SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. ' ' Arrived. To-day. TaiaroaV’s.s., from Wellington. Yesterday. Wave of Life, brigantine, from Kaipara. Tui, 5.8., from Kaikoura and Welling ton. Clio, schooner, from Waitapu. Saucy Lass, schooner, from Wellington. Annie Melhuish, barque, from New castle. Sailed. Yesterday. T. B. Taylor, schooner, for Timaru. ’Tui, s.s. , for Wellington Te Anau, s.s., for the South. ■Cleopatra, brigantine, for Greymouth. ; ’ To-day. Rotorua; s.s., for Sydney, via Northern Ports. ; - SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. - ■ Auckland, Yesterday. • Sailed—Hawea, for the South. . : 1 Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Wanaka, from Picton. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Clifton, barque, from Hong- Kong, via Melbourne. Sailed— Dunedin, ship, for London.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

-tJK sales. Saturday, January 8. Mr. T- Bullock, at his rooms, East street —Freehold and Leasehold Property. Two o’clock. Mr. T. Bullock—Usual Weekly Sale. Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. 1 " Saturday, January 15. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his Yards— Horses, Buggy, Harness, Piano, Sewing Machine, Furniture, &c. 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, 1 AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-Night, Thursday, January 6. Somerset Lodge—lnstallation of Officers, Masonic Hall, 7 p.m. -Monday, January 10. Borough .Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wbbnesday, February 2. County l Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian. THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. \lesv£diit 5 p. to. ]

The Library. SdWcribers to the Libraiy'are’reminded of the general meet . ing to-night, 1 $d consider alterations in the rales. ..MASbtrto IkSTAiXAnoh. —The installa tion of*' officers of the Somerset Lodge takes place to-night, in the Masonic Hall, at seven Council.— Yesterday ■ the C ounty ; Cbfl&ciTsat. only a short time after, ■our tOwp e^ttop,wepij ; to press, and too only business of importance done i?»*dho voting of 1j1,200 for drainagaajUjho Hinds, the appointment -of, Mr. JW&. Wright treaaurerV ahd jtlio renewal of several Blaughtef^^B^licenses.. , THBAVisK3.;4-T-To' jildge from the follow*^ a. ing telegram,-the-perpetrator of the late in i Auckland does not let the of his misdeeds trouble him: ,>-J_Joe, fhe munierer, has got quite fat and aleefe-*' 'ln; Mount Eden Goal he has obtained the sobriquet of “ Happy. ” TEBAi*.—The children’s treat iit’bonheclion with the Presbyterian Church was given yesterday. It was post poned from Monday in consequence of tlie wetj J - but yesterday was even a more -unfortonate day. As it was, the meeting was held *in the church instead of bn the manse -gt6undiS, 'and in the intervals of good weathbf rabes and other sports took place in the grounds adjoining. Tea tfas served in the church, and a plentiful aly.& faitablea ■ and presents of toys/ :a, &c., were distributed* ’amongst the IrednsoiMany .ladies of . the church v* .vahantly in "helping the( pastor, p took charge of the meeting, which, the* inauspicious day, was 4' s-» very pleasant one, and much enjoyed by the young ones * '•>*

New Pater.— Anew “Society” jour nal, called Liberty, is announced to ap pear in Christchurch on Saturday next.

Odr Boys— Hugh Storey, a boy, has been committed for stabbing 0. B. King, his overseer in Austin’s factory, Auckland. Another Strike. — A Wellington tele gram, under yesterday’s date, states that the firemen on the steamer Stella have struck for an additional LI per month. The Murderer Gibson. —The trial of Gibson for the alleged murder of the man Kerrison, who died on Tuesday in the Christchurch Hospital, has been fixed for Monday next. The Lady Don. —This schooner, now, ashore near Hokianga, is a complete wreck. The insurance on the ’-essel is L4OO in the Victoria, L3OO in the National, and L 350 on the cargo in the United.

The Australian Cricketers. —Several tradesmen in Christchurch have offered trophies in connection with the cricket match—Australia v. Canterbury—which is to be played in the city. Suspicious Fire. — A very suspicious fire occurred last night at Papanui in an unfinished house, which was destroyed. The insurance in the National was L4OO, and an inquiry is to be held. Seaman’s Wages. —A notice is jiosted up near the Custom-house, Lyttelton, urging seamen to refuse to ship in vessels bound to London under LlO per month, or L3O for the run home.

A Gay Deceiver. —The Immgahua Herald is responsible for the following : “We understand that a writ for L 2.000, for breach of promise, has been served on Mr. J. B. Fisher, M.H.R. for the Buller.”

The West Coast Railway.—A depu tation, including the Mayor of Greymouth, waited on the Premier this morning at Christchurch in reference to the construc tion of the railway to the West Coast. They explained their purpose of under taking the work provided.the Government made a grant of land on the line of rail way. The Premier promised to lay the matter before Government at the earliest opportunity. The Weather. —The thick rain of the past few days has been succeeded to-day by warm sunshine, much needed for the ripening crops. Farmers were beginning to have black looks, and to fear a visitation from the ghoul rust, but as yet we have not heard of any rusty crops in this dis trict. From northern and southern tele grams we learn that the bad weather has generally broken up, that warm sunshine has been the rule mostly everywhere, to-day. In all q uarters the harvest pro mises to be very satisfactory. The Flower Show.— At the meeting of the Horticultural Society’s committee it was decided to hold the annual Flower Show on the sth of March, and Messrs. Sealy, Jacobson, and Collins were ap pointed a committee to make needful pre liminary arrangements, and to advertise at once, so that due notice might be given to those who are likely to compete. It was decided to give a catalogue to all members of the Society who had paid their subscriptions, and in regard to prizes it was mentioned that Mr. C. Hardy had offered a work-box to the girl, under four teen years, who would make the best hand-made bouquet in tho show-room, in presence of the committee. The Borough's Pipes. —The County Council were just on .the brink of doing a very wise thing yesterday, but ultimately backed out of it. However, they did a very graceful thing when, on the motion of Mr. Bullock, they withdrew their re strictions from the Borough’s control of the water pipes, and allowed the absolute proprietorship of them to vest in the Cor poration. This action will take the muni cipality out of all its difficulties for some time to come, and allow it to have funds immediately in hand for any works it may desire to undertake. But we fancy, con sidering the original cost 6f the pipes, and the fact that the laying down of the plains water supply will be in full swing within the next six months, that the County would have made no mistake by purchas ing those pipes at cost price from the Borough.

