SHIPPING.

JORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. - Yesterday. Wairarapa, s.s., from Auckland. To-day. Omapero, b.b., from Timaru. Wanaba, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Sailed. r['. Yesterday. Wairarapa, s.s., for Melbourne, via the South. To-day. Wanaka, b.8 v , for the North.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUOTION SALES Saturday, January 13. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar Horses, Cows, Pigs, Poultry, Sundries, &o.; 11.30 a.m. Mr T, Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses,; 1 p.tn. Mr w. F. Allen, at hia rooms, Burnett street —Horses, -Pigs, Poulb General Produce, &c. ; 11.30 a.m. Ur Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &o.; 12 noon. Tuesday, January 16. JR. Wilkin and Co., at the New Zealand Wool Stores —Wool; 11 a.m. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-Night, 3 Wednesday, January 10. Phrenological Lecture—Town Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, January 26. ,Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting, in the' ... Masonic Hall, Tancred street, 7.30. Saturday, February 3. Wakanui Road Board —Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street Wednesday, February 7. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1883. A Well-Deserved Compliment.

At a meeting of the County Council to-day, a motion was brought forward by Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., to the effect that a bonus of should be voted to Mr William Baxter, the County Engineer. Of all the public servants m the County, none has done more to deserve this compliment than has Mr Baxter, and this recognition of his ability and energy will meet with the approval of everyone. As was truly said by a mem ber of the Council, the Engineer has been the means of saving the County many thousands of pounds. He is not one of those who are satisfied with going through the mere office routine, but he grudges no time or trouble to bring the works he is en trusted with to a successful issue. Since his appointment, Mr Baxter has carried out numerous undertakings, among which may be mentioned the exten sive water supply system throughout the County and the construction of several important bridges. Whatever he has been called upon to do be has done to the perfect satisfaction of the Council and the people, and the County may well feel proud of possessing such an able officer. Mr Wright, in proposing the motion, said that had the state of the finances warranted such a course, he would have proposed that the Engineer’s salary should be permanently raised. It is to be regretted that this cannot be done, but at the same time Mr Baxter will, we feel sure, appreciate a compliment which does as much honor to the giver as to the recipient.

Postponement.—On account of Mr Maccabe’s illness, his appearance in Ash burton has been postponed till 1 riday evening, the 19th inst. Old Men’s Home. —ln consequence of a death occurring at the Old Men’s Home, the entertainment intended to have been held there this evening is post poned. Appointment. —lt is notified in the Gazette that Messrs James Wilkie and John Davison are appointed assessors under the Property Assessment Act, 1879, within the Canterbury Property Assess ment District. Fancy Fair. —A fancy fair will be held at Eastertide in Mr Hunt’s grounds, Wakanui road, in aid of the church funds. It is to be hoped that the success which recently attended a similar enterprise will be repeated. Larceny. Alexander Findlay was brought up at the Police Court this morn ing, charged with stealing a purse contain ing L 5, the property of a man named Russell. Evidence having been taken, the prisoner was remanded till Friday. Mr Alcorn was the presiding magistrate. Good News fob Farmers.—We learn on good authority that grain freights to England for the coming season will ba reduced to 40s per ton. This will indeei be good news for the farmers, as a differ ence of 10s per ton, or 3d per bushel, will he saved. With an additional 3d per bushel, added to good yields, farmers ought to be in a prosperous condition after harvest, if good weather favors them for the next few weeks. Wesleyan. —This evening a social tea meeting will be held in the Wesleyan Church, the object of which is, we under stand, to give members of the congrega tion an opportunity of becoming more conversant with the work done during the last quarter, as well as to take counsel together regarding important matters to be laid before the meeting. The proceed ings are (to be of an essentially homely character, and a good attendance is antici pated. Direct Steam Service. —With refer ence to the cablegram that Sir Francis Dillon-13ell had advertised for tenders for a direct steam service to New Zealand, it may be mentioned that the time for re ceipt of such tenders will not close until Ist March. By the next mail the Go vernment expect to receive a copy of the advertisement inserted in the Home papers, and this will also be inserted in the colonial papers, thus giving plenty of time to persons in New Zealand to tender should they care to do so. Archibald Forbes. —This gentleman, who is lecturing to immense audiences in Christchurch, will arrive in Ashburton on Monday, and will make his first appear ance in the Town Hall ths same evening. The subject of the opening lecture is “ Experiences of a War Correspondent,” in which he recounts his marvellous battlefield experiences during the last ten or twelve years. On the following evening he will speak about “ Kings and Primes I have met.” Both lectures will be illustrated with life-size portraits of the Royal people, famous warriors, and other illustrious personages described. The ticket arrangements include the issue of a ticket admitting to both lectures at a reduced rate. School Treat. —The scholars and teachers of the Presbyterian Sunday School had their annual treat to-day, at the homestead of His Worship the Mayor, Mr D. Williamson, the grounds of which were placed at the disposal of the institu tion. A number of expresses and wagons were brought into requisition to convey the younger children to their des tination, arriving at which both juveniles and adults were not long in settling down to thorough enjoyment, Mr Andrew Orr, the superintendent, with his colleagues, assisting most effectually to make the day’s proceedings highly successful. The usual supply of good things, without which a children’s gathering would lose much of its attractiveness, were provided, and this festival of the Prehyterian School children will certainly be a sort of “ red letter day,” which will not easily be for gotten by the participators.

