SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Wanaka, s.s. ,'from Dunedin. 1 Sailed. Yesterday. Wanaka, a. a. for Wellington and Nel son. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. Arrived —Luna, from Batavia ; Darcy Pratt, from Newcastle ; Mary Campoell, from Greymouth. . Sailed— Columbia, for Napier ; Legion, for Newcastle. „ , , Wellington, Yesterday. Sailed—Tarawera, for Melbourne, via the South ; Penguin, forPicton and Nel son. Duaedin Yesterday. Sailed —Hawea, for the Northern ports. .

DAILY MEMORANDA.

auction sales. TifiiSD.’.y, December 9. Messrs Matson, Cox and Cl, at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock Fk day, December 12 MrTbos. Bullock, at G. A. Vincent’s shop Moore street—Bankrupt Stock MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Tuesday, December 9 Oddfellows’ Hall—Ente-.t.unmeet, at 8 o’clock , _ Wednesday, December rU Town Hall—Pollard’s Juvenile Opera Company, at 8 o’clock Friday, December 12 Ohertsey Schoolroom —Entertainment and Dance, at 8 o’c:ock Tuesday, December St Stephen’s Church—Garden Party m the Parsonage grounds Wednesday, December 17 Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at neon Orange Hall—Temperance Lecture, at 8 o’clock Friday, December 2G. . gjorts Ground—Ashburton Caledonian 'Societv’a Annual Sports . Loyal Orange Lodge-Concert and Ballru the Town Hall Friday, January 9 tfakanui Road Board, at Hoad Board office, Mooro street, at 10.30 a.m. • Saturday, January 3. Isuburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11 am-

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post ofiles follows : ,t- u * For Christchurch and iNorJi at 0 a.rn, 10.30 a.m., ando p.m..daily. For OhcrU-ey Hakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. m. Dunedin, Tinwald, Wjnsiow, Hinds, 0 J dstroam, Ilangitata, Oran, Wmcneslor, » D d Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily, tor Tenmkn, at 6 a.m. For Tinii-'o and South, at t> a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greensti eet and Ashburton Forks, Wedsv*adaj s and Saturdays, at 10.45 B ' For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For vlount Somers, on Tuesdays and ftturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For May held, on luesdaya anti Satur iays. at 0 a.m. , . For Ash ten, Y/atertou and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, W edr.ee -says, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. in. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a. m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10. lo a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. ' From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.3 / ' 1 ~!.m. daily. Fnm. Temuka andTimoru at 10.40 a.m. v.dO p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Green street and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tut’saaya and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, 'Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. . . From Non lauds, on Tuesdays ana tn-

—- ■ - From Flemington on Tuesdays, Inurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Lipin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and fcat nr iays, at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas t Prevalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1884. The Soudan Expedition.

Of all the little wars undertaken during recent years by England—and, considering that the “ peace at any price ” party have been in power, these have been neither few nor inexpensive —the issue has never been watched with more anxious interest than in the case of the expedition sent to relieve General Gordon in the Soudan. The reports that have reached us from time to time have been so contradictory that it is impossible to say what is likely to happen. At one time we are told that the gallant defender of Khartoum has been killed, and at another that the Mahdi’s army is thoroughly dis organised and his power broken. Un fortunately there is no way of testing the truth of these reports, and all that we know for certain is that a portion of the forces under Lord Wolseley has safely passed over three of the six cata racts on the Nile which separate Cairo from Khartoum. In the meantime, it is stated that the Mahdi is only three hoars’ march distant from the latter place, and it is quite likely that he will make a final attempt to dislodge Gene ral Gordon before the relief that has been sent can arrive at its destination. The strange career of Gordon a career that is

unique in military annals gives color to a superstition common in some quarters that there is a special Provi dence which watches over the actions of this gallant soldier. Perilous as was the mission on which he was sent by the Gladstone Government, it is, taking all things into account, not fraught with so much danger as was his memorable exploit in the Flowery Land, which earned for him the title of “ Chinese Gordon.” That it was more than a mistake, a crime, to allow one man to peril his life by going into such a region as the Soudan, to attempt single-handed the solution of a difficulty w.iich the folly of English statesmen had brought about, cannot be questioned. Nor is it easy to see what 'will be the ultimate advantage, either to Egypt or Great Britain, even should the greatest possible success be attained by Lord Wolselev. It is by no means certain that General Gordon will submit to be relieved, except under such conditions as he may dictate, and as he is as eccentric as he is brave and fearless it may be found that these conditions are impossible. The fact that Khartoum has held out so long, and that the Mahdi’s attacks have been so often repulsed with heavy slaughter, seems to show that the garrison could easily have escaped had the com mander so willed. Indeed, it has been contended by some writers in England that the relief expedition is simply a waste of money, and that if it were possible for Gordon to leave Khartoum without receiving extraneous aid, it was his duty to do so. It is, however, too late to consider the ques tion from this point of view now, and we can only hope that we shall receive news ere long of a decisive victory being gained by “ England’s only General” over the Mahdi, and the beleaguered city set free. But even should this be compassed, and the power of the False Prophet destroyed, the Imperial Ministry will still have a difficult task before it, in the shape of providing a satisfactory government for the Soudan. England’s policy in Egypt has so far been a gigantic failure; u has cost us an enormous sum of money and the loss of a large number of soldiers, while the natives them | selves do not take kindly to the Western institutions which it has been endea vored to force down their throats. With the experience of the past before them, the Gladstone Government should be able to sec matters in Egypt on a better footing, but judging from the character of their foreign policy, it would be unwise to predict success. Brilliant as was the stroke of Lord Beaconsiteld when he obtained the lion’s share of the control over the Suez Canal, the action carried with it responsibilities which his successors have been unable to cope with, and it is to be feared that the end of the Egyptian difficulty will not be any nearer after Lord Wolselev has returned from his expedition, even if he is as successful as his most sanguine admirers anticipate,

