SHIPPING.

JPOKT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. ' Wanaka, a.a., from Nelson, Picton, and Wellington. Wakatu, a.a., from Kaikonra and Wel lington. Blackwell, ketch, from Okain’a Baj. Antelope, cutter from Akaroa. Yesterday. Hauroto, a.a., from Port Chalmera. Sailed. Saturday. Wanaka, a.a., for Wellington.. Wakatu, a.a., for Gore Bay. Arabella, barque, for Queenst -’.vn or Falmouth, for orders . Mary King, brigantine, for Kaipara. Catherine, ketch, for Okain’a Bay.| Soukar, ship, for London.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday Evening. Mr T. Bullock reports of the Horse Market for the week ending May sth; At the Horse Bazaar, Burnett street, on Saturday 37 bones were entered for this day’s sale. There was a large attendance and a. much, better sale than has been experienced for some weeks past, and if owners of aged and inferior homes would accept market value, instead of putting on high reserves, more would change hands. Out of the total number entered, viz., 37, 19 were sold at the following prices, viz ♦ Medium draughts, Li 1, Lll ros, LlB, Li» ' 108, with a good demand; there has been no what maybe termed first-class draughts brought - forward for sale for some weeks past, 2 and 3 year old colts, rather light draughts, just broken to plough, Lio 10s, Ll2, .Ll 3 10s,; unlimltm colts, of a light description, L 8 15s Ll 3. Light harness horses, L7to L 9 ; hacks, L 6 10s to L 6 15s, not very good. Light scrub bers, and very aged draughts L2 los to L 5 s s * Carrier’s spring cart, horse and harness, the lot L3O. Harness, dray etc., at satisfactory prices. On account of the extremely wet weather for .'the last eight days I was unable to hold my •' opening sale to-day at the Arcade, as stated ‘ mmyust report, but will do so on Saturday next, 12th inst., for which a large number of ’-horsesare already entered. r Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale as follows Saturday, May sth. Entries m diaugbts, hacks, unbroken colts, numbered up to sol a fair proportion of which were sold, the . highest being Ll 5. I had several enquiries ‘foe really good draughts, but none came for : Ward. Springers sold from L 3 12s fid to L 6 jos, I*igs sold well, all lots being cleared at from 6s fid to 13s 6d small sizes, and 35s for bacon pigs. Ducks, 5s to 5s 6d pair ; fowls, none entered. Implements—dray, LlB, light ipring cart, Ll 9 ; double-furrow plough, L 6; "harrows, L 3 and 14. Harness, trees, etc., sold fairly well. Produce —B.D. potatoes, 50s to 60s ton ; oats, 2s ; chickwheat, is fid to 2S bushel; onions, to id. A quantity of sundries, ’including some good silver jewellery sold well, also a little lot of well bound books. ■The attendance Was a good one throughout the “sale* “d nearly every lot oflered changed ,bands.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Monday, Mat 13. Mr W. B. Moss, at his Yards—Produce.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o Monday, May 7. Mount Somers Road Board Annual ' Meeting, .at the Board’s Office, at 12 ' noon- . Rangitata Road Board—Annual Meeting, • 'at the Board’s Office, Lismore; at 12 1 ■ soon* Wakanui Road Board—Annual Meeting -of Ratepayers, at Board’s office, at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 9. Horticultural Society—Annual Meeting, at the Arcade Chambers.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, MAY 7, 1883. Sabbatarianism.

The old battle between the Sabba tarians and the anti-Sabbatarians has been fought in Melbourne, and the victory has been decided in favor of the latter. Henceforth the people of that city are to be permitted to visit the Picture Gallery and the Museum on Sundays, and an attempt is to be made to get the Public Library included. It is strange that in these enlightened times a proposal of this kind should meet with opposition, but it is an undoubted fact that there exists a large class which looks with horror upon any idea that men and women should be allowed to enjoy themselves on the first day in the week, except in the dismallest-way. The German poet Heine somewhere narrates a fantastic dream of how he saw the fields rolled up like a bale of green baize and- laid aside, while a beadle went up a high ladder and took down the sun. This exactly typifies the ideal of the extreme Sabbatarian, whose creed may be sum med up in the words of a witty Scotch judge : We can’t for certainty tell. What mirth may molest us on Monday; But at least to begin the week well, Let us all be unhappy on Sunday.

