SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Arrived- Yesterday. Ocean Bird, ketch, from Wellington. Vision, brig, from Kaipara. Te Anau, s.s., from Auckland and way ports. Sailed. Yesterday. Te Anau, s.s., for Melbourne, via ■Southern ports and Hobart. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Camille, from Dunedin ; Star of the Mersey, from Lyttelton. -- ■ Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —St Eilda, from Greymouth ; Forest Queen, ketch, from the Thames. Sailed—St Eilda, for Greymouth. • ' '* ■ Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived—lsland Lily, from Newcastle. Sailed —Waimate, ship, for London, with a full cargo 1 of grain. ‘V .- • - > Dunedin, Yesterday. Sailed—Wanaka, for the North.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday afternoon, The Sydney Markets.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report of the Sydney Markets, under date August 30, as fol low: —Wool; The catalogues submitted during the past week have consisted almost entiiely of scoured parcels, which have beer cleared off at late rates.—Seeepskins: Market scarcely so firm, best parcels only making 6j£d per lb.— Tallow: The demand for both shipping and trade lots continues brisk, best mutton being readily taken up at L 36, and best beef at L 34 per top.—Butter: We have no change to re port.—Potatoes; The market is not yet-clear of old stocks, though a considerable amount of business has been done at a slight reduction on our last weck’s quotations. As the Te Anau bought hilt a small quantity, we anticipate a slight recovery in prices.—Bran: There is no alteration to report.—New Zealand Flax. In ferior qualities are dull of sale at Ll 5 per ton. Bright, well-dressed parcels are, however, in limited demand at recent rates.

TRAVELLERS' GUIDE.

Trains; iiEaye Ashburton fob Chbjst church ahcl intermediatastationsat7.lo a. m., a. m., and (Express) 5.37 p.in, \ j.' ■ ’ V Trains Leave Ashburton fob Timaru and SoirfH, t’ht’ 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express),And 4r45p.m.--thelatter pro oeedihg no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Chrisxohoroh at 10 15a.m. (Express), 4.36p.m., and 7.15 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.40 a.m., 5.27 p.m, (Express), and 8 o.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

‘ AUCTION SALES Friday, September 14. Jfr Alfred Harrison, at his Ropma — Biauk.-inith’s Stock-in-Trade. TueeL-Iv, Watson, Cox And Co., ai me Ashburton Yards— Stock.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS. &c i-a Wednesday, Septhmbbr 12. Ashburton County Council —at Council Cbaibbers; 11 a.m.

Monday, September 17. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. ■-' Tuesday, September 18. Presbyterian Church—Annual Tea Meet ing, in the Town Hall, at 5.30 p.m.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office as follow*: — > For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at'lo.3o a.m. and 5f p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. dally. For Temutai at 6 a.m.' and 10 a.m., daily. , For Tima.m‘ and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 3.30 p.m. For llount, Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. May field, on 'Tuesdays and Satur days, at ,6 a, m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes- Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. For NOwlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1883.

A child named Ellis, three years of age, was drowned in the river at Silverstream, near Timaru, yesterday, while playing

with other children.

Mr J. A. Caygill was yesterday admitted by His Honor Mr Justice Johnston as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court on the application of Mr Wilding.

Mr W. Redmon 1 and Mr Walsh arrived at Auckland yesterday by the Zealandia. TheirJ movements are undecided yet. They will probably leave by the Tarawera to-morrow for the kouth, going, it is said, to Dunedin direct.

At a special meeting of the Canterbury College Board of Governors yesterday, Mr Wakefield gave notice of motion to the effect of transferring the Christchurch public library over to the City Council. Dr O. Batchelor and Mr Hugh McNeil, a well-known cricketer, will play lawn tennis for Dunedin against Mr Dargaville and Mr McDonald on Saturday. To day they play Messrs McDonald and Wilkinson, flso of Auckland. On Monday the inquest was resumed at Invercargill on the body of the infant lately found ai Woodlands. No addi tional evidence was forthcoming, and the jury returned the following verdict : “ That the body of the said mala child was found in some water, with marks of vio lence thereon, but how or by what means it came to its death is to the jurors un known.”

A boy aged between three and five years, was killed in King street, Dunedin, at the St David street crossing, at about a quarter to four o’clock yesterday after noon. His name is Bradley. The de ceased was running across the road from a dray, and did not jsee the steam motor coming, and before the driver of the lat ter could pull up the boy was knocked down and killed instantaneously. Englishmen are beginning to own some pretty large farms in the United States. Sir G. Reed ha,s 2,000,000 aerqs ; Earl of Dunmore, 100,000; Karl of Dunraven, 600,000 ; Duke of Sutherland, 400,000. The Earl of Airlie’s estate owns 30,000 acres in Colorado ; while a rich English corporation has invested 2,000,000d01s in ditching and irrigating a large tract of land in that State.

The claimants for the L2OO reward, offered by Mr Deans for the capture of the offender who fired at him about 18 months ago, brought their case before the Su-

preme Court at Christchurch yesterday. The case was adjourned in order that the matter might be settled otherwise in the meantime. There are no less than eight claimants for the reward.