Amusement loving people in Ashburton will have plenty to satisfy them during the present week, as in addition to the Juvenile Opera Company, who open in the Town Hall to-morrow, the Oddfellows’ Hall will bo occupied on Wednesday by the Clark and Hyman Minstrels, of whom the Mortheru press speak in terms of high praise. The first candidate (Mr G. S Graham) for the Government Insurance Board was nominated yesterday.

August Flower. —The most miserable heings in the world arc those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 7f per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, 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 tj.c mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc, Gc 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 j you. It costs only 3s fid a bottle. Sample j bottles, fid, —fAuvr, I

Hearn, the sculler, left Wellington yes terday for Riverton, where he contests the match for the championship. There is but little betting on the event.

It is rumored that Mr Thomas Bracken and Mr P. Galvin are about to start a weekly paper in Wellington, something after the style of the Saturday Advertiser. Mr Galvin possesses the necessary plant, and opeiations are to be commenced in about six weeks’ time In the meantime Mr Bracken will m-ke a lecturing tour through Otago, returning to Wellington a month hence.

The Colonial Secretary and Mr G S. Cooper, Under-Secretary, will leave Wel lington on their tour of inspection of hos pitals, etc., next weak. The South Island is to be visited first.

Wellington will be represented at the Fire Brigade competition at Dunedin. The installation of Mr R. Friedlander as Mayor of Ashburton, will take place at the new Council Chamber, at noon on Wednesday, 17th instant. The memorandum on Federation and the South Sea Islands by Sir Julius Vogel was not sent to the Agent-General, but forwarded by Ilia Excellency the

Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A twelve-roomed house at Redclifls, Taradale,'Hawke’s Bay, owned by Candy, was burned down yesterday. The loss is about LI,OOO. The building is insured in the Victoria for L4OO, and the furniture

in the Northern for LIOO. The tenant was in Namier effecting further insurance at. the very time the bourn was burning. Ho had hardly left the agent’s office when the news reached him, and he wont bach to give up the receipt and to get the pre mium back.' The fire was caused by sparks from the kitchen chimney falling on the shingle of the roof. The Coptic arrived at Napier yesterday. She is being loaded at the rate of 3,000 carcases of mutton per day, besides other cargo. We are informed by Mr Baddeley that some time ago he applied for the work advocated in our issue of yesterday to be done in the Resident Magistrate’s Court grounds, and has been assured that it will shortly be put in hand. The Borough Council met last evening for the first time in their new Chambers at the Library Building. The premises appearj-in every way adapted to the re quirements of the Council, and certainly have the advantage of being more central than the old Chamber. The Gisborne Supreme Court sitting opened yesterday. T'icker, alias Mar shall, got two years for bigamy ; Tutu, a native, four years for forgery. No bill was returned in the case of an old woman for attempted suicide. The Judge made some strong remarks on the futility of preferring these charges. Charles Ball was committed for trial at the Blenheim Supreme Court on a c arge of attempting to commit felony. Bail was granted, but was not forthcoming. A cablegram having been received from London to the effect that the Investiga tion Committee of the Consolidated Tele phone Company re-affirm that Sir Julius Vogel, one of the Directors, enriched himself by means of the Company, and endorses the advice of counsel that a law suit should be instituted to reoovei the enormous profits made by him, the Colonial Treasurer has requested the Press Association to state that he cannot believe that the Committee have made the statement attributed to them by the Lon don correspondent, and that he emphati cally declares such statement to be utterly false and libellous. The quarterly meeting of the Choral Society was held in St Stephen’s school room last evening, when there was a large attendance of members. The Secretary reported that the Society had at the Bank a credit balance of Ll 9 13s Id, and this sum would be further increased by the current quarter’s subscriptions which were now due. The liabilities of the Society only amounted to 4s. A statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the recent performances of “H. .S. Pinafore” was submitted and considered satisfactory. The following wore elected members of the Society :—Mrs Craighead, Misses Corsbie, A. Gates and L, Patching, and Messrs J. McLean Dunn, II A. Pickford, E Cox and F. Fiowors. Messrs A. Fooks and Salek were appointed to fill vacancies o i the General Committee, It was decided to give a concert in January, a d further suggested that with the co operation of the Orchestral Society the “ P rates of Penzance” be put in rehear sal for production during the nights of the Autumn Race Meeting. Messrs Gundry, Wolf, Craighead and Paul were appointed a Sub-Committee to interview the Orchestral Society to ascertain their views on the matter. It was resolved to ask the Orches ral Society to join the Choral Society in a picnic on New Year's Day, and Messrs Wolf and Stephenson weie appointed a Committee to mak« the necessary arrangements. The meeting then adjourned till Monday next, when the usual weekly practice will be held.

