SHIPPING.

_ " ♦ ; ■ ■-.■ - •JL- - FORT OP LYTTELTON. ■s? Arrived. ujj.iy" Yesterday. Zinc,-schooner, from Havelock. !i>. Anthons, brigantine, from GreymouthV Ocean Bird, ketch, from Anahau. sp&. Hawea, a. 8., from Port Chalmers. Mahapouri, b. s. , from Auckland and "I wav-porta :x Sailed. Yesterday. JCuumqorit ■« a , ior Melbourne via . iheSouti£ Hawea, as,, for Manukau and way

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Yesterday. ' . Arrived—Himalaya from Port Ohnl .. J ■«! ; Wares tea from Westport. ; Bailed—Penguin for Fiji; Rotoma lema for Sydney, li- ic Wellinot if, Yeit.rd<y. Arrived Koranui from Lyttelton ; ' Wakatu from Kaikoura and Lytte ton ; - Wauaka from New Plymouth and Manu be. sf ’ Sailed —Wanaka for Lytf elton. «s .k Dunedin, Y usterday. Arrived —Tarawera from the Bluff. Sailed —Atmiatice for the Bluff.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCriON SALE-:. Thursday, Mat i. .Messrs J. Mundell and Co., at Scotsburn, T . nesr Peel Forest—Live and Dead Stock Saturday, May 10. : _ Messrs Mataon, Cox and 00., at Tatter - 'nail’s —Live ar(d Dead Stock m ]fr Thds. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett - ' street—Horst's and Sundries ; Tuesday, Mat 13. ■ Matson, Cos and Co., at the Tinwald ffciloySrds— Stock;' \* —( ‘ V MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc ■''' This Tdtm Hall-—Address T>y Mr Ivoss, al . ;* 8 p.m > ■ y . ,t.. Friday, Mat 9. Debating Society—Meeting, in the Librarj •' V ‘' 'room, at 8 p.m. - ' Monday, Mat 12 Oddfellows’ Hall—Public Tea Meeting ----- and Lecture Borough Council, at Borough C.-unei! 'f' Chambers, a' 7.30. '•" : ■ Monday, May 26. $ tO.G.T. —Anniversary Tea Meeting in S * >■ Stephen’s Schoolroom, at 6 p.m. : ‘Friday, Junk 6. Ashburton 'County Council—At Counci Oham&rs, 11a.m. ’P • Sati'Rday, June -7 Wakanni Road Board, at Road Boar< t ' v, " office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

ruAEKB IiEAVE ASHBURTON FOR CHRIST CHUROH'and intermediate stations at 7.10 A.m.j 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.37 p.m- ■ Trains Luatr Ashburton for Timaru *akd South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m. (Express), and 4.45 p. m. — the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timarn. Christchurch TTiOiS 1 a!mf IfSfxpreßs)* 4,35 p.m., and 7.15 p.m., > Ti'inre' Arrive at Ashburton from .. j?imaru and South at 10.40 a,m., 5.27 ’ p.m. (Express), and S D.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1884. The County Council and the Road Boards.

It is impossible to do other than sympathise with the desire of the far mers of this district to escape the im position of heavier rates than they have had to pay in the past. What between indifferent crops, low prices, and a general depression of trade, the lot of the Ashburton farmer, just now is any thing but a happy one, and although, in the ordinary course of things, better days must come, still the immediate outlook is full of anxiety. It is just at junctures like the present that people arc apt to snatch at - the first method ot partially or wholly relieving themselves from their troubles which is suggested to them. Hence the proposal, sud denly made, to merge the Ashburton County Council in the Road Boards seems to have been welcomed by a not inconsiderable number of persons as an easy means of saving expense in admin istration, the assumption being that if the County Council were abolished or cast into that state of suspended Ani mation for which a thoughtful Legis lature has provided in the Counties Acts, the whole of the present outlay of the Council would be saved, and the need for raising rates to meet that ex penditure would' cease. Concurrently with this agitation a current of opinion is moving in favor of leaving the Coun cil still to perform its functions, but nevertheless consolidating the existing rating powers so that

there shall be one rating power only in the district, in other words it is proposed that either the County Council should raise all the rates in the County and divide the proceeds between itself and the several Road Boards, or else that the County Council should be deprived of its rat-

