COMMERCIAL.

(by telsgr aph. )

Wellington, Slay 7.

Messrs. Lacry and Campbell sold to-day the following : —Onions, L 5 10s. to LG ; potatoes, L2 15s. to L 3 ; oatmeal, 10s. to 11s. per cwt.; pollard, Lsto L 5 10s.; bran, L 7 10s. to L 8 ; flour, Wood’s, Lll 10s. to Ll2 per ton ; maize, 3s. 6d. to 45.; oats, 25.; rye grass, 4s. per bushel.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under Friday, May 8. For Northern Ports of New Zealand and Australian Colonies, via Sydney, per Rotomahana, at 1.50 p.m. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on May 6th, and will be due in London on June 26th. The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on May 22, and will be due in London on July 6. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

AUCTION SALES.

4 Saturday, May 8. J. EABuchanan and Co., at their rooms, street. —16 Splendid Suburban Sections. Sale at 2 o’clock. Matson & Co. —At their rooms,- Hereford and Cashel Streets, at two o’clock—l 32 sections in Methvcn township. Messrs. J. T. Ford and Co., at their Land Sale Booms, Cashel street, Christchurch. A number of valuable Properties. Sale at 1.30 sharp. Wednesday, May 12. Alfred Harrison, on the premises of the late Mr. James Cairns, Waterton. — Compact little Farm of 100 Acres. Sale at 12 sharp. Thursday, May 13. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at their . rooms, East street.—3s Sections in the Township of Timvald. Sale at 2 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1880.

The usual monthly statement of the Chairman of the County Council is es pecially interesting to ratepayers in the district affected by the proposed County Waterworks Amendment Bill, and we would advise them to consider the state ment well before they write “ Dissenting” on the voting papers that have been sup plied to them. Mr. Walker goes very carefully into the powers sought to bo con ferred upon the County Council by the proposed Bill, and points out clearly and without any equivocation the exact posi tion in which an affirmative vote to the Bill will place the ratepayers. He very plainly shows how the rights of the rate payers have been hedged around by safeguards that must prevent them from being burdened by over whelming taxation for the water sup ply scheme proposed to be introduced, and how the borrowing powers of the Council in this matter will be regulated by the acreage to be supplied, and re stricted to a sum that a maximum tax of sixpence an acre in the area supplied will be able to support. A careful perusal of the Chairman’s statement, which has evi dently been delivered more for the rate payers than for the Council, will show that the vote is virtually taken j ust now on the principle of whether a water supply scheme should be extended for purposes of general utility by loan. With this principle, we do not think many rate ratepayers will quarrel, and seeing that, as the Chairman puts it, not a.single sixpence can be raised without their sanction, we cannot anticipate the least opposition on tho part of ratepayers to the Bill intended to be introduced. We commend a thought ful perusal of Mr. Walker’s remarks to all concerned in the question of a water sup ply for tiie plains. •

Digby’s Bridge. — The County Council, ut its sitting yesterday, remitted LIOOO irom the Upper Ashburton Board’s shave of the cost of this bridge. Scholarships. — l The Secretary of the Education Board for the North Canter bury district announces that the list of candidates for the June examination closes on May 10.

The Methven Pound. —The County Council, at its meeting yesterday, accepted the tender of Messrs Nelson and Coutts for the erection of a pound at Methven at a cost of L 199 10s.

The Domain.— The County Council have voted LIOO to the Domain Board, to aid in beautifying the Domain—more especially the part in the neighborhood of the Hospital.

The Valuator. Unfortunate Mr. Leach made an appeal yesterday to the County Council, and told the tale of Ids difficulties, but the stony-hearted Coun cillors only shunted him off by referring hin to the Judge of the Assessment Court.

