COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday evening.

Mr. Alfred Harrison sold to-day the farm of the late James Cairns, Waterton, at L 6 10s. per acre. The farm is 100 acres in extent, is laid down in English grass, and is well fenced. The purchaser is a Waterton resident. The stock and implements brought fair prices.

MELBOURNE MARKETS. The Australasian of April 24th reports : —A London telegram of the 17th inst. reports a permanent downward tendency of the grain market, owing to the weather being propitious for the grain crops, and owing partly to the inliuence of American supplies,, which continue to arrive on a large scale. The total quantity of wheat afloat on the 16&h was 1,910,000 quarters, being a slight increase on the previous week’s returns. Wheat has continued to decline ; it receded Is. per quarter on the 16th, 19th, and 20th ; on the last-named the quotations were 545. 6d, to 555. 6d. per 4961 b., ex warehouse. Flour had not declined so much, but still maintained the quotation of the 19th inst., viz., 395. 6d. per 2801 b. for Adelaide. New Zealand wheat on. that date was quoted at 465., c.f,i.; 525. ex ship. In Melbourne the market has not been strong ; no inquiries for wheat for export have reached us, and sales have been on an extremely limited scale ; prices also exhibit a declining ten dency. Last week closed with quotations ranging nominally from 4s. 4d. to 4s. sd. for prime, to from 3s. 9d. to 4s. and 4s. 2d., according to quality. A quiet trade demand for flour was experienced at L 9 10s. to L 9 12s. Gd., the market on Mon day maintaining a similar aspect as re gards both flour and wheat. Arrivals for the previous week showed a very large decrease, the total received at Melbourne being 6,529 bags of flour and 6,878 bags of wheat, while only 392 bags of flour and 322 bags of wheat went forward to Wil li&mstown. On Tuesday breadstufis were noticed through the auction room, but otherwise little inquiry was experienced, and we were without any outside sales to report. About 1,900 bags of wheat were disposed of publicly at prices ranging from 3s. B|d. to 4s. 44 d. At the latter figure only *l5O bags were quitted, and really good was sold at 4s. 2jd. to 4s. 3Jd., so that the trade done showed a further slight decline. No inquiry for export reached, us. Flour likewise manifested a declining tendency. At auction, L 9 10s. was accepted, while privately we heard of 80 tons being quitted by one seller at L 9 7s. 6d. to L 9 10s. Flour to-day was dis posed of at L 9 10s., f.0.b., and also at L 9 10s. delivered. In wheat 400 bags prime were placed privately at 4s. 4jd., ex store. The auction sales comprised 4,800 bags, at prices ranging from 2s. to 3s. 10|d., 4s. to 4s. Ikl., and 4a. 2d. to 4s. sd. Feeding grains have only been noticed for trade purposes, and though no large sales have been making, a satisfactory business, on the whole, has been transacted. Oats have been moving off at all prices from 2s. to 2s. 4d. for common to good feeding. On Monday a parcel of 250 bags milling was placed at 2s. 6d., at which price also the market was firm and business was done at auction to-day ; privately good feeding was disposed of at 2s. 3d. Malting barley had been in demand, and on Tues day about 1700 bag? were disposed of at a full price, withheld ; we have no sales of barley to report to-day. Considerable sales of bran have been made at lOd. ; pollard also is saleable at lid. to Is. Victorian oatmeal commands Ll 7 to LlB ; pearl barley, L 24.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Thursday, May 20. Alfred Harrison —At the Tinwald Sale yards—Stock and Implements in the estate of Henry Thomas, Waterton. Sale at 12 o’clock. Friday, May 21. Messrs. Robert Wilkin and Co., at the New Zealand Wool Stores, Hereford street, Christchurch—3 valuable Farms, situated in the Ashburton District. Sale at 2 o’clock. This Day. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at their rooms, East street.—3s Sections in the Township of Tinwald. Four-roomed cottage and one acre of land, fenced, at corner of North-east Town Belt. Also Risely Brothers ,farra of 197. acres at Wakanui. Sale at 2 o’clock.

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 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, 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 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount . Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. ; W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Mails close at the Chief Post Offices for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) as under : The next mail for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on May 22, and will be due in London on July 6. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and will be due in London on July 24th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1880.

