COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday evening. Messrs. Davies and Winter report: —On Tuesday, the 24th inst., we held a clearing sale of farming plant, etc., under bills of sale, on account of Messrs. McKerrow and Co. There was a good attendance, and we placed things all mind at very good prices, it being the most satisfactory sale of the kind held in the district for some time. In horses, we dis posed of five light draughts, one at L 24, one at L 23, one at L2O, one at LlB, one at Ll 5, and an old screw at 375. 6d. Cows—One at Lio Ss., one at LB 10s., one at L 6, one at L 7, and one at L 4 55., and four calves for L 5 7s. fid. Pigs—One at L 3 Ss., and small ones from Li to 10s. each. Two McCormick’s reapers and binders realised L4S 10s. and L3S respectively ;.one dray, LlB 10s., and one at Ll 5 ; double-furrow plough, Ll 4. Fowls at from 4s. fid. per pair. ' Harness and sundries brought-fair values.

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 Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, 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 8.16 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. From 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. Douglas, Postmaster.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

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

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1880.

Large meetings of Irishmen, both in English and Scottish towns, have been held during this month, and have passed resolutions expressive of sym path) with the Irish peasantry who have been evicted from their holdings by the landlords. It will be remembered that during the worst time of the Irish distress, reliable newspapers reported, on the authority of their own special correspondents, sent over to ascertain as far as possible the real facts of the case, that there were hundreds of tenants so hopelessly in debt as to be beyond the chance of retrieving their position. The utter failure of almost all vegetation put the farmers in a state verging on desperation, and the Tenants Compensation Bill, oppor tunely introduced by the Gladstone Government, greatly exalted their almost dead spirits, and renewed their hopes for the future. The rejection of that Bill by the Lords again cast them down, and has only served, if possible, to aggravate their desolate and hope less condition. Hence the agitation amongst their countrymen outside Ireland. At a meeting in Glasgow, 30,000 Irishmen were present, and from what we can gather from the cablegrams that have reached us, the feeling of the large assemblage was a very strong one. The in terruption of telegraphic communica tion from the North shut_ us out from receiving further information regarding this question to that we had already obtained, and wlich showed us that there was considerable alarm in Eng land over the phase the matter had assumed. The Fenians had begun to be active, and the agrarian outrages for which Ireland is now so notorious were becoming frequent. The Irish farmer, when he feels aggrieved with the man to whom he has to pay rent, gets behind a hedge in the dusk and at the proper time tumbles his landlord as he passes. This mode of paying rent is not adopted in any other civi lised country, but it is easy to see that the population amongst wiiom such a mode of meeting rent day is popular could be a very ugly one when agitated by an intense and wide-spread feeling against the Government whom they look upon as the cause of their griev ances. And upon the English Go vernment —though not necessarily upon any particular Administration the Irish tenant looks as the source of all his ills. The Irish difficulty has been a chronic one ever since the country’s junction with Great Britain. It has assumed more or less intensity under every Government that held the reins, and the Irish difficulty more active than usual was one of the legacies of trouble that Disraeli left to his succes sor in office when a discontented country hurled the old Tory from office to make room for the veteran Liberal, Gladstone. Our last cablegrams direct told us that the feeling in Ireland had reached almost boiling point, and that Mr. W. E. Forster had gone on a mission to Ireland, to ascer tain how matters stood. Fuller in formation, though of an earlier date, lets us understand that that mission was undertaken by the Chief Secretary for Ireland on strong representations being made to his Government that the state of the country was becoming seri ous, and that extreme measures would require to be resorted to if the disturb ances and outrages now so common were to be repressed, and the Fenian organisation, which again threatened the peace of the country, was to be stamped out. At the date of our last cablegrams, Mr. Forster had not re turned from Ireland, and later intelli gence is, of course, wanting; but there can be no doubt, from the acknow ledged angry state of public feeling in too many parts of Ireland, and the rumored probable renewal of the Peace Preservation Act, that the prospect is quite gloomy and foreboding enough.

Complaints are rife regarding the proposed change in the railway time table. Under present circumstances country people find it quite _ early enough to get up in the morning to catch the first train for Christchurch, which leaves the Ashburton station at 6.45 a - m - To a person resident in the township this means pretty early rising, but to a man who has to ride, say, ten or twelve miles before he can Join the train, it means being astir long before the lark. The proposed alteration in the time-table, which will come in force on the first of the next month, shifts back the starting of the train three quarters of an hour—namely, to six o’clock. A country resident must rise at three o’clock if he would go by this train, and the alteration will therefore mean coming into town the previous day, and staying over night. The second train leaves at g. 30 under the existing table. This time is perfectly satisfactory, and country people can go by it to Christchurch, do their business, and return by the 5 p.m. train—doing their business in Christchurch hurriedly, no doubt, but still leaving it possible for them to go to town and come back in one day. The change will remove this possibility, as, in ad dition to the first train being thrown back three three-quarters of an hour by the new time-table, the second train is to be thrown forward a whole hour, and the 9.30 becomes the 10.30. The last train leaves Christchurch just now at 5 o’clock. The new time-table starts it at 4.20. The new arrange ments are such as townspeople, and those living very near to it, may sur vive; but to those living at some distance away the changes _ mean breaking in upon three days, if they would make a journey to the city. They must come to Ashburton the night before their journey to catch the

early train : 4.20 is top early for them to leave Christchurch in the afternoon, and have all their work done, so that they must needs remain over night there again. We understand repre sentations on the subject are to be made to the authorities.

THE HOSPITAL PATIENTS.

