WATER-RACES. The expenditure on water-races did not appear to produce the benefits expected. None of the companies which Government had subsidised had been a success, and in most cases the undertakings had been abandoned. The total expenditure and liabilities upon goldfield water-races up to 31st March had been L 441,633, of which amount L 42,329 gives no return whatever, while works costing L 86,485 had been handed over to local bodies, and from the comparatively successful races the Charleston, Nelson Creek, Waimea, and Mount Ida—costing in all L 312,819, the the yearly return was only about 1 per cent. These races, however, enabled 771 men to find remunerative employment, their earnings averaging Ll4O per man per annum. THE COAL INDUSTRY. “Almost every month brings new dis coveries of coal in some part of the colony, and it has become apparent that New Zea land is exceptionally rich in this mineral. Our most import lines of steamers are now almost wholly supplied from the coal mines of the colony, and the more ex tended use of native coal will effect a sav ing of L 8,500 on uur railways in the Middle Island for the current year, in ad dition to an almost equal amount hereto fore saved bn those in the North Island.” WORKING RAILWAYS. After referring to the CMI Service Commissioners’ report on the manage ment, &c., of the working railways, which would be serviceable in remedying defects in organjsation and practice, the State ment wenl on :—“ The working railways department began the last financial period under circumstances exceptionally un favorable-heavy floods in the South having interrupted traffic over more than a hundred miles of line, causing a loss of revenue, as well as a large expenditure for repairs. Amongst the first effects of the commercial depression from which we have been suffering has been a diminution of our railway traffic. The result was to be expected, and the efforts of the depart ment were directed to obtaining greater economy in our system of railway arrange ment. By working with a smaller staff of officers and men, and by reducing the number of trains and the speed at which they were run, a considerable saving has been effected, while the convenience of the public has not been materially cur tailed. The train service has already been reduced by 370,000 miles a year. The staff has been reduced by 266 men, and it is estimated that these and other economies which up to this time have been affected, will save on the year upwards of L44,C00. I am sorry to say that for the nine months ending 31st March, railways only gave a return equal to slightly under 2J per cent per annum, while the rate of interest which we have to pay is over 5. The loss on the cost of the lines, which stands at L 8,629,582, was at the rate 0fL237,730 per annum, and had to be furnished from surplus in the prosperous years which we have just passed. The hon. gentleman then went on to speak of the light in which railways had hitherto been viewed —that they were remunerative whether they-yielded interest on their cost or not, inasmuch as they aided settlement and the development of the colony’s resources. But he contended the colony was not a joint stock company, with equal share and a community of interests, and th benefits of : railways were very un equally distributed, many districts hav ing none, while all have to contribute to make up the loss that has been entailed upon the colony by the lines. The loss entailed such a serious charge upon the revenue of the colony, that unless the lines irero made more nearly self-support ing it became questionable whether a desirable outlay in other departments of Government could be entertained. He attributed the unremunerativeness of the railways to thesmallness of the population, anditsscatteredposition—failing to furnish either goods or passenger traffic enough to make the lines payable at the hitherto current rates. In proportion to population New Zealand had many more miles of constructed railways than either England, France, the United States, Canada, or any of the Australian colonies. The hon. gentleman went into statistices to show how few people per head New Zealand possessed to the mile of railway, and in addition to the spafseness of the popula tion he gave as a reason for the non-profit of the lines, the needlessly low tariff adopted in many districts. It would be necessary to increase the tariff as far as the circumstances of the colony would allow. Traffic could not be increased to an indefinite extent, nor could tariff be so increased, but railway rates that were only designed to bring in 6 per cent, on the cost of outlay surely could not be con sidered high when competing modes of conveyance permitted their adoption. The hon. gentleman then spoke of a proposal to sell the railways, but could not imagine where a purchaser could be found unless at a sacrifice of perhaps millions of money to the colony. Speaking of the Railway Commission’s recommendations, Mr. Oliver said that the funds at the Government’s disposal were insuffi cient to admit of even their not very lavish proposals being under taken, and Government would therefore content themselves with the extension of some incomplete lines to such nearest points as will bring them into use, and to some extent make the already incurred expenditure remunerative. Of the sum voted last year for public works, L 2,356,729 was for actual liabilities already existing. Realising the position of the public works fund, Government had endeavored to minimise expenditure, and to. spread it over as large a space of time as possible. Todothis many works had tobe deferred for which tenders had been re ceived. On the 31st March last the total ways and means was L 3,262,410, and the public works liabilities L 2,445,313, re ducible, however, by L 315,763 advances in the hands of officers, thus leaving a balance of L 1,122,860 on March 31, 1880, clear of liabilities. Since March 31, ways and means had been augmented by receipts and recoveries to L 29,934, and during the four months to July 31 the liabilities of the fund had been unavoid ably augmented to the extent of L 330,871. Adding L 29,934 to the balance of L 1,122,860 on March 31, and deducting L 330,871, the result, L 821,923, was ob tained as available on July 31. The ac count might be more clearly stated thus : —The ways and means on 31st July amounted to L 2,677,910 17s. Id.— con sisting of cash in hand L 593,910 17s. Id. ; Treasury and Deficiency Bills, L 121,700 9s. ; investments, L 67,000; guaranteed debentures, LBO,OOO ; total, L 2,677,910 17s. Id. The liabilities on the same date amounted to L 2,202,574. There were, however, imprests outstanding on 31st July, L 246,486, making L 1,855,988, the net amount of liabilities to be provided for, and leaving a balance of L 821,928, as already stated, for new works and services. The*estimates which T'am about to submit, make a further demand on this balance of L 674,238 —leaving L 147,685 only for future appropriations from the public works fund. The votes for the various works which we now propose are designed to provide for the expenditure up to 30th June, 1881. After that date, and until we are again in a position to become borrowers, the only sources whence we can draw supplies for those purposes will be a portion of the proceeds of land sales, and the saving from estimates for the purchase of native land—a saving which- we have reason to be lieve may be considerable, but which at present it is impossible to estimate. ” The . hon. gentleman then went on to enumerate the works in the North Island Government proposed to proceed with. These were a line to develop the Kaipara eoa&traffic; the completion of the Thames-.

