SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Esther, brigantine, from Pelorus Sound. Aurora, schooner, from Wellington. Prince Alfred, brigantine, from Pelorus Sound. Sailed. Yesterday. Oreti, s.s., for Wellington, Wanganui, and Taranaki. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Russell, Yesterday. The Ringarooma left Sydney at 4.30 on 3rd ; arrived at Russell at 6.30 a. m. to day. Wellington, Yesteday. Arrived Hinemoa, from Opunake ; Grafton, from the South ; Kiwi, from the East Coast. Timaru, Yesterday. Sailed—Kate McGregor, for Auckland ; Taiaroa, for Dunedin. Melbourne, Yesterday. Sailed—Albion, s.s., for the Bluff.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under Thursday, February 10. For Northern Ports, per Rotomahana, at 1.40 p.m.; late fee letters, 2 p.m.; guard’s van, 2.30 p.m. train. Saturday, Februay 26. For United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, per Wanaka. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a. m. and.s 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 Aim., and 420 p.m., daily, i, For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 430 p.m daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a,m, 435 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. Frem Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 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 Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, ;, ?. ; Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-Night, Wednesday, February 9. Local Industries Association —Meeting, Messrs. Jacobson and Eyton’s Office, at 8 p.m. To-morrow, Thursday, February 10. Templar Hall Company—Annual Meet ing, Templar Hall, 8 p.m. Monday, February 28. Anniversary Concert, Loyal Ashburton Lodge, L0.0.F., Town Hall, 8 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1881. The Ashburton School Meeting.

TOWN EDITION. [.lssued at 5 p. m. ]

“ Save me from my friends ” is a say ing that has become proverbial, and when one reads the report of last night’s meeting of the Ashburton School Committee he feels that the head master of the school may well utter this prayer against the blind zeal in his favor by the Chairman who, very injudiciously, we think, tried to brow beat the supporters of a motion for a special meeting to consider the advisableness of changing the master. It may be needful before we go further to state the position in which the school stands. The master has been two years in charge of the institution, and during that time its efficiency as an educational establishment has fallen off. Complaints have been said to have been made against the school in this connec tion all along, and many parents are understood to have been discontented with the progress, or rather no progress, their children have been making. Still, nothing of all • this came before the Committee in a manner they could deal with, and any discontent that did exist smouldered away quietly. But the culminating point was reached when the last report of the Inspector was received —and this was certainly not complimentary. The Board of Educa tion decided to give the school a three months’ trial, and this time having elapsed, and no improvement made, they would themselves take action in the affair and make some alteration in the management. In a previous article we declined to say one word either for or against the school management. We considered that when it was on its trial, as the Board had put it, it was unfair to prejudice its chance to retrieve itself by a single word of either praise or blame, so we refrained. We were fully alive to all the disadvantages the teachers had struggled under, and we believe we are also able to form an opinion of the probable chances they have of regaining lost ground; but we elected to keep s fence till the time of probation has elapsed. We are content to leave the matter in the Board’s hands for the time they have themselves set, satisfied that the impor tance of a school of over 300 pupils, and costing so much annually to the Board, will be sufficiently great to cause that body to step in as soon as the time has elapsed without improve ment, and save the district from being inflicted longer with an incompetent master; satisfied also that if pro gress is made sufficiently marked to indulge a fair hope that the school will take the position it ought to, the Board will do justice by the staff The bare fact that the staff is on its trial will be sufficient incentive to the teachers to do their utmost. Looking at the posi tion of affairs in this light, we were sorry that an anxiety to get rid of the master before the Board’s trial time elapsed should have been manifested, and the evident haste was, to say the least ofit, just as injudicious as was the palpably dictatorial and unchairmanly spirit manifested by Dr. Stewart. The Dr. evidently mistook the boundary that limits his powers as Chairman of the Committee, and actually refused to put Mr. Felton’s motion for a special meeting. In this, we think, he arrogated to himself a right he did not possess, and it was only when it was made apparent to him, by the attitude of several members who rose to leave the room, that he was not in his own person the concentrated essence of the School Committee, and that they could only pass such motions as he chose to put —that he considered prudence the better part of valor, and put to the meeting a motion that he must have seen for an hour previously was bound to pass. We are quite prepared to make allowances for any belief that may have been in his mind as to the illegality of the motion, but he ought not to have forgotten that the Committee have a perfect right to express their opinion on the state of the school, or to take such steps as the law allows them for the removal of the teacher with whom they are dissatisfied. He ought also to have remembered that the new Committee, any more than the old, have not given any direct expression of their feelings in the matter, and he had no right to attempt forcibly to repress such expression. If the good taste or the sense of fairness of the members did not show them that every movement in the direction of destroying the teacher’s popularity while he was under trial tended to dishearten and disencourage him, and at the same time help to under mine the scholars’ respect for him, and was thus calculated toinjure his chanceof retrievement by still further destroying the discipline of the school, it was the Chairman’s duty to let things take their course. Instead of this, he opposed the motion in a manner we hope he will never do again, for the Briton’s spirit will not stand being browbeat nor dictated to, as Dr. Stewart last night certainly tried his best to do with the recalcitrants of the Committee. Such conduct is a gross injury to the cause in which it is indulged, and we are only afraid that poor Mr. Stott will suffer more from the blind, though well meant zeal of his champion, than the open hostility of the men who seek his immediate removal. We are perfectly satisfied that the Board will take its own course, and also take care of the school. It will place no weight, we are sure, on the recommendation of a majority of one of a Committee, passed after a heated discussion; at the same time it will be just as ready to look suspiciously upon a counter re commendation from a minority, when it learns that the Chairman has done his best literally to stop a free expres sion of opinion on a question of vital importance.

