COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Ofpick, Tuesday afternoon. Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending January 20th : Horse Market: At the Bazaar, Burnett street, on Saturday, there was Only a small attendance of farmers and country Kttlers. This, I presume, is on account of harvest operations being in full swing. Very few hi Srses were brought forward for sale, the entries for the day being 18, most of which Were of a light description and not suitable for farm work. Eight out of the number entered Were sold at the following prices A pair of Well-matched cream-colored ponies on account of Mr Restell fetched 20 guineas; draught horses, of rather an infeiior description, L 6 to Ll 6; hacks, L 6 to L?; scrubbers at low prices. •—Landed Property: On account of Mr R. Lancaster I offered T.S. 106, Tancred street, recently purchased by him from Mr Digby, and after a fairly spirited bidding was knocked down to Mr J. C. Dolman’s bid of 1.695. In the present state of the money market this may he considered a satisfactory sale.

MAIL NOTICES

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office ■8 follows- For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 am., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. in. •nd 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Bangitata, Orari, Winchester, •nd Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. - For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a-m., Jaily- For Timaru and South, at 6 a.xn., 10 •.m., and 4.30 p. m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Tuesdays and Fri day s,at 10.30 a,m. For, Rount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 430 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, kt 4.30p.m. daily. For Remington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4 30 p. in. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 «.ml, 435 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate piaces at 6.80 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. 5.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Tuesdays and Fri days, at 3 p.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, And Sat urdays, at 4 p.m. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 9.30 a.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, January 27.

Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar— Horses, Cows, Pigs, Poultry, Sundries, &o.; 11.30 a.m. Mr,. SL Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses, I'p.m. Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett itreetc—Horses, Pigs, Poulb General Produce, &c. ; 11.30 a,m, Mr-Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. ' Tuesday, January'3o,

Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Stock.

IP3BTINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c Friday, January 26. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30, Tuesday, January 30. Ashburton Racing Club —Special General Jleeting, Quill’s Hotel, 8 pm. Saturday, February 3. JVa’kanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street . Monday, February 5. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Monday, February, 12. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1883. The School Committee Election.

If there was anybody among those present at the election of the School Committee who had not previously realised the absurdity of cumulative voting, the proceedings on that occasion must have convinced him. Even when care is exercised, this system of regis tering votes is open to grave condemna tion, but when an election is carried on as it was last night the affair be comes a public scandal. There was evidently no attempt at organisation, the ballot papers were distributed hap hazard, and not the slightest effort was made to discover whether those voted were exercising a right to which they were entitled. We do not mean to say anything at present concerning the new School Committee that has been chosen, but the manner in which the election was carried out is worthy of the severest reprobation. In the first place, the room where the meeting was'held was in almost total darkness, a few candles on the table where the Chairman sat supplying the only light. Then, again, instead of care being taken that only one ballot paper should be given to each voter, what could only be termed an indis criminate scramble took place, and, so far as could be seen, there was nothing to prevent those persons present from giving as many voles as they chose. We are of course not in a position to say that anybody acted dishonestly in the matter, but an election should be above suspicion, and this cannot be the case when facilities are afforded, as they were last night, for people to re gister votes whether they were house holders or not. The Opinion of the meeting concerning the cumbrous system of voting which is used at these elections was clearly shown by a motion that was carried condemning it. Still while the law says that School Com mittees are to be chosen in this way, the best should be made of a bad job, and some kind of organisation should be attempted. As it was, the proceed ings of last night cannot be charac terised as other than a farce, and if the School Committee that was elected turn out to be the right men in the right place it will be purely the result of chance. When we have had time to study the analysis of the voting, we shall have something to say on the question of how far the new Committee is representative of public opinion on educational matters in Ashburton.

EN PASSANT.

The great war correspondent Archi bald Forbes has paid Ashburton a visit, and if this toivn is large enough to remain in his memory he will recol lect it as a place where he was less ap preciated than anywhere else during his lecturing tour. Our town hall is not a very gigantic building, and yet it was not half full on either of the two nighls during which Mr Forbes occupied it. Nor can it be said by way of excuse that we were allowed to entertain an angel unawares. Huge posters had heralded his approach, and a pamphlet contain ing the history of his life from his cradle to his present exalted position was industriously circulated; but still the public refused to come. Now, this does not seem at first sight to be an en viable position for a community that flatters itself that it is intelligent to hold, and it behoves us to try and find some reason for this neglect of one that the world considers great. We may account for the small attendance at the lecture on what is rather quaintly termed “the inner life ” of a war cor respondent, by the fact that the public does not care twopence about who pre pares the nevys for them, • so long as they get their morning paper at the