At the annual meeting of the Auckland Industrial Building Society, the rep rt showed interest and bonus equal to 11 per cent. The Rev Abraham Riding was taken yesterday in charge of Detective Twohcy to Kaipara, to answer a charge of in decent assault before the local Bench at p ahi, to which plica he has been re manded. The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, have received advice from Hobart of tho arrival there at 2 a. on tho C;h instant., of the R.M S. Raikoura, having made the fastest passage on record, viz , 36 days 18 hours’ steaming from Plymouth. In latitu le 45 south, longi tude 86 east, a slight mishap occurred to the machinery, otherwise the passage would have been accomplished in con siderably less time. The n.M.S. Kai koura is due at Port Chalmers on Wed nesday, and will oe dispatched from the colony on 20th inat. with the first of Her Majesty’s mails under the csntract just concluded with the Government.

The Borough rates collected for the current year to date amount to LI, 105,13 s

6d, leaving L2ll 6s 6d still unpaid.

We know that there is nothing on earth equal to Hop Bitters as a family medicine. Look for. —[Ain't.] Catarrh or thr Bladder. —Stinging

.rritation, inflammation, all kidney and similar complaints, cured by “ Buchu-patba.” The N.Z. Drug Go., General Agents. 3 Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis etc., are quickly cured by using Baxter’s ‘‘Lung Preserver.” This old-established medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by members of the medical and clerical profession. Read ad vertisement. Wells’ “Rough on Corns.”-—Ask for

Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” Quick reiiaf, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts bunions. The N,Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 Christmas presents free of charge. —Last year we are informed that over g.ooo presents were given away during December and the early'part of January by H. E. May & Co., The Hall, Christchurch. Phis year they are

doing the same, and this is how they do it ; Every customer is presented with a ticket equal to 10 per cent, on the amount spent by them, so that if you spend Lio you can chouse anything up to Li, if Lj is spent a 10s present will he given, if L 3 a 65 present, if a 2s present, but if you only spend One Shilling you will get something. And every time you come duri g this nit nth of December and up to Januaiy the 6th you will get a-pre ient. If you do not wish to spend a lot of money 111 one day s shopping you. can get tour , tickets for what you have spent, and so on each lime you come, and then get one really I h inds mie thing equal in value to all the tickets you hold,—[Advx,]

There are 44 candidates frbtn North Canterbury for the New Zealand Univer sity matriculation examination which commenced at Christchurch yesterday. John G. Watkin, who has hitherto held a most respectable position as a builder in Christchurch, was yesterday committed for trial on a charge of forging a promis sory note for L 24 At their meeting last night the Christ church City Council decided to take steps to raise a loan of L 25,030 for 50 years at 5 per cent, for rebuilding bridges, erect ing gas lamps, channelling, fire preven tion, and for a tramway to the new ceme tery. ■

A case of imposition and heartless deser tion of a child cams before Mr Beetham, R.M., at Christchurch yesterday. Two months ago an advertisement appeared in a local paper signed “ A. B.G ,” inquiring for some person to take charge of a baby six weeks old. This was answered by a Mrs Allen, and on September 25th last a young woman, who said her nuns was Miss McLocl, called and loft a female child with Mrs Allen, paid a month’s board in advance and said the father, whoso name was Dashwood, would call and sign an agreement to pay regularly for the child’s maintenance. Ho did not

coma on the day appointed, and since then the police could find no trace either of the young woman or the child’s father. Mrs Allen was unable, to maintain the infant,

and applied to have her sent to the Burn ham Industrial School. Mr Beetham re

marked this was not the only c so of the kind that had ocou-rad recently. There was no suspicion of collusion on Mrs Allen's part, and he committed the child to the Industrial School till 15 years old. Wo have been supplied by the manage ment with the following particulars of Pollard’s Liliputian Opera Company, which will perform here on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings next. The company was first formed in 1879, since which time it has been necessary to find two new companies ef diminutive per formers to succeed their predecessors, who had grown beyond the limit of Liliput an stature. The children at present playing with the company have made the complete tour <f the colonies and performed in Calcutta during the International Exhibi tion Their Calcutta season extended from October 1883, to January 1884, and during that time they were honored with the patronage of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the Viceroy of India, and other distinguished persons. After leav ing Calcutta they played in British Bur mah, and the Straits Settlement, and re turned to Australia in May last. Flies and Bugs. —Beetles, insects, roaches, ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab bits, cleared out by “Rough on Rats.” The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 Holloways Ointment and Pills. —

Notable Facts. —Intense heat augments the annoyances of skin disease and encourages the development of febrile disorders; therefore they should, as they can, be remove by these detergent and purifying preparations. In stomach complaints, liver affections, pains, and spasms of the bowels, Holloway’s ungent well rubbed over the affected part immediately gives the greatest ease, prevents congestion and in flammation, checks the threatening diarrhcea and averts incipient cholera. The poorer inhabitants in large cities will find these remedies to their best friends when any pestilence rages, or when from unknown causes eruptions, boils, abscesses, or ulcerations point out the presence of taints or impurities within the system, and call for instant and effective curative medicines. — [Advt.]