The San Francisco Mail. —As we were going to press wo received a telegram from our Auckland correspondent stating that the inward 'Frisco mail was signalled. The Wrong Side of the Ledger. —At a meeting of the Dunedin City Council yesterday, the Mayor stated that the current year’s expenditure would exceed the revenue by fifteen thousand pounds.

New Telegraph Station. —A telegraph station has been opened, at Rahotn, County of Taranaki. Compulsory. ■ — The Timaru Sob iol Committee resolved on Monday nigh' to bring the compulsory clauses of the I lo cation Act into force at once. Cricket. —The match between the Ash burton Club and players from the Borough and Tinwald Clubs fixed for to-day, did not eventuate owing to the wet In die afternoon, when the rain cleared away, a scratch match of seven a-side was got up. Indecency. —At the Christchurch Resident Magistrate’s Court, this morn ing, John William Weston, a school master, was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor for six cases of indecent ex posure. A School of Agriculture. —A sugges tion was thrown out by Mr. Macandrew at a meeting of the Otago University, yesterday, that a school of agriculture should be established. It was resolved to make inquiries as to what the Canterbury school cost. Death of a Well-known Actres.i.— We learn from an Australian item T 'iat Mrs. Hoskins, or, as she was better known, Miss Florence Colville, died at Collingwood, Victoria, on January 27th. Mrs. Hoskins had been seriously ill for some time, and her death was not un expected. Drunks. —His Worship the Mayor sat to-day in the Police Court, and disponed of three rowdies. William Lambert, for being drunk and disorderly and resisting the police, was sent to gaol. Thomas Upton was also drunk, and had attorn;.tod to rescue Lambert. He was also sent to keep his chum company. Benjamin Wilson was fined 10s. for being drunk. New Plymouth Harbor Works. — The ceremony of laying the first stone of the harbor works at Taranaki, took place on Tuesday, and was a great success. N. irly 5,000 people assembled. The stone was laid by Mr. Carrington, late M.H.R., and the founder of the settlement. There was a long procession, and in the evening a torchlight procession through the Uwn and bonfires, concluding with a displa of fireworks.

Colonial Reciprocity.— lt is stated that the Hon. Graham Berry expre sed himself at the Intercolonial Conferem as willing to negotiate with New Zoalaiu as to reciprocity in the admission of cei ain articles on either side free or at a low ate of duty. On the side of New Zeal nd, beer and cereals were mentioned, and on the side of Victoria, wines and some ot her articles of local production. It is ur Jer stood that the New Zealand Government will open negotiations with Victoria ith a view to an arrangement for the benefit of both colonies.

Corn Ehchanoe. —The general meet ing of the subscribers to the Corn 'Ex change, adjourned from the previous Saturday, was held at the 100 ms on Saturday, February sth, at 2 ] .m. Present —Mr. Bruce (Chairman), Messrs. Miles, Watson, Osborne, Oamni.ick, Mills, Mcßeth, Higgins, Elder, Joans, Woodman, Henderson, Mathias, Baaks, Hancock, Alington, and Gardiner. The Chairman said the business before them was the adoption of the rules as recom mended by the sub-committee, and the election of a secretary. The rules were then gone through seriatim, and with some slight alterations and additions were adopted as read. Mr. Banks proposed, and Mr. Mathias seconded —“ That if any director shall be absent for three con secutive committee meetings, his seat at the Board shall be declared vacant, and that the directors present shall have the power of electing another in his place.” On being put to the meeting, it was negatived. Mr. Henderson proposed, and it was seconded by Mr. Eaglesonie — “That the secretary be allowed LIOO a year, 10 per cent, on all subscriptions collected, and 10 per cent, on the com mission earned.” Carried. The present secretary was re-elected for another year. Land Sale at Rakaia. — Yesterday a sale of Government land took place in Messrs. Davies and Winter’s sale rooms, Rakaia, Mr. Marahman, Commissioner of Crown Lands being auctioneer. The land sold comprised sections in the Ashburton, Rakaia, Arowhenua, and Orari townships, and the bidding for some of them was pretty brisk—the highest prices realised being for sections 1095 and 1096, Ashbur ton township, each of which brought LSO 7s. There was a fairly numerous atten dance. The " following was the busi ness done :