The resolution of the Geraldine County Council requesting the Governor, by Order-in-Council, to prohibit the importa tion to the South Island of stock from the North Island and from Australia has given offence, as we had no doubt it would, to several districts in the North Island. Government does not see its way to ad vise His Excellency to give effect to the wishes of the Geraldine County Council in the matter of prohibition, and perhaps there is no harm done ; but the storm that some North Island newspapers are making over the action of the Geraldine County and all who followed, like Ash burton, in their wake, is quite violent, and the motives attributed to those who made the request to Government are of the most praiseworthy kind, to be sure. One paper, after expressing its wonder at what all the outcry is abjut, gives out a belief that the idea of stopping the impor tation was not conceived with a view to prevent infection from reaching the South Island, but with a purpose to crush out the Northern trade in cattle with the South. Yet we are very much mistaken if the same newspaper did not advocate for its own district complete isolation from the districts where the plague of plcuro pneumonia was raging. As soon, how ever, as the Southern stock-raisers, in their own defence, sought to close the avenues by which any stray pleuro affected cattle could find their way South, there is a cry raised that Southern rivalry desires .to crush Northern trade, and to secure better prices for its own cattle. Doubtless the Southern farmers will feel highly flattered at the very charitable construction that has been put upon their action. We would be exceedingly sorry to see the trade of the North Island in cattle injured by a prohibition of export ; but we would be very much more so to see our own herds infected with the dreaded pleuro. And surely if it is right for districts in the North to protect themselves from each other, and the colony to protect itself from infected Australia, it is equally right for the South Island to protect itself against the North, especially when it knows, and when those who are crying out confess, that the plague is making sad havoc amongst the herds. We are glad, however, to learn that the settlers in the affected districts are wrestling loyally and manfully with the disease, which has as yet been pretty successfully confined to a limited area, through a most liberal and vigorous stamping out process. In fact, in some cases, the Waikato especially, complaints are loud that the stamping out has been too liberal, inasmuch as many cattle have been slaughtered that were not touched with the disease. But those settlers for get that stamping out, to be successful, must not stop altogether at the animals that show signs of infection, but must step out to those that run a risk of infection. In this way, in Great Britain, during the existence of rinderpest, whole farms were denuded of stock ; and though it was try ing indeed to the farmer to see his appa rently healthy cattle slaughtered and their carcases buried, it was far better that the sacrifice should be made than that all his own and his neighbors’ stock should be destroyed without any compensation what ever. While on this subject, we would again express a hope that the Legislature in the coming session will supply some means for providing compensation for cattle slaughtered to stamp out disease. Now that our colony has been shown to possess no charm against disease, but that her bovine blood may be contamin ated as readily as that of her neighbors, it is time that machinery were provided for prompt cleansing. The poleaxe is the only safeguard to be depended on when a murrain stalks over the land, but means must be found to compensate the farmer for cattle slaughtered.

Queen’s Birthday. —lt will be .seen from an announcement from the Railway Department that ordinary single fare tickets will be available for return from the 22nd to 25th May inclusive. Tenders. —At the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday the tender of Mr. John Black, for metalling East, Tancred West, and Alford Forest streets at .Is. Id. per yard was accepted. Robbery at Rakaia.— A tent belong ing to a man working with a threshing machine a little way out of Rakaia was entered yesterday, while the owner was away, and robbed of a cheque for £l3 ss. 3d., a pencil case, and a purse containing a sixpence and two coppers. The police as yet have not been able to obtain any clue to the perpetrator of the robbery.

Tenders. —The Surveyor to thejUpper Ashburton Road Board is desirous of re ceiving tenders for several sections of work, particulars of which will bo found in our advertising columns. Drunk. —There was one solitary drunk disposed of at the Court on Tuesday, and as this individual was brought from Ra kaia, there is good reason to assume that the intemperance of the Ashburton com munity is on the decline.

New Firm. —We observe that Messrs. Jephson and Davison, a now firm, have purchased the business hitherto carried on in Tinwald by Mr. J. Escott, and they announce their intention of carrying on the establishment. We congratulate the ycung firm on their commencement, and hope their career in Tinwald will be a prosperous one. Correction. —The Hon. W. S. Peter writes pointing out an error that occurred in our report of the last Mount Somers Road Board meeting. In the report Mr. Peter is said to have proposed that Mr. Walker continue to act as chairman of the Board. Mr. Peter denies having done so, as he does not approve of a member of a Road Board being also a member of a County Council.

Defaulting Ratepayers. —There were several cases against defaulting ratepayers set down for hearing at the R. M. Court on Tuesday, but in each case, at the last moment, the defendants paid the amounts sued for into Court. Mr. Crisp, who ap peared for the Borough Council, applied for professional costs in each case, on ac count of notice not having been given of the defendants’ intention not to contest their causes. His Worship granted the application of Mr. Crisp, and for their dilatoriness in paying up, several of our fellow-citizens will have to hand over an extra half-guinea or more in addition to their present indebtedness to the Borough Council.