The County Council solicit donations of books, periodicals, newspapers, &c., for the use of patients in the hospital, and also donations of linen. We gladly commend the Council’s announcement to our readers. No more wearisome time in a person’s history can be im agined than when, just recovering from an Illness, or kept bedfast from a wound, he is capable of being entertained, but wants the means. At such a time, it is astonishing how much literature a patient will read through, and how highly he will value such gifts as the County Council receive from, the public for the patients. We hope their re quest will not go without a hearty response, but that both town and country residents will turn out their libraries and see what they can give—and give it. Such books as bound volumes of the illustrated papers, magazines, whether in single numbers or in volumes, copies of Old Country newspapers, and literature generally of a cheerful cast are always welcome in institutions of this kind, and will .. be gladly received, ,As the flower season approaches, too, friends who have a bouquet at their com mand would do a kind and grace ful thing by sending it up to the Hos pital. Flowers are always sweet and cheerful companions, and help to lighten many a weary hour in the lives of those even whose health is quite robust. Let us not forget, either, the request for old linen. The most care less sufferer from a slight wound knows the value of a piece of linen for band aging. In an hospital old linen is in dispensable, but it sometimes runs low in stock, and awkward tilings may happen. Let the kinder hearted look out their old linen garments —servants that have been useful in their day and generation,—and promote them to the higher service and holier mission of helping the sick and wounded. The officials at the Hospital will know how to value the linen, and the givers may rest assured that the blessing of many a suffering one will be theirs for a good and kind deed done.

THE WATER SUPPLY.

The rough weather of the past week sent down the river a large volume of well-diluted clay, the benefit of which the gully in the Domain enjoyed very freely. The sedimentleftin the gully by the stream was useful in puddling the bottom, and those who take «,n interest in the scheme were quite jubilant over the pea-soup ap pearance the water presented. There is, however, a thorn with every rose, and the clay the river sends down is not altogether an unmixed blessing. It silts up here and there, and if not looked after —and some times even with the greatest care bestowed —it will succeed in blocking up a channel altogether. The proprietors of the mill race have often experienced this sort of thing in the spring, and it is, therefore, no matter for surprise that a silting up should occur at the intake of the millrace at the river, and that a stoppage of the race should result. Owing to a silting up of this kind both millrace and Borough race have had their supply cut off at a most awkward time. Workmen, how ever, are busy clearing away the obstruc tion, and we may soon expect to see the stream in full flow again. It is to be re gretted that, just as we had got a fair depth of water in the reservoir, the ill-natured river should humbug us, hut we must look for and be prepared for such contingencies. The recent freshet, which sent down the water with a rush scoured out the ground deeply just above the cricket ground. The scour has laid bare the skeleton of some old cow that at some time or other in the existence of prehistoric Ashburton had incontinently cheated the butcher, and taken her beef underground with its mission unfulfilled. We do not know who was her sexton, but he must have been a bold man to bury a dead car case n the Domain of which Dr. Trevor is the moving genius, and, if we mistake not, health officer of the township at the same time.

Mails.— Mails for the United Kingdom and Australia, per Rotorua, close at the Bluff on Friday, 27th, at. 12.30 p.m. Telegrams to catch the steamer may be presented at the Ashburton office up to 11 o’clock on Friday morning. “Farming Implements.” —We under stand the next paper to be read, at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be on “ Farming Implements,” the reader being Mr. F. B. Passmore. The meeting at which the paper will be read will be held on Saturday next, in the Town Hall Upper Room, at 8 o’clock. Accident at Methven. —An accident of a painful character occurred at Moth ven on Monday to a boy named George Whinon. He was working in a black smith’s shop, when a horse was being shod. Suddenly the horse kicked out and struck the boy in the face ; fortu nately the full force of the kick did. not reach him, or ho must have been killed. He was brought to Chsistchurch, and taken to the Hospital, where he received prompt attention. The Wheatsheaf Hotel.— Between 150 and 200 friends of Messrs. Willcocks and • Escott accepted the invitation of these gentlemen to dinner on Tuesday evening, to celebrate the opening of the Wheatsheaf Hotel under a new landlord viz., Mr. Escott, who succeeds Mr, Willcocks. The dinner was of the highest class, and augurs well for the table likely to be kept by Mr. Escott; we need hardly say it was done full justice to by the large company. The usual speeches of congratulation were delivered—the old landlord bid farewell and the new one welcomed —and after a few hearty bumpers the floor was cleared for dancing, to the piano and Mr. Hettleton’s violin, the strains of which only ceased at day light. A Hew String Binder.— The new string binder, the invention of Mr. Cooper, of Christchurch, is to be exhibited on Saturday, sth September, at Messrs. Jameson and Roberts grain store, West street. Mr. Cooper is a practical engineer, and has applied for a patent for his in vention, the great merits claimed for which are its success as a binder, its simplicity, and its adaptability to being attached to a M’Oormack machine, or in fact any other of. the old reapers. The introduction of the reaper and string binder had the effect of, so to speak, rendering the wire reaper effete , and not a few farmers looked discontentedly on their old machines when they saw the Deering at work. This new invention of Mr. Cooper, however, claims to be a glorious summer to this winter of discon tent, because of the ease with which it can be fixed on to the old grinders. Farmers will on the Bth have an opportunity of seeing the contrivance for themselves, as Mr. Cooper will be present in person to show the working of the binder.

