Broom Park property, chains long and - feet wide, at per chain. Instead of making an estimate of timber crossing, I have made an estimate of a crossing consisting of boulders set with concrete (a plan of which 1 have prepared), the cost of which will be much less than timber.. Tenders have been called for several small pieces of work, viz. R eforming Main road from Corwar to Highbank, open crossing, formation of five chains of street on Barr Hill, widening, cutting, and shingling road from Main road to top of cutting. Tender for these works will be laid before you to-day for your consideration; also, for letting the Pound.” CORRESPONDENCE.' From Mr. Maugham, of Chertsey, asking for extension ■ of time of contract, and enclosing account for repairing damage to formation caused by floods. After some discussion, it was decided to allow Mr. Mangham L 5 for extra haulage, and to disallow the claim for damage. From Mr. T. H. Jackson, complaining of the Board’s action in opening a fence on his property, and allowing fiis sheep to stray. The overseer reported that he had replaced the fence, and that Mr. Jackson had expressed himself satisfied. From Mr. Butt, complaining of the Board’s action in cutting a passage for the storm-water through his fence, and stating that he would hold the Board responsible for the damage done, which he said amounted to some L2oo.—lt was decided that no notice be taken of the letter, as Mr, Butt had been informed of the facts of the case at the Board’s previous meet ing. From Mr. Pereday, reporting that the transfer of the land bought as a site for the office had been forwarded to Mr; Russell for completion ; and reporting on the effect of the negotiations re transfer of land for pound purposes from the Board to. the County Council. —Resolved that Mr. Fereday be written to apd asked to complete the transfer of the land to the Road Board. WORKS. The Overseer was instructed to call for tenders for the formation of a road from the main road to the corner of Mr. Sydney Rolls’ fence. The Overseer was instructed to call for tenders for the following works—viz., re forming and sowing in cocksfoot the Back track, in three sections ; ; re-shingling first section of the West Coast Road, tvyelve yards shingle to the chain ; shing ling the Lyndhurst, Winchmore, Cairn brae, Mitcham, and Urral branch roads, fifteen yards to the chain. The rest of the works recommended in the : Overseer’s report ■ were, ordered to stand over till next meeting. TENDERS. Tenders were opened for the following works Forming five chains at Barr Hill, P. Castigan, 4s. per chain (ac cepted) , reforming road from Highbank to Corwar, G. Rickards, 3s. lOd. per chain (accepted); crossings, G. Rickards, L 4 each (accepted), shingling and cutting at Barr Hill —A. Prunty, Is. per yard, shingling, and L 4 removing clay (ac cepted). POUNDKEBPEE. The Board recommended Mr, James Ireland to the County Council as a suit able person for the position of pound keeper, at a salary of L 25 per annum, in addition to the fees. FINANCE. The Chairman then laid before the meeting a letter from .the Mount Somers Road Board, asking the Board to con- , tribute its share towards certain necessary repairs on the Boundary road ; also, some correspondence relative to the bank rates of interest on fixed deposits and stating , that L 6,000 had been deposited as fol lows :—L2,000 for six months, L 4,000 for twelve months, in accordance with in- , structions received from the Board. The meeting then adjourned.

Mr. E.G. WRIGHT'S REPLY.

Hq Sefsads tko Commission and Attacks Government.

Telling Effect of His Speeek on tke House.

(By Telegraph from our own Correspon dent.) Wellington, Aug. 13. Several useful Bills were got through at the morning sitting to-day, including the Canterbury Rivers Act, Dog Registration Bill, High School Reserve, and Rabbit Nuisance Bill. '■■■•■ ■-