The County Seal. —The County seal has now arrived, and has been sot up in the Chambers. It is a very chaste design, and has been very well cut. It bears a representation of the Ashburton bridge, over which is placed a shield with the Canterbury arms. The Mail via Brindisi.—Correspond ence for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (specially addressed) may be posted at the Ashburton Post-office up to 10.15 this (Thursday) morning. Late fee letters may be posted in the express mail van up to the time of its departure for south. Entertainment.— The promoters of the entertainment recently given in the Primitive Methodist Church are so well satisfied with the patronage received on that occasion, that they have decided to give a similar entertainment at an early date, notice of which will be duly adver tised in these columns. Sale at Methven.— Messrs. W. J. E. Bluett and Co., in conjunction with Messrs. R. Davies and Co., held a clearing sale of Mr. G. Oleland’s stock and imple ments at Belmont, Methven, on Monday. There was a very fair attendance from all parts of the district, and all the lots were quitted at satisfactory prices.

Informal Tenders. —We would im press upon tenderers for public works the advisableness of observing the conditions of tender, especially as regards deposits, and where marked cheques are required. In conseqenco of informality, from not attending to matters of this kind, several tenders were rejected by the Comity Council yesterday.

The Borough Drainage.—Considera tion of the Borough’s application to the County Council for a grant for drainage was deferred yesterday, but, in reply to Mr. Bullock, the Chairman stated that the fund for water supply could be legiti mately devoted to the laying down of coin erete channelling to carry olf the surplus water, and other works which were neces sitated by the introduction of a water scheme. • •

The County Chambers. —The.ground around the County Chambers is to be planted with trees, and otherwise done up nicely. But the unshinglcd state of the street in front is a source of consider able annoyance to those who have to do business at the Chambers, and the neat and tidy offices on a wet day have their in ternal beauty considerably marred by the great gouts of mud and clay that are car ried in from the slough opposite by the feet of visitors.

Fire Brigade.— The monthly meeting of the Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday, It was resolved that Captain Wilkie and Lieut. Dolman bo a deputation to wait upon the Borough Council to endeavor to obtain a further grant to assist the brigade funds. The action of the Committee in ordering extras from Shand, Mason, and Co. was fully endorsed. The Secretary reported that none of the honorary mem bers had as yet paid their subscriptions.

The Library. —An application was made to the Secretary of the Library, for the Committee, to the County Council yesterday for a grant in aid of the Library’s funds. We are happy to notice that the claims of this institution and others of the same kind in the district will be considered shortly by the Council, when a general distribution of aid is to be made. Meanwhile, information as to the state of the libraries’ affairs is to be collected, as a guide to the apportionment of money. The Say Francisco Mail —The Wel lington correspondent of the Press tele graphs as follows on Tuesday night : There is the usual muddle in bringing down the San Francisco mail this month. The Taiaroa, which brings it fpopi Manu kau, was to have come direct from Tara naki to Wellington, and now, as the mail steamer is a day late at Auckland, the Taiaroa docs not leave Manukau for six teen hours after ihft mail readied Auck land, and is to go all round by I'inlspn and Picton, losing fully another day. She is not expected to reach Wellington before midnight on Thursday, and will not pro ceed South until noon on Friday, thus the mail will not bo delivered in Christchurch until Saturday morning, instead of two days earlier, as could easily have boon done. All this time the Hinemoa is lying idle at the Railway Wharf. This need less delay is the subject of great complaint here.