The mate, cook, and two hands, cim prising the crew of the schooner Dunedin, now at Greymouth, refused to go to sea in the vessel, one the ground, as they allege, that she is unseaworlhy, and making too much water. It appears that the crew are shipped by the month, and have not signed articles for this month. There is some difficulty in getting them to go to sea, and it is not easy to get a crew at Greymouth. The Harbor-master got the vessel pumped out, and after being allowed to stand for an hour found she had made an inch ani a half of water. He pronounced the vessel seaworthy, but the crew still declined to go in her. She has about 100 tons of coal on board. There appears to be no power to compel them to go to sea.

The premises of Delley and Moir, up holsterers, Dee street, Invercargill, nar rowly escaped being set on fire sometime between Saturday night and Monday morning, through the ignition of a bale of straw in an adjoining shed. How the heap caught fire is not known, but it is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. Early on Sunday afire was alsodiacovered at a vacant house in Yarrow street, the property of Lawrence Finnerty. A constablegot in by the window and extin guished the flames. ,He found that a hole had been burned clean through the flooring, and that near at hand was a heap of kerosene-soaked scrim rags and paper. An investigati n showed that through the floor of the porch behind the house two small holes had also been burned, and the surmise is that, with the object of making assurance doubly sure, the intending in cendiary had started the fire in several places. An advertisement appeared in a Napier paper lately, announcing that “ dancins wi h refreshments during the evening ” would take place pn a certain date in a country town hall. A resident wrote pro testing against this programme :—“ If we are expected to dance with refreshments and not with living glowing youth and beauty it will be a failure. This will be very much to be deplored, because the proceeds are intended for a most chari table purpose. Our beauties do not like the idea of a dance without a man. They do not ’ike to trip ‘ the light fantastic toe’ with an arrowroot biscuit in one hand and a slice of cold ham in the other. Our gentlemen * mashers ’ are seriously wondering what kind of good things they will be required to dance with—whether they will be expected to dance a Scotch reel with a bottle of whisky for a pan nor, or will it be necessary to \yaltz round the room hugging a little darling pork pie.”

Thick Heads, heavy stomachs, bilious con ditions—Wells’ May Apple Pills —anti-bilious- cathartic. Sd and Is. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. I

Take Hop Bitters three times a day, and you will have no doctors’ bills to pay. See. — [ADVT.]

Volunteers are reminded that to-mor row evening the first drill of the season will be held, and there should bp a good attendanco, as the quarterly inspection takes place on the 24th. The short Snider rifles have not all been distributed yet, but they can be obtained on application to the Captain. The Oddfellows’ Hall was again well filled lash night, when the Merry Moments Company gave their second and final per formance in Ashburton. The laughter and applause were hearty throughout, and every musical item was encored. The Company left by the express for Tiraaru, where they will play this evening. There is a probability of them paying another visit to Ashburton when they have con cluded their southern tour, and we are sure they will receive a hearty welcome. There was great excitement in Dunedin over the arrival of Major and Mrs Barker, of the Salvation Army, from Melbourne, last night. An immense crowd assembled at the railway station, from which the visitors were driven to the barracks headed by a brass I and, with torches blazing. The procession was accompanied by a large number of larrikins, hooting and yelling. As the barracks were ap proached rotten eggs wore produced and thrown at the Salvationists, and for about an hour there was a tremendous commo tion. Some women fainted in the crush, and others were crying from the rough usage they received. The police even tually managed to clear the streets. A dinner was given at the Town Hall, Rakaia, yesterday evening, to Messrs McKerrow and Mann, the partners of the well known firm of R. McKerrow and Co, who are retiring from business.. Some 60 or 70 persons were present, including most of the leading residents of the dis trict. and apologies were read from several others. Mr E. S. Coster, J. P., occupied the chair, and Mr J. Lambia the vice chair. A first-class dinner had been pro vided by Host Howell, of the South Rakaia Hotel, and excellent musical arrangements had also been made. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk, followed by “ The Ashburton County Council,” “The South Rakaia Road Board,” “Our Guests,” “ The Pastoral Interests,” “The Farming Interests,” “The Mercantile In terests,” and many others. _ Rousing choruses and recitations enlivened the speechifying, and the company did not break up till past two o’cloc < in the morn ing, while long after that hour some of the more joyous spirits might have been seen and heard indulging in Terpsichorean and vocal exercises to the accompaniment of the bagpipes and violin. The whole affair was a marked success. We are un fortunately compelled to hold over our detailed report.

A meeting of the members of the Borough Cricket Club takes place at 7.30 this evening in Mr Jones’ rooms, Baring square. Mr J. Wilkin’s celebrated entire horse Quamby will travel in this district during the ensuing season, paniculars of which will he found elsewhere. —Mr Geo. Gordon’s horse Python will also travel throughout the district thi- season.

We have been obliged to hold over Mr Andrew On’s business announcement, which will appear, however, in to-morrow’s issue.

DISTRICT RAILWAYS.