breakfast table. But when Mr Forbes was announced to discourse on the Kings and Princes he had met, one would certainly have fancied that the very title would be enough to dr..w a crowded house. That witty physician of early days, Francois Rabelais, nar rates how Pantagruel and his entourage came to the island of Papimanie, and how they were welcomed with acclama tion and feasted to their heart’s content, not because they were great men, but because they had seen a great man. The crowd rushed about wildly shouting “They have seen him ! they have seen him ! O happy men ! O most happy,” and the schoolboys were flogged in order that they might remember the auspicious day. And this was written some three hundred years before it entered the brrin of Thackeray to write a series of papers to prove that all the world were snobs. It is all very well to say contemptuously that a cat may look at a King —and to speak truth Mr Forbes does not on the whole seem to have had much more privilege accorded to him than that “ harmless, necessary ” animal—but there arc very few people who, it they possessed the proverbial cat, would not treasure it as something of inestimable value. Let the Ashbur ton people, then, to quote the great Artemus, “ lay the flattering function to their soul,” that it was because they did not believe in snobbery, and be cause they cared nothing to hear about such people as Kings and Princes that they robbed themselves of the pleasure of listening to two excellent lectures. It was a noble sacrifice to principle which will no doubt meet with its re ward hereafter.

The reports of the meetings of Church Synods, although probably interesting to those immediately concerned, are not very lively reading to the generality of people. We make no question that these meetings do much good work, and that they are absolutely necessary ; but it is not easy to see why such a subject as the propriety of legalising marriage with a deceased wife’s sister should be discussed.' Yet this matter has been brought before the Presby terian Synods more than once, and it would appear that much difficulty is experienced in coming to a decision, one party maintaining that such mar riages are sanctioned by the Bible, while the other is equally certain that they are forbidden. Thus the con scientious layman is left in doubt as to whether he will be sinning against the canons of Holy Church' in wedding his sister-in-law, and the resnl* will possibly be that he will follow his own desire in the matter, and will rest satis fied with the permission to break through the prohibited degrees which Parliament has given him. The his tory of this marriage with a deceased wife’s sister business is a curious one. For many years in England a Bill was brought before the Houee of Commons with the object of legalising such mar riages, but the question was viewed with indifference. At last, however, an agitation was got up, more than one silly novel was written to show that women were suffering a great grievance, and their champion in the House, Sir Thomas Chambers, had at last the satisfaction of seeing his Bill carried. But the measure got no further, the Lords resolutely refusing to pass it. In fact, what may be called the intelli gence of the Upper House—namely, the bishops and the law Lords—have set their face against any amendment being made in our marriage laws. The former object on religious grounds, while the latter can discern the possi bility of very awkward complications arising in the future from the union of a man with his deceased wife’s sister. New Zealand legislators are, however, less squeamish, and now the ladies of this colony are permitted to enter into the bonds of holy matrimony with the widowers of their late sisters, and if they continue their agitatiog long enough, no doubt in the future they will be allowed to marry thei r grand fathers or any other of the relatives enumerated in the list at the end of the Prayer-book. We speak of the ladies in this connection advisedly, as we do not think that men care very much about the question. At any rate it would be perhaps wise if Church Synods were in future to leave such matters alone, especially as it seems that the only result of interference is a great quantity of talk from which no thing comes.

Licensing Committee. Although the time for closing the list is fixed for the 25‘h inst., no nominations for the local Licensing Committee have as yet been received. This is a matter of considerable importance to the district, and burgesses would do well to bestir themselves. The Peninsula Election.—The elec tion of a member for the Peninsula took place yesterday, and resulted iu the re turn of Mr W. J. M. Larnach by an overwhelming majority. The numbers polled were ; —Larnach, 667 ; Donnelly, 182 ; Moran, 138. Majority for Lar nach, 485.

Art Union of London. —Wo are re quested to remind those of our rqjdora who desire to become subscribers to the Art Union of London, that the last day for receiving subscriptions in Ashburton is on Thursday next, the 25th inst, Mr J. M. Cambridge is the local agent, and will be glad to give all the information re quired.

Lecture.—The third lecture of the series to be given by Professor Fraser was listened to attentively by a fairly numer ous audience at the Town Hall last even ing. The subject was “ Body, Brain, and Mind,” and the lecturer treated his subject with great clearness. At the con clusion of tlie discourse, a number of phrenological examinations were made. The next lecture will be delivered to morrow evening.