Stray Cattle. —Loud complaints are just now being made in Ashburton of the depredations of stray cattle. Two or three wily old milchers seem to have been allowed a roving commission by their owners, and they have made happy hunt ing grounds of several gardens. A certain bacheloro’ hall in the township was visited one night recently by one of these wander ing cows, and arte? she had devoured every edible thing in the vicinity of the celi bates’ cottage, she commenced to amuse herself by rubbing her horns up and down the weather-boarding. It was “ the hour when churchyards yawn,” and the whole troop of bachelors at opce left their chaste couches and rushed to i lie rlgnj*. when they heard the unearthly scraping of the cow’s horns upon the jagged weather boards. Ignorant pf whether a second Dunedin tragedy was about to be enacted, or a volcano had burst upon them, or a case for the Fire Brigrdo had occurred, or the last day liad arrived, there were heat ing hearts in that shanty, that beat so violently as to interfere with their owners’ regard for the little attentions to toilet that go so far to put an appear ance of respectability, upon a man —and when the troop of bachelors appeared at the door in the soft moonlight there were extremities to be seen innocent of all tailoring, and the scanty garment that apparelled Tam o’ Shanter’s heroine was the prevailing costume. But when the cause of disturbance was discovered ono angry bachelor rushed out, regardless in his wrath of his personal appearance, and expelled the intruder. The others made a stampede to bed. But the end was not yet. The irate one forgot to fasten tho gate, and soon the milker returned. The disturbance had effected the nervous sys tem of one at least of the unmarried colony, and when he, possessed of a waking conscience, got up in tho very early morn he found his bovine enemy of the night harvesting what was eatable about the place. We will not tell tales upon him, but there was plenty of milk in bachelors’ hall all next day. We fancy the owner of the cow, when he came to milk her, would bo able to give a reason why. If all stray cows went home milked, perhaps they would be more effectively prevented from wandering round strangers’ back doors.

County Council. —Tlie usual monthly mooting of the Council was held yesterday, but it was only after a delay had occurred of an hour an half that the meeting com menced, as a quorum of members was not obtained until half past twelve. Pleuro-pnbumonia. —Wo are glad to notice that action has been taken by the County Council in the matter of pleuro pneumonia, and that they are to urge Go vernment to advise His Excellency to pro hibit, by Ordcr-in-Oouncil, the importation into the South Island of cattle from Aus tralia and the North Island. As re marked by the Chairman, the matter is oiie of undoubted gravity, and the Council, wo tool assured, have not acted with more promptness than the case requires, seeing that the reports from the North do not in any way assure us that pleuro is dying out. I.O.G.T.—The usual weekly meeting of the Dawn of Peace Lodge was held at the Templar Hall on Monday night last, Bro. Poyntz presiding. One male and one female were initiated. A deal of routine business was gone through, after which Bro. A. J. Andrews, acting for the G.W.C.T., and assisted by Bro. Davis as G. W.M. and Bro. Jessop as G.W.S., -installed the officers for the ensuing quarter. The returns for the last quarter showed that the lodge was steadily progressing in the number of its members, and the amount of good disseminated by it in the cause of temperance. Votes of thanks having been accorded the retiring officers the lodge was closed in due form.—On Saturday evening the newly-elected officers for the nest quarter of the Star of the East Lodge were installed by the Lodge Deputy, Bro. I. Scott, with assistants. We understand that on an early date the E-ev. Mr. Hands', of the Episcopal Church, will deliver a lecture on temperance in Ashburton.

Commission on Local Industries.— The Commission bn Local Industries have visited and inspected the coal mines at Russell.

A Hoax.— The Wellington police have strong suspicions that the reported case of drowning from tho Queen’s Wharf, in that city, is a fabrication.

A Maori Complaint.— The Govern ment schools at 801 l Block have had to be closed owing to the Maori itch having made its appearance among the children. Fatal Accident.—The youngest child of Mr. Charles Innes, a brewer, at Te Awarautu, was accidentally drowned on Tuesday in a tub of water.

Sudden Death. —A child of Mr. John Elliot, of Waitara, died suddenly on Mon day morning. At the inquest it was shown that death was caused by the sudden fail ing of the heart’s action.

