MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m, 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia. &c. , at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.pi- and 10 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, bn 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 10.25 a.m., 4.35 t».m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Fr*m Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. and 5.35 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.

AUCTION SALES.

To-morrow. Robert Wilkin and Co., at the Tinwald Saleyards—Horses, Cattle, Poultry, Implements, Potatoes, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock. Saturday, September 4. Alfred Harrison, at his Rooms—The Trustee’s interest. in the Farm lately occupied by William Banks, near the River Hinds.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1,1880.

An intoxicated man is always a nuisance—whether he roll in the gutter of the street or on a bench in the chamber of the Honorable House of Representatives. When he takes to the gutter the constable saves him from being drowned by the slush by lugging him off to the cells. Possibly, before the intoxicated one reached the gutter state he had been staggering along the street interfering with no one, or with everyone, according to the “spirit” that was moving him. We do not ex pect to find gutter “ drunks” in parlia ment. The atmosphere of that august assembly ought to lie too rave for the very highly graduated Bacchanal who fears not to bow his respects to the jolly god in the public street, and to prostrate himself in the dirt of the causeway. It is a terrible disgrace to a* man to be found in the gutter, and the constable’s attention to him will culminate in showing him that it is also a crime. But the criminality of drunkenness only begins when the obfuscated one requires the constable’s aid, and when that functionary happens to be at hand to render it. Within the sacred precincts of Parliament House there is no gutter, and it is not on record that any of our august senators have ever bent so low in their obeisance to Bacchus as to miss their hold of the safe side of the line that divides drunk enness respectable from drunkenness criminal, and to fall into the hands of the sergeant of police—for we presume it would be the higher class of officer that would be called upon to take charge of a Legislative “drunk and disorderly,” and not a common fellow like a constable. But it is on record that men sent to Parliament as the people’s representatives have appeared in the House, to use Sir George Grey’s gilded and polite phrase, “ not in a fit state.” It is on record, too, that Sir Wm. Fox has seen somuch of this “unfit ness” amongst members of the colonial Commons as to express an anxiety to see the sale of intoxicating liquors pro hibited on the Parliamentary premises. And from the utterances of the two knights in this connection, and from echoes of the House equally distinct, we conclude that it is no uncommon thing for speeches to be delivered in Parliament with a somewhat thick utterance, and for the eyes of the speakers to be bright with a brightness lent by a spirit which causes more stars to sparkle before those eyes than the

“ three stars ” that devote the brand of the “spirit” itself. Sir George Grey is a gifted orator. He can clothe or conceal his thoughts in splendid language, and can make himself plain or enigmatical at will. But he used no ambiguous language when he said on Sat urday morning that one of his fellow-legis lators was “ not in a fit state.’ 4 He simply meant, that that one was drunk, and from the events that followed, and the scene that was enacted with Mr. Vincent Pyke in the title role, we have no difficulty in finding out who “ that one ” was. The report of the scene sent to us by the Press Association has doubtless been read by every man in the colony ere now, and we shall not recapitulate its details. Just as every man who gets drunk has not the mis fortune to land helpless in the gutter and expiate his excess before the Magis trate, so every drunk Legislator does not cause a scene in the House, and require the attention of the Sergeant-at- Arms ; but excesses are frequent enough for all that. Sir William Fox is perhaps a rabid old teetotaller, and a small fire may said to kindle a great matter in his mind on the subject of alcoholic stimu lants. But Sir William Fox is a gentle man, and will not deliberately insult his fellow-legislators to their face. He would not ask for the abolition of Bellamy’s unless he saw actual necessity for it, and he must have seen many of his fellow members of the House under the influence of liquor, and in that state trying to deal with matters affect ing the best interests of the colony, before he suggested the closing of Bellamy’s. For years New Zealand laid claim to enjoying the services of a Parliament of high character, and it was not seldom pointed to as a model for the less particular Legislatures of neighboring colonies. But the session just closed has ruined our claim to this distinction, and shown to us how little the personal character of a candidate weighs with some constituencies, and how rashly they will trust the disposal of the colony’s funds to the hands of men whose self-control is so slight as to lead them into the enactment of scenes such as that of Saturday last —of which the member for Dunstan was the hero, but, we are sorry to add, not the only actor similarly qualified. When a House closes its session as ours has this year done, with the influence of 44 three star” so powerfully felt, it is no wonder that our legislation should be slipshod, the public time squandered, and the beer duty lessened by half the Govern ment’s proposal. Truly, the Pyke escapade has a lesson for the electors.

THE BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

As a proof of our predictions as to the certainty of the water reaching town in time for the completion of the channel, we are glad to announce the fact that the water was only turned on at the intake on Tuesday at 3 p m., and by the same hour yesterday had reached the out-take in West street, and had risen some two feet there. No doubt the pea-souppy nature of the water running last Saturday has had a deal to do with silting up the channel. We have now much pleasure in requesting the unbelievers to visit the boulder-bank, and see the water for themselves. We understand the cere mony of christening the concrete water channels will take place this week.

NUISANCES.

We were pleased to notice that at the last meeting of the Borough Council, in addition to the Engineer’s report being read there was also a brief outline of the work done by the Inspec nr of Nuisances presented to the Council. Now that spring has been ushered in, and the pro bability of a hot summer following it, no time should be lost by the Inspector in attending to the sanitary condition of the Borough; and where owners of pro perty persist in allowing rubbish and filth to accumulate on their premises, we hope to see immediate action taken to have the nuisance abated. We have been led to draw attention to this matter, by the very offensive effluvia arising from various parts of the township, more particularly in the neighborhood of the Triangle. The necessity for something being done in this locality must be patent to all have to pass up and down that por tion of Cameron street. Perhaps the In spector of Nuisances, during his pere grinations, might pay a visit to this part of the Borough, and satisfy himself as to the need for immediate action being taken to abate the nuisance.

LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the above Association held last evening in the upper room of the Town Hall, there were about twenty members present. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The Secretary’s report was read, which contained sugges tions for the consideration of members regarding woollen manufactures, the manu facture of straw plait, parchment, paper, glue, colza oil, hone into knife handles, &c. Ten new members were proposed and elected. Correspondence was read from Mr. Walker, suggesting wattle-planting for tanning purposes to the consideration of the Association, and from a gentleman in Christchurch relative to the manufac ture of nails. On the motion of Mr. Ward, seconded lay Dr. Trevor, it was decided that future meetings of the Association should be held on the second Wednesday of each month, at 7 p.m. An amendment pro posed by Mr. Bullock that the meetings be held at 2 o’clock in ihe afternoon was lost.

The following resolutions were then put to the meeting and carried, the sub-com mittees in each case to report at next meeting ; Proposed by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Bullock, that the following gentle men, namely, Messrs. A. H. Shury, W. H. Zouch, F. Guinness, J. R. Steel, and C. Homersham, bo a sub-committee to obtain informstion re leather factories. Proposed by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Mayo, that Messrs. John Grigg, J. Hunt, and J. Clark he a sub-committee to obtain all necessary information re estab lishing cheese factories, and to report at next meeting. Proposed by Mr. Eyton, seconded by Mr. Eraddell, that Messrs. Jacobson, Grigg, Hodder, J. Hunt, and J. Young he appointed a sub-committee to obtain in formation re establishing a factory in connection with linseed ; also, making oil cakes, &c. . Proposed by Mr. Pavitt, seconded by Mr. J. R. Steel, that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs H. Moffat, G. Jame son, J. Carter, and Dr. Stewart, be ap pointed to obtain all information re estab lishing oatmeal mills. Proposed by Mr. Mayo, seconded by Mr. J. R. Steele, that a sub-committee, consisting of Mr. C. P. Cox, S. Saunders, Joshua Tucker, J. Potter, and F. Pavitt be appointed to investigate the mineral resources of the district, the approximate outlay required to utilise the same, and all other information in connection there with, and to bring up a full report to next general meeting ; and that it be a recom mendation to the committee to obtain in formation re sand for glass making.

Proposed by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Bullock, that the following gentlemen be appointed a sub-cominittee to obtain all necessary information re the establish ment of a woolen manufactory, namely, Dr. Trevor, Messrs. Braddell, Joseph Clark, and S. Revans. Proposed by Dr. Trevor, seconded by Mr. Pavitt, that the following gentlemen be appointed a sub-committee to obtain information re the establishment of a beet root sugar factory, namely, Messrs, Eyton, H. Friedlander, D. Williamson, Joseph Ward, and 0. Purnell. Proposed by Mr. Braddell, seconded by Bradley, that the following gentlemen be a sub-committee to obtain information re establishing a starch factory, namely, Messrs. John Orr, J. Bullock, F. Mayo, and F. Harrison.

Mr. Jacobson spoke warmly in favor of establishing a woollen manufactory, and held that they should not confine them selves to one branch of the industry, but manufacture several articles.

His Worship advocated the manufacture of beet sugar as an industry which was worthy of consideration, and Mr. Ward read a letter by Sir Julius Vogel, addressed to the Premier, on the subject, and after a short discussion on matters of interest to the Association, the proceedings terminated.

The Kyeburn Tragedy. —ln the Kye burn murder case, the Chinese prisoner has been committed for trial. Exhibition. —The Industrial Associa tion of Dunedin intend to hold an exhi bition of articles of New Zealand manu facture in Juno next.

Going Begging.—Not a single nomina tion was made on Tuesday for the three seats vacant in the Waimate Borough Council.

Wheat Sales. —Messrs. Friedlander Bros, report sales of Ashburton wheat in London, ex Maraval, Arethusa, Piako, and Inglewood, at 465., 475., 48s. 6d., and 48s. 9d. per quarter. In Bankruptcy. —A meeting of the creditors of John Logan, farmer, Rangi tata, is summoned for Friday next, at 11 o’clock, in Messrs. Branson and Purnell’s offices, to consider bankrupt’s application for discharge.

Postal Improvement. —A wise alteration has been made in the local postal arrange ments. A mail is now despatched from Rakaia to Ashburton by the last train, and Rakaia and Methven letters, that could not previously be despatched after the afternoon train, are now forwarded the same evening.

Repairs. —Farmers in this district have often felt themselves at sea during harvest time, when their reapers and binders went sick. A physician expert in the healing of reaper and binder diseases advertises' that he has commenced practice at Hessey’s old foundry, Peter street. The doctor is Mr. W. R. Dunn.

Sporting.—The public meeting of sport ing men regarding the November events is to be held on Friday, as advertised, and we learn that far greater interest is this year being taken in the matter than ever has been taken before, so that a meeting of some importance in the list of sporting events may this year be expected to be held in Ashburton.

Passing Away.—Another old colonist, named Phillip King, “ joined the majo rity” on Monday last. Mr. King resided at Waiuku, Auckland, and arrived at the Bay of Islands on Christmas Day, 1814. He was then sixteen months old. His brother at present is a resident in Auck land, and is the oldest born colonist in New Zealand.

Fire. —The Rutland Hotel, Wanganui, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morn ing. The insurances are 1j350 in the Im perial on the furniture, L 750 in the Co lonial on the building. Other policies in the South British were taken out but can celled, because the proprietor considered the premiums too high. The total loss out side insurances is L 2,000. The Nominations. —On Tuesday the no minations for the Council’s vacancies were received by the returning officer, Mr. Braddell, as follows : Joseph 1 v ess —Nominated by Messrs. St. Hill and Bird. John Orr— Nominated by Messrs. \V. Spar row and W. R. Boyle. Weymouth Roberts —Nominated by Messrs.

