COMMERCIAL.

' Ashburton Guardian Office. ~-s Tuesday afternoon. Ur Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale Saturday, December 12, as follows a num ber oi draughts ud hacks were offered, but eery few salcsj|cffected. Cows sold well. Close Jo calving, L 6, L 6 I$S to Ly 10s ; dry, L 3 to T j calves, 45 6d to 6s 6d. Pigs were in good demand, and sold we! 1 . Porkers, 14s 6d to •Is; soars in pig, 3w at 2 3S 6d, 25s 6d, STS 6d, 325, 33a, 355, . weaners, 6s, 7s, Bs, toe, od, I as, 6d, 14a, 6d, 11s, Fowls, is 6d t to2S 6d; dudes, 2s to 3*. Produce—New awfrrt***, ij£d to 2d per lb; duckwheat, is 6d to as 3d per bushel • hams, 64: bacon, 3d to <d ; cheese, 4d. A large quantity of good garniture and effects sold well, also piano, - 1.3 a •

MEMORANDA

AUCTION SALES. WEDNESDAY, DICEMBER 16 Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Town Hall- Sale of Furniture MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Tuesday. December 16 Prill Shed—Volunteer Parade < Wednesday, December 16 Orange Hall—Star of the Bast Lodge, I 0 3.T., at 8 o’clock Wakanui Wesleyan Church —Annual Tea St Stephen’s Parsonage—Annual Garden Party Monday, December 21 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Friday, January 8 '' Ju&hnrton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11a.m.

MAIL NOTICES.

ywila close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 Am-, .and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Bakaia, &c-, at 10.30 Am. g p,m. daily. . For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Bangitata, Orari, Winchester, •nd Geraldine, at 10 Am. daily. ForTexnuka, at 10 Am. and 4.30 p.m. daily. For Timaru and South, at 10 a. m., and 4LSO p.m., daily. For Groenstroet, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 Am. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, nd Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 aid. For Mount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield and Buapnna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4,30 p.m. Jfor Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Remington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Friday*. at A3O pan. For Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Jn ay sat 10.30 Am. Foi Hampstead at 9 Am. daily.

■vr o n« arrive at the Ashburton Poe* Ofioa— From Christchurch and Bakaia at 10.15 Am.,4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey. &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.36 p.m. daily. Item Dunedin and intermediate places •t "i.m. daily. From Temnka and Titnaru at 10.40 a m. and 6.30 p.m daily. , From Groenstreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 Am. From Mount Somers, daily at 10.5 ftsHts WVT J From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed oesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 axo. daily. . _ . From Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. From Fleaungton on Tuesdays, Thors fisys, and Satnrdyas, at 10a.m. From Hampstead at 9.30 a.m. daily.

MARRIAGE.

UIOBV —Ward. —oa .November 30th, at -isbburtou, by the Hev James dill, of Lytteiton, Merchant C. O. Digby to Elisa Ward, both of Ashburton.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalabit. TUESDAY DECEMBER, 15, 1885.

The Borough Council's bank overdraft is c 1,409 8s si. Tbe Council has ar ranged for a special loan from the Union Bank of Australia to enable it to make its contribution towards the cost of the Ashburton Traffic Bridge. Yesterday at tbe inquest on tbe child of Mr JSdward Ooilison, killed by a horse power at o>eafield on Saturday, a verdict 01 “ accidental deatn” was returned. Or Leahy, J.P., acted as coroner. The annual examiuatians at the Ash burton High Schools are now in progress. Tbe prizes will be distributed on Friday next. . The annual Alford Forest races and sports will be held on Monuay, Decem ber 28. An important meeting of the Aebbnrton Guards will be held after the weekly parade this evening. After Januaiy 1 next postal no ei will be issued at ah post offices within tbe colony. Oaolegrams received from London thin at ter noon quote tr< zsn mutton 4fd per lb; 3 per cent consuls 99£; New Zsaiand wneat 28s to 36s 6a per 4»6lbs. Mr Matthew Burnett, temperance lec tnrer, concluded bis mission in New Zealand by a lecture in Lyttelton last night. During tbe mission, 12 00 / persons have signed tbe pledge, 14,000 nave taken the blue ribbon, and 850 family cards have been distributed. -Mr Matthew Burnett left Lytteiton for Ho bart in the Tarawera to-day. '