ing powers and be supported by the Road Boards, which would, of course, have to proportionately augment their present rates. As to this last proposal we are unable to see what relief it would afford to the ratepayers. It seems to us a matter of no practical consequence whether a ratepayer has to pay a shilling rate to two separate local bodies or a two shilling rate to one local body. Of course, if it irritates him less to pay the single heavy rate than the two light ones, by all means let his tastes be gratified; but save for the purpose of satisfying a sentiment of this kind, we do not see what object is to be gained by the change. It is curious that these attacks upon the County Council should have origi nated from a part of the County which has hitherto been free from Road Board rates, and where the Road Board administration is anything but popular, -if we are to judge from the con tents of a numerously and influentially signed petition for the division of the South Rakaia Ribad District, which has for some tim<i past been under the consideration of the County Council. In politics, as in war, diver sions are sometimes useful. However, leaving aside the question of the real cause of the present movement, let us consider by the light of plain facts what saving, if any, in the cost of administra tion would be effected by the abolition of the County Council. The perma nent staff of that body consists of three persons —name’y, the Clerk, the En gineer, and the Water Ranger. Taking these officers in inverse order, we would ask the advocates of the proposed change how they would provide for the inspection of the water-races, supposing the Council were abolished and the Ranger dismissed ? Would they leave the hundreds of miles of water-races in the County to look after themselves ? The races require constant examina tion, not only for the purpose of ascer taining that they are in proper repair, but also to prevent trespasses. One might have imagined that in a matter of this kind the good feeling of the per sons concerned would have tended to the conservation of the races, but ex perience has shown that such is not the case, and that there are plenty of negli gent and icckless people in the county who are always ready to tamper with the races, and waste and divert the water for their own convenience, but to the detriment of their neighbors, when ever they think they can do so without the risk of detection. If it be urged that this work could be devolved upon the present Road Board staffs, the an swer is that if the Road Board officers had such an onerous duty thrust upon them, a proportionate increase would have to be made in their pay; and the cheapest as well as the most efficient method of inspecting the water-races is to employ one man to spend his whole time upon the work. If the Road Boards took charge of the public works now under the con trol of the Council, they would cer-

tainly require engineering assistance, and if they called in an engineer just when they wanted him, but declined to engage him permanently, they would assuredly undergo the experience of many public bodies in New Zealand which have already tried the experi ment and found it a remarkably expen sive one. We do not for one moment agree with those who imagine that be cause our system of water-races is nearly complete the services of an en gineer are become superfluous. It would hardly do to entrust the charge of the headworks to inexperienced men. A deluge from the Pudding Hill dam might lead even our Methven friends to the belief that there are worse

things in the world than a County rate; but apart altogether from the water works, a variety of public works are constantly going on which can only be properly constructed under the super vision of a trained engineer. Would, for instance, any intelligent man ser iously argue that the protective works about to be constructed on the Ashbur ton river could be safely entrusted to anybody but a skilled engineer; or that the intended repairs to the Rangitata bridge with not require similar super vision ?

As to the Clerk to the Council, the immense amount of clerical work and correspondence with all sorts of per” sons and public bodies which is entailed by the various public works in which the Council is engaged, the manage ment of the Hospital, slaughterhouses, pounds and other makers would cer tainly have to be done by somebody, if

the Council were abolished to-morrow ; and as people are not accustomed to perform such work for the love of the thing, we apprehend the ratepayers would find that under the new regime, they would have to pay for its per formance just as they did under the old, although it might be in a different shape. Whether the Council could get its work, clerical, engineering, or other wise, done more cheaply than at pre sent, is a subject upon which we offer no opinion one way or another : all we desire to point out is, that a certain amount of public work has to be done, and would have to be done even if the County Council were abolished,^and

that work must in the ordinary course of things be paid for, so that it is a mere delusion to suppose that by shift ing the duties of the Council upon the Road Boards the expense of the Coun cil’s staff would be saved.

The examinations for prizes were com menced in the Borough Schools to-day, and will be continued to-morrow, con ducted by Mr W. L. Edge, M.A., In spector, who has kindly given his time and cervices for that purpose.

Mr Joseph Ivess, member for Wakanui, will address his constituents in the Town Ball this evening. There was a clean sheet at the Police Court this morning. At St Stephen’s schoolroom last evening the initial concert of the series of eight to be given in aid i f the Church funds took place, and was on the whole a suc cess. The Bev E. A. Scott occupied the position of chairman, and Mr Sidney Wolf presided at the pianoforte. The various items on the programme were creditably rendered, and the audience testified their approval by continual applause.