Naturally enough perhaps, the churches are the principal opponents of the movement, and whenever the question is discussed we are sure to have a large quantity of nonsense talked about a “ continental-Sunday.” Allow the thin end of the wedge to be inserted, we are told, and before long we shall have the theatres open and race meetings held, as they are in Paris. This simply means that the people are not to be allowed any liberty, because it might degenerate into license, and the absur dity of such an argument need not be pointed out. Then, again, it is said that one day in the week should be de voted to rest, and if rest is synonymous with laziness there might be something in the contention. We are also asked to sympathise with those poor atten dants who are forced to be in the museums on Sunday, but it is curious that we never hear any complaints from the men themselves. Even were the hardship that the officers of these public institutions are supposed to labor under greater than the Sabbatarians would have us believe, it would be no reason for depriving the majority of enjoy ment and means of instruction on Jthe only day they are at liberty to obtain it. Let those who oppose the principle pay a visit to the Christchurch or Dunedin Museums on a Sunday afternoon, and, if honest, they will be forced to admit that their views were mistaken. Rooms that have been deserted all the week are filled with crowds, who evidently take an intelligent interest in the works

of nature and art that are exhibited. For what are these collections got to gether, if not to educate popular taste, and enlarge popular knowledge ? —and yet there are those who cry out when a suggestion is made that they should be thrown open to the publiaat that time when alone most people have any leisure to inspect them. Luckily, however, the narrow-minded are in a minority, in the colonies at any rate, and wherever the experiment of opening the museums and libraries on Sundays has been tried it has proved a success. Notwithstand ing-the prophecies that were uttered by the Sabbatarians, we are no nearer to that dreadful bugbear, a continental Sunday, than we were before, while it is beyond question that hundreds in the larger towns are now able to obtain useful and innocent enjoyment of which under the old system they were de prived.

The Fenstanton lias now 5,000 carcases of sheep on board. Mr Thomson, M.H.R. for Clutha, is lecturing his constituents on “ Poverty.”

Further cases of stack burning are reported from Southland, and in cendiarism is suspected. The Auckland auctioneers, at the request of 300 farmers, have agreed to adopt the American system of selling stock at per lb live weight. A woman was arrested on Friday night who was found lying in a dirty ditch in South Dunedin, with an infant in her arms. Had she not been dis overed, the infant would no doubt have been smothered.

This curious story occurs in Lts Mondes of December 16 A man who was very close to a tree struck by lightning asserts that he was saved by crouching close to the ground and covering himself with a woollen umbrella. He was enfolded in flames and completely electrified, but re ceived no hurt.

In the year 1784 eight bales of cotton grown in the United States were sent to England, where, upon arrival, they were seized and condemned by order of the Privy Council, on the ground that so large an amount of cotton could not pos sibly have been ra ; sed in America. This year the cotton crop of the United States will not be far from 7,000,000 bales. A story is told of how a Hawera trades man was doubly ‘'sold” the other day. He was receiving goods out of a earner's wagon, when the carrier remarked, point ing to the mud, “ Did you drop that sovereign 1” Tradesman, sniffing a joke and anxious to show his sharpness — “ Yes, but you may have it.” The carrier took him at his word, and picked up a sovereign, much to the chagrin of the man of commerce.— Star.

At the inquest on the body of John Wyllie, found dead in a wool-shed on the Belmont station, Southland, the j ;ry re turned a verdict that deceased committed suicide while temporarily insane A let ter found showed that he intended to shoot himself, and he has lately been heard to complain that people had a down on him on account of the part he was sup posed to have taken in the death of Wil liam Cairn, who was found dead under similar circumstances near the same place some months ago.

The body of the late Professor Walker was buried at Auckland on Saturday with Masonic honors. After service in the Masonic Hall, where the body had been lying since its recovery, the procession proceeded to the Anglican cemetery. The procession was half a mile in length. The chief mourners were Sir G. M. O’Rorke, Chairman of the University Council, and Rev. Thos. Buddie. Mr Pennefather repre sented His Excellency the Governor. The succeeding carriages contained mem bers of the University Senate, the Board of Governors, and the masters of the Auckland College and Grammar Schools, etc. Professor Tucker had not sufficiently recovered to attend. Bishop Cowie con ducted the burial service and delivered an address. At the inquest on the body of the deceased a verdict of “Accidental death ” was returned.

We (Inangahua Herald) have to chro nicle the arrival of the Chinese resurrec tionists, who have commenced their dis gusting work of disinterring and re-coffin ing the bodies of their congeners who have been buried in the Reefton ceme tery. The number of the dead is five, and they were exhumed yesterday, being left in the cemetery pending the manu facture of fresh coffins. To judge from the number of arrivals in town the occa sion is considered a most important one, and considerable preparations are made for a general feast. Two large-sized pigs were killed yesterday at the lower end of Broadway and these will no doubt be supplemented with other delicacies suited to Celestial taste. Several journds have alreadj taken up these highly objection oble proc.odings, and we consider it is high time the Legislature put a atop to the nuisance.