James Bradley and George Bt. Hill. George St. Hill —Nominated by W. R,

Shea i man and S. B. Nelson. James Ebenezer Trevor— Nominated by Messrs. John Orr and Rudolf Friedlander. The election takes place on the 9th of Sep tember.

Trotting. —Mr. M'Rae’s mare “ Polly” carrying Charles Pliysick, tried conclu sions on Monday afternoon with Mr. Oc tavius Digby’s horse “ Bijou,” ridden by the owner. The course was over three miles of Graham’s road, and the stakes were L2O. “Polly” did her work like a lady, and won by thirty yards, retrieving laurels lost to “Bijou” some time ago. There was a large number of people about watching the event. Mr. Physick is pre pared to backs“ Polly ” for another LlO or L2O to trot three miles on the racecourse against “Bijou.” The time on Monday, unfortunately was not taken. Unclaimed Letters. —The following is a list of letters from places beyond the colony, received at the Ashburton Post Office during the month of July, and remaining unclaimed on Ist September, 1880:—Anderson, Alexr. (2); Bensen, Julius ; Corcoran, Michael; Duffy, Dan ; Gilchrist, John R,; Green, William; Hamilton, William; Hartland, G. Howard; Horsefall, Miss Olive; Jelfs, William ; Maultsaid, Thos.; McCreanor, James; McPeak, Pady; O’Connell, John ; Palmer, Mrs. W.; Picknic, Mrs. James; Quick, Michael ; Roberts, William ; Sharp, James ; Soulsby, R.; Staff, John ; Wellsman, F.

Ashburton Rifles. —On Tuesday even ing last the Ashburton Rifle Volunteers held their annual meeting, in the Somerset Hotel Sample Rooms, Captain T. Bullock being in the chair. The Treasurer’s state ment showed that the Corps had to their credit at the bank the sum of L2O Hs. (id., and had paid away during the year (in cluding cost of uniform for band) over LB2. A committee, consisting of Captain Bullock, Lieut. Douglas, Sub-Lieut. Fooks, and Color-Sergt. Dolman, was appointed to select a suitable site in the Borough for a drill shed, and to ask the Government to reserve the same for that purpose ; the same committee was also instructed to procure, if possible, a site for a range, which is much needed in the district. The following members were elected as the Management Committee for the ensu ing twelve months Captain Bullock, Lieut. Douglas, Color-Sergt, Dolman, Sergts. Nelson and Truckle, Bandmaster Savage, and Pvt. Felton. Pvt. Felton was elected Honorary Secretary. A- vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Corpl. Vaughan for his services as Secre tary during the past year. It was re solved that the night for parade be Tues day, instead of Thursday as heretofore, commencing ou Tuesday next, A resolu tion was carried, to the effect that the fines on page 55 of the rules be most rigidly enforced ; it is hoped that this will have the effect of making the members turn up more regularly at the parades we may add that such fines, as well as un paid subscriptions, are recoverable before a magistrate. The entrance fee to the company was fixed at 25., and the subscrip tion at 12s. per annum, payable monthly. The Captain intimated that a meeting of the Management Committee would be held on Tuesday, 14th inst. Three new mem bers were {elected, and the meeting ad journed.

Mb. O’ReillyVLecturb. —On Tuesday Mr. F. P. O’Reilly, barrister, delivered his promised lecture on 44 William Pitt, the eminent statesman.” There was a very fair attendance of the public, but not nearly so many were present as ought to have been, considering the merits of the lecturer. Those who attended, how ever, enjoyed a very pleasant surprise in listening to a lecture of a very superior order, and very ally delivered. Mr. O’Reilly’s enunciation was clear and dis tinct ; he used no manuscript, nor notea of any kind, yet his fluency never at any period failed, and he carried his audience fairly with him. Starting off with a stal e raent that history taught by example, and was a teacher whose lessons all should study, the lecturer went on to trace the history of the statesman, who was the subject of his lecture, and u> deal with the events of the important time in which he flourished, —a time that had moulded the politics of Great Britain for half a century afterwards, and influenced those of the present day. Incidentally referring to Pitt’s Irish policy, Mr. O’Reilly said that the great statesman had aimed at giving greater justice to Ireland than any other statesman had purposed, not exceed. ing the greatest statesman of the present age, Mr. Gladstone. Mr. O’Reilly ex hibited a most extraordinary power of memory, for he gave the innumerable dates, necessary to treating his subject, with amazing readiness and accuracy, and we may also add that his language through out was as graceful as it was accurate and well chosen. Throughout the lecture the audience applauded at every pause, and at the conclusion he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Not .an unimportant feature of the evening was the clever playing of Masters George and Herbert Morris—the former on the violin and the latter on the piano,—and the excellent manipulations of their respective instru ments drew forth repeated rounds of applause from the delighted audience.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE COMING CONTEST.

To Tire Editor. Sir, — I see the requisitions to Messrs. St. Hill and Ivcss, as appearing in the Mail, are backed up by sixteen and eighteen signatures respectively, as pledges to return the candidates to the Council if possible. Looking at the requisitions and their replies, I notice the similarity of their “ get-up,” as though one mind had shaped them. Then, the names of six persons are attached to both requisitions, And there are also pendants tailing off with exactly one hundred signatures (invisible to the naked eye), just fifty to each requi sition. Now, if the invisible signatures really represent 100 different ratepayers,, in addition to the twenty-eight (not thirty four) whose names appear, these two can didates are pretty certain of return, for who is left to vote for anybody else ? Then the requisition to the journalist is dated Ashburton, August 27, and his reply Cambridge, August 27 (the same date, but two different places). In my confusion of ideas, I considered the gentleman'had perhaps gone to Cambridge cum-Newlands, and was so busy getting out his first issue of the Argus that he had to reply by carrier pigeon, or some sort of express, but seeing he speaks of business engagements in the North Island, causing his absence on the polling day. I think Cambridge, Waikato, is meant as the place from which the reply is sent. Had the requisition and reply containing these two places with the one date been associated with any other person, I might have wondered how in the world the whole con cern travelled so fast, but as !i your obedient servant ” is one of those with whom all things are 2>ossible, my wonder abates with the remark that this is the first morsel thrown to the gulls, and if they swallow this, a stiffer one can be thrown next time.