We were shown this afternoon at the local workshops of Messrs Reid and Gray a very simple and effective mode of affixing wire to iron standards for sheep folding purposes or wire fencing of any kind. The principal use of the standards are for folding fences for sheep on turnip or stubble, and will no doubt be much more used than the ordinary netting, as any kind of barbed wire can be put on the standards and slightly strained without threading It through the holes of the standards in the ordinary way. The holes are cut on one edge of.the standards so that the wire can be put in without threading it. A hooked wire staple fits over the wire and keeps it firmly in its place in a very ingenious manner, and the total extra cost' of the standard is only two pence, against sixpence in the old sheath me’hod. Mr Gray, one of the part ners of the firm, is the original maker and patentee, and we expect to see the standards in general use hero, as we are led to believe they are in the South. Early ou Sunday morning last abo.it 280 sacks of wheat, the property of Mr Charles Leitch, were destroyed by fire on that gentleman’s farm at Dromore. Up to the present no clue has been obtained as to the origin of the catastrophe, and we regret to learn that the grain was not insured. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mount Hutt Road Board district, held yesterday at Methven. was sparsely at tended. Mr Julian Jackson presided, and the report and balance sheet which was read showed a credit balance at the Bank amounting to L 775 17s lOd. The Chairman pointed out that a large expen diture had been incurred during the past year in-remedying tho injury caused by stormwater in the district, and he added" that unless some satisfactory scheme was decided upon to remedy the difficulty, it would not cost less than L2OO to keep the roads in proper order for t-affle. 'ihe bai <nce at tho Bank was so small that for the future the funds would be expended almost entirely upon the maintenance of existing works, as he thought that the district was so heavily rated that the Board would not be justified in levying a further impost. On the motion of Mr J. F. Tiobell, seconded by Mr Gunn, the report and balance-sheet was adopted. A discussion on the question of dual local government then ensued, in the c >urae of which it was stated that other districts in the County had replied to tho resolutions pissed at the Methven meeting. In answer to a question from Mr Alihgton, the Chair man said that the County Council were now negotiating with proprietors with the object of getting the teat channel by the side of the railway taken on to private property. After the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting separated, .1 man named G. Moyle was killed at Goat Valley (about four miles from Wan ganui) yesterday by the falling of a tree He was working with another man who

was fellin'; a tree, and when the tree was about to fall his companion called but to him to get out of the way. Not hearing anythi ->g the other man went to look and found the tree had struck another tree and fallen on Moyle’s head. An inquest was held in the afternoon at which a verdict of “ Accidental death ” was re turned.

The wreck of the brig Bio Grande has been abandoned to the underwriters, who were to sell her to-day. An official en quiry was held yesterday, but nothing new was elicited. The Native Minister has decided not to prosecute the gold prospectors, Barry and McDonnell, who were arrested by the natives and sent to Alexandra. It seems they were not aware' they were breaking the law, though they really ren dered themselves liable to be fined LSO each for prospecting on native land, title to which had not been determined.

The official enquiry into the foundering of tlje steamer Kangaroo will be held on Friday. The young man Huxtable who ab sconded from Auckland with L6QO by the recent San Francisco mail boat has been heard of. He became enamoured of a lady passenger and married her, and settled down on arrival at San Fran cisco.