Kidney and urinary complaints of all kinds permanently cured with tiop .Bitters. Genuine made by American Co. Read Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, etc., are quickly cured by using Baxter’ " Lung' Preserver,, This old-established medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by membersjof the medical and clerical profession. Read ad vertisement. Don’t Die in the House. 44 Rough on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches oed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack rabbits, gophts.ers. The N.Z. Drug Co General Agen l Now money is so scarce it behoves every one to be on the alert and endeavor jto make there twenty shillings go as far as possible. One glance at H. ii. May and Co.’s advertise ment, which appears incur columns this even ing, should convince one and all that the pro prietors of The Hall, High street, Christ church, are determined to do their part. The prices quoted for the various items are, we be lieve, lower than on any prer ius occasion, and should indues ail buyers ofDiap tv and Cloth (stydfhw

Wo remind our readers that the garden p*rty in connection with St Stephen’' Church will be held to-morrow in the Parsonage garden. The gate will be opened at 2 p.m and tea will be served from 5 pm. Both the Ashburton and Excelsior bands have kindly promised to be present in the evening and the fete promises to bs iu .every way a aacsess. The fo’lowing amounts were paid over to winn rs at the recent race mee-ing by the treasu re <>f ihe Aahhu ton Racing Club to day : -M" R Ray, LIVB 16»; Mr P. Ba ler, 1-76; Mr A, (fathom, v. 71 sa; Mr G ‘ nurh-irford, L 47 10a; Messrs M and O. Hobbs, 1.38 ; Me W. Roilet, L2B IDs; Mr H. Hammond, L 23 15s ; Mr A. Oomyns, L 23 16, Mr 8. Alexander, Ll 9; Mr T. Houghton, Ll 4 s]; Mr H. Coulter, Ll 4 6 1 ; Total, L 476.

The cordials advertised by Mr T. Taylor in thu usua are worthy of inspec tion. They »ru equal to any similar manufactures we have seen in the colony. Horses are again grazed in the grounds attached to ths Sigh Schools. Unless steps be at once taken to abate the nuis ance the school plantations will be de stroyed. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr It, Alcorn, J.P., and

Mr D. Thomas, J P., a first offender was fined 6s and costa, with the alternative of 24 hours’ imprisonment, for drunken ness. James Fhnn alias Fin, for larceny of a pair of boots, the property of Messrs Hardy and Co, was ordered to be Impri soned for three months. John Howard, for larceny of a pair of trousers, the pro perty of Mr J. Jackson, was ordersd to be imprisoned for 14 days. The Christchurch agents of several Fite 1 insurance Companies have telegraphed to their Ashburton representatives to-day asking what arrangements have been matte for working the tire engine in the absence of a brigade. We understand that in case of fire the Western brigade and a number of volunteers would be available. The members of the Ashburton Volun teer Fire Btigade have resigned en bloc The annual meeting of the Ashourton Borough Council for the installation of Mayor will be held at noon on Thursday next. The late race meeting of the Ashburton Racing Club resulted in an addition of Ll5O to the funds of the Club.