Thepeculiar fitness of the present Coun cillor who seeks re-election in company with Mr. Ivess, so far as the Mail columns goes, seems a sort of enigma— but on reviewing his official work and talk in the past, I am reminded that long sighted men who have a log to roll, some times use an umbra or shadow of them selves. Such umbras often submit to severe degradation for the sake of a little fancied prominence.—l am, &c., Mailman.

THE WAKANUI SCHOOL.

(From a Correspondent.) A meeting of the Wakanui Presbyterian Church Committee and members of the Wesleyan Church was. hold in the resi dence of the district schoolmaster on Tuesday evening, August 31st, in order to consider what action should be. taken upon a most singular communication, dated August 12th, which had been re ceived from the Wakanui School Com mittee, conveying the information that from the above date “a charge of three shillings would be imposed for each time the schoolroom should be used for religious purposes or otherwise.” No reason was assigned for the charge being made, nor were the representatives of the churches conducting services there allowed time to place the matter before their properly constituted church courts, so that the notification had rather a queer aspect about it. After careful consideration, and as the School Committee were assembled in the school for the ordinary business, the church representatives unanimously sent a courteously written request to the local body that the former resolution should be rescinded, on the ground that they be lieved the householders of the district would strongly object to tax the very services which they themselves had sought. There was a feeling expressed to the effect that if the school funds needed support it would have been a far more be: coming thing for the Committee to have' suggested that donations would have been acceptable, and not have gone about their work in the roughshod, assumptious manner they had done. However, the School Committee very quickly and curtly sent answer that they adhered to their former resolution of making the charge. In consequence of this determination, a meeting of householders is to be called for Thursday, September 9th, at 7 o’clock p. m., that they may express their opinion on the propriety of shutting out religious services in such an autocratic fashion.

Plans for a Presbyterian Church were laid before the meeting, but it is doubtful whether building will bo gone on with until the financial condition of the district improves.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, August 31. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A HORSE. An information which had been laid against Robert Todd for alleged cruelty.to a horse, was adjourned until Tuesday next. A BATCH or ASSAULT CASES. The greater portion of the morning sit ting of the Court was occupied,in hearing a number of assault cases and cross actions, in which Mr,* S. Boyle and Mr. Duncan Cameron were alternately plain tiff and defendant. Mr. Donald Cameron and James 0. Boyle occupied similar posi tions. Mr. S. Boyle conducted the cases on behalf of himself and son, while M.r. Purnell appeared as counsel for the Cameron’s in their varied characters of cul prits and victims. As there was a number of informations laid, Mr. Purnell sug gested that, for the sake of brevity, the whole should be heard together, but to this Mr. Boyle objected, desiring that each case should be heard separately - This course was adopted; and the first case Samuel Boyle v. I'uncan Cameron was proceeded with, hut subsequently, Mr. Boyle elected t<> adopt the suggestion of Mr. Purnell., Had this not been done, it is impossible to conjecture when the cases would have terminated. The following is a condensation of the evidence taken :

Samuel Boyle sworn, said—l am manager of the Chittenham Station. On Monday, the 23rd instant, my son and I were going over the river on horseback to see if our sheep were all right, when we saw a man with a dog driving sheep. We followed him up to Harts’ gate. When we git'thore Duncan Cameron was at the gate with a mpb of sheep. I refused to allow him to go through the gate, in con sequence of his not having given us twenty-four hours’ notice as required by the Sheep Act. After objecting, I allowed him to go through. My son and I were moving out of the gate way to allow the sheep to come through, when Duncan Cameron caught hold of me by the neck, and struck me on the face and head. He struck at me again, when I warded the blows off and struck at defendant. I be lieve he would have killed me had I not protected myself. We then fell. By Mr. Purnell—Hart’s gate is at the end of our own run. There is a road along the boundary. Mr. Cameron was coming through Hart’s run, on the op posite side of the road. I was objecting to the sheep coming through the gate to get on the road. At this time nothing was said as to where the sheep were going. I assumed they were going to my run. The section opposite the gate belongs to Mr. Wright. Am not aware that Gould and Cameron have the right to graze sheep on that section. Our sheep run there, hut we have no lease of it. Do not know that Gould and Cameron have the right to run sheep on Anderson’s run, ad joining Mr. Wright’s. We consider we have a right to do so. We have had a dog tied up on the high road for some time past. There might have been 1,500 sheep in Mr. Cameron’s mob. The clog was chained it the side of the gate where the sheep were driven through. Mr. Cameron asked me to remove the dog. I objected to do so, upon which defendant attempted to remove the animal. Up to that time no blows were struck Did not rush at Cameron. Had a whip in my hand, but did not strike Cameron with it, nor with a stone.

"Regarding the second assault, plaintiff said—Subsequently I asked Cameron to show his authority for putting the sheep on the run. He objected to do so. We then attempted to drive the sheep to the pound. Duncan Cameron then threw atones at the sheep and at my horse. We left the sheep, and then defendant pulled me off my horse, and afterwards struck me with a stone, which he held in his hand. Begged of Cameron not to strike me. He persisted, and to protect myself, I struck him. After getting a blow or two from mo he left off striking me. By Mr. Purnell'-—The sheep were on Mr. Wright’s land at the time. John -Boyle, sworn, said—l was with my father at Mr. Hart’s gate on the 23rd inst., and saw defendant take my father by the coat collar and strike him several times in the face, saying, “ I’ll do for you now.” Defendant then knocked ray father down on the ground. By Mr. Purnell —I was lying on the ground, and Donald Cameron was on top of me.