Waikato railway, as recommended by the commissioners (subject to further con sideration by Government) ; the Napier- Makutoku line ; the Wellington-Opaki line as far as Masterton, with provision made for the unemployed on the Opaki ex tension ; station works at Wellington; Poxton section and wharf at Wellington ; works on the opened line at Poxton and Kaiawai ; the extension to Waverley, now in hand ; works at Carlyle for the un employed ; between Stratford and Hawera ; and the formation at Normanby. SOUTH ISLAND WORKS. The extension of the line from Foxhill to Bellgrove, on the Nelson to Grey mouth lino, will be completed ; the Still water section now in progress will be finished ; and the Greymouth harbor works carried on. The Picton and Blen heim line will be completed at the Blenheim end, whore there are still some station works unfinished. The section of the main line from Amberley to the Waipara plains is to be finished, the nine miles through the Weka Pass being reserved for the unemployed. A few urgent station works on the opened lines are provided for. .The Waimakariri Gorge portion of the Oxford and Sheffield line, which was reserved for the unem ployed about a year ago, will be carried on as the demand for work may re quire The extension of the Opawa branch towards Pairlie Creek will also be carried out by the same means. The Ellesmere section of the Little River and Akaroa branch is to be completed. The general expenditure proposed on the Otago main line is for the completion of the stations and other works now in progress. Duntroon branch is to bo finished across the Marewhenuia the bridge (over which is already built. The formation on the first section of the Livingstone branch, recently resumed to give workto he unemployed, will be finished by them. The sections of the Western railways now in progress will be com pleteted, the Hindon section of the Otago central railway which was opened to the unemployed about a year ago will be reserved exclusively for hem, as it is now almost the only suitable work in Otago, in which large numbers can be employed. At present there are about 700 men at work there, and although this number will, in all (probability, decrease during the summer months, I feel there is a prospect of a complete cessation in the demand which will be made on us for this kind of employment, and wo have, there fore, made provision for supplying it on this section! The hon. gentleman con cluded with an expression of his high hope for.the colony’s future.

THE COUNTY WATERWORKS BILL.

The Ashburton County Waterworks Bill passed the Lower House on Wednes day, and has advanced its first stage in the Upper House. The borrowing powers of the County under the Bill has been re duced to L 50,000, and on the motion for the passing of the Bill, Mr. Hurst, one of the members for Auckland raised a some what vigorous protest against the borrow ing powers it contained, saying that the Legislature had avowed their intention of permitting no further borrowing. Sir George Grey took occasion to banter Mr. Hall on the financial crisis and the economical fit Government and the House had taken, and asked if in view of the financial crisis Government meant to bring in a Bill to prevent private persons from borrowing. The Premier evidently became a little nettled at this, for we find, him replying that had it not been for the Grey Government there would have been no financial crisis, and the economical fit would have been unnecessary.

THE LIBRARIES.