Hedge Cutter.— Mr. Smithurst, the representative in New Zealand of Hornsby and Co., the celebrated agricultural im plement manufacturers, is now on a visit to Ashburton for the purpose of introduc ing to the notice of the public the recently imported hedge-cutter, manufactured by the enterprising firm which Mr. Smithurst represents. A trial of the machine will take place to-morrow, as announced in another column. The exact locality has not been decided upon, but will either be in a paddock at Tinwald belonging to Mr. John Carter, or on the property of Mr. Hay Smith. Government Land Sale. —On Tuesday the land known as the old railway reserves was put up to auction in the Town Hall, by John Marshman, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands. There was a very good attendance, and for such lots as were disposed of there was a fair competition. The following was the business done : Land for immediate payment : —Reserve 350—between the river Hinds and a road about three miles south-west of Tinwald— Lot GO ; area 42a. 2r. 32p.; upset price L 17 0; sold at L 199 ; to John McLean. Lot 69 ; area 81a. lr. 33p.; upset price L 330 ; sold at L 360 ; to John McLean. Reserve 350 —between the rivers Hinds and Rangitata—lot 73 ; area 53a. Or. IGp.; upset price L 222;1 2; sold at L 212 ; to Wilkin and Carter. Lot 74 ; area 59a. 3r. Op.; upset price L 239 ; sold at L 239 ; to Wilkin and Carter. Reserves 1371 and IGso—on the north bank of the Rangi tata, adjoining the South road —lot 25 ; area 103 a. 3r. Op.; upset price L 207 IQs.; sold at L 207 10s.; to John Studholme. Reserve 349 —between the rivers Rangi tata and the Orari —lot 38 ; area 12a. Or. 23p.; upset price L 25 ; sold at L 25 ; to Smith and Denniston. Reserve 350 opposite Recreation Ground, Tinwald— lot 4 ; area 20a. Or. Op.; upset price LI00; sold at LIOO ; to Joseph Scowen. Rural Section 34473 —near Longbeach ; esti mated at 15 acres ; upset price, L 5 an acre, at which price it was bought by Mr. John Grigg. Lands within the same Re serves, to be sold on deferred payments, in lots of similar area. Purchase money payable by instalments extending over ten years, without interest ; —Reserve 350 between Hinds and Tinwald—lot 53 ; area 100 a. Or. Op.; upset price L4OO ; sold at L 440 ;to Thomas Hickman. Lot G 7 ; ai'ea 52a. 3r. 36p.; upset price L 265 ; sold at L4lO ; to George Holms.. Lot 68; area 48a. 2r. 6p.; upset price L 242 ; sold at L 490 ; to George McLean. Reserve 350 —lot G ; area 48a. 3r. 28p.; upset price L 365 14s. Bd.; sold at L 365 14s. Bd.; to Henry Poole. Applications maj now be received for the unsold sections.

The Unemployed. —Thera are still a large number of unemployed in Christ church—some eighty names being on the books. Twenty-five men were sent yes terday to the railway works at Weka Pass.

, Steam Laundry.— Messrs. Bradshaw and Ishenvood announce the early open ing in Christchurch of a steam laundry, at which work will be done at half, and in some cases less than half, the rates charged by laundresses in the city.

The Native Land Sales Bill. —The Native Land Sales Bill, which has given rise to a considerable amount of discus sion in the House of Representatives, was read a second and a third time on Friday last, and eventually passed.

Cutting' Down. —The Nelson Educa tion Board have reduced the total of their teachers’ salaries by L 1,200, exceeding the ten per cent, principle where that could be safely done, taking off less than ten per cent, where teachers were underpaid in comparison ; dispensing with head money to teachers, and travelling expenses to members of the Board.

Through the Fire. —Among the articles recovered after the great fire in Manners-street, Wellington, was a safe belonging to the Opera n ouse Company, containing a quantity of papers. This has just been opened, and the documents were found to have sustained only very slight damage. Some of them were a little scorched, but all were perfectly legible.

A New Zealand Australian Cricketer. —lt transpires that Taranaki can lay claim to the honor of producing one of the celebrated Australian cricketers now playing in England with such bril liant success. Mr. F. A. Groube, son of Rev. Mr. Groube, was bom in Taranaki, and he is now one of the famous team of cricketers. His father was a resident of New Plymouth for a long time, and was a minister of the Independent Connexion.

The Stamp Fee Bill. —The Stamp Fee Bill, introduced into the Legislature on Friday by the Colonial Treasurer, pro vides for the collection, by means of stamps, of fees payable in the various de partments of the public service. The Stamp Fee Act, 1878, is repealed, but any regulation made under that Act are to continue in force until altered or repealed by the Governor in Council. A penalty of L2O may bo imposed on any person who shall file, issue, procure, or deliver any document or serve or execute any writ or proceeding without using the prescribed stamp. , The sections from 0 to 2G in clusive of the Stamp Act, 1875, are to be read with and as part of the present measure.

Remarkably Sudden Death. The Post says ;—“ A shockingly sudden death occurred at Porirua on Friday afternoon. Mr. Edward J. King, a butcher, residing near the ferry, was in the neighborhood of Stephen’s Sawmills shortly after 4 o’clock, when he heard a cry for help. On proceeding to ascertain the cause, he perceived a youth named Bowles lying underneath a log of timber, which had accidentally fallen on him. King was in the act of running towards the boy, for the purpose of extricating him from his perilous position, when he suddenly fell dead to the ground. It is supposed that death was due to heart disease. The de ceased was a married man, and leaves a wife and eight children. Bowles was sub sequently rescued from underneath the log, but is now reported to be in a very precarious condition. Rude Detectives. —Miss Blyth, the victim of infatuation in the man Hender son, is to be proceeded against by the police as soon as she is strong enough to bear the torture of a trial that might very well be dispensed with, and the matter be allowed to rest, without any bad result on the free and enlightened public of the colony. But to help her convalesence, and show their professional talent, certain police detectives forced their way into Miss Blyth’s room on Friday night in defiance of the express prohibition of her medical attendant, Dr. Diver, and .persisted in entering into conversation with her on the late tragedy, which he had strictly for bidden to be mentioned to her. The con sequence is that she was much worse cn Saturday, and Dr. Diver has made a formal complaint on the subject to the Minister of Justice. ’

