SHIPPING.

* POET OP LYTTELTON. - Arrived. Yestbbday. Duke of Athole ship, from Newcastle. Sailed. Yesterday. Cabana, barque, for Dunkirk. Hinomoa, 0.Q.5.5., for Wellington. Botomahana, as., for Melbourne, via South. Wanaks, s.s., for North. e™osa«Ctofbyi ahip,for Falmouth and Queens* town. -

MAIL NOTICES.

|the -following places (subject to the neces sary alterations) as under: — . Friday, July, 8. West, Coast Sounds, per express to connect with the s.s. Wallace, at ... ’ Saiueday, July 16. ‘ * ' For theUnjted Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, Cotitihents of Europe and America,. ; West Indies, Sandwich Islands, Northern "^‘porter of New Zealand, Ac., per Wanaka, as follows: —Ordinary letters at 6.30 p.m. ; late fee letters, at 7 p.m..; books , and newspapers, at 6 p.m.; money orders, at 3 p.m.’ ; registered letters at 5 p.m. ; .guard's vafi, 8.80 p.m. train. ■ *~i Mails dose at the Ashburton Post Office as follows: , For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. Id'im., atod> r ‘ For Ohertsey Rakaia, Ac., at 10a.m.. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Rangitata, Otari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. n’For Teinuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. n For Timarn and South, at 6 a.m., 10 • *.m., and 420 p.m., daily. For Qreenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a. m. For Ashton,’ Waterton and Longheaoh, at 4:30 p.m. daily. , ~ . : Fop Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New s Jand, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, >' *nd Saturdays, at 6 a.m. Mail* arrive at the Ashburton Post i Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 1 s.m., 435 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. ;• FromChertsey, Ac. at 10.25 a.m. and > 435 p.m. daily. t , I* <- From Dunedin and intermediate places i- at 6.86 p.m. daily. Prom Temuka andTimaru at 10,10 a.m. 8.35 p.mu, and 8.16 p.m. daily, i.- -..From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, • Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge .’on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.ra. S’.;. From-Ashton, Waterton, and Long r tbeach at 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New „ hmd, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays t .at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, July 9. ,Mr. T. Bullook, at his Booms, East street 4-Yaluable Town and Suburban Pro pertios.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o To-night, f i - WsDNBSDAY, July., 6. County Council,- at the County Council ' Chambers, at 11 o’clock.' Lecture, in St Stephen’s Church, at 8 -p.m.' ’ - Thursday, July 7. ‘L.O.L.—Monthly Meeting, Somerset Sample: Booms. Lecture in the Schoolroom, 1 Chertsey, at Aahlrarion Library—Committee Meeting. Monday, July 11. Borough Council, at Borough Council O - Ohambers, at 7 o’clock. . Tuesday, July 12. ‘ ‘ Lecture, in the Wakanui Schoolroom, at • l ' 7.30 p.m. * LOiL—Dinnerf Somerset Hotel, 8 p.m. ''Ashburton School Committee, ;

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

' Bums' Leave Ashburton job Cheist -1; : church and intermediate stations at 6 ■‘'a.m., 10.30 Am., and (Express) 5.48 " : .p.nu ' Tbaxm Leave Ashburton bob Txmabu ‘ at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 450 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timarn. ®I*RUNS Abbivr at Ashburton from . Ohbistohueoh at 10 24 a. ra. (Express), 'ASS'jxm., and 7.50 p.m. .Trains Arrive at ' Ashburton from and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 j).'iiL (Express), and 8.16 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. {lssued at 4.30 p.m.]

Waterton Library Committee. —The usual monthly meeting of the above Com mittee was held on Friday evening last. Present —Messrs Davies (in the chair), Taylor, Norrish, Moses, Bryan, and Gil mour. The treasurer reported that there was a credit balance of L 4 4s 6d. The Chairman reported that since the last meeting there had been a number of trees planted round the library site and several other improvements carried out. Some discussion then took place regarding a new tarifl of charges for the use of the hall, but ultimately it was resolved not to make any alteration. Mr Gilmour moved —“That an entertainment be held on July 13th in aid of the Library fund.” This was seconded by Mr Moses, and carried. Ths passing of several accounts for pay ment and the transaction of some other business, jbrought the meeting to a close. Binking. —An announcement relative to the local Binking Club, which appears else where, should be perused by our linking friends.

Embezzlement.— The man Kennedy, who was alleged to have been robbed at Rakaia, was brought before his Worship the Mayor this afternoon, charged with embezzlement at Timaru. The accused was remanded for eight days. Fresh Fields, Ac.— The good accounts from the Cape diamond fields has induced six of the Dunedin police force to send in their resignation to-day. Cheap Railways. —Fancy constructing a railway for L 1,098 per mile —less than the cost of the macadamized road. Yet that, remarks the Sydney Mail, is the amount per mile of a tender for 32 miles of a railway to Queensland. We want some of these Queensland contractors in Now Zealand.