Good Templart.—Tho ninth annual session of the Grand Lodge, 1.0.G.T., in connection with the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World, was opened at Wel lington yesterday. The following repre sentatives were present Star of Wel lington Lodge, Bro. D. Hall and Bro. A. Guise ; Hope of Parnell, Bro W. Haynes and Bro. Robb ; Star of Newton, Bro. J. Lengbottom ; Flower of tho Forest, Bro. Scott; Hope ®f Wairoa, Bro J. Robert son ; Pioneer of Milton, Bro Moorhou.ie ; Guiding Star, Bro. R. Hare ; Egmont, Sister M. M. Sutherland and Bro. S. Howell ; Ebenezer, Bro. R. Hare ; Ad vance, Bro. B. Miller ; Victoria, Bro, G. Robertson and Bro. W. Webber ; Olive Branch, Bro. W. Oollis ; Hope of Manu kau, Bros. S. Spencer and A. Robb; Perseverance, Bro, M. Haynes ; Banner of Freedom, Bro. W. Moorhouse ; \o. Surrender, Bro. R. Hare ; Karori United Bro. P. J. Brandt; Ark of Eden, Bro. G. Bailey ; All Welcome, Bro. W. Moor house ; Hand of Unity, Bro. J. Higgs ; Phoenix, Bro. Reef ; Invincible, Bro. W. Haynes ; Try Again, Bro. E. Westwood ; Royal Oak, Bro. T. Scott; Pako Wangi, Bro. W, Webber; Mystic Tie, Bro. E. McFennan; Temple of Peace, Bro. W. Johnson; Star of Thames, Bro. W. Johnson ; Woodville Pioneer, Bro. Groves. The Sublime degree was con ferred upon four brothers and two sisters. It was arranged to hold a public meeting on Thursday evening.

BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly mesting of the 1 Committee was held last evening. Pres- 1 sent —Messrs St Hill (Chairman), W. R. ■ Boyle, G. M. Robinson, Andrew Orr, W. 1 Roberts, md J. Ward (secretary). 1 Auditor.—Mr Andrew Orr moved, and 1 Mr Roberts seconded —“ That Mr Gundry ; bo appointed auditor.”—Mr Robinson moved, as an amendment, and the Chair man seconded— “That Mr Boyle be 1 elected auditor.” On the amendment being . put it was declared lost, and the original motion carried. Representative on the Education Board. —The Chairman thought that it was desirable a local man should represent the school on the Board. He considered Mr Orr would make a very suitable rep resentative.—Mr Orr said he would sug gest that Mr Ivess be appointed to repre sent the district on the Board. As it re quired the support of a number of Com mittees to secure the election of a repre sentative, a gentlemen who had some con siderable influence should be selected. — The Chairman said that Mr Orr could rest assured that the secretary and him self would do their utmost to obtain the support of the other School Committees in the district if he would stand.—Mr Boyle agreed with the Chairman that it would be best to send a local man. —Mr Robinson said it would be cutting their own throats if they send an M. H. R. to represent them on the Board.—The Secre tary said he considered Mr Ivess would be the beat person to send to the Board, that is, if he would] stand. The only ob jection was that Mr Ivess would be per haps absent in Wellington during part of the time.—The Committee, after consid ering the matter, appeared to doubt whether Mr Ivess would agree to stand, and ultimately it was decided to nominate Messrs Tancred and Webb. Rfport. —The head Master's report was read as follows : “ I beg to submit my report for the month ended the Sth hist. As the school has been closed for the greater part of the time, my re report of the actual work must of necessity be very brief. The average attendance for the quarter ended 31st December, 1882, was 364, with a roll of 476. I hope that something will be done to make the attendance more regular than it has hitherto been. As I have already mentioned in one of my reports, the regularity of the majority of the children has been very satisfactory; but still, on looking over the registers and seeing such a number of bad attenders 1 feel that something ought to be done to open the eyes of the children and parents to a sense of their duty. The treat, which came off on the 29th inst., was, under all the accompanying circumstances, satisfac tory. I believe the children thoroughly en joyed themselves, and that was the most im portant item. I have sincerely to thank you, gentlemen, for your courtesy towards me during the past year, coming here among you as 1 did with a very difficult task before me. I should have indeed found the task a hard one had you not at all times strengthened and en dorsed my actions by your approbation. I have tried to overcome these difficulties as they presented themselves, but would not have found it an easy matter had you not by your approval strengthened my hands. The only case in which there was any doubt among some of you as to the justice of my actions was a matter which I had nothing to do in pro ducing. I mean the classification of the chil dren, and which, with the interest of the school at heart, there was only one way of remedying, and that course I adopted. As I said, the fault was not of my creating, nor will it be likely again to occur. Our school is gradually gaining a good place among the schools of New Zealand as regards numbers, and I hope to see its attainments keep pace with its in crease in attendance.” The report as read was adopted. Irregular Attendances.—Mr A. Orr asked whether anything had been done in regard to the irregular attendance of chil dren at the school. He considered that the attendance was not such as it should be, and was in no way proportionate to fhe number on the roll. He thought more children should be summoned.—The Chairman said it was a very difficult matter to get the Act to work thoroughly, but it was intended to stringently enforce the clauses of the Act in future. Verandah. —The secretary reported that through pressure of business he had • ot attended to the matter of the veran dah. The School Treat.—The secretary read a statement of the accounts con nected with the late school treat, which showed a debit balance of 12s 7d. —Vtr Robinson said that there were several subscriptions still duo which were pro mised, and only required being asked for. Cleaning the School—The Chairman said that he had had the school cleaned out, and had paid 10s to the woman for doing same.—The action of the Chairman was approved of. Donation. —The Chairman reported that Mr Parkin had given a prize at the late distribution ; Mr A; Orr, a bag of sugar ; and Mr Alcorn, a box of tea—for the children’s treat. Voting Papers.—Mr Boyle suggested that voting papers be printed for the elec tion of members at the annual meeting on Monday week.—lt was decided that 200 copies be printed. Annual Meeting.—Some discussion then ensued in reference to the business at the annual meeting, after which the Committee adjourned.

LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held at the office on Saturday last, having been postponed from the day before. Present Messrs John Grigg (chairman), Stephen Chapman, and Francis Lewis. Correspondence. —Letters were read from the following :—From Mr Robert H. Rhodes, apologising for his absence owing to delicate state of health. The letter was received. From the Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, in reply, stating that one of the staff surveyors would be in the dis trict next month, who would then deter mine where the Coldstream road termi nated, and chock the work of the Long beach surveyor in laying out a road through reserve No. 99.—From the Upper Ashburton Road Board, declining to co operate with the Rangitata and Long beach Boards in paying one competent surveyor to do all the work of the three Boards, as it had made arrangements for carrying on its business by itself.—From the South Rakaia and Mount Hntt Road Boards, both of which endorsed the opinion of the Longbeach Board, that an amalgamation of the seven Boards in the County, under tho County Council, would be inadvisable. —Fmm Mr E. G. Weight, complaining that the work of shingling part of Windermere road had not yet been put in hand, whereas tho present was tho best time of the year for such work. The Board replied that tho work would bo considered after the harvest.—From Mr George Gilmour, asking that the small cul vert under the Wheatstone roadway should not be taken out until next (present) sit ting of the Board, when a petition on the subject would be presented. The Sur veyor stated that, as instructed at last meeting, he had had the culvert taken out, and no petition had been presented. —From Mr William Bakers, asking to be given sufficient timber to put a bridge over the side ditch at Ford's road, in order to give him access to his land at Flemington. The request was granted —From Mr John McQuilkin, requesting that the side ditches on Bell’s road, in which some silt and vegetable growth had accumulated, may be cleaned out to their original depth and width. The Board failed to see that any damage was being done to the road through the state of the drains, and de clined to do the work. Works. —The Surveyor reported that all tha works lately in hand had been satisfactorily completed. Especial atten tion was drawn to the capital job made of the formation of part of Boundary road

by Mr Hugh Oullen. As the work of shingling the Waterton Pound had only been completed on Friday evening the Surveyor had not yet been able to see it. —The Surveyor was instructed to put a bridge over the side ditch of road, giving access to the road lately laid out adjoining the land purchased by Mr Foohney. Flemington.— The Clerk was desired to write to Mr John Dunn, of Flemington, suggesting that the portion of the district on which a special rate should be struck for the purpose of purchasing land for and forming a r ad from Flemington to Bell’s road would be that portion contained within a circle, having a radius of two and a half miles and Flemington as a centre. Tenders —Tenders were opened for the formation of Coldstream road from the station to Pye’s corner, in two sec tions, and that of Mr Hugh Cullen ac cepted for both sections. Financial. Accounts amounting to L 244 8s 2d were examined and passed for payment. The credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand was reported to be L3BO 17s 7d. The meeting then adjourned.

THE PENINSULA SEAT.

Bishop Moran a Candidate.