At the County Council meeting to-d-y, Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., drew atten tion 10 the following important amend ments which he got inserted in the Dis trict Railways Act Amendment Act : (4) The Governor shall, before granting such certificate, appoint an Assessor or Assessors to revise the classification, for the purposes of section ten of the District Railways Act, 1877, of the lands com prised within the railway district ; ami, if such A ssessor or Assessors shall recom mend the Governor to re-dassify any of such land, the Governor may, by notice in the Gazette, remove the same or any part thereof out of either of the classes in .which the same shall be then classified and place it in any other of such classes or in any new class, or altogether omit it from any of the classes, apportioning in every case as nearly as may be the liability to rate to the degree of benefit conferred by the completed section of the several rateable lands. When any further section of the railway shall be completed and open for traffic an Assessor or Asae?sora shall be again appointed, and the lands within the railway district shall be again re-classified, and the liability to rate of the several rateable lands read justed in manner aforesaid, and such re-classifica tion shall entirely supersede any previous classification. new subsection. (5) If such certificate has been granted to any company prior to the coming into operation of this Act, the Governor in Council, upon receipt of an application fro’m the company, and upon being satis fied that it is consented to by a majority in number of the ratepayers and owners of property within the railway district, representing not less than one-half of the value of the rateable property within such railway district, may, if he think fit, at any time prior to the thirtieth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four, appoint an Assessor or Asses sors in manner aforesaid ; Provided that such revision shall not affect any creditor of the company, but the original classifi cation shall remain in full force as a se curity to such creditor.

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly of the Council was held to-day, when there were present— Messrs W. O. Walker (Chairman), K G. Wright, T. Bullock, T. Taylor, A. Mac farlane, J. Jackson, and H. T. Winter. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement. The Chairman said that the Geraldine Council had sent him a communication re the Rangitata bridge, stating that Messrs Meason and Marchant had been com missioned to report on the bridge. That report, however, would not be ready for three or four weeks, and he (the Chair man) would ask the Council to give him authority to place the seal upon a writ to be served on the Geraldine Council. The County map had been forwarded to Mr Wright, who had seen the Government concerning the main roads which had been correctly marked in accordance with the wishes of the local bodies interested. Mr Mucray-Aynsley had been written to asking if he had any objection to the de viation of the Rakaia Gorge road,} agreed to by the Council, and a reply had been received to the effect that when Mr Aynsley had inspected it he would write again on t.he subject. The amount 0/ L 2,707 16s 5d had been received in rated leaving a balance of L 256 6s 5d outstandi ng, and active steps were being taken to got in that sum. engineer’s report. The following report was read ; I have the honor to report as follows:—1 Head Works of Water Supplies: During the heavy flood which occurred on lUh August last, these works were subjected Ufa severe strain, but none of them were injuild, though some minor expenses had to be in curred in removing silt and regulating the . Ip plies at inlets. hiow that the work is hot likely to be aftected by frost, I have arraij.ed to get in the cone ete trap for shingle at /lid ding Hill, and the work wi 1 be cnmmencil in a few days.—Ashburton-Rakaia Plains Y F.ter Supply : Curing the month the work ol clan ingout the various iaces has been m hard on tliis section of the plains, the races havingleeu shut off i i turn for the purpose. Most of the occupiers responded pretty freely to the Coun cil’s request in regard to ti is department of maintenance, and abaut two-thirds of them have gone over the races more or less, though the improvement in several cases is very super ficial and will require to be followed up. Many of the occupiers had not seen the

