SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Port Adelaide, barque, from Newcastle. Pelican, brigantine, from Kaipara. Mawhera, s.s,, from Wellington and West Coast. Koranui, as., from Dunedin and Timara. _ British King, 5.«.,- from London, via * Auckland and Wellington. Ykstsbdat. Norman Macleod, from. Dunedin. “Hswea, a». r from Matmkau and way '.mm:' * »•’- Satubdat. Comet, for Havelock. OlemiUs, ketcH, tor Polorua Sound. Stirlingshire, ship, for London. Koranui, as., for Wellington and West Coast ports. Testbed at. Hawea, as., for Wellington, Picton, and Kelson. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Loch Bredan, for London. Wklunot jN, Yesterday. Arrived—May, from Hong Kong. i ’ . TiMaku, Yesterday. Arrived —Amiga, from Oamaru. Saifed —Orest of the Wave, for Dun- I . f Yesterday. ‘Arrivals—Free Trader, barque, from Hobart's. from Timaru ; Star of the South ahd Koranui, from the Bluff ; Beautiful Star, from Oamaru. ■’ Sailed—This morning, the Aorangi, for - Lyttelton.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday Afternoon. « •: Kfat T.. Bullock-reports on the horse market week‘ending Saturday, May 17th ■ «. horses were entered for the day’s sale. ;■ There was a good attendance of country set ; tiers, but apparently only a few buyers, as ybfriHfiigjii were -again languid for all} inferior • ■** stock; but for afew of the best sorts the b.d ----• ... dingsyvere fairty spirited, in fact it is more ap parent every week that sdlers are anxious to gef rid of inferior stock, ancLbuyers prefer giv ing a little more for a superior class, especially for good draughts, rather than purchase infe >-» rior-atlow prices. Out of the total entry of • '55, 24 were sold aai follows, viz :—Useful farm ; horses,' medium, Lll 10s to Ll 5 10s: do, ’superior, one on account of Mr Fumeaux, as bighasLjj; aged draughts, L 6 5s to Lll ' tbs t three-year-old medium, Ll 5 iOs; two e year-olds of a light description, L 4 to L 6 $s ; ughf harness horses, inferior, L 5 to L 6 I os. ;- -Hacks—A r number of inferior changed hands at low prices, t •

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE^ Satubdat, Mat 24. Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett ; » ’strwt-LTown Properties and Sundries Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Tatter- and’ Dead Stock Tuesday, May ,20. Matseo, \Jbxand Co., at tho Ashburton ' ; . MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. : Thbtoat, Mat 20 To wn.Rfdl—-Comic Operetta Company, at 8 p. mV /Monday, Max 26. LO.G.T.—Anniversary Tea Meeting in St Stephen’s Schoolroom, at 6 p.m. Be rough Council, at Borough Council T.YgohOTjbers, at 7.30. Satubdat, Mat 31. Town Hall—Catholic Church Bazaar ’irei* '6. ; Ashburton County , Council—U Council * ■ -.- Satobdat, Ju.sb 7 Vfakanni Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

BIRTH.

Cayoill—On Sunday, May 18th, the wife of John A. Caygill, of a daughter.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit MONDAY, MAY 19, 1884. The County Council and the Road Boards.

The resolutions which have been j passed at several meetings of the rate payers in the County in favor ®f either , the abolition of the County Council or its t e-organisation, so that it shall hence forth consist of the Chairmen of the Road Boards instead of elected mem bers as at present, seem to have been carried after very little deliberation, and with but a dim appreciation on the part of those who supported them of their real effect, if put into force. It seems to have been taken for granted in every instance that the Council was a mere superfluity, and that if it were abolished the whole of the money now expended upon its staff and otherwise would be saved. We recently showed, by a plain statement of facts, the utter fallacy of this assumption. There are, however, other equally important points to be considered. How, for example, could the water-races be managed hy the Road Boards ? In a dry season, or at harvest time, when water is pre .' cious, what chance would the lower 1 proprietors have of getting their fair share of the water if the headworks and upper races were under the control of a different Road Board to that within whose jurisdiction their own lands were situated ? It would only be human nature that the Road Boards controlling the upper races would take care that their own ratepayers were supplied be fore the ratepayers of adjoining dis tricts. Then, too, it would appear very undesirable to place the dams and headworks under the charge of the Road Boards. They are obviously works which should be under the per sonal charge of a competent engineer and the control of a central body, and that body, whether it consisted of Chairmen of Road Boards, or of mem bers elected by the people, must neces sarily be provided with funds to enable it to perform its functions.