Bishop Moran, who has announced himself as a candidate for the vacant Peninsula seat, in his address to the electors of the constituency, after refer ring to the unsatisfactory views of both Mr Larnach and Mr Donnelly on the education question, says;- “It is diffi cult to say which of these two candidates is most unjust and tyrannical in his principles and policy, and most opposed to the equitable claims of Catholics and others who think with them.” He pro ceeds : —“ Under_ these circumstances I offer you my services. Ido this to afford all just men an opportunity of giving effect to their disapprobation of the principles and policy of Mr Donnelly and Mr Larnach on the education question, and as a protest against the cowardice of some and the tyrrany of others. In the position in which I' now place myself I only c airn to be regarded as a man, a citizen, and an elector of the Peninsula, and as the advocate of • fair-play and even-handed justice. I shall canvass no man, I shall employ no agents. Such as are willing to vote for me will come to the poll at their own expense, and purely for the purpose of protesting against injustice and advocating what is equitable. 1 make no apology for assuming this posi tion. lam as much entitled to offer my services to the electors as Mr Donnelly or Mr Larnach, or any other man. ” On all other subjects likely to occupy the atten tion of Parliament ho says his principles will be found fair and just.

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

M. De Lesseps received an English dele gation, and in a speech to them he de clared he was confident the Panama Canal would be finished in 1888. A railway bridge at Bromley, near Lon don, fell on the morning of November 24th. Seven workmen who were eating breakfast beneath the structure wore killed and several others wounded. The dispute between the Isle of Skye landlords and their tenants is about to be settled by arbitration. The Prince of Wales requests that Brookshaw, sentenced to ten years’ penal servitude for sending him a threatening letter, may have his sentence reduced. De Brazza’s expedition to Africa in cludes 300 negroes, who will embark at Senegal. The steamer Oambronne sank in a collision in the British Channel on No vember 27th, and several persons were drowned. Jno. C. Rundcr, a supposed madman, was committed for trial at a London Police Court on December 24th for writing threatening letters to the Princess of Wales and Mr Gladstone. London was wrapped in dense fog on December 3rd. It was almost as dark as midnight, and under its cover it was ru mored that the Fenians intended to make an attack on the Queen’s procession to open the new Royal Palace of Justice. Count Montebello is dead. The French language in debates has been interdicted by a vote of the German Reichstag to 153 to 119 of the Provincial Commons of Alsace and Lorraine. Flotow, the author of the opera of “ Martha,” has been struck with blind ness. Five Russian dragoons have been con demned at Odessa po fifteen years in the mines for engaging in the riots against the Jews. The Czar has assumed the title of Lord of Turkestan The Danish Arctic exploring vessel Djemphora, missing, is supposed to have drifted to the south of Nova Zembla. It is proposed to organise an expedition, with ten to fifteen sledges, dr'wn by 115 reindeer, to search for the vessel. Lar sen, who was with the Jeannette party will accompany the expedition.

It is calculated that the embezzlements and robberies, private and official, in Russia' during last yea? amounted to 260,000,000 roubles.

The Czar proposes visiting Copenhagen, London, and possibly Paris in the spring. An Anti-Terrorist Association, the ob ject of which is to oppose the projects of the Nihilists, has been formed in St Petersburg, and branches have been estab lished at Paris, Nice, Geneva, Zurich, London, Berlin, Hamburg, Bucharest, and Constantinople. The Spanish Red Book contains a note in which Spain demands that the United States should not have right of exclusive intervention in connection with the Panama Canal. Uneasiness has been caused in Paris owing to the dismissal by a financial estab lishment of 500 clerks and the closing of many of its branch houses. Business generally is in a very bad state. Thieves have robbed the Cathedral of St. Denis, Paris, of valuables to the amount of 100,000 francs.

Speaking of the Channel tunnel, M. de Freycinet says the idea of a French in vasion in connection with it is inadmissi ble, as the English would rise as one man to repel it ; moreover, no hostile army would risk an engagement in a hollow tuba.

A number of foreigr residents assembled at Alexandria on December 10th before theC insulates of the great Powers to pro test peaceably against the delay in the, payment of the indemnity for losses sus tained daring the bombardment. The false prophet has been repulsed at Barra and Clovia on December 11th.

A telegram from Home says that Farini has been re-elected President of the Chamber of Deputies, and that Maffeo Ferrari, Monot i Garibaldi, and other Radical members took the oath of alle giance. Tho Union, of Rome, published a Pon tifical circular, issued in connection with the case of Signor Martinaoia against the Papal major-domo lately before the Co irt of Appeal, that confirmed the decision of the lower Court that the jurisdiction of the Italian tribunals extended within the walls of the Vatican. The circular de clares that the decision of the Roman tri bunal is in violation of the extra-terri torial character of the Vatican and an in sult to the Pope.

The Russian Minister of the Interior has authorised the publication of an Eng lish newspaper in St. Petersburg. In an article on December 17th, the Eepublique Franc vise (Gambetta’s organ), says that tho “ Government of Great Britain continues to pursue its egotistical course in Egypt to tho detriment of France.’ - France will protect her in terests in any way she may think best.