Rakaia— N. Welsh—Section 25, Ll 52s 6d; 27, LlB 6s 6d; 29, Li2 10s. T. West— -403 and 405, Lx2 10s each. H. Crook—4o7, Ll2 xos. R. M‘Kerrow and C 0—521, Ll2 los ; 522, LiS 2s 6d ; 523, 524, 525, and 527, Ll2 los each ; 615, Ll 3 15s. C. Tucker— -630 and 632, Li 2 los each. Ashburton —C. Braddell —1010, Ll 4 10s ; ion, 1012, 1013, 1014, Li2 each. A. Harri son—lol6, 1017, Ll2 each. C. Braided— -1018, Ll2. C. W. Purnell - 1058, Ll2. T. Collins —1086, Ll 4 10s ; 1087, L2l 6s ; 1088, L 23 gs. E. Reed—loß9. L 25 16s ; Tick— logo, L 34 7s, T. Bullock— 1091, Ll2; 1092, L2l 6s. I. Mills—lo 93, L347s ; 1094, L 37 16s; 1095, LSO 7s. C. E. Kooks- 1096, LSO 7s. James Reed— 1124, L 25 16s ; 1133, Ll 7 1 is; 1134. L2l 6s. T. Braddell— 1143, L 25 16s. R. Ennis—ll 44, L2B 7s; 1147, L 23 9s; 1148, L2l 6s; 1149, L 23 9s. A. Connolly —1150,L2165; 1151, L4l 12s. T. Brad dell—lls2, L2l 6s. W. Reid —1156, Ll 4 103. W. Muir— 1157, Ll 4 los ; C. E. Kooks —1166, Ll 5 19s. T. Smith—l2s3, L2B 7 s - Arowhentta. —E. Brown —8 sections at Ll2 each. I. Lonson, 2 at Ll2 each. J. Up richard—3 at Ll2 each. E. Brown—7 at Ll2 each. Orati. —W. Jameson —I sectional L 7 10s. A. Waters—l at L 7 10s. A. M'Leod -2 at L 6 ISs each.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) The Ashantee Trouble, London, Feb. 7. In the House of Commons to-day, the Right Hon. Grant Duff, Under secretary for the colonies, in reply to a question, said that the Governor of the Cold Coast colony had determined to resist the Ashantee demand for the sur render of the fugitive chief, and was making defensive preparations in case of an attack. To Take Precedence. Mr. Gladstone announced in the House to-day that the Irish Land Bill would take precedencn of all other business after the Coercion Bill had been passed. Exempt from Hard Labor. Michael Davitt will be exempt from hard labor during his imprisonment for the remainder of the terra of his sen tence.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Pet Reuter's Agency.) . Incendiarism- Sydney, To-day, The jury has found that the fire at Beckett’s premises, Barrack street, last month, was caused by some person or persons unknown. The New South Wales Estimates. The Estimates were tabled in the Assembly last night. The total expen diture is set down at L 4,280,000, being an increase of 1.165,000. The increase is almost entirely in the expenditure for education.

Exhibition Awards. Melbourne, Feb. 8. The following further awards to New Zealand exhibitors are announced : First prizes—Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for flax fibre; Colonial Museum, for phormiura tenax ; E. H. Banks, P. Cunningham and Co., A. Moore and Co., and Royse, Stead, and Co, Christchurch, for wheat; McConnell Bros., Christchurch, for bacon and hams. Second prizes—E. H. Banks, P. Cunningham and Co., A. Moore and Co., G. Parnell, Royse, Stead, and Co., Christchurch; Western District Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Riverton ; Job Vile, Mas terton; Metherall Bros., Havelock; and P. Butel and Co., Arrow, Otago, for wheat; James Goodwin, Pigeon Bay, Canterbury, for Cheese; James Eagle, Christchurch, for hams and bacon; M'Donald and Miller, Green Island, Dunedin, for bacon.

Sugar. Mauritius advices to the 28th of January report that the engagements of sugar for Adelaide amount to 485 tons, and for Hobson’s Bay 2,500 tons, but the tonnage has not yet cleared. The market has a hardening tendency in consequence of the decreasing quantity of sugar. East Melbourne Election. The election of a member for ‘ East Melbourne, m room of the late Mr. A. K. Smith, took place to-day, and re sulted in the return of Mr. Walsh, a Constitutionalist, by a large majority. Severe Cylone. Perth, Feb. 8. News has been received that a cyclone of a most severe character has visited the town of Roeburn, in the north-west of this colony, the site of the pearl fishery. Twelve boats used by the pearlers have been totally lost.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