Permanent Market Buildings.— At the meeting of the Christchurch City Council, on Monday evening, Councillor Cuff gave notice that ho would move at next meeting—“ That this Council now take such action as may be necessary to commence the erection of permanent market buildings upon , their reserve in Market square. ” Horticultural Society.— A meeting of the committee of the Horticultural So ciety was held yesterday evening at the Mail office. There were present—Mr H. C. Jacobson, in the chair, and Messrs Poyntz |(hon. sec.), Mayo, Charlton, Smith, Andrews, Broomfield, Harrison, Stevenson, Simmonds, and Davidson. The secretary reported that he had ar ranged for advertising in the two papers for the year within the limits of the sum allowed. Some small accounts were passed for payment. As the two gentle men who were to have road papers were absent, the committee proceeded to revise the prize list for the next autumn show. The chairman suggested that a prize should be given this year for the best cot tage garden. The chief alterations made were in the striking out of the prizes for pelargoniums, strawberries, and goose berries, and the addition of prizes for melons, rooted begonias, and a collection of varieties of grapes, and a prize for pumpkins. The various members of com mittee then stated what special prizes they would give at the next show. Among the novelties were prizes for clematis in pots, best collection of double pe tunias, best collection of gourds, and best two pots of jazneara, the last being a plant with which every member of the committee, except the proposer, seemed to be unacquainted, though it was asserted that there is already some in Ashburton, and that it is very beautiful. Some con versation passed respecting the advisability of increasing the amateur list,’ and there was a long comic discussion about giving prizes for the best samples of cooked potatoes/ The gentlemen who had agreed to read papers having still not pat in an appearance, the committee adjourned. A.R.Y.—This company will hold their ! half-yearly meeting after the usual weekly drill, at Mr Bullock’s auction room, to morrow evening. An advertisement else where states that important business will be brought forward,- f

Art . Union of London. —We have just been informed that at the annual distribution of prizes in London, which took place on the 26th April last, Mr Joshua Tucker became a prize-bolder of & work of art of the value of Ll 5, in addi tion to his annual picture. As he resides at so great a distance, the Council will choose for him a work of the value of his prize from the Royal Academy, or [one Jor the Art Societies. There are seveeral other New Zealand prize takers this year, and the popularity of the society seums to bo on the increase in all the British colonies.

Criminal Court, Christchurch. —The Supreme Court sat again at Christchurch yesterday. John Duncan, charged with arson, in Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, was found guilty and sentenced to six years’ penal servitude ; Thomas Wester Knibbs was charged with robbery witli violence and was acquitted, after a warn ing by the Judge as to his future conduct ; Charles Geddes was charged with having embezzled funds belonging to the Loyal Sefton Lodge of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., and was acquitted. The Court then adjourned. Tenders. —The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board invite tenders for additions to the Ashburton Home.

Arrests. —Yesterday Constables Rouse and Smart arrested four persons named, James Brown, James White, F. Cassey, and Maggie Sutton, on the arrival of the 4,35 p.m. train from Christchurch. The prisoners were charged with robbery with violence at the Rakaia. They were brought up at the R.M. Court this after noon, James Kennedy gave evidence to the effect that he met the prisoner while at Rakaia, on July 4th, was enticed into drinking with him, and on their way to wards the bridge, White and the other prisoners seized him by the throat, knocked him down, and robbed him of all the money he had with him (L 25). Pri soners were remanded until Friday next. The Mayor. —His Worship the Mayor arrived in Ashburton last night from the Auckland hot springs. He appears to have recruited his health during his visit, and looks very much better than when he left.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE [per reuter’s agency.] Monetary and Commercial. London, July 4. Consols unchanged at ioo*4. The 5 per cent. New Zealand 10-40 loan has advanced to 105; the 5 per cent. New Zealand 1889 loan remains unchanged at 105 ; and the 4 Yz per cent. 1879-1904 loan, 103. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 48s 6d; New Zealand wheat, 475, ex ship ; Ade laide flour, ex warehouse, 345. Aus tralian tallow, best beef, per cwt, 36s ; best mutton, 38s. The Chinese Question. In the House of Commons to-day, Sir Charles Dilke, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question, said it was not intended by the Government to take steps to modify existing treaties with China, so as to enable the Australian colonies to deal with the question of Chinese immigration. |The Everlasting Frontier Difficulty. Constantinople, July 4. Intelligence is to hand from Arta, in Epirus, that the Turkish troops who had evacuated that city, preparatory to its surrender to Greece, have now re entered the place, and are at the same time raising fresh obstacles to its ces sion. The settlement of the Greek frontier question is thus still further delayed. Bombarding. Paris, July 4 Telegrams are to hand from Tunis announcing that French war ships are now bombarding the seaport of Sfax, where a rising of Arabs recently oc curred. President Garfield. Washinoton, July 4. This evening’s bulletin reports that the President’s condition is fluctuating. Symptoms of tympanites continue. Further enquiries into the antecedents of Gintean,jthe would-be-assassin, prove that he has been long insane, Washington, July 5. This morning’s bulletin reports that the President has eaten and slept well and is decidedly better. AUSTRALIAN. [per rbotbr’s agency.] ilis Excellency Declines. Melbourne, July 5. It is now definitely known that the Governor has refused the advice of the Ministry that Parliament should be dis solved in the present crisis. More About the Princes. The Royal Princes visited Sandhurst to-day, and were accorded a splendid public reception. Out in the Cold. Melbourne, To-day. Mr Berry tendered the resignations of himself and his colleagues to the Governor this morning. It is probable Sir Bryan O’Loughlin will be summoned by his Excellency to form a new Mini stry, but it is considered doubtful if he will succeed in doing so. In Session. Sydney, July 5. Parliament was opened to-day by His Excellency Lord Augustus Loftus. In his address the Governor announced that during the session the following measures would be brought m :—A Bill for the Regulation of Chinese Immigration, a Legislative Bill, Licen sing and Municipal Bills, together with others for the amendment of various Acts now in force in the colony. John in Quarantine. Sydney, To-day.

A Chinaman who carried small-pox from a countryman who was attacked at Waterloo, has been found to be suf fering from the disease at Druiltoun, and has been removed to the Quaran tine Station.