Marshal. MacMahori was reported as seriously ill on the 9th December. Stamford Court, Worcestershire, estate of Sir Francis Winnington, was burned on December 6th. together with many valuable pictures and manuscripts. The bank of the Jardin des Plantes, on December 7th, was overflowed by water over 3ft deep. Camps for working men were established in the park at Vin cennes. Several shops were flooded, and two hundred pe> sons were thrown out of employment. The water reached the heart of the city. The drains in the low lying quarters were unable to find an out let, and the water rose to a level with the roads in the Rue de I’Universitd. The water was a foot deep in places. The cel lars in the Foreign Office buildings were; flooded, and the Notre Dame quarter, swarmed with rats driven out of sewers, and the people suffered from their depre dations. The water also invaded the Chamber of Deputies.

England denies the claims of France to Madagascar. A memorial read to Lord Granville on 28th ult, by a delegation showed there were three times as many English there as French, and that the English trade quadrupled the French trade. Earl Granville, in reply, said he was not aware of any treaty that gave Franco the right to exercise a protectorate over Madagascar. Intelligence has been received in Lon don that two American citizens had been murdered on the west coast of Mada gascar at a post to which the Mada gascar Government is prevented by the French embargo from sending a garrison. On December 6th, Lord Lyons notified France that England would not consent to her assuming a protectorate at Mada-

gascar. One of the largest fires for many years occurred in London on December 7th. It commenced on the premises of Poster, Porter and Co., wholesale hosiers, Wood street, and destroyed the block of build- 1 ings bounded by London wall, Philip Lane, Addle street and Wood street. Among the suff rers are Peter Rylands, Silber, and Fleming, Hon. Harvey Cox, and the Creosote works. Foster, Porter : and Co. and Rylands were fully insured. Owing to the seriousness of the conflagra tion, Captain Shaw, chief of the fire brigade, ordered out the whole depart ment. The burnt area is over two acres. One person was killed by a falling wall. Loss, L 3,000,000. The heaviest losers among the insurance companies are the North British and Mercantile, LBO.OOO ; Commercial Union, L 50,000; Phoenix, L 45,000 ; and Royal Exchange, L 42,000. On the night of December 6fh the Royal Alhambra Theatre, London, was burned. The audience had just retired. Within half-an-hour of the commence ment of the fire the dome fell. The neighbouring houses were gutted, and the whole equipment of the theatre was destroyed. It was uninsured. Parliament was prorogued on Decern-, ber 2nd. The Queen, in her closing speech, said that relations with foreign powers were still amicable, despite the failure of the French commercial treaty. The English and Indian troops in Egypt were thanked. The obligations of Great Britain in Egypt are increased by recent events. She would endeavor to maintain her international engagements, uphold her prestige, arid promote the happiness of her people. Ail measures tending to dis turb the quiet of the State would be avoided. Distress in parts of Ireland was anticipated, and her Majesty expressed pain at the Dublin assassinations. The authorities were espeoial'y enjoined to bo firm in exercising their powers. The Chambers of Commerce of all the seaports of Germany have protested against the exclusion of American pork. In decorating the troops at Windsor the Queen said :—“ I have called upon you to-day to express my best thanks to you for the gallantry and devotion yon dis played in the short but decisive campaign in Egypt, and to say how proud I am of my soldiers and sailors, who have added fresh laurels to these already obtained in previous campaigns, and of their devotion to their Queen and country.” Some of the officers of the Bellevue Medical College, Boston, have baen ar rested for systematically issuing diplomas to persons grossly ignorant of the theory and practice of medicine. The Mormons are much pleased with President Arthur’s message, and say God has interposed in their behalf. The heads of the Church have returned to Salt Lake from a trip through Southern Utah, where they had been preaching polygamy and urging members of the Church to take more wives. Gentiles are astounded that no mention of legislation against bigamy is made in the message. The Rev. E. Bailey Smith has made his appearance in Chicago as a preacher of a new religion. He says the time has come to perform miracles again, and he claims divine power. Archibald Campbell Tait, D.D., Arch bishop of Canterbury, died on December 3rd, apparently without suffering, in the presence of his three daughters, Mr Davidson, his son-in-law, and Canon Knollys. On Saturday he remained in a semi-conscious condition, occasionally asking for water. At about 11 o’clock at night he spoke his last words, tc It -is coming, it is coming.” He was then seized with a sharp spasm, his voice was not again heard, although it was be lieved he was partly conscious to the end. At 1 o’clock in the morning he exhibPed

signs of dissolution, and death soon fol lowed. Muffled peals were rung in the adjacent town of Croydon, and the mourn ful event was referred to touchingly at