(Per Ringarooma at Russell). London, Dec. 21. Immediately that the Judges took their seats for the trial of the Land Leaguers, Chief Justice May announced that he would take no part in the pro ceedings, on account of the miscon ception of his remarks three weeks ago, when, on application being made for a postponement, the Chief Justice re fused tire request in language which gave riso to much hostile comment pre judicial to the case again the defen dants. The Chief Justice denied that he had any such intention, but never theless thought the ends of justice would be best served if he withdrew. His place therefore was taken by Jus tice Fitzgerald. The Attorney-General for the prosecution sought to show the responsibility of the accused for the murders, outrages, and lawlessness pre valent since the rise of the Land League. He urged the jury to do their duty fearlessly, and give a verdict that would satisfy the country. The with drawal of Chief Justice May created an unfortunate impression that the chances of conviction were materially dimi nished. The trial has hitherto excited little interest, the public being ab sorbed in the more pressing anxieties caused by the triumphant lawlessness prevailing under the instigation of the Land League. Mr. Parnell and his companions were loudly cheered every day on entering and leaving the Court. Mr. Gladstone has received a memorial, signed by nearly 700 land lords, lieutenants, deputy lieutenants, chairmen of quarter sessions, clerks, and peace magistrates, declaring that that they are unable to cope with the lawlessness and intimidation at present existing, and urgently demanding the attention of the Government to the subject. At a meeting of the Irish Parlia mentary party, between thirty and forty were present, and elected Mr. Parnell as leader. They resolved that the Irish members should always sit on the Opposition side of the House, and that the party should resist individually and collectively by all means any attempt at coercion ; also that an amendment to the address should be moved, pray ing the Queen to refrain from enforcing the ejectments in Ireland wherever the rents exceeded Griffith’s valuation, pending consideration by Parliament and Land League.

The conduct of the Government towards Ireland is much condemned in London, but in the provinces more stress is laid upon the necessity of re moving grievances than in putting down anarchy. The radical party is still in the majority in the provinces, and await the Land Bill with great interest as the herald of unavoidable legislation on the same subject in England. An important Conference will be held in February next, when the repre sentatives of Chambers of Commerce from all parts of the British Empire will discuss the subject of Free Trade, and the best means of creating uni formity in the Customs duties through out the Queen’s dominions. The Chambers of Commerce in England will send 48 delegates, Canada xo, India 9, and the colonies from 2 to 4 each. The leading object of the Con ference will be established by special regulations of Free Trade between the mother country and the colonies, and between the colonies themselves, on the basis of a proposal which originated with the Dominion of Canada. London, Jan. 31. The report that the Boers have been guilty of atrociously butchering the wounded prisoners taken from the colonial forces has been officially con tradicted. It has been ascertained that they treat the prisoners humanely. The crews of the Oxford and Cam bridge Universities have commenced practising for the annual aquatic con test. The latest advices from Natal state that the Basuto rebellion is practically crushed, and the hostile tribes are now suing for peace. Her Majesty Queen Victoria has sent a cable message of condolence to Governor Colley upon the recent reverses sustained by his troops in the Boers’ rebellion.

ASHBURTON LOCAL EXHIBITION.

(From Monday’s Tiinarn Herald .) The Exhibition of Local Industries which was held at Christchurch last year with complete success, did a great deal of good beyond affording a plea sant and rational entertainment at a dull time of year. It inspired the people with new courage and confidence at a period of the deepest depression, by showing how easily the production of the country might be increased by perseverance and ingenuity exercised

upon pursuits but little thought of before. It showed how much had really been done in this way, and how much more might be done if labor and capital should combine to make the most of the materials at hand. The Exhibition itself was admirable. As a mere show it gave pleasure and instruc tion to thousands, and its extraordinary popularity was thoroughly well deserved. It also gained the higher object for which it was intended. Its results have, there is reason to believe, been very considerable. It gave an impetus to local industries such as could not have been given as effectually, perhaps, by any other means, and was the start ing point of many an undertaking which may grow into great things in the future. It demonstrated most con clusively, too, that exhibitions of local productions can be made exceedingly interesting and useful, and at the same time financially successful. It swept away at one vigorous stroke a mass of prejudice and misapprehension which had previously existed on that subject. It set an example which is sure to be largely followed, and which will pro bably lead to much more important consequences than are as yet within view. Exhibitions of local industries will become a recognised and valuable institution in New Zealand, as they have been for many years in the United States. Once firmly established they will assuredly keep their hold on the public favor, and their practical usefulness will speedily be made to appear. Already the success of any well-managed display of this kind ap pears to be certain from the beginning. Those who turn their attention to the promotion of an industrial exhibition, indeed, must be prepared henceforward for a rush of business, both from ex hibitors and from visitors, that will tax all the resources at their command.