A lady writing to the Argus makes the following suggestion about Church bazaars: —“ Why should not the churches enter into trade 1 Why not join, and form a large wholesale establishment, importing goods of all sorts, useful, ornamental, whimsical. In connection with the whole sale houses have shops or arcades—per haps both—in Melbourne and the dif ferent suburbs. Let the selling of the articles in the different shops be effected by relays of young ladies, who, for love of their different churches, give their time and their energies to this part of the busi ness. There might be attached to one of the arcades a theatre in which dramas, farces, etc., might be performed by an amateur company. I am sure there is plenty of histrionic talent lying dormant amongst the young ladies, and amongst the young clergymen too, which could be made of use both for amusement and profit (pecuniary, of course). The company might be called ‘ The Ecclesiastical Trad ing and Theatrical Union.' ”

We (N.Z. Times) have just received the following .description of the process em ployed in manufacturing iron from iron sand at Onehunga, and it is of interest, not only as being entirely different from the process heretofore tried, but also as being a new departure in iroomaking :—The magnetic black sand found in such quanti ties on ourjeoast is a black oxide of iron, and once freed from ita'dxygen is a pure metallic iron, which can be worked in the same manner as scrap iron or iron filings. As worked at Onehunga, the sand is first cleaned by means of<a magnetic separator of all the sea-beach sand and other im purities. It is then mixed with a certain proportion of carbon and put into retorts, where it is subjected to heat for 24 hours. The heat causes the oxygen in the iron to be expelled and it unites with the carbon, leaving the iron sand in a pure, rough, metallic state. When the sand has been brought to this condition it is let into an an ordinary puddling furnace by opening a valve, and there worked a? ordinary scrap into a ball, which is hammered and rolled into bars. - The process possesses the great advantage of being a very cheap one, as the heat used for deoxidising the ore is the waste heat from the puddling furnace, and is therefore no expense. In short, bar iron can be made from the iron sand at no greater expense for labor and fuel than from pig or scrap iron, leaving the difference between the cost of such pig or scrap iron and iron sand as a profit. The supply of iron sand on our coast is practically inexhaustible, and, with so cheap a process of working it, New Zea land should become a large iron manufac turing country.

Mr Christie has sold Katerfelto, the hurdle racer, to Mr Muir, who trained the horse last season.

It is proposed to form a society in Christchurch for employing no servants not having written references. It is stated that Captain Hume, with visiilng Justices, has been conducting an enquiry in Lyttelton gaol, into serious charges against an official. The enquiry was held with closed doors.

The Secretary to the Lyttelton Harbor Board has received advices from the Agent-General that the opening of the dock will be illustrated in the Illustrated London News. We notice that Mr Davison has in the window of his fruiterer’s shop a bunch of grapes of phenomenal size. It weighs over 51bs, and is from f he vinery of Mr Taylor, of Christchurch. At the Police Court ihia morning, before his Worship the Mayor, Thomas Mullaney,!William Freeman, John Alex ander, and John M'Gregor, were each fined ss, with the alternative of 12 hours’ imprisonment. In the case of Mullaney, the prisoner was further condemned to pay 2s for cab hire. The Wanganui Chronicle understands that whilst the wretched woman, Phoebe Veitch, was awaiting her trial in the gaol she was visited by several benevolent ladies, and that she appeared to greatly appreciate their ministrations. Hardened and unnatural as the woman seems, there is much about her conduct which presents an interesting field for thought and study, and it is certain that, throughout the case, there was suggested no motive for her conduct which would hold water for a moment. It is beyond question that she fed and clothed the child well, and that she was neither desitute nor unable to ob tain work. It may be, of course, that her various tales regarding a lady who was going to adopt the child were part of a scheme for hiding a premeditated crime, and the letter written to Mrs Worafold on the day after the child was drowned, and signed “from your poor silly Phoebe Veitch,” no doubt lent weight to the theory of the prosecution. But on the other hand it was in evidence that at least throe weeks before she came to Wan ganui she spoke t of sending the little girl away to a lady at Wellington or some other distant place. If this be so, it shows that the crime was premeditated far longer than even the prosecution gave the woman credit for. That she drowned the child seems beyond doubt, and a rumor which circulated yesterday, to the effect that she had confessed her crime, and even described the difficulty she had in un clasping the child’s hands from her own and getting it overboard, was readily be lieved, and wore an air of probability. There has just died in Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum a man who, in 1836, attacked the Queen, and has been

confined in a lunatic {asylum ever since. His name was John Goode, and he for merly held a captain’s commission in the 10th Royal Hussars. Ho was taken into custody on Her Majesty’s birthday, May 24, 1837, for creating a disturbance in, and forcably entering the .enclosure at, Kensington Palace. On a Saturday after noon in the middle of November the same

year, Her Majesty was passing in her open carriage through Birdcage-walk, St. James’s, on her way to Buckingham Palace, when Captain Goode suddenly sprang to the aide of her carriage and made use of threatening gestures and language. The Queen heard the threats distinctly, and on alighting from her carriage directed her equerry to cause the man to be taken into custody. The police apprehended Captain Goode at Regent Circus, Oxford street. Brought before the authorities, he declared that he was the son of George IY, and Queen Caroline, was born in Montague Place, Blackheath, and was en titled to the throne of England. Upon every other subject unconnected with the Royal Family he spoke in a most rational manner, but wheti the Queen's-name was mentioned he became exceedingly violent. In default of finding two sureties in LSOO each, he was committed to prison, and on entering the coach engaged to convey him to prison, he smashed the windows with his elbows, and screamed out to the senti nels, “ Guards of England, do your duty, and rescue your Sovereign.” He was tried at the Queen's Bench for using seditious language to the Queen, and was sent to Bethlehem as insane. He was admitted to Broadmoor in March, 1864, where ho died from natural decay, though animated by his delusions up to the last. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Chronicle telegraphs that the fact is now established beyond doubt that the discovery has been made of a plot to assassinate the Czar, and the following are the details connected with the affair : At the beginning of February a student of fine arts attempted to commit sucide in a bath, but was discovered before he had time to accomplish his purpose. On be ing questioned as to his motive for the act, he confessed that it was owing to his connection with the Nihilists. He had been commanded by that body to assassi nate the Czar, and had taken measures to do so, but at the critical moment his courage failed him, and with the ktiow-