In the New Plymouth Supreme Court m civil sittings the case of Gibbes and wife 01 v Samuel Leatham and Black w.’s heard tl yesterday. This was an action for alleged T libel by the defendants on the plaintiffs, tl damages being laid at L 6,000. Mr s< Hutchison, of Wanganui, prosecuted, and a Mr Hesketh, of Auckland, defended, >1 r f< Hutchison applied for a change of tentie. si oh the ground that a fair trial of the case b could not be had iu New Plymouth. J After Mr Hesketh had replied, hie Honor s ruled that the place where the parties \ have been known for years was the place • to try a case where the question of \ character was at stake. He would there* 1 fore refuse the application. The question t of publication of libel was then raised, i and Dr J. Murray Gibbes, one of the f plaintiffs, was put in the box to prove it. f The question raised was, nere lettors from 1 Mr Samuel, ss solicitor, to Mr Roy, 1 another solicitor, privileged communica tions 1 In his evidence, Dr Gibbes ad- < mit ted writing a letter to Dr Hoy, autho- i rising him to act for him white he was ’ away in England. Mr Hesketh then < applied for a nonsuit, on the grounds that the letters on which the action was laid ; were privileged communications. _His i Honor granted a nonsuit. Mr Hutchison i intimated his attention to appeal. At the Dunedin Police. Court yesterday John Pearce was committed for trial for abducting a girl, aged thirteen. He had brought up the child from infancy, the mother making occasional contributions to her support, and lately she had obtained possession of her by an order from the Supreme Court of Melbourne. Ihe girl was going to school at Dunedin, when Pearca met her, and at h : s request she went back to live with him. They were i stopped at the Bluff on board the Mel : bourne steamer. i A moderately attended public meeting ’ was held at Dunedin last night, convened • by the Committee of the new Constitu tional Reform Association. The principal t speakers were the Hon. Reynolds, Mr - Stout, and Mr Bastings in favor of the I Association, and Mr M. W. Green against , it. A resolution, “That the Copatitu ■ tional Reform Association deserves hearty j support,” was carried. > Mr Seddon, M.H.R. for Kumara, ad i dressed his constituents at Dillmansto irn > on Monday night, and received an «n ---i thuaiastic greeting. In the course of his t remarks he made a strong attack on the a Government Insurance Department. He e said he should remain true to the Oppo s sition. Mr Montgomery lacked firmness, t and it took a lot of provocation to bring s him to the fighting pitch. With the ex s ception of his weakness for Canterbury e there.was not much to find fault with. Hewas y afraid the majority of the North Island d members in Opposition would not follow > Mr Montgomery. Sir George Grey was d the fighting chief and natural leader e under whom the Opposition would best e succeed, and as Premier would be accept able to both Islands. Sir George Grey, t Mr Montgomery, and Mr Macandrew, and x tho leading members of the Opposition n would no doubt settle their differences p amicably. As one of the rank and file his d place was to look on and vote straight, d Hop Bitters has restored to sobriety and it health perfect wrecks from intemperance. Per use all.—[Advt.] Wells’ “Rough on Corns.”—Ask for , Wells’“ Rough on Corns.” 7 Quick re a lief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, i" bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., General ’> Agents. 2 h “ Rough on Rats.”—Clears out rats, mice .e roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, o skunks, jack-rabbits, gophers. Drug i- gists. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 2

THE TIN WALD LIBEL CASE.

Iq the case -of Scott v. Gudsell hea d yesterday before Mr Justice Johnston, Mr Wilding, with him Mr Caygill, ap peared for the plaintiff, and Mr Joynt for the defendant. This was an action to recover L 260 damages for libel published in the Ash burton Guardian in a letter describing a “disgraceful a flair 1 ' at the Tinwald Hotel, in January last. The defendant was the writer of the letter, and the plaintiff was the owner of the Tinwald Hotel. Mr Wilding opened for the plaintiff, and called the following evidence;— William Hall Zouch, accountant of the Ashburton Guardian, deposed that the paper circulated in Canterbury. The writer af the letter in the Guardian of January 22 (produced) signed “ Specta tor ” was the defendant James Gudseil. Defendant called a day or two latter, and wished to know how Mr Scott had learned the name of the writer, and witness said he had told Scott, and in answer to the defendant said the letter, if true, was a fair comment on the conduct of the house, and in that case was rot libellous. Ad vised defendant to apologue if the letter was not true. Defendant replied that it was perfectly correct, and he should not apologise. Sergeant Henry William Felton, said that there was only one hotel at Tinwald, and that was kept by the plaintiff, Mark

'cott. No constable was stationed at Tinwald. Witness understood the lette • to allege that drunken men had been served with drink while drunk by Mark Scott, who is a licensed publican The Tinwald Hotel is under police surveil lance, and is one of the best as to manage ment, accommodation, and supply that witness had to examine. There had been a disturbance on the evening men tioned, and it was reported to witness by a constable, who had been told by Mr Scott the sarnie evening. Cross-examined : Tne only complaint against plaintiff, miade previously, was on the first Sunday after he had opened the hotel. Constable David Smart gave evidence of having visiied the hotel or. Jan. J 9, plaintiff having reported the disturbance as having taken place. The hotel, as far as witness knew, vvas well conducted. Plaintiff reported that there had been a general scrimmage, and wished the case brought before the Court. James Leslie, farm liborer at Winslow: In November last, at Chatmoss, defendant said it was no use complaining to the police of Scott, because Sergeant Felton had an interest in the house.