The Proper Way. —Government hav ing decided not t® proceed with the Wel lington-Foxton line, the residents who believe in the work are becoming more self-reliant. In the House on Friday Mr. Beetham asked the Government if, in the event of a company being formed to com plete the Wellington and Foxton line to Porirua, the Government will be prepared to lease on equitable terms the railway formation from Kaiwarra to Johnsonvillel The Minister for Public Works replied that in the event of such a company being formed, the Government would deal with them most liberally. The Government would be prepared to go even further than was suggested, and hand over the land and the line on certain terms.

Mrs. Ramsbotham writes to say she is preparing for Christmas time. Her young friends are learning to dance the migno nette, she says, and are learning their parts in order to play some cheroots in the drawing-room. ‘ Tonic Beer. —A new beverage, under the denomination of tonic beer, is now being prepared by Messrs. E. T. Roberts and Co., of Wellington. It is guaranteed free from intoxicating properties, opens with a good head, and has a very pleasant flavor of the hop. Tb W hut's Policy. —From Wellington exchanges we gather that the “ prophet’s four ” fencers are being daily apprehended as they come up to commence their fen cing of the road. The Post says the job of apprehending every day four natives, martyrs to Te Whiti’s nonsense, is be coming monotonous. Another Victim.— A body found at Broken River, West Coast road, proves to be that of William Henry Izon, formerly stahlckeoper at Christchurch. He re cently received a remittance of some thousands from Home, and was on his way to Okarito Goldfield. He was in the habit of drinking heavily. ■ A Soup Kitchen Incident. —A rather amusing incident occured at the Christ church Soup Kitchen one day last week. An eccentric individual applied for a bowl of soup, ate it, and on departing, laid a half sovereign on the counter. The Bene volent Association are anxious to relieve a few more cases of this sort. The Burials Bill. —As an indication of the advance of public opinion at Home, we may state that the Burials Bill recently passed opens to dissenters all burying-grounds attached to churches, and permits any service to be read over the grave. The Bill was passed by an over whelming majority. Jean Luib.— During the Tichborne trial a man calling himself a captain gave evidence, swearing that the claimant was Sir Roger Tichborne. The man’s name was Jean Luie, and he was proved in the box to be a rank imposter. For his per jury he got seven years’ imprisonment. That was in 1874. A recent cablegram informs us that he has been released from prison.

Hard Times Again. —A cablegram from London, dated August 16, says; — In consequence of the prevailing depres sion of trade and .strikes amongst engineers and iron-workers, many iron masters in the West Scotland have de cided to close their establishments for the present. A large number of blasts have been extinguished, and much distress exists amongst the working classes thus deprived of employment. Sympathy.— At the trial, on Thursday last, of G. A. Johnston, Assistant Clerk of the R.M. Court at Masterton, on a charge of embezzling Government money, the Magistrate said there was some doubt as to whether the accused intended to embezzle the money, though he had shown gross carelessness and negligence in his accounts. The Bench gave accused the benefit of the doubt, and dismissed the charge. There was a great deal of applause at the decision, and during the evening a sum of L3l odd was collected in order to make good the deficiency.

An Old Drum. The Wanganui Chronicle says :—Messrs. H. Collier and Co. have in their possession a. side : drum bearing a remarkable history, having been made in Glasgow in 1727, and used by the Ist Regiment of Royal Edinburgh Volun teers during the rebellion of 1745. With the exception of the sheepskin being con siderably worn, the drum is fit for another hundred and fifty years’ service. The cylinder is of wood, and is apparently heavier than the brass side-drum used by British infantry. On a piece of paper pasted on the inside is written in an old fashioned text hand—“ This drum is made by George Murdoch, drum-maker, in the Gorballs of Glasgow, 1727.” Losses at Sea. —Mr. Plimsoll, late M.P. for Derby, was examined on 11th June before the Select Committee of the House of Commons nn the subject of the losses of merchant shipping and their ■crews at sea. Ho presented a return showing that more than 9,000 lives had been lost in five years, and tha: in many cases no enquiry had been made into the circumstances from which the disaster had resulted. The greater part of the loss was owing to ships being loaded by grain in bulk, and in his opinion the principal remedy would be to place the grain in bags, which could be easily moved so as to adjust the trim of the ship.

A New Plea, for Marrying a De ceased Wife’s Sister.-^A new light, says a Leeds paper, is thrown upon the controversy on the subject of the de ceased wife’s sister, by certain proceed ings which took place in Biggleswade Police Court. A local tailor was charged with being drunk and abusive towards the village policeman. He, however, obstin ately refused to admit the soft impeach ment, asserting that he could bring evi dence—chiefly that of his wife—to prove that ho was neither drunk or abusive. The clerk to the magistrates informed him that the testimony of his spouse would not be admissable, as she could not give evidence on behalf ■of her husband ; whereupon the defendant rejoined—“Oh! but mine can, because I married my de ceased wife’s sister ” —a statement which, the reporter adds, is quite correct.” We are told the Court was convulsed with laughter. Should the tailor’s assertion prove correct, a new inducement will be held out to men to marry their sisters-in law.