During the past month or so numerous entertainments have been held in the country districts, the object of these assemblages being to raise funds for the formation of new or the support of exist ing libraries. The gods help those who help themselves, and it is with no small degree of pleasure that we see the settlers doing their best to help themselves in the matter of supporting their own libraries. Books are ever-present teachers, and the man who has no access to books, or cares not to use them if he has, is poor indeed. We shall be glad when we see a good library established in every school district of the County, and we rejoice to see that so many of these districts are aiming at possessing libraries of their own. There is always a bright hope of success for any undertaking or movement when the mass of the people go in for it with spirit. Whether such move ment be aided by the powers that be or not, if the people are in it enthusiastic ally it must go on. It is one of the New Zealand colonist’s weaknesses to look to Government for everything he wants, and depend as little as possible upon his own exertions. This dependent feeling militates against that manly, self-reliance that is always the mother of enterprise, and if it is encouraged it will in the end emasculate the people’s spirit, and innoculate them with the stuff that milksops are made of. The hard times of to-dav are likely, how ever, to be a good preventative to the spread of this weakness, and in the matter of the libraries it is perhaps better for all of them—more especially the Ashburton one—that the Committee on the library question appointed by the County Council has not seen its way to recommend the granting of public money for their aid or support. Private efforts must now more than ever be de pended on, and the hard fact becoming impressed on readers’ minds that they themselves must support the literary in stitutions they belong to, we expect to see the latent pluck and perseverance that lie in the deeper cockles of John Bull’s heart stirred up to activity and business. We expect to see each little country library vieing with its neighbor in aiming at ex cellence, and the book-shelves adding to their rows a steady and quarterly increase. But it must be done by the people them selves. Government aid is now hopeless, and the county purse-strings are tightly drawn, so that we must look for building up the libraries where Byron told the Greeks to look for courage:— Ti ust not for freedom to the Franks, They have a King who buys and sells, In native swords and native ranks The only hope of courage dwells.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, August 5. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore moved the printing of a return of expenditure for last year. In a speech in support of the motion, the mover stated that, though the Grey Government passed eleven and a half millions through their hands in two years, it was nearly all fixed charges, over which they had no control, less than three millions being for public works, against over four millions of loan money spent by the Atkinson Government in its last two years of office, and over two millions to ba spent by the present Government this year. Colonel Whitmore also stated that there were over three millions of the L 5,000,000 still unexpended, and the only liability was a million for native land pur chase, which the Government did not in tend to carry out. The return was ordered to be printed. Several items of unimportant business was transacted, one or two Bills advanced a* stage, and the Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, August 5. The House met at 2.30 p.xn. The Hon. T. Dicu laid on the table correspondence relative to the defective railway waggons, called for by the member for Cheviot. PETITION. Mr. Stewart presented a petition from residents of Dunedin, protesting against section 78 of the new Licensing bill. On being read, it was found that the petition spoke of the measure before the House as tyrannical, unjust, and unconstitu tional. The Hon. T. Dick asked the Speaker to rule if the language was respectful. The Speaker said that the course was to move that it be not received. On the question being put that the petition be received, the response was in the affirmative. After soma discussion, it was decided to sit on Friday, at eleven o’clock, to ex pedite the passage of certain Bills, a motion also being passed allowing Com mittees to sit during the sitting of the House, provided they attend the House when the hell rang for a quorum. The Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Act Amendment Bill was passed. On the motion for the second reading of the Wellington Racing Club Bill, Mr. Hutchison moved that it be read that day six months, and Sir W, Fox in seconding Mr. Hutchison’s motion, denounced the racecourse in no measured terms, and was very hard on the saturnalia of thimble riggers, blacklegs, jockey boys, and other questionable characters who frequented these racecourses. Mr. Levin recalled Sir William’s memory to 1857, when the hon. gentleman was a steward of the Club, and did not then de nounce racing. The second reading was carried. A motion to remit all measures altering, amending or adding to statute law to a joint Committee of both Houses, for consideration previous to passing the final stage was carried. Mr. Wright moved a return showing the nature of the existing arrangements for the purchase of materials in Great Britain or elsewhere on account of the Public Works Department, also the amounts paid during the last two years under such arrangements by way of salary, fees, or commission, and the names of the recipients. The motion was carried. Mr. Wright moved for a return of the correspondence between the Stores De partment, Christchurch, and Mr. Conyers, Mr. A. D. Smith, and Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach relative to the supply of galvanised iron. Carried. The House adjourned at 5.30. In the evening the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill was in Committee. The op ponents of the measure stonewalled it per sistently, while the Maori members said the marriages sought to be legalised were a return to the old customs of the tribes before the missionaries came. Mr. Seddon spoke nearly an hour against the Bill generally, and demanded that Government should promise that before the third reading the Attorney- General’s opinion be taken as to whether the Bill was constitutional, Mr. Hall said the Government could not consent to make any terms on the matter. They would act as they usually did. The discussion then went on, the minority insisting that the third reading should be postponed, but refusing to pledge themselves that if postponed there should simply be a vote and no more cussion on it. Mr. Speight avowed his readiness to remain there till 3.30 next day, if the minority would agree to continue to oppose the Bill till then. Dr. Wallis spoke at some length against the measure, and the talk went on till 2.48, when, on the suggestion of Major Atkinson, it was agreed - that the third reading be taken on Thursday next at 7.30. The Bill was then reported without amendment. On the motion to fix the date of the third reading as arranged, Mr Brown moved an amendment that it be now read a third time. On the House dividing the amendment was lost by 2 to 29. The motion was then agreed to. The third report of the West Coast Commission was laid on the table by Major Atkinson at 2.45, when the House rose.