A Despatch. Hobakt, July 5,

The Hobart Town Mercury publishes in to-day’s issue a circular despatch by the Right Hon. Earl Kimberley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to Her Majesty’s representatives in Aus tralasia, relating to a series of resolu tions passed by the members of the Intercolonial Conference held at Sydney ,in January last. With regard to the resolution concerning the functions of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Earl Kimberley states that: while fully appreciating the high ability and earnestness displayed by Sir Arthur Gordon in maintaining Imperial jurisdiction in the Pacific during his term of office, the British Government, neverthless, are sensible of the great importance of the points raised by the Conference, and will take them into serious consideration at an early date. His Lordship adds that tlm Admiralty has already been communicated with upon the subject.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Criminal.

Auckland, Yesterday. , At the Supreme Court to-day Pusiki, of Napier, for wounding with intent, was sentenced to three months; Taraate Tongate Ware, for entering and stealing from the premises of Chas. Bell, at Churchill, received three months. Thomas Sims pleaded “ Guilty ” to unlawfully wounding Annie Carline at Riverhead, and was sentenced to three years’ im prisonment. The Grand Jury returned a true bill in the libel case Hurst y. Wick ham. At the criminal sessions F. H. Shepherd, on five charges of larceny, was sentenced to a year. He is far gone in consumption. Edwd. Foster, for robbery at the Kamo Hotel, was sentenced to eighteen months. John Mulhern, aged fourteen, late of Industrial Horae, was also sentenced to eighteen months, but is to be liberated on his recognizances if any settler will take charge of him. Fumigation. The fumigation of the Hero’s mails was completed to-day, and the bags brought to town. The Harbor Board recommend, that to expedite the dispatch of the mails a new fumigating house be erected at the wharf at Motuihihi. Railway Extension- The railway line through from Auckland to Helensville opens on the 18th. Drowned. John Olof Petersen, of Manga wai, was drowned by falling into the water while in an epileptic fit. Sudden Death. A man named John Houghan James died suddenly. The Shooting Case. Thames, Yesterday. An inquest was held this afternaon on the body of a boy named Brickley, who was shot in a rifle gallery a few days ago, and who died this morning. The affair caused a great sensation here, and the owner of the gallery was severely censured in the matter. The boy was looking on at the firing, when the proprietor, a colored man, named Clement, playfully pointed a gun, an American pea rifle, at him. The hammer of the weapon being defective, it went off, shooting the boy in the left breast. The blood spurted out, and the little fellow was conveyed to the hospital. Several attempts were made tojextract the bullet, which was only the size of a pea, but without success. A post mortem ex amination revealed the fact that it had pierced the left lung, and the doctors think that it lodged in the muscles of the back. The general impression here is that the owner of the gallery would be held re sponsible for the boy’s life, but the jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental Death,” with a rider deprecating the use of such weapons in public places. Public feeling on the matter is very high, and probably something more will be heard of the affair shortly. Supreme Court. Wellington, Yesterday. In the Supreme Court, Jesse Thomp son, for assault, and Henry Ferris, for larceny as a bailee, were each sentenced to six months’ hard labor. The Court adjourned until Monday next, when the charge against Whitelaw, late Super intendent of the Lunatic Asylum, for ill treating patients, will be heard. Missing Jewellery. Nelson, To-day. At the inquest on the fire at Mr Jago’s house the jury returned a verdict that it was accidentally burned. It was sought to be shown that the case of jewellery in sured in the Liverpool and London office for LIOO had not been burned, and Mr Jago and his son both agreed that the heat was not sufficient to destroy the jewellery, but both swore to not having been able to find the goods, or any trace of them, since the fire. A Nice Member. Dunedin, Yesterday. A resident of Invercargill was fined L 5 to-day for drunkenness in a railway carriage. It was stated that accused was a member of the Licensing Bench. Moritzou’a Case. Dunedin, To-day. The petitioners in Moritzon’s case have been informed that the Governor cannot consider their petition, so long as the case is before the Supreme Court, but when the charges have been dealt with, the petition will be considered.

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of th County Council was held to-day, Thor were present—Mr Walker (Chairman), and Messrs Jackson, Cameron, Bullock, and Coster. chairman’s statement. The Chairman made a statement show ing what tenders were in for various small works. He mentioned that, in con sequence of some of the members being absent on legislative business in Welling ton, he had requested the pre sent contractors for the Hospital to continue to supply at the present rates until August next. He had accepted Watkins’ contract for carting piles to the Rangitata traffic bridge. The pile driving for this work will commence immediately. The Government have agreed to refund the Council’s expense of L 167 5s 6d paid towards the approach of the Rakaia Gorge bridge. In consequence of damage done by rain to the Hospital, he had authorised repairs, the cost of which ho estimated at LIBO. The Chair man then referred to the published report respecting the Rangitata bridge, which was incorrect. No such report as pub lished had reached the Council. In con clusion, the Chairman congratulated the Council .on the carrying of Mr Wright’s motion in Parliament respecting the re presentation of the Ashburton Council on the Lyttelton Harbor Board. engineer’s report.

