COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday Evening. Alfred Harrison reports as follow : I held tho weekly sale at my yards, and as usual, had a large attendance. Five draughts and hacks sold at prices ranging from L 3 10*. to L2l ; 1 fat cow brought LG 7s. 6c1.; 18 pigs were entered, and sold at from 17s. 6d. to L2 18s., or an ayerage of od. per lb.; a consignment of rabbits, in splendid condition, sold at Is. Bd. to Is. 6d. per pair; turkeys, 10s. each ; geese, 17s. per pair ; ducks, 3s. 9d. per pair; fowls, 2s. 6d. to 3a. per pair ; oats, 200 bushels brought Is. per bushel ; barley, 100 bushels brought Is. per bushel; chick feed, Is. to la. 3d. per bushel. Sundries brought very fair prices. The bidding generally was quick and spirited, and altogether a satisfactory sale was concluded.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as 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 pan. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangifcataj 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, Watcrton, and Longbcach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at G a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.85 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. Frtm 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, Watcrton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1880.

Oar friends on the other side are very active in the matter of setting going a trade in frozen meat, and we find that, seeing the earnestness mai ifested by the people everywhere throughout Australia, the Orient Company intend to fit up their fine steamers with apparatus for taking to England meat and other produce of Aus tralia. Sydney contemporaries tell us that this intention of the Orient Company has been received throughout the Aus tralian Colonies with unbounded satis faction, and assert that no step the direc tors of the Company could have taken would in an equal degree have tended so to enhance the Orient’s popularity in the Southern hemisphere, or advertise the Company’s devotion to Australian in terests. This is perfectly true, no doubt, and the step taken by the Orient Company directors is unquestionably one that will be as popular as it is opportune. It was announced by the Company just at a time when, in the flush of excitement over the success of the Strathle'ven ex periment, and satisfied that the London meat market was open to them, the people were beginning seriously to con sider how they could best make straight their path to the new field. This was a difficulty, and the Australians felt it to be so ; but the action of the Orient Company has, to a great extent at least, taken them out of that difficulty But though the enterprise, of the directors is certainly to be commended, the whole of the credit does not lie with them. Notwithstanding the success of the strathleven experiment, had there been apathy manifested on the part of the mass of Australia’s meat pro ducers on the subject of meat exportation —had they shown no desire to profit by the experiment that demonstrated how easily the barriers of time and the sea could be broken through, and how the gates of the London market, yea the markets of every great centre of population in the world, ap proachable from the seaboard, could be thrown open to the entrance of Australian beef and mutton —had they appeared dead to the best interests of their commerce that were involved in the great experi ment so happily crowned with success— the directors of the Orient Company Would have taken no more notice of the Strathleven experiment than would of the most unregarded event of every day life. But the Australian farmers were in a com motion of earnestness ; and seeing that the men who were most to be benefitted by the movement were anxious to reap those benefits, and meant genuine busi ness, the Orient Company were prepared to meet them, and share in the benefits. Hence their readiness to find a means of conveying the meat. The movement of the company shows that they have faith in the future of the trade the Strathleven has pioneered so successfully, else they would never have made preparations to meet it : it shows, too, as we have said, that the Australian farmers are ready to take advantage of the means, for without some assurance that the producers were so ready the Orient Company would never have moved in the matter. Now, in this excitement on the other side, this striking the iron while its hot, is there no lesson to New Zealand 1 Is all our enterprise crushed out of us by the weight of two bad harvests in succession, and a third following that was sold at low prices ? Has the Strathleven experiment now meaning for us ? Is it no more than a good thing that has happened to our neighbors on the other side, but a good thing that is beyond our reach and can bring us no benefit 1 Does it open no department of commerce for New Zea land ? Must she, with her wide acres of land, depend only on the labors, of the ploughman for her wealth, and ignore the possibility that the Australians are fast raakinga hardfactof ? We trow not. Surely (he time has come, after the experieno; of the past few years, when beef and mut ton should take the place of scraggy crops that will scarcely pay the reaper, and when the farmer should raise flesh that he can sell at 6d. a pound instead of oats that represent a value of Is. a bushel — sufficient to pay for a “shout” for himself and crony. We think it is time that some steps be taken for the formation of a Frozen Meat Export Company, and that meantime farmers turn their atten tion more than they have of yore to stocking and less to cropping. The re proach of dryness will soon be removed from these plains, thanks to the County Council, and the way to success appears to us to be plain, were united action in the matter taken. But while no steps are taken to concentrate the farmers upon one purpose in the direction of profiting by the London meat market, of course nothing will be accomplished. The loss of Ll 5 on the Strathleven venture was sneered at by many as pointing to a failure, but it is as well that the full fact of the matter should be known, and with this view we place before our readers the following in regard to the experiment. The Strathleven’s shipment consisted of 36,4581bs weight of beef and 19,6301b5. weight of mutton. The prices realised from lOd. per lb. down to (for a small damaged lot) 2|d. lb.; but the averages were s|d. for mutton and sd. for beef. Allowing for a largo quantity used on the voyage for testing the con dition of the meat —and the anxiety of those on board on this score can be easily forgiven—and allowing also for 25 sheep, and nearly l,ooolbs of beef given away as presents in London as a sort of opening advertisement, it was found on arrival that the shrinkage on the 19,G351b5. of mutton amounted on the voyage to 4191b5., and on the 36.4551b5. of beef, to J,0761b5., or nearly 2h per cent. The experiment being only an experiment, and everything having to be found without any previous experience, a deficiency of £ls 17s. 3d. can easily be put down as exchangable in the return of an established trade for a sweeping profit.