We are pleased to see that the pro jected Exhibition at Ashburton pro mises to be a grand success. Its pro moters began their operations on a very modest scale, little thinking how large a field lay before them. As time went on, and news of the coming show got abroad, the affair grew rapidly and arrangements had to be extended ac cordingly. Now there is little doubt that the number and variety of the ex hibits will only be limited by the largest room in Ashburton to hold them. The Exhibition is to be held on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of March, and the most energetic Committee will have their work to gel everything ship shape and satisfy all demands upon them by that time. We may say we regard this event with special interest on account of its local circumstances. Ashburton itself is the most remarkable specimen of local industry that the colony has yet produced. It seems to havestartedup out of the plain like those fabled cities in the Arabian Nights which travellers used to come upon suddenly on well known highways where never a house had been seen before. Five or six years ago, Ashburton, or the Ash burton as it was called when the river and not the town gave its chief signifi cance to the locality, was a mere stopping place for the coaches on the great South road. It may have been, even at that remote period, a fine large town on paper. In actual fact it con sisted of half a dozen buildings of a very humble description. But the rail way came stretching southwards across that dreary wilderness which in the olden days formed the longest and most wearisome stage on the journey through the Island. Before it arrived it sent its messengers before it, and changes of the most startling and revolutionary character began to effect the appearance of the desolate hamlet. Several new houses were run up, and passing wayfarers shared the opinion witli the oldest inhabitant that such reckless speculation must end in irre trievable ruin. But the railway came on and on. It reached the township, which by the bye it quite threw into the shade by its own superior import ance as a local feature, the nearest house to the railway station being something like a quarter of a mile away. It reached the bank of the river. It crossed the bridge. It sped away still further south, inexorably covering mile after mile of tussock plain with iron tracks, as if bent on nothing short of a new Antarctic exploration. It pressed on till it had joined North and South Canterbury, and made Ashburton a half-way house for the trade of both. The effects upon that place were mar vellous. It is already the largest in land town in New Zealand ; and there is no reason to suppose that its long future will be less progressive than its incredibly short past. E nihilo nihil fit. Let no one suppose that a town like Ashburton has sprung out of nothing, or been run together with shifting stage scenery. It is quite substantial, and quite well ac counted for. It is the evidence of things not seen from its immediate neighborhood. It stands in the midst of a vast area of fine farm land, for the whole of which it is, from its situation and by the aid of the railway, the only outlet and the most convenient depot. It is bound to be one of the principal towns in New Zealand. But it cannot become so merely by serving as a depot and a distributing centre. It must have a trade of its own, to live and grow upon ; and this is the par ticular consideration which brings us back from this lengthy digression to the point we started from.

What Ashburton wants—and when we speak of Ashburton, we mean all our inland towns —is a strong backbone of manufactures. It wants mills and fac tories and workshops, to convert the raw products of agriculture into market able commodities. It has every facility for the establishment of these, and there is nothing to prevent it except the backwardness of the people to take up new pursuits. That back wardness arises mainly from want of in formation. The people do not know their own capabilities. They do not know how things are done, or even whether they can be done at all under the conditions prevailing around them. All this they will be taught by the Exhibition next month. That will practically be a powerful object lesson, or series of object lessons, in the in dustrial arts, and it can hardly fail to answer an extremely, useful purpose. We heartily wish it the fullest success; because we are convinced that it is calculated to launch Ashburton upon a new stage of a prosperous career, and thence to further the advancement ot many another township the prospects of which are at present far less assured.

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Lively Meeting. The usual monthly meeting of the School Committee was held in the school room last night—Dr Stewart presiding. The other memberspresent were—Messrs. Hodder, Andrews, Orr, Felton, Robin son, and St. Hill. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence from the Board was read enclosing amounts of salaries for the teachers ; confirmation of Miss Dynes’ appointment as third teacher ; quarterly returns ; and the lists of gentlemen nomi nated by the Committees for the ordinary and extraordinary vacancies on the Board. For the ordinary vacancies, the following were the nominees :—Rev. Mr. Fraser, Messrs. Inglis, Booth, Higgins, Peryman, and Saunders; andthefollowing for the ex traordinary vacancy—Messrs. Cochrane, Fraser, Higgins, Inglis, Lee, Peryman, Saunders, and Watson. voting for board members.

Several members spoke highly of Mr. Saunders as a gentleman keenly interested in education, and it was pointed out in reply to an objection raised to his being a member of Parliament, that Mr. Saunders himself felt that was an advantage instead of a drawback, inasmuch as more good could be done for the cause in the House of Representatives by being a member of that body. For the ordinary vacancies, the vote of the Committee was given, without a division, to Messrs. Saunders, Fraser and Inglis ; but a division took place for the extraordinary vacancy as bet ween Messrs. Saunders and Peryman, the latter obtain ing the Committee’s vote. master’s report. The master’s report for the month was then read. It stated that the school had opened on the Ist February, with 83 boys and 84 girls on the roll —total, 167. At the end of last week the number bad in creased to 109 boys and 112 girls—total, 221. The attendance that day had been (February 8) 123 boys and 143 girls— total, 266. The new teacher Miss Dynes had commenced her duties, but until the new school had been handed over, she could not take charge of the whole of her class—the second standard —and about 40 of her children would require to remain under Miss Stewart’s cave. It would be necessary to remove the gallery in the present infant room, and supply needful desks. The report also suggested shingl ing the path from the new school to the closets, and mentioned some repairs that were wan ted to certain door handles. Refer ring to the pumps, it went on to say that they were in good order, but many of the children were unable to draw the water, and had to go to the neighbors fora supply, or to the boys’ lavatory, and drink from the taps there. The water from the tank was not for drinking, and wore a trough provided at the pump, a supply of water would always be at hand to prime the pump, and for the use of the younger children. Mr. Robinson thought a trough was an excellent thing to have, so that the younger children could get a drink. There had been one at the school he had attended in the old country ; and it was always full, as the boys would pump. Mr. St. Hill thought it would be a, very good thing—for getting rid of the young children, as the bigger lads would drown the youngsters in the trough. Mr. Robinson did not think so.