The Engineer’s report was read, and was as follows : Water Race, Ashburton and Rnkaia Plains. —The contractor has now in hand the earth works of contracts No. I and 2 of the Fairfield line, and the former will be completed about ten days hence. On the Dromore line the earthworks of contracts No. I and 2 will be completed in a few days. These should have been finished now, but the detention is due en tirely to the stormy weather which prevailed during the middle of last month. The earth works of contracts No. 3 and 4 on this line have been very satisfactorily completed, within the contract period, by Mr Maugham and Mr Silcock respectively. The total length of the Dromore race is twenty-nine miles twenty chains. The contractors for the box culverts on the various races are now getting the tim bers fitted, and no time will be lost in convey ing them to the ground and fixing them on the required sites. The contracts for fords on the different races will also be taken up and the works commenced immediately. Of these there are thirteen on the Fairfield line and eight on the Dromore line, and eleven bn the Chertsey line, all situated between the Lynd hurst road and the termination of the respec tive races. The fords to the north of Lynd hurst road, on the different lines, have been already executed by day labor. The present contractor for the small concrete tanks seems quite unable to carry out his contract. In the beginning of June he undertook to construct 30 tanks by the 20th of this month. As yet he has only laid the floor of one tank, and carted three barrels of cement. I beg to annex letter from him, asking three weeks’ extension of time ; but of course, under the circumstances, I could not recommend this. I would suggest that, in order to prevent further waste of time, his contract be at once cancelled, and the work given to Rattray and Co., the next lowest tenderers, whose price is only 3s 4d a tank above Sullivan's tender, and who are likely to execute the work with some degree of despatch. The damage occasioned to the works of water supply from the flood which occuirel about the nth of June is very slight indeed, and is confined almost entirely to a few points in the bed of the Creek above

Melhven. These ate -being protected now The injury to the water-race proper is hardly perceptible, except where temporary obstruc tions have been caused through the fords and culverts not having been executed, and the small deposits of earth at these places will be cleared out at a trivial cost. The dam and headworks remain quite intact. The Methven and Winchmore flood-water drain has suffered a little in a few places, and one of the fords on that line wants some repair. A small part of }he spoil bank at Belmont filter basin was carried away, but this can be restored and strengthened at a cost of about L 4. With reference to the proposed auxilliary water race marked Da on plan, it appears that Mr Alington and other owners would prefer a devia tion, which would be somewhat more servicable for their properties than the line authorised by the Council, which represents the general line only. The owners seem to be agreeable to’ give a right-of-way, and to waive questions of severance on the line, and I beg to ask the Council’s authority to adopting it in lieu of the othei. It would be somewhat shorter- and less subject to the influence of floodwater. As regards the line of water-race marked E on plan, I have carefully staked out the first fourteen miles at the upper end, having first taken sections and cross sections to arrive at the choice of a line with safe declivity, and in such position as to avoid, as much as possible, the effects of floodwater. The line shewn in blue is staked out as far as Barrhill, but from R.S. 15548 down to the main line of railway no change whatever has been made or seems desirable. It appears some of the owners below the railway line wish a small deviation near the lower end of the channel the nature of which you will probably become acquainted with through their deputy to-duy. Having put myself in communication with several of the owners along this E line, I find that while they are willing to agree to give a right-of-way, and bear the cost of maintenance, they are not disposed to have their properties included in the district, which is constituted a rateable district under the provisions of the Water Supply Act, and meantime they pro pose to appoint delegates to confer with the Council on this question before any works of water supply are undertaken on that line. I may al-;o state that the owners above Barrhill have initiated a water supply from Mount Hutt district near the line now proposed. This, how ever, they regard as a temporary measure only. It would appear also that most of the owners below the railway, between Chertsey and Rakaia, have been taking it for granted that the said E line is already within the rateable district, and they are now urging for another supplementary line, proceeding from the direc tion of Barrhill and passing down to Rakaia, a distance of twelve miles, through the com paratively narrow strip of land between the E line and the Rakaia river. After crossing the railway they propose to divide the supply by running two lines, each about fourteen miles in length, from that junction point to the sea. One of these lines would be above the terrace tire other below, as shown on plan. The owners below the railway say they would bear the cost, both of construction and maintenance, if the Council would provide an adequate supply of water at the railway. The expense of the formation of the race would, no doubt, be small, in comparison with the cost of head works in the Rakaia river, necessary to give such supply, whether these works are under taken along the terraces near Barrhill, or lower down near the Rakaia township. At all events, if the Council should entertain this new pro posal, it is evident that this length of forty miles of channel additional to the E line must be supplied from some source independent of Pudding Hill stream, the supply from which, I fear, will be barely sufficient during the dry season to meet the requirements of the already authorised channels, especially when these are extended further towards the sea. I beg also to state that the proposed deviation of the E line near Barrhill seems to render another line by the. river side there all the less necessary. The works of water supply on the Ashburton and Rakaia plains are now sufficiently ad vanced to admit of fresh work being under taken, either in the formation of the authorised loop lines, in the extension of main races within the rateable district, or in the formation of part of the E line next Rakaia as the Council may decide. Planting.—The planting of blocks surround ing the County sale yards has just been com pleted by Sealy Brothers. Waterton Drainage.—The floodgates on line of main drain have now been fixed, and the) bridge at Waterton and Beach road will be raised in order to facilitate the passage of floodwater.

Foot Bridge Hinds River.—As requested by you I have met the Assistant Railway Engineer at the site of this bridge, and he is prepared to recommend to the General Manager that the Council be authorised to carry out the work as they contemplate, viz., by making the proposed footbridge an attach ment to the present railway bridge as shewn in accompanying plan. Tne total length will be 483 feet, and the expense probably a little in excess of the sum voted by the Council. I shall be prepared with a detailed estimate in a day or two. Rangitata Traffic Bridge Extension.—Opera tions will be started at this work forthwith. Men and materials are now on the ground, and I expect the pile driving'will be commenced to-morrow.