Our telegrams from Melbourne this morning announce the capture of one of perhaps tho most determined gangs of bushrangers that have over defied law in the Southern hemisphere. For months a heavy price has bean on the heads of the Kelly’s, but so cleverly were they able to elude police vigilance, that for a consider able time it was thought the desperadoes had escaped to America, and all hope of bringing them to justice in the Australian Colonies had about expired. They had not escaped, however, and a few days ago a short telegram announced that the police wore again on their track. Little atten tion was paid to tho telegram, as tho Kelly’s had so often given the police the slip, people had become very sceptical of any chances existing of the outlaws being run in. Yesterday morning, how ever, we were surprised to find in the daily papers a telegram stating that the long-lost Kellys had again been found and that another murder had bean added to their crimes, while the}' had succeeded in keeping a force of police prisoners for twelve hours. It was the unexpectedness ■of tho news that caused the surprise, and not the intelligence itself, for wo have learned to respect the daring of these terrible men as well as their adroitness. .Later telegrams, however, show that with all their pluck and daring they have been run to earth. Ned Kelly, tho leading spirit of their number, is wounded and a prisoner, while the others appear to be only firing out their ammunition, when apprehension must follow if they clonot die in the struggle, or rob the hangman of his fee by suicide. Byrne is reported to bo dead also, so that only Dan Kelly and Hart remained, at the date of our last telegram, able to fight. Not the least peculiar part of the intelligence is that which tells us that the outlaws have been fighting clad in chain armor to protect them from the shots. It is not, however, to chain armor that the Kellys owe the immunity from capture that they have so long en joyed, but to the aid they have received from the people living in the districts they haunted. So great a reward was offered for their apprehension and so strong a force of police was on their track, that only for the system of brigandage that existed in the country that sheltered they must long ago have felt the grip of of the law upon them. But the gloomiest night must end in dawn, and so the Kellys have met their fate, and one of the darkest clouds of crime that ever hung over the happiness of a district, and baffled and paralysed the energies of the police, has been dispelled.

Fire. —Mr. Fyke’s slaughter house, near the racecourse, was burnt down on Sunday night. The Hospital Alterations. —The time for receiving tenders for the Hospital al terations has been extended till July 2. Plans. —Plans of the Temuka sections to be sold on the 6th July at Temuka, by Mr. K. F. Gray, lie at our office for in spection. Mount Sowers Bridge. —The County Engineer advertises for tenders for the approaches to Mount Somers Bridge over the South Ashburton River. The Property Assessment Act.—Mr. Sperry announces the extension to 2nd August of the time for sending in the re turns required under this Act. Insolvents. —First meetings of credi tors of H. Cape-Williamson, shoolmaster, Cambridge, and R. H. Burgess, laborer, Alford Forest, will be held on Saturday in the District Courthouse, at the hours of 11 and 12 respectively. Parliamentary. — A new batch of Par liamentary Papers, Bills, Reports, “Han ssrd,” etc., came to hand by the last mail, and can bo purchased at the office of this paper. The cost is trifling, so that any one desirous of learning the business in detail before the House, or the draft of new Bills now under consideration can procure printed copies. Sad Accident. —On Saturday afternoon not long after the charge of obtaining money on false representations, laid against W. H. Watson, had been dis missed by his Worship, Watson received a telegram from Christchurch announcing that his eldest child had been drowned in the Avon. The little girl, who was only eight years old, had been playing on the river bank, fell in, and was drowned before aid could reach her. A Mirage. —The passengers by the early drain from the South on Saturday were astonished by the spectacle of an un usually tine mirage. The phenomenon was first observed shortly after the train quitted Temuka, when the Peninsula Hills, with the houses upon them, were distinctly reflected in the sky. The illu sion was so complete that a stranger 5 to the district might have been easily de ceived by it. Gas v. Kerosene. —During the con versation which took place at the Borough Council last evening when the gas account was brought up for payment, Mr. St. Hill remarked that it would be better for the Council to dispense with gas for the street lamps and purchase kerosene ones in stead, as he reckoned the Council were paying about L 6 per 1,000 feet. Mr. Par kin modified this by stating that L 3 would be nearer the mark, but both gentlemen were very warm in their protestations against what they considered the exorbi tant rates that were being paid for illu minating the dreary streets of our town ship. The Waterworks. —All day on Sunday a big stream was running into the Domain; more water was coming down than the pipes through the belt would take, and the surplus water found its way down the road towards Mr. Bullock’s residence. It was hoped that by running all night a good show of water would be made in the Domain yesterday morning, but those most interested in the matter were disapointed in finding the gully quite dry, and upon investigating the cause it was discovered that Mr. Saunders had shut down the trap door at the intake, thus cutting off all the water at the head of the works. The matter was discussed last night in Council^ The Vacancy in the Borough Coun cil. —We learn that the consent of Mr. Alfred Harrison has been obtained to his name being placed on the nomination paper to till the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Edward Saunders from the Borough Council. Than Mr, Harri son we know of no more energetic citizen in the township, and we are certain he will command a great many votes. Another name we have heard mentioned is that of Mr. W. H. Gundry, but whether that gentleman will stand or not wo are not in a position to say. Mr. George Compton is also spoken of as a suitable candidate, and so are Messrs. Joseph Ward, S. E. Poyntz, and W. R. Boyle, but whether either of these gentlemen are prepared to place their services at the disposal of the ratepapers we have not heard. Civil Cases. —The following civil cases came on at the R.M. Court on Saturday : —Orr and Co. v. Canavan ; claim, L 7 55.; judgment for amount and costs, L2 ss. Porter v. Burgess ; claim on a promissory note for Ll 5 ; Mr. Branson for plaintiff; judgment for amount and costs, LI 16s. Hayes v. Aitken ; claim, Ll 3 ; no appear ance. Weeks and Dixon v. Harris and Ireland ; claim, LG 3s. 4ld. Mr. Ireland, who appeared for the defendants, asked for an adjournment till Friday next, to allow him to obtain a copy of Mr. Harris’ evidence from the Clerk of the Court, the said evidence having been taken in Dunedin. His Worship granted the ap plication on payment of costs, L2 12s. Gd. In the case against Mr. Harris, the name request was granted, on similar terms, Bryant v. Willcocks ; claim, L 4 10s.; Mr. Ireland for defendant; plaintiff non suited, withfeosts, 10s. Gd.