advertisements as to cleaning, and the water was turned off three or four days be fore the Rangers could get over them all, so that they had little time afterwards to accomplish the object required before the water was turned on again. All, however, who have not already overhauled the races through their respective sections are still willing to do so, with the exception of Messrs McCafferty and McKendrick, occupiers of R.S. 30841, on the A water-race, who refuse to do anything in the matter,’so that the maintenance there will have to be done by the Council at occupiers’ expense The owners on line of race asked for by Mr Chapman, Drayton, and Mr Cameron, Clunes, are prepared to defray the cost of race, and I will invite tenders for next meeting, or sooner if the Council approve. To provide for the contingency of Padding Hill stream not being equal to supply this additional race all over the season, this branch might be shut off when the supply was smallest; but this would not be necessary if a race to compensate for the other were cut between D race and E 5 through R. S. 26906 and 20848 in Highbank property. The length of this would be 2J4 miles, and the ex pense of it, I presume, would be defrayed by the Council. The race for the Alford station property is now being started. With reference to the petition from settlers in Ashburton Forks for water supply from the race at lower end of Alford property which now discharges near Mr O’Shea’s into the Ashburton river. I have seen Mr Herring on the subject, who agrees to the Council utilising the water as proposed conditionally on that portion of the existing race near its source being made good by the Council, and the regulating sluice placed near that point. In any case that would be the most desirable point for regulating the supply and checking the flow of floodwater, as it is contiguous to the river and can be done at small expense. If the Council approves of these proposals, the works could be put in hand as soon as owners interested arrange as to defraying cost. The Council’s race through Springfield property for the supply of Mr Rey nolds and others should be extended through Messrs Gould and Cameron’s property as soon as possible, so that it might be available for Mr Thomp=on Mitchell and settlers adjoining who would be willing to bear the expense of extension from a point within reasonable distance of their properties. Tim race through County saleyards is now in operation.—Wheatstone Water Supply : The earlhwork for the main race at Lagmhor will be finished in a few days, after which the creek will be cleared sufficiently to allow of the additional supply passing on to No. 2 con tract at Tinwald. The works of that contract are now being commenced also. The details are nearly all arranged through the several pro perties, and greater part of the contributions to the works have been received. The branch services for the owners above the railway near Tinwald will be arranged as soon as the head races are completed. Wnea the water supply in the Wheatstone district is carried out, I would suggest that the boarding on culverts and bridges connecting with flood-water drain there be removed, so that each would take its quota of flood-wa'er, and so help to relieve the overflow of main drain which occasionally occurs during excessive floods. The tem porary dams put in by interested parties to divert water from this drain for stock also tends to increase the amount of overflow, but when the races are made, there will be no pretext for keeping up these obstructions, and they will then be abolished. Messrs Rountree, kundle, etc., have not yet made the race marked oft for them, and authorised by Coun cil, but they propose starting the work shortly. The Willowby extension race is now in opera tion, and is running as far down as Waterton road, —Ashburton Rangitafa Water Supply ; The freshets during the month have caused some intermission in the supply on account of cleaning out of head works, and partial injury to several flood banks in natural depressions, which are to be further strengthened with boulders. All the races are working fairly except the lower ends of P and Q races, and the supply at these points will be increased by the end of this week. The races on the Ash burton-Rangitata plains being of compara tively recent construction I am of opinion that it will not be necessary to close them at this time for the special purpose of cleaning. Any little requiring to be done could be done by occupiers while the water is running. This would not apply to the Limestone creek race however, which I propose to shut off from Wednesday till Thursday next —and I will write to each of the occupiers as to this arrangement, which will be more effectual than advertising.—River Protection : As re quested by the River Protective Committee, I have prepared plans of the proposed districts, with lists of properties, etc, within these dis tricts, as a basis for any action, the Council may now decide upon for dealing with this question, according to the New Counties Act, which gives the Council facilities for carrying out works of river conservation.—Main Koads: The plans showing the routes of these roads as proposed by the Council have been laid be fore the Surveyor-General through the member for Ashburton, with a view to having the requisite alterations carried out.—Tenders for fencing and ploughing for pi mtation blocks will be laid before you to-day. Willows: Several thousand willows have already been planted at weak points of the river, but the places proposed for protective works have not been touched, pending the Council’s decision on this question to-day. WATER-RACE MAINTB VANCE. It was resolved that the Engineer be authorised to maintain races where the owners refuse to do so, and that the coat be charged to occupiers and owners. referred to committee. The sections in the report referring to the Drayton race and also to the Alford Forest water supply were referred to the Water Supply Committee with power to act. WHEATSTONE WATER SUPPLY. On this subject Mr George Gilmour wrote calling the attention of the Council to die large overflow which periodically takes plica in the Wheatstone drain. Ha pointed out that when the construction of this draiji was undertake 1 it was intended that the settlers in the Ashton district should be relieved of a large surplus of water. However, the drain had been ex tended to Ford creek, and thus rendered practically useless as it is surcharged almost at the original starting point, and before reaching a distance of over twenty chains. The overflow was at an average of a foot deep. Mr Gilmour asked that the Council’s Engineer be requested to examine and report, with the view of devising some more efficient system of draining. —lt was decided that the Engi neer examine and report on this matter to the next meeting of the Council, and to include bridges in his report. MAIN SOUTH ROAD. It was resolved that application be made for gazetting the Main South road from Winslow to the Rangitata ford. COUNTY MAP. Mr E. G. Wright wrote stating that he had gone over the County map with the Surveyor-General to sea whether the main roads were correctly mark-id according to the desire of the local bodies interested. ACCOUNTS. The usual monthly acsounts were passed for payment. AMENDMENT OF COUNTIES ACT. After the correspondence which had passed between the Chairman and mem ber for Ashburton in regard to amend ments to the Counties Act had been road, Mr Wright said that the amendments he had introduced into the Counties Act would, in his opinion, meet the require ments of the Council. He understood that there was some idea that Councils should be allowed to exercise their discre tion in the matter of raising a special rate for such work as would ordinarily be done by river Boards. But he would point out that this was liable to be abused by certain Councils, as it would be giving too much power into the hinds of such bodies. He might mention that the Council’s wishes only reached him just in time to prepare the amending clauses. The Chairman explained that when the river protection question, was discussed he thought that a special rale could be made, but on reading over the Act with the solicitor it was found that the Council had not power to do this. Ihe thanks of the Council were certainly due to Mr Wright for what he had done. He thought 1 the limitations placed upon the Councils were only proper, all that was wanted being the power to raise an annually re- 1 curring special rate.