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary . fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening in the Council’s new Chambers, Library Build ings. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Grs Harrison, A. Orr, Bird, Lsggatt, J. Orr, Sealy, Thomas and Friedlander. MAYO .’s STATEMENT.

T 1 e Mayor before proceeding to make his usual statement congratulated the Council upon having assumed occupation of their new Chamber, which ha thought admirably adapted to their requirements, but at no distant date ho hoped they would be able to erect even a more com modious building for the transaction of municipal business. He stated that the Bmk overdraft was L 927 3? 10J ; the amounts received since last meeting ware —Earth, L2 ICB; rent of reserves, Ll 3 ; rater, L 23 5s ; weights and measuies, 3s 3d—total, L 33 18 i 3d. COU'.EKTONDENCE.

The following correspondence was road: —(1) From Mr A. D. Austin, the District Railway Engineer, staling that the Com mission re unemployed had reported that several men had waited upon the Commis sion daring their sitting in Ashburton, and expressed their desire to secure Go vernment relief werk Mr Austin re quested the Mayor to forward the names of the men that they might be provided with pisses to Waikari. (2) From the Colonial 8e: ret ary, acknowledging the notifioition of Mr R. Friedlandor’s elec tion as Mayor. —(3) From the Secetary to the Commission rc unemployed, thank ing the Council for the use of their Chambers, and the Mayor for hia attend ance at the sitting. UNEMPLOYED. The Mayor said that thirteen men had attended the sitting of the Commission, and expiessad themselves prepared to ac cept Government relief work, but only two had since presented themselves to sign tho form required to secure passes. PETITIONS.

A petition from Mr R. Alcorn for leave to place a culvert across the side channel opporito his section in Burnett street was granted.

A petition from Messrs Curtis and young for the enlargement of a culvert in Cox street, East Belt, was referred to the Works Committee, engineers’ REPORT,

The Engineers’ report was read as fo Sows :

Regulation of Water Supply: The Works Committee recommend that a man b ■ employed by the Council, t > live in the house proposed to be erected by Mr Turner, and attend to .he water supple, and the amount to be repaid to the Couec l to be estimated at the end of three or six months, when the matter can be ar ranged on a fair basis, on accounts to be I ept by the E”gineer. We estimate that such an arrangement would be economical, as the man sh ml. take-charge of a d keep clear all the races and channels on the west side of the rail way; those on the other side can then be at tended to and kept in order in a more etficicn' manner than has been the case for the last few months.—Shingling, : The Works Committee recommend that Wills street W. (to chains) and Grey street (33 chains) be shi gled before the new formation be too much cut up. We have the work dose in Wills street hy the con tra tors for shi glinj the Hospital road at the contract price, but the contiac ors ask is 6d par yard for shingle to be delivered in Grey street. They have already delivered more than the amount contracted for.—Mona Square: It is also i\ commended by t-'e Works Com mittee that a pump, be fixed in Mona squire for watering the horses.—Asphalt : The foot paths, especially in t-.'rsl street, will soon re quire a thorough repair ami dressing. We I have received a letter from Mr Bradley, in which he offers to ke p in g -od repair for three years the whole of the aspiialt footpaths in the Borough for the sum of L 35. This would be, roughly calculated, about 2 1 4 d per square aid.—The la'.or gang have been employed in lowering Cass street nil forrn'mj Alike. l street, removing rubbish off streets, working at out; fall drain, putting in culverts, clearing side channels, moving office fuaiitiitc, and fittings, etc., into new office, attend ng to waiter sup-, 1 ply, etc. f 1 MILL RACE lOTA ICE. A prolonged desultory discussion took 1 place in respect to the first clause of the ' CiKtnoeva’ rep'.rt, and it was ultimately 1 os dv, d— •* 1 hut the Council consider j hat Mr Turner as proprietor of the mill i nice should centred the intake at the river , by one of bis own men.” ■ |