Wakanui Sports Committee. —A meeting of the above was held on Wed nesday, the sth inst., at 7 p.m., at M'Cockle’s. Present--Messrs. J. Kil gour (chairman), E. Thomas, J. Stur geon, W. Cockle, and C. Hill, jun. The statement of accounts showed that the income from all sources amounted to L2l 155., and the expenditure Ll 5 7s. 6d.— leaving a balance in hand of L 6 7s. Gd. The report as read was adopted, and it was decided that the money in hand be placed in the Post Office Savings Bank, to an account to be called “ The Wakanui Sports Account,” and that E. Thomas, secretary, be authorised to give effect to the same. It was unanimously agreed to tender to Mr. James Brown a cordial vote of thanks for the able assistance he rendered in keeping account of the entries at the sports, and in acting as judge. A vote of thanks was also passed to him for the paddock which he kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee. The Com mittee thought it would not be out of place to thank those who favored the sports with their presence, and hoped that at the election of the next Committee, gentlemen will come forward and give all the assistance they can to further an ob ject which must be a benefit to the dis trict, and enable the Wakanui sports to be a success.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Keider's Agency.) An Imaginary Torpedo. London, Jan. 5. An official denial has been given -to the report circulated yesterday that a torpedo had been found under the bow of H.M.s. Lord Warden, in the Firth of Forth. Attempt to Brum Down the Liverpool Dock Buildings. A fire broke out at the Liverpool Dpcks to-day, but it was extinguished before any harm was done. It has transpired that the fire was caused by an incendiary, who had used petro leum, with the evident intention of completely destroying the docks. - The Bpers —More Indian : Troops fcMre • . sent •-■y ! " ‘Hu-iK-’S. Town, Jan. 4. Newg'has been received from Dur btia, tha£ a considerable • body of Boers; ana inarched some distance border. They came up with aT3eiMhm£ntsf British troops, and op pb£j*Qpits advice to the Transvaal. It is .'hb|lknowh any fighting oc curfepj. ; ; - Bomb-Ay, Jan. 4. The military authorities have re ceived orders to despatch further rein forcements of Indian troops to Natal.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Pei.Reuter's Agency.) Wool Exhibits. Melbourne, Jan. 5. The wool exhibits at the International Exhibition were opened to-day. They were scarcely sufficiently representative, there being only a few from New Zea land. The qualities were unsurpassed, and experts find it most difficult to decide which is best.

Sugar for Lyttelton, Mauritius advices state that engage ments for Lyttelton amount to 50 tons. ■ Footballers on the War-path. Melbourne, To-daj. The footballers here are organising a team to leave for England in May. It will include five New Zealanders.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Smothered. Wellington, To-day An infant ten weeks old, h-rs. Gosling’s, was found dead in bed mis morning. It is supposed to have bten overlaid in bed by its mother during the night. Supreme Court. Dunedin, To-day. At the Supreme Court this morning, the following sentences were passed : John Gately, for larceny, three years ; Robert Muir, for forgery, 18 months ; William Adams, for forgery, four years. The civil calendar contains two com mon and one special jury case. A breach of promise case set down for hearing has been settled by the patties marrying during the holidays. John Connell, for larceny from an hotel, was acquitted.

LONGBEACH ROAD DISTRICT.

Annual Meeting of Ratepayers.

This meeting was held at noon on Tues day at the offices of the Board. There were about sixteen ratepayers present, John Grigg, Esq., the Chairman of the Board, presiding. The usnal routine business having been dorm, the following balance sheet and statement of liabilities and assets were read ;

Annual Statement of Income and Ex penditure during the year ended, 31st Dec., 1880. Income.

£ s. d. To rates collected during year... 802 410 Subsidies on rates collected ... 1,486 3 3 Rents of cottages, &c. ... ... 34 0 3 Refunds—Wakanui Road Board

County Council, £2s Mr. Leach, £g 2s. 6d 213 2 6 Share of Land Fund 2,101 2 5

Total Z4r 6 3 6 l 3 3 Expenditure. Bank overdraft on Jan. I, 1880 1,606 16 O By Property—Repairs, cottages, Z 134 Ss. 6d ; Road Board, offices, and stables, Z2SS 19s. 3d ; furniture and in struments, Z 32 1 os. pd, ... 452 15 6 General Expenses Salaries— L 250; fees and commission, Li 12 2s. Sd. ; advertising, stationery, and printing, LB3 17s. 4; legal expenses, L 6 17s. 2d. ; refund to Ashburton 80r0ugh,.142 19s. 1 id.; Bank interest on overdraft, L 65 12s. id. ; tools for workmen, L 23 4s. Qd. ... -. 584 13