Pending Appeal. —At the R.M. Court ou Saturday last, the Bench, on the ap plication of Mr. Branson, permitted the man Ryal (who had the previous day been sentenced to throe months’ imprisonment with hard labor) to deposit LSO as bail, or enter into recognizances himself in a bond of L2OO and two sureties of LIOO each, pending the decision of the higher Court, for an appeal to which Mr. Branson had asked the Magistrates to state a case. As Ryal had been unable to obtain the neces sary sureties, the only alternative which he had to secure his liberty was to deposit the LSO, a course which lie seemed most able and desirous to adopt. The Luxury of Law. — A case was heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday last, in which Mrs. Haynes, a monthly nurse, sued Mrs. Bryant for LG 10s. for services rendered. The case had been adjourned from a previous sitting to allow Mr. Branson, who appeared for the plaintiff, to bring evidence rebutting cer tain statements made by the defendant to the effect that Mrs. Haynes on one occa sion had been at the Hinds Hotel for four hours at a stretch, returning to her patient in a state of intoxication, and having the neck of a bottle protruding from her pocket. , Neither the defendant nor her witnesses knew what this bottle contained, but from the action of defendant’s hus band, they did not think it was free from alcoholic qualities. The evidence of Mr. Little, and two other witnesses, who were in company with the plaintiff when the alleged drinking look place, entirely upset both the charge of intoxication and the presence of the suspicious bottle, and after Mr. Branson had addressed the Bench in a most eloquent speech, in which his ex periences as a family man were made good use of, his Worship gave judgment for the amount claimed (less the charge for the two days which plaintiff admitted being in Ashburton), and costs, the whole amount making a total of Ll 3 4s. Costly immi gration this! Accidents. —On Saturday evening Mi'. Peter Maskrey, on a visit to Mr. Andrew Dawson, at Waterton, while returning to Ashburton with a dray load of coals for Mr. Dawson’s farm, slipped off the shaft on which he was riding, and fractured liia thigh. The accident occurred about midway between Tinwald and Wheatstone, and the injured man was immediately brought back to Ashburton for medical attendance, by a young man who was on the dray with him. At Ashburton Dr. Ross attended him, but recommended the sufferer’s removal to the Hospital at Christchurch for which place he left this morning. The fracture we believe is a very bad one.—About half past seven on Saturday evening, Mr. W. De B. Comp ton, road overseer, at Methven, had his attention called by his little boy to a burning tent at a short distance from Mr. Compton’s house. At once making for the tent, Mr. Compton succeeded in pulling out of it a man who was in a sort of stupified state with the smoke. The man’s right hand and face were badly burned, and he was brought into town to the Old Men’s Home, where Dr. Ross attended him. This man was also sent to Christ church yesterday. It appears that the tent in which the accident occurred belonged to four men, three of whom were absent at the time. The remaining man, had lain down to read and had fallen asleep leaving his candle burning, and the tent had thus caught fire. Everything in it was destroyed. Industrial Exhibition. —The total en tries for the Industrial exhibition, to be held at Christchurch, amount to 150. Grain. —During last week there were 14,G80 bags of grain carried on the Christ church section of railway. Kerosene. —A Dunedin firm has re ceived a cablegram advising them of a rise of from 15 to 20 per cent, in the price of kerosene. The Land Tax. —No fewer than 400 summonses have been issued in South land against persons who have not paid the Land Tax. Pedestrianism. —Scott, the pedestrian, succeeded in walking over 113 miles in 23 hours 55 minutes on Saturday at Dune din, doing his last mile in less than ten minutes. Boat Accident. —A fishing boat cap sized in the surf at Port Chalmers on Saturday night, and two men—Brown and Johnson —wore drowned. A third, named Romer, clung to the boat and was rescued. Railway Collision —A collision hap pened on the lino beteen Invercargill and Clinton on Saturday, through the driver of one of the trains mistaking the position of a light. Only the engines and one truck left the rails, but no further injury was done. Drowned While Drunk. —A man named Andrew Cornfoot was lost from the cutter Kent at Ruapukc on Thursday last, having fallen overboard while intoxicated. Ropes were thrown to him, but he was un able to catch them, and being unable to swim he soon disappeared. The Maoris. —There seems to have been a sort of Donnybrook Fair at Cam bridge on Saturday, after the sittings of the Native Lands Court. Several of the Constabulary were somewhat roughly handled, but succeeded in quelling the disturbance in Court. The street, how ever, was the scene of one row after another up to dusk. The hotels were closed on Sunday, and quietude reigned. The Christchurch Unemployed.— The delegates from Christchurch unem ployed have returned from Wellington, and report that Government have pro mised the following pay at the Weka Pass railway, wet or fine ; —Married men, 28s. per week; single men, 21s. per week. Provisions will be supplied at Is. 3d. each per day; firewood, lid. per day. Go vernment also promised to commence an other section at Albury. The Tables Turned.- — A public meet ing was held at Mastcrton on Saturday night to denounce the Property Tax. The following amendment was, however, carried by an overwhelming majority— “ That this meeting considers the Pro perty Tax to be a j ust and equitable mea sure, as falling on that section of the com munity who are best able to bear it,. and have received the greatest benefit from loans to pay interest on which we are now being taxed. ” Inconsistency. —A correspondent of the Napier Daily Telegraph writes as fol lows :—“ All who have been in the habit of perusing the daily papers may perhaps remember that about a year ago a certain Maori named Hiroki was charged _at Napier with having placed an obstruction on the railway line somewhere near Taka pau, and on being tried for the offence he was acquitted on the ground of his ignor ance, with a gentle reminder that if repeated he would be severely punished. A European for the same crime has been sentenced to fifteen years’ penal servi tude.” A Mild Season. — The gardens around Bulls are manifestations of the congenial mildness of the season, so far as flori culturists are interested. In Mr. Maclean’s, for instance, the display is ex ceptional for this time of the year, and during our brief visit a few days ago, wo were enabled to note down as in blossom the following lengthy list Cactus, azalea, red salvia, fuchsia, fern-leaved primula, blue plumbago, violet, roses (different varieties), verbena, scarlet and lilac, scarlet and other geraniums, pen stemona, forget-me-nota, meaembrianthe mums, antirrhinum, stocks, gaznonas, solanuin Jasminoides, heartsease, prim roses, honeysuckle, ericas, picotees, koro miko, petunia, phlox, silene alba, arbuti lons, and scarlet flax. ~-Bangitikei Advo cate,