Adventure with a Shark.—A son of Captain Stevens, while bathing at Mechanics’ Bay, had a narrow escape from a shark, the other day. A young man named Jojuier jumped into the water and attacked the shark with a knife and drove it away. Novel Experiment.—ln the Massa chusetts public schools a somewhat novel experiment had beexx tried. Jn place of the old-fashioned reading books the children aro to be tempted by such time honored fairy tales as “Jack the Giant Killer” and “Puss in Boots.” Swimming.—Another feat of endurance is shortly contemplated by Captain Webb, the Channel swimmer. Captain Webb has undertaken to swim sixty consecutive hours, viss., for throe days and two nights. He will bo allowed to leryve the water for not more than thirty minutes in each twenty-four hours. The attempt will be made under the most favorable circum stances possible, yiz., sea water of summer temperature. Strange Affair. —An extraordinary discovery has just been made or is be lieved to have been made, by the India Office. The sister of a Bedfordshire baronet, who being then a young girl of considerable beauty, was lost during the Indian mutiny, has been found in a harem at Mecca. The lady is now in India, and questions have been sent out to secure evidence of her identity, which it is sus pected there may be a desire to conceal.

Sarcastic, — Arthur Sullivan said a clover thing the other day. They were then rehearsing the new opera, and Sulli van tried to teach Ryley a bit of business. The actor thought Sullivan had no right to interfere. Said ho with indignation : “ What do you mean, sir ? I’m an actor, and know my business. Have Ibp on ten years on the stage to get my points from you '? Ho, sir. The time is past for me to do that sort of thing. I can’t be taught anything about acting.” “So I see,” said Sullivan, drily.—Boston Daily Adcrrtiser.

Irish Repteit Fujsd, —The various re lief funds, says the Graphic, continue to increase daily. The total sum from all sources now amounts to about L 150,000, which, however, is not clearly half what will ])p needed for the effectual relief of the sufferers. The astonishing statement that the Baroness Biudctt Ooutts was about to devote half a million of money to the relief of Irish distress, seems to have been the result of a clerical error. The Baroness had already distributed Ll5O, and has now engaged to contribute LSOO the fopnatiop of a harbor at Sligo. The addition of noughts converted the LSOO into half a million.

Cowardice Reproved. —At the Lan cashire Assizes Lord Justice Brett, in sentencj.ijg a young farmer to two months’ imprisonment for manslaughter during a fight, was led to lam,ent the degeneracy of the times. He said ho could" remember the time when in no village in England would a man fight unfairly, for if he did every one would scout Imp > but now Englishmen fought like cowards. Although fighting was contrary to the law, lie had made up his mind that if a man fought fairly lie would not punish him should an ac cident result from the fight; but in this case the prisoner had struck his antagonist in the stomach, and had also kicked him when he was down.

American Railways. —During the past year the increase of mileage of new rail ways in America w&s greater than in any year since 1873. The new lines con structed in 1878 wore 2,916 ; but this was largely exceeded in 1879, in which 4,439 miles were built, which makes the total mileage of the Stages 86,263, nearly one half of the entire mileage of the world. Of the last year’s extensions, 923 miles, Ql' loss than 21 per cent., were of narrow gauge, while in the preceding year 30 per cent. wej?o h'hft !?» this gauge. The tide of railway activity is almost entirely turning west of the Mississippi. Thu Easterly States have covered their districts with networks of lines, and with the ex ception of short feeders and connexions between old-established systems there is no railway construction going on worth notice, and, indeed, there is scarcely room for it. In the whole of blew Eng land the new mileage during 1879 wan ynly 42, and the same may be said of Ohio avid the adjoining States. But it was very different jp the group of States lying in the north-west and jiy the basin of the Mississippi, where great railway activity has been shown. In Kansas alone 544 miles were constructed last year, in lowa 472, in Minnesota, 451, in Nebraska 285 ; while Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Dakota ran up the total to 3,187 out of the 4,430 miles. There were 1,243 miles built in the States east of the Mississippi in 1879, against 3,187 west of that river, and the cost of rail way construction advanced pearly 30 per cent, during the year, with prices still tending upwards. Among the principal linos now in progress are the Sioux City and Nebraska, making a through route between Omaha and St. Paul; the Vicks burg, Shreveport, and Pacific, in the State of Louisiana; and the Atchison (Kansas) and Nebraska line,

ROAD BOARDS.

UPPER ASHBURTON.

The ordinary meeting of the Board was held on Tuesday the 4th inst. Present— Messrs. D. M‘Lcan (Chairman) Stitt, and Sargent. The overseer road his monthly report, and several works reported on were considered.