the morning service. The deceased Arch bishop was buried in Westminster Abbey. The Emperor and Empress of Russia drove through the streets of St Peters burgh on Sunday, November 18th, in an open sleigh to the Michaeloff Palace. As they passed the people cheered enthusi astically. Extraordinary precautions for their safety had nevertheless been taken. On Nov. 28th the Rhine at Mayenco reached the highest point in the century, and at Bonne the lower stories of the houses were submerged. At Coblentz the water forced its way from all sides into the gardens in the Imperial Palace, and the Empress telegraphed about the dan ger to Berlin. The Town Council of Slave oce voted a large sura for the relief of the sufferers in the flooded dis tricts. Cologne, and Duaseldorf also suffered. The forts at the places first named were emptied of stores and am munition. The Zoological gardens were inundated. Official returns show that the revenue of the Russian Empire from February Ist to September Ist have increased 44,000,000 rouble', and that the expenditure has de creased 26,000,000 roubles, compared with the same period last year.

ft has been decided to confer the citi zenship of Athens on Mr Gladstone. Despatches received in Paris on Decem ber 16th says unofficial news from Ton quin reports that 10,000 Chinese march ing against the French were surprised in a defile by mountaineers, and their rear guard were cut to pieces. The Chinese then returned to Kuanzi.