Main Roads— Great South, L 43 13s. 2d. ; Tinwakl, LiS ss. 2d.—L56 18s. 4d. ; Graham’s, LB3 4s. od. ; Ford’s, L 351 16s. 7d. ; Lohgbeach, L 146 is. 3d. ; Winslow, L 43 6s. 6d.; Waterton main, L 6 17s. 6d. ; • Islesworth, Llsl 17s. lid. ... 840 2 1 Bye Roads— Boundary, L 195 ss. 4d. ; Bell’s, L37C 16s. 46. ; Osborne’s, L3I 16s. 6d.; Clark’s, L 3 8s gd. ; Dawson’s, L 23 os. 76. ; Waterton-new, L 23 rs. 3d. ; Surveyor’s, Li Bs. ; Crow’s, L3O us. 6d.; Lowerbeach, L7B 10s. 7d.; Lowcliff-hut, Ll 7 4s. 6d. ... 775 2 4 Credit balance at Bank, 31st Dec., 1880 377 2 6 Total £4.636 13 3 Statement of-Assets and Liahilxties. Liabilities — £ s. d. Salary, L2O 16s. Bd.; Insurance, L 4 7s. 6d. ... 25 4 2 Contracts undertaken, L6l 14s. id.; wages and contract due, 1,3435. lod.; accounts owing for goods, Ll2 2s. 7d.; gravel ott private land, L 9 7s. 6d.; Cheque outstanding, L 7 10s — 124 iS o Balance ... ... ... ... 1,376 S I Total ... £1,526 10 3 Assets — £ s. d. Collectable rates of 1879, L2S 7s. 2d.; collectable rates of 1880, Li, 124 os. 7d i,t49 7 9 Cash in bank 377 2 6 ■ Total ... £1,526 10 3 Balance brought fonyard ... 1,376 8 1 Rates of 1881, say at 6d. in the £. . 760 . o o Office buddings and stables, Li,020 16s. Sd.; four immigra tion cottages, at L 73 each, L 292; two immigration cot tages, at L2O each, L4O; office furniture, &c., LBO 15s. gd.; timber on hand, and tools, L3B 4s. gd 1,471 16 11 Total ... £3,608 5 o After the several items had been dis cussed and thoroughly understood by the meeting, it was moved by Mr. I. K. C. C. Graham, seconded by Mr. Thos. Taylor, and carried—“ That the annual balance sheet and statement of assets as read be adopted.” severance question. A letter from the Ashburton County Council to the Chairman of the lload Board was read, stating that the Council hoped the Board would take the opportunity of the annual meeting of ratepayers to thoroughly arrive at the wishes of the rate payers with regard to the proposed separa tion of the Tinwald and Winslow locali ties.

The Chairman asked those ratepayers present to give the question their calm deliberation, and in order to place them in possession of all the facts of the case he read over the amounts of expenditure of money in the 11,000 acres proposed, to. be severed, as compared with the remaining blocks of 11,000 each- throughout the district. Also all the correspondence on the subject was placed on the table. It was moved by Mr, I. it. O. - Of' Graham, and seconded by Mr. P. Lewis —“ That this distriot boingi Ip.Extended, it is scarcely possible to -get' a"‘fair expres ajoß^ttf'opinion from the ratepayers with reference to the separation of the Tinwald district.”

‘■A very lengthy discussion'ensued. >si Mr. John Williams called attention to the fact that a counter petition had been signed by owners of a large proportion of the land situated within' the ' dissatisfied district, and forwarded t 6 the Council, Mr. Lewis was of opinion that it was not that the Tinwald-Winslow district, lyingj as it did, between of the road ; district and the railway, should maintain roads for the traffic.of all the remainder of the district, and sug gested thatf 'the institution of tolls might over the difficulty. Mr, TKonsas Taylor was of the opinion that ward district was just of a proper workable Size, and that if any pprtibn -wißicul off, it was desirable that all the ratepayers in the part so cut off should be. unanimous, this not being, the; case it would'leAd to the severed por tion being again cut up, and so on. Mr. John Grigg .moved as ah*-amend ment —“ That in the opinion of this meet ing it is not • desirable that the TinwsJd- Wmslow district should he foxmed in 'o a separate ward district,” and in doing so would wish to point out that the question of onfainMwl of expenditure', ‘brought Tor ‘ ward by the promoters of the separation,

was more than completely answered by the figures produced (already published in the Gtuirdian). He considered in reply to Mr. Graham’s motion that .it was quite within the power of a meeting of rate payers, called as this meeting was, by public advertisement to discuss the ques tion. If a great number did not attend that was their own fault. Some reply to the County Council should in courtsey be sent, and if it was not an opinion of all the ratepayers in the district, it would be the opinion of all who apparently chose to attend and would go for what it was worth. Mr. 'Lewis’ idea of tolls was another argument why the ratepayers should not willingly place themselves in the power of any outside body to exact tolls from them. Furthermore, thi:. Tinwald district had nearly all their roads formed and shingled. They might consider that they could do without rates, whereas the money, or part of tho money, which formed those roads coming as it did from the remainder of the district, it was only fair that tho Tin wald district should help to pay for the formation of roads in those localities in which the roads were not yet formed, and which formerly helped to pay for the formation of the Tinwald roads. Mr. John Williams seconde,d the amendment, which was then put and carried by thirteen to threp.

f THE ELECTION. The next business of the meeting being the election of three persons to serve as members of tho Board, in the room of Messrs. Grigg, Dawson, and Wright, who retire by rotation, the chairman asked for NOMINATIONS. Mr. Thomas Taylor was proposed by Mr; I. R. C. C. Graham, seconded by Mr. F. Lewis. Mr. John Grigg, proposed by Mr. Henry Hudson, seconded by Mr. Andrew Daw- ' son. Mr. John Carter was proposed by Mr. I. R. C. C. Graham, seconded by Mr. Edward H. Dobson. Mr. Andrew Dawson was proposed by Mr. James Croy, seconded by Mr. Thomas Magee. A show of hands being asked for, re sulted in :—Mr. Taylor, 7 ; Mr. Grigg, 13 ; Mr. Carter, 11; Mr. Dawson, 10. Mr I. R. C. C. Graham demanded a poll to be taken on behalf of Mr. Thomas Taylor, which was accordingly held. The polling was very animated, but good feel ing was maintained throughout. Precisely at four o’clock p.m. the Returning Officer declared the poll to be closed, and that the result was—

Mr. John Grigg 00 „ Thomas Taylor ... 55 ~ John Carter ... ... 53 ~ Andrew Dawson ... 49 Messrs. Grigg, Taylor, and Carter were therefore declared to be duly elected. The several candidates having addressed the ratepayers present tho proceedings terminated.