In Bankruptcy. —The first meeting of creditors in the estate of C. B. M. Bran son was held yesterday at the District Courthouse. There was rather a large attendance, and Mr. W. H. Gundry was appointed chairman. The statement showed the liabilities to be LlB9 4s. 2d., and the assets, L 149 13s. In the assets there were vouchers of sums due by the Government amounting to L3B, fees and services, due to the bankrupt ; also a sum of Ll 7 against the Clerk of the Court, for assistance, which Mr. Hnrrell said was incorrect. Mr. G. D. Branson, so’icitor for bankrupt, stated that when Mr. Hurrell came hero he had engaged Mr. C. B. M. Branson to assist him, and bank rupt had only received L 4 for four months’ services. Mr. W. 11. Boyle, accountant in bankruptcy, was appointed trustee, and was requested to realise on the estate as soon as possible. ? Informal Tenders. —After the meeting of the County Council last week, we took occasion to warn contractors against care lessness in putting in their tenders. For a comparatively small work the Borough Council received on Tuesday quite a num ber of offers, but no less than three of the tenders were informal. A clause in the specification of work laid upon the ten derer the condition of stating in his ten der how many loads per day of shingle he was prepared to lay down. The three in formal tenders had no reply to this con dition, and though two of them at least were below the successful tenderer, for this informality they had to be rejected in justice to the others who had complied with the conditions. Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, and it is a pity that men who really want work should cut themselves out of any chance of it by gross carelessness of this kind. They have themselves to blame for losing the work, and wily old stagers who have gone through the tender mill often before, and know eveiy crank in it, walk off with the work. New Infant School for Ashburton —At the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, it was incidentally mentioned that there was every prospect of an infant school being built by the Board of Educa tion in Ashburton almost immediately. The site spoken of was the reserve oppo site the existing school, and though the site did not meet with the approval of the Committee, it was considered advisable, in the present prospects of public finance, to raise no objections, but to allow the erection free course, so as at all hazards and with all expedition to secure the much wanted accommdation that the new building would give. However much parents may wish the new school to be planted in the more populous part of the town on the eastern side of the railway, it is certainly better to have an infant school on any site within the borough than no infant school at all, and if there is any thing in the fears of the committee it is as welljto have no nagging with theßoard about the site. Still, we think, if it were put plainly before the Board that a very largo majority of the infants —fully 100—have to cross the railway line at the most dan gerous times of the day, cn route to the present school, and that the site chosen will not relieve this danger, the Board, composed lot us hope of sensible men, might re-considcr. Ghuroh Work Society. —On Sunday last the Rev. W. Harris, Bishop’s Secre tary, preached two sermons in St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia, on the subject of co operation in Church work. He also ex amined the Sunday School in the after noon. On Monday evening a public meet ing of church members was held in St. Mark’s Church for the purpose of enrolling members to form a Parochial Church Work Society. The Rev. W. H. Elton occupied the chair, and after briefly intro ducing Mr. Harris, who, he said, had already introduced himself, called on that gentleman to explain the object of the institution which it was thought desirable to inaugurate. After a somewhat lengthy address from Mr. Harris, setting forth the benefits of co-operation among Church workers, and explaining the relations of parochial societies to the Diocesan Society, it was resolved that a Parochial Association of Church Workers be formed in the parish of Rakaia. It was also re solved that the Parochial Association con sist of the Incumbent (Chairman ex officio) the church officers, the lay readers, the organist, the choir, Sunday school teach ers, district visitors, and the members of the Ladies’ Work Society. A committee was then nominated by the Incumbent, consisting of the following besides himself —Messrs. Chapman, C. H. Maclean, Thompson, C. S. Mackie, and Mrs. C. S. Mackie. Almost all present expressed their wish to join the society.

Pleuro-Pneumonia.. The Waikato settlers are threatening a combination to prevent indiscriminate slaughter of their cattle, which they allege is being in dulged in to prevent the spread of pleuro.

Military Funeral. —The marine of H.M.S. Cormorant, who was recently drowned in the harbor at Auckland, was buried with military honors by the crew of the German warship Nautilus. Very Mad. —The Wanganui correspon dent of the Hawera Star suggests that the Hinemoa should be sent to that town on j* a month to take away the accumulation of lunatics.

Very Important. —ln a recent debt case before the Resident Magistrate at Grey town, the amount sued for was Is. od. The Magistrate would not under take the responsibility of deciding the case off-hand, and adjourned it to a future sitting. The Suicide at Auckland. —The un fortunate young woman, Mrs Ward, who jumped down a well in Chapel street, Auckland, while suffering from low fever, died on Monday night. Mrs. Ward was only 22 years of age.

Off the Rolls.— At the Appeal Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, the famous G. B. Barton, barrister and solicitor, was struck off the rolls of the Supreme Court for misappropriation of moneys belonging to his clients in England, while acting for them under power of attorney. A Thankful Street Preacher. —ln Auckland the special pastime to which the youthful rough devotes his precocious in tellect appears to be that of woiTying street preachers. We learn from the New Zealand Herald that one preacher, hold ing forth at the Grey street fire bell on Sunday night, seemed to be fully alive to the dangers of his position, and was thankful for small mercies. At the close of his address he said, “ I thank you for your civility ; I thank you for not throw ing stones at us ; I thank you that you are not pasting us with rotten eggs ; and I thank you that you have not taken out your knives and let our puddings out!” The crowd, eagerly listening to the latter portion of the address, appeared amused at the novel form of thanks, and were dis persed without difficulty by a few members of the police force.

A Compliment from Tasmania. —The Hobart Town Mercury in noticing that the census returns from Hew Zealand, taken on March 3, 1878, had not been published till February 9, 1830, says “ They take things very quiet in Hew Zealand, and though it is the fashion to speak of Tasmania as a sleepy hollow, official business proceeds in Hew Zealand with a slow and measured tread that would not be tolerated in Tasmania ; in fact no official in Tasmania would dare procrastinate in a manner that in Hew Zealand is met by the “ most superficial excuse.” The Mercury also thinks that the Registrar-General must bless the Go vernment Printer for the perfection the latter would appear to have acquired in the art of “hownot to do it.” Sunday Concerts. —The Auckland Herald says :—Sunday evening concerts are becoming somewhat common in Auck land, and we suppose they will be as long as they are well attended. We have no inclination to insist upon a Puritanical ob servance of Sunday, or upon anything ap proaching to that, but we think these Sunday concerts quite unnecessary and open to considerable objection even in a secular point of view. There is no class in this community who are so hard pressed by their hours of labor that they have no opportunity of hearing music or obtaining recreation except on Sunday evening, Sunday concerts are the commencement of a lax observance of that day of rest. and if this is left to increase the working classes will be the first to feel the hard ship. A Stinging Rebuff.— We get the fol lowing story from a Wellington contem porary:—The course of true love never did run smooth, and probably it never will till time shall be no more. So thought a beautiful and accomplished young lady residing in this city a few days ago. She had given her affections and plighted her troth to a good looking fellow, who ac cepted them in conjunction with a lock of the fair one’s tresses, which he swore to treasure as the apple of his eye. This was all very charming, but the bliss was brief. Another swain stepped in, and the young lady sought and found a pretext for breaking with her first love. She wrote to him and requested that he would bo good enough to return the lock of hair which he had obtained from her. His re ply was brief, and to the point. Rummag ing his trunk he collected a heap of tresses, culled from various sources during his love-making career, and forwarded them in a bundle to his deceitful fair, enclosing a note to the effect that ho had really for gotten which was hers, but she might select it from those forwarded, and return the rest at her earliest convenience. This he considered a stinging rebuff, and so it was with a vengeance. The lady is now on a visit to some country relations.