WILLS AND GREY STREET. i On the motion of Cr J. Orr it was re solved that it be a recommendation to the Works Committee to let the work referred to in the sec nd clause of the Engineers’ report stand over until the autumn, but any part of the work which is pressing, the Committee have power to execute. PUMP. It was resolved to erect a pump in Mona Square, as recommended by the Engineer. ASPHALT POOTPATffS. Consideration of Mr Bradley’s offer to keep the asphalt footpaths within the Borough in repair was deferred. DEPUTATION. A deputation, comprising Messrs Cay ton, Simmonds, and Stephenson waited upon the Council, and pointed out the damage sustained by property abutting on Aitken street by the footpaths in that thoroughfare being formed considerably higher than the adjoining sections, Mr Clayton briefly explained the facts, and Mr Simmonda supplemented his remarks by stating that there wore sixty sections abutting on the street, of which fifty would require t > be filled up at an average coat of at least L 25 each, to place them on a level with the adjoining thoroughfare. The Mayor said that the levels of the | steoers had been fixed in the original plan ! of the Borough, and the position of which the deputation complained had not been ' brought about by any action of the Coun cil, but promised that the matter should } receive conaideraiion.—On the suggestion ( of Mr Harrison the petition of the depu tation was referred to the Works Com j mittee and the Engineer, LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The report of the Library Committee ■ was read as follows ; f Your Committee has the honor to report, for , the information of the Council having met or , the 28th November, when the following reso -0 lutions were resolved on, viz;—l, That the 9 sura due to the Building Society be paid off. J 2. That the Library be open for the exchange . of books every day except Saturdays between 0 the hours of three and four in the afternoon, n and on Thursdays and Saturdays betweer seven and eight o'clock in the evening. Youi 0 Committee ■ ecided on allowing Mr Gourlay, ,e the Librarian, one month’s salary on his leav ,a ing. It mas resolved that the moving to th< 1_ Library be commenced on Monday, the is d December. Your Committee instructed thi d Engineer to have a closet erected on the re h serve, and fenced in so as to hide it as much a

possible. Un the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Or Friedlander, the report was adopted. IKSFgOTOR op nuisances’ report. The inspector of Nuisances’ report was read as follows and adopted : Since the previous meeting of the Council I have the honor to report as follows : —Re the complaim: of the channel in Cox street, the nuisance was caused by the channel being deeper than the culvert, which allowed any refuse to lodge, the flow of water not carrying it through the culvert. This matter is being attended to. —Re the bad smell complained of last week coming from the butchers’ shop in Tancred street, it was from fat which had been brought from the slaughter yards to be sent away by train, which, owing to the Show, did not leave till the following morning, when the nuisance was removed.— Re the side channel at Mr Lancaster’s butchers’ shop. This channel is very often flushed with water, but unless swept down to the East street channel it will I not flow into it. Mr Fooks told me he would see if the channel had sunk at all. I will see Mr Lancaster re h wing a grating placed at the opening of the pipe that runs into the side channel, to stop any refuse passing through, I have also to report that the dead horse reported in the river-bed was buried at once. ELECTION OF MCYOR. A letter was read from the Returning Officer notifying Mr R. Friedlander’a election as Mayor for the ensuing year. GRASS IN WILLS STREET. Or Harrison called attention to the long grass growing in Wills street, and suggested that it should be mown. 1 The matter was referred to the Committee. HOUR OF MEETING. Cr Thomas moved —“That for the future the hours of meeting for the A.sh burton Borough Council shall be as fol lows, viz , during the months from Nov. to April, 730 p.m., and during the balance of the year, 7 p.m.” The motion was seconded by Or J. Orr and carried. STREET WATERING. Cr J. Orr moved —“ That the Mayor, the Town Clerk, and Councillors be em powered to nnke enquiries re the beat and cheapest means of watering streets, more especially East street, and also the best plan for providing a drinking fountain.” fie said that it was quite‘'time the very necessary work of street watering was undertaken by the borough. He adve rted u not in the interests of any parti cular section of the ratepayers, but as a general convenience. As regarded a drinking fountain he was satisfied that it would confer great benefits both upon man and beast during the summer months. He was confident that the street watering would not involve a large expen diture, and the experiment could be trie I upon the more populace parts of the Borough without inflicting an injustice upon the others. Cr Thomas seconded the proposal. He said that from enquiries he had made, he was satisfied that the work could be easily, well, and cheaply done. While in Christ church recently he had seen an appliance precisely adapted to their requirements. A pump driven from the nave of a dray while carrying the water supply, would distribute the water the whole breadth of East street. In case of fire the pump could readily be disconnected from the dray and used as a very effective auxiliary fire engine. A street two chains wide could be watered with this appliance as rapidly as a dray could travel, and its cost would not exceed L2O.

Cr Harrison said if the cost of the ne

cessary appliances was so small, he was surprised that the residents in East street had not already provided themselves with them. He still failed to see why the burgesses generally should pay for watering the principal thoroughfare. He objected to it on principle, and thought, if- required, a special rate should be struck for the purpose. If East street was watered at the borough’s ex pense ratepayers in other localities might fairly demand to have their streets watered in the same way. He was convinced it would require a dozen men and an annual expenditure of L 1,200 to keep the streets watered. [Or J. Orr remarked that it might if syringes only were used.J He (Or Harrison) wou'd be the last to oppose a wish of the burgesses, but he felt sure that in this instance he had the burgesses with him.