ledge as to what would be his fate at the hands of the Nihilists for not having obeyed their injunctions, he resolved to commit suicide. The attempt on the Czar’s life was to have been made at the time when the regimental fete of the Fin land Regiment was celebrated, the Czar having been present at the banquet which took place on that occasion. The student managed by some means to be present at the dinner in the guise of a waiter and was armed with a pocket revolver. He had intended to wait his opportunity, and when he found himself immediately facing the Czar, to fire. This opportunity duly arrived, but by this time his courage had evaporated, and, at a critical juncture, he states that he became confused, and hurried out of the room and ran straight to the bath, where he made the attempt on his own. life. It is obvious from his depositions that he was merely a tool in the hands of Nihilists, as he appears to know very little of the workings of that body. The information which the police have obtained from] him, however, has enabled them to make several arrests in connection with the affair. This latest discovery is said to have produced a pro found impression on the Czar. M. Tol stoi requested the Czar to exercise greater precautions, and to expose himself as little as possible, to which His Majesty replied, “It is all the same to me, and lam now prepared for anything. I have escaped by the merest chance, and you and myself were alike ignorant of the danger I was in.” A deputation of heads of families and others waited on Mr 0. R. Church after the sale last Saturday, and asked him to reconsider his determination to leave Ash burton, explaining that if he left prices would rise 50 per cent, at once. In de ference to their wishes he concludes to atop a week or two longer and have an other auction sale next Saturday. Mr Church went to Christchurch this moot ing to send up ten cases of new goods, his direct importations, to be sacrificed at sale prices this week. —[Advt.]

Holloway’s Ointment and Pills combign both sanitive and sanative powers in a high degree—by the former term is understood their ability to preserve health, by the latter their capability to restore health. With these reme dies at hand no invalid need be at fault to guide himself or herself safely through the many trials to which everyone is subjected during our long and ofttimes inclement winters. Coughs, colds, ulcerated throats, diptheria, whooping cough, can be successfully treated by well rubbing this Ointment upon the chest, and by taking the Pills. During damp foggy weatherasthmaticalsufterers will experience the utmost possible relief from the inunction of the ointment on all_ tender chested persons will save endless misery by adopting this treatment.—[Advt.]

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The. erd inary, meeting . of the above Board was held ;to.day,.there being pre sent the following members : —Messrs Brown (in ths chair), Megson, Walsh, and Mayo. ' The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, postponing the annual election a month beyond the date originally in tended. ■ A letter was read from the Registrar- General, asking for statistics of the Road Board-—The Clerk stated he had fur nished what was required. A communication was read from Messrs Davison and Co. rc stone breaking machine, stating the cost at which metal could be crushed by the means at their disposal. —lt was resolved that considera tion of the letter should be held over. Mr Thomas Clephane wroto to draw the attention of the Board to the state of the ditch on Wilson’s road. As the water rises and causes an overflow on Messrs Jamieson’s block, it was requested that leave be given to deepen and widen the ditch in question. It was also pointed out that a larger outlet was needed to let the water run out at the upper side of the writer’s land.—lt was decided that the Engineer report on the fmatter to next meeting.