The Chairman reminded Mr. Robinson that colonial youths were a different class of children from those Mr. Robinson had been brought up amongst. Mr. St. Hill advocated getting a man to clean out the tank. It had become very foul, and it was dangerous to allow it to be longer used. A large number of pigeons now harbored about the , school, and they helped to foul the tank, from which the lavatory was supplied. Dr. Stewart did not object to the pigeons. It was a fact that in Venice the people used tanks extensively for water storage, and pigeons were kept in large numbers for the beneficial effect their ex crement had upon the tank water. Mr. St Hill had a great respect for science. This about the pigeons was no doubt science, but it was a' kind of it he would prefer was not applied to the water of any tank of his. Mr. Hodder suggested that cans of three gallon capacity or so should be sup plied to each room, so that the younger children might be supplied with water without any trouble. A pupil teacher could be charged with the duty of seeing that no scholar went without water. The Chairman mentioned that a petty burglary had taken place at the school some time ago. He would be loth to see the windows all shut up and secured, be cause of the value of open windows over night for ventilation, but it would be per haps necessary to supply them with fastenings, and also to procure a rubber stamp, the impression of which could bo put on all moveable school property, in these words, “ Ashburton School Com mittee.” The delay in the opening of the school lay with the architect. The build ing had been finished for some time, but the architect had not come up to pass it. The matters referred to in the master’s report, with the various suggestions thrown out, were referred to the Visiting Committee to attend to and rectify. THE HEAD MASTER. Mr. Felton asked what the Committee meant to do in the matter of the Inspec tor’s report on the state of the school. The Chairman said that nothing could be done in the matter, as the Board had taken it out of the hands of tho Com mittee.

Mr. Felton said that he had been ill for some time, and had not been able to take the steps he wished to. Before he could ask the Committee to do anything in the matter it was necessary to give notice of motion. He had not been able to do so, having been laid up, and therefore what he wished to raise could not be discussed at that meeting, but he scarcely thought it was out of the Committee’s power to do anything. There was the Inspector’s report staring them in the face. He had read it over, and given it some thought, and it was a strong censure indeed upon the state of the school. The Board had given the teacher three months to prepare for an extra examination of his school, and this, to Mr. Felton’s mind, was equivalent to a notice to prepare for removal. The backwardness of the school was no new thing, and he was surprised that long ago the Committee had not taken action in the matter. He thought they were greatly to blame. Last year, when he returned from the North, he had heard many complaints made, and at that time he had been asked if he were favorable to the establishment of a High School, as it was evident the children were doing no good at the Borough School, and there was no chance, from the apathy of the Committee, of getting rid of the present teacher. The teacher had been more than two years in the present position, and instead of improving, the school had fallen off. He did not find any fault with the educational status of the teacher ; he be lieved him to be a- very highly educated man ; but it was evident lie Was not fitted to take charge of a school of the size of the Ashburton. The school was one that ought to command a high-class teacher, and he was afraid that Mr. Stott was very far from being so. It was patent that Mr. Stott did not give general satisfac tion— The Chairman—Where will you find a teacher who does ? Mr. Felton went on to say that so many private schools existing in the township was a proof that the school was not a popular one, and they Would be more largely patronised if people could afford it. He was assured that some 70 or 80 addi tional pupils would be procured if a really

good man were in the position. If all these scholars could be brought back they would materially increase the standing of the school, and entitle a good teacher to a high salary. He would move—“ That, a meeting be called for next Monday to con sider the advisableness of changing the master.” Mr. Robinson attributed the backward state of the scholars to the crowded state of the school. The want of room forced the children to work crowded together in a small space, so that it was impossible one could work without being influenced by the other. They could not help seeing each other's slates, and that was the reason why so ranch copying went on. No idle boy would work out his lessons himself if he could see his neighbor doing them beside him.

Mr. St. Hill hoped the motion would not be successful. The matter had been altogether removed out of the hands of the Committee by the Board. The Board’s letter on the subject had been very im perative, when it spoke of the extra examination, and it distinctly stated it would deal with the school itself. He strongly deprecated doing anything in the matter till the three months had expired. It was only common fairness to Mr. Stott that this should be so. The man had labored under very serious disadvantages by the withdrawal of teachers from the school just when they came to be of use. First one went and then another, and after a pupil teacher was beginning to know his work, his parents had left the district, and he had to follow. In one month, two of the oldest teachers bad gone away—the Misses Henderson—and other good ones had also gone ; so that Mr. Stott had been left burdened with all the disadvan tages that followed a state of short handedness, having to work with only young apprentices, besides the want of room already mentioned. In the hot summer clays, when the school was so crowded there were many of the children who had to be carried out of the building in a fainting state. To attempt to inter fere with the Board’s course was neither more nor less than unjust to the master. If they were to have any undue pressure brought into play, and Mr. Stott com pelled to leave before he obtained the trial the Board allowed him, it would ruin his prospects as a teacher for ever. Mr. Orr reminded Mr. St. Hill that when the Board’s letter had been read, Mr. St. Hill had said, the best thing Mr. Stott could do was to resign at once. Mr. St. Hill said Mr. Orr was in error. He certainly made a remark Wee that Mr. Orr attributed to him, but when he made it he only expressed what he himself would have done in the same circum stances. He (Mr. St. Hill) would most assuredly have chucked the who’e thing at them ; but Mr. Stott was not him, and chose to remain on and trust himself in the hands of the Board.