Accident. —At about seven o’clock last (■.veiling as Mr Powrie and a friend named Alexander Malcolm were driving through Ashburton the horse shied at a bicycle that was passing at the time, causing the trap to come in contact with the verandah post in front of Mr Lancaster’s butcher’s shop. Both shafts were broken, and the occupants of the vehicle were thrown out, but, beyond some severe bruises, they were fortunately not much injured.

The North Island Crops.—A tele gram from Manaia says : operations are going on briskly through out the district. The weather is favor able for jgrain, but not for grass crops. The former about Hawera and Normanby are larger than ever befo e known. Mr Caverhill, an old Canterbury settler, has about 1,000 acres of wheat, oats, and lin seed. The yield of wheat will probably average 30 to 40 bushels, oats 40 to 60 throughout the district. If the weather continues dry, gaaziers will suffer se verely, this long spell of drought being unprecedented on this coast.”

Prohibition Order.—At the Police o*urt this morning a prohibition order, under the provisions -of the Licensing Act, was made against John Murphy for, the districts of Ashburton, Mount Somers, Mount Hutt, and South Rakaia. Police Court. —Two men rrere brought up this morning, before Messrs R. Alcorn and T. Bullock, d.P.’a, charged with drunkenness. Thomas Brogden was fined 10s, with the alternative of 24 hoars’ im prisonment, and John Murphy was dis charged on the payment of 9s, as expenses incurred for his detention. James Riding was again brought up on the cfurge of a ealing a dog, and was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.

Salk of Otago Runs. —On the 27th February the leases of sixty runs in Otago, comprising nearly a million and a half acres, will be offered for sal 3 in Dunedin. The runs vary in area from 300 acres to 71.740 acres, the upset rentals from under to 5d per acre, and the tenure from five to twenty-one years. About 80,000 acres of land will also be offered for sale in blocks of 500 to 5,000 acres on “ pas toral deferred payments,” the upset price being LI per acre.

Diamonds in Auckland.—ln connec tion with the alleged discovery of diamonds in Auckland, it is stated that Courtney, a returned diamond miller from South Africa, has had an interview with Douglas, and examined a number of specimens in his possession. Courtney says some of the specimens are diamonds of fair quality, though small, but the gre iter number of the white stones he pronounces to be white carbon in the pro cess of formation into diamonds. He urges Douglas to try and arrange matters with the owner of the land, and raise a prospecting party to test the district, and otfers to j in it.

The Resident Magistrate.—The fol lowing letter has been written to the Town Clerk for presentation to the Borough Council, but owing to a miscon ception on the part of Mr B addell it was not read at last night’s meeting :—“ 10th January, 1883. Dear Sir, —In reuly to yours of yesterday, I desire to say that whilst I recognise the necessity for the attendance of a Resident Magistrate at the Ashburton Court more frequently than has been the case since Mr Wood was re moved, yet I am not aware of the grounds upon which the Borough Council demand that a stipendiary magistrate shall reside in Ashburton or its suburbs. I shall therefore feel obliged if you will furnish me with copies of the letters and petitions which the Borough Council have for warded to the Minister of Justice upon this subject, and if the reasons given in support of the claim appear sufficiently cogent, I shall have much pleasure in en dorsing the Council’s application.—l am, Sir, yours faithfully, Edward G. Wright. —Charles Braddell, Esq., Town Clerk, A-hburton. ” Holloway's Pills are strongly recom mended to all persons who are much reduced in power and condition, whose stomachs are weak, and whose nerves are shattered. The beneficial effects of these Pills will be percep tible after a few days’ trial, though a more ex tended course may be required to re-establish perfect health. Holloway's medicine acts on the organs of digestion, and induces complete regularity in the stomach, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. This treatment is both safe and cer tain in result, and is thoroughly consistent with observation, experience, and common sense. The purification of the blood, the removal of all noxious matter from the secretions, and the excitement of gentle action in the bowels, are the sources of the curative powers of Hollo way’s Pills.

THE CROPS.

Wakanui and Seaview.

[bt our special reporter.]