STTRVE\OR’s REPORT. The following report was read We have the honor to submit our monthly report as follows (i) Great South Road—As directed, we have examined this road with re ference to a petition presented to the Board at last meeting. The road, like many others in the district that have been formed and metalled for some time, has considerably worn away at the sides, leaving the crown far higher and abrupt at the edge than it should be for the safety of vehicles, etc. Roads of importance like this one should be shingled the full width, and thus prevent the too constant use of the sides as is now done, and which from many causes in a very short time reduces their level considerably below the metalled portion in the centre, which is better able to resist the wear and tear. We should recommend that the edges of the metalled portion be:ploughed Jout and the sides metalled, and other small details that would put it into proper|order. The cost we estimate at L3O. With regard to the ex tension of the bridge over the creek, if this should be carried out we recommend that it be made of concrete, having the sides a height of —, and then arched over, being the cheapest and most durable structure to erect, the top to be covered with , metal and. clay to meet the level of the road. The estimated cost for the remaining 34ft is 1.75. While on this subject there ate certain matters that we think should be brought before the Board in considering the expenditure on this road—lst, that a road has been made by the Upper Ashburton Road Board on the riorthern side of the railway, and parallel to the road petitioned for, and which is formed, metalled, and bridged over the creek; and, that all, or nearly all, the traffic, whether coming to or going from the district to the north of the line, as well as the. Wakanui dis trict, is conducted on the road tinder the con trol of the Wakanui Road Board ; 3rd, that during race days and Agricultural and Pastoral Show days, the traffic Is all on the road belong ing to this Board, while the one on the upper side of the railway is barely used, we suppose from the fact that one road is far better to travel on than the other; 4th, We think that : the Upper Ashburton Road Board should be, called upon to put the road under their con trol in good order before your Board expend any large sum in providingffor the comfort of their ratepayers as well as your own, so that an equal division of traffic may take place on the two roads. With the exception of having the formation and re-metalling of the road done, nothing more is necessary, in our idea, for present, requirements, especially as there are other portions of the ward where money has not yet been expended.—(2) Princes Street (M‘Lean’s Block) : We have been re quested by ratepayers in this locality to ask your Board to favorably consider the formation of this road. We. may state that the roads in this block have been dedicated, and as rates have been paid for some years and nothing ex pended on this street, the request seems a fair one.—-(3) Maintenance of Roads : The -con tractor has been keeping the roads in fair repair during the’month; we have given him notice Jto have all the roads immediately looked to, in consequence of the heavy rainfall lately.—(4) Seafield Road -. This road is becoming exceed ingly rough for traffic, owing to the wearing away of the sides, unevenness of formation, and and heavy growth of tussocks on the shingle, and should have something done to it as soon as possible. We would recommend re-forma tion of the sides, so as to procure proper drain age, and the grubbing or ploughing up of tus sock on the shingle, so that it can be used.—(s) River road : Owing to the recent heavy floods great damage has been done to this road. The river has broken in and almost taken the whole width of the road away at a place about five chains above the groins. One of the groins, which has for some time been gradually dis appearing, has now been washed away, though it lasted long enough to protect the banks from damage. A good portion of the other groin still remains. They have done good ser vice, as none of the road has been washed away where they are, and the river has taken a course quite away from, them... But with re l gard to the new breach made by the river, this is becoming a very serious matter to all con cerned. There is but little doubt, if nothing is done, it will work its way down to the gul lies intersecting the School road. In the mean time at every high fresh in ..the river a con siderable quantity-will .find: its .way down this road as it has lately done, and likely cause much damage. We must say that we think there is little use in .making any protective works at this plaice, the river being just as likely to break through at any other spot far a considerable distance along the road. The best manner to cope with this difficulty, in our idea, is to divert the river some distance up, so that, instead of taking the sweep it now does, it will then have a direct course. This will give l it considerably more fall, and, by con tinually scouring, will make such a bed for itself that but little danger need be apprehended from floods; Willows should then be planted thickly for some distance from the river tank. Of course, such a scheme would be expensive, but taking into considera tion the loss of valuable land that is now taking place, and if allowed to continue the deprecia tion in value of land in this flat, it certainly seems to us time that vigorous steps were taken. —(6) Wakanui School Road : The overflow from the river during the late floods has scoured out holes in this road, which are now being re paired by the contractor for maintenance. We think in a case like this some allowance might to be made to the contractor, as it is outside the ordinary course of repairs. There are deep gullies in this road (three in number), which, when the road was formed, were filled up and had pipes put in to carry off the water. In the case of heavy rains these are insufficient for the purpose, as the water backs up and then overflows the road for some distance, making it in a bad state, besides deing damage by scouring. This could be remedied by having fords made in lieu of the culverts, and so allow the water to have a free course.

GREAT SOUTH ROAD On the motion of Mr M*yo, it was re solved that the repairs on the Great South Road, as suggested by the Engineer, be carried out. It was also decided to write to the Upper Ashburton Road Board, asking them to put their portion of the Great South Road past the mill into proper repair. SBAFIBI.D ROAD. The question of the repairs to this road recommended was deferred till next meeting, the member for the ward in terested in the matter not being present. RIVER ROAD. lie the clause in the Engineer’s report referring to ■ the above, Mr Megson thought that this was a work of such magnitude that the County Council should be requested to undertake it, and he con sidered that the Road Board should not be asked to do it. If the Council did not carry out the work entirely, they should bo requested to. assist. The Chairman said that a meeting was held in the district concerning it, but very little interest seemed to be felt in it. He thought that two-thirds of the settlers would agree to the work being done, if proper stops were taken.

[Mr Winter then arrived, and Mr Btown vacated the chair in his favor.]

On the motion of Mr Brown, it was carried that the Council b« written to, stating that the work is quite but of the power of the Board, and that it was urgent. WAKANUI ROAD. It was resolved that the Surveyor be requested to report to the next meeting as to the advisability of erecting a bridge over the ford, or otherwise dealing with the water overflow. DEPUTATION. Messrs A. Orr and Gundry interviewed the Board on behalf of the Athletic Sports » Company to request permission to remove soil for the purpose of patting on the Company’s ground. It was intended to take the soil fro m the Trevorton district, where there was plenty of shingle to fill up where the soil was taken from. Dr Trevor was quite willing to give his consent. The Chairman said that the Board had no objection to granting the request. BATES. The Clerk reported that he had taken proceedings against the occupiers of land or outstanding rates. THE ELECTIONS. A discussion took place as to the parti cular Act under which the election should take place, in the course of .which Mr Brown pointed out that according to the clause in the Local Elections Act the mem bers|must be chosen on a show of hands, and only those ratepayers who "were pre sent would have a voice in the inatlbr. On the motion that the election be held under section 49 of the Hoad Board Aqt it was negatived. The Clerk was in structed to give the necessary notice.