At the Front. —We learn from the Hawera Star that the “ Publie Works Contingent ” on the Waimate Plains work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but they are al lowed one hour at noon for dinner, besides which a quarter of an hout in the forenoon and a quarter of an hour in the afternoon are given them to enjoy the pleasures of the “soothing weed.” Practically, they work seven and a half hours per day. The men have just been armed with En fields. The laying off of the road is being done by Mr. Cheal, who will have to be quick if ho wishes to keep ahead of the force following him. On Monday three quarters of a mile of road -was formed, and it was expected a mile would also be finished during Tuesday. Allowing that half a mile of formation is completed eich day from the camp at either end, and sup posing that fine weather should priyii l , the two forces are likely to meet -within from twenty to thirty days. The road will go more inland than was at first re ported, and will probably bo within a mile—or even less—of Parihaka. Both forces are now within the boundaries where some “ Prophets of Evil ” prognos ticated that troubles would arise, but for all that everything goes steadily along, and the men appear to feel almost as secure as if they were working on the Carlyle road or on the Lambton Quay. Fire.— A very narrow escape from what would undoubtedly have been a serious loss, occurred on the farm of Mr. Daniel Evans, of Waterton, during midday on Saturday. While the thrashing machine belonging to Mr. Dawson was at work, a (ire was seen to originate on the far side of the heap of straw in the rear of the machine. Being, as it happened, blowing a mild nor’-wester at the time, the flames soon spread. The work of removing the engine, combine, and elevators was car ried out with the utmost alacrity. For tunately Mr. Clark’s machine was at work on the adjoining firm, and as soon as the fire was noticed all hands hurried to the scene, together with some neighbors who were near at hand. We believe about 200 bags of grain had been stacked out from the machine at the cmie of the fire, and it is to the praise of the men en gaged, that we state the whole of this pile of bags was drawn out of reach of the fire, and so saved. Even a portion of a wheat stack was kept from the devouring ele ment, but not without a hard struggle. Mr. Evans loses a valuable stack of oat straw which was all tied by hand, and well filled for chaff purposes, but it is cer tainly due to the exertions put forth by all hands that the loss was confined to this item. The efforts of some of the ladies, who collared their bags with a will, and to purpose, are also worthy of mention. JNo thiug has been elicited as to how the fire originated, unless on the assumption that a spark escaped from the engine. The most reprehensible practice of men, work ing about, a thrashing machine, smoking uncovered pipes, was, we believe, re proved the day before the fire by Mr. Evans, and it is one every owner of a machine ought to try and abolish, as the farmer is helpless.

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The usual meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was held on Tuesday evening in the school, Dr. Stewart in the chair. There were also present Messrs. Boyle, Bean, St. Hill, Orr, Andrews, and Jacobsen. The correspondence was read, comprising—Letter from the Board of Education enclosing agreement for signa ture by A. T. Ennis, pupil teacher ; also quarterly returns. Letter from Mr. Underhill, a parent complaining of how his lads had been treated for being too late at school. A sub-committee—consisting of Messrs. Orr, Jacobsen, Boyle, St. Hill, —was appointed to inquire into the mat ter, and meanwhile the Secretary was in

strueted to apprise Mr. Underhill of what steps the Committee had taken, Mr. Stott wrote, stating that application had been made to him to allow a diorama of Livinglone’s travels to be exhibited in the school. The Committee discoun tenanced the use of the school for any such purpose. The head master reported as follows:—“During the month the ordinary attendance has been very good. Regularity and punctu ality have, been insisted on, and, as to have been expected, several com plaints have been made to me. Perhaps more judicious management on the part of the teacher in whose class the com plaints originated would have made matters more pleasant. There is a decided improvement, both in regularity and punctuality, and I expect there will be fewer causes for complaint. To-day’s .at tendance—lG9 boys, 162 girls ; total, 331. Highest attendance for the mouth, 192 boys, 212 girls ; total, 404. No. bn roll, 236 boys, 249 girls; total, 485. The school has been twice visited during the month by Mr. Edge, Inspector. He re commended the new room to be re-seated with four rows of desks, instead of three. It would then accommodate 120. Another pupil teacher is required.” The report also referred to some small repairs that were wanted at the schoolhouse. It was resolved to recommend Master B. Stewart to the Board as a pupil teacher ; and that the Chairman and Secretary draw report on the subject of alterations in the time for examining the pupil teachers, and also as to the age at which pupil teachers are apprenticed to the work. It was re solved to write to the Board of Education asking that the closets now in use by the boys be removed, seeing that they are very defective, and that new ones, con structed. on a proper principle, be erected. The Visiting Committee fur the month gave in their report. Mr. St. Hill under took to have a few loads of shingle laid on the footpath. After transacting some further unimportant business, the Com mittee adjourned.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Borough Coun cil was held on Tuesday at three o’clock at the Council Chambers. There wore pre sent —His Worship the Mayor (presiding),' Messrs. Robinson, Friedlander, Saunders, Orr, and St. Hill. The Mayor, in opening the business, said the meeting was called under section 133 of the Municipal Corporations Act, to receive the annual balance sheet of the Corporation and the report by the auditors; and also to open and consider tenders for the metalling, etc., of East street, Tailored street went, and part of Alford Forest road.