Board Meeting. An adjourned meeting of the Board was held immediately after the close of the poll. Present —Messrs. Carter, Chapman, Dobson, Grigg, and Taylor, the Clerk to the Board occupying the chair. The Board proceeded to elect a Chairman for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr. Dobson, seconded by Mr. Taylor, Mr. Grigg was unanimously elected to act as Chairman,, and accordingly took.thc chair. The Clerk and Surveyor to the Board was appointed to be Treasurer. It was resolved that the Ashburton County Council bo asked to have the Waterton cemetery placed under the pro visions of the Cemeteries Management Act, 1877. The Clerk having reported that no reply had been received to his two last letters to Messrs. Thomas and Bruges, solicitors Christchurch, relative to the transfer of a piece of land from Mr. Jno. Bell to the Board for a gravel pit, it was resolved to place tho matter in the hands of Messrs. Branson and Purnell.

Mr. Escott’s offer of one year’s rent for the use of the gravel reserve at Wheat stone was accepted.

A letter was read from Mr. Robert Anderson, asking for compensation for having had his pigs impounded, etc., through the fencing ot the Board’s gravel pit being defective. The matter was ordered to stand over till next meeting. Mr. Wheeler wrote, asking that Chap man’s drain on Osborne’s road might be connected with the County Council’s new drain. The work was ordered to be done.

The Surveyor having been asked for a bridge over the County Council’s new drain at Waterton, near the Church there, the Clerk was desired to apply to the County Council for one. It was decided, on the application of Mr. T. Taylor, to provide a pump for the immigration cottages near Waterton main school. 1 Mr. Dobson moved that three miles of Islesworth road be shingled. The Sur veyor was ordered to report at next meet ing-

The pay-sheet, amounting to L 64 14s. 9d., haying been passed for payment, the meeting adjourned.

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The last meeting of the Wakanui Road Board for the year was held at .the Agri cultural and Pastoral Association’s rooms to-day. Present—Messrs. Winter (chair man), Friedlander, Earle, and Brown. A letter was read from the County Council, enclosing the correspondence that had passed between them and the Railway Manager on the tariff question. It was resolved to endorse the action of the County Council. A letter was read from the Treasury, advising payment of LI 86 4s. of subsidy. From the Bank of New Zealand to the same effect. From P. Stewart} asking for ten days’ extension on his contract at Wakanui township road. Granted. Mr. G. P. Cox was appointed assessor in the arbitration case of Leadley v. the Board. The claim had been reduced from LI,OOO to L3OO. engineers’ eeport. , The Engineers’ report was read as fol lows: , : ■ Btach Road. —Forming topfull width- -This contract has been finished ssktisfactofi Iy, .with the exception -of some large clods on the roads which tJwPxontractor will put a roller over. THs wds held over On account of grass . seed that Was intended to be sown.on the road, limes' Road. —The contract for forming this road has been completed. ■ -We found it neces sary on account o£ .running shingle in some places, to modify the contract. Buckleys Road. Formation and metalling from side drains. ■ ;A considerable- portion of this work has been executed. Wakanui Township Road. — Formation to full width.—This \york should have, been cbm-; pleted by now. The contractor is making fair progress, and we believe had not unforeseen circumstances happened, would have finished the contract near the specified time ; he sends an application for extension. S'tLji Milton Road. —'ln accordance with (he Board’s resolution,'we have had fords made over the creeks on this road. ■ Maintenance of Roads. —The cont ractor has been employed, clearing thistles off the roadi, and also taking off large stones that had worked up during the dry weather. Filling up Gully and Making Footpath East Side of Beach Road. —A c cord! ng to instructions, we called for tenders for this , work, and ac cepted M. Nerin’s at 4s. 3d. per chain, it being the lowest. We would ask the Board iT they desire that contracts in hand during harvest season be allowed to stand over fora certain period: Fooks & Son, Surveyors, &c, .

It was resolved to allow the contractors till March 31st to finish their works, the extension to be given only to those who apply for it. After the Surveyor’s report, had been, approved of, several ; accounts were passed for payment, and. the Board adjourned.

The Annual Meeting of Ratepayers . was' then held. There were only eight ratepayers present, and Mr. Winter pre sided, who read the following report and balance sheets:— I have to present to you the second annual statement of receipts and expen diture, &c., of the Wakanui Road Board, also a statement showing lengths of roads formed and metalled in the district. In doing so, I may state that the Board have carefully endeavored to distribute the funds at their disposal to the best of their ability in carrying but works bene fiting the district as a whole. For the future, as the Board will have but litte more than the amount collected for rates, I trust that, the ratepayers will only petition for improvements in those places which will be of public utility. The principal roads in the district are formed and metalled, and as these will require considerable expense in keeping them in good repair, it will behove the Board’to expehd their funds only on those new roads situated in parts where the settle-* ments ai - e numerous, and where Biere will he considerable traffic. I mentioned in my- report last year that it would be likely that tho County Council would give us a grant, in aid of drainage works, lam no iv glad to state that they have given the sum of' LBBI 18s. 2d., which covers the amount expended by us in such works. The Board, considering the unfairness of levying a rate under the existing roll, which with regard to the annual value of properties, is not at all uniform, resolved not to strike a rate last year, and, taking into consideration the depressed state of ; fiie times and the available funds in hand, I think it was a step you will approve of. YdlT are called on to-day to elect three members, in the place of Messrs. Fried ‘ lander, Hunt, and Winter who retire by rotation. In conclusion, I trust the de pression that has lately existed will rapidly disappear, and that tho ensuing year will be riiarked as one of prosperity to this district as well as the country at large. Statement showing lengths of roads formed and metalled in the district.