Friday, August 6. The House met at 11 o’clock this morn ing, and went into committee on the Crown Grants Amendment Bill, which passed without amendment. The Counties Bill was next considered in Committee. The following, on the motion of Mr. Murray, was added as a new clause :—“ It shall be lawful for the Councils of two or more Counties to unite for the construction, repair, use, and maintenance of bridges, roads, tram ways, and ferries, in any of such Coun ties." The following additional clause by Mr. Reeves was added, on a division of 24 to 25 “In addition to the powers contained in section 30 of “ The Counties Act 1876, the Governor in Council may by proclamation alter the boundaries of any County, and from and after a day to be named in such proclamation, the naw boundaries set forth in such proclamation shall be the boundaries of such County, subject, however, to the condition that a petition shall have been presented to the Government signed by three-fourths of the ratepayers of a riding, praying that such riding may be severed from the County in which it is situated, and made a part of some other and contiguous County. The provisions of sections 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 shall be read with and be deemed to be a part of this Act.’ The Bill was reported and the House want into Committee on the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill, which was passed with amendment. The amendments were agreed to on the District Roads Bill, which was road a second time, passed through Committee, reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Otago Road Rates Validity Bill was read a second time, passed through Committee without amendment, read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 1.20.

The House resumed at 2.30. Mr. J. B. Fisher moved that the report of the Goldfields Committee on the case of H. Rowe and others be approved of. He stated that the Committee found that the petition contained unwarrantable alle gations against a judicial officer, which had not been supported by evidence. The Committee strongly reprobated such con duct. Mr. Rolleston concurred in the finding, and expressed his strong disapprobation of the number of unjustifiable complaints that were from time to time made against officers of this kind. The motion was carried. The House went into Committee on the Native Land Sales Bill. On Clause 3, Mr. Reader Wood moved that the word “ may” be substituted for the word “ shall,” so as to make the clause read that natives may at their own option bring their lands under the Act.

Captain Russell felt convinced the effect of the Bill would be to prevent land being sold at all. He would support the amendment.

Captain Colbeck concurred. So strongly did the natives feel on the subject that he was convinced they would be prepared to fight rather than submit to the measure.

Mr. Thomson complained that Govern ment was throwing an unfair reponsibility on the House by leaving to it such a material alteration in the Bill. If Go vernment were really in earnest in their

purpose to pass the Bill at all, the y < h to make it a Government question. Mr. Sheehan was quite sure if the Bill passed as it stood no land would be brought under its operation, or if it did, it would pass out of the hands of the natives with out any corresponding advantage being secured by them. Sir George Grey said that when the amendment was disposed of, he would move the following addition —“ except as herein provided in case of native lands vested in trustees.”

Major Te Wheoro said he would support an amendment leaving the land to bo dealt with by native committees. The Maoris should be empowered to elect the com mittees, defining the powers they are to be allowed to exercise. Despite what the newspapers said to the contrary, he denied that the members were actuated by factious motives.

Question put that the clause remain part of the Bill—Ayes, 34 ; noes, 25. Sir George Grey moved the amendment of which he gave notice. His object was to provide that the sale of land be com peted for in open market, and the natives themselves get a fair price for their land. The discussion was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. ( jßenter's Telegrams.) Calcutta, Aug. 4. Orders have been given to General Roberts to march with the northern division of the British array in Afghanis tan, numbering 10,000 men, to the relief of General Burrows, at Candahar. General Roberts has further been ordered to act in conjunction with the troops under Generals Phayre and Sandeman from the Rolan Pass, so that the combined forces may operate against Ayoub Khan. It now transpires that the telegraph line between Cabul and the frontier was not cut by the hostile tribes, as was at first supposed, but was interrupted from some other cause. Intelligence has been received from Afghanistan that Ayoub Khan has ad vanced to Merkareg for the purpose of attacking British troops under General Phayre who reached Chaman recently from the Bolan Pass on their way to reinforce General Burrows at Candahar, but were unable to proceed owing to the disturbed state of the country. It is further stated that Ayoub is sending a strong force to intercept supplies from the Bolan Pass. London, Aug. 3. The Right Hon. Mr. Gladstone is pro gressing favorably. The fever is dimin ishing; The match between the Australians and the Gloucestershire county team, at Clif ton, was continued to-day. The Home team went in to finish their innings, and were all disposed of for 191 runs. Palmer took six wickets. The Australians then went in for their second innings, and were all out for 246 runs. Macdonnell was caught for 79 ; Bonner was also caught for 35. The attendance at the match was very large. The fielding of the Home team was very loose. London, Aug. 4. The cricket match, Australians versus the Gloucestershire County Eleven, at Clifton, was resumed to-day, when the Home team went in for their second innings, and were all disposed of for 97 runs, the Australians thus scoring another victory by 68 runs. Spofforth took seven wickets. They play at Sunderland on the 12th. In the House of Lords last night the Irish Tenants Compensation Bill, which was sent up from the House of Commons came under discussion. After debate, the rejection of the Bill was moved and carried by 282 to 51. Mr. Gladstone still continues to improve. The feverish symptoms have now ceased, but he still remains weak. Aug. 5. Mr. Gladstone continues to progress well, though slowly. Sixty-three Liberal Peers voted with the majority in rejecting the Bill for com pensation to Irish tenants. The homeward mails via San Francisco, which left Auckland on June 22 were delivered here yesterday. Constantinople, Aug. 5. Midhat Pasha’s resignation of the Governorship of Syria has been accepted and ho has now been appointed Governor of Smyrna. Mauritius, July 26. There is nothing shipping for Australia, owing to sugar arriving slowly.