Mr. Hodder had sympathy with much that had been said by Mr. Felton. He appreciated Mr. Stott very much as a man, and believed him to be a very hard working and painstaking teacher. But ho was quite satisfied that Mr. Stott was not qualified for the position he held as master of that large school. He had children attending the school, and knew from the little progress they were making that things were not as they should be ; and when the Inspector’s report came out he judged from it that the school was in even a worse state than even he had thought it was. From that report any one could see the Inspector thought the school was as bad as it well could be. He accepted the report as that of a gentleman qualified to give an opinion, and had no reason to suppose a teacher would get a report he did not deserve. The Chairman said that was not always the case, as he knew of a case where a teacher, who was known to be a very in ferior man, got a very high report given by an Inspector, who was not always a criterion of the teacher’s worth.

Mr. Hodder went on—Nothing had been done by the Committee since the report came out, and in the interests of the school, and to show the public that the Committee were fully alive to the state of the school and the situation of affairs, the Committee ought to take action in the matter. It was the opinion of the public that something ought to be done. The Chairman interjected a remark that Mr. Hodder did not represent all the public, and Mr. Robinson thought Mr. Hodder should only speak for himself. Mr. Hodder continued his speech, and concluded by seconding Mr. Felton’s motion.

Hr. Stewart would oppose any attempt to interfere with the three months’ trial Mr. Stott had been allowed by the Board. He knew perfectly well that anything that was done by the Committee would have no effect upon the Board until the time it had allowed Mr. Stott to prepare for another inspection had elapsed. He did not wish to back up Mr. Stott through thick and thin, but the Board had taken the matter out of the hands of the Com mittee, and had given the school a time of trial in which to recover itself. It was only fair that that time should run out. If at the end of the time there was no improve ment, then Mr. Stott would be removed without the Committee moving in the matter at all, but it was only fair that the chance given should be allowed. He thought the motion of Mr. Felton was in the worst taste, as that gentleman’s son had been dux of the school for two years —proof that that lad’s education had not been neglected at any rate. [Mr. Felton —Just the reason why I first thought there was something rotten. I know how he stands.] He would give his very strongest opposition to the motion. Mr. Orr took a totally different view of the matter from Dr. Stewart. His own opinion was that the three months’ grace given to Mr. Stott was only a polite form of notice to quit, and from the tone of the annual meeting it was evident the public had an impression that the school was not properly conducted.

Dr. Stewart mentioned his own return at the top of the poll as a proof that that was not the general impression. Every body knew at that meeting that his feel ings were not in any way antagonistic to Mr. Stott. Mr. St. Hill said four of the old Com mittee had been returned, so the public could scarcely be accused of blaming the old Committee. Mr. Andrews hoped the Dr. would allow others to have some sort of opinion of their own. He (Mr. Andrews) had heard a very great many parents make re marks that were not at all complimentary to the state of the school, and he could assure the meeting that a very wide spread feeling existed that something should be done at once to bring about an improvement. Mr. Robinson would move that the subject be held over to next monthly meeting. Mr. St. Hill seconded, and in doing so expressed a belief that he would not be able to attend the special meeting. The Chairman questioned whether it was competent for him to put such a motion as that of Mr. Felton, seeing that the matter had been taken out of the Committee’s hands by the Board, and to hold a meeting of this kind was an inter ference with the Board’s action. Ser geant Felton, in his experience of court practice, knew that it was not usual for a lower Court to try a case that was sub juclice in a higher one. Mr. Felton pressed his motion. The special meeting could not be an interfer ence with the Board, as the present Com mittee was a new one, and it was not known whether there was any new matter to be brought forward beyond the report. Under any circumstances the teacher could not be dismissed without the Committee’s sanction. Mr. St. Hill said it would appear as if