Yesterday I proceeded to the above dis tricts to examine the crops and obtain from the various farmers the amount of land in crop on their farms, and to ascer tain their probable yields of grain. Be fore proceeding to make any remarks I must state the fact that the districts of Wakanui and Seaview, although having fb’m and heavier crops than the adjoining district of Seafield, this year suffer con siderably from rust and the ravages made by the grub in the spring of the year, while the latter district, Seafield, is al most exempt from either. Having ques tioned the farmers on this subject, and failing to obtain any satisfactory answer, 1 think a cause for so much rust is either that our farmers here did not use suffi cient blue-stone when steeping their grain, or possibly did not steep it long enough ; either of which will result in the crops being more or less rusty. Of course the principal cause of rust is the damp or “muggy” weather, which pro duces it faster than anything else, and to this fact I shall attribute principally the cauce of so much rust in the heavy crops. The crops, however, look very well, and promise in many cases large yields. The oats are pretty generally stacked, and the wheat being dead ripe, the binders are busily engaged cutting this crop, and will conclude this season’s reaping in about a fortnight. Last month’s sou’-west gale I found did a great deal of damage, noticeably on the Seaview farms. Mr Thomas Welsh informed me that a good deal of his wheat has to be cut on one side of the field, owing to the straw being levelled by the storm, thereby causing great delay in the reaping and also ex pense to the ownei’. The first gentleman I called on was Mr Andrew Leatham, who has 100 acres of land in crop, of which 25 acres are in wheat, 30 in barley, and the remainder in oats. The grub in the spring destroyed a good deal of the wheat, which, if that had not happened, would have averaged 4.0 bushels to the acre, but now will yield about 30 ; the barley will thresh out 30, and the oats 40 bushels. The yield off this laud last season was wheat 14, and oats 20 bushels. Messrs Brown Brothers have 180 acres of crop, of which 150 acres are in wheat and 30 in oats. The rust is very bad in the wheat and has also slightly damaged the oats. About 12 acres of the wheat ou this farm was destroyed by the late gale. The crop will average 30 bushels all found. Mr Thomas Mynett Jones has a very nice looking crop of wheat of 70 acres, very free from rust, which will yield him at least 40 bushels to the acre. Mr John Bonifant has a mixed crop of 82 acres, of which there are CO acres in wheat, 14 in oats, and 8 in barley. His crop all round is lighter than his neighbors’, but will average as follows—wheat 23, oats 35, and barley 30 bushels to the acre. Mr Peter Lownie has 06 acres in crop, of which*so arc in wheat and 16 in oats, and notwithstanding that there is a great deal of rust, and the small birds have done con siderable damage, will fully average wheat 40, and oats 30 bushels. Mr Charles Hill has 70 acres iu crop, of which 40 acres are in wheat and 30 in oats. The wheat will yield about 25 bushels per acre, and ten acres of good oats will run 50 bushels, while the remainder of the oat crop, which is off very light land, will scarcely realize 20 bushels per acre. Mr Charles Hill has also a very fine crop of'wheat at the Hinds, 193 acres of which, he informs me, will average quite 40 bushels to the acre. Mr Thomas Clephaue has 30 acres of oats. The crop is poor on account of the land not being skimmed. This -is a farm of srt)o acres, and next year Mr Clephane proposes cropping two-thirda of it, the Imd having been previously used for grazing purposes. Mr Kdwin Thomas has 140 acres of crop, 80 acres in wheat, and 60 in oats. The wheat is very rusty, and will average 30 bushels per acre, the oats are also slightly rusty, and will yield about the same average. The nor’-wester of Sunday last, I am sorry to say, also h'ew a good deal of the wheat out on this farm. Mr Samuel McLeary has 100 acres