By the Bench—We were stopping the sheep coming through. Afterwards we permitted them, and in going through Donald Cameron threw a tin of water over me.

By Mr. Parnell The sheep were coming on our run. There are roads through all sheep runs, and anyone wishing to take sheep through have to give twenty-four hours’ notice. By the Bench—Oannot say whether we •had any right to prevent the sheep coming through. By. Mr. Purnell—Would not be' sur prised if the defendant was only going to take the sheep to a public highway. It was not through Mr. Cameron attempting to remove the dog that the scuffle oc curred, but through Donald Cameron throwing a tin of dirty water over me. Did not give any provocation ; believe it was through sheer malice. Donald Cameron knocked me off my horse, and while he was striking me my father came to pull him off, when Duncan Cameron committed the assault on my father. • Regarding the second assault, witness said that his father asked him to go home and leave the sheep. Donald and Duncan Cameron then pulled his father off his horse, and struck him with stones. Had left the sheep, and were going home, when this assault occurred.

By Mr. Purnell—Will swear that Mr. Duncan Cameron pulled my father off his horse.

Alexander Boyle, sworn, said—l was present on the 13th inst., when my father seized the sheep to take them to the pound. Saw Cameron’s men throw stones at the horses and dog. Plaintiff then asked me and my brother to go home. Saw Duncan Cameron pull my father off his horse and strike him with a stick and a stone, and afterwards with his fist. By Mr. Purnell—l am sure Duncan Cameron had a stick in his hand. Have pot had any conversation with my father about th@ occurrence.

By the Bench—My father, brother, and myself have had conversations about the Way my father was treated. Por the defence, Mp. Purnell called

Duncan Cameron, who gave evidence as follows— Our firm has obtained permission from Messrs. Anderson and Wright to graze sheep on their sections. On the 23rd, we were driving about 1,800 sheep from Hart’s run. It was a matter of necessity that the sheep should be driven off on that day. On arriving at Hart’s gate, saw- Mr. Boyle and his eldest son on the public road. Saw Mr. Boyle, jun., first. They had a dog chained on the centre of Lyndhurst road. The dog was preventing the passage of the sheep. The two men were obstructing thp passage of the sheep when I asked them to remove, but they refused. Also asked that; the dog might be removed, but, they would not take it away, , They had other dogs, with them. After asking several times, called upon a shepherd named Douglas to hear witness to their refusal to allow us to pass. I told them if they would not re move the dog I would have to do it my self. Went to remove the dog, and un fastened it. Then saw that young Boyle and Donald Cameron had hold of one anothers’ coats. All at once complainant rushed over and caught hold of Donald Cameron by the throat. I caught hold of Boyle, and said—" Oh* no, Boyle, one at

a time is sufficient.” Samuel Boyle had a stick at the time. My object in catching hold of Boyle was to prevent a breach of the peace. He struck me then, and in order to protect myself I put him on the ground, but without any great force. While he was on the ground Boyle asked me not to hit him while he was down, when I told him I did not wish to hit him either while he was down or up. I then left him. Subsequently we got the sheep through the gate and counted them. Wo went to fetch our horses, Com plainant said he was going to take the sheep to the pound. The sheep were then on Mr. Wright’s run and some of them on the read, and Boyle then set his dogs fiercely oh to the sheep, and they hunted the animals about terribly. We asked complainant to desist, but he refused. Our shepherd, Douglas, tried to drive the dogs off, and I took stones in my hand to scare away a black dog. I went towards Samuel Boyle. He had a whip and at tempted to strike me with it. I caiight the whip in my left hand and tried to dis arm him. Dragged the whip from his hand, but did not drag him off the.horse. What the lad has stated is a tissue of false hoods. Did not have a stick in my hand at the time. Boyle had a stone in his hand and made a mark on my forehead. At the time I was going to strike him, but on his pleading with me not to do so, I desisted. On the second occasion, Mr. Boyle was very much excited, and like a man of unsound mind. The letter put in is permission from Anderson to graze sheep on his land. Mr. Wright’s permis sion was verbal.

By Mr. Boyle—There were more dogs than two. Heard you call opt not. to strike my sou, as he was suffering from low fever. Hover said to you, “ I’ve got you at last.’’ You asked me not to strike you. Never lifted a stone, only to scare a dog away. I rode forward to you to request you to desist maliciously injuring the sheep. Did not pull you off the horse. After the first scuffle, did not strike you. Re-examined by Mr. Purnell— Saw Douglas put J. C. Boyle down in the tus socks, and asked Douglas to desist, which do did. Donald Cameron, sworn, said—Remem ber the 23rd August. Was passing through Anderson’s land about 11 or 12 o’clock with some sheep. Saw Mr. Samuel Boyle. He asked me what I was galloping over his run for. I was on Anderson’s land at the time. I replied by asking what he was doing there. He said he would kick my h . I got off my horse in prepara-. tion for anything of that sort. An hour or two after, Mr. Cameron, a shepherd, and myself were driving sheep through a gate. Boyle and his two sons were there. We asked them to clear off the road, but Boyle said he had received no notice. He wanted twenty-four hours notice. We had no necessity to go near his run. When Mr. Cameron was attempting to remove a dog from the road, the son asked the father whether he should allow it, at the same time moving towards us with a stick in his hand. There was a tin of water standing near, and to protect myself I throw the water over J. C. Boyle. He then tried to run me down with the horse. Shortly afterwards John Boyle dis mounted and tried to strike me with a stick. I dodged the stick, and quietly put him down. When he was quiet, I allowed him to rise, and he then got hold of a stone to strike me, and I put him down again. The second scuffle occurred a few chains off on the high road. Boyle then tried to get the sheep to the pound. We tried to stop the dogs. Most of the sheep were ewes, heavy in lamb. After the scuffle Samuel Boyle came up, with a stone in his fist, and to protect ourselves I struck him. He was very excited. After the affair was over, there was a large lump on Mr. Cameron’s forehead.