The Clerk read the balance sheet and auditors’ report as under : Statement of Receipts and Expendi ture for Year ending 31st March. RECEIPTS.

£s. d. £ s. d. Balance in Bank at Ist April 1879 16J 11 7 Ashburton County Council re fund Water Supply .. ... 4357 : 9 4 Ashburton Road Board—Rents and Rales 621 9 6 Rates, 1877-187 S perj. E. Buchanan 19 16 o Do. 1879, £737 Ss., less commission, j£i7 7s- 34- ••• 719 17 9 Do. do., A 343 195., less commis sion Al2 15s. lod. 336 3 2 Do., 1880 507 5 6

Licenses, Carriages, Drivers, and Dogs ... ... ... ... 15° 18 6 Do., per Collector of Customs... 384 15 o Rents ... ... ... ... 86 18 3 Wakanui Road Board, half

subsidy... ... ... ... 19 9 5 Refund from Roan Board on fur-

niation 176 17 2 Do., Ashburton County Council Planting ... ... ... 101 10 7 Associated Insurance Companies, Fire brigade ;.. ... ... 40 15 o Culverts ... 47 12 6 Sundry Receipts, Scavcngering, Sale of Earth, &c. ... ... 32 I 9 Bank overdraft, this date ... 257 iS 3 EXPENDITURE. £ s. cl. £ s. d. Formation ... ... ... 2530 2 10 Water Supply ... ... ... 4280 10 10 Office charges— Salaiies ... ... 372 14 2 Printing and Ad vertising ... 166 3 7 Petty Cash ... 17 19 5 Charges 205 7 4 Rent of Offices 14 o o Office Furniture 14 16 3 Insurance ... 1 5 3 Bye-Laws ... 21 o o ’■; 813 6 o Fire Prevention ... ... ... 95 o 6 Lighting 160 18 7 Nuisances 24 17 11 Valuation of Borough 90 o o Other Expenses, Sundries... ... 36 2 7 /8030 19 3 Statement op Assets and Liabilities, 31st March. ASSETS. £ s. d. Borough Rate (general) ISSO ... 616 o 3 Do. do. do. 1879 ... 46 3 o Subsidy Longbeach Road Board 40 o o Half do., Wakanui do. ... 19 9 5 Water Pipes on hand ... ... 4250 o o Arrears on Earth sold ... ... 413 o Do. Culverts ... ... ... 16 10 o Do. Rent of Cottages... ... 63 o o Do. Sale of Cottage ... ... 200 £5°S7 15 8 LIABILITIES. £ s. d. Bank Overdraft 257 18 3 Fire Brigade ... ... ... 25 o o Balance Assets in excess of Lia bilities ■ 4774 17 5 £S°s7 15 § Auditors Report. —ln presenting the Annual Balance Sheet, we have to congra tulate the Borough on the improvement in its financial position on the previous year, there being at the present audit a considerable excess of assets over the lia bilities. We have also to bear testimony to the very satisfactory way in which the books and accounts have y been kept. W. H. Gundry, W. H. Zouch, auditors.— Ashburton, May Ist, 1880. Mr. St. Hill pointed out that the L 5,000 County grant for water supply was not shown in the balance-sheet as an asset. The amount expended for pipes from that grant was shown, but there was no trace of where the money came from, nor what had become of the balance unexpended. His Worship explained that though the L 5,000 belonged to the Borough for pur poses of water supply, it was not really an asset until the work had been done, and the money paid over by the County, which it could be only by the Chairman of the County and the Mayor of the Borough, and when works within the scope of the purpose for which the money was voted had been undertaken.

Mr. St. Hill moved the adoption of the report, remarking that the financial posi tion of the Borough was pre-eminently satisfactory. Mr. Saunders, in seconding the motion, said it seemed to him that something should be said regarding the happy state of financial affairs now existing. It had been the object of the Council all along to make both ends meet. They had had in the past very great difficulty in doing so, and not infrequently the honor of their cheques had been in danger. They were now not only able to make both ends meet, but they found themselves well in credit. While this flattering state of

things existed he could not help Rearing testimony to the carefulness and ability displayed by Mr. Braddell, Town Clerk, in his keeping of the books and accounts, the compliment paid to him by the audi tors on this head being no empty one. He had as great pleasure in making these remarks regarding the keeping of the ac counts as he had in possessing the know ledge that there would be now no fear of any threat being given that their cheques would be dishonored. After a few remarks in a similar strain from the Mayor, the report and balance sheet were adopted. TENDERS. Tenders were then opened for the metalling of East street, Tancred street west, and Alford Forest road, as follows ; —John Black, Is. lid. per yard ; John Dick. Is. 4gd. per yard; W. J. Silcock, Is. 7d. per yard. There were three in formal tenders :—Patrick Paterson, Hid. per yard; John Griffin, Is. ; and Fitz patrick and Giles, Is. 3kl. The informal tenderers neglected to state how much metal per day they would be prepared to put through. The tender of Mr. John Black was accepted.

SOUTH RAKAIA TO ID BOARD.