AUSTRALIAN. (Per Tenter's Agency.) . Melbourne, Aug. 4. Arrived.—Arawata, from the Bluff. New Zealand oats, 2s. 7d. to 2s. Bd. per bushel, with a firm and active demand. Kevern, who has been charged with embezzlement of the Bank of New Zealand fund at Marton, has again been re manded. Melbourne, Aug. 5. Sugar supplies are small, and sales are progressing firmly, at Id. higher. Soundry, the Frenchman who was shot by Greer at the Opera-house a, few nights ago, is now better, and has seft the hos pital. Ned Kelly will be put on his trial at Boeohworth. Mr. D. Gaunson defends the outlaw. Cooktown, August 0. The Eastern and Australian Mail Com pany’s steamship Normanby has arrived from Singapore with the Torres Straits mail. She brings the following items of Eastern news The Chinese preparations for war with Russia continue unabated, and there is reason to believe that the warlike feeling is undiminished at Pekin. Six thousand French troops will occupy Tonquin, in Cochin China, in September. Piracy is rife at the present time in Chinese waters. INTERPRO YIN Cl AL. (Per Press Association.) Napier, Aug. 5. The prisoner Hewson, who last criminal sessions was sentenced to two years’ im prisonment and twenty-five lashes, re ceived his flogging yesterday. The opera tion was performed privately. The general impression is that the whipping was a farce. The man who wielded the cat, was allowed to disguise himself by blacking his face, and thought the whole thing should be carried out to the satisfaction of the prisoner. At the Gas Company’s annual meeting to-day, a dividend was declared equal to 12 h per cent. L 928 was carried to the re serve fund. Gisborne, Aug. 6. There is much dissatisfaction expressed with the mode of procedure adopted by the Native Lands Court in the transaction of business before it. Application will shortly be made to adjourn for six months, and a petition will be sent to the Native Minister, praying that another Judge might be sent to conclude the business. The desire for a long time past has been that Judge Fenton should preside in the district as Judge. The natives are apply* ing cn masse for their cases to be ai journed. Wellington, August 6 A landslip on the face of one of the hills cloao abutting on the Pioton harbor, has disclosed a fourteen feet seam of good marketable brown coal, which, tested, proves of fair steaming qualities. A young man named John Blair, formerly a clerk at Timaru, was arrested this morning on a charge of embezzling L 5 155., moneys of the Government. He was remapdedfor a week.’

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1880.



W ELLINGTON , Aug. 6. The court of enquiry into the recent accident to the barque Malay, off Welling ton Heads, returned Captain Holmes' cer tificate. Dunedin, August 5. Cargill’s wool cablegram, dated the 3rd, says the market is dull, without any de mand. The next series but one com mences on November 23rd. Matson, Cox, & Co. ]M[atson, Cox & Co., STOCK AND ESTATE AGENTS, LAND & MONEY BROKERS, AUCTIONEERS AND COMMISSION AGENTS, ASHBURTON. Messrs, matson, cox & Co. beg to inform their Constituents in the Ashburton District that for the future the Business in Ashburton will be con ducted under the supervision of Mr. Cox, under the style of MATSON, COX & CO. Their business will include the manage- I ment of Estates, Investment and Pro curation of Money, Valuation of Pro perties, Stock, &c., and General Agency. They will hold throughout the District Public Auction Sales of Land, Live and Dead Stock; also on Market Days at Ashburton and Tinwald, Fat and Store Stock. They are also prepared to make Liberal Cash Advances on Properties, Stock, Wool, &c., placed in their hands for sale. The contract for their new premises at Ashburton being let, they trust at no distant date to be able to afford to their constituents inci’eased facilities for the transaction of their business. MATSON, COX, & CO., Agents for Robey & Co.’s CELEBRATED THRESHING MACHINES 440 Alfred Harrison. This Day. UNDER BILL OF SALE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH. Alfred harrison win sell at his Yards, on SATURDAY next, a quantity of STOCK and PLANT, under Bill of Sale. NO RESERVE. 84g Edmiston, Sundry, and Co. Property Sales. Messrs, edmiston, gundry, & Co. will hold PROPERTY SALES EVERY ALTERNATE SATURDAY, At their AUCTION ROOMS, EAST STREET. Persons desirous of entering Properties for these Sales will please send particu lars to EDMISTON, GUNDRY, & Co., Auctioneers. Sale at 1 o’clock. 12a vnawnßKMßnHßMannnnHnnManßMNßßHnnMgiiim ToLeh PLANTATION RESERVES. TO LET ON LEASE for ten years, Reserve 1780, containing forty-two acres, lately orcupied by Mr. Stalker, Tlhwald, and Reserve 1783, containing eighty-three acres, near Winslow, on Great South Road. Conditions may be obtained of undersigned. Tenders, stating rentals offered per acre for first five years, and for remainder of term, will be received on or before MONDAY, 16th August, addressed “ Tender,” Chairman Plantation Board, care of ALEXANDER LEAN, Estate Agent, 87a Hereford Street, Christchurch. Wanted. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, the Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805o —417 c For Sale. BAR Framed BEE HIVES. T. A. Gates, Saunders’ Buildings. 828 a SPRING WHEAT. FOR SALE, Prime Tuscan Seed Wheat, at four shillings per bushel, delivery at Trevenna Farm, Temuka, or Winslow Railway Station. JOHN GRIGG, 31g Longbeach. CHAFF ! CHAFF ! ! CHAFF 111 MR. A. G. EARLE, of Wakanui, has a large supply of the above, which he is prepared to dispose of at 30s. per ton, in large or small quantities. 88e Tenders. TEl* DERS. TENDERS are invited for the follow* mg WORKS on the Racecourse : I.—Ploughing, Harrowing, and Burn ing Tussocks, on a strip one chain wide and about sixty chains long. 2.—Fencing the same with sod bank and wires. Specifications to be seen at my house and at Quill’s Hotel on and after Monday next. Tenders to be sent in by SATURDAY, August 14th. JAMES WILKIE, Hon. Sec., 732c-97a Ashburton Racing Club. SOUTH RAKAIA ROAD DISTRICT. TENDERS will be received by the Chairman up to THURSDAY, the 12th August, inst. For Metalling about 20 chains of the road from the Great South to Thomp son’s Track road. A. MAKEIG, 94a Clerk to Board. Public Notices. NOTICE. T HEREBY OONYeNE a MEETING S of RATEPAYERS, to be held in the (Mice, at Methven, on THURSDAY, the 12th day of August, at 4 p.ra., to consider correspondence received from the Chair man of the County Council, in reply to the resolution passed at the meeting held on the 13th inst. re the Water Supply. EDWARD CHAPMAN, Chairman, Mount Hutt Road Board. July 29th, 1880. 79a