in crop, half in wheat and half in oats. The wheat will average 35 bushels, and the oats 40 bushels to the acre. Here again Sunday’s storm knocked out fully 2 bushels of grain to the acre. From Mr McLeary’s I crossed the Wakanui '•reek, and first called on Mr Thomas W Uh, in the Seaview district. He has 165 acres of crop, 85 in wheat, and 80 in oats. There are 25 acres of really splendid wheat, which will thresh out quite sixty bushels to the acre. Tho remainder was levelled by the late sou’-west gale, which of course will not produce many bushels' to the acre. His oats will average about 60 bushels. Mr John Corbett, Mr Peter Stewart, Mr Thomas Wilson, Mr Meredith Wilson, and Mr Samqel Wright have all very heavy crops, but all more er less touched with blight, which represents cabbage blight, but their yields will probably be, wheat 40, and oats 50 to GO bushels per acre. There are also great complaints in this district about the wire used for binding, which is very inferior, and moat of it will not bear any strain, some of the sheaves bursting while being carried to the stocks. Mr Walsh has had to engage a twine binder to cut his crop, and he also in formed me that he could purchase no wire in Ashburton strong enough for a Wood’s machine.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Crs Ivess, Nel son, 15. Priedlander, Harrison, and R. Bird. , mayor’s statement. The Mayor reported that the debit balance at the bank was L 1,220 la 9d. The receipts for the past fortnight were —Rents, L 7 10a ; pipes sold, L2B 16s Id ; dog licenses, L 8 10a ; refund from County Council for cost of collars, 17s 6d ; closet pans, LI Is 4d ; earth sold, L 5 ; asphalt, L 9 12s 6d ; Wakanui Road Board, L 8 6s Bd. resident magistrate. A letter was read from the Under Sec retary relative to the appointment of a Resident Magistrate, and stating that the Government had no funds at its command for appointing a separate Resident Magis trate for Ashburton. His Worship the Mayor said that it would perhaps be as well to let the matter stand over until the next session of Par liament. Mr Ivess, M. H.R., wrote, stating that he was in receipt of the Council’s letter re the Resident Magistracy, and he would do his best at the next session of Parlia ment to get a vote placed on the Estimates for that purpose. traffic bridge. The Secretary to the County Council wrote', stating that the question of making a new traffic bridge over the Ashburton would be referred to the Road Boards and Borough Council, in order to ascer tain the assistance which would be forth coming to supplement the vote now avail able. His Worship said that he was sorry that this matter was not made an entirely County Council work. The delay in the matter was to be regretted, as, by refer ring to the Road Boards a serious delay could not be avoided. Or Ivess quite agreed with the Mayor, and would propose—“ That His Worship the Mayor, Crs Friedlander, Harrison, J. Orr, and the mover be appointed a deputation to wait upon the County Coun cil at their next meeting in reference to this traffic bridge.” Cr Nelson seconded, and it was carried. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. The following letter was read from the Chairman of the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Committee: —“The Hon. the Colonial Secretary has addressed a letter to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, asking them to devise a plan by which funds may be collected from the public for charitable purposes to supple ment the vote which Parliament has placed at the disposal of the Government. The Board, having given this letter due consideration, resolved to con vene a meeting of representatives from Counties and Boroughs in the Pro vincial District of Canterbury, to further consider this question, and I have now the honor to request the attendance of a representative from your Borough at the City Council Chambers, on Wednesday, the 31st day of January, 1833, at 3 o’clock p.m lam, etc., H. Thomson. It was decided to de f er the considera tion of this letter until the next meeting. solicitor’s charges. Letters were read from Messrs Patching and Andrews in reference to the Borough solictors’ charges for preparing leases, and also from Mr E. G. Crisp, relative to the refund made on account of Borough seal. It was decided that these letters be de ferred for consideration of the next meet ing. FIRE BRIGADE. A report from the Fire Inspector was also laid on the table. REPORTS. The Engineer’s and Inspe;tor’s of Nui sances reports were held over until next meeting, the members of the Council being anxious to attend the annual meet ing of the School Committee. ACCOUNTS. Tho ordinary pay-sheet and several ac counts were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH SCHOOL.

Election of School Committee.

There was a large attendance of house holders at the Schoolhouse last evening, when the annual election of a Committee for the ensuing year took place. Mr Thomas Taylor pronos ‘d and Mr J. R. Steel seconded, that Mr R. Alcorn take the chair.—Mr W. R. Boyle moved, and Mr John Orr seconded that Mr St Hill be chairman, and on a show of hands being taken it was decided that the latter mo tion was carried. Mr St Hill having taken the chair, Mr J. Ward, Secretary, read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were passed. s Mr St Hill said that the Committee had much cause for congratulation on the suc cess that had attended their efforts during the past year. Whatever difficulties had arisen had been surmounted, and great credit was due to Mr Dempsey, the schoolmaster, for this. At the last meet ing of householders it had been deter mined to bring the compulsory clause of the Education Act into force. Circum stances had, however, prevented the carrying out of this, but he hoped the new Committee would strictly enforce the clause. He trusted that the attendance of the children would be better in the future than it had been in the past. This affected not only the scholars but also the teaching staff. When reports were sent showing that the attendance was not large it afforded an argument to reduce the staff, and thus too much work was thrown upon an insufficient number of teachers. Ho concluded by thanking the house holders for the support that they had given to the Committee during the year. The Secretary then read the following annual report and balance-sheet, whi h were adopted ; The Committee of the Ashburton Borough Schools have pleasure in presenting their annual report and statement of accounts to the householders of the district. During the past year one of the members of the Committee elected at the last annual meeting left the dis trict, and as a consequence ceased to be a member ; your Committee thereupon, in terms of the Act, elected Mr Weymouth Roberts to take his place. Fifteen meetings of the mem- , hers have been held in the course of the year for the transaction of business, vu.,. thirteen