ACCOUNTS. . A number of accounts were passed for payment.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of this Board ’then took place, the same members beings pre sent. The report to be presented to ilia ratepayers was read, together with balance-sheet, and duly approved of. ' ‘

•Meeting of Ratepayers. <,

A meeting of the ratepayers of the dis trict was afterwards held, ■ very few peo ple beyond the members of the Board being present Mr Winter occupied the chair.

The minutes of the previous annual meeting and the annual balance-sheet were read and confirmed.

ANNUAL REPORT. The Chairman read the annual report, which stated that it had been the aim of the Beard to distribute the limited means at their disposal in those places which had most need of it, and they had not felt justified in incurring a large overdraft. It would be a matter of satisfaction for them to learn that the rates had been got in well during the past two years. The Road Boards Act, 1882, in which previous acts were condensed, stated that the number of members should not be less than four nor more than nine, and this Board had decided that the present repre sentation could not be improved uphn, and had resolved that the number should remain at five, viz.—One for No. 1 Ward, two for No. 2 Ward, and two for Nor 3 Ward. The annual election had been postponed to the first week in June, owing to the non-completion of the ratepayers’ rolls, and it would be as well to point, out that anyone wishing to be a -candidate must send in a proper nomination paper te the returning officer signed by himself and two qualihed ratepayers, in accord ance with the Regulation of Elee|- tions Act. In reference to the. en croachment of the river Ashburton, he was sorry to say that -though a meeting convened to discuss the ques tion of a Board of Conservators being appointed was well attended, nothing tangible resulted. The recent floods had done much damage, aud it was decided at the last meeting of the Board to request the County Conncil to assist them as they had not money at their disposal to repair the damage. He trusted that the work ing of the Board during the year had been satisfactory to the ratepayers. A ratepayer said that be did not think that there was any need for more money to be spent on the River road. . , The Chairman said that the Board hacU decided that they were not in a position to undertake the work, but intended.to L asik; the assistance of the City Council. Another ratepayer said that' it was necessary something should be done in, the matter, or otherwise the whpleflat would be covered before long. Mr Brown moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr Megson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Megson said he wished to refer to a note appended to the accounts by the Provincial Auditor, stating :th'at certain expenditure was not warranted and should be refunded. He (the speaker) said that though he was not a member of the' Board at the time, had he been he would have considered the expense' v4nJ curred by the meeting, re railway tariff, was justified, and he thought the meeting, of ratepayers should override the decision of the auditor. He would move that the Board was justified in the expenditure 6f. the money re reduction of railway tariff in June, 1881, amounting to L 8 12s 3d. Mr Walsh seconded, and it was carried unanimously. The meeting then separated.

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

[by TELEGRAPH.] New Plymouth, To-day. The sky was quite clear during the eclipse of the sun this morning. Wanganui, To-day. The weather was beautiful for observ ing the eclipse of the sun this morning, the sky being very c ear. It was plainly observed through a piece of smoked glass. Wellington, To-day. The sky was too' cloudy to observe the eclipse of the sun. The eclipse was clearly visible at Castlepoint and Whangarei. Christchurch, To-day. The weather this morning was very cloudy, but the eclipse was visible for five minutes at 8.30, when half the disc ap peared to be covered. The effect, as seen between the break in the clouds, was very fine. No sun spots were noticed. Dunedin, To-day.

The solar eclipse was totally invisible' at Dunedin, owing to the cloudy weather.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[KKDTKR’a TRX.KORAMS— COPYRIGHT.] The Annexation of New Guinea. London, May 4: The Hon. Evelyn Ashley readj in the House of Commons, telegrams from the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia! urging the Imperial Government- to sanction the annexation of New Guinea. Mr J. O’Kelly, M.P., asked had the Govern ment of Holland renounced its claims upon New Guinea, and the question was not answered. The Phoenix Park Trials.

London, May 6. Timothy Kelly, one of the Phoenix.h Park prisoners, in whose case the jury were unable to agree upon a verdict, will be again brought up for trial to-' morrow (Monday).

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, MAY 7, 1883.



TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE. fniTKfl Leave Ashburton fob Christ • ■ - church and intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.39 ‘■pjn. . Wirr.H Leave Ashburton fob Tdiaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express),and 4.45 p. m. —the latter pro ;eetcung bo farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from ■ Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), '• 'i3sp.m., and 7.20 p.m. Arrive at Ashburton from .* TnEABU and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.28 t .* p.m.. (Express), and 8 p.m.