Roads Formed and Metalled. —Great South road, 57 chains ; Smith’s road, 57 chains ; Beach road, 8 miles 40 chains ; River road, 3 miles 60 chains ; Trevor’s road, 8 chains ; Gibson’s road, 2 miles, 5 chains ; Wakanui School road, 1 mile 77 chains; Wilson’s road, 3 miles 69 chains ; Wakanui road, 4 miles 36 chains ; Christie’s road, 1 mile 8 chains ; Leadley’s road, 1 mile 45 chains ; Stanley road, 1 mile 35 chains ; Bruce’s road, 1 mile 47 chains ; Cochrane’s road, 57 chains; Milton road, 1 mile 69 chains ; Jones’ road, 67 chains; Suburban road, 50 chains ; Seafield road, 9 miles 67 chains ; Denshire’s road, 1 mile 45 chains ; Chcrt sey road,'B miles 48 chains ; Rule’s road, 3 miles 40 chains ; Buckley’s i-oad, 3 miles 65 chains; Gardiner’s road, -3 miles 12 chains. Total, 66 miles 24 chains.

Roads only Formed. —Boundary road, 4 miles 30 chains ; Rule’s road, 2 miles 72 chains ; Fairfield road, 5 miles 65 chains ; Dromorc road, 4 miles 48 chains ; Coch rane’s road, 3 miles 18 chains ; Leßreton s road, 5 miles 7 chains ; Denshire’s road, 70chains; Bntterick’s road, 4 miles l 6 chains ; Lemon’s road, 1 mile 30 chains ; Leatham’s road, 60 chains; Brown’s road, 48 chains ; River road, 2 miles 40 chains ; Fitzgerald’s road, 1 mile 42 chains; Wilson’s road, 1 mile 15 chains ; Trevor’s road, 50 chains. Total, 39 miles 57 chains.

Assets and Liabilities on January Ist, 1881 Assets- - £ s. D. To balance'in hand, January Ist, iSBi ... _ i,372 11 7 Rates outstanding 103 5 6 Rent ... ... ... 80 o o Grant from County Council for drainage ... ... ... 81 18 2 Interest 600 Total ... ...j£i,643 15 3 Liabilities — Contracts in progress : £ s. d. By Beach road re-formation ... 22 10 o Innes road 14 1 5 9 Buckley’s road ... ... ... 205 17 6 Boundary road ... ... .. zoo o o ■ Beach, roach footpath ... ... 767 Maintenance ... ... ... 230 14 o Clerk and Purveyor's salary ) ■ Valuation > 3°° 0 0 Collection of rates ) Advertising, etc. ... ... 50 o o General expenses ... ... 40 o o BalancSj.... ... 67211 5 ' Total IS 3 Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year ending December 31st, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. To balance in hand, Jan. 1, 1880 1,121 18 3 ~ Subsidy from General Go vernment, £ for/'... ... 723 6 2 ~ Subsidy from General Go vernment, 7s. 6d. in £ ... 186 4 o ~ County Council impounded land fund .... ... ... 2,041 6 o „ County Council grant for drainage ... ... ... 860 o o ~ Rates..<••• ... ... ‘ 818 1 8 „ Rents 62 17 II ~ Interest on current account 28 4 9 ~ Interest on fixed deposit for three months ... ... 7 IO o ~ Interest on fixed; deposit for six months... , .<. ... 31 5 0 ~ Deposit on contracts ... 22 18 6 Total ... 5.843 12 3

Expenditure. £ s. d. By Gardiner’s road ... ... 31 10 o ~ CoilmU’s road ... ... 68 18 9 ~ Wakanui Township road ... 12 o o ~ Wakanui road ... ... 149 4 4 ~ Seafield ~ 124 16 9 ~ Wakanui School road ... 20 O 6 ~ Christy’s road. ... ... ‘ 31 17 6 ~ Wilson’s ~ ... ... 38 12 6 „ Chertsey „ ... I3S l 7 . I ~ Leadley’s ~ ... ... 16 2 o ~ Beach ~ ... 656 10 9 ~ Outfall for drainage, Beach road ... ... 79 o o ~ Stanley road... ... ... 59 18 u „ Rule’s road ... ... 372 15 10 ~ River road ... ... ... 43 12 6 „ Gibson’s road '... ... 83 8 7 . .Denshire’s road ‘ ... 189 5 3 ~ Lea dey.and Bulterick’s efrain 730 4 4 ~ Smith’s road... , v 9 2 *3 i° ~ Trevor’s road ... ... 10 O o ~ Ashburton Borough Council, share of subsidy and. dm; pounded Land fund ... 328 010 ~ Seaside road... ... ... 57 0 0 ~ Great South road. .70 17 o ~ Jones’road ... ... 14 13 2 : ~ South-east suburban road ... 67 14 ~ Cochrane’s road ... ... 7 26” Bruces’fbad ... ... 35 6 3 ,7 Road Board cottages, addi tions and repairs ... ... 194 g 8 ~ Longbeach Road Boad, . excess of subsidy paid to Wakanui Road Board; ■. ,779 o o ~ Salary ... 225 17 o ~ Insurance ... ... ... ij 7 9 ~ Rate roll - ,; etc. 24 18 7 ~ Office furniture .... ... . 17 1 6 ~ Advertising &c. ... ... 67 O 3 ~ Share of old debts owing by Ashburton Road Board .... 12 3 10 ~ Repairs and additions to .... overseer’s cottage, stable, &c. ... ... ... . , ... ■ 41 12 1 8 ~ Plant..; ' ... ...‘ 11 1 6 ~ Incidental expenses ... .... ’ .38 i - d ‘ ,v Painting offices, cottage, and stables .... .. ... 19 9 4 ~ Commmissioh and expenses for Collection,of rates .42 O 6 ~ Transfers, Brokerage, Solici tor’s fees, &c. ... ... 30 19 o ~ Deposits returned’ ... ... 22 18 6 ~ Balance at Bank of New Zea land, Jan. xst, 1881 ... 1,372 11 7