As to the report that the United States Government contemplates making a claim against France in regard to the murder of two American citizens at Madagascar, the Moniteur publishes an insulting article declaring that the American navy is so reduced by peculation that it was recently obliged to back down to Chili. Franca, it says, could ruin every American port. The Prefect has ordered the police to expel all Jews trading without official per mission in St. Petersburg. The Senate has decided that Jews are incapable of holding office in Russia. The Sultan of Turkey was completely terror-stricken on December 4th on ac count of the report of a project to assassi nate him.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held to-day, in the Council Chambers, when there weio present —Messrs W. O. Walker (chair man), J. Jackson, I. Taylor, J. Latnbio, H. T. Winter, E. G. Wright, and T. Bullock. chairman’s statement. The Chairman stated that he had re ceived a joint application from Dobbin’s Ford Bridge, sent by the chairman of the Selwyn County Council, for the purpose of being signed by the chairman of the Ashburton County Council. This had been done, and the application sent to Wellington and duly acknowledged. T 1 • Selwyn County Council had also written, stating that in their opinion one-third should be raised by the Selwyn County towards the Dobbin’s Ford bridge, the Ashburton County finding the remaining two-thir s, it being of far more import ance to the latter County. The Wakanui and the Rakaia Road Boards had con sented to co-operate with the Council in the matter of the destruction of . small birds, and will supplement the Council ; by 2d per 100. The Chairman also stated that a meet’ng of the Council will have |o be held on February 12, to elect a mem ber to represent them on the Lyttelton Harbor Board, in accordance with the Act of 1882. The gums that had been sown last year, and also the willows that had been planted at the head-works of the water-races, are growing vigorously, SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. .} The Inspector reported that he had visited the whole of the slaughter-houses in the County, and that there was no cause of complaint. T e defects in cer tain yards that he had been called qpon to notice during last year had been in ; every case remedied.—The report was approved. COUNTY FINANCES. •' The Council then went into committee to consider the state of the funds of the County. y Mr Wright moved, and Mr Lamina seconded— “ That a rate of 4d in the £ on : all rateable property in the county shall be struck on the 12th February, 1883 for;the period ending the 31st March, 1883, pay > able in one instalment on the Ist March * next.” This was passed by the Com mittee, and, on resuming, was adopted by the Council. I ENGINEER’S REPORT. ) Thel Engineer’s report was read as ; follows : , Branch Race, Drayton District.—As,-re quested by the Council I have examined injjb , the question of a branch line from the mam 3 near Pudding Hill to serve the district situated between Chapman’s Creek and the - North Ashburton River. I have staked out a line about five miles in length, as shewn’ on plan, ! having first taken the necessary levels to fix 1 the route. This race would be of considerable 8 service for the several properties through which it would pass, but the only objection -. able feature in it is, that it would have to dis -5 charge into the auxiliary channel leading iutp i Methven, thus somewhat lessening the supply b which would otherwise be available for die , main race leading out towards the Rakaia side tof the plains. This, 1 however, could-be com* pensatedfor by making a connection near Club j. lower end of Highbank property between races D and E 5, so asjto give a supply for that portion 1 of the latter race which would be situated below the point of junction. Springfield Property.- Mr Reynolds and Mr Boyle have, since, last " meeting of the Council, made the race through e their properties .in extension of that braijCh a previously made by Messrs Gould and Cameron i and forming part of the tenth pf the supply of e the auxiliary channel as allocated by the Coun -0 cil for that district. Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply.—The extension of the F line, pf B water-race below the railway has been carried j out during the last month, but the percolation along the greater part of the race is so great-at present, that the water has not yet reached ttose B lower end ; more especially is this the case 1 from Winchmore downwards. Some portions a of the race made by Messrs Gould and Cameras, - also require further deepening, and they must 1 also provide ample waterway at the crossing of f the West Coast Road. Very lew of the owners i below the railway have as yet paid their con -1 tributions towards this race. I have also 3 levelled and staked out the extension of B 1 race through the properties of Messrs Pepper* ill, Healey, Denshire, and others, but the formation of this race has been postponed for a month, till the crops are off the ground. : ’I 3 find, too, that a small deviation will be neces -7 sary at the lower end, so as to avoid awkward severances, and give a more efficient service on h that portion of the race. With the exception d of the putting in of three of the fords on ,tbs e B 2 water-race, which will be completed on O Saturday first, the works on this line are now n finished, and the water has been led along, its e entire length. Some small grips require to toe P taken out on several portions of C 2 race before the water runs freely. These will be finished to-day, and as the fords on this race are already “ completed, I fully expect the water will life at the railway line to-morrow, and at the 8 lower end near Dundas on Friday first. £’j a line which was recently formed is now sup* 0 plied with water throughout, but several of thp s fords are yet in an imperfect state, and I have sent the contractor back to overhaul them. . There has been such a large mileage, of r races formed recently, that a huge 9 portion of the available supply has been required to charge them fully, in their . present porous state, and this chcumstance’hah helped to cause some irregularity in the flow 1 of some of the branches at the lower end of the r system, but this is in a greater measur'd t due to some cases of tampering, which * have been reported, and which are now i being put in the hands oi the solicitor, j I have had a few fords put in on upper section . of the B water-race, where, until recently, there did not [seem to be any traffic.—Ash i burton-Rangitata Water Supply: The races in thissystemareallcontinuingto run satsifactorily, with the exception of that next the Rangifa(a * river, the adjustment of that supply being de ’ pendent on the Committee’s decision as to pro posals put forward by Mr Twentyman. The ' supplies both from Limestone creek and Gorge South Hinds have abated very much oi late, i By your authority, I postponed the contract for ■ P 3 water-race, as the tenders showed con* i siderably higher prices than those lately ruling i for similar works, and the owners on the Wil lowby extension line, anticipating similarly high prices, have also arranged to postpone the work for a time, but they express a wish to have the race extended as soon as the exi* gencies'of harvest work will permit.—Upper Rangitata Traffic Bridge : Since the arrival of the timber, the contractor has certainly lost no time in pushing forward the work of erecting this bridge. Already twelve spans of the superstructure are now in position, represent* ing about two-thirds of the entire length of the extension, and all the materials for hand-rails: are dressed and ready for erection. All th£. timber has been forwarded, with the exception of the decking.—Storm-Water Channel, Mcth- : ven to High Bank: In accordance with in« structions received from the Council, I. havei examined into the scheme which has been re*-, commended by the Mount Hutt and Souffii Rakaia Road Boards, and plans and estimate, of which have been submitted to the Council,. I was also met by representatives from the. Mount Hutt Road Board, who showed me the 1 , line over which the secrions had been taken;! On a careful investigation of the whole this scheme appears to me to be very defect five in several important particulars; ; First: The storm water is proposed to be dis-1 charged over the shingle terrace at Highbank, which is 225 ft above the river bed of the Rakaia, and of this height provision has been made for a concrete shoot for the upper 45ft only, this being only one-fifth part of the vertical height of the terrace. Second : The arranger ment of channel is such that though the cut ting is only 99ft wide, a width of about seven chains of ground along the course of the chan nel would be inundated on the occasion of prery high flood, and at least three times the quantity of cutting wpuld be required to give a channel pi sufficient capacity to contain thp flood watejr with sp small a declivity, this averaging about ain per chain. Third ; lam of opinion that the width of at least two chains would be necessary for flood channel and road, so that" after allowing for the area occupied by present road, a width of fully a chain would have to be acquired over the entire length of si* miles, * representing a purchase of about 50 acres oft good agricultural land. Fourth : The proposed;! channel is situated so high up on the plainer that scarcely half the storm water of the dis-,.. .trict between the hills and the sea would intercepted by it, so that at most the lower

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1883.



‘r| BEST VALUE FOR READY ;JL MONET r ' IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CL O T HI N G Manufactured BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, 'Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. C ' _____ 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 BEADY MONEY. Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, ” Manager. b!9 £JHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection ofl . FANCY GOODS r : TOTS PRIZE BOOKS. &0., Ac., Ac. Andrewes Bros., ' ' BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, Ac. East street south, Ashburton. n!5 N N G . .Herr Otto Schweers jL.-l . The Celebrated PIANOFORTE TUNER, . Has Artdved, and will wait on CUSTOMERS ONLY Ralcaia and Chertsey on Friday and Saturday. Mount Somers on Tuesday. ORDERS sent to the Music Depdt, Tancred street, will be attended to. 12 H. J. WEEKS, Agent for C. Begg A Co. John Meech, Burnett street, Ashburton, CABINETMAKER A UPHOLSTERER. •The above advertiser' begs to intimate to his numerous friends and customers that as he has, - EXTENDED 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 Iffice. "F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, A* V> GO TO DAVIS'S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED ding manufactory, EAST STREET SOUTH, K' . - ASHBURTON. nVERY article Sold at Christchurch JEU Prices and guaranteed best of and workmanship. - funerals CHEAPLY A COMPLETELY FURNISHED 810 ■Jt ACT, 1881, on Sale at of this Paper. Pt L ;■ - j'.j- :< ■