Peace or War. The question of “ Peace' or War ” (says the Army and Navy Gazette, June sth) is one that is occupying most thoughtful minds. The present state of the Balkan peninsula, of Russia, and of all the Continental Powers of Europe, with their bloated armaments, seems to render peace an impossibility for any length of time. In Germany it is urged that the only manner in which peace can be established on a sure and certain basis is once and for all to settle the Eastern Question. This settlement, it is maintained, will speedily be brought about by Russia, now that the non-interference of England is assured by Mr. Gladstone’s accession to power. The coming struggle will see Austria ad vancing to Salonica, -while giving up Trieste. German unity will be completed, and the House of Hapsburg will dominate over the Sclav race throughout the Balkan peninsula. So say the prophets. A Locust Plague. —By the news papers received from Russia we learn that upwards of 20,000 men are at present employed in various parts of the Caucasus endeavoring to check the plague of locusts. In the Signach district such immense numbers of insects have been destroyed that the air is tainted, and in structions have been given to bury the locusts-for the future. At Arboshinsky the Archimandrite of the Nina Cathedral, on observing tlie approach of a locust cloud, rang ths church bells, and, placing himself at the head of the assembled populace, -worked for twenty-four hours in destroyifag the insects, leaving, at the end of his exertions, none alive in the district. At Dushetsky, 5,000 persons are engaged killing locusts ; at Telaff, 2,000 ; at Ksan, 3,000 ; and on the shore of the Caspian, near .Baku, 4,200. In many places the populace have been re inforced by troops. At Dushetsky, the locusts, when collected in heaps, are sprinkled with naptha and then burnt. The area affected by the locusts stretches from Kars to Astrachau, and from Astrachan to the Black Sea. The damage done this year has been immense.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, August 24. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) Alexander Craighead, charged with allowing his chimney to catch tire, stated that the chimney had been cleaned a short time previously, but the top part which had not been cleaned had got alight. Fined ss. Michael Kines was charged with as saulting two females' on the night of Saturday last. Thomas Price said he was a carrier, and stated that he was in company with two young ladies in East street on Saturday night, and the accused came up and after catching hold of witness, took hold of the females and used abusive language. One of the young ladies also stated that accused had followed her and annoyed her near the post-office.- ! ■ ■ Isabella Hughes said she was walking in front of the post-office on,' Saturday night, when accused called after her, and followed her a few steps. Went •up to Mr. Hodder’s and while in company with Mr. Price and her sister, accused came up and endeavored to catch hold of her. The accused caught hold of Pricej and witness and her sister left. There was a' little wrestling between the. prisoner and Price. Charlotte Hughes gave corroborative evidence. \ ' i __ Constable Neill said he arrested the prisoner on Saturday night, and charged him with assaulting a female. He was quite capable of taking care of. himself, although he was a little the worse for liquor- His Worship sentenced the prisoner to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor’. The charges of resisting the police and using obscene language were then heard. , Constable Neill said that on arresting accused he walked a short distance, and on arriving at the Town Hall, prisoner caught hold of the verandah posts and swore he would not go a step further. Witness handcuffed the prisoner, and after getting assistance, put the man into a cab and took him to the station.

Robt. W. Shearman remembered seeing s last witness endeavor to take accused to the lock-up last Saturday night, and heard the latter use very abusive and obscene language. William Bartlett said—On Saturday night last, at the request of Constable Neill, he took his cab, and saw the accused resisting the constable and heard the accused use very obscene language. . His Worship fined the prisoner L2 or forty-eight hours’ imprisonment, and also to pay the cost of the cab which conveyed him to the station. CIVIL CASES, Branson and Purnell v. Anstee.—Claim LI 7s. Bd. Judgment by default for amount and costs. Hodder v. Macpherson.—Claim L 3, for goods supplied. Judgment by default for amount and costs. Hasset v. Burns.—Adjourned, on ap plication of Mr. O’Reilly for defendant, until Friday next.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the above body, held on Monday, there were present his Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs. Roberts, Orr, Parkin, and St. Hill. mayor’s statement. His Worship the Mayor, in summarising the business of the evening, observed that the credit balance at the bank was L 207 6s. 2d.; rates collected since last meeting, Lll 55.; rents, L 5 10s.; licenses, L 3 55.; dog tax, LI 10s. The total collected from taxes was L 126. It, would be noted that the credit balance at the bank was rapidly decreasing, and if they had to refund the Wakanui Road Board subsidy, it would leave the Council in debt. It behoved them, therefore, to be very careful in commencing any fresh work, unless it was absolutely necessary. The Finance Com mittee had not met, and therefore Mr. Parkin’s motion %vould not be able to be discussed that evening. With reference to a communication from the Crown Lands Office, his Worship said that two of the reserves granted by. Government had been sold two years ago. In answer to Mr. St. Hill, the Mayor said that Mr. R. Friedlander and himself were the only members of the Finance Committee who had met. S : RESERVES. . A letter from the Under-Secretary for Crown lands informed the Council, that Government declined to give reserve No. 774 for Borough purposes ; that on the sth May last Crown Grants for certain reserves had been issued, and in addition to the latter, sections 762, 764, 765, 766, 767, 771, 772, ;-773,. 775; and 776 would be vested in the Borough for municipal purposes. Resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the Mayar to corr.es pond with the Crown Lands Office. Mr. Chas. Hay asked for an extension of time to remove his whare off a Borough reserve, and asked that he be allowed to rent a section from the Council. To be acknowledged. Mr. James Bradley made application for section 610. Applicant was referred to the auctioneers advertisement. THE DEED OP EASEMENT. A letter from Messrs. Garrick and Cowlishaw to Mr. E. G. Crisp was read, stating that the grant for the water supply had been duly executed, and would be handed over on the enclosed account (LlO odds), being settled. To be deferred for a fortnight. ' ' MORE LIGHT WANTED. From Messrs. Mutch and McKenzie, suggesting that a lamp-post be erected- at, the corner of East and South streets. / To’ be acknowledged. ... MORE RED JAPE. . A letter (from the Traffic Manager’s office, New Zealand railways, stated that the Council’s letter re the Railway Re serve, East street, had been referred to the Assistant Engineer. To be acknow ledged.- , ’ MATSON, COk, & CO.’S SIDING, Messrs. Matson, Cox, & Co., forwarded further particulars re their application for a siding to their new store. Application granted, subject to the Engineer’s super vision. ■ THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The Mayor said that the Finance Com mittee had not met, but he had prepared a rough statement.- He thought that Mr. Parkin’s motion,.put-top much work on the Finance Committee, especially with reference as topvhere reductions could be made ill the expenditure; This portion, his Worship thought, should have de volved on the Works Committee. Mr. Friedlander suggested that it was possible money might be advanced by the Banks on the probable sale, of the pipes. Mr. Friedlander, also, on behalf of the Finance Committee obtained leave to delay bringing their report until next meeting. THE ENGINEERS’ REPORT Referred to the channelling being nearly completed, to the water in the Domain having reached the reservoir, to the work at which the labor gang had .been en gaged, and to Messrs. Matson, Cox & Co. ’s application for a siding. The report concluded by referring to the very little progress which was being made with the Burnett street west contract. BURNETT STREET WEST. Mr. St. Hill moved that the Clerk he instructed to give three days notice to the contractor for this work for its immediate completion ; and if on the fourth day the contractor had not started with ity the En gineer put on men to do the work, at the contractor’s cost. Carried.