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Pre sent —His Worship the Mayor (presiding), Messrs. Weymouth Roberts, Friedlander, Williamson, Orr, St. Hill, Bullock, and Parkin. THE BYE-LAWS. Before the usual business came on, the Council held a special meeting for the purpose of confirming a resolution adopt ing the Borough Bye-laws. Mr. Crisp, Borough Solicitor, was in attendance. The following resolution was carried : “ That the resolutions referring to bye laws in and for the Borough of Ashburton, adopted by the Council at a special moot ing held on the 31st day of May, 1880, bo confirmed, and that the bye-laws adopted for the said borough at the said special meeting be confirmed.” The Council then proceeded with its ordinary business. chairman’s statement. The. Mayor said the credit balance at the bank was L 263 Bs. lOd. There would have to be about LI,OOO expended before the next year’s rate could be called in. His Worship said that he had been un able to see Mr. Walker, Chairman of the County Council, with reference to the water supply works, but he thought it would be unwise to incure any more ex pense in this affair until the matter was settled. The rates collected since last meeting amounted to Ll 9 19s. The Mayor said he was sorry to have to refer to the resignation as a councillor of Mr. Edward Saunders. He was not only sorry on account of Mr. Saunders being an energetic councillor, but also because Mr. Saunders’ .pet scheme, the water supply, was nob yet completed, and a letter which would be read during the evening would show that there was a likelihood of un pleasantness occurring with reference to the matter. He was surprised at the letter referred to corning from Messrs. Saunders Bros., seeing that Mr. Edward Saunders, a member of that firm, had been instrumental in getting the water scheme inaugurated, arid it was on his offering the use of the water that the scheme was entertained by the Council. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs. ■ Saunders Bros, wrote, giving the Council notice that it would be held liable for any loss or damage which might arise through water being taken from the millrace for purposes of the Borough with out their consent. Mr. E. G. Crisp, Borough Solicitor, also read a letter to the Council which he had received from Messrs. Garrick and Cowli shaw, in which they stated that with reference to the matter they had received no instructions. The property was under mortgage to the Bank of New Zealand, and it must be made a party. The letter concluded by stating that they waited further instructions. Mr. St. Hill wished to know in that case, what were they going to do for water. He was inclined to think there was something behind the scenes which the Council was not aware of. Hia Worship thought the Council was in a peculiar position, and such a con tingency as had arisen was never antici pated. He thought the deed drawn up by the Borough Solicitor secured to Saunders Bros, the prior right to tho water in case of a scarcity. Mr. St. Hill thought it was just the way things were done by the Council. The water scheme had been in course of com pletion for some months, and the bye-laws had been hanging on for four years. Mr. Parkin was of opinion there would be no difficulty in tho matter. There was no agreement signed, and the action taken by Mr. Saunders in shutting off the water, he thought, was only to prevent more serious complications until the deed was signed. Mr. Orr suggested that a deputation wait on the Bank of New Zealand, who he thought would not oppose the action of the Council if the property was in no way damaged. Mr. Parkin considered tho Council would be perfectly justified in taking the water and accepting the responsibility. He imagined there would be no difficulty. Mr. Bullock favored the idea of a depu tation waiting on tho Bank of New Zea land. If any action hid been taken in getting the water, as there was nothing in writing before the Council, the owners might sue for trespass. Sir Parkin still held to his idea on the subject. If a fire occurred during the next fortnight, perhaps through the absence of water the town might be burnt down. He was sure the ratepayers would back up the Council in the master. Mr. Crisp cautioned the Council not to act rashly. The notice which had been sent to the Council that evening placed them in a peculiar position, and if any action were taken the Council would cer tainly make themselves liable to an action at law. Mr - Williamson thought it had been the fault of the Council that they were in their present position iu not seeing that there was plenty of water in tho race before turning it on. Mr. Parkin hinted that perhaps some of the officers of tho Council had blundered. RESIGNATION. Mr. Edward Saunders tendered his re signation as a member of the Council con sequent on his removal to another dis trict. Mr. Bullock, in moving that the resigna tion be accepted, referred in very compli mentary terms to Mr. Saunders’ energetic labors in the interests of the Borough. While sorry to see the letter laid before them that evening with reference to tho water supply, he thought Mr Saunders was certainly to be looked upon as being tho originator of tho scheme which was now so near completion. Mr. Parkin, in seconding the motion, thought that a letter should be written to Mr. Saunders, regretting that he had been compelled to resign, and acknowledging the very efficient services which he had rendered to the Borough while a member of the Council, such letter to be entered on the minutes. This suggestion was unanimously adopted by the Council. THE OUTFALL DRAIN. Mr. Brankin wrote complaining that the drain which the Council had made near his residence prevented his getting to and from his dwelling. Referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. LAMP-POSTS. His Worship stated that on receiving tenders from Messrs. J. R. Steele and Scott Bros, for the supply of lamp-posts, he had ordered four from the latter firm, as their offer was 15s, less than that of the former. A letter was read from the Financial Committee of the Presbyterian Church, requesting that a lamp post be erected in close proximity to that place of worship, near the railway crossing. Mr. Bullock 1 bought the Council should erect the lamp, it being a most reason able request. Mr. Orr said it was doubtful whether any part of the town required lighting more than that in question. Mr. St. Hill objected, hut Mr. Bullock would remind the Council that the lamp was not for the ■ benefit of one place of worship, or for one indi vidual. The place referred to was a most dangerous one, and there was a deal of traffic there. He would move that the work be gone on with. Mr. Orr seconded. Messrs. Parkin and St. Hill opposed the motion, the latter gentleman character ising the request as preposterous, in so far as laying on the gas and then asking for a lamp to be erected as well. ill-. St. Hill offered an amendment to the effect that the work be undertaken if the main service pipe is laid for it. Mr. Parkin seconded the amendment which was carried,