At the usual monthly meeting of the above Board, held on Thursday, the Gth inst., the following members wore present Messrs. C. H. Mackie (chair man), Heil Maclean, E. S. Coster, and D. G. Holmes. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Clerk’s report was read and received. CORRESPONDENCE. The Ashburton County Council wrote, informing the Board that the sura of L 2,241 18s. 6d. had been paid into its credit with the Bank of New Zealand. At the request of Mr. L. Oxley, the Clerk was instructed to have the footpath extended along the north side of Railway Terrace West. Mr. W. Cox wrote, asking ’permission to erect a verandah in front of his pre mises in Rollcston street. The Clerk in formed the Board that the verandah in question was already partly erected when the requisition came to hand, and as the work was being done in compliance with the expressed views of the Board, he (the Clerk) had given permission for the verandah to be erected. The Board con firmed the permission. On a letter being read from the Inspec tor of Brands, informing the Board that there were no copies of the Brand Book in existence, it was moved by Mr. Holmes, and seconded by Mr. Coster—“ That the attention of the Ashburton County Coun cil be drawn to the fact that there is no published book of brands for sheep and cattle, and that the Council be requested to take such steps as they may deem neces sary to supply the want, for the informa tion of poundkeopers and others.” The motion was carried. Correspondence was received from the Mount Hutt Road, in reference to the drainage of Boundary road. On the mo tion of Mr. Coster, seconded by Mr. M/Loan, it was resolved—“ That in the opinion of this Board the resolution passed by the Mount Hutt Board is not suffi ciently explicit relative to the drainage of Mackie’s Boundary road ; and this Board considers that a meeting of the clerks of each Board is necessary to decide what work should be done. ” Resolved —“That Denis McLaughlin’s tender for forming Lambio’s road at 6s. per chain, be accepted.” Moved by Mr. Coster, and seconded by Mr. Holmes —“ That this Board do apply to have the South Rakaia Recrea tion Reserve handed over to the district ; and that the following names be recom mended to the Commissioner of Crown Lands to form a Domain Board, viz.— Messrs. C. H. Mackie, George Robinson, C. A. C. Hardy, W. Hartnell, J. H. Sharp, James Bruce, and A. Makeig.” Carried.

Moved by Mr. McLean, and seconded by Mi’. Holmes—“ That the Mount Hutt Road Board be written to, requesting them to forward a cheque for the amount due to this Board on account of payments made on contracts in the Mount Hutt Road District since the division of the districts, according to arrangement.” Carried. The Board then adjourned.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

“TEN SHILLINGS COSTS.”

To the Editor.

Sir, —By a paragraph in the Herald of yesterday I am led to understand that another specimen of Ashburton law is to be perpetrated in our celebrated R.M. Court.

The ratepayers who have turned up at the last moment to satisfy the claims upon them, having baulked some legal arrange ment that had existed, are to be mulcted some special item for some individual benefit. If the lawyer was present as a servant of the Borough and he found his services were not required as no dispute hud arisen and no difficulty had to be un ravelled, could he not have been content with the wages he was receiving as their servant -without trying for perquisites. Are the ratepayers to understand that because he came there on a fools errand that persons who did not even see him are to make an involuntary subscription for him to the extent of 10s. per subscriber 1 Would it not have been better if he had carried round his hat and contented him self with what the folks could afford. Is it not “ monstrous ” that those who have a difficulty to scrape together the amount of the rates for the benefit of all should be compelled to impoverish themselves for the benefit of one ? If this state of things is quietly tolerated we shall have smart persons from other townships trying to “ raise the wind ” and the majority of the people in New Zealand laughing at us for our simplicity. As the last straw broke the camel’s back, so this last bit of law should rouse the men of Ashburton to insist that the higher powers of New Zea land should be acquainted with the doings of our notorious R.M. Court. Hoping that some one more able than myself will take up the matter. —I am, Ac., “ Justice.” To the Editor. Sir, —Would you kindly inform me for what purpose the sum of LIOO per annum is paid to the Borough Solicitor out of the Council’s funds ? I presume that amongst other duties he would be required to look after the interests of the Borough Council in any cases that body may have at the R.M. Court. I noticed on perusing the Herald of last evening that the Borough Solicitor applied for half a guinea profes sional costs in the cases of the Borough Council against several ratepayers for recovery of rates. If the Borough Solici tor is a paid servant of the Council, and receives a salary for attending to the business, on what ground does he claim the half guinea for professional costs out the pockets of the ratepayers ?—I am, &c., Ratepayer, Ashburton, May 12, 1880.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

♦ {! Tuesday, May 11. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) MUZZLE THOSE DOGS. James Henderson was charged with suf fering a ferocious dog to be at large on the 4th May last, Mr Henderson did not deny the charge, and on his consenting to destroy the animal, his Worship inflicted the minimum penalty of 10s. Charles Russell was also charged with allowing a ferocious dog to be at large un muzzled ; there was also an accusation against the dog of biting a son of Mr. A. Orr. Mr. Dolman, who had charge of the dog, appeared in the place of defendant. As there was no evidence to convict with out putting the lad. in the witness-box, and as Mr. Orr objected to the lad being put on oath, on account of his tender age, his Worship dismissed the charge. OBSTRUCTING THE THOROUGHFARE. C. 0. Fooks did not appear to answer a charge of allowing two horses to be tethered in a public place, to the obstruc tion of traffic, on the 7th May last. Con stable Daly deponed to seeing the horses tethered on Mona square, and impounding the animals. Fined 10s. and costs. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. James Macintyro pleaded guilty to the above charge, and was fined ss. CIVIL CASES. Sprott v. McHarvey.—Claim, L 47 ss. Gd. Mr. Branson for plaintiff. Judgment by default for amount and costs, L 4 4s. Hewitt v. Bates and Baldwin. —This summons was enlarged for fourteen days, to allow of the summons being served on Bates, who was supposed to be in Christ church. The Court then,adjourned.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. {Per Rentas' Agency.) London, May 8. At the wool sale to-day, 8,400 bales were offered, making a total of 172,800 bales catalogued since the opening. There was a fair demand. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, son of the Premier, has been elected for Leeds, un opposed. The Merchant Shipping and Under writers’ Association report the arrival of the ship Crusader, which left Lyttelton on February 4. London, May 9. Adelaide wheat, per 49G lbs., ex ware house, 525. ; flour, per 280 lbs. ex ware house, 375. 6d. At the wool sales to-day 12,100 bales were offered making a total of 184,900 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of market was firmer. Locks and pieces are in fair demand. Gladstone has written a letter to Count Karolyi, the Austrian Ambassador in London, expressing deep regret for his (Mr. Gladstone’s) censure on the foreign policy of Austria, which was uttered in default of the assurance now received that Austria has no desire to extend her rule to the Balkans.