monthly and two special, and in accordance with the usual custom, the following statement shows the attendance of each member at these meetings, viz ; —Messrs St Hill (Chairman), 14; Williamson, 5; A. Orr, ro; J. Orr, 4; G. M, Robinson, 9 ; Hodder, 2 ; Boyle, 13 ; and Roberts, 8. Your Committee desire to take this opportunity of expressing their appre ciation of the liberality of the householders and Borough Council in supplying funds for the annual treat and prizes for the children, and also to the Board of Education and its officials for their continued liberality, urbanity, and promptitude in supplying all the reasonable re quirements for the efficieftt working of our I schools. The Committee have pleasure in stating generally their satisfaction with the staff and the improved system of working the schools as introduced by'the present head master. The staff is in accordance with the Regulations of the Board of Education ; suffi cient in number for present requirements, and consists of headmaster, a mistress, an infant mistress, an assistant master, and seven pupil teachers, in various stages of their several terms of apprenticeship. A number of changes in the staff has occurred, and which has necessarily exercised a deteriorating in fluence upon the discipline and instruction of the pupils, as also of increasing the labor and responsibility of the headmaster. Your Com mittee have also to express their satisfaction with the steady increase in the numbers attend ing the schools. In February, 1882, when the present headmaster took charge, there were on the roll, 390 ; on Deo. 31st, 476 ; —showing an increase of 86 for the year. The average daily attendance for the year 1881 was 290, for the year 1882 it was 364; showing an increase of 74. To secure the regular attendance of the pupils, your Committee, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, determined to prose cute those parents who (after repeated notices sent to them) habitually neglected to send their children to school, and selected a num ber of names for that purpose ; but the Christ mas holidays intervening caused them to post pone their determination. 'they, however, strongly recommend their successors strictly to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Act, for unless the children are present it is impossible to instruct them, and regular attendance is an essential condition to their success. Your Committee, in conclusion, strongly urge the parents to send their children regularly to school, and spare the Committee the unpleas ant duly of compelling attendance, and at the same time, by so doing, they will assist and encourage the head master and his staff in their efforts to impart a moral, sound, and efficient | primary education to the youth of our Borough [ and its suburbs.

The balance sheet showed the receipts for salaries, L 784 14s, and expenditure L 784 14s ; receipts for incidentals, L 123 6s 3d ; for special grants, L 92 7s 6d ; expenditure for incidentals, Ll2B 14s 2d; expenditure of special grants, L 92 7s 6d. Mr St Hill proposed, and Mr G. M. Robinson seconded, the adoption of the report, which was carried mm. dis. Before proceeding to the election of the ; new Committee, a vote of thanks to the late Committee proposed by Mr J. W. Mcßae, and seconded by Mr T. Crooks, was carried by acclamation. The following gentlemen were then pro posed as candidates for the new Com mittee Mr John Orr, nominated by Mr 0. W. Parnell ; Mr G. H. St. Hill, nominated by Mr W. H. Gundry; Mr Sparrow, nominated by Mr 6. M. Robin-. son ; Mr F. T. Mayo, nominated by Mr Johnson ; Mr G. W. Andrews, nominated < by Mr T, Crooks; Mr W. Roberta, ; nominated by Mr Oates; Mr T. Sealey, nominated by Mr A. Orr; Mr W. R. Boyle, nominated by Mr St. Hill ; Mr Joseph Sealey, nominated by Mr J. W. M‘Rae ; MrE. Reddin, nominate'dby Mr : Wylie ; Mr W. H. Barrett, nominated by - Mr Gundry ; Mr R. S. Bean, nominated by Mr G. W. Andrews. Dr. Trevor and Mr W. H. Zouch were appointed scrutineers. The election then proceeded, and re-

lowing gentlemen to be the Committee chosen by the householders for the en suing year :—Messrs W. Sparrow, G. H. • St. Sill, J. Orr, E. Reddin, F. Mayo, T. ■ Sealey and G. Andrews He then pro- \ ceeded to pay a tribute of respect to Mr.; Joseph Ward, who had so welt discharged the duties attaching to the office of Secre tary, and concluded by moving a hearty vote of thanks to that gentleman, wh : ch was heartily responded to. A similar ■ compliment was paid to the scrutineers and the Chairman, After a motion had been carried to theV effect that steps should be taken to secure > the abolition of cumulative voting, the meeting separated.

Meeting of the Committee.

The new Committee then held its first :; meeting, there being present Messrs St > Hill, J. Orr, G. Andrews, W. Sparrow, E. Reddin, and T. Sealey. The only business to be done was the electing of a chairman, and Mr Andrews proposed Mr John Orr for the position. Mr Sparrow seconded. There being no other nomination, Mr Orr was elected. Mr St Hill said that he looked upon the election of Mr Orr as chairman aa ft vote of censure upon himself. He (the ,1 speaker) had attended fourteen meetings during the past year, while Mr Orr had only been present at four. The house holders had shown their appreciation of ' his services as chairman, and under the - circumstances he begged to tender bis resignation. It was decided to leave the question of Mr St Hill’s resignation over till next meeting, and the Committee than ad- ' journed.