PLANTING. The Chairman of the County Council wrote, enclosing a letter from W. Hislop, of Tiinaru, offering to supply the Council with trees for planting purposes. THE WATER QUESTION. In answer to the Mayor, Mr. Fooka said that on Friday last when he went up to seo tho water works, he found the water laid on by Mr. Wilkie. The mill was not at work at the time, but he understood it was to iave been going shortly after wards. He measured the water coming down on Saturday and it was about 10,000, or 11,000 gollons per hour. Mr. Fooks did not know whether the con tractor had asked permission from Saun ders Bros, before turning on the water. Mr. R. Friedlander considered that two many have had a finger in the pic. He considered that if Saunders Bros, had been seen before the water had been turned on they would never have seen the letter laid before them that night. He would move that Messrs. Williamson and the Mayor be a deputation to Messrs. Saunders Bros., and the mortgagees of the property to endeavor to get the matter amicably settled. If that were done, he had every confidence that the affair would not end in a lawsuit. Mr. St. Hill seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. engineers’ report. The Engineers’ report for the fortnight was then read as follows : Water Supply. —The several contracts may now be said to be completed. There are some matters of account in the way of deductions and additions that we are now adjusting. The water was let on at the in take on Friday and Saturday, but was shut off by Mr. Saunders yesterday. There appears to ba little loss by filtration in the bottom of the race between the intake and the Domain. It will be necessary when a permanent.arrangement is completed for the supply from the race, to extend the concrete work in the form of a dam across tho race, as the bottom is scouring away fast, and thus lessening the head of water. A few chains of the channel north of the gully in Winter’s road requires a few loads of clay to strengthen the embankment, and secure it more thoroughly from the risk of overflow. Fencing at Reserve. —ln replacing the fence on the Domain boundary at the reservoir, we would suggest a fence of th same character aa that in Baring squar should be put up, with several posts a' the angle of West and Wills streets, of a width apart sufficient to keep out cattle and horses. The length required is about four chains. Outfall Drain. —According to instruc tions we have estimated the cost of a covered drain in different materials. The size of the timber drain would be 3ft. x Ift. lOia. internal measurement; and that of the brick and concrete sewers being of a permanent character, would be of about double that capacity. In either case we have calculated the length from Havelock street to the terrace by the Cemetery, and about 2ft. Gin. deeper than the present drain. The following are the estimated prices : Timber drain 2ft. square, including lowering and enlarging present cul verts, excavation, and filling in gullies and gratings, &c., 28 chains, at •••. £364 Concrete 6in. thick, a 6 chains at j£34 lOs 966 Composite Brickwork and Concrete, 28 chains at I Os. ... ... ... 1050 Brickwork, 9111. thick, 28 chains at £5 1400 Immigration Cottages. —Mr. Lyons has completed his contract for repairs to the cottage on tho north-west Belt. The overseer requests us to report that a cot tage on the south-east Belt is in tho same dilapidated condition as the one reported at last meeting of the Council. Shingling. —The contractor has com menced delivering shingle in East street, and has completed the quantity required in Baring Square. The Labor Gang has been engaged in various work, taking up old korbing, making and fixing culverts, stacking and spreading shingle, and fencing north side of the outfall drain with old material, &c. The deduction has been made in the men’s wages, according to the Council’s instruc tions. FENCING. The recommendation of the Borough Engineers with reference to fencing the reserve was ordered to be left with the Works Committee with power to act, on tho understanding that the Domain Bor.rd contribute half the amount. IMMIGRATION COTTAGES. The motion referred to in the En gineers’ report concerning the immigration cottages was left in the hands of the Works Committee, Councillor St. Hill suggesting that it was possible someone else wanted a cheap cottage. TANKS. Mr. Bullock suggested that as the water had now been brought into the town, a few concrete tanks should bo erected on the reserves, so as to be handy in case of fire. Mr. St. Hill thought that one tank should be put at the back door of every merchant. A number of sand bags pro vided would be far more reasonable than the tanks. Mr. Parkin was proceeding to speak, when his Worship called his attention to the fact that there was nothing before the meeting, and the matter dropped ; not, however, before Mr. Parkin had reminded the Mayor that ho had allowed the matter to bo brought on without checking dis cussion. THE VACANCY. The retiring officer was ordered to make arrangements with reference to the elec tion of a councillor in the place of Mr. E. Saunders resigned. ACCOUNTS ■ to the amount of L9O 13s. Gd. and pay sheet L 26 13s. 9d. were passed for pay ment. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. 1 • Saturday, June 26. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M., and Dr. Trevor.) W. H. Whitson, compositor, was charged with obtaining money under false pre tences from Mr. Samuel Lucas, boarding house-keeper. It appeared from tho evi dence that 'Watson had given to Lucas as security for a loan of 30s. some pictures owned by accused, but which had been impounded for a drink account at the Central. After hearing a good deal of evidence, his Worship dismissed the case, but disallowed costs. MORE SCUM. ; Caroline McCann, charged with being a vagrant, appeared before the bar, with two little children, about the ages of two and four. Constable .Warring deponed—l arrested the accused yesterday about three p.m. Accused lives at a brothel commonly known as the lean-to. I have frequently visited the place. I have always seen the accused there with several prostitutes and a number of men. Each time I visited the house, I saw prostitutes there. I went to the house with Mrs. McCann yesterday in a cab to get some tilings which she required. | By the Bench—l know the girls Who were at the lean-to as prostitutes, having seen them at another brothel. Sirs. McCann remarked to me yesterday that she did not care if their Worships gave her twelve months, she would come back again and keep a bad house. j By accused—l have never seen iyou partially undressed or in a state of drunkenness. ’ Sergeant Felton deponed that lief had known accused for about three years. When she first came to Ashburtonf she lived in a wretched little tent iuj the