CORRESPONDENCE. Fx*om the Union Bank of Australia, carrying out the Board’s instructions re fixed deposits.

From A. M‘Coll, Rangitata station, asking for the formation of 80 chains of the road from Ealing railway station up to the north .bank of the Rangitata, the same being in a dangerous state. The Overseer mentioned that tenders had boon called on the 21st April, and the work lot to diaries Smitliel, at Gs. (Id. per chain. From the County Council, forwarding copies of Water Supply Bill for distribu tion.

From the same, informing the Board that L 2719 10s. 5d., share of impounded land, fund, with interest, had been placed with the Union Bank of Australia, to the credit of the Board.

From the same, with copy of Electoral Roll, for this riding, to be on view at the Board’s office until the loth May, as pro vided in the Counties Act.

From the same, granting Ll 5 towards protective works on the south, branch Ash burton river.

From John Fraser, contractor for Mount Somers railway, asking permission to take shingle out of the gravel pit near Black’s road.-—-Granted.

From the Secretary to the Treasury, and from the Under Secretary for Public Works, with returns to be filled up. From the Mount Somers Road Board, requesting that the boundary road from Thompson’s to the Lyndhurst Railway station, about 70 chains, be formed. The Clerk to reply that the Board is whiling to form the road, provided the Mount Somers Road Board, pay ono-half of the cost, it being a boundary road between the two districts. From Win. Fraser, asking for extra moneys for fencing reserve No. 20G4. The Board considered Mr. Fraser was well enough paid, more especially as he was benofitting himself, lie having leased the reserve.

From Alex. Finlay, asking for the use of gravel reserve No. 2C98. Granted under the usual conditions imposed by the Board. The Clerk to write to that effect. The Clerk was directed to write to Mr. W. Sutherland, asking him to clear out the creek at the blacksmith’s shop, Alford Forest road. He was also directed to call for tenders for several works for the 17th last.

Accounts were then passed and the Board adjourned.

MOUNT SOMEES. The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was held at the office, Mount Somers, on ’Monday, May 3rd. Present —Messrs. W. G. Walker (Chairman), W. S, Peter, J r E. Taylor, D. Cameron, and A. E. Peaobo. The Chairman informed the Board that as he now resided out of the district during the principal part of the year, .it was his intention to resign his seat as Chairman of the Board. It was proposed by Mr 1 . Peter, seconded by Mr. D. Cameron, and carried unanimously, that Mr. Walker bo requested to continue to act as Chairman. Mr. Walker thanked the members for their confidence in him, and consented to con tinue to act as their Chairman.

The Surveyor’s report was road and con sidered.

The following correspondence was read:

From Mr. A. priufcy, requesting pay ment of his account, being balance on Double Hill track, and repairs to Rudicr ford’s cutting. The Clerk to reply.

From the Resident Engineer, informing the Board that it was the intention of the Government to carry the Mount Somers railway along the south side of the South Ashburton, and to abandon a portion of the survey made by Mr. Triphook. The Clerk was requested to write to the Minister for Public 'Yorks strongly protesting against the abandonment of Mr. Triphook’s survey; and also to the member for the district, requesting him to use his best endeavors to prevent the injustice of such a route being adopted' as that mentioned in the Resident Engineer’s letter.

It was resolved that a public meeting of ratepayers be held at an early date to pro test against the proposed alteration of line.

From Mi\ Jas. Carlton, consenting to accept the terms offered by the Boai’d as final payment on Gorse Fence road and Tramway road. The .Board decided to pay Carlton according to their previous offer.

From Messrs Ford and Ogden, inclosing price list of pipes. The Board decided to call for tenders for the supply of pipes for 12 months, to be delivered at Mount Somers.

From the Ashburton County Council in reply to a letter from the Board with re ference to subsidising cost of Alford Bush roads, and requesting to be furnished with estimates of coots qf fox-nation. The Surveyor was directed to forward esti mates, and also the amounts of the tenders accepted fur Sawmill road and Boyd’s road.