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. [REUTER’S TELEGRAMS—COPVRCGHT.] Melbourne, Yesterday. The International cricket match, Eng land v. Australia, was continued here to day, when the home team resumed their second innings. A capital wicket was pitched, and the ground was in good order. The bowling and fielding of the Englishmen were excellent, and the Aus tralians were unable to save a one innings defeat. The bowling of Bates was especi ally destructive, and was greatly admired. He took seven out of tan wickeie in'each innings, and did the “ hat ” trick to-day. The following are the scores in the Aus tralian’s second innings : Murdoch, b ... 17 Banner.nan, c 14 Blackham, b... ... ... 6 Bonnor, c ... ... ... 34 Horan,' c 15 Massie, c 10 McDonnell, b ... ... 13 Giffen, c 19 Garrett, c ... ... ... 6 Palmer, c 4 Spofforth, notout 14 Extras 1 Total 153 The Englishmen having scored 294 in' their first innings, won the match by au< innings, with 27 runs to spare.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, Jan 10. Bismarck has proposed that the German 1 : Government shall expend the' sum of 600,000 marks in relieving the sufferers by the recent inundation. ■ It has been decided by the Suez Canal' Company to expend the sum of L20,000,000‘

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1888.



suited as follows — W. Sparrow ... 175 G. H. St. Hill 116 J. Orr 109 E. Reddin 84 F. Mayo ... 78 T. Sealey ... 56 G. Andrews 43 W. Roberts ... 32 ' J. Seale>... 25 W. R. Boyle 25 W. H. Barrett 25 R. S Bean 23 W, Leggett I The Chairman then declared the fol-



THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL in surance COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West George street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. E. BOYLE, o 7 Agent, Ashburton. John Meech, Burnett street, Ashburton, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER. The above advertiser begs to intimate to his numerous friends and customers that as be has 1 “E XTENDED HIS PREMISES He is now in a position to execute all kinds of FURNITURE at prices to meet the times. Second-hand Furniture bought and sold. First Prize awarded at the late A. and P. Show. Showrooms—Next Bullock’s Arcade. Workshop—Next Mail >ffice. rF YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, BAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. fTIjYEBY article Sold at Christchurch JCi Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. tw*. uP U NBR ALS fIQMMJMKIY FURNISHED -■ST , CT. 4- . si



Wanted WANTED TO LET —Four 4-Roomed SHOPS and DWELLING in Moore street, at 10s per week each. Ap ply, Mrs G. Compton, corner of Moore street and East Belt, 128 ANTED TEN D~E R S—For „ THRESHING 20,000 bushels WHEAT, 14,000 bushels OATS, 1,500 bushels BARLEY (more or less), including sewing, stacking bags, engine driver, and feeders board. Tenders also to state price for Thresh ing 7,000 bushels Oats and 1,500 Barley (more or less) if required, after 20th April. Threshing to start 17th February. Traction engine preferred. Tenders to be in before 3rd FEB., ad dressed to D. CAMERON, 130 Chines, Methven. VT7"aNTED KNOWN—That Robert V\ Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared te Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 c



yy ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. VTTANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan- YV caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to knew he has secured Mr The nas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Bread alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guarantee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable quality will be turned out of the FREETRADE BAKERY, East street.—R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240 WANTED the Public to know that they can purchase on deferred payment one of Singer’s celebrated SEW ING MACHINES. They are cheaper, moie durable, and will do a greater variety of' work than any other kind of sewing machine. They have been awarded up wards of 300 First Class Prizes (gold and silver medals, cups, etc.) Sewing Ma chines of all kinds bought, sold, or exchanged, and repaired. Lessons given given free of charge to purchasers at their own homes. Moore Street, Ash burton. 100 Special Advertisements. [With an apology to Green’s Shade.] CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW STOCK of English, Foreign, ' and Colonial-nude BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where. —O. HAWKINS, “Munster” Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald.