river bed, which was a resort for men for immoral purposes. Since then she has lived at the lean-to, and I have never known her do any work. The lean-to has been a resort for men for immoral pur poses. Complaints have frequently been made by neighbors. Last May, in conse quence of complaints made, the accused was prosecuted and discharged with a caution for keeping a disorderly house. Told accused yesterday that I should arrest her, and she asked me to let her alone until “ Charlie ” came out of gaol, so that the house might be looked after while she was in gaol. She asked me not to send the children to Burnham as she had two other children there, and she had enough money to keep the two children present very comfortable. The accused has always kept her children very respectable, and they always look healthy and well-cared for.

By the Bench The lean -to has always been complained of, and it is a fact that property in the neighborhood has de preciated in value, and heads of families have been unable to leave their wives alone, in consequence of being frightened at what was going on at the lean-to. Accused, in answer to the Bench ac knowledged to being the owner of the lean-to.

Constable Neill knew accused ; she lives at the brothel. She always seems to take an interested part in the proceed ings going on there. Prostitutes live at the lean-to. On one occasion when I went there, Charles Ryal was there, but no other man. The two children now in Court were playing about. On the 16th of this month, I visited the house. There were three prostitutes there besides Mrs. McCann. There -were also a couple of cabdrivors there. Accused said she would leave Ashburton in a week if she were let off, but the Bench would not entertain the application, and sentenced her to three months’ imprison ment, with hard labor. Two children belonging to the woman McCann, aged respectively four and two years, were then brought up, under the Neglected and Criminal Children Act, their Worships ordering them to be sent to the Burnham Reformatory for eight years. His Worship asked Mrs. McCann what religion she wished the children to be brought up in. Mrs. McCann —Oh, Protestant. His Worship—There are many forms of the Protestant faith, which do you prefer. Mrs. McCann (hesitatingly)—Oh ! Wesleyan.

THE KELLY GANG.

NED KELLY WOUNDED AND A PRISONER. BYRNE KILLED. SEVERE ENCOUNTER WITH THE OUTLAWS. THE DESPERADOES FIGHTING IN CHAIN ARMOR. (Special to “The Guardian.”) Melbourne, June 26. The Kelly gang shot a man dead at Sebastopol to-day, and kept a number of police prisoners for twelve hours. Melbourne, June 28. Ned Kelly has been captured by the police. The others of the party, since their appearance at Sebastopol, have bailed up several publichouses in the neighborhood, and their capture is expected to be made during the day. Melbourne, Monday afternoon. Particulars of the capture of Ned Kelly are to hand. Twenty-five civilians had been bailed up by the Kellys when the police arrived. This was at three o’clock this morning, but fighting at once com menced. Ned Kelly took to the bush shortly afterwards, but returned at day light, and again entered into the fray, with two mates. They fought hard, but after a severe struggle, Ned Kelly received a shot in the groin, and thus wounded, he fell an easy captive to the police. De prived of their leader, the rest of the gang made off. In the encounter, one of the black trackers received a graze on the head in the encounter with the outlaws.

Later.

A telegram to the Melbourne Exchange states that Ned Kelly is lying at Glen rowan Station, mortally wounded. Jones’ Hotel, which is close to the station, is oc cupied by Dan Kelly, Hart, and Byrne, and the civilians at the station, who were bailed up. A later telegram states Byrne is dead, and all the civilians have been released by the outlaws. Dan Kelly and Hart still occupy the hotel, and incessant firing is kept up between them and the police : but it is expected they will surrender to day. The outlaws are covered with chain armor to protect them from the shots.

THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

[by telegraph.] (From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 26. Mr. Fox made one of his old sort of speeches last night, exposing Sir George Grey in good style, and was very hard on Mr. Ormond. Mr. Stevens did very well, and Mr. Dick, in a most conciliatory and judicious speech, deprecated the mischief done by Mr. Oliver on Thursday night. Altogether it was evident that Mr. Ormond’s attack had made the Govern ment more careful in their altitude to the House, and braced up their supporters to more energy and co-operation. Wellington, June 28. The no-confidence debate excites no interest as no one doubts the result. There is not the slightest ground for the rumor that Sir William Fox, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Reader Wood are leading a Middle Party. They only feel that the present Government is strong enough to afford to let its support ers express their independent views with out damage. They are all far too old campaigners to be caught with chaff, or to play into Sir George Grey’s hands by creating a diversion. So long as the Opposition can find no better leaders than Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrew, that party is never likely to be again entrusted with the purse-strings of this colony.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

[BY TELEGRAPH, j Wellington, June 28. The mail steamer was this month again two days late in starting from San Fran cisco, not having left until the 9fch inst., instead of the 7th. She is not therefore expected to reach Auckland before to morrow or Wednesday. The Government steamer Stella is now at Manukau survey ing, and will bring on the Wellington and Southern mails via New Plymouth. The New Zealand May mail despatches by the City of Sydney will reach San Francisco on'the 16th inst., a day in advance of con tract time.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

(Far Beider’s Agency.)

London, June 24. The total reserve of notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 18,000,000. Five per Cent New Zealand 1880 Loan, 1031. The Australians commenced a match to-day against a strong team, consisting of 18 of Northampton, The latter went in first and had scored 65 with the loss of nine wickets, when, owing to the inclemency of the -weather, play was stopped for the day. London, June 25. The writ of error in the Tichborne case by which it was proposed to set aside the verdict, on the ground that it wrong fully ordered two cumulative sentences for the same offence, has been heard before the Court of Appeal. The Court has dis charged the writ,- aud the claimant there fore remains in piison. Best Australian beef tallow, 375. Ade laide wheat, ex warehouse, 495. Best sides Australian leather, llgd. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,750,000 quarters. The homeward mails, via Suez and Brindisi, with New Zealand dates to May 7th, were delivered in London to-day. The cricket match v. Eighteen of Northampton, was ' resumed to-day. The weather continued showery, and the wicket was again very dead. The home team closed their first innings with 86. The Australians then went in, and also scored 86. When the stumps were drawn the home team had lost four wickets for 8 runs in their second innings. June 26. In the House of Lords the Burials Bill was passed through all its stages, and has been transmitted to the House of Com mons. In the House of Commons this after noon, Sir Stafford Northcote moved that Bradlaugh be released from custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The motion, after debate, -was agreed to, and Brad laugh has been accordingly released, In the House of Commons, Mr. Glad stone, the Premier, in answer to a question, said that the Government would reconsider the position in Mr. Bradlaugh’s case. The resolution in favor of Sunday trading, which was discussed in the House of Commons to-day, was strongly op posed by Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Home Secretary. The motion was, how ever agreed to by the House. The Orient Co.’s s.s. Chimborazo sailed from Plymouth to-day for Australia. The cricket match, Australians against Eighteen of Northampton concluded to day, and resulted in another (tenth) vic tory for the Australians by eight wickets. The Eighteen, in their second innings were all disposed of for 48. Palmer took nine and Spoffor}h seven wickets in this innings. The Australians then required only 49 runs to win, and these they made with the loss of only two wickets. In the House of Lords, the Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Bill, after dis cussion, was finally thrown out. The Democratic Convention have chosen Mr. English as their candidate in the forthcoming election for Vice-president of America. Washington, June 24. In consequence of the retirement of Tilden the Democratic Convention have chosen Hancock as their candidate in the Presidential election. Buenos Ayres, June 25. A serious encounter has taken place between an armed force of civilians and a body of Argentine provincial troops, who are in open rebellion, and were besieging the city. After heavy fighting the troops were completely routed by the civibans. Buenos Aybes, June 26? Peace negotiations were opened to-day between the authorities and the insurg ents, with a view to the settlement of the difficulties which brought about the re bellion. f June; 27. The peace negotiations have failed, and fighting between the insurgents and the National Guard was resumed to-day. ' Constantinople, June 25. The efforts at mediation between the Albanians and Montenegrins, which the British have been making, have proved unsuccessful. The Albanians decline to agree to the proposals made them, and have commenced re-arming their troops, with a view to again dispute any further attempt on the part of the Montenegrins to obtain the territory required to ~be ceded them in accordance with the Berlin treaty. . Berlin, June 26. The European Conference have agreed to the rectification of the Greek frontier, including the towns of Janina, Metzovo, and portion of the district of Zafar. i Berlin, June 27- It has been announced that the Porte has sent a circular note to the Great Powers stating that the European Con ference now assembled here has only the right to mediate for settlement of the dispute between Albania and Montenegro and for adjusting the Turkish Greek frontier question, but has no right to decide what course Turkey should pursue towards the settlement of those diffi culties. AUSTRALIAN. {Per Reuter's Agency.) Melbourne, June 26. The Ministry having recommended a dissolution of Parliament, his Excellency has consented, and in the meantime Par liament stands prorogued. Cooktown, June 26. Her Majesty’s schooner Conflict has ar rived here from New Ireland, which place she visited on June 10th. Twenty four of the original Chanderuagore party were found to be sickly. Sixteen have died, and the remainder are engaged as traders. The Genii had not arrived where the Con flict left for Laurhahu Island, when she called on June 16th, and rescued seven of the Chandernagore party, who had been marooned, and were starving. The Con flict brought them on here. Adelaide, June 26. Wheat, 4s. to 4s. Id; flour, L 9 10s. to LlO. ■ . : INTSRPROVINCIAL. (Per Press Association.} Auckland, June 28. Dugald McNaughton, for unlawfully assaulting three respectable women in succession, returning from a Good Templar meeting on Saturday night, got six months’ imprisonment. Wellington, June 26. A deputation from the City Council waited on the Colonial Secretary this, morning, informing him that at the end of the present month, when the subsidies ceased, the Council would give up .the management of the hospital. Mr. Dick asked the Council to resume the manage ment after the date and until hearing from him, Government being responsible for its maintenance. A deputation, representing the brewers’ interest, waited on the Treasurer this morning, urging that by the imposition of the tax on beer, he would close the springs of local industry, and they'sug gested that in event of the tax being, im posed, brewers be allowed 12 months to clear stocks. The Treasurer replied l it would not answer the purpose of Govern ment to cripple any industry. He:had resisted to the last the excise duty, and nothing but- the state of public finance would induce him to levy a tax in - opposi tion to what he himself would like to do ; but the Customs revenue had fallen off)