RANOITATA BRIDGE. * „ On a communication from the Gerald- , ine County Council being read, in refer ence to the appointment of two engineers to examine the Rangitata bridge, Mr Wright said that he was of opinion that immediate legal action should be taken. The Geraldine County Council had continually resorted to all kinds of excuses, and if further parleying was per mitted it would bo in a sense acknowledg ing that this Council was wrong. The Chairman said he had prepared a resolution which he hoped the Council would pass. It ran as follows : —“ That this Council hereby authorises the Chair man to affix the seal of the body corporate to a warrant to the Council’s solicitor to sue the Chairman, councillors a d inhabit ants of the Conn y of Geraldine in an action in the Supreme Court of New Zea land for the recovery of the moneys owing by the County of Geraldine to the County of Ashburton, on account of the Rangi tata bridge extension, and generally to do all acts and things which may be neces sary or expedient for institu ing and carring on legal proceedings for the re covery of the said moneys.” Mr Bullock moved the above resolution, and in doing so, said that the Geraldine County Council had had ample time to settle the matter, but they had only talked about outside opinion being obtained after legal proceedings were mentioned. Mr Wright seconded the motion, which was carried with the addition of the Chairman being authorised to take what further action he might consider neces sary, MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY. . The clerk of the Mount homers Road Board, wrote enclosing the, following re solution passed at a meeting of the Board —“ That the Chairman is requested to write to the Minister of Public Works, asking Government to give early notice to the Board of the appointment of the Royal Commission re the Mount Somers railway extension, and when and where they will sit to take evidence; also, that a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the Oounty and Borough Councils, re questing them to take similar ’ action in this matter.” Mr Wright said that when the Com mission was appointed it would be in the Gazette and due publicity would be given as to the time and place of its sittings The gentlemen who would, be appointed would know how to go to work to procure necessary evidence, and it would be infra dig on the part of this Council to accept such a resolution as that forwarded by the Mount Somers Road Board. He would move the following resolution;— “That the Ashburton County Council concurs in the expediency of a Royal Commission being appointed to determine the best route for the further extension of the Mount Somers railway, and. hopes the Government will give effect to their pro mise with as little delay as possible.” If the Mount Somers district was going to develope riches in the shape of tin, about which fact he believed one member of that Council was very sanguine, this would no doubt do much to determine ihe ultimate route of the railway. The Commission would take evidence on this point and would report accordingly, and thus end the numerous bickerings and the strong ill-feeling that had sometimes been dis played. As to his own action in the matter, they,were aware that he had.been Aiainly instrumental in obtaining the ex tension of the railway, and his actions had been systematically misrepresented by a certain section. He had no object beyond a desire to do his best for the dis trict. It had been freely asserted that he aimed at benefiting his own property bjl this railway. This idea was absurd on the face of it. but those who were ignorant of the district might easily be deceived into believing these nj’.alicious slanders. It was to remove this doubt that he had got the Royal 0 m mission. If the Coun cil passed the resolution, it would serve to remind the Government of the promise they had made, and so hasten its fulfil ment. 1 Mr Winter seconded the motion.

Mr McFarlane strongly opposed the

motion. The Commission was quite un necessary, as a Committee of this Council had made investigations some six or eight months ago, and reported that the rail way should cross the river. He thought that the request of the Mount Somers people should be acceded to, and he would move a resolution to that effect. Mr Taylor also opposed Mr Wright’s motion on the ground chat the time had gone by for a Royal Commission to report on tile question. Mr Wright wished to set Mr McFarlane right on one point. The Committee re ferred to recommended that the railway should go along the south side of the river, according to its present direction, but they did not say anything about a terminus. But if the Committee said nothing about where the line should termnate, Mr McFarlane did. That gen tleman fixed the terminus exactly oppo-' site his own land. He (Mr Wright) did not want the railway to go as far as Mr McFarlane’s homestead or Mr Peache’S homestead ; he wished it to be carried out as far as possible, arid it might even reach Friedlander’a stone. Something had been said about the cost of the Commission, but that .would not amount to much. The whole thing would not take more than a fortnight, and the cost would not exceed LIOO, a vary small matter compared with the importance of the question. The re port of the Commission would be final and serve to remove the bitter feeling now existing concerning this line.

Mr McFarlane would like to ask Mr Wright if a me disguised influ ,nce had not been brought to bear in order that the line might reach hia stone. Mr Wright emphatically denied this accusation. He said that this was one of those slanders promulgated by a acurru lous print in this town. The Wellington correspondent of that journal, whose name was Joseph lyess, used hia paper for the purpose of circulating contemptible slan ders of this kind, which he despised too much to care to refute. All the influence used was that of thejpetitiou signed by all the settlers on the Rangitata plains. Mr Bullock was not affected by the question personally, but he would oppose the resolution because he thought the Commissioners always failed to do good. The' Chairman wished to say a few words on this question. He could not support Mr Wright’s motion, as he did not recog nise that the Royal Commission was in any way necessary. If a Minister for Public Works could not decide a simple matter of this kind on his own responsi bility he was not fit to hold the office. He held that the appointment of the Commission was a sign of the greatest weakness. Whenever a railway was made some people would always com plain. This was only natural, but the Public Works Minister should decide, but in this instancehe hadshirked his responsi bility and put it on the shoulders qf a Commission. He would be sorry to see the Council pass a resolution which would be tantamount to thanking the Govern ment for the weakness they had shown. He would peoond Mr McFarlane’s amend ment.

Mr Wright thought that the Council might have recognised what he had done by passing the resolution he had pro posed, but as - they had thought dif ferently, he had perhaps better resign his seat.