The resolution was then put and carried and on the motion of Or Fiiedlander, seconded by Or Sealy, Ors J. Orr, Bird and Thomas were appointed a Committee to report to the next meeting of the Council upon the proposal. TIUFI’IC BKIDUE. The Mayor reminded the Council that L 7,000 had been voted by the Government for the construction of the Ashburton traffic bridge, lie noticed that the County Council had yet done nothing in respect to initiating this very important work, but the matter was of such vital moment to

the borough, that he thought that Council should appoint a deputation to wait upon the County Council at its next meeting and urge chat the undertaking be put in hand. The Public Works Act made pro vision by which either the County Coun cil or the Borough Council could construct the bridge, and whichever undertook the work would have piwor to levy a rate upon the other body in proportion to its rateable valuation. It would be better

fur the County Council to undertake the work as they had their own Engineer

av.liable, and on the valuation basis

would be the larger contributor towards the cost. Or they might empower their

leputation to state an amount they would ae prepared to subscribe. In any case the present was the time to act, as they had a Government which had shown a disposition to treat them at least favor ably, while its predecessor bad evinced an utter disregard for this part of the colony. It was resolved to allow the matter to stand over until next meeting. BATHIN'}. Gr Harrison suggested that bathing should be permitted in the Domain be tween daybreak and 7 a.ra.—His Worship the Mayor and Or Bird thought it would not be decorous without the erection of sheds, and Cr Friedlander considered some provision should In made to guard against drowning accidents before the practice was permitted.—Cr Harrison said that in face of the objections raised he would not press his suggestion. valedictory. The Mayor said that as he hoped to be present at the installation of his successor he would not that evening bid them fare well, bub being the last meeting at which he would preside he wished to express his gratitude to Councillors for the courteous consideration and support he had received from them during his occupancy of the Mayoral chair. He spoke in all sincerity and wished each Councillor to accept the acknowledgment. They had sunk,all dif ferences of opinion in their solicitude for the welfare of the burgesses, and ho would leave the Chair with very pleasant reminiscences of his term of office.

Cr Friedlander said that the unbiased manner in which the Mayor conducted the business of the Council had won for him the esteem of every member, and it gave him (Or Friedlander) particular pleasure, as the oldest member of the Council, to express the regard felt by the Councillors for their re tiring Mayor. He trusted the Mayor would be long spared to fill a prominent position amongst them, and would at some future time again accept the position he was about to vacate.. He (Mr Friedlander) hoped- the Mayor would at once give them an assurance that he would allow himself to be nominated to fill the vacancy which would occur in the Council by his own elevation to the chair. The Mayor in a few well chosem words acknowledged the compliment paid him by Cr Friedlander. He expressed a hope that his successor would meet with the same pleasant experiences as he had done in the occupancy of the chair. He did not think that he would contest the first vacancy in the Council. There were * younger aspirants for the honor for whom he felt that he should make way, but at some future time, if health was spared him and the burgesses wished it, he might rejoin them. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to Llls 16s 5d were passed for payment. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Thomss gave notice that at next meeting he would move- that a street watering apparatus be obtained at a cost of not more than L 30.”

The Council then adjourned till Wed nesday, Dec. 17, at noon.

A DEATH-DEALING MaCHINE GUN.

There does not (says the London Times ) appear to have been from the first any question as to the practical value of that class of weapons known as machine guns. The essence of these guns is rapidity of fire, and a smart shower of bullets can be projected from them by the simple turn* ing of a handle. The fire from these guns is exceedingly rapid, reaching some 150 to 200 rounds per minute, the operator turning a handle with one band, and, for a traversing fire, imparting to his gun a horizontal reciprocating motion with vba other. Remarkable as these results are, they are eclipsed by a machine-gun which we have recently inspected in operation, and which by simply pulling a trigger once will feed itself and fire away con tinuously at the rate of 6CQ rounds per minute if desired, the operator only having to impart the traversing motion to tho gun as required. This remarkable gun is the invention of an American gentleman, Mr Hiram S. Maxim, who is likewise the inventor of the system of electric lighting bearing his name, winch was introduced into England about three years since. The gun has a single barrel, and is arranged in such a way that the force of the recoil from one round at the moment of firing is utilised, and forms the motive power for loading and firing the next round, and so on round after round in suc cession ; in fact, one recoil performs all the functions of bringing the next cart ridge into position, forcing it into the barrel, cocking the hammer, pulling the triggpr, extracting the empty shell, and ejecting it from the gun. To effect this the barrel is so mounted in its case that at the moment of firing the recoil drives it backwards about three-quarters of an inch, and it is this movement of the barrel alone that actuates tte mechanism of the gun, and enables it to keep up a continuous fire. The gun we saw fired at Mr Maxim's works, 57n, Hatton Garden, London, has a barrel of the ordinary ser vice regulation calibre of ’450 inches, and weighs, with its tripod stand, 1261 b. It stands about three feet high, and is about 4ft 9 n long from muzzle to rear of firing mechanism. The training arrangements enable thi gun to be elevated or pres.-ed and set at any angle by adjusting screws, and traversed radially over any desired horizontal range. Or it may be instantaneously detached from the screws so as to be moved freely in every direc tion by hand. As the gun is self-firing, the operator can train it just as required while it is being discharged. The cart ridges are placed in a canvas belt in a manner somewhat similar to that in which they are carried in a sportsman’s belt. The Maxim belt, however, is some seven yards long, and holds 333 cartridges, and length can be attached to length as each becomes emptied, so that the fire can be maintained continuously. This belt is placed in a box immediately below tho gun, and the leading end of it is inserted in the gun'to start with. As the gun is fired the belt is drawn into it on one side, and one after another the cat fridges are drawn out of the belt, forced into the barrel, fired, and the empty belt and cartridge cases ejected from the opposite side of the gun. By this arrangement the cartridges and tho gunner are both below the level of the gun, and are only exposed to fire ill a minimum degree. The external firing arrangements consists of a trigger or lever, which is placed against a graduated quad rant at the side of the gun, and' the rapidity of firing is regulated by the dis tance to which this trigger is pulled over. If this trigger be pulled over towards the gunner about an inch, and until the pointer indicates the figure 1 on the quadrant scale, the gun will then fire at the rate of one round per minute. * By pulling the trigger over a little further the rate of fire is increased to aboqt five rounds per minute, and the rate is gradually increased as the trigger is pulled further over until it reaches tbs rear end of the scale, when the fire is maintained at the unprecedented rate of 600 rounds per minute. It is thus possible to fire either single shots, volleys of IQ, 20, or 100, and to maintain a continuous fire either fast