The Oommittee of the Ashburton Racing Club met last evening. Present— Messrs C. W Purnell (chairman), M. Fnedlander, E. G. Crisp, 0. 0. Pooks, W. B. Denshire, Drs Leahy and Koaa. Accounts were passed far payment, and a large amount of routine business trails* acted. The programme of the Caledonian Society’s annual sports will Le advertised to-morrow. Sir Julios and Lady Vogel returned to Wellington from Lyttelton yesterday morning. Daring the passage from Lyttelton, Sir Julius suffered severely from pain in his side and back, and Dr Grace, who was sent for on arrival of the Hinemoa, forbade bis removal from the steamer until the afternoon. The cable steamer Sherrard Osborne, owing to the roughness of the water in Cook’s strait yesterday, was unable to do any work. A involution in Nicaragua is threatened. Patti has been advised by her physi cians to retire from the stage. At present ber health is poor. Additional mail news telegraphed to-day is of aa unimportant character. Messrs L. Barnett, Somerville, D. Cellar, aud J. Burns, students from New Zealand, have passed successful examina tions at the Edinburgh University. The Gisborne Supreme Court sat until 3 o’clock this morning. The Banks throughout the Canterbury Provincial District will be closed to morrow. To morrow there will be races at Plnmp tou Park and Timaru. The ketch Comet, Irom Lyttelton, went ashore on Farewell Spit Use night Che crew were all landed safely, and the ves sel is apparently uninjured. The Hinemoa with the southern portion of the San Frauotsco mail left Wellington at 10.15 a,m to day. The mail should teioh Ashburton by the express to-morrow morning. The Volunteer prize firing for North Canterbury is concluded. The scores on the whole are very poor. Sergeant I'empleton, of the Kaiapai Rifles, takes the first p»ize. Skinny Men. —“ Wells’ Health Renewerj restores health and vigor, cures dyspepsia itn’ potence, debility. The N.Z. Drug Co.- General Agents.! » “ German Syrup.” —No other medicine k he world was ever given such a test of it curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. In three years two million four hundred thous j vad small bottles oi this medicine were dis tributed free of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs. Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable prool that German Syrup will cure them. The re sult has been that Druggists in every town nd viiage in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go to your Druggisi and ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size 3s. 6d. Thr.:< rvgpe vi* «n« —f AnW

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers last evening. Fro sent—tiia Worship the Mayor, and Crs Wi liamson, Sealy, Quill, Bird, Roberts, damson, Reid, and Thomas. NEW OOraCILLOK. Cr Reid, the newly-elected member of the Council, made the customary deolara ion and took his seat. MAYOR’S SrATfMENT. 'I he Mayor said the Bank overdraft was L 1,409 8a 6d, The amounts received since last meeting were--Licenses, LI 10s; Library account, 16s ; deposits, L 3; rent of pound, L 3 las 4d; rent of reserves, Ll2 10s ; earth, LI i4a; rates, Ll’ 10s— total, L 34 18) 41. The rates still nncol looted amounted to L 5212 j. The Bridge Committee had not yet had an interview *ith the Committee of tbe County Coun cil, bat had arranged fur an early meet ing.

COEBESPONDBNCB. The following correspondence was read: —(1) from the Manager of the Onion Bank of Australia, complaining of the manner in which the scavenger performed las duties.—The inspector of nuisances was directed to make enquiries iu respect to the matter.—(2) from the Wakanui Koad Board, stating that the member of (hv* Board for the ward concerned had oeen authorised to settle with the Council for the expenses incurred by the fire Brigade in attending fire at X'revorton, and notifying that in future the Board would not recognise any such claims, as, m their opinion, the absence of water rendered the attendance of the Brigade useless. —Ora Harrison, Thomas, and Wil liamsou pointed out that most valuable services muht be rendered by members of the Brigade even if no water were available. It was resolved to allow the Board an opportunity to re consider their determination before directing the fire Brigade not to attend tires iu the Wakanui Koad District. —(3) from the Property Tax Commissioner. deceived. (4) from the Ashburton County Council, applying for L7OQ on account of the Borough’s contribution to wards the traffic bridge.—The Mayor submitted a statement of accounts in con nection with the. bridge, and.announced to

the Council’s bankers by whioh the amount req iir«d would be available.—On the mot ionoi Or Williamson, seconded by Or Sealy, it was tesolved to pay to the Oouniy Council the amount applied for —(5) From Mr J. C uttts, again complaining of cesspool on railway and stating that the nuisance was obvious, notwith standing the protestations of Professor Bickerton and Mr Burnett.—Afar dis cussion, during which seven! Councilors referred to the danger of Introducing deleterious matter into watet used f-r domestic purposes, it was reso<ved thv the Mayor am Or Thomas should inspect aud report upon the cesspool and upon the wells alleged to be affected thereby,— (6) From the Captain of the Ashburton Fire Brigade, reporting fire at Trevorton, and enclosing account of costs

PETITION. A letter was read from Mr John Thomp son, on behalf of a needy ratepayer, praying that rates on section in Havelock street might be reduced.—The Council decided to take no action in the matter.