The Fencing and Empowering Bills hav ing attracted Mr. Seddon’s notice, were necessarily referred to a private con- 1 - ference of members in the hope that he may gratify his volubility in a more private sphere. Mr. Wright spoke for two hours this afternoon in defence of the Railway Com mission, and in criticism of the Public Works Statement, and the Public Works Administration. .He spoke with unusual slowness and hesitation, and to a thin house : but ho made a very useful speech, and one that will have its effect on the country. He exposed some incredible rashness in commencing railways first, and making enquiries afterwards, and pointed out the suspicious manner? in? : u which the higher officers have recom mended lines of railway . which pars . .... only through large private properties in single holdings in preference to those which would likely serve a population and a large number of small settlers. He told the Minister for Public Works that he was too much guided by the recommenda tion of the Commissioner of Railways for _ the South Island, and would have been, , much wiser to have acted on the impartial . advice of the Railway Commission. ,Mr. , Whitaker came in for a heavy rub, and altogether the speech was not compliment,,, tary to either past or present Govern ments, and was often interrupted by Messrs. Macandrew and Pyke. Mr. Wright was loudly cheered as he sat down at 5.30. Amidst the general cheer; Mr. Oliver maintained a very blank silence, q The extremely slow delivery will ensure the speech' being well reported 'in -flan ' sard, and it will be found very instructive.

PARLIAMENTARY.

, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. . Thursday,: August 12. - The Counties Act Amendment Bill, fu Joint Stock Companies Act Amendment Bill, and the. Auckland College and, Grammar School Bill, from the Lower House, were read a first time. The Diseased Cattle Proclamation Validation Bill, and the- Sydenham Borough Council Empowering Bill were. . read a third time. The greater part of the sitting was occupied in Committee on a number of small Bills, and, in a long discussion whether the Ashburton Waterworks and Malvern Water-race Bills were privatei or: public Bills.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, August 11. .. . . . EVENING SITTING. ' THE RAILWAY COMMISSION. , Mr. Vincent Pyke moved—“ (1) That this House is of opinion that the report of the Royal Commission on in so far as it deals with lines which have never / been submitted to or sanctioned by Parlia- 1 ' ment, was unnecessary and uncalled for. (2) That in so far as it condemns railway n < lines, the construction of which has, after ' due consideration and careful enquiry, been sanctioned by this House, the said report has not sufficient foundation, and should be regarded as a mere expression of individual opinion hastily formed with out any special knowledge or experience,, ; on: the subject. (3) That it woidd thdre- ' 1 fore be unwise and highly detrimental to the best interests of the colony for the Government to shape its public works policy upon the opinions and recommen dations embodied in the said report?’ - In 1 speaking to the. motion, he bitterly con* | demnedthe report, and it was worth no more than so much waste paper. The ■ Commissioners had made no attempt to secure, at least in his district/ proper infor mation, and they had recommended the Livingston line, while the Strath-Taieri line would populate . arid open up thou sands of acres of CroWri lands. Mr. Shrimski defended the Livingstone ’ line. ■ - ■ - - - "■ Mr. Levin attacked the report regard- . ing its finding on the Wellington-Foxton line. ■■■■•■■ Mr. Fulton protested against the con- “ ■ elusions arrived at by the Commission in-- 1 ■ regard to the Otago Oentralßailway. Mr.- ’ Stewart harped oh the same string. l ■ - Dr. Wallis defended the Commission ' and the Public Works Statement/ but ■ > denounced the Immigration ahdi ■ Works Policy, as a one-sided affair that pampered''the South Island at' the i'es-i pense of the North.’ - - : onj f- r-: The Hon. R. Oliver spoke of the able 1 ■ and efficient manner in which the Com mission had discharged its duties,-ahd only) ■ : regretted that the same care:, and intelli-' gence had not been bestowed on the’ - ' making and projecting of railways years' ago. Had that been so, a very different -■ < state af affairs would have existed toiday.'- s*. A million of money would be required: for i th vDtagb Central Railway—a fatal objec- ’' tion to its immediate-construction.>iS Mr. Whitaker said the fact that lines in the districts where'-the- members of thei Commission lived were not recommended.:,' proved that the Comriussioners had been honest and impartial.;: ??t. Sir Wm; Fox advocatedthe construction - of the Wellington-Foxton line J d 1 i«,.< .1 Mr. Reeves supported Mr. Pyke’s motion: .: ■; y/y y y'-yy YSIWAd Mr. Wright moved-the adjournment of the debate as he desired time to pre- - • pare . a reply to the accusations brought ; : against the Commission, The debate was adjourned till Friday afternoon. -i ■>- Thursday, August 12. The House met. at 2.30 p,m. The Hon. W. Rolieston, laid, on, the ... table the report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the circum stances attending the death of a prisoner named John Wilson in the Invercargill Gaol, and, on the motion of Mr. Bain, it , was ordered to be, printed. . : s Replying to Mr. Pitt, . ; .. . The Hon. John Hall said that the Go-. vernment had taken, the opinion of the Crown Law Officers on the Deceased i. Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill, and when the ~ Bill was, before the House Government’ would be prepared to take action in ac- - ■. cordance with the opinion, given. ‘ i- Replying tn Mr. Adams, , The Hon.; R. ..Qliver said that Lfi,Boo was the estimated amount of the future outlay to complete the Nelson and Bell* Jl grove Railway, the formation and station work having been already done. Replying to Mr. Seddon, . The Hon. J. Hall said that the salary of the Governor could not be interfered . , with during the incumbency. of the gen tleman lately appointed to the Governor* .. ship, and in that case it was not. desirable that the time of the House should be taken' ■ up this session with the consideration of ar a Bill to reduce the salaries, of future Go« ' vernors. - . ? Replying to Sir George Grey) : ; j The Hon., J, Bryce said .that, despite,.,, tlie fact that certain liabilitiesi,for. forms had been incurred by" Yoliinteer

