MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ; Eor Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.,' daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 420 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Watorton, and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a. in. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p. m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1880.

In these days of advanced thought —when any agent in the enlightenment and instruction of the masses is hailed with satisfaction —when the education of the people is looked upon as a matter of paramount importance by statesmen — it is somewhat remarkable to hear of one of the most Liberal Governments in the Southern Hemisphere stepping in to prevent the delivery of a lecture on the planetary system, simply be cause it was proposed to be delivered on a Sunday evening. Yet this is what the Ministry of New South Wales is said to have thought proper to do. It is alleged that - pressure was brought to bear by the Government on the lessee of one of the theatres in the New South Wales capital to prevent Professor Proctor delivering an adver tised lecture. There was naturally great excitement caused by this action of the Government, which result was not to be wondered at. We have no wish to see introduced into these colonies anything approaching to what is termed the “ Continental Sabbath,” nor to see the sacred day robbed of one of its attributes, but we cannot hold with a Ministry that will use its in fluence to prevent the delivery on a Sunday evening of an instructive lec ture by one of the ablest astronomers. Only an ultra-Sabbatarian will object to the use of a theatre on a Sunday night for the delivery of a scientific popular lecture, and surely the “ unco guid ” people of the elder colony are quite able to distinguish between sitting in a theatre to hear an astronomical lecture, and sitting there to witness some trashy burlesque in which an extra dis play of limbs and a shower of double entendte are the prominent features. We are quite prepared to be told that if

people wish to hear scientific lectures, they should go on other nights when such are delivered, and thus avoid trenching on the Sunday, This is quite beside the question, as in large towns the Sunday evening is really the only one the masses have at their disposal, and the masses of the the present day are not of a highly evangelical cast of religious feeling. That the people wished to hear Pro fessor Proctor’s lecture is demonstrated by the fact that a thousand persons, disgusted at the embargo placed upon him, went to his hotel and loudly cheered him. The course of action followed by the New South Wales Ministry is the more unintelligible, seeing that Sir Henry Parkes is the head of that Government —one that so recently threw the whole, weight of its influence into the scale against priestly intoler ance on the education question, and did not hesitate to deprive the Church of its endowments that it might aggran dise the cause of education. Can it be that the wily Premier is tacking to catch once more the ecclesiastical vote in view of the general elections ? We cannot believe that such is the object of the movement, nor can we believe either that the great good done both in America and England in the cause of instructing the masses by the Sunday evening lectures of many great lights of science has been overlooked by the Government of New South Wales. Men will only be ruled as they deserve to be, and when such a strong feeling is manifested on the part of a people as the population of Sydney have dis played against their Government for the unusual step that has been taken, there is every chance that a revulsion of feel ing will take place that will be fraught with danger to the stability of the Go vernment now in office.

“The Irish Pilgrim.” —Mr. J. P. Armstrong gave a lecture in the Town Hall on Tnesday, in which he detailed his ex periences of life on. the Australian gold fields in the early days of their history. There was a very limited audience, counter attractions elsewhere no doubt preventing a larger attendance; Cricket. —The following is the pro gramme as far as yet decided on by the Match Committee of the Cricket Club : October 2nd, A to L v. M to Z : October 9fch, the Club v. Mount Somers ; October 16th, Eleven v. Twenty-two; October 23rd, return match with Mount Somers ; October 30th, Married v. Single.

The Colossban Pantascope. —An ex hibition bearing the above title, is to be exhibited in the Town Hall this even ing. The concern ought to bo some thing worth seeing, as it had for its foster parent the renowned Bachelder, of pano rama fame, who always shepherds a good thing. The scenery will be chiefly Ameri can, and will show out Mormon life to the full, while numerous Australian scenes will also be exhibited. Chalet, who has made a sonthern name as a second Arte mus Ward, will do the lecturing, adding some ventriloquial trifles.

The Borough Waterworks. The inaugural ceremony at the Borough water works has been fixed to take place on Monday next, when it is probable the stream will be turned on by the lady of the member for the district, Mrs. E. G Wright, and some sort of a demonstration will take place at the reservoir. The day will be declared a holiday in town, as the event is looked upon as of sufficient importance to be so marked. The Mayor will give a banquet in honor of the occasion, and altogether the opening of the water works will be a red letter day.