The amendment was then put and de dared lost. ." •

Mr Taylor then moved that the letter from the Mount Somers Road Board, lie on he table. This did not find a seconder, ~

Mr Wright said he would withdraw his motion. He had to endure so many malicious slanders that he was seriously

thinking of retiring from public life al together. The matter was then allowed to drop* Thompson’s tbaoe. Mr Bullock moved, and Mr seconded—“ That the Engineer be in structed to call for tenders for the erec tion of a bridge or ford over storm water channel at Thompson’s creek, the matter to be left in the hands of th i Chairman to deal with.” Mr Jackson opposed this, and it was ultimately resolved to leave the. affair in the hands of the Chairman to meet the views of the Road Board as far as pos sible. • ... V V.W Mr Wright rose to ask for the produc tion of a petition sent by the settlers in the district to the Minister for Public Works last November, praying for the construction of the Mount Somers rail way. The petition was signed by land owners representing 65,389 acres, and would show that the present railway, was desired by a large number of pebble and' would dispose of accusations brought against him. The petition was read by the Chairman and laid on the table. ; DISTRICT RAILWAYS. , Mr Wright drew the attention of tao Council to amendments in District Rail way Act, which will be found in another column. BAEAIA GORGE BOAD. The Engineer was instructed to carry out the proposed line of road on thd easiest possible grade. . ■, SLAUGHTERING LICENSJB. An application from Messrs Chisnall Bros, for a slaughtering license was granted. : ■ 1 . PROTECTIVE WORKS.. , , .t The Committee for protective works re ported what had been done by Air Wrighi re amendments in the Counties Act wMflli enabled the Council to act as a River Boa d for those districts where the-rate payers Here favorable. They recommetidedf'- that petitions in accordance with the Act should be drawn up and circulated in the diotricts affected, so as to enable thp Council to avail themselves 1 of the Act as* soon as possible, the urgency of the case” demanding' that no unnecessary delay, should take place. > . ; The report was unanimously ’ authority being given to the CommitfefeHfo draw up and circulate the petitions. . ' A letter from the : Borough Council on the same subject was received, Rhd ' Clerk was instructed to acknowledged with thanks for the offer of" co-operation--” on the part of the Borough Council ■ POUKDKEEPES. ; T. W. Price was elected ; poundkeeper for another year. j PLANTING.. , >I , On the motion o| Mr Bullock, seconded. • by Mr McParlane, it was resolved that , all trees planted previous to a resolution passed on May ,2, be allowed to remain provided they’do not obstruct the Water race. BRADFORD CLAIM. ‘ .... A claim for wages to Mr Bradford. in, connection with the Rangitata bridge Wa* ' ordered to be paid. ' ' ■ r ■■ TENDERS. n ! ‘ The following tenders were ally accepted : —Fencing, No.l,Ha!e at 5s per chain ; No. 2, Harris, IW. per chain ; No. 3, Toomey, 3s lod per Chain ; No. 4, Toomey, 3i 4d per "chainj ploughing, No. 1,- CaTncross, 12s peracre, and jls for harrowing ; No. 2, Odultar, ; 13s ! and Is per acre; No. 3, Coulter, 14s and 1s 3d per acre; and No. 4, Mafabneyl 7s 6d and Is per acre. " ‘ The Council then adjourned to October 3, at 11 a.m. 1 1

S PORTING.

HAWKE’S BAT J.O. MEETING.

The following acceptances , have been received by tfm Hawke’s Bay jockey .Club for their Spring Meeting, to bo run on the 9th of October:

Hurdles, 75 sovs, two miles. Lone Laud, Loch Lomond, Reform, Wild Dayrell, A. G., Lady Bab, Doubtful, Here taunga, Fear Not, Juliet (lata Calamity)l Waewaitika, Pastime, ■ , :

Spring Handicap, 200 sovs. onefßid a? half miles.—Mischief, ' im WhifServLetr nora_, Leonata, Kalo, King ask, The Lprd, Lone Hand, Mavis, Rangipo,,Car men, Scud, Marjory. ... ;; ,- : l Flying Handicap, 100 sovs,-,,three quarters of a mile. Mischief, Leonora, Kalo, Kingask, Rubina/Gawkie, R,%dames, Mavis, Rangipo, Mauew, Kumi, Oberon, Carmen, Scud, Marjory. - it

CABLE NEWS.

'.ATtST FROM EUROPF.

[reutbr’s telko ra MB —COPYRIGHT.;!

Monetary and Commercial.. London, Sept. 10. Consols have a dvanced : tot , ipqjS* New Zealand securities remain at . last quotations. The market rate of count has fallen to 3 per cent, and the Bank rate to 4 per cent. The wheat market continues dull; Adelaide wheat, ex store, 475, New Zealand dp,. haa fallen 6d, and is now. quoted at 42s 6d to 465. Adelaide flour, ex store, re mains at 335, The tallow market is unchanged. Australian best beef, 40s ; best mutton, 41s. The Wool Sales, The catalogue of to-day’s wool sale comprised 12,500 bales. A fair de mand was experienced. Shipping. The P. and O. Co.’s steamer Siam, from Melbourne (July 17th) arrived at Plymouth to-day. [Received Sept. 12, 1.25 p.m. The East India Squadron. Aden, Sept. ‘ll.

The East India squadron under command of Admiral Sir Wm. Hewitt, who is on board H.M.S. Euryalus, the flagship, has arrived at Zanzibar. British Consul in Egypt. *. Alexandria, Sept. 11. Major Evelyn Baring has arrived here to assume the position of British Resident Consul-General in Egypt. French Reinforcements.