By Mr. Boyle—Did not hear you tell us to come and take the sheep through. Threw the water over your son, and the tin at the horse to keep it off. 5 An'accumulation of evidence of a like character followed, and after counsel had briefly addressed the Bench, his Worship dismissed all the cases with the exception of Duncan Cameron v. J. 0. Boyle, in which the defendant was fined 10s. and costs. KNOCK BEFORE YOU ENTER.'

Ct. , D. Branson v. Harold—Damages LIOO, for trespass to a dwelling house. Mr. Purnell for plaintiff; Mr. O’Reilly for the defence. Mr. Purnell, in opening the case, referred to the law of trespass, and quoted authorities to provetfhat it was not necessary to show that any pecuniary loss or damage had resulted from the trespass, but the fact ot the privacy of a man’s dwelling being entered, was suffi cient to. recover substantial damages. Mr. Purnell explained that the action would not have taken this form had the New Zealapd. statute . made provision for a criminal proceeding. He > stated the cir cumstances out of which the trespass had arisen. The.'daughter of defendant was in Mr. Branson’s employ as nursegirl. She, along with her sister, had been ill treated by her father while at home, and on their going to service he had appro priated the wages of the girls. The one who was at Mr. Branson’s had recently kept a portion of her wages for the pur pose of settling an account long outstand ing, and which the defendant, although frequently applied to for payment,. had neglected to settle. Defendant had inter viewed Mr. Branson subsequently, and demanded the wages of the girl, buc that gentleman knowing the character of the man, had refused to give him any money unless a written order was presented from the girl. Defendant then said the giH was to leave, and Mr. Branson, fearing .that he would go and annoy the girl at his house, warned defendant that if he went on his premises he would prosecute him. Defendant had gone on the premises, and frightened Mrs. Branson and the children, and,hence the action.

James Ireland, sworn, said he was at Mr. Branson’s house on Wednesday last. About noon, a van drove up, and defen dant got down, and without knocking entered the house. Defendant had a whip under his arm. Mrs. Branson asked witness to see that defendant took nothing away. The latter asked for a box, and remained' in the house for about a quarter of an hour. Part of the time he was in 'conversation with his daughter. Defendant’s manner was most objectionable, and he alarmed both Mrs. Branson and the children. When the man- got out of the van, Mrs. Branson said, “ Oh, here’s Annie’s father come to take away her luggage.” Defen dant went through the rooms. Witness was in the hall. .Defendant spoke in a loud voice, and apparently wished to take away his daughter’s luggage. Mrs. Bran gpp aske4 defendant to go and see Mr. Branson, but hp declined, observing that Mr.. Branson was a very nasty map.

By Mr. O’Reilly—Defendant did not use his whip. Did not pay attention to the remarks made by defendant. Mrs. Branson told him that the girl had given a week’s notice, and she was not to go until the week expired.

Mr. Branson gave evidence -to the effect that the girl was in Mrs. Branson’s employ as nurse girl. On one occasion defendant had gone to his office and de manded the girl’s wages, but in con sequence of knowing that defendant .was in the habit of retaining thp wffolp r| the girl’s wages whenever lie could obtain them, he (Mr. Branson) refused to give any money to defendant without a written order from the daughter.' Defendant then told witness he had better get a new nurse girl, as his daughter would leave on the Wednesday following. Told the man if he went to 1 my house, I should‘certainly prosecute him. J:J e said I might do so. Warned him not to go to my house or tamper with my servants. When I got home I told if she wished to leave she might do so, and could give us notice

at once, but the/ girl expressed a wish to remain. She"'was’ very.' urgent in her appeals to remain. > Knowing that the man was likely to visit vthe^,.house, I en gaged constable Neill to watch the pre mises.

Annie Harrold .sworn,-'said —1 have been in Mr. Branson’s service for four months, and have no wish to leave. My father has had my wages, and kept them himself. I got 10s. a week. I think Mr. Branson has paid me my wages on three occasions, and my father has had the money. My father has not illtreatod me: Told some one that my father struck me the day before I went” to Mr. Brinson’s. He followed me with a whip once. Told Mrs. Branson on one occasion that I was afraid of rny father. When he came to- Mr. Branson’s house he asked for my box, and spoke in a loud voice. I was much alarmed. He had a whip in his hand. ■ By Mr. O’Reilly—My father often has a whip in his hand. Have complained; of a pain in ray side caused through nursing the baby, and asked Mrs. Branson to get a perambulator, but never asked to go > home. Have given the wages to my father of my own free will. My father told me to give the notice, but I never gave it. If I had given notice the week would have expired on the day he came to the house. My father was not excited when he came. Re-examined by Mr.. Purnell—With money I received on one occasion from Mr. Branson I paid a bill for L2 4s. My father told me it was the last money I should have. 5 > By the; ; Bench My. father 1 never knocked at . the door. Mrs, Branson seemed rather frightened. By Mr. Q’Roilly—My : £ather told me he would come for the box on Wednesday, but I sent word for him not to come. , He never received the message. Constable Neill sworn, said—From in formation received, from Mr. Branson, I went to Mr. Branson’s house,, and not seeing anything wrong came away again. On returning a short time afterwards, saw Harrold driving away in an express. Told the driver to pull up,’ and oh finding a box, which - had' been taken .froin Mr. Branson’s, remarked to. defendant,that if I had found him on the premises I would' have locked him up. He questioned my ability to do4hat. ..« ••• : - After the defendant had been sworn and made a statement in justification of his action, counsel addressed the Bench, and