“The Five Senses.” —The Rev. Mr. Beattie on Tuesday delivered a very excel lent lecture on “ The Five Senses,” in the Presbyterian Church, which was very well filled, both with members of the lecturer’s own congregation and other sympathisers with Sunday-school work, for the proceeds of the lecture were to be devoted to Sun day-school purposes in connection with the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Stewart occupied the chair, and introduced Mr. Beattie, who, in dealing with his subject, gave much information in regard to the five senses that could be made practical use of by all. The usual votes of thanks were given at the close, amongst the rest, one to the choir, for the hymns sung. The Southland Timber Yards.—Mr. Joshua Tucker having succeeded in ob taining a long lease of Reserve 767, near Jameson and Roberts’ store, is about to plant “ the Southland Timber Yards” on that section, and timber of every de scription will be there obtainable, from the finest mouldings for the carpenter to the cheapest firewood for the hearth. Mr. Tucker will, we believe, add some other departments to his business. Mr. Tucker rents the reserve from the Borough Council, at -whose last meeting his tender was accepted at LC6 13s. 4d. per annum for the first seven years, the rent in creasing 50 per cent, for the second seven years, and another 50 per cent, for the third seven years. Retrenchment. —The fallowing is the text of the motions given notice of at last meeting of the Borough Council, and which did not appear in the report in our last issue :—l. “That tenders be invited for the formation and kerbing of the foot paths in Cox street. ” 2. “ That the ser vices of the Town Clerk be dispensed with at the expiry of his present engagement, and that the offices of Borough Surveyor and Town Clerk be amalgamated, at a salary of L2OO per year. Applications from gentlemen willing to discharge the duties to be invited by advertisement in the Christchurch and Ashburton papers, to be considered by the Council on Octo ber 18.” 3. “ That the resolution autho rising the sale of the iron pipes purchased from a vote made by the Ashburton County Council in favor of a water supply for the Borough of Ashburton be re scinded, on the ground that the Council has not the power to divert the proceeds from the specific object for which the money was voted, as the resolution autho rising the vote expressly stipulated that it was granted for a water supply for the Borough of Ashburton.” The Camera Obscura.—Mr. Dlmant, the proprietor of the camera obscura, has erected his pavilion opposite the post office, on the vacant piece of ground near the railway engine-shed, and we can con fidently recommend our readers to avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting this highly entertaining exhibition. Our usually well-conducted citizens will do well to be extra cautious in their actions while the camera obscura is being shown in Ashburton, for at any moment an un seen spectator may be gazing upon their doings. This wonderful piece of mechan ism produces _ to the life both animate and inanimate objects, and when the peculiarly interesting sight is witnessed on the canvas of an angry matron chastising her child, or two lads engaged in a most energetic pugilistic en counter, as was witnessed by' our repre sentative on visiting the show, there will, we are sure, be no need to repeat the caution to our readers to be careful of their doings while this Argus eyed wonder is in our midst. We are not going to expose that warm-tempered lady, or those very pugilistic juveniles, but if they wish to see the eccentricities of others, and in their turn have a little fun, a visit to Mr. Dnnant’s exhibition will repay them for their outlay of six pence or a shilling, as the case may be.

The Scotch Concert. —The programme of the Caledonian. Society’s anniversary concert of national music and dancing ap pears in another column. Closing a Road, —A special meeting of the County Council is to be held after the ordinary meeting on October 6, to con sider the question of closing a road, in the Mount Somers district.

The Library Reading. —Last night there was a good attendance at the Library reading in the Town Hall, and the per formers, who were all local amateurs, ac quitted themselves very well indeed. Cooper’s String Binder.— Owing to the difficulty in finding a spare reaping machine, Cooper’s string binding attach ment was not exhibited on Saturday at Rakaia, but will bo 'at a future date.

Removal of South Rakaia Railway Station. —The long talked of removal of the passenger station at Rakaia was effected on Monday, since when all the trains stop at the junction of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks line with the main South line. Tenders, —The Mount Somers Road Board have 117 chains of re-forming and metalling to do on Reynold’s road ; a cut ting on Macfarlane’s terrace ; and fords and repairs on the West Coast road. They want tenders for the work by next Board day, (Oct. 4.)': also tenders for the pre paration of a valuation list for the year 1881.

Eire Brigade. —At the usual practice last night, twenty members were present. Two horses were put to the engir.e, which was taken down to the well at Mr. Wil liamson’s cottage, back of the Ashburton Hotel. The supply of water was found to be too small to be of any use, so the engine was moved to the water-hole by the hank of the river, when the men suc ceeded in throwing a good jet of water over the hotel. After the gear had been run back, Lieutenant Dolman had just dismissed the men, when a fire was seen somewhere towards Moore street, appa rently Mr. Parkin’s mill. The apparatus was again taken out, and on running down it was found that a large body of gorse in the rear of the Police Barracks was on fire. After some trouble, owing to the want of water, the fire was got under. There is no question but that, had the wind been from the south-west, the Police Barracks would have been in danger, on account of the great quantity of tussock in the paddock behind the station. Twenty-one members of . the Brigade turned out when the bell was rung, and deserve no little praise for their prompt appearance on the scene. This alarm shows not only the necessity of a water supply, but that the By-law relating to gorse in the Borough should be enforced.

Tinwald Temperance Hall. —The di rectors of the Tinwald Temperance Hall Company (Limited) held their usual fort nightly meeting on Tuesday, the follow ing being present : —Messrs. Williams (chairman), Smith, Reeve, Corrigan, 0. Hawkins, W. Hawkins, Shearer, Jones, and Allen. The Chairman reported that since last meeting he had been to Christ church, and had succeeded in registering the Company under the Joint Stock Com panies Act, 1860. He produced the cer tificate of incorporation, constituting them a limited company under the Act, 'and stated that the Company was now in proper and legal form, without having cost anything for solicitors’ fees or _ ex penses. Tenders for the erection -of the proposed hall were opened as follows : Messrs. Wilson and Rands—Plan A, L 213 10s. 2d.; plan B, L 232 4s. od. Messrs. Muir and Reid—Plan A, 124 10s.; plan B, L 142. , Mr. D. Teppett—Plan L 129 ; plan B, L 133. Mr. 0. Brader — Plan A, L 124 7s. 9d.; plan B, L 144 4s. Gd. Mr. Robert Powrie—Plan A, Ll5O ; plan.B, L 173. Mr. Brader’s tender for plan A and Mr. Teppetfs tender for plan B were submitted to the ballot, which re sulted in Mr. Teppett’s tender for L 133, for plan B, being accepted. Mr. ,P. Shearer was appointed clerk of works, and the building is to be erected forthwith.-‘lt was also decided to- call up all the calls from shareholders the third call now and the last in a month, the same being payable at the Company’s' registered office, Tinwald. The new hall is to be about the same size and something after the same style as the Ashburton Templar Hall.