There is, likewise, the important question of protective works lor the Ashburton river to be considered. The residents along some parts of the banks of that river are keenly alive to the fact that such works must be constructed, and will have to be of a tolerably ex tensive nature before completion. The Road Boards possess no powers to exe cute such works, and if they did we fail to see how they could execute them more cheaply than the County Council. In point of fact the county machinery is the cheapest which could be used in this"matter. Up to a recent period, where river works of any magnitude had to be constructed, the costly machinery of a Board of Conservators had to be employed, but an Act of the General Assemblj, lately passed, expressly em powers County Councils to perform the functions of Boards of Conservators, with the view of saving expense. ■ Now this is an aspect of the County Court cil versus Road Boards question which, so far as we can discover, has not been discussed at all St the meetings which have so hastily rushed to the conclu sion that local taxation would be lightened if the County Council were abolished or its constitution changed. Again, how do the advocates of the proposed change intend to carry on the County Hospital ? This is. essen tially an institution for the bene' fit of the whole county. The building happens to be situated within the limits of the Borough, "but an immense majority of the patients come from the country, and it is per fectly certain that if the County Council were to cease to exist to-mor row the Ashburton Borough Council would not pretend to undertake the task of supporting the hospital, while it is equally certain that no Road Board would do so. Now, we think it would be a public misfortune if the hospital were closed, and a misfortune which would be felt in every part of the County. We recognise the value of Road Boards, and the excellent work which they have done both in this district and many other parts of New Zealand, but it seems to us that if economy of ad ministration is to be the. sole object sought, without reference to anything else, that object can best be attained by abolishing the Road Board staffs, and consolidating the whole into a strong County administration; a just distribution of the County expenditure in the localities where it was raised being secured by an ample development of the ward system. It appears to be sound policy to strengthen our system of local government, already much too weak, instead of weakening it further, as would be done by either lessening the powers of the County Council, or abolishing it altogether. In point of fact, the questions involved in the con troversy now proceeding are both com plicated and of great importance, and we trust the ratepayers will give the whole subject a full and dispassionate consideration, and not rush to hasty conclusions.

Mr Wason’s meeting at Chertsey on Saturday evening, which will be found re ported at some length in another column, was well attended, an! the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks at the conclu sion of his address. In addition to a number of questions the speech was fol lowed by brief criticisms from Messrs Lambie, Wilkinson (2), Hewlings, Grey, Dunn, and Panl, but we regret that out space will not allow us to report the re marks of these gentlemen. We are pleased, however, to note that Mr Lambie, who brings experience and intelligence to the question, has in some measure modi fied the opinion he expressed at Rakaia in reference to the two local governing bodies. He said that he was not preju diced in favor of either body ; what he required was efficiency and economy, and he saw no reason why these should not bo attained by the County Council. At the conclusion of Mr Wason’s meet ing at Chertsey on Saturday evening, the local friends of Mr John Gray, lata sta tion master at Chertsey but now promoted to Wakari, met in the schoolroom, and Mr Walter Wilkinson, on behalf of a large number, of subscribers, presented Mr Gray with a very complimentary address and a purse of sovereigns, which the re cipient acknowledged in a suitable man ner.

Two funerals took place at Ashburton yesterday afternoon, namely those of Mr W. R. Boyle and the unfortunate victim at Orrall, Thomas Fahey, The procession in each case was a long one, and the large number of people who followed the re mains of Mr Boyle to their last resting place proved the respect felt in regard to the deceased gentleman throughout the district.

Tho Mount Somers Road Board met ai

the Road Boar 1 office, Mount Somers, ou Satmday. Mr W. 0. Walker was elected Chairman. The Returning Officer re ported the o'eotion of Messrs Edsou and Mcßae as members of the Board The Clerk was directed to apply to tho Ran gitata Road Board for half cost of shing ling the boundary road near Anama. _ The Overseer submitted an estimate for divert ing storm water near to McLeod’s, and reported that Messrs Smith, hide, McGre gor and Maofarlane had each subscribed L 5 towards tho work. It was resolved to apply to the County Council for a contri bution. Mr J. C. Ball was appointed Hate Collector, and directed to advertise that rates must be pai lat once. It was determined in future to meet on tho first Monday following the County Council meetings. On the motion of Mr Poacho it was resolved—“ That the County Coun cil be requested to instruct their Engineer to have an extended survey of main road up Ashburton Gorge made, and make application under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act before June 30th next in respect to same.” Tho Board then adjourned.

Tho second sixpenny entertainment in connection with -St Stephen’s Church will be given to-morrow in tho schoolroom at 7.30 p.m. By an advertisement appearing in an other column, the electors of Ashburton are advised not to pledge their support to any particular candidate until it is known who are going to contest the vacant seat. A meeting to discuss the question has been convened by Mr 0. W. Purnell for Thursday evening, in the upper room of the Town Hall buildings. A trotting match of 3 miles for L2<> aside, between Mr J. Hay’s Wallaby and Mr Physick’a Kate, was decided on the racecourse this afternoon. Kate jumped away with the lead, and never being headed won easily. Wallaby pulled up before completing the distance. A Hurry Scurry was then run, with the following resultMr Quill’s b m Idalia (Dunn), 1 ; Dr Leahy’s b g U it (Smith), 2 ; Mr Lewis’ % m Jennie (Owner), 3. Four ran.