Cross-examined ; Never heard of a fight for L2 a side taking place at Scott’s. This was the case for plaintiff. Mr Joynt submitted that the should be u msuitoJ. The subject was one that concerned the public generally, and such a matter was privileged, unless exp-ess malice could be proved. The po ition of Mr Scott was a public one, and of general interest to the community, special y to those who travelled. Even if the statement were untrue, if made with* out malice, it was privileged.. He cited authorities in support of his contention. Mr Wilding having replied, his Honor refused the nonsuit, but reserved leave to Mr Joynt to move. Mr Joynt then called James Gudsell, the defendant: Was a storekeeper at Tinwald, residing opposite the Tinwald Hotel. Had beenjon the most friendly terras with Me Scott. On Jan. 19 a disturbance took place in the street opposite to, and in, the hotel. That dis turbance was alluded to in the letter pub lished in the Guardian on Jan. 22. About 5 p.m. some people ! f run Ashburton Mr and Mrs Lockhart, Mr and Mrs Sloan, Sam Hume, Wtn. Lockhart, juri., Aliok Davidson, Mr Hugh and Miss Rainey, with Jamas Dunpy—were about the hotel for some time Some were drunk, and sotpa not quite drunk. Young Lockhart was drunk, and the others showed signs of drink. They were quarelling and fight ing. They were going in and out of the hotel. They srero making a disturbance, the ' woiqen screaming. They o mid b§ heard at some distance. Some of the

men had their coats off, and were striking one another. They were half an hour there before witness heard any noise. Those who were not quite drank when they came had now become quite drunk, so as to appear not to know, what they ■ were doing. It was about tWq hodnt-be fore they went away. Mr SoOtt-Wak oat side walking about the footpath. He beckoned, as witness thought, to him, bat Mr Scott said it was to Mr Standiah. He said he would like to send forthe police. Witness offered to go, but Sbott said/ “ Oh, never mind.” Three of.the women were doing their best to atop the fighting. There had been previous disturbances— two that witness coaid remember. One was on the Saturday before Christmas, end the other some time before. On the - former oceaaiqntwo drunken men were fighting on the ro»d witness had seen them previously in tho Cross-examined: .. Their name««rsro Gibson and Lindsay. Did not remember the conversation with Leslie. Rountree was not drank. The witness gave various > details of the disturbance. J oseph Smith, Samuel Rountree,. Robt. Kennihgton, and Francis Lowe gave evi dence corroborative of that of the defen dant. * ’' This was the case for the defence. Me Wilding proposed to eall rebatting evidence, and after argument, this was permitted. ' • Mark Scott, the plaintiff, said that the only drinks supplied ,to the men of the party were two small whiskeys and three, ginger wines. None of the fighting men were supplied by witness with a drink after they began to quarrel. . Refused i them fifty times. i Christina Scott, wife of plaintiff : Had. . been prevented by v ®r husband from sop- . plying the party wi h dri <!c. , Thomas Rountree, William Lockhart, [ Frank Standiah, James Begg, and Wil liam Lindsay also gave rebutting ovi [ dence. Counsel having addressed the Court, ' , ( His Honor held that if the occasion- of . privilege had arisen sufficient malice b*d not been proved; He held that the do ’ £end»nt believed that drink bad been served to a drunken man. Wither that was sufficient justification he would'not at once decide. In considering the amount 1 of damage be felt : justified..in looking at ’ the amount of malice, and could hot con -1 aider th »t there hadbeeaaayabsenoo of 1 bona fides. ’■ Here was' no 9 animus against the' plaintiff. ' He wonUfl give a contingent verdict for the > of L 25, subject to the consideration I point of privilege, and of ths * of the justification, depending as it P the proof of only one act.- ■