Fast Trotting. —A Cincinnati chest nut, named “Five,” recently trotted half a-mile in Imin. ssecs., the fastest time on record. This was on the third mile of a heat. He trotted a mile in 2min. 14£secs.

The Unemployed. —The Public Works Department sent thirty-five more of the Christchurch unemployed to up-country railway works yesterday, and have an nounced positively that no more unem ployed will be provided for. The Property Tax.— A Wellington telegram says the new schedules have been posted to all who have not yet made any return under the old regulations. The forms already filled up and received will be made use of as far as possible. 1

The Waikaia Election. —The seat rendered vacant by the death of Mr. - Ireland, late M.H.R. for Waikaia, was contested by Mr. Bastings and Captain Morris. The election on Tuesday gave a handsome majority to Mr. Bastings. Tasmania. —Tasmania, with her small population is one of the most prosperous colonies in the Australasian group. Her population numbers 112,000 ; last yflar her imports only represented L 120,000, while her exports amounted to L 1,300,000. Mr. Woolcogk. —Mr. Charles Wool cock, ex-M. H.R. for Grey Valley, has at last been provided for. Mr. Wool cock has been appointed to take charge of the unemployed in the Patea district, a posi tion for which his early training very well fits him. A Change. —Very small quantities of meat are now shipped to Europe from America, owing to the high price of meat. The refrigerators have been taken out of the ocean steamers, in order to make room for thousands of emigrants to the United States. A Big Plunge. —According to a letter that appeared in the Sporting Life, a Mr. J. Strickland i said to have plunged 73 feet 1 inch at the City Baths, Swanston street, Melbourne, on March 15th. This is further than has ever been done in Eng land. Davenport’s 62 feet 7 inches was achieved at the Lambeth.Baths, the height of the “ take off” being 3 feet 10 inches, and this we believe is the best thing of the kind ever done in England.

The Stampede from Wellington.— A return lias been prepared for the Go vernment of the -passengers outward per Hero, and it turns out that out of the total number, 159, all told, including those in the salqon, only nine were Go vernment assisted immigrants. Of the re mainder, the majority came originally from Victoria or Hew South Wales, and the rest paid their own passages from Great Britain to New Zealand. These tables were prepared in consequence of the fuss made about the departure of working men, who were alleged to be mostly Government assisted immigrants. This is now disproved. The Benefit of Flowers. —We take the following from a Queensland paper : “ But we should ignore the most import ant truth in connection with the orna mental portion of the vegetable world if we did not state that the health of man kind at large depends in no small degree upon the effect produced upon the air we breathe by the beneficial changes wrought by flowers. Science has brought out this beautiful truth during late years very clearly, by showing that floral beauties exert themselves in charging the air wo breathe with a health-giving eleraento zone. ”

Pretty.— “ The tiller of the soil,” says an American journal, c! is brought nearer ' to nature and to God than the dwellers in cities. Nature is the farmer’s silent part ner, and exercises a controlling influence in the business ; if he goes wrong, she checks him ; if right, she crowns his efforts with liberal successes. ” Giving, to Tramps.— The Bishop of Manchester referring to the subject of in discriminate charity/ expressed a belief that giving money to tramps did more harm than good, and was a foolish habit which generated in the world a quantity of hyprocrisy and lying quite incalculable. His Lordship laid down the principle that everyone who tried to do good should take the further pains of seeing that he was doing good, and people who bestowed charity should not-be content with giving a shilling here and there to apy one who might ask it. A Queer Address.— Says the Auck land Herald The following is the direc tion, put upon the box containing the Ligurian bees forwarded from Los Angelos to°Mr. Creighton, en route to New Zea land : Expressman, handle with care, For you have Italian bees in there, Out of the sun and in the shade, Or low in death they’ll be laid. Robert James Creighton to him they go, Who lives in the City of Francisco, Him there these pets will be sure to meet, At No, 2, Montgomery street. More Than Rabbits.— The use o poisoned oats for the purpose of killing rabbits (says the Southland Neivs) is not without its drawbacks, as several settlers in the western district can testify. One of them, for instance, laid some phos phorised oats in a paddock in which thirty-two sheep were depasturing, and had the mortification, a few days after wards, to find half of them lying dead. Other scarcely less serious cases are re ported—dogs, ■ cats, and poultry having been, killed off wholesale. It is conse quently becoming a question whether the remedy is not worse than the disease ; or rather, whether the old-fashioned plan of keeping down the rabbits by dogs, cats, and traps, was not greatly preferable—at all events, in settled districts. The Maori Prisoners. —There are now between 90 and 100 Maori prisoners in Dunedin gaol, awaiting trial for inter fering with the road making operations on the Waimate Plans. The Times says they are probably better off than they ever were before. They get their meals re gularly without having to work for them, are well housed and clothed, and pass their time pleasantly, between cricket, rounders, and hop-step-and-jump. When engaged in these pleasant recreations their gleeful shouts can be heard 600 yards off, while the grave and reverend seigneuis among the prisoners lie around in pictur esque attitudes, smoking excellent to bacco, paid for by a paternal Government. In these days of universal depression and struggling to make both ends meet, who would not be a Maori political prisoner 1

Master and Servant in the Colonies.— At the dinner-table I beheld for the first time that much-vaunted feature of colonial life, the sitting down of master and man at the same table. In walked four or five workmen and a servant and took their seats alongside of us. It was amusing to watch their daintiness. “ A small piece near the knuckle, sir, if you please “No fat, please “ Well done, sir, if you have it ;” &c. I remem bered a “ harvest home ” which I attended in Berwickshire, just before leaving England, and what enormous platefulls those hungry laborers devoured, and the contrast was startling. The explanation was of course obvious. These Berkshire men got a good sight of beef and mutton three times a year, and those New Zea landers three times a day. I am sorry to have to record a decidedly unfavorable impression of the much-talked-of triumph of democracy—master and man fraternis ing at the social board. A constraint was on all. This farmer owned some 1,200 acres, most of which were in cultivation. To two of his sons he had given a farm apiece, and the whole thing wore a sort of patriarchal aspect, —Leisure Hour,