His Worship gave judgment. On re ferring to “ Addison on - Torts,” it was stated that if, after warning, entry was forced, damages were recoverable. De fendant had done this, and when on the premises had been impertinent. His Worship held that no person could legally enter a dwelling without knocking, even if the door were open. It would be an improper thing for' the Court to allow defendant to escape without substantial damages being awarded to the plaintiff. Damages would be given for LlO and costs Lslss. ‘. UNPAID KATES. Wakahui Road Board v.' Claim 11s. 3d., unpaid rates. Judgment for amount and costs 7s. JUDGMENT SUMMONS. Quill v. Bastiah. Judgment summons for L 5 Is. Order made fpr payment' and costs within seven days, or fourteen days imprisonment. ‘

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. (Per Reuter's Agency.) London, Ang. 30. Harvest operations in England are now nearly completed. The total yield will amount to 11,500,000 quarters. At the wool sales to-day, 7,400 bales were offered, making a total of 104,100 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale showed a better demand. Lord Enfield has been appointed Under secretary for Ireland. Im the House of Lords to-day, Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question, said that the Great Powers were discontented at the Porte’s answer .regarding Montepegro, and were now, deliberating on their 'reply. He further, stated that orders had been given for warships to proceed to Ragusa.; In. the House of Lords the Hares and Rabbits Bill has been read a second time by a majority of 48. The match, Australians v. Eighteen of Hastings, at Hastings, was continued to day. The Home team went in first, and were all disposed of for 245 runs. Spotforth and Bannerman were absent.

In the House of Lords to-day, Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, presented papers' relating to a Bill which had been introduced in the French Chambers providing for the pay ment of heavy bounties to French ship* pers. His Lordship, inlaying the papers on the table of the. House, said that the bounties were contrary, to the spirit of the existing Anglo-French commercial treaty and would operate injuriously on English trade.

i The Homeward/ mails, via San Fran cisco, which left, Auckland on July 20, were delivered to-day. In the House of Commons to-day, the adjourned debate in Committee on the Irish Constabulary vote was resumed. Further discussion took place, but the Irish members abandoned the obstruc tion, which they had pursued on Friday night. Mr. Parnell made a speech in the course of which he promised to use his in fluence to prevent outrages in Ireland, and ensure order in that country. The vote for the Constabulary was then passed, and the Committee proceeded with the other Estimates. Paris, Aug. 30. All Jesuit schools and other similar establishments in France have been closed, in accordance with decrees of the French Chambers. The . schools had been evacuated by the inmates prior to their' being visited by police for formal closing. ' Calcutta, Aug. 30. Intelligence has been received here to day that Khelat-i-Ghilzai has been evacu ated, and the British troops which formed the garrison here have joined the reliev ing force under General Roberts, who has continued his march towards Candahar. News has also been received that the* Pathan tribes who recently attacked the British garrison at Kachmadan, near the Bolan Pass, but were repulsed and severely punished, have now been disarmed by the force which was sent against them. Further intelligence received states that General Phayre’s army is now marching combinedly with General Roberts’ on Ayoub Khan’s position at Argandah to the north of Candahar. It now transpires that the Pathan tribes, i]3.vg been disarmed by .the British force, consisted. thp" jnh^itant?"pf country to the northrwest of Kurrachee, in Scinde, which place they were threaten ing, not Kachmadan. AUSTRALIAN. [By cable from Reuter's Agency.) Melbourne, Aug. 31. Parliament reassembled to-day. Bills for the purpose of the abolition of plural votipg, ‘and fpr the reduction pf the Go-, yerpnj/s“ ppd Mipi§ter§’ §alarje§ wei? notified, Sailed—Te Anau, for the Bluff.

INTERPROYINCIAL. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, Sept. 1. Mr. Blanchard, Inspector of the Colonial Bank, has died at the Northern Club, of bronchitis. ' A mare belonging to Mr. M‘Gee dropped a fine foal to Musket, but the

box being small it broke its leg and had to be killed.

Captain Mowbray has resigned the 'command of the Auckland Scottish owing to* - ill health.

Westport, Sept. 1. Mr. John Munro, as agent for the St. Kilda Steam Shipping Company, has purchased the first cargo of the .Westport Colliery Company’s coal, and will despatch the St. Kilda for Wanganui direct, on this evening’s tide. The St. Kilda has rbeen detained here a week owing to there ibeing only five feet of water'd! the bar. Last week's .clearing up at the Alpine. Company claims at Lyell was fully, up to to the mark, three hundred -and sixty ounces amalgam for one hundred .and .fifty tons a. one being .obtained. The average thickness of the reef is twenty four feet. Operations at the United Victory claim, New Creek, Lyell, are stopped, pending the registration of the Company. This property; is described as equal to any yet opened at-the LyelL Owing to the Borough Council with drawing the subsidies, and public subscrip tions failing oil - , the district hnspital affairs are nearly at a standstill.; The committee have resolved to hand the institution over to Government and this decision has been 'telegraphed*td the Colonial-Secretary. Wellington, Aug. 31. -Only eleven entries have as yet been re ceived for the 24 hoars’ pedestrian .match to be held here ‘on the 1 Oth amj 11th prox. The . principal are Brooks { and Delaney, Dunedin ; Swan, Christchurch ; Webber,' Wellington ; ' Nearey, .. Wan-’ ganui;. and. O.’Connor, Timaru. - ~ Invercargill, ,3epf- 1. .'Much dissatisfaction is fold' at the 'Go vernment railway time table ’ being altered to suit the Waimea Plains Com pany. Tlie Chamber of Commerce in tend to hold a meeting on the subject, and probably a public meeting will be called. Under the ‘new arrangement, many country settlers can only rerhain an hour in town. A daily - train is being run to Kingstown contrary, to the recommen dation of the’ Railway Commission, although it is known that two weekly trains would do, the work.

THE RAILWAY MEN AND THE TEN PER CENT.