London, May 10.

Consuls remain unchanged at 99|; New Zealand Securities are at last quotations— viz., Five per Cent. 10-40 scrip, 1031; Five per Cent. Loan, 1880, 107 ; Four and-a-half per Cent. Loan, 1879, 1904, 99^. New Zealand is quoted at 425., c.f.i.; Australian tallow is without quotable change. All the members of the Beaconsfield Ministry, who held seats in the House of Commons, with the exception of Sir Vernon Harcourt, Home Secretary, have now been re-elected to their respective seats.

Washington, May 8.

The Select Committee appointed to re vise the tariff of the United States has re commended that the import duties on wool be reduced.

London, May 4.

The Daily Telegraph, referring to the Russian navy in the Pacific, and the pos sible consequent danger to the Australian Colonies, suggests that a strong British squadron should be stationed there, the colonies paying a portion of the cost. Great excitement exists in Hamburg owing to the German Government asking that port and city to be included in the Zollverein. The Government also intends to include Bremen and Liibeck. The Pall Mall Gazette is under the im pression that the late wars have eradicated the opinion that England is cai eless of her connection with the colonies, and that now all are unanimous in appreciating the fact that during the depression the colonial trade compensated England for losses incurred elsewhere. The question of Imperial and colonial defence should now be settled, and it would be a triumph to the Liberals to accomplish this. The Gazette believes that the recent application to the Home Government for advice in Legislative Council affairs indicates the removal of the old jealousy of the Colonial Office, and thinks that now is a favorable time, during the discussion of commercial treaties with Foreign Powers, to impress upon the colonies favoring protection the advantage of an understanding on the subject of tariffs. Sir Garnet Wolseley will shortly pro ceed to India, and succeed General Sir Frederick Haines.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuter's Agency. ) Melbourne, May 10. ftlr. Service, Premier, has telegraphed to the Imperial Government to enquire whether there was anyone of the name of Webster on board the Knowsley Hall. The reply, it is thought, will give conclu sive evidence as to the truth of the letter found in the bottle at Portland. Six sailors aboard the barque Zwee Vrienden, from Java, have died of the fever which is raging in the ship. Mr. Service formally opened the new Exchange to-day. There were thousands of persons present at the ceremony. The Irish Relief Fund has now' closed, the total amount subscribed being L 31,675. Melbourne, May 11. Great scarcity of coal exists at present in Melbourne, almost reaching a famine, owing to the strike of miners at New castle. Melbourne, May 12. Sailed—Tararua, for the Bluff. Sydney, May 12. In the Legislative Assembly last night, a resolution adverse to granting land f( r church sites was carried against the Go vernment. Cooktown, May 10. The E. and A.M. steamship Somerset, with inward Torres Straits mail, arrived here on Saturday, from Singapore. She brings the following items of English news:— War is increasingly imminent between Russia and China, both of which are in a disturbed condition, prejudicial to trade. The Chinese Government is making war like preparations, and pushing forward tkeir armament, whilst Russia has been busily engaged massing an army on the the Kuldja frontier. The Meat Company which has been formed in England, and mentioned in the telegrams yesterday, has been promoted by Messrs. M‘Tliwraith, M'Eachern and Co., and Messrs. Sloanes have been ap pointed agents at Melbourne and Sydney respectively. Moses Rentel, chief of the Hebrews in Melbourne is dead. Adelaide, May 10. Arrived—Orient, from Plymouth. Adelaide, May 11. During the voyage of the Orient, which arrived here yesterday from Plymouth, three of the passengers committed suicide.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, May 12. Robert Little, described as a boot maker, Queen street, has been charged with concealing a number of pictures, with intent to defraud his creditors in bankruptcy. The case was adjourned un til Monday. Defendant was admitted to bail in LIOO and two sureties in LSO each. Mr. Burns, M.H.R., leaves for the Thames on the Colonial Industries Com mission. Mr. Arthur Sketchley and Professor Proctor were passengers for Sydney by the Rotomahana. Napier, May 12. _ The Governor returned to Napier this afternoon, expecting to find the Hinemoa ready to convey him to Wellington. On his arrival, he learned that the steamer would not be here till Friday. His Ex cellency has gone back to the country for another day’s shooting. W. H. Shaw, who was arrested in con nection with the recent fire at the Cor poration offices has been committed for trial on both charges of arson and em bezzlement. Carterton, May 12. Dr. Campbell left Carterton for Wel lington last Friday, intending to ride over the Rimutaka, but he has not been heard of since. A search party has just left to look for him. Timahu, May 11. At the District Court to-day two absent jurymen were fined 40s. each. An action has been brought by Mr. McLeish, stock-dealer, against Messrs. J. and T. Meek, millers, of Oamaru, to re cover L2OO damages for alleged loss in consequence of seizure and removal of sheep bought by Mr. McLeish from J. Scott, formerly partner with the Meeks. The Timaru Building Society is re ported to have floated five thousand pounds’ worth of debentures in London. Dunedin, May 11. At the inquest on the body of Burton, the chemist, a verdict was returned that the deceased committed suicide, while in a state of temporary insanity. J. S. Webb, Secretary of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and General Manager of the Permanent Building Society, has departed from Dunedin in consequence of financial difficulties, and apparently has no intention of returning. He left Dunedin some days ago, on “ urgent business,” but has not been heard of since the San Francisco mail steamer left Auckland. This unlooked for exit has caused no little surprise and discussion in commercial circles. Many rumors are afloat, but it is understood that Webb’s difficulties had their origin in speculation. A careful audit is now being made of the books of the Building Society, of which he was manager. Dunedin; May 12. At Drybread, on Saturday, a miner named Smith, and another, while work ing in a claim, were smothered by a fall of earth. Smith immediately expired after being extricated, his neck having been broken. The other man had his leg broken. 1