Plucky Boys. —A notable instance of the energy of the young New Zealander was brought under our notice recently at the v Upper Tutaenui (says a Rangitikei pager), and deserves mention, if only by way. of encouraging others. Two of the sons of one of the settlers (Mr. Parker), living about five miles distant from the schoolhouse, are in the habit of trudging daily to and fro to their lessons in spite of wind and weather. Every morning in the year, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, these little fellows are on the road, which is an extremely bad one, as early as half past six o’clock, and none of the scholars are more remarkable for punctuality than these pluck\ r little travellers. It must be gratifying to their parents to learn that they came out at the top of the tree in ’. heir re spective classes, and the fac f that they have done so augurs well for their future success through life. We believe that in the Carnarvon district there are also many of the scholars who have to travel a con siderable distance to the local seat of learn ing.

Newspaper Enterprise. — Concerning the enterprise shown by the New York and Dublin papers over the American v. Irish Rifle Match, the Tablet's correspon dent writes ;—“ News, like mackerel and champagne, is thought to lose its flavor if it is not devoured in the superlative con dition of freshness, kicking or fizzing, as the case may be. But even in this go ahead age of ours it is startling to think of men discoursing about a rifle match through thousands of miles of ocean, and of idlers reading the result in the streets of New York, aye, and seeing each bullet mark on an accurately drawn diagram full three hours by the clock before the last shot was fired on the sandy plain of Dollymount. Nor were the Irish papers behind in enterprise. As each shot was fired a carrier pigeon was loosed on the grounds, and fled like light into the city, three miles away, and the echo of the last report on the grounds had scarcely died away in Dollymount when an edition of the paper, with an exact diagram of the result, was issued from the office of the Livening Telegraph in Dublin.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

MR. LEADLEY’S LETTER.

To the Editor. Sir, —With regard to the omission re ferred to in Mr. Leadley’s letter, allow me to state that it was not with any view of depriving Mr. Brown of his due that I omitted it; but at the time Mr. Brown made the offer the meeting was over, and the chairman had left the chair ; and, further, it had nothing to do with the question at stake, so that I considered it a question quite outside the report of the meeting altogether.—l am, &c., The Reporter.

THE WIRE WORM.

To the Editor. Sir, —You will find enclosed something valuable to neither of us, but which may turn out very destructive to a paddock of spring wheat I have here. From what I hear it is supposed to be the wire-worm. The greater part of those found in the paddock are half embedded in the decaying part of the seed. They do not seem to have done harm to the plant or roots as yet. Would you kindly ask any of your farmer friends; who haye any certain knowledge of the appearance of the wire

worm what is the best preventative, or cure, if any. I may mention they are a good deal larger when alive than those now sent you.—l am, &c., Duncan Cameron, Glumes, Methveu, 17th Sept., 1880. [The samples of the pest sent by Mr. Cameron are to be seen at our office. The worm is a small yellow wretch, about half an inch or less long, and about as thick as binding wire. We shall be glad to receive any reply to Mr. Cameron’s inquiry.— Ed., A.G.]

THE WAKANUI TROUBLE.

To the Editor. Sir, —With regard to a letter in your paper of the 21st inst., signed “George Earle, Chairman of the Wakanui School Committee, I beg leave to say a few words. I do not hesitate to say that his explana tion about the key of the schoolroom is a collection of mis-statements throughout. Why did not Mr. Earle invite me before the Committee in his presence for an ex planation, and there accuse me in the man ner he has done ? I should have been most happy to give it. But Mr. Earle chooses to give his own explanation of the matter in my absence, and to saddle me with all the blame. It is an action worthy of him, I will tell you the truth of the matter. Mr. Earle admits that he took one key home with him to his own house, and on the Sunday when he came to the school the other key was in the school door. Strange to say, neither of the two keys could be found after his departure, so that on the Monday morning when the children came both keys were missing. I could have got in through the window and opened the school if I had wished, and. most decidedly would have done so under ordinary circumstances, but taking into consideration the part that Mr. Earle was acting, he saying himself that he was going to act on legal points, I thought it was my duty to act on legal points also. Further, at the time appointed for open ing the school, I sent to Mr. Kilgour’s place for the key, thinking that possibly it might have been left there, but it was not. Mr. Kilgour I aing a member of the Committee, I asked him, in the presence of Mr. David Wilson, jun., what I should do under the circumstances, and he dis tinctly said that if he were in my place he would not open the school! He had seen Mr. Earle take away the key on the Sun day, and he added that probably he would send it with Miss Leech. But neither the key nor Miss Leech put in an appearance. I ask, under these circumstances was it my duty to either break into the school or to run after Mr. Earle for the keys ? Mr. Earle says that his sole reason for going to the school on Sunday was to look up papers. I would ask all those who assembled on that occasion about the truth of this statement. Mr, Earle came there with hammer and nails and nailed the window down, and he said to me on the previous Friday that he would be d d if any one of them should get in. I ask how can a man in the face of proved facta turn round and deny it. Mr. Earle says he was simply upholding his rights and privi leges. If these wore his rights and privi leges, why not uphold them to the last 1 But Mr. Earle sees that what he terms his “rights and privileges” the public look upon as a piece of brow-beating, and will not have it. Now, when he sees the blunders he has made, he is trying, in his usual shuffling way, by lame excuses and falsehoods combined, to take the guilt off his own back, and saddle me with it. It is with reluctance that I expose the man’s actions, but I feel compelled to re fute the false accusations brought against me by him, for the sake of self-defence ; and if Mr. Earle is not satisfied, I shall be most happy to meet him in the face of a public meeting, and prove to him the truth of my statements.—l am, &c., The Offending Schoolmaster, S. Patterson Guiney.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES’ COURT.