CRICKETERS’ MATERIAL, includ ing Bata, Balls, Leg-guards, Gloves, Nets, &c., at near y Coat Price, Christ mas “Graphic” and “Illustrated London News,” “ Christmas Annual,” &c. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Station ers, &c., East street south, Ashburton. 77 QfPECIAL NOTICE TO THE INHABITANTS OF ASH BURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. G. R. West and Co., MUSIC AND PIANOFORTE WAREHOUSEMEN, Princes street, Dunedin, Have great pleasure in announcing that it ia their intention to cater for the Music loving population of Ashburton in such a niatner 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 friends, teachers, and the public in general to inspect their magnifi cent stock of Music, personally selected. d!4



To Farmers. HEAT SHIPMENTS UNITED KINGDOM or CONTINENT of EUROPE. THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Are prepared to make LIBERAL ADVANCES Against wheat placed in their hands for shipment to London, Liverpool, or the Continental markets. FARMERS’ PARCELS Will have the personal attention of Mr P. Cunningham and Mr G. G. Stead, and will be forwarded by the COMPANY’S LINE OF SHIPS DIRECT TO THEIR LONDON OFFICE Shippers thus avoid the delay and ex pense which is incurred when shipments pass through int rmediate channels. The advantages and economy of being in DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH HIGH-CLASS EXPERIENCED BROKERS, Whose sole business is the disposal of Grain, must be obvious. Ihe Gempany’s large business enables it to handle grain upon a very low scale of charges, and farmers availing themselves of its services for the disposal of grain in the Home Markets can rely upon the HIGHEST PRICE being realised, and prompt account sales being rendered. Shipments will be superintended with out charge, and every care taken to ensure dsepatch. GEORGE G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, TO THE 12au Agent, Ashburton.



QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. &c., &0., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &c. ■East street south, ' Ashburton.' n!5



Special Advertisements. ri HE BEST VALUE FOR READY X MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Manufactured BY TUB NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the very best for READY MONEY. Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manager. b!9



0 A L. COAL. COAL. We have now IN STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



TO BLACKSMITHS, iM BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Greymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The best procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO,



We have now IN STOCK and for sale, ex vessels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. WELL - SEASONED TIMBER for Joiners and Cabinetmakers. Also, from Foxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of ihe best quality to be obtained. 021 TUCKER. RESTELL & CO.



"VTEWEST BOOKS at R. BEYAN’S, Saunders’ Buildings. Cassell’s Popular Educator, Chambers’ Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’s Illustrated Horse Management, the Leisure Hour, Every Boy’s Annual, Little Wide-Awake, Chatterbox, Children’s Friend, Child’s Companion, Infant’s Magazine, Band of Hope Review, Morning Dewdrops (by Mrs C. L. Balfour), Captain Cook’s Voyages, and others. A large stock of second-hand books—all offered at the lowest possible price for cash. 32 g ATE YOUR GRAIN, AND PURCHASE Walter A. Wood’s TWINE REAPER AND BINDER, Which obtained the FIRST PRIZE and GOLD MEDAL against all comers at the TRIAL held last seasen in Christ church, under the auspices of the Canter bury A. and P. Association. j This Machine combines Lightness of Draught, Simplicity of Construction, Ease of Management, Durability, and with Quantity and Quality of Work. Ealing, 21st December, —To Messrs Poyntz and Co, —Gentlemen. —In an swer to your enquiry 1 might state that the Wood’s Twine Binder, works to ray entire satisfaction,and may mention that during last season, I cut J 54 acres of wheat during a strong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. Tours truly, Henry Herne, manager for J. E. Ruddenkiau. Newlands, 22nd December, —Messrs Poyntz and Co., Ashburton.—l have this day completed cutting 25 acres of ryo grass on my farm at Newlands, with a W. A. Wood’s Twine Binder, purchased from you last year, to my entire satisfaction. The crop is now lying on the ground, and speaks for itself. Anyone wishing to see the crop can do so on visiting my farm. Yours faithfully, Martin Griffin,



FOR SALE— Second-hand GRASS-STRIPPER. FOR SALE - Second-hand McCormick REAPERS and BINDERS. FOR SALE- Four-horse DRAY". FOR SALE— A WAGONETTE, in capital order. FOR SALE— • An Eight-horse-power ENGINE, by Clayton and Shattleworth, in good order. FOR SALE COMBINE, by Marshall. ON SALE BINDER TWINE, WIRE, and OIL, atjcurrent rates. T k Poyntz & Co., AGENTS 21d



Special Advertisements. H. M. Jones CCOUNT BOOKS. BOOKS ! BOOKS !! REWARD, PRESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Infants’ Magazine, &c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS ! TOYS !! TOYS! ! ! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, and Indiarubber. DOLLS! DOLLS!! DOLLS! !! ALL SIZ ’’S From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, i etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above now in stock, 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. PIANOS. ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Chatterbox Child's Compamon ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS.



H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BAKING SQUARE. 13d N o T C E. Mr L. H. WILKINS is authorised to Collect Subscriptions and Canvass on account of The Asubukton Guaudian. 2j W. 11. ZOUCH.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for This Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.rn , with the number of insertions 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 be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double 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.