HORRIBLE DEATH BY FIRE.

(By Telegraph.) Blenheim, May 12. Particulars are just to hand of a shock ing death by burning at Queen Charlotte’s Sound. On Sunday last, Mr. Isaac Landell, of Yellerton Run, Tory Channel, left home, accompanied by his two daughters. They proceeded in a boat to Oyster Bay, where they landed, and were then joined by a young man named Flood. After a while the party commenced setting fire to the scrub, the two girls being a short distance from Landell and Flood. After firing for a short time, the father called to the girls to come where he was, as the wind w’as blowing very strong at the time, and the scrub was burning fiercely. In response to the summons, the eldest daughter only came, but the other was caught in the flames before she could effect her escape, and was burned to death. The father and Flood, seeing the danger the girl was in, rushed to her assistance, but when they reached her she was quite dead, the flesh being blackened and hard. Great sympathy is felt for Mr. Landell in his painful bereavement.

OPENING OF THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR.? (By Cable to Reuters Agency.) Melbourne, May 12. Parliament has been opened by the Governor, who, in his speech on the occa sion, said ;—The defences of the colony are being proceeded with. The Inter national Exhibition, to be opened in Oc tober, is estimated to cost £320,000, and the receipts are expected to bring in £70,000. A Board has been appointed to report on the question of water supply. Further extension of railways in the colony will be undertaken. A new Judi cature Bill is now under consideration. The depressed state of trade is passing away, and the harvest prospects being favorable, a return of the prosperity of the colony was anticipated. The new measures to be brought forward for the consideration of Parliament will include Bills for the occupation of unalienated lands; for economical railway manage ment ; for the civil service ; for water conservation ; for raining property ; for the suppression of the rabbit nuisance ; and for making better provision for the public health.

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1880.



NOTICE TO FARMERS. JTjpHE 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*



MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Timvald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, April 27, 18S0. C. PERCY COX, 270 s- Agent, Ashburton. MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY. NOTICE. A PUBLIC MEETING will be held at the Mount Somers School-room, at 6 p.m., on SATURDAY, May 15th, to protest against the alteration of the above line, as it appears to be the inten tion of the Government not to bring the line to Mount Somers at all. All persons interested in the above line are par ticularly requested to attend. 830a* fJIHE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WEAR. Fit Better Look Better Wear Better Are Better Cut Are Better Made Are Better Shrunk, And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the nublic. Testified to by their Thousands of Cus tomers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Invercargill Oamaru Timahu Ashburton Lyttelton Christchurch Wellington Nelson Wanganui New Plymouth Napier Thames Auckland A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.8.-Our New Winter Manufactures are now ready. “ TRY THE N.Z. OVERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, and HOSIERY, of every description at WHOLESALE Prices. ASHBURTON BRANCH— East Street. Wm. SPARROW, Manager.



SLY GROG SELLING. Wellington. May 12. Gleich, alias Fisher, proprietor of the Te Aro Club, has been summoned on six charges of ■ sly grog selling. The cases were only partially heard to-day, and ad journed till Saturday,



Wanted. BAR Framed BEE HIVES. T. A. Gates, Saunders’ Buildings. 828 a VXT ANTED—NURSE GIRL, for 7 ’ * miles in country. Age 13 or 14. Apply, office of this paper. 446c-855a ANTED KNOWN—That 0. Haw kins, the Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Ojjposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at hia usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805o —417 c TIT ANTED—A BLACKSMITH, must VV be a good Shoer. Apply im mediately to ROBERT PATTON. 428-c836« Mount Somers. Meetings. ASHBURTON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. A COMMITTEE MEETING will be j\ held at Shearman’s Hotel, on FRIDAY, 14th MAY, at 2 o’clock. Business— To receive report of Yard Committee and other business. GEORGE JAMESON, 843 a Secretary. Tenders. ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for the supply of 7,000 feet, more or less, of TIMBER, Totara or Black Pine. Also, for FORMING part of Burnett street West, about 13 chains. Specifications may be seen at the Borough Council Offices, and tenders, en closing a guarantee deposit of £5, to be delivered at the Town Clerk’s Office on or before MONDAY, May 17th, at 4 p.m. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. FOOKS & SON, . 845g-4480 Borough Engineers. .