Monday, September 20. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A man named James Franklin, from Rakaia, was fined 15s. for drunkenness. Tuesday, September 21. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Edward Jones was charged with a breach of the Canterbury Police Ordi nance, with being drunk and disorderly, and with disturbing the peace by knock ing at a door at 12 o’clock at- night. Ac cused pled guilty, and was fined, in all, LI 10s. THE INEVITABLE. Henry Hamlin, who had been allowed a week to endeavor to get medical treat ment for his eyesight, was again brought before the Bench. Sergeant Felton read a letter from Dr. Wilkin, addressed to a gentleman in town, which stated that accused was, in his opinion, insane, and that any treatment to his eyesight would be futile, as the injury which he had re ceived rendered accused hopelessly blind. His Worship, in accordance with his opinions expressed last Court day, sent Hamlin to gaol for six months. UNREGISTERED DOGS. Hem-y Manson, for having an unregis tered dog in his possession, was fined LI. William Stalker, defended bv Mr. Ire land, was charged with having an un registered dog in his possession. Mr. Ireland explained that accused admitted having in his possession an unregistered dog, but at the time the information was laid, the animal was only a fortnight cider than the three montns. Fined LI. AN UNREGISTERED CHILD. James Skillen, charged with neglecting to register his female child, pled guilty. Mr. Ward, the Registrar, did not press for a heavy penalty, and his Worship in flicted a fine of ss. • ALLEGED NUISANCES. Brown v. Quill. —This was an informa tion laid by the Inspector of Nuisances against Mr. Quill for allowing offensive matter to run from his hotel on to Peter street. William Brown said that on the 13th of the month, he saw dirty water, grease, tea leaves, etc., running from Mr. Quill’s drain into the street. Witness had seen the same thing happen previously, and a month since had supplied a written notice to accused. By Mr. Quill— There was offensive matter. Knew that the water came from your sink. Can swear it did not come front the windmill pump. Have seen clear water running when the windmill was going, and have seen dirty water running when the windmill has been stand ing. George Tutty remembered cleaning out the channel in Peter street, and saw a lot of dirty water running from Mr. Quill’s drain, which proceeded from his back yard. The water was discolored ; it was offensive matter. Have seen the dirty water run ning befoi’o. Mr. Quill made a statement, the pur port of which was that the water flowing from his premises proceeded from a pump and windmil on the premises. The chan nel was flushed every morning with clean water, but there being no properly con structed drain in Peter street, the water, instead of being carried away, settled in one spot and became stagnant. John O’Connor, an employee of Mr. Quill’s, said he had received instructions to flush the channel every morning with clean water, which had been done. No offensive matter passes through the drain. The house slops are put in the ash-pit. Some of the tea-leavea might be put in the

drain, but the water would flush these away. By Mr. Purnell—On the clay the men were at work there the drain was not flushed. I sweep it out every morning, about 9 or 10 o’clock, and I then flush it. Cannot swear what is put in the drain during the day. _ Mr. Quill said he had spent about LIOO in the erection of a windmill for the pur pose of flushing the drains, and had done all he could to prevent a'nuisance exist in<*. His Worship said there was no doubt an offence had been committed, but as Mr. Quill had done what he could to obviate the nuisance, he considered there was no wilful nuisance created. He had no alternative, however, but to enter up a conviction, and fined accused ss. Mr. Parnell applied for professional costs, but his Worship would not entertain the ap plication. James Cotton was charged with allow ing offensive matter to run from his pre mises on to the side channel. The Inspec tor of Nuisances gave evidence that soap suds, cabbage leaves, and generally offen sive matter had come through the drain. George Tutty corroborated the evidence of last witness. Mr. Cotton said that there was no yard in the town which was kept cleaner than his. Fined ss. CIVIL CASES. Quill v. Stalker—On the application of Mr. Ireland, for defendant, the case w» s adjourned for a week. Stalker v. Hawkii.a. —This cate was also adjourned for a week. Holmes v. Baldwin.—This was an ad journed case from last Court day to allow time to Mr. Baldwin to obtain evidence from Dunedin. Mr. O’Eeilly for plaintiff. Mr. Baldwin stated he had no further evidence to bring, but wished the plain tiff to be put in the box to give evidence. Holmes repeated the substance of his evi dence given on a previous occasion, which was to the effect that he had given an order to Baldwin to receive the sum of L 5 ss. on his (plaintiff’s) behalf. Mr. Baldwin wrote the order, and took pos sesion of it.

By Mr. Baldwin—Cannot say to whom the order was addressed, but think it was addressed to Mr. Oameron. Mr. Baldwin stated he had applied to Mr. Cameron, and he had replied that no order had been presented to him. His Worship said there was no evidence before him to prove what were the con tents of the order, and would only give judgment for the amount admitted by Mr. Baldwin, namely, L2 19s. Bjd and costs. Sutherland v. Patterson.—On the appli cation of Mr Branson, house service of the summons was granted. Press Co. v. Kavanagh.—Claim L 6 11s. 6d. Evidence in this case was taken on behalf of the defendant, for whom Mr. Branson appeared, the evidence of the plaintiffs being taken in Christchurch.