Q P O R TIN G. Xkare just received my season’s stock of . Gains of every description, and respectfully invite an inspection. : ; Double Breech-loaders from L 5 6a. Double-and Single Muzzle-loaders at all prices. Decoy Ducks. Duck Calls. Game Bags. ' Cartridge Belts and Bags. ' Field Glasses. Loading Machines, etc’., etc. New Season’s P O W D B R, Curtis and Harvey’s, and Pigou, Wilkes and Lawrence’s —very best quality, Newcastle Chilled Shot, all sizes. Cartridges, Cartridge Cases, Wads. Arid every shooting requisite. Being the largest importer of Guns and and Ammunition in New Zealand, and every Gun bring iriado fo my own order, intending purchasers cannot do better thlW'rrirtirirtiiriicate with me. *' v - THOS. G. ROWLEY, Gunsmith, Timaru. TbOBINSON AND TOWNSHBND ARE CASH BUYERS OF WHEAT OATS B A.RLEY GRASS SEED Agents for A. Moore & Co. ROBINSON AND~TOWNSHEND, Havelock street. 229 MR LAURENCE OXLEY has been Appointed Agent for the Ashbur ton Guardian at South Bakaia. mHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. PRICE— ONE PENNY. FUBUBSED EVERT EVENING. Advertisers are reminded that Thb Ashburton Guardian is , the ONLY DAILY PAPER published between Christchurch and >• Timaru, and com m«mdn' a LARGER CIRCULATION throughout the bounty of Ashburton than any other Journal. *Thjt Ashburton Guardian will be forwarded to any address in the colony for,24s per annum (paid in advance), or 6c fid per quarter, postage extra. The Ashburton Guardian circulates largely in the Town and Suburbs, and also in Rakaia, Ohertsey, Seafield, Meth- Ten, Alford Forest, Mount Somers, Wakanui, Longbeach, .Ashburton Forks, Tinwald, Waterton, an every part of tiie County of Ashburton within the reach of postal communicat thus bring the best general as well as local medium for Advertising. LANDS GUIDE No. 5 I ; (latest Edition) onsale at the office eftbis paper



Wanted WANTED— A good general SER VANT. Apply, Office of this Paper. 1024 WANTED, at once, a good HOUSE MAID ; also, good COOK. Apply at once to Butler’s Family Hotel. 1032 WANTED, Contract HANDS for Hedge-trimming, Fencing, Drain ing and Rush-cutting; also, a good Fencing Hand accustomed to timber work. —Apply to E. H. DOBSON, 938 Manager Lowcliffe Estate. WANTED KNOWN—Hates and Co. have a lot of EMPTY OASES for sale. Arcade Shops. aul2 ANTED KNOWN—A NIGHT SCHOOL will open at Tinwald. Particulars on application to W. 6, Wallace, schoolmaster. 1013 WANTED KNOWN—NEALAS and CO. have given up business, and are Selling Off Stock at HALF PRICE for a few days. 1035 KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 e ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, - Hampstead Bone Mills. WANTED KNOWN—J. C. Doncan Agent, East street, Ashburton, begs to inform everybody that he is now a Licensed Broker under the Land Transfer Act, and is prepared to com plete transfers, execute mortgages, etc., at schedule rates, and with every possible despatch. jsa-MONEY INVESTED. 285 LOANS NEGOTIATED.-®*^ W™ KNOWN —Every descrip- Plain and Fancy P-in ting executed on the shortest notice, at the Guardian Office, next Matson, Cox, and Co. ’s, West street Special Advertisements.



Money ! Money! ! The equitable investment COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND, limited, are prepared, through their agent, J. C. Dunuan, East street, to LEND MONEY on Ashburton approved free hold or leasehold pr.-perty, repayable by either monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly instalments, or for a fixed period. The Company are also open to DIS COUNT BILLS. J. 0. DUNCAN, 883 Agent, East street.



JEL M. Jones' COUNT BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual . Chatterbox Child’s Compairon Infants’ Magazine, &c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS ! TOYS !! TOYS !! ! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, anlndiarubber. GOOD BUSINESS Envelopes. SIX SHILLINGS PER THOUSAND CASH. A Bargain. Good Second-hand PIANETT 'l, £2O. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above now in stock. .gaß- ALL the above Goods are offered at the LOWEST Possible Prices for CASH. A LIBERAL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. SECOND-HAND Pianos, In good order, £l6, £2O, 22 10s, 25. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d gPEOI AL NOTICE. TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. GL B. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin Have great pleasure in announcing that it is their intention to cater for the Music loving population of Ashburton in such a manier as has never before been at tempted. Messrs G. R. West & Co. are the Largest Direct Importers of PIANOS, ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, BRASS, WIND, AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS In the Colony, and a large and varied stock of the above can always be found. Mr G. R. West; being at present in England, is shipping direct to Dunedin all the latest novelties in MUSIC ! MUSIC ! ! MUSIC !! ! And the firm respectfully solicit a call from their friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect their magnifi cent stock of Music, personally selected.