From the same, advising the Board that the sum of L 2,441 Is. Gd., being the Board’s share of the impounded land fund, has been paid in to the credit of the Board’s account.

From the same, enclosing accounts for the Board’s promised contribution towards the cost of the bridges over the North and South Ashburton rivers, and also over Taylor’s stream. Prom the same, r-a the shortening of South Ashburton Bridge. From Mr. 0. Percy Cox (as agent for the Union Insurance Company), with reference to the insurance of the Hoad Board house and stable.

From the Secretary for Public Works, informing the Board that the completed portion of the Mount Somers Railway was opened for traffic on the 7th ult. From Messrs.' Poyntz and Co. (as agents for thcNortli British Insurance Company), with reference to the insurance of the Road Board buildings. The Clerk to reply. From Messrs. Garrick avid Oowliehaw, recpiestiug payment of expenses incurred in attending Assessment Court. The Clerk to reply. A petition signed by Mr. W. T. Chap man and nine other ratepayers was re ceived, urging on the Board the necessity of at once completing Fergus’ road. The Surveyor to report. A petition was received from Mr. Ed ward Sa villa and of her,“, praying that the Board would at once call for tenders for forming the road from their property to the Lyndhurst Railway Station. The Clerk was -instructed to reply that the Board were only waiting for legal power to act in the matter.

The Clerk was instructed to advertise the diversion of road through Messrs, Gould and Cameron’s land, under Section 93 of the Public Works Act, 1876.

It was resolved that the advertisements bo divided between the Ashburton Mail and Ashburton Guardian for the future, provided the expense of advertising be not materially increased thereby. The Clerk was instructed to prepare a statement of receipts and expenditure front January Ist to May 31st. Mr. Otto Bergtto interviewed the Board and requested some compensation for the trouble incurred in clearing out store at Mount Somers for the purpose of holding annual meeting therein. The Board con sidered the claim of Mr, Bergtto a fair one,

and allowed him a fair price for the work. Mr. Fergus 'drew the Board’s attention to the damage dons to his land by the overflow of creek. The Surveyor to re port, and to have culverts put in if neces sary. It was resolved that the tender of Alexander Harvey for contract Ho. G, Taylor’s read, which was considered by the Board on Monday, the 19th ultimo, be accepted. The Surveyor was instructed to call for tenders for Anama Downs road, formation on Stevenson’s road, and for the supply of drain pipes for 12 months ; also to report upon Morrow’s road ; Shepherd’s beach road; Anama cutting; drainage, &0., Fergus road ; roads into Alford Forest ; Double Hill track ; and upon the different plantations in the district. Tenders were opened, and one accepted for each of the following works : —Ho. .7, Sawmill road, Alexander Forbes ; Ho. 8, Boyd’s road, William Easton ; Ho. 9, Annina to Mount Somers road, Donald Forbes; Ho. 10, putting in fords, &c., Donald Forbes.

The pay-sheet, amounting to LlOls 4s. 9d., having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY,



MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., inrOLD FORTNIGHTLY STOCK i~| BALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, April 27, 1880. C. PERCY COX, 270* Agent, Ashburton. NOTICE TO FARMERS. fJIHE undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. 550g* IJJHE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WEAR. Fit Better Look Better Wear Better Are Better Cut Are Better Made Are Better Shrunk, And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the public. Testified to by their Thousands of Cus tomers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Invercargill Oamaru Timaru Ashburton Lyttelton Christchurch Wellington Nelson Wanganui New Plymouth Napier Thames Auckland A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.B.— Our New Winter Manufactures are now ready. “TRY THE N.Z. OVERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, and HOSIERY, of every description at WHOLESALE Prices. ASHBURTON BRANCH— East Street. Wji. SPARROW, Manager.



Land Sale. —Attention is directed to Messrs. J. T. Ford and Co..’s synopsis of land sales appearing in our advertising columns.