or slow. When the gun is once adjusted for a certain speed it maintains the fire at that speed independently of human agency until all the cartridges have been discharged. Should the man working the gun be killed, the gun will still continue

firing so long as any cartridges remain to bo fired, provided no hitch occurs from a faulty cartridge. The belt system of au-

tomwtic firing has been applied by Mr Maxim not only to’machine guns such feQ

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1884.



Wanted. Wj N IT'D — A *. ood Ge Apply, Mrs M. Kolmav. — A stron V -V iomed to farm wni to 153 per week - , accordii sOisfactoiy r.fcrcnces rec at Tinwald Store. V7ST ANTED Known—2,s * ’ hats (150 different ! at a great sacrifice, and to 30 per cent under whcfteas costumes at 5a 9d ; other cheap; must bo sold—conr I H. 0. k EGEr.s, : ealys’ 1 Street. WANTED Known—A. for cash at the fol prices :—Tea, rare value, j tea, per lb Is 3d, extra sugar, per lb 3d ; currar raisins, per lb 6d ; tapioca white ; sago, per lb 3d ; sp sauce, per bottle Gd ; rice, WANTED Known Sugar, 3Ad ; Keroaei 501 b F.nur, ! S 0J ; Oysters 8d ; Biscuit.-, 31; a go Is 6d. J. McGbkcsob, Tar WANTED Known —Ft are davy despatch, our own Imat, now fishing more. Delivery guarantee hours from time of catchir received at my slo p will 1 executed on arrival of tin Fagu, Fast street, Ashbur W ANTED KNOWN—I Bill Poster, Tjik.v etc., Town Hail, Ashburtc companies and others viai should communicate wi Orders by post or tele; attended to. ’SI&7 ANTED Known—i V y That JJayf.s and C a few desperate lines of wit, Ladies’ Leather, dtnnfafO PpCTO’pd. 10a:



PATT EUN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Street, near Lane is tec’s butchery. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413 EOTHERHAM WATCHES From £5 10s. kn) AfCHMAKERS tjEWELLIRS, LA. j/§ghJ*Z A* Tapper, TIMBER MERCHANT, &c. ( Has decided to Sell Ofe ,11 is Large Stock of TIMBER BUILDING MATERIALS GALVANISED IRON FENCING WIRE BUILDERS IRONMONGERY, at greatly Eeduced Prices, As lie is retiring from business, therefore ANY REASONABLE OFFER vILL NOT BE REFUSED. Stock must bo cleared ofi by December 3ist. AI/. D T rBT OWI «'G prior to Ist DEC? 1 MiiEll must be paid by loth Inst Dr legtl sfe,)3 for their recovery will be taken. 11. W. BARRETT, J 537 Manager,



Special Advertisements. Strawberries, Strawberries, STRAWBERRIES, And other Fruit for sale, wholesale aa retail, pnce moderate. B. BROOMFIELD, Kent Nursery, Allenton 12 2242 NEW BOOKS. NEW FANCY GOODS. NEW STATIONERY. NEW TOYS. PRIZE BOOKS, Etc. QHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CARDS of Res - Zealand Scenery. A beautiful assortment of goods suitable for presents. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., EAST STREET, SOUTH, Ashburton.



g T U D Y ECONOMY AKD SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY BY USISO Native Coal, Which can be hai at the yards of the undersigned. MACPHSR'iON, FILMER AND CO. (late A. Hayes), TIMBER, COAL, & WOOD MERCHANTS. j