Wanted WANTED —A MAN as Gardener, and to Milk. Apply to Sealt Bros. , East street. 51 ANTED—2 good HANDS to Tie on the platform, or Stock. Apply O. Martin, Pine Farm, Winslow. 55 WANTED A Strong BOY for Blacksmith’s shop. Apply, W. Cocblb, Wakanui, or Office of this Paper. 33 WANTED A Smart Respectable YOUTH, of 15 to 17 years of age Apply immediately to Dimant and Cob, Drapers, East street. 53 WANTED -TENDERS for STOCK ING, CARTING and STACK ING, about 450 Acres of Crop. Drays and horses found. For further particulars, apply at once, to H. W. STKOUT3, 52 Scafield. WANTED— TENDERS for about seven chains Fencing and two Gates ; labor and material. Specifica tions can be seen on application to the undersigned, at the Borough Council Office. Tenders to be in by TUESDAY, the 9th January. 38 JOHN DAVISON. w N E D. TENDERS for MATCH-LINING an office 14 x 24, a 'joining Mr W. H. Gundry’s, East street. Apply to W. R. BOYLE, 57 Moore street. ■\X7ANTED KNOWN—That Robert VV Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared t® Sweep Chimneys at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. WANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to knew he has secured Mr Thomas 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 Special Advertisements. SAMUELSON’S PRIZE SHEAF TWINE BINDER & HARVESTER THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Have landing, ex Marlborough, their first shipment of the bamuelson PRIZE TWINE BINDER AND HARVESTER. The Machines, which are now being fast sold, have many material improve ments on the one exhibited by Messrs SamueUon last season. Among others we may mention especially the NEW AND STRONG MAIN GEAR - FRAME CHAIN LIFTING GEAR ON TRA VELLING WHEEL RAISING AND LOWERING GEAR FOR GRAIN WHEEL ‘ PATENT OILING ARRANGE MENTS FOR DRIVING-WHEEL IMPROVED SHIFTING REEL. These, combined with the lightness of draught, lowness of cut, simplicity of con struction, and strength of material, render the machine the most complete offered this season. The Binder is simple and easy to oper ate and automatic, making sheaves regular in size and with perfect separation and good shape, with secure knot. Messrs Satnuelson, in perfecting this machine, have avoided complication,, and have carefully studied extreme simplicity and ifacility of adjustm nt. An expert from Messrs Samuelson’s Factory is now on the way out. and will arrive in New Zealand early in December, so as r,o bo present to render his services during next harvest. Early application is necessary to avoid disappointment in securing a machine. G. G. STEAD, Managing Director. P, CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12an Agent, Ashburton. 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. R. BOYLE, n 7 Agent, Ashburton.



■JjJ' 0 T ICE. 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 the best quality to be obtained. 021 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO. 00A 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. N OTIOE TO BLACKSMITHS, BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Greyraouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, Thei best procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. • n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & 00.



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-mide BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where. —O. HAWKINS, “MunsteV Wabbhousb, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald. JEL M. Jones’ DESIRES to call special attention to the following i enis, which have been carefully selected for the coming Festive Season : BOOKS ! BOOKS !! REWARD, PRESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child’s Companion Infants’ Magazine, &c., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS 1 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, etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above, suitable for Christmas Presents and New Year Gifts. 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 ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d ■\TEWEST BOOKS at R. SEVAN'S Savndees’ Buildings. Cassell’s Popular Educator, Chambers’ Journal of Popular Literature, Mayhew’a 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 0. L. Balfour), Captain Cook’s Voyages, and others. A largo stock of second-hand books—all offered at the lowest possible price for cash. 32



gA Y B 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 season in Christ church, under the auspices of tha Janter bury A. and P. Association. 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 ana Co,—Gentlemen. —In an swer to your enquiry 1 might stite that the Wood’s Twine Binder, works te ray entire satisfaction,and may mention that during last season, I cut 154 acres of wheat during a stiong wind with perfect ease, and produced good work. Yours 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 rye 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. F OR 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 Shattleworih, in good order. FOR SALE COMBINE, by Marshall, ON SALE BINDER TWINE, WIRE, and OIL, at current rates. Poyntz & Co., AGENTS '



Thomas Taylor, •jgAKER AND CONFECTIONER, East street. WEDDIN G OAKES To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,