Respecting the granting of an extension of time to P. Sullivan, contractor for the water tanks, after a letter had been read asking for an extension of time, on the ground of bad weather and the poor gravel in the nearer pits, it was resolved —“ That the contract be cancelled, and the work given to Rattray and Co. ” It was resolved —“ That in the case of extraordinary damage done to any of the water races constructed by the Council, nothing contained in the deed of agree ment shall be held to bind landowners to repair the said extraordinary damage at their own cost.”

Resolved that a certified copy of this resolution be attached to the deed and carried round.

Respecting the Methven drainage it was resolved that the Engineer be instructed to repair fords, &c. It was resolved that as no persons inte rested are injured by so doing, the Council will approve of the alteration in D2.

Mr Dowding waited on the Council re signing the deed for line E. The Chair man told Mr Dowding that the matter would be considered later on in the day. Mr Coster read a petition from certain ratepayers re alteration of E line. The matter was adjourned until the petition was presented. Resolved that E line be next under taken, provided the deed of agreement is signed by the ratepayers. HINDS FOOT BRIDGE. It was resolved—“ That the Engineer be authorised to call for tenders for the Hinds foot bridge on the plan proposed ; tenders to be in by next meeting of the Council.” RANGITATA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. Mr Higgenson’s report of 10th April and replies, and a letter from Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., on the same subject, were read. HOSPITAL. The report of Mr Fooks, artchitect, on the repairs needed at the Hospital, was read. It showed that inter alia the whole of the roofs would need to be stripped, and replaced in a substantial manner. slates previously used were American, of very inferior quality, they did not sufficiently overlap, and zinc instead of copper nails had been made use of.—lt was resolved to sanction an ex penditure of LIBO for roofing and L 25 for other repairs, and also for the doors ; also, that copies of all the reports be sent to Mr Bruce, in order that he may furnish an explanation. Mr Bruce’s report re work done was read. It was resolved with regard to the planting along the water-race, referred to in Mr Bell’s report—“ That the Council wishes to make no restrictions as to plant ing along the water-race, but would warn landowners that in the event of damage by tree roots they would bo requested tp remove them. ” PETITIONS. Mr Coster read a petition from Mr Allan and others, respecting water supply at Rakaia. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Coster, seconded by Mr Bullock-** 1 That

the divergence be granted as far as wbjsgg 28046.” TENDERS. Moved by Mr Coster, seconded by Mr Bullock—“ That tenders be called for E. Line. Tenders to be accepted when the necessary document is signed. ’’—Carried. It was agreed that in the opinion of the Council the deed required from the resi dents, within the rateable district will meet the resolution of April 6, 1881. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to about L 450 were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. I The following correspondence was read I and dealt with as under : From Murdoch Bruce and others, Sea field, stating that the settlers living near the sea have great difficulty in getting water for their stock, and asking that the water-race on the Seafield road be con tinued to the sea.—Agreed that the prayer of the Seafield. petitioners be granted as soon as possible. An opinion was read from Messrs Branson and Purnell, stating that it is not obligatory on the Council to take bonds from poundkeepers. From David Jackson, offering to con tinue to act as ferryman at the Lower Rangitata ferry, Ealing, on the same terms as before.—lt was resolved that the Geraldine Council be asked if they are willing to assent to Jackson’s re-appoint ment, and if they be so, that he be re appointed. From S. E. Poyntz, hon. sec. of the Industrial Association, asking for grant in aid for building a museum in the public Domain—Resolved that this Council re gret that they have no funds available for he purpose. . From 0. R. Mackie, South Rakaia, ob jecting to sign the deed required for the Rakaia water supply, and stating that though the owners of land on the Rakaia river strongly object to be included in the rateable area, they are willing to pay rates for maintenance of water races when con structed by the Council. —Resolved that Mr Mackie be informed of the Council’s resolution already passed. From the County Engineer of West land, respecting the tolls levied on the Christchurch road.—lt was resolved that the Government be asked if this road is maintained by Government subsidy, and if so that this Council protest against any subsidy being paid so long as any tolls are charged by the Westland County County Council. LEVELS. The Engineer was instructed to take preliminary levels for the Hinds-Rangi tata Water Supply, and take other neces sary steps towards commencing the work. ASHBURTON BRIDGE. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Cameron— “ That the Government be asked to erect i several escape ways on the Ashburton railway bridge. ” PLANTING RESERVES. Resolved —“ That the Government be ; asked to make 15 chain reserves for planning pu.poses between the Ashburton r and Rangitata, across the plains, on Crown lands, not further apart than 5 . miles. ” . Resolved —“ That the Chairman be re : quested to see the Chairman of the ; Domain Board re the recommendation of i the Planting Committee, requesting a • grant in aid.” : [Left sitting.]

HUNT CLUB.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Hunt Club for Ash burton was held at the Somerset Hotel yesterday afternoon, at which there were present—Messrs Stitt (in the chair), M!. Friedlander, Bell. S. Saunders, Jacobson, Drs Murdoch and Boss. It was proposed by Dr Murdoch, second by Mr Friedlander, and carried unanimously —“ That those present form themselves into a committee with the object of forming a Hunt Club for the Ashburton.”