TVTEW BOOKS ! NEW BOOKS ! ! EW BOOKS ! and CHRISTMAS CARDS I Kow in. Popular Encyclopedia (14 vols); Colo nies and Dependencies, by T. B. Cotton ; Local Government, by M. D. Chalmers ; Treasury of Sciences, Biographical, Work shop Appliances, Bystemaiic Mineralogy, Llcctricuy and Magnetism, Strength oi Material ; Vanity Fair, by Thackery ; The Newcoines ; iinglislr Men of Letters— Bacon, Cowper, OiC’ en», Defoe ; Journal of the Plague Year, Plays from Mulidie, The Prince Micharolii; Pedigioe of Man, by lloeckel ; India, tiie Law and the People, by Caird ; filbert on Banking; The Assommoir, ny i.nnle Zola; Aied:- eval History, by Chambers; Cassell’s Family Magazine, Irish Pleasantry and Fun, English hceuery (G vole), Countries j of the World (0 vols), Peoples of the ' World (4 volt). All Round the World (2 vols), The Book of Health, Family Phy - sician ; Animal Life, by Wright ; The Technical Educator, Popular Educitor, Men of the Time, Family Herald (half year vol), How the Poor Live. Thomas F. Farley, BOOKSELLER, AbHBURTON.



Special Advertisements. Dimant and Coe, ARE authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING M MA CHINES, and are prepared to receive PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith. Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANGRED STREETS, ASHBURTON. Perfect Fit Guaranteed in the latest or any style that may bo required. Craighead & Go., MERCHANT TAILORS, E have much pleasure in announcing to our friends and patrons, and all who may feel interested in the general ogreas of our tim&a that we have just coived a splendid assortment of Tweeda, Coalings, Serges, etc., etc., of the best juality and latest designs—suitable for the season we are now entering. All Goods Supplied at LOWEST CASH PRICES. CRAIGHEAD & CO., Tancred street, Ashburton. 11 2181 NEW TWEEDS ! SUMMER SUITS. NEW TWEEDS ! SUMMER SUITS.



25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST-STYLES in SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, Manufactured from the renowned • Wear Resisting MOSGIeL TWEEDS. The fit and workmanship of every gar ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, while the large production and increased busi ness enables the proprietors to offer special advantages as to price. Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing in every variety at Wholesale Prices. SL'.rts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Rugs, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WH OLESALE PRICES. Note the address NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



DAVIS’S Cheap Clearing Sale NOW ON. £ s. d. Bedroom furnished complete for 6 6 0 Chest of 5 drawers, for ... 2 0 0 Suites in Leather, for ... ... 14 0 0 Suites in Hair, for 14 0 0 Every other article equally cheap. Must be Sold to make room for our CONSTANT MANUFACTURE OF FURNITURE of all kinds. W. DAVIS, Cabinet-maker and Upholsterer, EAST STREET SOU f , Ashburton 9 1729



COMMENCING TO-DAY. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. FREE GIFTS TO ALL. CHOOSE FROM £IOOO WORTH, AST Year, wo gave, during December ;ind the early part of January, 9240 Presents. This year wo have even a larger selec tion, and intend, from to day, giving every Customer a Ticket equal '■o ten percentonthemoney spent; so that if you spend LlO you can choose any thing up to LI; if L 5 is spent, a 10s present will be given ; if L 3, a 6s present ; if LI, a 2s present; but if you only spend Ore Shilling you will get something. And every time you come during this month of De cember and up to January 6ch, you will get a present. If you do not wish to spend a lot of money in one day’s shop ping, you can get your tickets for what you have spent, and so on each time you come, and then get one really handso >.e thing, equal in value to all the tickets you hold. If you want a pretty hat, bon net, useful dress, or anything in house furnishing, we feell confi dent you will save 12l> per cent •by shopping with us, besides getting a present equal to one shilling in every ten, each time you come. H. E. May & Co



1884. Victoria House. 1885. gPR 1N G AN L SUMMER SEASON. Print.!, Dress SxuiKs, Co-tu.h -s, Triaimxnos, Fancy Tie-’, Hosiery, Millinery, Men’s, jr.ys’, anh Youths’ C'lothino, Shirts (assorted), Hats, &0., Ac., Of newest designs, super-excellent mates, and durability, selected and offered for jijie especial purpose of well and worthily recommending Victoria House as peereminent for varieiy, quality, liberality, and incomparable value, Ladies’, Men ; a, and Children's BOOTS, &c., at “ otil again ” prices. Patterns of Ko=ljn, Mosgeil, ap.d Kaiapoi TWEEDS received weekly, from which Men’s Youths’, and Hoys’ Garmems are promptly made to measure, lit, finish, and fashion perfect. Charges strict y n asonablh. • JDimaut and Coe. Heady»Money Drapes, Clothiers, . c, East and Tancrel itreetsj ifl premiflOS lately occupied by On and Co.



Special Advertisements. Christmas Carnival AND FANCY BAZAAR Will be opened on SATURDAY, DECEMBER Gin, 1884. SIXPENNY~& SHILLING' TABLES, Also, a TABLE of VARIETIES from ONE PENNY to FOUR PENCE. All arejheattily welcomed. Please observe.—ln the ROOM NEXT to my PRESENT SHOP, specially taken for the Christmas Season. Admission—FßEE. R. Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel.)