THE NEW COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the Borough Coun" oil since the election was held on Monday. If there is any truth in the line that “ Coming events cast their shadows before,” and we are justified in accepting Monday night’s meeting as only a shadow of those that are to follow, then the future meet ings of the Borough Council are likely to be animated, though the word does not express all our fears. Mr. St. Hill was more business-like and less talkative than ishis wont, while Mr. Roberts had, as usual, supplied himself with a certain number of “ things to see to,” saw to them, and was satisfied. Mr. Roberts has a happy knack of letting his ideas be known through the direct medium of half-a dozen words. He is a workman who uses no superabundance of tools, but his ora torical work, if not ornate, is very solid. Like the typical John Bull, he goes about his work the shortest way, and does it, and, like the bulldog, he holds on to any thing ho undertakes till he is done with it —not till it is done with him. We were well pleased with the work of the two re-elected members ; but we were sorry to see that Mr. Ivess’ recess had not improved him, and that he had not benefited by his travels since last we heard his monotone in the Council Chamber. We hadhopedthathis unhappy experience in the Council before would have had a sobering • influence upon him, and that he would have been careful to to avoid unnecessary and useless clashes with his brother Councillors. But we were disappointed. It must be still quite fresh in his recollection that he resigned his Councillorship on a previous occasion in a childish pet; that before his pet had reached boiling point he had succeeded in rendering himself odious to every member of the Council, and his very name standing opposite a motion was sufficient to prevent a seconder offering. Eor this state of things he had only to thank his own natural “cussedness” of temper and tem perament and his inability to see that there were more Councillors in the Ash burton Corporation than. Councillor Joseph Ivess. So intense had the feeling against him then become that his name to a project as its promoter was like the tin pot tied to a dog’s tail—its ruin. He must remember all this without effort and know how true are the words we now write. He must remember, too, that in consequence of the feeling he needlessly raised against himself while posing as an unnecessarily ultra-radical reformer, and revelling in the Ishmaelitish posi tion he cut out for himself, with his hand raised against every man, and every man’s hand against his, that the talents he undoubtedly pos sessed and offered pompously to his fellow townsmen were nullified, and placed out of his townmen’s reach for benefit. We could go back over the past and call up many instances of how great a failure Mr. Ivess was, how great a waste he made of his talents, but we know that he is as]well aware of these as we are, and that the task is needless. It was therefore with sorrow that we saw him open a pro gramme of exactly the same character as that which in the past made his name stink in the nostrils of his brother Coun cillors, and robbed the township of such help as otherwise he might have been- able to give. The en trance of a deputation to the Council Chambers was the signal for him to hoist the rover’s flag, and go full tilt at the Mayor and Council. The opportunity for display was too tempting fox* his weakness, and the result was that he created at once an antipathy to him self, and that was his adieu to peace. Even his friend, Mr. St. Hill, was the first to condemn him. Time after time in the proceedings that followed he came to words with the Mayor, whom he ap peared to single out as a target for sparring practice ; but'just as often as Kemade the assault j ust as often had he to eat humble pie, and it was palpable to all that he was a free lance, and not a very jolly one. He made an attack even upon gentle Council lor Harrison, who, however, was equal to him, and knocked him speedily but quietly down, all in one lot. We notice Mr. Ivess’ first Council appearance with regret, but we do it kindly, in the hope that he will avoid in the future any repe tition of tlie conduct of Monday last, and that he will be better to the Council and to the township than are our fears, and that he will rise above the littleness of mind he Was betrayed into displaying. Only a man with a small mind or a great bilious ness would carp so persistently about minor points of “ order” as he did, while greater matters demanded his considera tion. Possibly, his new studies have made nonsuit points, however trifling, an all-absorbsing pursuit with him, and he now follows his all-ruling passion,

FRIGHTFUL DEATH.

A WOMAN AND HER INFANT BURNED IN BED. [by telegraph.] Hokitika, Sept. 22, Constable Stephenson, stationed at Kanieri, reported this morning the hor rible death by burning of a woman named Margaret Hutcheson and her infant child, four months old, as follows :—David Hutcheson stated to him that his wife and child had been burned to death the pre vious night at their house on Tucker’s Flat, a short distance from Kanieri town ship. The constable visited the place and found the remains of the body. Both legs and one arm were burned away, and the the head partly consumed. No trace of the infant could be found. The house consisted of two rooms only. At eight o’clock last evening David Hutcheson re turned from Kanieri, and found his wife lying on a stretcher in the kitchen or front room, and the baby was in the cradle alongside the stretcher. No conversation took place between Hutcheson and his wife, and the former went into the back room, where there were five children asleep. He then retired to rest, leaving his wife and the baby in the front room, in which room there was a little fire and a lighted kerosene lamp on the table. At about three a.m. he awakened by the glare of light and by volumes of smoke. He called to his wife, but got no reply. He then rushed into the front room, and found the inside walls all ablaze. He shook his wife, but she never attempted to move. He could not get to the front door, which was burned, and he ran back to the bedroom, raised , the window and had barely time to put out the five children who escaped. By ■ that time he found it impossible to get into the front room again, and the neigh bors endeavored to put out the fire, but their efforts were unavailing. The house and contents were entirely consumed. An inquest will be held to-morrow mom- ' ing. .

THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

[by telegraph.] Wellington, Sept, 22. A letter has been received from Dr. Hector, Executive Commissioner for New Zealand at the Melbourne Exhibition, en closing a paper relative to the organisa tion of juries. He adds that the juries will begin work on October 1, and will be ■ required for one month. He mentions that New Zealand is entitled to nominate a juror for every class in which she ex hibits. With such short notice he fears that it will be impossible to arrange for securing the services of jurors from New Zealand. In conclusion, he asks Mr. Toi hurst, the recipient of the letter, to invite any New Zealand residents intending to visit the Exhibition, and who will be willing to serve as jurors, to send their names to him without delay, and he will endeavor to make the best possible arrangements. The regulations for ap pointment of a juror are—(l) That no Commissioner who is an exhibitor or member of any firm exhibiting shall take part in the selection or appointment of jurors in those classes in which he exhibits. (2) That each country or colony appointing a Commissioner be entitled to nominate a juror for every class in which it has ex hibits providing that such juror is not domiciled in Victoria at the time such nomination is made. (3) That no person interested as a partner or employer in a house exhibiting shall be a juror in classes in which such person or house exhibits. (4) That the Commissioners place at dis posal of each jury a sum of money pro portionate to the number of exhibits upon which it will have to report and the general importance of the work. Out of this sum the expenses and remuneration of secre tary, reporters and clerk, or of the officers performing the duties appertaining to ■. those positions, and all personal expenses of the jurors is to be defrayed. (5) That the Melbourne jury system of 1875 be continued, and that each juror be re quested to name exhibitors who merit recognition and whether their reward should be first, second, third, fourth or fifth class, leaving the Commissioners to decide whether the highest award should i be a gold, silver, or bronze. medal or a first-class certificate.

A PITIABLE CASE.

(From the Auckland Herald-) A pitiable case was brought before the Police Magistrate one day last week, for the consideration of the magistrate and the police, as to how it was to be dealt with. During the previous night Constable -r McConnell found a wretched young woman named Ellen Glenn, seated on a doorstep in the street. She had a poor:- little infant, seven weeks old, in her arms, and both were numbed with cold. The ’ ; constable escorted them to the guardroom, ; where they were soon enjoying the heat ' . of a good log fire, and wrapped up with blankets, and the constable pitying the L condition of the poor little starveling, whose mother had no nourishment for. it, . proceeded in search of milk, and was fortunate enough to find some. The un fortunate girl was brought up in Court, and charged under the Vagrant Act with having no lawful visible means of support, and then her pitiable story came out. She is rather weak in intellect, and while in service at Piako was seduced by some scoundrel. She became enceinte, and had to leave her employment. She came to Auckland, and was cared for by the Ladies’ Benevolent Society until after her confinement, when efforts were made to procure her employment. Owing, perhaps, to the state of her intellect she' was not successful. In a hopeless and careworn manner she admitted that she . had no means of support, and no friends . who would take her in hand. She was Auckland-born, and had a married sister in Tauranga, but she did not think it any use to apply to her for assistance. Mr. Graham, the Relieving Officer, was ap plied to, and had a long consultation with ,-f 1 the magistrate, but could suggest no means for the relief of the girl, and Mr. Barstow having no other resource .was obliged to commit her to prison, much against his inclination. The girl isina truly wretched state, and will no doubt bo improved by the cleansing of her person, and the very wholesome treatment which she will receive there.

SUMMARY OF HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

London, Aug. 13. The recent short but serious illness of • v Mr. Gladstone was received with the deepest concern by all classes of the coun* ■ try. Mr. Gladstone was first taken ill on July 30th. While dining with Lord Frederick Cavendish he felt a sudden chill and was compelled to leave the table. Subsequently he felt better, and went to 1 the House of Commons, but found when the House counted out next morning that he was worse. Dr. Andrew Clarke was called in, and arrived just in time to pre» vent the Premier going to a Cabinet Goun» cil. The physician pronounced hispatient to be suffering from congestion of the lungs, supervening on exhaustion, accom* panied with fever. Sir W. Jenner wad summoned next day, and on the night of " July Slat and two following days Mr. Gladstone’s condition was critical. Im- ■ mense and universal excitement existed, and representatives of every class besieged Mr. Gladstone’s residence in Downing street with enquiries. Bulletins were issued every few hours, and the polios '

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1880.



AUCTION SALES. Saturday, September 25. Alfred Harrison, at his Saleyards— Thoroughbred Fox Terrier Pup. Quill and Co., at their Mart, Saunders’ Buildings—First-class Harmonium, and Household Furniture. Sale at 12 o’clock. Saturday, October 2. "Robert Wilkin and Co., at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association Grounds— Entire Horses, &c. Sale after the Parade. Tuesday, October 5. Davies and Winter, at South Rakaia— -250 cords of Bluegum Saplings. Sale at 2 o’clock. WANTED to PURCHASE, 500 bushels of Rye Grass SEED. Must be a good sample, and clean. EDWARD G. WRIGHT. 18th Sept., 1880. 2320 STRAYED into my Paddock, on 16th Sept., 6 Long Wool RAMS, coupled together with chains and leather collars. The owner can have them by paying for advertisement. Apply, WM. H. RULE, 230 a Pendarves Farm, near Chertsey. WAKANUI. A PUBLIC MEETING will be in the Wakanui Schoolroom on TUES DAY, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m., for the purpose of considering the best means of paying off the debt on the school fund. A. G. EARLE, / 2350 Chairman. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. IN accordance with Section 93, Sub section 10, Public Worlds Act, 1870, a SPECIAL MEETING off this Council will be held immediately after the Ordi nary Meeting on the 6th October, 1880, to consider the question lof CLOSING ROAD from south-east lorner of R.S. 23518 to south-east corneijof R.S. 19975, and opening of New Roadgfrom aforesaid South-east corner of R.S. 23518 to the South-east corner of R.Sf 24989, Mount Somers Road District. § By order, a F. MAINWARIFG, f Clerk. Ashburton, September IGth, 1880. 2440