;£5.843 12 3

, Mr. Megson took exception to the ex penditure of any of the'Board’s funds out sidp. the .hounds ofthe. distract. He referred especially to the forming and metallingof > the. South-eatt Town Belt. iThey ought to apply-to. the I Borough Council for a refund of the coat Mr. Winter said that no such expendi

ture had taken place since the last annual meeting. Mr.' Biegson said they had still a right to ask for a refund, even if the work was done before last annual meeting. Ho asked if the Board did really subscribe half cost of the forming and metalling of this road. Mr. Winter replied that the Board did subscribe the money, and the account was passed by the last meeting, so that this meeting had nothing to do with it. Mr. Friedlander explained that the work was done for the benefit of the rate payers residing in the Wakanui road dis trict. After some further discussion on this subject the balance-sheet and report as read were adopted, on the motion of Mr. Megson. Mr. Megson thought it should be a recommendation to the Board to have the accounts published a week before the annual meeting. After some further remarks he moved—“ That it be a recom mendation to the incoming Board to apply to the Borough Council for a refund of L 65 15a.-, expended in forming and metal ling the South-east Town Belt.” Mr, Allen seconded. Mr. Megson thought the meeting should be called in the centre of the district, and unless they did get a central position, the Board would have to be divided into wards. He gave them fair warning. It was contrary to nature that a man living .at one end of the district should be acquainted with the wants of the other. Mr. Friedlander moved that the action of the Board in paying half cost of form ing and metalling the South-east Belt be approved of. The work had been done two years ago, and other Road Boards had agreed to a similar course of procedure. Mr. F. Mayo seconded. The motion was carried, and Mr. Megson’s was lost. After a, somewhat stormy altercation between Mr. Megson, Mr. Allan, and Mr. Friedlander, on the subject of the Board’s entrance upon a planta tion in the occupation if Mrs. Ellen, it was explained that the property was Mr. Roberts’, and he had written to the Board giving his consent to the en trance.

Mr. Allan wished the Board to pay Mrs. Ellen for the injury done tc her planta tion, but after some more wordy warfare the matter dropped. The election of members of the Board was then proceeded with. Mr. Megson proposed Mr. H. T. Winter, and Mr. Margetts seconded. Mr. Earle proposed Mr. F. T. Mayo, and Mr. Brown seconded.

Mr. Winter proposed Mr. Hugo Fried lander, and Mr. Mayo seconded. Mr. Margetts proposed Mr. Megson, and Mr. Allan seconded, but Mr. Megson declined to stand.

The withdrawal,of Mr. Megson left only Messrs Winter, Friedlander, and Mayo on the list, and these three were declared elected by the Returning Officer, and what had been a somewhat lively meeting adjourned The Board then met, and Mr. Fried lander was elected Chairman, and the Board meeting days fixed for the first Thursday in every month.

The Alleged Murder at Templeton.

(From this morning’s Press.) Walter Pringle Gibson was brought up at a Court held yesterday in the City Council chamber, charged with the wilful murder of William Kerrison, who died on Tuesday in the Hospital from the effects of a shot fired from a pistol on December 25th last. Messrs. R. Westenra and J. Ollivier, J.P.’s occupied the Bench. Superintendent Bfoham conducted the prosecution. The prisoner, who was de fended by Mr. Holmes, appeared quite cool, and suitably impressed with the gravity of his position. The witnesses examined were the same as, and their evi dence a mere repetition of/| that given at the inquest. At the beginning of the pro ceedings, Mr. Holmes said he supposed that there could be but one termination to the present enquiry—the prisoner would be committed for trial. He would earnestly ask the Bench not to send him for trial at the present sessions of the Supreme Court. If that were done it might be simply giving the man’s life away, as there could not possibly be time to prepare for his defence before that tribunal. He was not prepared to say that the Bench would not be justified by law in committing prisoner to the present sessions, but at any rate they bad power to do as he sug gested, and hoped they would do so. The Bench said they thought it would be their duty to let the case go to fhe present session. The evidence of Mrs. Kinley, who had been living with deceased for over four years as his wife, was given in a clear, methodical manner, without a sign of emotion. When she began, Mr. Holmes objected to the prosecution lead ing her from her statement at the inquest, and from that time she went through it all again almost without prompting, in very nearly the actual words used before. The coolness of those who had been the actors in the tragedy was the most remarbable. Charlotte Kerrison, sister of the deceased, and who had ' been living in. the most intimate relation with the prisoner for two years, he being the father of her child, was apparently the most unconcerned of all. Sho brought her child in her arms into Court, and said what she had to say with as much sang fro id as though she were a witness in some mere trifling squabble, until Mr. Holmes probed her relations with the prisoner, when she slightly broke down. After hearing the evidence read through, prisoner’s counsel reserved his defence, and he was com mitted for trial at the present sessions of the Supreme Court. The space allotted to the public in the room was crowded to inconvenience.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

A WOMAN ALONE. [continued.] I promised her, and she rose, and, in an impatient, agitated way, waved me from her. The ordeal of my silence had commenced; the beginning of many hopes and bright visions from a roseate cloud-land had set in, to be fol lowed by hours of deep regrets and unavailing doubts. It was the traveller, Saunders, who turned my secret joys and hopes to a grief bitter and inconsolable. He had been away some months, in lieu of weeks, and was full of spirits at the re sult of his travels, and the commissions he had obtained. In his horrible frank ness he told me what he had earned, what business be had transacted, and how immensely he had been admired abroad by everybody—“male and female,” he added, with a wink. “ And that reminds me of the grey lady. You remember the grey lady, who was here when you came down ?”