DOMAIN ENTRANCE. Mr. St. Hill drew the Council’s atten tion to the extravagant and useless - man ner in which the posts at the/ entrance to the Domain near the. reservoir had been put in. The p>osts were so • wide apart that cattle could easily pass in and out: It was resolved to refer the matter tothe Engineers. ' ''- v SENSIBLE RESOLVE. Mr. St. Hill drew attention to the num ber of unbccupied sections covered with tussock, and spoke of the great danger to the township in case of fire, especially during such- windy weather as had been experienced during last week. It was re solved to advertise a notice to the effect that persons -who owned such sections would be required to clear them at once, or they would.-be proceeded against under the By-laws; - Mr. St. Hill said that, while on the subject,, he would suggest that tenders be called for clearing the Borough sections of tussocks. The speaker then moved a reso lution to that effect, which was carried. Mr. Roberts remarked that the Coun cil could hardly have the front to prose cute others while they themselves were guilty. RETROSPECTIVE. In reply to Mr. St. Hill, his Worship said no application had been made by the pre vious Mayor or other officer of the Coun cil for the Borough reserves, and one of the reserves had been lost through this neglect. ' Mr. St. Hill and his Worship obtained leave to hold over notices of motion in their names until next meeting. THE INSPECTOR OF' NUISANCES ' Reported serving notices on persons in East street, with reference to water flowing from their premises in the locality of Saunders’Buildings ; also, asking for in formation as to the proceedings he should take about: person'' riding ..land" driving across footpaths., . It was resolved to instruct the Inspec tor to lay informations against ’ any de linquents who might be guilty ,of riding or driving across any footpath. * . LICENSE., Edwin Bartlett applied for . a driver’s license, which was granted. ’ACCOUNTS Were passed for payment, and mne of the shortest meetings of the Council term i nated. ■

ASHBURTON MATTERS IN PAR LIAMENT.

THE WATERWORKS BILL. In the Legislative Council last Friday, Mr. Miller moved—“ That the Council should resolve itself into Committee to consider the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill.” To this Sir F. D. Bell moved an amend ment —“It is inexpedient to allow the establishment of a precedent that the ■ County fund of a County should be in volved in liability for any public work undertaken not for the benefit of the County, but only for part, thereof, without the assent of the ratepayers of the whole County.” On this there was some discussion re lative to, the need of passing, the Bill, and the lion-compliarice with the Standing Orders by its promoters, but ait 4 o’clock the debate was adjourned, and the motion lapsed for the day as.did four others. THE RANGITATA BRIDGE. At the afternoon' sitting of the House on Friday, in reply to a question by Mr. Pyke as to the condition of the piles which were being driven into the river at the Rangitata Bridge in 1878, , The Hon. the Minister for Public Works stated that he had found a memorandum from his predecessor in office (the hon. member for Port Chalmers) to the effect that there was no reason to suppose that the conditions of the contract had not been thoroughly carried out. Mr. Wright, as the contractor in ques tion, .would like to say a few words. He had built bridges in the aggregate averag ing . some , seven miles in length.' The bridges at Rangitata south and Rangitata north were each 2000 ft long, and every bit of the work had been scrutinised care fully before it was passed. The piles, how ever, had been scoured away by the heavy floods of 1878 pervading over the whole, of the uppoi portion of the province'of Canterbury. THE OXFOHD-TEMUKA LINE. Mr.' Pyke asked the Government—(l) Whether they are aware that the railway line from Oxford to Malvern (Sheffield), recommended by the Railway Com missioners, is a mere pretext, committing the Colony to building a line from Oxford to Temuka ; (2) whether such railway will be of any public benefit, and to what extent; (3) whether the proposed line of railway passes through the estates of the Hon. John Hall, the Premier, and of Mr. Wright, a member of the Railway Commission ? In asking the question, Mr. Pyke said he was not quite sure what it was that had vexed the Premier on the previous day, but if it was the form of the question he would slightly alter it and leave out the word “ pretext ” in the first part of the question. He would ask whether the construction of the line from Oxford to Mal Vern would result in the making of the line from Oxford to Te muka. He would ask the question in that way, to remove any feeling there might be on the subject. He put the other questions as they stood on the paper.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works said the first part of the question would open up debateable matter. With regard to the second part of the question, he would answer in the negative. The Government was not aware that ,it was a mere pretext that would commit the Colony to the line from Oxford to Temuka. The section from Oxford to Malvern would be a most useful one, and had been recommended by the Commission. Ho person on the Commission had property on the line of that railway. ; The third part of the'ques tion was put in such a way as to make it very doubtful which of the lines it meant. The line was commenced some years before the present Ministry took office, and abandoned since they came into office, and he could assure the hon. gentleman that neither of the gentlemen interested had property in the neighborhood of the line at present under consideration.