THE PREMIER AT WELLZNGTON

Major Atkinson addressed a crowded meeting at the Wellington Thsatiw Royal last night, there being also a large number of ladies present in the dress circle. The chair was taken by Mr John Dnthie, .and amongst thosooresont on! the stage were the Hons. Dick, and Oliver. The Premier on[flming forward was received with applause. He commenced by expressing the pleasure he felt in ad-* dressing a Wellington audience in re sponse to the requisition he had received. He said he had endeavored to select a few subjects for that evening which had opt ! been fnlly gone into previously. - Up to the present time there had not been any strict party lines in New'Zo»l«n<3, at any rate since the abolition of the provinces, but it was necessary that men should follow some broad line of policy. There were at present three parties in Parlia meat, consisting of the Government party, he ptrty led by Sir George Grey, and another led by Mr Montgomery. The difference, between Sir George Grey and Mr Montgomery was as wide ns the dif ference between either of them, and the Government. Sir George Grey wav really master cf the situation, and without him Mr Montgomery dare not move in any direction. Mr Montgomery had now un furled his banner, which was the separa tion of the colony. Last session Mr Mont gomery introduced certaftr separation pro posals, but he was careful not to give the House any details of.the scheme. When the Public Works policy was first intro duced it was on the distinct understanding that there was to be a main trunk line of railway through the colony. The people in the North island were now told hy Mr Montgomery, when contending for the fulfilment of the pledge, that they were milking the South Island. He (the Pre mier) wna confident that the people of New Zealand would always be in favor of a united colony. He. then went into the question of the Properly Tax v. the In* come Tax, at considerable length. He said the large property holders paid a great deal more under the Property Tax than they would under a shilling income Tax. There was a very heavy Land'Tax iii the colony at preaent-by the imposition of three farthings in the pound under the Property Tax: He thought it was mani festly unjust to impose an unfair tax upon a very large class of struggling set tlers. The imposition of a land tax also meant the confiscation of so much land of the present holders of it. He could not for a moment believe that the colony would ever agree to a land tax being im posed while they had already got the best tax that could be levied on the people in the shape of the property tax. He' held, with all the Liberal statesmen in Eng land, that the land belonged to the peoplw of the country, and if it were found that large estates were detrimental to the community he was sure Parliament would find some means to remedy the matterl I The maintenance of hospitals and dhariU able aid were also subjects that necessarily occupied a good deal -of attention at pre sent. He thought that if they adopted a poor rate they would simply be introduc ing a race of paupers, it was reasonably that the poor should be supported out of the general revenue of the colony, hot that was not expedient at present His waa certain they would yet have to come to national insurance ; that, was his spioiQh ? but he thought they .would have* tofoljojf the lines of the friendly societies in this respect. National insurance could never be brought into operation until it was demanded by an overwhelming majority of the people. If those present did not like national insurance, let them invent some other scheme,* for the whole matter would very shortly have to be dealt with, * He hoped Parliament would say to various local bodies that they must half the funds for the maint»»f n ®« of h°spi* i tals and charitaW*-' * lcl, “• thought tha Joml podiea should contribute something to the fund from the publicans* and other licenses which they receive. The Premier then went into the land question at some length, especially the relations of landlords and tenants. The people of the colony, he thought, should endeavor to devise some general tenure of land which would be beneficial to all parties. With reference to land still in the hands of the natives, consisting of thirteen or fourteen millions of acres, they must, during next session, either resume the pre-emptive right or throw the land open for anybody to purchase it. The Government had, therefore, determined that the only legiti mate way of dealing with the matter was to resume the pre-emptive right. He wa* sorry to observe that the question of feder ation had not been received with much favor in the colony, but heoonsidertd it was’well worth the attention’ of the elect tots.' He hoped toaddrets them fully‘on this subject' before the Vesrioh 'opened! The late Conference considered that tha only way to sneah' to thy Imperial Go vernment with a united vdiiie wan by paor iug the Bill brought before it which eaoq - Minister promised i® bring before tpri? respective Parliaments. It was also felt that the British 0 vorutnant would listen to the reptesentatioqs of three^oUUont

THE ASHBURTON GtJARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1884.



NOTICE TU i f ■ -Advertisements for The Ashburton GcaeduCn must he sent in not Liter than S p.ni., with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Ro l place Advertisement must be supplied - the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices. can be received up to 3.30 pim., but will bo charged double rate*. ■ - AH notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the- sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business lettjib ito be addressed The Manager ; literary iomtrmnicationo should be addressed to Tans Editor. -Vi" R. J^'OTICE —The Ashburton Guardian is a Gazette for all notices under the Debtors and Creditors Acts. COMMERCIAL Stationery, Account Booksy Presents, &c. M./JONES, East Street. 11 123 yyPMESTIO PAT TERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, -Begs to intimate tc the -Ladies of Ash burton and surrounding districts that they will Sad a grsat saving of time and raa . by Gutting their Dresses and Chil terial D - — dnc’i apparel from the above Patterns, ■which are universally used. Ladies* Dresses and Underclothing made at the shortest notice. Registry office for Female Servants, v 1 173 FARMERS Stbre your Grain! JTlflß undersigned having Leased from - , JL, sir T. Bullock that very commo ,l dioos IRON GRAIN STORE in West str»|4 japs-epared to RECEIVE GRAIN * « a T> J --.J CJitWDT? or any kind of Produce, and STORE the 'sards at the very ■'■LOWEST RATE. . - Delivew taker vt any time of the day or pigk . 3 539 T. H. ZOUCH. ROBERTS. PAXTON & CO AfiS : * , CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BEANS, BARLEY PE iS OATS* COOKS FOOT i I J ,' ■AND RYE GRASS SEED. ■ They supply farmers with the best 1 Quality Largs l Gorosacks, nt the lowest market rates, and will make liberal Cash "Advances against Grain placed in fcl.eir Jihads for shipment to London or else where. "ROBERTS, PAXTON & Co. Ja. LatD P. Cunningham and Qo\ offices, 3tj 3 623 'Corner of Manchester andLichfidd Su. M”T Obrwtobaroh. *52! IJ®.*'- 1 - ✓