“ Yes, I remember.” “I met her in Paris yesterday* and, of all places in the world,.'guess where?” , “ I am not handy at guessing,” I said, with a sickening feeling at my heart; “I do not care to guess.” “ At the bal masque at the Opera, then —half a dozen swells with her, and she the biggest swell of all. No more of your grey suits and simpering smiley —(s, trust her 1” “Are you sure of this ? This must be a lie, for certain.”

“Hello ! draw it mild, old fellow, please,” he cried. “ She was at the Opera —at a mas querade ?” “ I’ll swear to her—when she took her mask off, there wasn’t a doubt about it. Why, I never saw another face like

hers.” “ Nor I,” was my honest reply. “ And what beame of her ?" “ Oh, I didn’t run after her, you may be certain. It was just for a moment, and then,poof!—gone!” “ You may have been deceived.” “ I was never deceived in my life,” was the boastful reply. “I am a thundering site too cute for that.” It seemed impossible that I could place credence in this, but it impressed me,' She had disappeared from the hotel ; the waiter, whom I bribed into my confidence, told me she had left for France by the mail-boat on the very day she had implored my silence. It was so like the truth, and yet so like a dream ! I stole away from the hotel; I was afraid of the man Saunders,- and what he might tell me presently. I was haunted, and more miserable than ever. When the four days had expired I returned to Folkestone, in the cold boisterous Christmas week, and took up my place at the lighthouse where I had parted from her last. I believed she would return. In all my agonising doubts of her, I did not doubt her word. ‘ And after that, the accusation and the last farewell —the woman triumphant, per haps, but the man no longer the dupe of his implicit trust in her. I was before my time ; and before its time also, hurled over by a fierce wind and tide, came the Channel boat. It swept in, storm-tossed and panting, and I looked down upon its drenched deck from the pier-head as if in search of her, and as if assured she would be there. And I was not mistaken. It was she, paler and more beautiful even, whose face looked at me from beneath the hood, and did not smile a recogni tion. By her side, and with her two hands linked upon his arm, was a tall, grey-haired man, of some fifty years : for the first time in her life she was not a woman alone to me. I shrank back; I could have slunk away for good—for ever —from her. This was the meeting, then, and this her answer. I stood by the lighthouse still. There came a second thought to me, that this could not be the end of all—that she would approach and offer some words of explanation, perhaps of comfort, to me. In my own wild theory I had faith enough yet to believe that she would come to me. And she came. With her hood thrown back, and tears brimming in her eyeS, she advanced, both hands ex tended to me. The tall man by whom she was accompanied stood like a sentinel in the background, some fifty paces away, as though he respected us, and would leave us to ourselves. “ Virginie,” I cried, “ you have re turned—you have come back to me ! ” , . I had forgotten everything at the sight of her—at the contact of .her hands with mine. I remembered only that I loved her desperately. “Armand, I have come to ask your forgiveness, if you will give it to me, as I pray you will.” “ What does it mean ?” “ That I have deceived you, in my own selfish interests, very cruelly, and that I have only your hate to look to.” “ That man—who is he ?” “My father —an escaped prisoner from the French government, a political refugee, who stands at last where tyranny cannot touch him. I have been living here and watching here for two years in the hope of his escape. I have waited for him, oh ! so long and hopelessly, until you—” “ Your father !” I exclaimed. “ Oh, thank God ? Let me go to him. Let me—” “ No —please, no—for my sake.” “Is there another mystery?—do I know all the truth, Virginie ?” “ Not yet.” “ Ha! is it true that you were in Paris at the Opera bal masque a few nights ago ?” “ Quite true,” she answered. “ I inet my father’s friends there, and it was in that motley, dissipated crowd some earnest souls plotted his deliverance.” “ But —” “ But I was a spy, Armand, to you,” she continued. ’“ It was the know ledge that you were travelling in Eng land that set me on your track. Orders were telegraphed to me to seek you out, to make you my friend—you, son of the minister—to deceive you. “ And,” she added, sorrowfully, “ I have done so.” “ A spy !” I echoed —“ a spy !” “ For my father’s sake, a spy. Yes, that is all I am, and all I have been, and can ever be to you. And if you will forgive me, knowing how I loved that father, and how cruelly he had been treated by his enemies—if you will only say forgiveness, I shall be happy presently.” “ You shall be happy now ; you have attained all that you strove for. Why should any words of mine be of any comfort ?” “ Because it is only you whom I have deceived, and you thought so highly of me, and had so deep a faith. Because*” she said, “ it was by that let ter which you left with me that we forged your father’s signature to an order for the immediate release of one terribly unfortunate; because —” “Ha ! I remember. Yes that 7cas treachery.” “It was a daughter’s love surmount ing every trust but one: because of that, forgive me, Armand, if you can.” “ I have been cruelly deceived.” “ Because I am going away to make his life content; because you I shall never see again, forgive me—do !” I was still silent. “ Because I am unhappy, even in the midst of my success ; because we part thus and for ever ; because, Armand, I —I had learned to love you very deeply at the last, and knew not what to do.” “ Virginie, is this true ?” “ Heaven be my witness that it is !” she answered, solemnly. “ Then—” “ Nay, let me go away now, forgiven by the only man I have loved—-and deceived. God bless you ! Kiss me— and good-by.” She held her face up to me like a little child, and I stooped and kissed it —sign of forgiveness, and of my strange ! love for her.