A serious accident occurred to the goods train on the Waikato line on Saturday. The following are the particulars so far as known. The train left Auckland at 620 in tho morning, and on turning one of the curves hear Fukekohe. a cow was seen drinking from the mill stream along side the railway. As the train approached the cow made one bound on to the line, and before the driver could stop the train the engine was thrown off the line, carry ing with it a couple of empty trucks. The driver, Leonard Kear, succeeded in jumping out on the right-hand tide, and in falling struck his head asainat a sleeper, but was not, however, seriously injured. The stoker, J. Robertson, bad also a miraculous escape. He fell with the engine headlong into the swamp, but, strange to say, suffered no injury. A re port was circulated in town that Fisher, a butcher, and Hornsby, an ironmonger, who were passengers by the (-.rain, had been seriously hurt, but the Traffic Mana ger stated that the report is false. It appears that Hornsby was thrown from one end of a carriage to the other twice. He was badly shaken, though not other wise hurt. Mr Fisher was also knocked about a good deal, and received one or two cuts on the face. A young nwn named Grey had a very narrow escape He was riding on the platform, and was thrown a distance of more than twenty yards, falling rather heavily. The pas senger trains, both up and down, were delayed for half-an-honr at Mercer ia consequence of the accident. Holloway’s Ointment and Pilis. — Gladj Tidings,—Some constitutions have a tendency to rheumatism, and are throughout the year borne down by its protracted torture. Let such sufferers bathe the afflicted parts with warm brine, and afterwards rub in this soothing Ointment. They will find it the best means of lessening their agony, and, assisted by Holloway’s Pills, the surest way of overcoming their disease. More need not be said than to request a few days’ trial of this safe and soothing treatment, by which the disease will ultimately be completely swept away. Pains tthat would make a giant shudder are assuaged without difficulty by Holloway’s eiasy and inexpensive remedies, which comfort by moderating the throbbing vessels and Gaini ng the excited nerves.— Advt. August Flower. —The most miserable . beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More tiian 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costivencss, palpitation of the heart, heart burn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable-taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flower. This valuab’e medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s 6d a bottle. Sample bottles, 6d.— [Advt,

THE RAKAIA POISONING CASE

The Inquest- 1 in inquest was held at the Senth I Rakaia Hotel, on Saturday, before Dr Trevor, the Coroner, on the body of Thomas Fahey, the unfortunate man who lost his life at Urral, on Thursday, by 1 poisoning. Mr D. Gordon Holmes was chosen foreman of the jury. The jury having been sworn, Mr Purnell inti mated that he appeared to watch the pro ceedings on behalf of Mr John Mann. Mr Branson appeared to watch the proceed ings on behalf of the brother of the de ceased. The jury then proceeded to view the body, and on their return the Coro ner directed that John Mann should be called. There was no answer to the mm •non), and the Coroner intimated his in tention to issue a warrant for Mann’a ar rest.

Mr Parnell asked that the warrant should be delayed, as several friends of Mann had driven te Tiverton to bring him to the inquest. He was advised that Mann was in a very distracted condition, in fact hardly responsible for his own actions. Mr Branson thoaght a warrant should be issued, as it was highly desirable in the interest of all connected with the un fortunate affiir that Mann should be in attendance

The warrant was issued, but before its execution Mann arrived. James Randall Lampard, clerk to McKerrow and 00., Rakaia, on the 14th May proceeded to Tiverton, Mr John Mana’s farm, in company with Mr Angus Murray. Mann, family, and McKerrow were at the farm. Stopped there that night, and arranged a shooting party for the next day, consisting of A. Murray, McKerrow, Alec Mann and witness. Be fore leaving the following morning, e«w Mann who gave the ' party a bottle of whiskey to take with them. "Was not pre sent when the whiskey was produced l»y Mann, but on return to the room saw the bottle which Mann said contained whiskey, and added “Don’t give Alec (his son) any, as he is too young.” Wit nessVeplied that it would look greedy u the party drank the whiskey without offering Alec any. This was sa'd jocularly. Remarked to Mann that the liquor looked more like cold tea and whiskey mixed than pure whiskey. Could not recollect what Mann said in reply. Intended to go as far as Lyndhurst shooting, met J. Brown on the journey and he went with them to 'Murray’s place to obtain the latter’s gun. Told Brown that they had some whisky and suggested that they should have a nip. Alex- Mann poured the liquor into a cup. Witness said to Brown that the drink was very bitter, resembling qniniae. Almost immediately witness started vomiting, and saw none of the others take the whisky. After wards saw all vomit with the exception of the deceased. Witness took a good stiff nip, fully a wine glass full- After being sick suggested to Brown that Mann bad played some , practical joke upon them. He d d not suspect poison until he noticed the condition of the deceased, who was sitting on a butter keg and fell oft. I'iortiehow he rared. himself to his knees and the deceased exclaimed, “ For God’s sake put the handle of a knife down my throat and make me sick.” Some one attempted to do this and wit ness want outside to see Brown, who was also in a very bad condition and unable to stand. Witness obtained some mus tard and water which he administered to Brown. With witness’s assistance Brown was then able to walk, and he kept him moving for about two hours. Alex. Mann had previously been sent to his father to enquire if he had bean playing a practical joke. Tiverton was about four miles away, and when a message cams from Mann that no practical joke had been played they sent Alex. Mann and Murifcy for a doctor, with some of the whiskey. After sending for the doctor Hussey, Smith and Inder, who had been told of the accident by A. Mann and Murray, came to Murray’s place. They administered emetics to McKerrow, Brown and Mc- Evody. Told Inder to go to Mann and tell him that Fahey was dead, and that McKerrow and another man were not expected to live. Did not specially ask Mann to come to the scene of the acci dent. Inder returned and said that Mann appeared much agitated by the news and said that he must have drawn the whiskey into a poisoned jug. Fahey appeared in his usual health on Thursday morning. Mann knew that they were going shooting. Alec Mann is about 19 years old. Believed ha had taken spirits on other occasions. At tached no importance to Mann requesting that his son sheuld have none of the liquor. Mann did not appear discon certed when witness called attention to the color of the whiskey. He was quite' sober. Whiskey was drunk at Mann’s on Wednesday evening. Took no particular notice of the liquor. All the party left on good terms with Mann.—To Mr Pur nell : Had net previously heard Mann tell his son not to take whiskey, but knew that he objected to him doing so Mann could not have known Fahey or McEvedy would join the party—they were- met with quite accidentally at Mann’s place. Mann is naturally a very excitable man. —To the Jury: Mann was a very absent minded man The doctor was sent for before witness walked with Brown. The night before the accident Mann by mis take offered his visitors kerosene in place of whiskey. He has no sense of smell. Mann is very careless. Witness antici pated that the news would very much upset Mann. Angus Murray, farmer at Lauriston— Went to Mann’s place on Wednesday evening in company with the previous witness. The following morning Mann took a bottle of whiskey from his bed room, and told them to take it with them on their shooting excursion. Witness did not a«k for the whiskey. Believed Mann kept his whiskey in a jar in his bedroom. Mann had pro ised the previous evening that they should have a bottle of whiskey with them, but requested them not to give his son any. Alec Mann usually takes drink in the ordinary way. When the party arrived at witness’s house Lara pard asked for something to drink out of, and he gave them two cups, one with water and the other empty. Was the last to take the whiskey. Did no see the others drinking. Fahey and McEvedy were In his ptnploy and he gave them a drink each. Fahey remarked tbit his was a small one and asked for another, which witness gave him. Half a bjinute afterwards Fahey remarked that there must be something wrong with the whiskey, as he was “ getting a fit.” Im mediately afterwards the others com plained in the same way. This was about 10.30. An hour afterwards witness and Alex. Mann went for the doctor, tak ing some of the whiskey with them, which they left with the doctor. Witness was himself affected bythe whiskey,his muscles contracted, and he suffered in the back of his head. Dr Ross returned yrith witness. They found Fahey dead. Had remarked to Mann that it was weak-looking whiskey, and Mann replied that ,there Was no wrter in it, it was pretty strong. Had seen Mann since at his «wnplace. Mann said that it was a very bad case, and asked if McKerrow was bad and if witness was bad, to which witness replied in the affirmative. Mann said that be could not account for it, unless having some strych nine in the place he had put it into the bottle, and than thrown it away to be out of the way of McKerrow. Before this Mann had remarked that witness knew McKerrow was bad, and not in a fit state to be within the reach of poison. —Fo Coroner : Had no strychnine about his place. Knew that McKerrow hid been drinking for some time, and was in an un fit state to bare poisoß available.—Tu Mr