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY* ' JUNE 29, 1880.



AUCTION SALES,



This Day. Jameson and Roberts, at Wood’s Farm, Dromore—Horses, Sheep, Pigs, Imple ments, Harness, &c. Sale at 11 sharp. Tuesday, July G. -K. F. Gray, at his salerooms, Temuka — Freehold Town Sections. Sale at 1 o’clock sharp. Thursday, July 1. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. Section No. 754, Willis Street. Sale at 2 o’clock. Saturday, July 3. : Alfred Harrison, at his saleyards—Draught Horses, Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock sharp. CHRISTCHURCH AGENCY. MR. GEORGE MAULE, is authorised to receive orders and accounts fer tile Ashburton Guardian and Evening Set aid. All orders for Advertisements left at his office, near Taltersall’s, will receive prompt attention. 955g* WEEKS & DIXON. NOTICE OF PARTNERSHIP. MATSON, COX, & CO. Messrs, h. matson & co. having taken Mr. C. PERCY COX, who has lately been acting as their agent at Ashburton, into partnership, their business at Ashburton will for the future be conducted under the management of Mr. Cox, under the style of MATSON, COX, & CO., And they hope by erecting large business premises, and thus giving increased facili ties to their clients, to merit and obtain a fair share of the business hitherto so liberally accorded to them by the public. MATSON, COX* & CO., Ashburton. June Ist, 1880. 936 g MATSON, COX, & CO. will hold Fortnightly Sales of Stock at Ashburton and Tinwald alternately. Next Sale at ASHBURTON, TUESDAY, JULY 6th. 910 g MATSON, COX, & CO. NOTICE TO FARMERS. ~ f|IUE 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*



Tenders. LAND DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. TENDERS are invited for LEASING GOVERNMENT RESERVE No. £165, containing 1,280 acres, situated near ■ Seafield, for a term of Seven Years, upon ■ conditions to be ascertained at the Land Office, Christchurch, and the office of the Resident Magistrate, Ashburton, where a plan of the land may also be seen. Tenders, addressed to the undersigned, will be received on and up to the 26th July next. JOHN MARSHMAN, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Land Office, Christchurch, 25th June, 1880. 994 a ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. - » THE TIME for receiving tenders for ALTERATIONS, &c., at the County- Hospital is EXTENDED till FRIDAY, JULY 2nd, 1880. FOOKS & SON, 993 a Architects, &e. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for AP PROACHES to Bridge over South Ashburton River at Mount Somers, Plana and specifications cap be aeon at County- Council Office, Asaburton, and Tenders, addressed tothe CHairman, to be sent to in not later than 11 f’clock a.m., WEDNES 7th JULY, next/ By order,/ WILLAM BAXTER, 992 a _ / County Engineer. .UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for the under mentioned WORKS No. G 9. Forming two miles, more or less, 46 wide, Sutherland and Steele’s Road, Hinds (North). No. 70. Forming 60 chains, 46 wide, Maronan Road, North Hinds, from near Bryant’s bid hut. ' No. 71- Forming, &c., 70 chains, more or less, 48 wide, of the road from A. Thompson’s towards Lyndhurst Rail way Station. Tenders to be addressed to the Chair man, and to be sent in not later than 12 o’clock on TUESDAY, 6th July v For specification apply to ROBT.D. PULLAR, Clerk. Road Board Office, Westerfield 9Slg MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. ’ TENDERS are invited for the following WORKS : No. 13. Supply of Drain-pipes for twelve months; No.. 14. Remetailing 133 chains, Town . < ship Road. No. 15. Footbridge over Bowyer’s Stream, Hewson’s Road. No. 16. Sawing 5000 feet black birch in Alford Forest. Specifications for the above works can be seen at the Road Board office. Mount Somers, and a copy of the specifications for contract No. 13 can be seen at the office of tlm Lyttelton Times, Chiristchurch, Tenders, addressed to the Chairman, must bent in on or before Noon on MONDAY, J uly sth, 18S0. : The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. C. J. WENTWORTH ‘ COOKSON, Jun., Surveyor to the 979 a Mount Somers Road Board.



Persons with a strong “ turn ” for music—Organ grinders.