Wanted «"SLANTED a Ploughmar > t Edwakw G. v'\ ki^ht, WANTED— Tenders to ; acres Turnips. Part John Doyle, Upper Rangita \\T ANTED, immediately y\ to read Hayes ani tisement. TfIENTH Anniversary Sta B Lodge, N 0.62. ANTED—A Situatioi Vy fassional Cook, monials. Apply Guardian W "ANTED—Every one t easeful in Hayes j union to read advertisement >HE Anniversary Tea M I held in the Church Schoolroom on Monday, M WANTED Known—rA s ii offered to one or in a small private family, flist instance by le:ter addr care of Guardian office. WANTED Tondets f. lons Potatoes. Tetv to be lodgid at Guardi eN p.m., Saturday, 10th insl Joseph Hunt. VS7 ANTED to purchase V T any quanti y ; also Pickling Onions. Apply, Novelty Emporium and Pr 5 758 on the Table at 6 p WANTED— The party take) removed a Boots, from.Dimant and ( meat last Saturday eveni same at once. WANTED Known—B< Sago, 4d ; Tapioca, t per lb.—J. McGregor, 'i opposite the Arcade. 'ICKETS, Is 6d, may where. MAY 26, Temperance Church of England WANTED Known—Tin in town to buy Milli ~~ " i. ftf



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 a do, 3s 6d ; girl’s do, 2s 6d. Nokbs, Leicester Boot Warehouse, Burnett street. 12 1107 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 Wakauui road, next O. 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 style, and guaranteed the best workmanship. Re pairs neatly executed. Estimates given for builders’ ironwork. 3 552 ■sctoivbj ua imabmim— a— ana— pfo— b— — Special Advertisements. Noxiolt J. A. Persson CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER & SHOP-FITTER, Wakanui Road (near Post Office), Begs to thank his customers for past favors and to announce that ha is now prepared to execute orders for all classes of suites of furniture in tapestry, lepp, velvet, leather and horse hair, and to suit every ope. Furniture uphulsteted and polished. Mattresses ie-mada and car pets re-laid. People fr *.i the country will 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 out, and his prici s will defy competition. Agent for Walter Gee’s Venetian Blinds J. B. Mansfield, Monumental Mason FUNERALS CONDUCTED ON REASON ALE TERMS.



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 the general public know that they will be studying their own interests by purchasing from the makers. MEECH AND CO., CABINET MAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, UNDERTAKERS, &0., &C,, &Q., BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON. Being supplied with the latest improved Machinery, they are able to torn out Fur niture, &c., in all the newest designs, and at prices which defy competition. Farmers and others wishing to make thoir homes comfortable should pay this Firm a visit, and they will find that MEECH AND CO. can supply every Household requisite at prices which,. to meet the times, will really surpri e them. Brackets and all other k nds of Cutting don* for the trade- 2 376



Special Advertisements- E. C. Brown & Co, FASHION HOUSE, OHBSSTOMURCH, |~I~AVE uadi plttusro in announcing the ARRIVAL FROM LONDOfc OF EXTENSIVE PURCHASES Ex Aorangi, Bombay, British Queen, Ruapehu, and lonic, Including the Latest productions Suitable for the AUTUMN AND WINTER SEASON.