Purnell: Menu wu on good term with the whole of the oarty.—To the Jury : Mann frequently gave whiskey to his visi tors. Did not understand. Mtnn to say positively that the whiskey had been put into the strychnine bottle. Oharlea Inder, livery stable-keeper, Ra kaia, said that he went to Murray’s farm about half-past eleven on Thursday morn ing in company with Hussey. Saw Mo- Kerrow there, and asked him what was t the matter. _ McKerrow replied that a drink of whiskey had upset him. Huskey called witness into, the house, and he fonnd Fahey there dead. The deceased was lying upon his back, with his fingers slightly contracted. Lampard requested witness to go to Mann’s. He did so, and informed Mann of the occurrence. Mann would not credit it for some minutes, and then said that his eon had told him that the men were affected ty the whiskey. Witness asked what had been done to the whiskey, and Mann replied, “ Nothing," then added, “Charlie, I’ll tell yon what I did do ; I was mixing some strychnine in a jug for rata, and the whiskey must have been put in the same jug, without it having been washed out." Witness re marked that it was a very serious case, and recommended Mann to return to the scene of the fatality with him. Mann re plied that there was no horse or trap on. the place, as they had all been taken away by the shooting party. Wit ness saw that this was the case. Mann ssked witness to put his own horse into one of the traps at Drral, and bring Lam pard and McKerrow back. Witness re turned, but Lampard and McKerrow de clined to return to Mann’s, remarking that they had had quite enough of “Johnnie Mann."—To Mr Parnell: Mann did not appear excited at first, bat subsequently became quite shaky.—To the Jury: Did net think Mann could have walked to Drral.

Constable Phillips, in charge of Raksia station, said that, from information re ceived about 6 p.m. on Thursday, he pro ceeded to Urral, and took possession of the body of deceased; also took possession of'some liquor found in a beetle in tne same room. After this witness went to Mann’s residence. Found Mann in bed at throe o’clock in the afternoon. Mann' said that ho had given whiskey to McKer row, Lampard and Murray, and had heard of the death-of Fahey inconse quence of drinking same. The witness asked Mann if he could account for it, and he made the same statement as re ported by Inder. He said he bad re ceived the poison from McKerrow years ago, who had obtained it from Acton Station to poison rats at Rikais. Mann said he had thrown the poison away on. Thursday morning, and when witness asked for the bottle which had contained the poison, Mann said he - had thrown that away too. Witness asked Mann for the jar containing the whiskey, which be produced from the sitting-room. At Mann’s request he left some of the whiskey, and took possession of the ba lance. Witness, before leaving, told Mahn not to fail to attend the inquest, and Mann asked if he could not avoid doing so by pleading sickness—To the Jury: Mann said the poison had been in a Jug four days before it was thrown eut. Robert McKerrow, a partner with John Mann in the firm of McKerrow and Co., said that he had suffered with others from drinking whiskey supplied by Mann. Recollected strychnine being obtained, he thought, by Mann. It might have been obtained from Acton Station. Handed the poison to Mann about eight or nine months ago, had not seen it since. Had never been in such a stata as to lead Mann to take precautions against his having access to poison.—To Mr Purnell. Have always been on good terms with Mann—To Mr Branson ; Did not say to Dr Ross that it was intended they should die like dogs on the river bed. Witness thought poison was intended for Mann, and reached the sufferers by pure acoi d nt.