Pams, Sept. 11. The transport conveying reinforce*. ‘ j ments for the French forces has sailed" < for Tonquin. The Irish Outrage in Glasgow. * London, Sept. 11. Seven Irishmen who were recently ar rested at Glasgow charged with cpna-. plicity in blowing up the gasometer in tuJ that city in January last, have been committed for trial. Chinese Row. Hono Kong, Sept. 11. News has been received froih.Cnnton -- that the 1 Chinese mob, who were in-; | censed by the accidental drowning of —. a Chinese lout, who attempted to board the steamship Hankow, set' fire to and destroyed several. houses on the wharf. ; All foreigners have been compelled tp take refuge aboard the shipping,, v The. Chinese troops were called otit tb' re store order. Three gunboats have Ifr. this port for Canton, to protect tbs Europeans. ,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1883.



The New Zealand loan and Mercantile Agency Company,. Limited (per _Mr E. G. Staveley, auctioneer), report on Tinwald sale oa, Uth tr'ept.:—Sheep : A very moderate entry’met with a fair amount of competition. The attendance was not very large. Fat merino, wethers' brought 9 S > IOS > * 2S > f 2s 6d; crossbreds, 14s 6d and 15s j merino eWes in lamb, 53 3d ; crossbred hoggettS, 9s. Cattle : A fair supply came, forward,- most descriptions being represented. Beef, how ever, was not to hand in any quantity, and all that was really fit sold readily. In fact, throughout the sale we observed a better tone on of buyers, though we cannot record any marked improvement in values. Fat cows andheifers realised L 6 7s 6d, L 6 12s 6d, L 7 159, and L 8 10s, averaging 26s per roolbs for prime ’ quality ; young cattle, mixed sexes, made 455; heifers in calf, L 3 2s 6d to 14 ; springers, L6.to L7' los each.



PAT TERN DEPOT. 'o^jj£ R g HODGE, Dressmaker, TANORED ST. (opposite the Arcade), Begs *l6 intimate to the Ladies of Ashbur ton and neighbourhood that she has Winter Press .Materials that can be dis posed of exceedingly cheap. Ladies Dresses and. Underclothing made ■ > abthe 1 shortest notice. « 1 -■■■ • ■ - • Registry Office for Domestic Servants. 8 320 Special Bargains. Draw.ing-rootn Suites in splendid Tel ®id®"kpard with marble Small Tables in all patterns of walnut, eto Beal Leather -Dining-room Suites, in . saabpgK4y, and side?boards to match Every class of Utensilsof every kind for House Furnishing. Must be to. CLEAR OFF all my large and varied Stock. Joim Meecli, PUB N{lT ÜBE.W A;B KSOUS E, Barnett street. 9 484



Wanted WANTED— A. General SERVANT; good wages given. Apply, Office of this Paper. WANTED— To BUY 25 Ashburton Saleyards Company SHARKS. Apply to Matson, Cox and Co. 8 380 WANTED— TENDERS for 250 Acres of Tussock CLIPPING. Particu lars on application to H. T. Winter. 9 496 \T7 AN TED —A thoroughly efficient Vy Milliner and Saleswoman. Apply, with ref6rences,|to Friedlander Bros. , Ashburton. 9 508 WANTED A respectable middle aged person as HOUSEKEEPER. Apply at once, Elz Bros’, residence, Peter street. '9 492 WJ ANTED KNOWN—Two Ladies W would find a corafortab'e resi dence, with use of piano.—Mrs G. H. Thompson. Tancred street, near Arcade. 1443 WANTED Known—Business styles, office hands, shorthand taught with American quick method—six or seven lessons. Kinsten, Prince Albeit Boarding-house. 9 502 WANTED Known—The Annual Tea Meeting and Entertainment in connection, with the Dawn of Peace Lodge will take place on Monday, Sept. 17th inst., at the Templar Hall. 9 469 TT7ANTED KNOWN—That Robert Vf Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at tvery low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 c WANTED Known—That in conse quence of the rapid increase of business, John Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has been compelled to get a large stock of Boots of a superior quality in the town in order to meets the demands of his customers, and those who may pur chase from him will find no deception as to price or quality. As J.M. has gained the public trust in the past by doing best work and fit, combined with neatness and style, he intends even to make greater exertions in the future. Fowler’s Build ings, Tancred street (opposite Arcade), Ashburton. 7 207 WANTED KNOWN—That Mr Dan Lea’s Gymnasium is the only place for real amusement; admittance free. Every kind of amusement to be ob tained on the premises calculated to please the general public—-American Bowls, Skittles, Shooting, Boxing, Fencing, Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, etc. Temper ance Drinks, Cigars, etc. Tickets— monthly 2s 6d, for use of Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, Single-sticks, Dumb-bells, Indian Clubs, etc. Dan Lea is always at his post to give les-sons in Boxing, lessons £1 per month, or according co arrangement. 1344



Special Advertisements. AN DR EWE S BROS. Are now selling everything at a GREAT SACRIFICE, E CLEARING SALE. FOR ONE MONTH ONLY, Commencing Saturday, August 18th. (STATIONER!, FANCY GOODS, TOYS, Etc. A GREAT REDUCTION PRICES OF ALL OUR GOODS. An Inspection Solicited, Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, Ac., East street South Ashburton, nls A R M FOR SALE For Cash. 77 IN THE