Then she tottered away, and would have fallen had I not hastened after her and supported her steps toward the grim man waiting for his daughter. He raised his hat as we approached, and she passed from me to him, and I saw her no more in all my after-life. (Concluded).

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1881.



Special Advertisements. __ ~ ~ ~ T VALUE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Clothing Factory, Which can he 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. -i ' * Ashburton Branch O. Carstens & Co. ' i “ (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. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* FOR . FUR READY MONEY IS THE MANUFACTURED BY r : THE NEW ZEALAND 751* E.-A S T STRE ET . WM. SPARROW, ’r Manager.



J. R. Chapman, House painter, sign writer, &a, begs to announce that, in order to make room for Fresh Importa tions of White, and Red Lead, Raw and Boiled Oil, "Varnish, Glass, Paperhang ings, etc., he has ENLARGED HIS WAREHOUSE, Staking, in addition to his old shop, the joining premises lately occupied by Mr. Fowler AS a general store. The advertiser is, therefore, in a position to supply the Trade and the Public with all the above named requisites at lowest wholesale prices. Tancred street, Ashburton. mil GUARDIAN is on every Tea Table in Ashburton. . METSVEN agency. MORGAN and BfiBBS, General Store i jlfee'perSj Methyen, are authorisep agents'for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention.



Holloway’s Pills.—These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated consti tution than any other medicine in the world, fficaons of nervous habit of body,-and all •Who arc suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become decayed by .billions affections, disordered stomach, or liver com plaints, should lose no time in giving' these ' admirable Pills a fair trial. Cough, coldsi. asthma’, or shortness of breath, are also -within . the range of the senative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but cornplc.e and permanent. They tire as mild they are efficacious, and may be given, wit confidence to delicate females and young chil-\ dren.—Advt. „ •



Wanted. WANTED, at once, a good general SERVANT, accustomed to children. Apply, Office of this Paper. .883 WANTED, a good general SERVANT. Apply at once to Butler’s Family Hotel. 869 : WANTED, a SERVANT GIRL, for a farm near town. Apply, Office of this paper. 870 SERVANT. WANTED, at once, a good General Servant. Alppy to Miss Callaghan, Tancred street 87 ANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is ' to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, . Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 155.; 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. Stephens, ‘ Saddler, Tinwald. ' 871 WA NT E D—Watches, 01ocks t |hd Jewellery of all sorts 1 to REPAIR. Lowest Charges. PARKER, Watch*, maker. Private House, directly opposite i; the Public School. 837 1 WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from 9 a. no. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great - Reduction in Price. 606 I i ■ ■ • WANTED KNOWN—Just arrived from England—Christmas, New ; Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour nal, and Bow Bells, Is. 6d. each. Family - Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and European ' Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,&c. c A visit solicited. L. F. Andeewes, East , street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. ? \ ANTED KNOWN—That a Church, of England minister’s wife Writes - < that she saves Ten : Shillihgs a Fortnight A by using Harper Twejyetrees’ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com bined ; and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner titan when done by ! i hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, comer of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10s. 700 ' WANTED KNOWN. / L?. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES.; . JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the, , public that he haa„ taken the.iWtd'! ■ Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Meetings, LIBRARY. A SPECIAL MEETING to consider ALTERATIONS in RULES will he held ; at the Library, THIS (Thursday) EVEN- J' ING, January 6th, at eight p.m. H. 0. JACOBSON, 882 Horn Sec., r Lost. LOST yesterday, between the Post Office and St. Stephen’s Church, a set of CHARMS. Finder will be rewarded on leaving same at Office of this Paper, LOST— A Blue GREYHOUND PUP, and rough-haired COLLIE PUP. The finder will be rewarded on returning either to Mr. James M'Ayay, Longboach, , or Mr. S. Saunders, Ashburton. 863 Tenders. UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for—• No. 93. —Forming three miles more or less continuation of the road (lately formed by Mr. Robb, Millar) to the Junction of Anthy. Thompson’s road to the Rakaia. , : " Tenders, addressed to the are not to be later than 12 noon MON| DAY, the 10th instant. ‘ Specification to be seen at the office. ROBT. D. PULLER, 875 Clerk. * Money. jy[ 0 ' E Y • ; £2,000 to LEND, on approved freehold ’ *- securities, in sums of £2OO and upwards. Apply to ' i.i ‘ - W. H. BRISTOW, Surveyor, 1 873 .Hereford street, Chriscoh.nrch. Gazette in Bankruptcy. V. R. In the District Court of Christchurch, Holden at Ashburton. ‘ In the matter of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and the several Acts amend ing the same, and in the matter Of - the bankruptcy ;of JOHN ,> R. ATTKEN, of Ashburton, laborer,' a debtor. -VTOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN; that _X_N| the Creditors of the above-napped debtor having failed to elect a Creditors' Trustee, I have appointed Wm. Richard son Boyle, of Ashburton, a Certificated Accountant in Bankruptcy, to be the Creditors’ Trustee of the estate of the said debtor; and further, that the said Wm. R. Boyle has filed in the above Court a written acceptance under his hand of the said trusteeship. Dated this 6th day of January, .1881. ' . W. , Clerk of the Court. E. G, Crisp, 1 • Solicitor for said debtor. 881 Ball programme , canids .. in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons,’printed at the Guardian Office, East street, near Railway Station.