ESTATE OF SAMUEL HOLLAND. CREDITORS will please send in proved claims on the above Estate before the 27th inst., as a first and final DIVIDEND will be declared after that date. GEORGE JAMESON, 2450 Trustee. TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR. WE, the undersigned Ratepayers, re spectfully request that you will proclaim Monday Next, the 22nd inst., a Half-holiday, in commemoration of the Water Supply being John Orr A. Orr W. H. Gundry T. R. Hodder and Company O. Garstens and Co. T. Chambers G. M. Robinson (P. C. and Co. Sealy Bros. City Company (Butchers) turned on. Branson and Purnell Thos. Bullock Saunders Bros. J. M. Cambridge Friedlander Bros. Fredk. Clark Hallenstein Bros. (per W. Sparrow) William Anderson R. Lancaster B. Hughes Weeks and Dixon. TO THE BURGESSES SIGNING THE ABOVE REQUISITION. Gentlemen, —I have much pleasure in acceeding to your request, and hereby declare MONDAY Next, the27th Inst., a PUBLIC HALF-HOLIDAY, from 12 Noon. HUGO FRIEDLANDER, Mayor. Ashburton, Sept. 22nd, 1880. 242 g THE NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRAL ASIA (LIMITED). Established 1869. Actuary and Secretary —J. M. Templeton, F.I.A. The MOST LIBERAL and EQUIT ABLE OFFICE for Life Assurance in the Australasian Colonies. The best office for young men. Profits divided every three years. Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, and Hobart Town. The New Zealand Branch—A LOCAL INSTITUTION, investing all moneys in the colony. Resident Secretary Thomas Swain, Temple Chambers, Featherston street, Wellington. Agent for the County of Ashburton — S. SAUNDERS (of the firm of Saunders Bros.), Ashburton. Note the name—The National Mutual. 169g-821c THE SCOTCH CONCERT KAIAPOI WOOLLEN MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY (LIMITED,) CAPITAL £IOO,OOO IN 4000 SHARES OF £25 EACH. ISSUE OF NEW SHARES. TNORMS of APPLICATION FOR Jj SHARES, with full information, can bp'obtained of Mr. Weeks, AsJiburton Guardian Office, by whom application for Shares will be received. Deposit. 20s. per share; and 50s. pec share on allotment. August 23, 1880.



CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. GRAND ANNIVERSARY CONCERT, OF SCOTCH MUSIC, DANCING, &C., IN THE TOWN HALL, ON THURSDAY EVENING, SEP TEMBER 30. PROGRAMME : Introductory Address President Bagpipes “ Pibrochs” Piper Elder Piano...“ Reels and Strathspeys”...Miss Kidd Dancing In Costume The Clans {Messrs Kidd, M‘Rae, Reid and Macduff.) Part 50ng...." Scots whahae” Party SoNG...‘‘Auld Robin Gray”...Mrs Craighead Song “ Scotland Yet”....Mr Craighead Revding "Tam o’Shanter” *«» "Sgp’MrG.D.B^SON Gaelic Song Mr D. Campbell The Barrin’ i* oor Door”"’ Song. .MrMacLEAN Dunn Sword Dance...Ghilie Callum....Mr M'Rae INTERVAL or TEN MINUTES. Piano Jessie’s Dream Miss Kidd Dance... The Highland Fling...Mr MacDuFF Song..." The Auld ScotsSangs”...Mrs Dunn Song Mrs Brookshaw Song " The Cameron Men” Mr Craighead Song Mr G. D. Branson (“Wha Wadna Fcchtfor Chairlie,”) Duet "Caller Herrin” Two Ladies Tri0....-..," Willie Brewed a Peck” Party Songs—The Rowan Tree, The Land o’ the Leal, etc., as time may permit. Reel o’ Tulloch The Clans “AULD LANGSYNE” in- Chorus. National Anthem. Tickets —Dress Circle, and a few Re served Seats in front of the stage, 3s ; second seats, 2s. ; back seats, Is. To be bad of members of the Committee, at the several stores in town, and at the Hall on the night of the Concert. Apply early, as there is a demand for seat room. Doors open at 7.30. Pibroch to strike up at eight. A DANCE will take place after the Concert, tickets for which—2s. 6d.—may be had of the Dance Committee. 921 c



Circular. To STATION-HOLDERS, LANDED PROPRIETORS, FARMERS, CATTLE - DEALERS, AND THE RESIDENTS IN ASH BURTON AND SURROUND DISTRICTS. Messrs. Quill & Co., AUCTIONEERS, STOCK, LAND, & ESTATE AGENTS, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, BEG to announce to station-holders, landed proprietors, farmers, cattle dealers, and residents in Ashburton and the surrounding districts, that they have COMMENCED BUSINESS in the above line ; and, from their long experience in the various departments, feel assured that all commissions en trusted to them will be conducted satis factorily to their patrons. Sales will be held as required, at the Salerooms and Yards in Ashburton, or any part of the district. They will also hold a Regular Sale of STOCK, LAND, FARM PRODUCE, FURNITURE, and GENERAL MERCHANDISE, at their Rooms, every Saturday, particu lars of which will be duly advertised. The interest and the support of sellers and buyers ax - e respectfully solicited. Cash Advances made on all classes of Goods placed in their hands for sale. THE FIRST SALE Will be held at their Rooms on SATURDAY NEXT, SEPTEMBER 25. For particulars of Sales please see advertisements. AUCTIONEERS, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, Ashburton. 238g-918c* Ashburton, & Co.,