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, AUGUST, 14, 1880.



AUCTION SALES. Monday, August 16. Alfred Harrison, en the premises of Thomas Hicks, Baker, Havelock Street —Horses, Cart, Harness, Furniture, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock. Friday, August 20. Messrs. Matson, Cos, and Co., on the Reserve, opposite Messrs. Friedlander Bros, Store, at 12 o’clock sharp— Horses, Implements, and Contractors’ Plant.



To-Night! SCHOOL - BOOM. A GRAND Entertainment Will be held in the above School-room, on SATURDAY NEXT, AUG. 14 SPLENDID PROGRAMME. THE GREAT TRIAL OF SIR JASPER And A NUMBER OF MOVING FIGURES BY LIMELIGHT. WONDERFUL EFFECTS. SPLENDID SONGS. Come and See ! Come and See ! Admission, 25.; Children half-price. Commence at 7.30. ON MONDAY NEXT, AUG. 16, THE ABOVE ENTERTAINMENT Will be held [(for the first time) in the Town Hall, Ashburton. Admission, Body of Hall, Is.; Dress Circle, 2s, Children, half-price to all parts of the House. SEE POSTERS. Doors open at 7.30, commence at 8 o’clock. 98g-841c GRAND ATTRACTION !! ! COME ONE !! GOME ALL !!! TOWN HALL, Thursday & Friday, AUGUST 19TH AND 20TH. IA /"T m Anniversary of the Dawn • xJ •VX• -L • 0 f Peace Lodge, No. 164 A Tea & Entertainment Will be held in the TOWN HALL. Tea to commence at 6.30, after which the AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB ~ Will Perform that Grand Moral and Sensational Drama, entitled TEN NIGHTS ina BARROOM To which the curtain will rise at 8 p.m. Prices of Admission—Tea only Is. 6d. Tea and Entertainment (to Body of Hall), 2s. Gd. Entertainment only—Dress Circle 3s. Body of Hall, 2s. and Is. ON FRIDAY, THE 20th. The Drama will he Repeated. 749 c FOUND, on AUGUST 7th, a PIG in a BAG, one of the M'Kinlay breed. The owner can have the same by paying expenses. 1030 G. GILMOUR, Ashton. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, the Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c



Removal. — Mr. John Meech, cabinet maker and furniture dealer, has removed from the premises in Havelock street, to his new shop in Burnett street, opposite the tytail office,