the. Committee had gone in with the in tention siriiply of hanging the teacher ; and if so soon after its election a meeting of this kind were held, the object of thos e who called it would be frustrated, for tbo Board would say the Committee were excited and would put aside any recom mendations they might send. It was no use raising an outcry like this about the school. There was a man sitting amongst them at that moment (pointing to Mr. Ward) who had been the best abused man in Ashburton in his time. An out cry had been raised about him, and ho wasn’t six months away from the school before the crowd who objected to him were wishing to have him back again. (Laughter), The Chairman said it would 'be far better to let Mr. Stott alone fit the rmo he had been allowed by the Board. Xf he were turned out without a fair trial his prospects would be damned over the whole colony. i . Mr. Felton wished to press his rootidh, and hoped the Chairman would waste no more time, but putit. 1 I''' r ! - ‘ 4 Mr. St. Hill said Mr. Felton had jgdjhe into the Committee on an election 'Ary which he took care to let everyone know. He announced at the- public meeting tbit it was his intention to do all he could to turn out Mr. "StottJ The 'focal papers went down to the Board, who woulclread that statement of Mr. Felton’s, and they would just wait till the Committee’s feel ings cooled down, and put any recom mendation they sent aside. :u: J Mr. Orr said he felt that the Beard ex pected some such steps as Mr.' Felton proposed should be taken by the’ Com mittee. 1; : ; . .

Mr. Felton pressed his motion, hut the Chairman still said he did not feel justified in putting it. • : ■ j Mr. Felton could not, see why the Com mittee should be closed lip like thfj. J ,3By no possibility could the mah ; be di tmiteed without the Committee’s sanction-smb it was palpable : that the BoatU' wisfe very much dissatisfied with the teacher. Were the Committee to stand by like so many nincompoops and «6t sa£ "thither or not they were satisfied with him- Thtee months’ notice would have to-be giv'ek ! liim at any rate, and if the inspectionriot a satisfactory one, these three months ofTS bad teacher would have to be put|Tfl r with after the inspection, which mebii six months in all. , .., ; Mr. Andrews thought tK<sylhadt£o;f-con sider the welfare of all the children qs.WdU as of one man. ! !/: .) > A Mr. Felton would press his motion. The Chairman refused to putrin J . l aa it was a direct interference with the Board. Mr. Felton wished to know,if,the Board was so all powerful that the Committee dare not consider a question like this, simply because the Board■ ■hffd-'chbsej to say that an inspection would take {Race three months hence I If : that- were sO'thA Committee was a very small afisir. The Chairman said they , could not defy the Board, and he would not put.the motion. . _ ; r,, t . Mr. Orr could not agree with tire actiopi of the Chairman. He did not fall in. with, all that had been said by Mr. Felton ; but. it seemed to him an unusual proceeding on the part of the Ghairmanjt? flefyyjjk| Committee and refuse to* |>ut a pdifebtly' legitimate motion. There jvas np-use holding a meeting at all if the Chairman were to put only such motions as he" chose. , Mr. Felton said if the motion were not put he would never attend another meet ing, and he would write to the Board. Messrs. Felton and Orr here both rose and put on their hats to go, and the meet-" ing began to break up. Suddenly the Chairman started up and put Mr. - Robin son’s amendment, which was lostthen he put Mr. Felton’s motion, which was carried. The meeting then adjourned.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1881.



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READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager.



Q. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes ■ Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair : Tobacco . Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircnttihg, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. : 520* WEEKLY SALE. WjOehlySale B VERY SATURDAY, At 1 o’clock p.m., M (their Rooms, Saunders’ Buildings, ■ Wf ’-T/ street.



ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS Help one another



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Wanted. U-.. 1 .H WANTED— A .smart- Bakers’ Small G Office of this Paper. : BAD oods. to sell Apply, 74a WANTED— A BOY 'to loot after , horses and to make himself generally! useful. Apply to Fexeddandee ‘Bros. 75a WANTED AT ONCE—TENDERS for CARTING and STACKING 45 acres oats at Seafield. -Tenders, ad* dressed “Oats,” to be sent in to Office of this Paper. 7£* s WANTED TO SELL Twenty-fiye' SECTIONS, Wakahui ‘ ! Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, .■ East ’ Street. 898 A N T TENDERS for right of REFRESH MENT STALL in the Town Hall the Industrial Exhibition, on March 17, 18, and 19. Tenders to be'sent" itt by? 1 SATURDAY, Feb. 12, atnoom. Full in formation on application to STEPHEN E, POYNTZ, 53a Hon. Sec. WANTED KNOWN — The Labgest and Best Stock of Saddlery iss to be found at the shop of S. Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers,. Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands, 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers , will make a great saving by buying of S. Saddler, Tinwald. YTTANTED KNOWN. Ashburtdnl V\ REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants. —L. F. Andeswes begs to inform the public of Ashburton’’" and surrounding districts that he has' opened the above. Male and Female. Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all. persons with good recommendations, who lire in - want of situations, are requested to apply j to L. F. Andkewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. WANTED KNOWN—That a Church' of England minister’s wife ‘ that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ ' Villa.. . Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, .com bined ; and, although she permits no rubbing,;the clothes are bieautifqUyjwhitp,- and much cleaner than when done hand, while the saying, in jmending hasT been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, conwrj ol Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10a.. ■ . 700 wanted SOMERSET LIVERY AND ,BAIT STABLES.: ’ vl .i l JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the . public that he has taken the vboyq j Stables from Mr. Boesenberg, and is making extensive repairs. ' Buggies and saddle horseaon hire. -■ Lowest prices and best attention. 892