Public Notices. MISSING FRIENDS. IF this should reach the eve of THOMAS ROACH, who left Nelson about six years ago, last heard of at R. Mcßae’s, Richmond, lie will hear of some thing to his advantage by sending his address *6 the Office of this Paper. 24g MOUNT lIUTT ROAD BOARD. METHVEN POUND, PPLICATIONS, addressed to the Chairman, will he received up till noon on the 12th of August, from persons willing to act as POUNDKEEPER. W. B. COMPTON, 800 Overseer. V. R. LICENSING ACT, 1873, AND LICENS ING ACT, 1873, AMENDMENT ACT, 1874. IVTOTICE is hereby given that, in pur -1 suance of the above Acts a quar terly meeting of the Licensing Commis sioners for the Districts of Ashburton, Rakaia, and Mount Somers, will be held on TUESDAY, the 7th day of September, 1880, at the hour of 12 noon, in the Resident Magistrate’s Courthouse, Ash burton, for the purpose of considering applications under the said Acts. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, Clerk, Licensing Court. Resident Magistrate’s Court, Ashburton, 2nd August, 1880. 950 V. R. LAND DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. N OTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that A SALE BY AUCTION Of CROWN LANDS, Known as the OLD RAILWAY RESERVES, In the Ashburton and Rangitata Districts, will bo held at the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, On TUESDAY, AUGUST 24th, At eleven o’clock. LANDS to be SOLD for IMMEDIATE PAYMENT in Lots from 100 to 300 acres—■ Reserve 350 —Between the River Hinds and a road about three miles south west of Tinwald ; 15 lots ; upset price, £2 to £4 per acre. Reserve 350—Between the Rivera Hinds and Rangitata ; 20 lots ; upset price, £2 to £3 per acre. Reserves 1371 and 1650—0 n the north bank of the Rangitata, adjoining the South road ; 7 lots; upset price, £2 per acre. Reserve 349 —Between the Rivers Rangitata and the Orari; 9 lots; same upset price. Reserve 350—Opposite the Recreation Ground, Tinwald, Lot 4 ; 20 acres ; upset price, £5 per acre. Rural Section 34473 —Near Longbeach ; estimated 15 acres ; upset price, £5 an acre. LANDS within the same Reserves, to be SOLD on DEFERRED PAY MENTS, in lots of similar area. Purchase money payable by instal ments extending over ten years, without interest— Reserve 350—12 lots ; upset price, £2 10s. to £4 per acre. Reserve 350—1? lots ; upset price, £2 10s. to £4 per acre. Reserves 1371 and 1650—5 lots ; upset price, £2 10s. per acre. Reserve 349—6 lots ; upset price, £2 10s. per acre. Reserve 350 Adjoining Recreation Ground, Tinwald, Lot G ; 49 acres; upset price, £7 10s. per acre. Plans may be seen at the Survey Offices, Christchurch and Timal'u, and the Railway Stations at Ashburton, Hinds, and Orari. JOHN MARSHMAN, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Land Office, Christchurch, 19th July, 1880. ' 77g Business Notices. IMPORTANT NOTICE. MR. E. A. GARNETT begs to inform the inhabitants of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has DIS POSED of his BUSINESS to Mr. F. CLARK, of Christchurch, and while thanking them for the liberal support accorded to him during his residence here, would solicit a continuance of the same on behalf of his successor. Referring to the above, F. CLARK hopes, by strict attention to business and moderate charges, to merit a fair share of public support. F. CLARK, TOBACCONIST, STATIONER, AND FANCY GOODS MERCHANT, Ashburton. Agent for the sale of the Ashburton Guardian and Evening Herald. 720c-92g T. A. GATES, QABINET MAKER, &c., SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, ASHBURTON. All kinds of Furniture, Picture Frames, &c., on Sale and made to order. FUNERALS FURNISHED. 4g LATEST STYLES FROM LONDON & PARIS. dT~. Craighead & Co., Merchant Tailors, TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr & Co.) PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. 982a-445a PUBLIC NOTICE. IF you want a first-class SEWING MACHINE, hand or treadle, either for Cash or Deferred Payment, go at once to T. R. HODDER AND COMPANY, STOREKEEPERS, &C., Sole agents for Ashburton for the world famed “ Wanzera, ” for “Singer’s” superior simple working machines, and “ Wertheim’s ” celebrated. A Large Supply Just Received. gOrders Promptly Attended to. 636c-15g