THE ULSTERS, JACKETS, MANTLE ■», FUR CLOAKS, FUR CAPES & TRIMMINGS, DRESS MATERIALS, FLANNELS, BLANKETS Kxc., Exo., Are for Excellence OK Qca&iit and Design, THE CHOICEST EVER SUBMITTED GREAT CARE HAS BEEN BESTOWED IN THE SELEC TION OF THESE GOODS TO MEET THE VARIED TASTES OF ALL CLASSES. The internal alterations to various De partments are now completed, which RENDERS THE SHOW BOOMS AMONG TH ? « MOST SPACIOUS in the COLONIES And gives Increased Accommodation to DRESS, MANTLE-MAKING AND MILLINERY DEPARTMENTS,



E. C. BROWN & Co. beg to return Thanks for Past Support, and Solicit a Continuance of Favors and Kind Recom mendations. UM STYLE, EQUALITY, “ AND V,A L U E GO TO E. 0. BROWN & CO., f A|S H I O*N HOC SF, C.yßjsrc'ptJKCH,



Special Advertisement gTATIO N E R Y. Commercial, Plain, and Fancy. ACCOUNT BOOKS PRIZE BOOKS SCHOOL BOOKS & REQUISITES (SchooljCommittees supplied) TOYS & FANCY GOODS. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &o. , ASHBURTON.



The undersigned is now landing prime Newcastle coal for household purposes. Also on hand, BEST NATIVE COAL AND BLACK PINE FIREWOOD. Building Timoer at Prices to suit the Times. ALPHEUS HAYES, CoAii and Timber Merchant. WILLIAM COLLINS, Manager.



INTENDING PURCHASERS OF CLOTHING FOR 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 bj the Firm of Selling a GENUINE ARTICLE AT WHOLESALE PRICE Has resulted in au increase of Business during the past season, ann they can now boast of having Twenty-one Retail Branches in New Zealand, thus enabling them to increase the Factory produce, economising both msterial and labor, ann ensuring to their patrons a further benefit in the shape of a still .Lower Rate of Wholesale Price SHIRTS, UNDERCLOTHING, HATS A CAPS, PORTMANTEAUS, And every requisite at Wholesale Price. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. GRAIN SEASON 1884/ rpHE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND X MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANT (LIMITED). Capital £3,000;000. Reserve Fund £210,009. RAKA IA, CHERTSEY, AND METHVEN AGENCIES. Mb 0. W. TURNER, the Company’s Local Agent, will be 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 te Cost and Arrangements for SHIPPING GRAIN can be obtained on application to C. W. Turner, AGENT, 2 368 Bnkaia, Chortsey, and Methven. F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. EVEP.Y article Sold at Christchurch Pbioes and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED «1 rnHE ROSIER FANNING MILL AND GRAIN SEPARATORS. The most complete, most effective, most econcmical winnower in the world. Will dress wheat, oats, barley, beans, peas and ryegrass, taking beth sorrel and plojrer from the grass, and thus rendering all grass seed fit for the export market.



XHjE CHAFFER— A,n attachment for use in cleaning grain or peed that is very fpul with atrajr, .chaff, etc., ensuring regularity in feeding, jand taking the place of the spiked roller used in some machines. This 1 attachment is rcry simple and cannot get ■ out of order. One of the above machines may be seen working at the stores of the under signed. I F. FBRRIMAN,



Don’t use stimulants, but nature’s brain and nerve food—Hop Bitters. Sec.— [Advt.J J Gorged Livers, Bilious conditions, consti pation, piles, dyspepsia, headache, cured by “ Wells’ May Apple Pills.” 5d and is boxes at druggists. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 2 Holloway’s Pills,—Thesudden changes, frequent fogs, and pervading dampness sorely impede the vital functions and conduce to ill health. The remedy for these disasters lies in some purifying medicine, like these Pills, which is competent to grapple with the mis chief at its source, and stamp it out without fretting the nerves or weakening the system, Holloway’s Pills extract from* the blood all noxious matters, regulate the action of every disordered organ, stimulate the liver and kidneys, and relax the bowels. In 'curing chest complaints these Pills are remarkable effective, especially when aided by friction of the Ointment on its walls. This double treat ment will ensure a certain, steady, and bene ficent progress, and sound health will soon be re-established.—Advt. August Flower.—The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases' ipld their' effects; such as Sour stomach, sick headache, 'habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heartburn, wafejrbrash, gnawihg and burning pains at the pit •of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in the taoutk, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a' bottle of august 'flower. This yalußh'e medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries.' 'fwo. (fos® 3 will .rplievp you. It costs only 3s 6d a bottle, ' Sample