John Mann was sworn. ' The Coroner told Mann that he had an opportunity to make any statement he chose. He was not called upon to say anything. Mr Purnell advised the witness to make no statement. Dr W. G. Ross said that on Thursday last by request of A. Murray he proceeded to a house at Urral, and there saw the body of deceased. There was external evidence of poisoning by strychnine. Murray, Lampard, Brown, McEvedy, and McKerrow were also there suffering from tetanic spasms, which occur from strych nine poisoning. The body of deceased was intensely rigid, limbs firmly fixed. This was three hours after death, and the body was livid in face, neck and chest, lips blue aud eyes glassy. Had made a post mortem examination of the body, | which he found much swollen and dis colored. The skin was blistered, and de composition had set in very rapidly. The intestines were by gas, and there were o her indications of poisoning by strychnine. Murray handed witness the bottle produced containing a fluid | which smelt like whiskey, but had the in- j tensely characteristic taste of strychnine. From the symptoms pf the deceased de-1 scribed by the survivors, and from the post mortem examination was quite satis fied that death was occasioned by strych nine.—To police : The crystals of strych nine are soluble in vinegar, and would remain in solution. Did not think it likely that sufficient poison would adhere to an emptied jug as.described - to poison deceased and produce the violent symp toms exhibited by hi) companions, but it was possible. Half a grain of strychnine I had caused death in an adult, and ,one- I sixteenth might prove fatal in the cose of [ a child. The usual medicinal dose was ( from one-twelfth to one-thirtieth oft a I grain. Death resulted from strychnine in { from five minutes to two hours of taking I the poison.—To the Jury : Unless vine-1 gar was s rong a wineglassful would not I dissolve half an ounce of .strychnine. By I analysis vinegar could still be detected in { the whiskey if, as alleged, it had been I used to dissolve the strychnine. To the 1 Coroner : If he had bean present earlier I he would have administered chloral hydrate or morphia to deceased, he I thought with a reasonable chance of sue-j cess.

The police intimated that they had several other witnesses, but their testi mony would be purely of a corroborative character, and unless otherwise required by the coroner, the foregoing wou!d : close the evidence.

The jury signified to the Coroner that they required no more evidence, and Mr Purnell proceeded to address them upon the evidence and the law involve 1 —Mr Branson also called attention to several points in the evidence. —After the Coro ner had briery reviewed the facts, the jury retired, and after an absence of fifteen minutes returned with a verdict that “ the deceased, Thomas Fahey, met with his death by strychnine poisoning. 1 ' A. rider was added to the verdict < to the effect that John Mann was deserving of severe censure for the carelessness shown by him in the use of so dangerous a poison »s I strychnine, and far his heartless conduct I in not going to the men when he receirsd j news of their dangerous condition. j John Mann, who had been arrested on j the Coroner’s warrant, was, at thp conolu-1 siou of the inquest, cautioned and dis j charged. I

MR J. C. WASON AT CHERTSEY.

#— —’ — Mr Wason addressed a well.sttended public meeting in the Chertsej schoolroom on Saturday evening. Hr R. Campbell occupied the chair, and in introducing the speaker said that in conjunction with several other residents in tit# locality he had asked Mr Wmoq to