FRIDAY’S PARLIAMENT.

(From the Wellington Post, of Sarurday). No sooner has the Order Paper of the “ Commons ” been cleared of some of its superfluous bills than fresh ones are added to the list, though happily the number of the latter are not in proportion to that of the former. Thursday night saw the de molition of the hopes of the Native Minister and the temperance advocates who are privileged to legislate for the people, in the sweeping away of six native bills and one calculated to reform the licensing laws of the colony ; yesterday afternoon .witnessed the initiation of four new measures; and the promise of a fifth. Three of the four were necessary fiscal bills introduced by the Colonial Treasurer, and comprised the following : —The Stamp Pee Bill, a Bill to alter the duties of Cus toms, and the Stamp Act Amendment Bill. The fourth was brought down by Mr. Rolleston, and is entitled the Special Powers and Contracts Bill. Mr. Pulton asked the Government if they would, during the recess, consider the advisable ness of amending the law of divorce in the colony ; and the Premier replied that the question would be dealt with by the Judicial Commission ; the Government would no doubt act upon the report next

I session, . Replying to Mr. Reeves, who is ! ever watchful of the interests of gold miners, the Premier intimated that it would not. be advisable to go to the ex pense of establishing a mint in New Zeal land just hpw. Mr. Sheehan was informed that the report of the Middle Island Com mission had been sent in to the Governor three days ago, and that a copy was being prepared for the table of the House. In answer to Mr. Fyke, Mr. Oliver said the Government were not aware that the rail way line from Oxford to Malvern (Shef field), recommended by the Railway Com missioners was “a mere pretext committing the colony to building a line from Oxford to Temuka further, neither the Premier npr Mr. Wright had any property near arty line at present in course of construc tion. Mr. Murray made an attempt to secure a Saturday morning sitting, but was unsuccessful, members objecting to suffer the fate of the proverbial camel, occasioned by the piling on of the last straw. An Imprest Supply Bill (No, 4.) of L 200,000 was rapidly passed through its multifarious stages, and the remainder of the afternoon was devoted to. the recom mittal of the Native Land Courts Bill. In the evening, the debate on the West Coast Settlement Bill was resumed for a short time, when the second reading was agreed to. Sir William Fox expressed the anxious hope, of ! the Commissioners that the Government would see their way. to carry out as speedy as possible, though without any undue percipitateness, the recommendations which the administration had concurred in and the House agreed to. In doing so, he did not think any war would arise if reasonable discretion were used. Mr. Bryce, in his reply, said the Government fully intended to substantially carryout the report of the Commission ; but they could hardly' lay down any bast iron rule in the matter. The bill was committed forthwith, and, although there was a good deal of discussion on . the various, clauses, it was passed’ without material amendment, beyond the addition of a new clause maintaining the Act’ in force for three years from the close of the present session of Parliament. The House, rose at 1.15. a. m., till Monclay morning at 11 o’clock.

THE HENDERSON TRAGEDY.

(From the Post, Saturday,) At twenty minutes past 4 o’clock yes terday afternoon the inquest on the body of Matthew Henderson came to a con clusion, the foreman-bf the jury announc ing that, with one exception, the jurors were of opinion that, the deceased died from the effects of strychnine administered by his own hand while he vyas of sound mind. The Coroner shortly afterwards instructed the police to cause the body of the felo cle se to be interred between the hours of 9 and 12 p.m., and without Christian rites and ceremonies. A few minutes after 9 o’clock the mortal remains of Henderson were conveyed to the cemetery, and the coffin was lowered into a grave which had been prepared during, the day. There were very few, persons: present, Chief Detective Browne super vising the proceedings. The grave having; been filled up, the small assemblage of persons then dispersed. Subsequently it transpired that the Rev. E. A. Lingard, the incumbent of St. Luke’s, Christ church, was a passenger from'Lyttelton" by the.s.s. Wakatipu, which arrived;in this port last evening. He, came up to represent deceased’s wife, and defend her from the aspersions which had been cast upon her character by Henderson. With him he brought several documents affecting the relations which existed, between the deceased and Mrs. Render-, son. Among these was the marriage certificate .of Mrs. Henderson, showing that she (at that time Mary Ann Lyford) married deceased, a merchant’s clerk, at ;-t Pancras, London, in April, 1866,. the, attesting witnesses being deceased’s own parents. This document does not con clusively dispose of the deceased’s stater ment that he married Mrs. Henderson while his lawful wife was still living. The other documents were those by which the deceased contrived to induce Mrs. Henderson to believe that he was travel ling to Otago to wind ; up a certain bank ruptcy estate. One ran as follows :—“My address is—Herbert’s Store, Lawrence. Will wire change.— M. Henderson.” It was despatched from Lawrence, about 70 miles from Dunedin. Another—a letter —commenced —“ My dear wife . . : • .