It was proposed by Mr S. Saunders, seconded by Dr Ross, and carried unani mously—“ That the subscription to the proposed Club be LI Is per annum.” An offer was received from Mr Edward Saunders to hunt the district one day each week during the months of August and September, this year for LSO, and to hunt one day each week during months of May, June, and July next year for a like sum. The Club to find country and do repairs. It was resolved to consider Mr Saunders’ offer at an adjourned, meeting, those present, however, intimating" that Mr Saunders might rely upon his offer being accepted. Some conversation followed, during which it was suggested that members of committee should make an active canvass for subscribers, and that members of the Club only should be allowed to hunt with the hounds.

Ifc was resolved to hold a general meet ing of supporters of the Club at the Somerset Hotel, on Saturday, July 9th, at 4 p.m. , The meeting then adjourned.

The Recent Caucus or Ministerial Supporters. The New Zealand Times, which is likely to be well informed on the subject, gives the following report of what transpired at the recent much-talked of caucus :—There was a caucus of Go vernment supporters held on Saturday morning at the Parliamentary Buildings, which lasted a considerable time. As the whips of the Government party have declined to give any information as to what took place at the meeting, we can only glean from extraneous supporters what occurred. If in accuracies occur in our notice of the meeting, they will be thus accounted for. There were present, we learn, Messrs Atkinson, Bain, Bowen, Beetham, Bran don (in the chair), Bryce, Colbeck, Gibbs, Hall, Hirst, Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Levin, Murray, McCaughan, Pitt, Rolles ton, Russell, Seymour, Saunders (?), Stevens, Studholme, Sutton, Trimble, Wakefield, White, Wright, and Whitaker. It is stated that seventeen other members were accounted for, making the strength of the party forty-six. What took place at the caucus may be inferred from the phrase descriptive of its proceedings which was in the mouth of all present who were interrogated. The phrase was “highly satisfactory.” Some half-dozen members, wo are told, expressed very strong views about the resumption by the counties of the 20 per cent of the land fund which was sequestrated last year. Mr Wakefield made a forcible speech in laying down the lines the Government should follow in their conduct of public busiuess, but got “ sat ’’upon by some of those present for so doing. Nothing was said about the vacant portfolio or the financial proposals of the Government, and it is said that a southern member left the meeting in a fit of spleen, and that no resolutions were passed nor any time fixed for a future meeting. If an y errors have crept into our report they will have arisen from the unusual reticence which has been displayed by the Government and the “ whips.” Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— Autumnal Remedies.—Towards the fall of the year countless causes are at work to lower the tone of the nervous system, which will be. fol lowed by ill-health unless proper means hj employed to avert that evil. Holloway’s far famed preparations supply a' faultless remedy for both external and internal complaints connected with changes of season. All affections of the skin, roughness, blotches, pimples, superficial and deep-seated inflamma tions, erysipelas, rheumatic pains, and gouty pangs alike succumb to the exalted virtues of Holloway’s Ointment and Pills; which will effect a happy revolution in the patient’s con dition, though, the symptoms of his disorder are legion, and have obstinately withstoodLthe best efforts pf science to subdue them,—Ady'

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Jolt 6. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Chinese Immigrants Bill mi • passed through committee withoutasaend ment, read a third time and passed. The Hon. Dr Pollen moved an amendment that the Bill should only become opera tive when the Chinese number of 2 per cent: of the European population,l>uTthe amendment was negatived to 14 to 7. The following is the division list For the amendment—Hons. Brett, lin, Martin, Nurse, Pharazyp, .Pollen, Scotland ; against—Hons. Adandr-.IX Buckley, Dignan, Fraser, Grace, Hart, Lahmann, Menzies, Richmond,'Robinson, Waterhouse, Whitaker, Wilson, Wood. The Bank and Bankers. Act, AMO, Amendment Bill, was read a second time. The Port Chalmers Cemetery Bill, ; Oamaru Harbor Bill, and Auckland E xchange of Reserves and Change of -Trust Bill were received from the Lower House and read a first time.

The Gaming and Lotteries .Bill partly considered in committee' and progress reported. The Council adjourned at 4.50.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Tuesday, July 5. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES OF motion..

Mr Macdonald gave notice ' that he would ask leave to introduce a Bill for the amendment of the Native Lands Act. .’

Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide that no elector should vote' in more than one electorate. Sir G. Grey gave notice that ho would ask if all the papers connected with Dr Pollen’s pension papers were printed, or only a selection therefrom. INSTRUCTIONS TO BKGISTEATION OFFICERS. The Hon. J. Hall produced and laid on the table copies of all instructions issued to registration officers for their guidance in compiling rolls under the Registration of Electors Act 1879. . QUESTIONS. Ministers stated in reply to questions; —A Bill was in course of. prepajA&Gp,>cn> ablingthe Government to assut companies to construct and extend main lihes of rail way by concessions of land and otherwise. It would be brought down as soon as pos sible. —The Government understood that the road between Nelson and Reeftonlvw Hampden and Lyell would be open-*for traffic in about a month, -When it was open Government would see what arrange* ments could be made for an overland .mail by the route.—The Government would in troduce a Bill for the amendment of' the law regulating and administering native reserves, as referred to in his Excellency!! speech. , r v ~ NEWBILIi. " 1 .JJL *

In committee Mr Turnbull introduced the Timaru Harbor Board Bill, and it was read a first time.. .-j .