meat them that evening to disca-s several local and colonial questions of interest. Mr Waaon, who ww well received and listened to with a tention throughout hit remarks, said that he felt honored by the invitation he had received from Mr Oamp bell and by the large attendance. There were a variety of important political questions now before them which closely affected that diatrict and the colony at large, and he was gratified by having an opportunity to place what experience he had at the disposal of the electors. At the conclusion of his remarks ha'wbald be very p'eaied to hoar the views of any one else present. Country electors were at some disadvantage in not haring the same facilities as residents In towns to meet together and exchange ideas on the public questions dP the day. He would first refer to the existing depression. Msjor Atkinron, when speaking to his constituents at Haweta, contended the* there was no depression. When speaking later at Christchurch he was compelled to admit that there was soma depression which he considered of quite a transitory character, but he did not suggest* remedy which appeared satisfactory to hia audi ence. The real cense of the present de pression, for it undoubtedly did exist, was the reckless.expenditure of borrowed money by the legislature of the colony. So soon aa the Ministry had rid them selves of the sagacious check exercised by Sir John Hall they went in for a four million loan, of- which Canterbury had [ received comparatively nothing, and adder the existing rigime was not likely to re ceive any more. As the great producers of the colony they should have received a considerable share of this money, bat. the Government had first advocated a costly line of rail ay along the . East Coast, which ho thought quite unnecessary with the splendid fleet of steamers devoted id this tnds, uid e)aid only largely benefit a few great land holders and speculators. Compelled to temporarily abandon their first scheme, the Government now propoied a some what similar work in the North island- - The Government excused these extrava gances by saying that they were part of the public works scheme propounded by Sir Julius Vogel, to which the country was already committed.' This was merely a distortion of that schema Had Sir • JaHus Yogel’a proposals been carried out in their apirit and catiretythe-psesint depression weald never have overtaken the country. .Canterbury had been grossly neglected during this reckless ex penditure, and necessary works of every description bad been relegated to the County Councils, while in more favored districts railways, bridges, and roads had been constructed from the pubfic purse merely tor the asking. Major Atkinson at his Christchurch masting had. treated the farmers very cavalierly when ques tioned in reference to the railway rates. The Premier had Said that: if farmere re* quirad fostering by exceptional favors and concessions from the - Government it would be bettor for them to clear cut. He (Mr-Wason) thought.that the fanners were more irritated by the inopportune time at which the rates war*, rausd than by the character of the tax. The Premier had advised them to tarn more attention to meat and dairying industries, good ad vice so far aa it went, but their counsellor had displayed a lamentable ignorance of the character of the country.. : At Blen heim Mr Eolleaton had suggested another - - panacea fer all their ilia The Minister for Lands would have them build more i houses on their property, employ ne swaggers, but secure a fixed rural popula tion. This suggestion came from a man who had done more than any other poli tician in the colony to depredate the value of property, frighten away capital and re duce wages. He (Mr Wason) waa strongly opposed to the immigration policy of the Government, as he thought that fora time there would be difficulty in finding pro fitable employment for their present popu lation. Perpetual leasing was a fares, the incentive to obtain and improve Jand was the prospect of having freehold pro perty to. hand on to children or other successors. At present there was a scare amongst lend* holders in consequence of the mnUiplicity of proposals in respect to taxation enter tained by the Government, No one knew what would come next, and this feeling of- insecurity unfavorably affected the value of property throughout the* country. The railways should be to Boards of management, the danger of leaving such a powerful; engine fer taxa tion in the hands of Government hed last been realised. More money would undoubtedly have to bo borrowed for the construction of railways, as the country progressed, but this money, should be borrowed by the district requiring Hie railway, and that district should be re sponsible for the interest and repayment of principal, "Ha that ’adarge majority of the members of the House, who had recently addressed their consti tuents, said that they hesitated about voting against the prsseot Ministry, as they could not see the material from which a better could be formed, if he..hqd been in Parliament he would havejvoUd against them at all hazards, and'he thought it a grosalibel upon the members of the House to| state that there were only six men there qua'ified to assume the responsibilities of Government. ‘'Mir Montgomery had attacked the Ministry with great.,severity, and in doing so had his entire sympathy. The Opposition's policy just now was one of attack, and fie was confident that When 'the' House re assembled there would be a sufficient ma jority to overthow the present Govern ment. He did not like Sir George Grey or his views ; he> considered him a hum bug. At his Christchurch meeting Sir George had declined to discuss the railway tariff aud other pressing questions, and told bis bearers that it was no matter if they were starving now so long as they struggled on and eventuaUy secured the unearned increment. They had probably seen recently a great deal in the papers about this unearned increment, but in his opinion it was a fallacy—there wasno such., thing. Settlers who made money In the" colony, generally deserved every pßhfiyj&f m it, He recollected theic'cbairssan coming to the district fifteen yean ago, and uh' dertaking work which. not one man in ten would have jfcld the courage to face, and hot one in '. a bundled sufficient tenacity to accomplish. Ifthls land had risen in value from LI to L 5 surely the increment was well earned. He complained of'the vacillation $ thp - Ministry. Some time ago Maj ir Atkin-. , son advised a period of political rest, , during which they should abstam from borrowing, and 1 the localbodies should carry on necessary works. As soon as opportunity occurred the present Govern ment did borrow and lauded the country iu further difficulties. They hadnatiqual; : insurance, perpetual leasing and other Ministerial fads in rapid succession. He very much regretted the oatjise= of Mp Wright-s resignation, and ho waosqrs that that gentleman had the sympathy of the entire district. If fie (Mr Wason) v had known of the probability .of anim mediate election earlier he woald hays been prepared to address them at grpatgr -,' length oh general question*. would be one of decentralisation., Iks General Govern tne it tfaout^retaiacontrol of customs, justice, stamps and.deferme, and of courts " provide tor tlie interest on.-«? colonial debt, and other matters might bn advantageously left to the local bodies, which would be more aca-'seihle th» tax-payer. He b d had. eopjo experience in both County Oouooils and Koad Boards and he thought it would be absolutely, suicidal at the present juncture to.'(do away with the former; xtwastheoaly - buffer exHti-'g hetwcei the Government

and the people. . otb bodies might bt

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, MAT 19, 1884.