I write this at Christchurch station to post it at the first stopping .pla.ce—Rolleston. . To my loving wife. M. Hender son.” The other document was - one signed by Mrs. Henderson, for the pur* pose of removing any suspicion, that the poison deceased took was obtained in this city, and was as, follows—“ 19th August, 1880.—I have reason to believe that my husband,;.Matthew Henderson, took away ' from Christchurch a packet of strychnine, .made up in. a..-paper,, after the manner of an ordinary powder.—M. A. Henderson. , Witness, - Samuel Batt, draper, Christchurch.” Before leaving Christchurch deceased was taxed by- Mrs. Henderson with being faithless to her, on which occasion he is said to have sworn an oath on the Bible calling on the Almighty to strike him dead if he ever wished to wrong her. The clothes •he wore and other goods brought with him were paid for by post-dated cheques, falling due on the very day the steamer for San Fran cisco was advertised to: leave Auckland! The Rev. Mr. Lingard returned to Lyttel ton to-day. By the Arawata, which ar rived from the same port during the afternoon, Mrs. Blyth reached Welling ton, and was immediately conducted to her daughter at the Empire Hotel. In all probability an information will be laid against Miss Blyth fox’ attempted sui cide, but will not be heard till she is quite recovered from her present illness. 1

THE PROPERTY TAX.

THE fAMENDMENT BILL. ' ‘ (From the Fod, Wellington.), :: v The Property Assessment ‘ Act Amend ment Bill has just been circulated. As it is of very 'great importance and public interqpt, we give a full summary of its pro visions. Section 1 proyi lea that this Bill shall be read and construed together with The Property Assessment Act, 1879, and the two Acts together will be cited as’The Property Assessment , , Acts, 1879-1880. Section 2 runs as follows :—To the classes of property exempt from iunder the said Act, as mentioned in section 26, there shall be added the following—“ All household furniture and effects in actual use, including: books, plate,, wearing ap parel, jewellery of all kinds, and tall pictures and works of art ; ;: i but such ex emption ■ shall not -extend to or ; include any such article when kept or. used as stock in trade and for purposes of said.” Section 3 is as follows-—“-The statement to be furnished,; under the -thirty-second section of the Property Assessment Act,- 1879 (hereinafter called * the said Act shall he in the form or, to the effect set forth in the schedule ; of this Act. - All provisions of the said Act which are in cansistent with this section are. hereby repealed. ” The schedule gives the follow ing as the new form under which the state ments required by the Act are to be made : • • . Schedule, Property assessment for the year ending 31st March, IS . Property Assessment District S • ■' Name : •• . -■ Occupation! Address: - 1 ■ : In pursuance of the -Property ment Acts, 1879-1880, you are hereby.required

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1880.



AUCTION SALES. Saturday, August 28. Alfred Harrison, at his Saleyards—Good Staunch Horse. Any trial given. KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY (LIMITED ) CAPITAL £IOO,OOO IN 4000 SHARES OP £25 EACH. ISSUE OF NEW SHARES. EORMS of APPLICATION FOR SHARES, with full information, can he obtained oi Mr. Weeks, Ashburton Guardian Office, by whom application for Shares will be received. Deposit, 20s. per share ; and 50s. per share on allotment. August 23, 1889. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES OF THE INDUCTION OF THE REV. A. M. BEATTIE. ON SABBATH NEXT the REY. D. M‘KEE, of Christchurch, will Preach in the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ASHBURTON Morning at 11 o’clock. Evening at 6.30. and at Wakanui at 3 o’clock. Special Collections on each occasion. LECTURE. The REY. D. M‘KEE will deliver a LECTURE on MONDAY EVENING, 30th AUGUST, in the TOWN HALL, Subject : “ CRANMER AND HIS TIMES.” Chair to be taken at 7 o’clock. The Choir will discourse some appro priate Music. Proceeds to be devoted to repair of the Church. 789c-146g METHVEN AGENCY. • MORGAN and HIBBS, General Store keepers, Methven, are authorised agents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention. WEEKS AND DIXON, 30a* Proprietors- NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. Subscriptions for the Quarter ending June are now due, payable at the office, East street, near Railway Station. A Discount of Is. will be allowed on the Quarter’s Subscription, and 4s. on the year’s subscription, if paid in advance. New subscribers are requested to send in their names and addresses as early as possible, to the Publisher, this being the first month in the Quarter. The Farmers’ Supplement will be pub lished every Month. • WEEKS and DIXON, Publishers. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. Applications are invited from competent persons willing to act as FERRYMAN at Lower Rangitata for one year, on a subsidy of £BO per annum, together with all fees paid according to the schedule as hereinafter mentioned. Applications, with references, endorsed <e Ferryman, Lower Rangatata,’ will be received at the Council’s Offices, Ashbur ton, up to 11 a. ra. on WEDNESDAY, the Ist day of September, 1880. Duties to commence on the 4th September, 1880. Two sureties for £25 to be provided. SCHEDULE OF FEES. Cattle dr horses, driven or ledin a mob, 6d. per head. Passengers forded on horseback, 2s. -Horses forded (including horse and rider), 3s.' each. Vehicles, ss. each. By order: F. MAINWARING, Clerk. Ashburton, July 27, 1880. 718c-82g



A Public Trial or THE HORNSBY HEDGE-CUTTING AND TRIMMING MACHINE, w ILL take place at Ashburton on FRIDAY, the 27th INSTANT, Commencing at 2 p.m. 152 g