SEAFIELD, ON EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT SEIKO RURAL SECTION No. 25234 Containing 300 ACRES 300 Lately in the occupation of Me H. Beckett The land is of good quality, and well watered by one of the County water races. l ’~ Also, A VERY COMPLETE Threshing Plant, By Ranaome—almost equal to new. Apply, THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCAN TILE COMPANY, LIMITED. Wm. HORNE, 12 au Agent, Jjl O R SALE. Seed. Seed, SEED WHEAT—Hunter’s White. Prime Tuscan. SEED3oATS—Canadian. Tartarian, first-class. Danish. KAIAPOI ISLAND POTATOES. CRUSHED OATS, First-class, la. lOd. per bushel. JOSEPH CLARK, 265 Ashburton and Tinwald. Relief, from cough in five MINUSES,,+r- Bonkington’s Peo roEAE OxYMEi. of Cakragjjbk oe Ibish Moss (Registered).—The most certain and speedy remedy for disorders of the Chest and Lungs. May be obtained at most of. the Storekeepers and Chemists throughout the Province. Sold everywhere.— Geokge Bokningxok, Christchurch.



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion House, Cashel street, Christchurch. Great success has been achiever! in the Old Country by the introduction of the “Numbered Parcel System,” for the supply ard purchase of useful household drapery, thousands of parcels being for warded to the order of distant customers upon the distinct understanding that any article not proving satisfactory to the pur chaser, the money in all cases to be re turned. This system is now being intro duced by E. C. Brown & Co., FASHION HOUSE, Christchurch. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by B. C. Brown and Co., from the Trustees in the Estate of the late firm of Craig and Smyth, at a very large discount off cost for cash. Thus articles sold under c«st price leave a good margin of profit for the vendor, while giving unsurpassed value to the purchaser. In rail parcels we stake our reputation on the values, and, as suggested above, re turn the money in all cases where the article is not satisfactory. Our No. I, 20s Dress Parcel, contains — Worth 1 £ s. d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 1£ good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... 0 1 6 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 6 £1 9 10 OurjNo. 2,30 s household parcel, contains — Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets ... ... 1 0 0 1 good honeycomb quilt 0 12 6 8 yds good wincey ... ... 05 0 1 pair good strong corsets, any size ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 £2 2 6 Our No. 3, dress parcel for £2, contains — Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated Empress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 16 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, paragon frame ... ... ... ... 0 8 0 1 choice silk chenille scarf ... 0 3 11 £2 12 5 Our No. 4, Ladies’ parcel for £2, contains— Worth 1 dress piece (12 yds) French check costumecloth ... ... 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ... 0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress ... ... ... ... 0 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 1 white or colored wool wrap ... 0 5 6 1 pair lisle lined fur-top spring cuff gloves ... ... ... 0 2 0 £2 19 6 Our No. 5, household parcel for . £2 10s, contains— Worth 1 pair large size good witney blankets ... ... ... 1 10 6 1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt 0 14 6 1 pair good heavy white sheets 0 9 6 6 good value honeycomb towels 0 4 0 6 yds heavy Welsh flannel ... 0 8 0 £3 6 6 Our No. 6, family parcel for £3, contains— Usual price 12 yds super Roslyn flannel (pure wool) ... ... ... ... 018 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make ... ... ... 013 0 24 yds good strong brown or grey wincey ... 0 14 0 6 yds tartan plaid 0 6 6 6 yds good brown holland ... 0 4 6 12 yds hemp carpet, dark stripe 0 7 0 6 pair Girls’ or Women’s warm winter hose ... ... ... 076 4 large unbleached Turkish towels ... 0 4 9 £3 15 3 Our No. ,7, mourning parcel for £2 10s, contains— Worth 10 yds good black French cash mere ... ... ... ... 1 6 2 yds 4x4 celebrated rainproof crape ... 0 9 6 11 good black alpaca or sateen skirt 0 14 6 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose ... 0 3 0 I 1 pair Ladies’ two-button choice black kid gloves 0 4 6 | doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box ... ... 0 5 6 £2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing parcel for £lO, contains— Worth Our No. 2, wedding parcel for £lO, contains — Avery complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) parcel for L 5, contains— Usual price 1 Ladies’ handsome mantle ... 217 8 1 Ladies’ beautiful real sable muff and collarette ... ... ... 4 10 0 1 Ladies’ quilted satin skirt ... 1 0 0 1 fashionable tweed ulster, in leading shades... ... ... 1 10 0 £9 17 6 A problem whereby Ladies may stay at home and order their drapery in perfect confidence. Just try one parcel and see what you will save. Remember—Gash returned at once for any article returned in good condition. Samples post free on application to any part of New Zealand. In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of parcel only. P. C.O. made payable to EC, BROWN & CO., Fashion House, Christchurch. 1362



Special Advertisements. Fine Gold. AAA SHKEPtobaSlaughteredto j'j)UUU Me(a)t the Timea. —Wanted the public to know you can save 100 per cent, by dealing at the Ready-Moniy Meat Mart, Bullock’s Arcade. Meat delivered to any part of the town when purchased. » 8 211 JF YOU WANT GOOD AND CHEAP FURNITURE AND RED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SORT H, ASHBURTON. ijIVERY article Sold at Christchurch J Peices and bea. of •material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY POTitfISHEI) STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS'S