Business Notices “ A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOR EVER.” fjpHE advertiser wishes to remind the re | sidents of Asliburton Town and County that his Studio is open every day for the taking of Photographs, and that his apparatus for this purpose is very complete. Carte-de-viste, and cabinet size portraits, views of buildings, landscapes, etc., can be taken in all weathers, and an inspection of his show cases and studio walls is invited. The advertiser is prepared to guarantee a satis factory portrait of the sitter, inasmuch as he has supplied himself with all the latest improvements in the Photographic art. He makes a specialty of COPYING Pictures also, and parties having a por trait of a friend can have it multiplied to any extent. Having secured the services of an artistic colorist, patrons’ tastes can be satisfied on this point. Prices are reduced to a minimum, and are now within the reach of all. G-. F. Henry, PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, ASH BURTON. 73g-702c WM. ANDERSON, SADDLER AND HARNESS MAKER, Ashburton, HAS always in STOCK a complete assortment of every description of Saddlery, Harness, Whips, Saddlers’ Iron mongery, &c., imported direct from Eng land. Goods to order manufactured on the premises of the best Materials, and at the lowest rates 11 SCOTT BROS. (RAILWAY FOUNDRY), A RE the manufacturers of the following among other specialities : The celebrated “ EXCELSIOR” WIND MILL. This Mill got the FIRST PRIZE at the November Metropolitan Show. It is Perfectly reliable and self-regulating. FIRST PRIZE PATENT GRASS SEED STRIPPER. As only a limited quantity of these Machines, which took the FIRST PRIZE at the recent competition of the Agricul tural and Pastoral Association, can be supplied, orders for next season must be given early, or they cannot be executed. LEAMINGTON COOKING RANGES. These Stoves have been shown for years in competition with other makers, and have always received first honors, having NEVER BEEN BEATEN. We can confidently recommend them as the best Stoves in New Zealand. CAMBRIDGE ROLLERS. Specimens of our Prices for this season— -Bft. by24in.... ... £l7 0 0 Bft. by26in.... ... 18 10 0 Oft. by 24in 18 15 0 Oft. by 26in 20 15 0 Other prices equally low. 48g REDUCTION. CHEAP! CHEAP 1! CHEAP!!! AN unlimited supply of every size of BUILDiNG TIMBER now on Sale by the undersigned, at 12s. per 100 ft. and upwards. Always in stock:—Stakes, Posts and. Rails, Firewood, &c., at cheap rates. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. N.B.—Orders for Bridging and Culvert Timber supplied on the shortest notice. 738 g PRACTICAL WATCH & CLOCK MAKER, JEWELLER, &C. & ROBT. MURRAY, MOORE STREET, BEACH ROAD, ASHBURTON. RM. guarantees all work entrusted to , him to be turned out thoroughly satisfactory and in good working order. A well-assorted stock of Watches, Clocks Jewellery, Spectacles, &c. Watch Glasses and Keys, of the best quality, fitted. All Watch and Clock Work and Jewel lery repairs executed on the Premises. MOORE STREET (Next Door to the Road Board Office), BEACH. ROAD, ASHBURTON. 730c-9Gg NEW SADDLERY. &c„ &c. J. TAIT, & CO., PRACTICAL SADDLERS & HAR NESS MAKERS, Wills Street, Ashburton, (Next to Cookson’s Stables), HAVE recently opened up a Choice Assortment of First-Class Goods, comprising— Double and Single Harness Shaft and Leading Harness Saddles, English and Colonial Horse and Saddle Cloths Rugs and Waterproofs Bridles, Bits, Martingales Whips, Spurs, Gloves Brushes, Combs, &c., &c. Prom the best makers, which will be sold at most reasonable prices. Harness of every description made to order, or repaired on the shortest notice. J. TAIT AND CO., (Next Cookson’s Stables), Opposite Railway Station Ashburton. 915 g HORSE FEED. OATS, BARLEY, &c., CRUSHED EVERY WEDNESDAY. JOSEPH CLARK, J 69g Tinwald.