CORRUPT PRACTICES BIIL,

The Hon. W. Johnston moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices Prevention BilL He explained its pro*., visions, and clause upon which it vtraed of the same nature introduced miprevioat sessions. A clause was in coarse of pre paration based on the English • Bill hibiting any expenditure at all unless- it passed through the hands and wajr" spent at the discretion of an officer specially lap pointed by the Government for. tfaat ;pnr pose. Other clauses from the Act would also be introduced. dr i Dr .Wallis criticised the Bill at consider able length, expressing approval of ajPb ex penses being paid through the returning officer. He thought that the Bill should also protect candidates from the tyranny and corruption exercised by the news papers, which levied blackmail at Jelactipn times, exacting long advertisements! slid charging them at scale rates. No.- doubt there were a good many honorable ahd ex cellent men connected with the Press jjffint there were also a large number of'Aim tof very indifferent character. He approved generally of the Bill. ' Mr Seymour objected to the penalties provided for under clause 7, and thought the terms of; disqualification should:-he limited to say the duration of the Parlia ment. Clause 18 was to his*-mind also too severe, the penalty being tionate tothe offence. Mr Wood said that It was most impor tant that candidates ahouldn hnnwwieiMit distinctly what they could do and what they could not do.' This Bill prohibited - corrupt treating for example, but the difficulty was to say what was corrupt treating. The English Act was more explicit on the point. It prohibited all treating, either corrupt or otherwise. . He thought it would be much better if that course was pursued" by this Bill, as it would be much fairer to all concerned.

Mr George said the Bill as it stood . might operate very unfairly. He pointed out that a professed friend of a- candidate might violate : the provision of the Act by corrupt treating “ for the express pur* pose of serving the cause of an opposition candidate.” Mr Bunny advocated the necessity -bf framing such a Bill as would enable the candidate to close his pockets against the enormous expenditure to which hb was at present subjected. Mr Saunders said that the Bill before them was vastly inferior to the Bill brought down by the Grey Government. The introduction of the provisions I ofr the ' English Bill would be a great imropfe* ment on the measure before the "House. He would not oppose the motion for the second reading. Mr Shephard thought it would be ' ,wise to postpone the motion -for- the second reading until they had the clause prohjiaed to be brought down before them. He thought candidates should he prohibtied from employing electors in any capacity at an election, and that should be closed during elections. ' Sir W. Fox spoke in favor of the closing of thepublichouses during thetakingof the poll. He also objected to the expenses in curred by candidates in conveying electors to the poll, adding that it was not so much the conveyance of the electors for which the cost was incurred, but as a bribe for the candidates.

The Hon. W. Johnston replied, stating that the Attorney-General had proppfed that the new clauses would be of! a hathie to satisfy the most fastidious and pure minded members.

The BiU was read a second time, and ordered to stand committed op Friday. REGULATION OF hLEOTtONS BILL.' , . The Regulation of Elections Bill wai further considered in committee. Clause 68- >

Mr George moved thata sub-section be inserted providing that & member joining the Ministry during the currency otHt -1 lament should,return for re-election, fyy his constituency before taking his seat'on the Government benches, thin,* however, not to apply to, the formation of a new Ministry. He argued, in illustration, that members joining a Ministry were no longer the; free members theyw«|reattlje date of their election. Messrs’ Jotidston and-Dick, for instance, were particular branch of the education "queg tion, and they had since their election joined a Government opposed to either pf their views on the subject. Under tmse circumstances, it was only right,.that they should go back and allow.their constituents an opportunity of expressing their yiewt on the situation.

The Hon. W. Johnston said that go vernment could not accept the. argument. T% subject had frequently been discussed in that House.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JUDY 6, 1881.



John Meech, fI'%RAGTIOAL CABINETMAKER, X UPHOLSTERER, &c., BURNETT ST REE T, t ;:, Opposite the Mail Office. Cheapest House in Town for New and ' Secondhand Furniture. Allkinds of Furniture repaired or ex ’ ' ’ changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN TOR SECOND HAND FURNITURE. . 819 SI 0 TUITION. M > NEXT TERM commences July Ist. Lessons on the Piano, Harmonium, Violin end Flute. Pianofortes and Organs on isle; > Terms, to suit purchasers. Pianos and Harmoniums tuned. - H. J. WEEKS, 931 a Cameron street West. "URSE.—Mrs Paulino begs to in- r .; form the Ladies of Ashburton and neighborhood that she receives Ladies to Nurse' vrfao require medical attention. ’ Address-— Moore street, near Presbyterian 104 c Dr;James Murdoch, "AVING taken the House in Bur- IWtta street, at present occupied by Mr Cambridge, Chemist, will COMMENCE ti PRACTICE in Ashburton, on MONDAY, 951 a Q. Carstens & Co., EK WiSTON’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBAGDONIST, FANCY GOODS, £ v i -r AND STATIONERY. Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes *■ • ' Nallrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tdfciooo- of Accordions, Con- Plntes, MouthOrgans, ».of every description, direct from m: STREET ASHBURTON.:



Wanted. WANTED— 20,000 Bushels of GRAIN to Crush, at 2d per bushel. Mato and Hunt. ; 201 c ANTED KNOWN—That the Under signed is prepared to put and keep in ORDER GARDENS, by the day or year, at very low rates. Apply, J. Lino, Mayo’s Block. 185 c WANTED immediately—CHlCOßY DIGGERS. Apply at Works, Moore street. E, B. Pearce. 180 c WANTED KNOWN—For Sale, 300 ! Acres good Sheep Feed. Apply to H. Beckett, Wakanui- 173 c "WTANTED EVERBODY to know that VV HORSE COVERS can be bought for 17s 6d (former price, 255), at S. .Stephens’, Saddler, Tinwald. 726 a | TXTANTED KNOWN—That A. Farqu- VV har has leased BUTLER’S BIL LIARD SALOON, and requests a visit. Pool every evening at 9 o’clock. 93c r~TTANTED KNOWN—That Robert , W Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. WANTED KNOWN.—Young Ladies’ ; Journal, Is 7d ; Bow Bells, Is 7d; Family j Reader (Monthly), Is 2d ; (Quarterly)dp., 2s 2d; Family Herald, Is ; London Journal, Is 4d ; &c., &c. A large assortment of School Books and -Stationery, of every description. Hymn and Prayer Books, &c., &o. Subscribers wanted ior every Newspaper and Periodical published. Books, Piece Music, &0., not in stock can be supplied to order, at lowest prices. L. F. Andbewes, Bookseller, Stationer, and General Newspaper Agent, East street South. 953 a WANTED KNOWN—That Miss Verrall is now showing her Winter Stock of Millinery, Drapery &c. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo street, opposite Cookham House. 630 a Special Advertisements-