E ,N „U I. N;B ENGLISH LEVEES from £5 10a. m 'Levers, from £3 10s. i watches guaranteed two years. s #|tei|tion*-to,.repair«, which are guaranteed twelve months. anftl ADAMS' &'OO,* A - Tracheal English Watchmakers, 246 High > street, Cihristohhr oh/ ' ' ! Opposite City Hotel. 6 959 t. t silt hf



cJOI r-'4A .UPHOLSTERER & Wakanui Road (ownr Post Office), Begs to thank his customers for past favors and to announce that he is now prepared to execute orders for all classes of suites of furniture in tapestry, repp, velvet, leather andiiorie hair, and to suit every one. Furniture upholstered and pollstyid,' Mattresses re-ioads ind c»n pets re-laid." People from the country rill do well to pay J. A. P.’s establish ment a visit before purchasing elsewhere. All work entrusted to him will be faith fully carried oat, and his priors will defy competition.' Agent for WaUpMfcWlWl BUndi -*C - J. K Mansfield, Monumental Mason (FUNERALS CONDUCTED ON %-fi: 0 L 0 Q Y, tilne ago to supply the public with full particu’ars of our new stock of examination has bean made, we find the greater than we antici pated that with the limited apace'at our command such a course would be im- to|y>.howefer, state that ■ *. ; Our Softly of j F AHOY iCO ATIS SS' : AND : .TWEEDS i From tfk Home Markets : SURPASSES : Anything We H .vb j ‘HtTJHjSRTO. Re c E r’v E-D. * : t * ■ and- assist in keeping Colonial wealth wiyWfef&Sfpk'njf aa iar as that' ran -be dope by the 'efforts of a single firm, we have received-a fine svlectionofc TWBBLS from Kaiapoi and Oamaru ; also a splen did ssaortqMgftof MO OIEL TWEEDS, manufactured only for the bespoke trade As these goods have been awarded highest honors at the Sydney and Melbourne Ex hibitions, they require no further r< com mendation at our hands. •'The success which we have already Achieved in Ashburton, and the reputation .•• flow enjoy for accurately fitting the human figure, will be ft sufficient guaran tiee that style, in, and other essentials can slw»y%be relied on. CRAIGHEAD AND CO., '.Z ’ CLOTHIERS, yfljmpyp STREET. AbHBUKruJI.



Wanted fpENTH Anniversary Star of the East JL Lodge, No, 62. WANTED— To Let, a half acre Pad dock, in Tancred street. Apply, toMrC. W. PußNßii. 5 68 WANTED —Boy to milk and make himself useful Apply J. H. Raine, Maronan, Hinds. 6 92T VTCJANTED —A General Servant; one VV that can cook well. Apply to Mrs G. Jameson, Tancred street. 5 971 WANTED —Tenders to Feed off 140 acres Turnips Particulars apply. John Boyle, Upper Bangitata. 5 788 immediately Every one VV to read Hayes isn Co.’a adver tisement. 4 748 nnICKETS, Is 6d, may be had every JL where. WANTED— Every one that was umuc cessful in Hayes ano Co.’a art union to read advertisement. 4 749 rpHE Anniversary Tea Meeting will be J_ held in the Church of England Schoolroom on Monday, May 26th.



y‘Tf T'ANTErTto purchase Good Lard in Vy any quanti y ; also, Sound, Small Pickling Onions. Apply, S. E. Poyntz, Novelty Emporium and Provision Store. 5 758 fJVEA on the Table at 6 p.m. WANTED Known —Best Rice, 3d ; Sago, 4d ; Tapioca, Bd ; Flemington Factory Cheese, 6Jd per lb.—J. Mo Greoob, Tancred street, opposite the Arcade. 4 640 MaY 26, Temperance cheer at the Church of England School. WANTED Known—The cheapest house in town to buy Millinery, Dolmans, Jackets, Dress Stuffs, etc., is H. 0. Segers’s, Sealy’s buildings/ Bast street. First-class goods marked with a small profit. New goods now open. 2 234 MAY 26, the oldest Lodge in Ashbur ton will eat, drink and be merry. WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Ball, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 c GOOD Tea at the Good Templar enter tainment. i r — 1 r WANTED Known —For sale cheap, a Three and Four-Roomed House, Half Acre of Land ; two frontages, situated on East Bolt, near Wakanui road. Terms easy. Also, 6 Acres in English grass, with county water race through it. Apply W. O. Davis, next Oddfellows’ Hall, Ashburton. 6 766 Gr OOD SONGS- Good Readings. Good Speakers. TTTANTED Known—That Jones and W Biudshaw, next Mr Lancaster’s butchers shop, East street, are now offer ing Pig Feed, Chick Wheat, Horse Feed, etc., etc , etc., cheaper and of a better class than any other in the town. All goods delivered free of charge in town. 4 752 WANTED —The public who are in want of Boots to inspect our win dow before purchasing elsewhere. As far as style and cheapness ,we are determined not to be excelled.- Boots for everyone, and at'any price. Large stock of women’s best prunellas from 7s 6d ; men’s half sole and heeling, 4s 6d ; women ■ do, 3s 6d ; girl’s do, 2s 6d. Noses, Leicester Boot Warehouse, Burnett street. 12 1107 j VETERINARY SHOEING FORGE. WANTED Known—W. T. Kingston (late with J. R. Steel, Blacksmith) begs to announce to the public of Ash : burton and surrounding district that he has commenced business in a new shop erected on the Wakanui' road, next 0. Ray, Engineer, Millwright, etc. (nearly opposite Central Hotel), and trusts to re ceive a fair share of public patronage. All shoeing done in his usual atyle, and guaranteed the best workmanship. Re pairs neatly executed. Estimates given for builders’ ironwork. 3 652



Special Advertisements. COMMERCIAL Stationery, Account Books, Presents, &c. A. M. JONES, East Street. 11 123 Roberts, paxton & co. - ARB CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BEANS BARLEY PEIS OATS COCKSFOOT AND BYE GRASS SEED. They supply fanners with the best quality Large Cornsacks, at the lowest market rates, and will ma'ce liberal Cash Advances against Grain placed in their hands for shipment to London or else* 'where. ROBERTS. PAXTON & Co. Late P. Cunningham and Cu’a offices, Corner of Manchester and Lichfield Sts.. Christchurch. 3 523 Meech and Co. DO not, as a rule, care to blow about the Excellence of their Goods, but when they find that they can offer induce ments which no other house in Ashburton can possibly do, they feel justified in rushing into print to let thd general public Snow that they will be studying their own interests by purchasing from the makers. MEECH ~AN D CO., CABINET MAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, UNDERTAKERS, &c. , &0., &c., BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON.