Business Notices. CASH IN DEMAND AND CASH ON DEMAND AT I. R. HODDER &00MP’ YS ASHBURTON, A REAL GENUINE CASH SALE 03? Drapery, Clothing, Boots, Slices, Sewing Machines, Crockeryware and General Merchandise. FOR ONE MONTH ONLY, Commencing THURSDAY NEXT, JULY 22nd. T. R. H. and Co. deem it the most prudent Course . under present circum stances to quickly clear off about .£3,000 WORTH of their well bought and well selected Stock. The few quotations now made should convey to the public some idea of the IMMENSE REDUCTIONS in their different departments. OBSERVE THE PRICES!!! FOR NET CASH ONLY. Drapery, Winceys, 3|d. per yard to Is. 9d. Wide crisp Saxony Wincey, reduced from 10]|d. to Gfd. A lot of Dress Stuffs reduced from Is. to • 6|d. All Wool Serges, Cloaking, Ac., reduced from Is. 9d. to Is. French Merino, Russel Cords, Persian Cords, Alpaccas, Cobourgs, Baratheas, Ac., &c., all reduced Rochdale Flannels (our own importing from the Manufacturers), reduced from Is. Gd to Is. id. per yard Grey Calicos, fine and heavy, reduced from ss. 6d. to 4s. per dozen Super Wide Mexicans, reduced from 7id. per yard to 6d. Heavy Twilled Unbleached Sheeting, Is. Od., reduced to Is. 4-J;d. Do. Do. White, reduced from Is. Bd. to Is. 2d. Colored Counterpanes, 3s. lid. Horrock’s Long Cloths, 4s. 71 cl. per dozen The above Cotton Goods, splendid value, being old stock A large lot of Children’s Black Cloth Jackets, about half price, 4s. lid. to 10s. 9d. Women’s ditto, 13s. lid. to 485., about 30 per cent, reduction A lot of new Costumes, reduced from 30s. and 2os. to 18s. lid. Colored Cotton Shirtings, reduced from 8i to 5 id. per yard Crimean Shirting, reduced from Is. 2d. to Is. 4d. per yard Men’s Colored Fancy Regatta Shirts, reduced from 3s. Gd. to Is. 9d. Men’s Strong Working Shirts, reduced from 3s. Gd to 2s. 6d. Felt Carpets, Is. 3d. per yard Hemp Druggetts 8i per yard White Blankets reduced from 15s. to 11s. Gd. Super. Whitneys, Kaiapoi, Roslyn, Grey, Blue, and Scarlet, equally reduced A large lot of Women’s Dressed and Rough Brown Stockings, worth. Is. 2d., reduced to Bid. per pair 60 dozen Plain, Striped, and Fancy Cotton and Merino, at and under coat price A splendid assortment of Millinery Hats, Bonnets, Feathers, Flowers, Ribbons, Laces, Fancy Goods will be sold REGARDLESS OF COST. Berlin Wools, Is. 9d. quarter - pound packet; outside colors, Is. 3d. per packet. Ladies’ Linen Cuffs and Collars reduced , from Is. to Gid. Clothing. 85 Men’s Tweed Suits from 275. 6d. Victorian Heavy All-wool Extra-finished Suits, reduced from £4 to £3, guaran teed Tweed and Doeskin Trousers from 7s. 9d. per pair A job lot ©f 60 pairs heavy Tweeds, original price, 16s. Gd. and 14s. 6d., nil reduced to 10s. 9d. per pair Men’s Strong Tweed Coats from 15s. 9d. Men’s Blue Diagonal fast-color, 205.; Trousers and Vests, 18s. 6d. Men’s heavy Beaver Munster Coats, worth 425.; reduced to 295. Gd. Boys’ and Youths’ Clothing equal bargains Men’s Heavy Colonial Wool Socks, re duced from 2s. to Is. Bd. Men’s Heavy Colonial Wool Socks, re duced from 2s. Gd. to 2s. 2d. Men’s Wool Shirts, Drawers Tweed and Felt Hats, Tweeds, Doe skins, &c. —Bargains Boots and Shoes. A large lot bought from an overstocked market at LESS THAN ENGLISH COST PRICE. Ladies’ Kid, Elastic-side, Buttoned, and Lace, worth from 11s. 6d. to 14s. 6d., all at Bs. lid. per pair Ladies’ Strong Imitation Kid, 4s. lid. per pair Men's Strong Elastic-side, 10s. Gd. Men’s best make Colonial Shooting, 15s. Gd. Men’s Heavy Watertights, 15s. Gd. Men’s Bluchers, Bs. Gd. Sewing Machines, Hand and Treadle, best makers, Wanzer, Wertheim, Singer’s (for which we are Sole Agents in Ashburton). Liberal Reductions on List Prices. Inspection invited of our prices and qualities of Groceries and Provisions, Crockery, Brushware, Glassware, Hard ware, and Cutlery. Horse-covers, best quality, 225. Gd. NOTICE. The whole stock clea recently-bought, and well-selected. No Patterns cut or Goods sent out on approbation during Sale. Net Cash only at the re-marked and greatly reduced prices at I. R. HODDER & COMPOS Drapery Store, Clothing and Boot and Shoe Store. Sewing Machine Depot, Grocery and Crockery Store, Ironmongery and Hardware Stoke, C7sc-51a