‘ Dunedik, Aug. 31. At the railway employees’ meeting last night the deputation, reported that Mr. Conyers .had replied,that the 10 pet* cent, reduction 'did to wagbsj men. The reduction', was’ not yet in force, and no all round 10 per, cent ■ reduction was intended, but instead a revision of the scale of wages on an equitable and practical system, of which due notice would be given When it was to be brought into operation.' The meeting agreed to abandon the agita tion.

WITCHCRAFT AMONG THE NATIVES.

■ . Auckland, jiug. 31. An extraordinary statement has been made by some natives in.town. They say that a man named Hoard and his wife had been digging gum near -Point 1 Russell, in the. Waikato. The wife took ill, and ulti mately died, but a story hebame current that she had been bewitched, ov makutued by her husband. The relations of the woman reside in the King country, and her two brothers came down for the pur pose of killing the man supposed to be possessed of such dreadful power. They found him quietly digging forjgum. He was working near a large hole, and the men killed him with atomahawk,put him in the hole, and covered him up. They then returned to the King country, congratu lating themselves ‘on having dona the State some service by ridding New Zea land of a man who might be the death of anybody whenever he ! took it into his head. These are the facts;' as stated by some natives in town yesterday, but pro bably it will not be thought worth while to enquire into the matter. ’* It‘may .be mentioned that, Wiremu Rewiti, a well known Kaipara. chief, is at present at Mechanics’ Bay, on his way to the King country. He has been ill for some time, and both he and his friends are convinced that he has been bewitched, and that his only chance, of. cure lies -in a visit to a priest resident amongst .the Kinghel,. who it is believed can remove the spell., .

PARLIAMENTARY.

. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Aug. 31. The Council met at 2.30. . It was announced that the Royal assent had been giyen to certain. Bills. The Permanent Officers’ Salaries Bill, the Public-Works Appropriation Bill, and the Genera],. Appropriation 8i11... were passed through all their stages, and the Council adjourned at five - minutes past four. . 1 ' ■ '■ ■• ' " HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, August 30;, i EVENING SITTING. '. . ' The House resumed at 30... : • Mr. Speight; resumed the debate oh the Railway Construction Bill, which hejop posed. : The Hoti. R. Oliver said that if mem bers would consent to / read the Bill a second time and with a view of bringing the session at once to a . close, Government would not press it further this session.

. The BilLwas read a second .time. . The Hon., R. Oliver said that in accord ance with the promise he had made' he did not intend 1 proceeding with the Bill further.

The House went, into Committee on the Permanent Officers’ Salaries Bill.? £The Bill provides that there shall be deducted from salaries fixed and payable under the Permanent Act of the Assembly 10 per cent, for each month, commencing with August, 1880, arid' eliding with JFune, 1881. The Act does not apply to salaries fixed by the Governor’s Salary, and Allow ance Act, 1873, or the Civil List ’Amend ment Act, 1873, or to the'salaries of Judges of the Supreme Court, or to officers of both Houses of the General Assembly. ■ ■■■■■•■■■ . . . The Bill, was read a second time. , In Committee, : The . Hon./; W. Gisborne 'moved an amendment to make the reductions apply also to the Governdrls salary./ ' ;; • 1 The amendment was lost by 19 to 11. The Bill was. reported, read : abthird time, and passed. . The Public Works Appropriation / Bill was inttpducedj read a first', and - second time, considered in cpmunttpep read a third time, a n 4 passed; ' . ' , - The Appropriation Bill was alaq- passed through all its stages. - : , . t Mr. Johnston desired to place on record a statement of the amount of moneyspent by the Roman Catholics of New Zealand on education, and the number of. children attending their schools.. They represented one-seventh of the community, and they, naturally, felt very sore at the way-; they yrgre treated under the existing, law.,. Mr. j. 0. Prowß -complained that by :th§ Representation■ -Bill,; two -Taranaki districts, which did not together contain as many electors as his district, were <to be given double representation, ' Mr. Magandrew protested": against the late hours to which the House had. been forced- to sit, and against money; being voted at such hours. ■ Mr. Montgomery ■ gave a•- number - of reasons for considering the result ofthe session as exceedingly unsatisfactory.

Messrs. Barron and Thomson criticised the work of the session at some length,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1880.



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The union bank of Australia (LIMITED.) Established 1837. Paid-up Capital, £1.500,000 ; Reserve Funds, £816,500; together .... ... ... £2,316,500 Reserve Liability of Proprie tors... ... ... ... 3,000,000 Total Capital and Reserve Funds ... ... £5,316,500 NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS. It having been found desirable to alter the dates for the half-yearly balancing of accounts to the last days in February and August in each year, the next balance will take place on 31st inst., and customers are requested to send in their pass-books to be made up to that date. J. F. McMULLEN, Inspector and General Manager. August, 1880. 828c-183g*



KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY (LIMITED,) CAPITAL £IOO,OOO IN 4000 SHARES OP £25 EACH. ISSUE OF NEW SHARES. Forms of application for SHARES, with full information, can be obtained of Mr. Weeks, Ashburton Guardian Office, by whom application for Shades will be received. Deposit, 20s. per share ; and 50s. per share on allotment. August 23, 1880,



Mysterious Death. —4-hout noon on Tuesday the body of Alfred Vic'or J ohns, formerly bailiff: in the Resident Magis trate’s Court, was found dead in a small house in Thames street, Oamaru. For some days he had not been seen about town, and a Mr. White, a friend of the deceased, going to the house yesterday, had his suspicions aroused by finding the door locked and the key inside. The assistance of Constable Christie was obtained, and an entrance was effected into the house. There the deceased was found lying in bed, undressed, and quite dead. Dr. Garland, at the request of Sergeant Baatty, viewed the body, and states that the deceased had been dead for three or four days. The cause of death is so far a mystery, but a post-mortem examination is being held, and this may bring the cause to light.