. Being supplied with the latest improved Machinery, they are able to torn out Fur niture, ifefc., in all the newest designs, and at prices which defy competition. Farmers and others wishing to make their homes comfortable should pay this Firm,a visit, and they will find that MEECH AND 00. can supply every Household requisite at prices which, to mjpiet the times, will really surprise them. Brackets and all ot)ier k nda of Gutting dons for the trade. 237 b



Special Advertisement g^CATIONERY. Commercial, Plain, and Fancy. ACCOUNT BOOKS PRIZE BOOKS SCHOOL BOOKS & REQUISITES (ScheelfcComraiUeea (supplied) TOYS & FANCY GOODS, Andrewes Bros., BmksbjiUM, Staticnkm, &e., ASHBURTON.



The undersigned is now landing PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL for household purposes. {Also «n hand, BEST NATIVE COAL And BLACK PINK FIREWOOD. Building Timber at Prices to suit the Times. alpheuThayes, Coal and Timber Merchant. WILLIAM COLLINS, M*na R er.



INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING FOB THE SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON Should visit the. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory’s BRANCH, Where they can select from the LARGEST VARIETY OF FASHION ABLE GARMENTS, Manufactured from sound and reliable New Zealand Tweeds. The well-known reputation enjoyed by the Firm of Selling a GENUINE ARTICLE AT WHOLESALE PRICE Has resulted in an increase of Business during the past season, ann they can now boast of having Twenxv-onb Retail Branches in New Zealand, thus enabling them to increase the Factory produce, economising both material and labor, ann ensuring to their patrons a further benefit in the shape of a still Lower Rate of Wholesale Price SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : BAST STREET. GRAIN SEASON 1884. The NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PAN? (LIMITED). Capital £3,000,000. . Reserve Fund £210,000. RAKAIA, OHERTSEY, AND METH7EN AGENCIES. Mr 0. W. TURNER, the Company’s Local Agent, will bo in regular attend ance at CHERTSEY: ON TUESDAYS, from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. METHVEN: ON THURSDAYS, from 12 till 4 p.m. RAKAIA: At all. times during the week.



Every information as to Cost and Arrangements for SHIPPING GRAT can be obtained on application te C. W. Turner, AGENT, 2 S6B Rakaia, Ohertsey, and Methven. I F YOG WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S JHBAP FURNITURE AND RED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. tiTVEP.Y article Sold at Christchurch Pricks and best of Material and workmanship. F UN E R A L S CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED HHE ROSIER FANNING MILL AND GRAIN SEPARATORS.



| The moat complete, moat effective, moat economical winnower in the world. Will dress wheat, oats, barley, beans, peas and ryegrass, taking beth aorrel and clover from the grass, and thus rendering all grass seed fit for the export market. THE CHAFFER— An attachment for use in cleaning grain or seed that is very foul with straw, chaff, etc., ensuring regularity in feeding, and taking the place of the spiked roller used in. some machines. This attachment is very simple and cannot get out of order. One of the above machines may be seen working at the stores of the under signed. F. FERRIMAN.



Dyspepsia, biliousness, nervousness and miserableness all cured with Hop Bitters, See —[A DVT.] Mother Swan’s Worm Syrup— lnfallible, tasteless, harmless, catharic ; for feverishness restlessness, worms, constipation. is at Drug, gists. The N.Z. Drug Co., Generul Agents. 3 The Bad and Worthless are never imitated or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it has been; tested and proved by the whole world that Hop j Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprang up and began to steal the notices in which the press and the people of the country I had expressed the merits of H. 8,, and in every way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their stuff instead, expecting to mate money on the credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H. 8., with variously devised names in which the word “ Hop ” or "Hops ” were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. >ll such pretended remedies or cures, ne matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word “Hop” or ‘Hops” in their name or in any way connected with them or their name, arc imitations or counterfeits. Be ware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitteis, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the w> ; te label, and Dr -Soule’s name blown in th glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and ch .mists are warned against dealing in im ta tions or counterfeits.



The Bad and Worthless are never ivpilaied or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest v.ilue. As soon ?.s it has been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notice? in which the press and the people of the coun'ry had expressed the merits of 11. 13., and in , every way trying to induce sneering invalids to u e their stuff instead, expecting to make money on the credit and good name of 11. 13. Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H. 13., with variously devised names in which the word “ Hop ” or “Hops ” were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All mch pre'ended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially thus: with the word “Hop” or “Hops” in their uameorinany way connected with them ir their name, arc imitations or counterfeit'. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a nuncli or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr Soule’s name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and chemists are warned against dealing in imita* tions or counterfeit;. ,