The best value for ready MONEY ia the MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Manufactured by T'H E 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 DISCERNING CUSTOMERS Testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the "Very Beat Value for Beady Money. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW. 750 Manager.



Hayes’ M B E E YARD S. T 1 Balance of Short Firewood unsold at auction saM will be SOLD CHEAP, for cash, in order-to clear it. ALPHBUS HAYES. FRESH SUPPLIES of TIMBER, &c., to band. 608 a



gPEO IA L NOTICE. We have JUST OPENED TWO BALES of WHITE and COLORED BLANKET S, Bought at a great discount, and which we have marked at MARVELLOUSLY LOW PRICES. Dieoount of 2s allowed in every pound. EVERETT BROS., Havelock street. 822 a



George St. Hill, jgUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, Burnett street, Ashburton. Plans prepared and Estimates given at the lowestrates. " - Terms as may be arranged. 409 a (i ALL work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” consequently, bear ing the truth of this adage in mind, Frederick Clark, OF EAST STREET, HAIRDRESSER, Has just imported a quantity of NOVEL AND AMUSING GAMES wherewith to while away tlio dragging hours of winter nights. They meet the requirements of both old and young, and include playing cards, “ squeezero,” &c.; chess and draught men and boards, back gammon, dominoes, go-bang, race game, lotto, <fec., &c. Those having favorite Authors should, to prevent disappointment, make their selections from his large stock of NEWEST NOVELS at their earliest convenience. THE SMOKER’S FRIEND is F. 0., and to preserve the right to this title he ! has just imported the following Brands of TOBACCO :—Nail Rod, Vanity Fair, I Ruby Twist, Twist, &c., &c. CIGARS and CIGARETTES: Havanna and Cuban, Vanity Fair Cigarettes, &c., &c., and a large selection of novelties in FIFE WARE. Haircutting, Shaving, and Shampooing Saloon, Montgomery's Buildings. 720 a A SHBURTON BOOKSTALL. on ~sale. “ Canterbury Times ” and Dailies Weekly and Daily “ Press ” “Liberty” Dunedin “ Witness ” and “ Times” “ Timaru Herald ” “ Ashburton Guardian ” and “ Mail ” “Home News”- “ Australasian ” Sealey’s Pamphlet on New Zealand. Latest Novels, &c., &c. , &c. CHARLES HAY, LBBo Proprietor. ILL METHVEN AGENCY. ITORGAN and HIBBS, General Store U. keepers, Methven, are, authorised gents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers rom the agents in future. Orders en msted t 6 them will receive prompt ttention. 104 W. H. ZOUCH, Proprietor.



SpesUil> Advertisements. RBEAYEN begs to inform the in 1, habitants of Ashburton and the surrounding district that -ho will COM MENCE BUSINESS on SATURDAY NEXT, as General Stationer, Bookseller, Fancy Goods, Toys, &c. The largest and best selection of Litera ture, &c., ever offered for sale in the dis trict. The best goods, choice selection, and extremely moderate prices, being the proprietor’s raoto, ho hopes thereby to merit a fair share of public patronage. Note ths time and address— SATURDAY, JULY iith. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, Next the Guardian Office, East street. 206 c Pianos. Pianos. PIANOS, HARMONIUM S, and AMERICAN ORGANS For Sale on deferred payments. Also, on Hire, as may be required. (Anyone hiring an instrument and subsequently wishing to Purchase within six months, the amount paid for hire may be applied to purchase of same. H. M. JONES, Stationbb and Bookselleb, East street and Baring Suuare. 365 a THE Undersigned has ON SALE several parcels of choice SEED WHEAT. FREDK. PAYITT, 169 c East street. B ONE Bone Bust ON small quantities. £5 10s per ton. 1950 DUST SALE, in large or Prices, £6 10s and i MAYO & HUNT. Y. *• ZEALAND RAILWAYS. DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION, CLOSING ON I2TH INST. SPECIAL NIGHT TRAINS AT EXCUR SION FARES. A Special Night Train will leave Christ church for Dunedin at 8.40 p.ra. on FRIDAY, Bth inst. (taking up passengers at any station where required up to Oamaru), arriving at Dunedin at 8 a.m. following day ; and a return night train will leave Dunedin for Christchurch on MONDAY, 11th inst., at 9.20 p.m._ The former will leave Ashburton at 10.55 p.m. Fares for return journey (to Dunedin and back), two thirds of ordinary second class single fares. This from Ashburton will be 19s lOd. Passengers will only bo booked at these cheap fares by the Friday Night Special, but passengers so booked may return by Monday's Express or Special Night Trains. W. M. HANNAY. < Traffic Superintendent. Traffic Superintendent’s Office, Dunedin, 6th July, 1881. . 210 c