Roberts, Paxton & Co. CHRISTCHURCH, Are cash purchasers OP WHEAT BEANS BARLEY PEaS OATS COCKSFOOT AND RYE GRASS SEED. They supply farmers with the best quality LARGE CORNSAOKS, at the Lowest Market Rates, AND WILL MAKE LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES against grain placed in their hands for shipment to London or elsewhere. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO., 137, Manchester street, Christchurch Or their Agent,— ALBERT ROBERTS, 278 Ashbdbton. j



Special Advertisements. THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAVE spared no effort to place before the public a MOST COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF NEW WINTER MANUFACTURES Comprising all the latest styles in MEN’S & BOY’S CLOTHING Manufactured from the best qualities and newest Designs in COLONIAL, SCOTCH, BRITISH, AND CONTINENTAL TWEEDS. The large and increased trade has en abled the Proprietary to offer their cus tomers still further advantages than hitherto, and THIS SEASON’S GOODS, upon inspection, will be found CHEAPER THAN EVER. A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, and every requisite at Wholesale * Prices. Nineteen Branches now open in Now Zealand. Agents for the Unrivalled WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINES Ashburton Branch : BAST STREET.



F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. tjTVERY article Sold at Christchurch ■A Pricks and guaranteed bes. of •natorial and workmanship.



FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED Milner & Thompson Ashburton, H. M. JONES, Agent. PIPE ORGANS.—Especially suitable for Churches. Far superior to any Reed Organ near the price for richness and purity of tone, volume of sound, and durability of construction. Price—£l2o. REED ORGANS.—By Smith and Co., Mason and Hamlin, Wood and Co., Esby and O'* , New England Company, and Clougrt and Warner, —from £l2 12s. PIANO S.—Brinsmead and Sons, Broadwood, Collard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel and others, Dresden Model, and German and French manufacturers, with 11 latest improvements. SSS~ DEFERRED PAYMENTS. Wholesale an« Retail. ol I AM CASH PURCHASER OF BRIGHT MILLING Oats, IN ANY QUANTITY, ALBERT ROBERTS, 763 West street. National mortgage and agency company of new ZEALAND (LIMITED). TO FARMERS AND OTHERS. We are prepared to receive Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Bye Grass, Cocksfoot, and Dairy Produce for ship ment to London, Continental, and Aus tralian markets, or for disposal in local markets, and where required will make Liberal Advances against same. Farmers and others who favor us with their business may depend upon the utmost care and attention being exercised in handling their produce, and also upon receiving prompt returns. In all the Au stralian Colonics we have made special and complete arrangements for the disposal of Grain and Produce generally, and we shall be glad to furnish full information to any of our friends who think of trying those markets. Freights to the United King dom have been arranged by us on favor able terms, and shippers will receive full benefits of the lowest ruling rates of freight. We have made large additions to our Commodious Stores at Addington, where we are prepared to receive Grain, etc., on Storage at lowest current rates, making Liberal Advances it necessary. Cornaac ;.", large size (48 by 26), full weights, supplied, on application, at cur rent prices. Full information obtaina'-’.i at our offices, 214, Cashel street, Christchurch. 269 GEORGE KING, Manager.



CITATIONERY OF EVERY DE- O SCRIPTION, Account Books Ink~from small to largest jars School Books —School Committees sup plied at lowest rates Latest Novelties in all kinds of Fancy Goods, Toys, &o. All the Home Journals, Magazines, and Papers by every mail. Subscribers wanted for any Magazine or Paper published. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &0., East street South, Ashburton. n!5 ,



Special Aevertisements. AND FOR SALE The UNDERSIGNED have received instructions from the Owner to SELL BY PRIVATE TREATY, All that COMPACT BLOCK OF LAND on the Acton Station ESTATE, SOUTH RAKAIA, Being SECTIONS 31757, 31758, and 31759, Containing 1099 ACRES. The block has be°n SPECIALLY SELECTED by the Proprietor, and is thoroughly adapted for farming purposes, the adjoin ing sectiora having this season grown some of the HEAVIEST CROPS ON THE PLAINS. Only a small instalment on the pur chase is required to be paid, the balance to remain on mortgage at per cent, for a term of years as may be agreed on. We have also FOR SALE an Improved Farm Containing 1026 ACRES. Situated close to Ealing Rilway Station, and well watered. For further particulars apply to THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED. Christchurch or Ashburton. 12au



AM A CASH PUR CHASER, AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES, of WHEAT S o g OATS » oa GRASS SEED g. S » 8 BARLEY S' S 2 | Farmers wishing to SHIP S jf ON THEIR OWN AC- 5 O Jj* - COUNT can get information B £ t-l «*• as to Cost, Freight, etc., by ? applying to JOSEPH CLARK, 267 Ashburton & Tinwald. New work. "the royal PATH OF LIFE; or, Aims and Aids to Success and Happiness,’' illus trated with Steel Engravings, in differ snt bindings. Also, a beautiful selection of EASTER CARDS. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. 77



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m , with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can bo received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged doable rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.