BAST BELT DRAINAGE. The Engineer reported ou this matter as follows By reference to the level seoti ins herewith, it will be seen that the Wakanui road forms a watershed-batwaen the N. E. and S. V. portion of the town below the railway line, the former dipping as far as the NE. belt towards the Wakanui creek, and the latter towards the river, so taat there cannot be any question of surface drainage from the N E. belt into the river; a..d as the Council may be considered to be precluded from throwing the sewage on the Road District for rea sons mentioned in our former report, re course must be had to ,a sewer or pipes laid underground; in fact, to a continua tion, in some form, of the outfall drain, as originally planned. We have, there fore, suggested the utilisation of the 12m iron pipes belonging to the Council as the most economical, aud at the same time efficient, mode of obtaining the desired

end. >y constructing a sump at the end of each street debouching on the S.E. belt, which wonld receive the drainage of that, street, there would be no necessity for any junctions, and a simple provision could be made for clearing the pipes in case of obstruction. If the pipes were laid with a direct fall from the junction of the N. E. and S. E. belts to the end of the present outfall drain at Havelock street, we calculate they would be capable of oat tying 1,050 gallons per m note, or 1$ million gallons per diem, bur as each street brings its own quota of sewage, it follows that there will be more to carry near the outlet into the present sewer than at the upper end towards the N. E. belt. We have, therefore, arranged the fail so that the carrying capacity should in crease towards the outlet, la the accom panying plan the drain is shown to start with a fall oapaole of delivering 640 gal lons per minute, or 921,6'J0 gallons per diem, and increasing at every steat, end ing at Havelock street with a capacity of 1,350 gallons per minute. That this capa city would be amply sufficient for some years to come may be shown from the fol lowing data: The quantity ol water for continuous flushing of channels (when concreted), wuh a good supply, need not exceed 200,000 gallons per diem, or about 140 gallons per minute. In case of fire an additional amount could be put on, a good fire e giue throwing, say, 500 gal lons per minute, ony a certain propor tion of which would at once find us way to the side channels. With respect to rainfall, an inch fall in 24 hours on the streets between and inclusive of ir'eter street and the N. E. Belt, represents about 570,000 galloas, or 400 gallons per minnte, which, afterallowing for absorption, would not tax the drain to a quarter of its capa city, and there would be ample margin for considerable drainage from houses, when the sections are much more extensively built on, the same amount of ramcail on itio WUdIo •urf.toa of (ihfl r|l*tvint in Qließ tion being only 1,900,000 gallons or 1310 gallons per. minute, only a portion of which could ever reach the drain.

The total length of drain would be 42 chains, or 2772 feet, and deducting the short lengths occupied by the sumps, would taka 228 pipes (12ft long), turee of which would hare to be cut in half to adapt them to the distances between the «treeta. The heaviest item in the coat would be the excavation. The average depth of cutting is 6ft 6in, the extreme depth (under the Wakanut road), 10 feet.

We estimate the cost of excavation, cart ing pipes (about 100 tons), and laying same, (it is nut proposed to lead the joints as unnecessarily expansive), constructing seven sumps with gratings, and making good couneoiion with present outfall drain at LIBO. This does not include the con nections with the street channels, which can be dune as and when required ; more than three connections would not be ao solutely necessary at present. The cost f/r pipes, trap and grating for each is about L 6; so that the total cost of carry ing out the work in the manner proposed would be about L2OO.

The report was referred to the Works Committee. VIBE BRIGADE. The following letter, from the Volunteer Fire Brigade, was read:— Ashburton, December 14th, 1885 Sib, —We have the fhooor herewith to tender the resignation of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade to yourself and the Council. In discharging this nnplea sent duty we think it only due to the rigade that we should place on record t e reasons that have compelled us to take this step.

For some time past it has been apparent even to the outside public that the relations between your council and the Brigade have not been of that cordial nature which we think is essential to the efficient wuraing and well being of onr body. Whether the fault of this rests with the Brigade or with the Council we must leave to the judgment of that public whom we both serve. As tar as we are aware, the only crime with whicii the Brigade can charge themselves with is that of having bad the temerity to differ in opinion with the Council on the question of site. That this difference did not spring from pure wantonness and perversity we think abundantly appears from the reasons which we adduced in support of our opinion. Moreover, we submit that in expressing such difference, we did so with all possible respect and due reoog nition of the rights and powers of the Council in the matter. Altoougb we held and expressed our opinion strongly, we attached no conditions to our recommen* elation, and were prepared to leave the responsibility with your Council. It is true that by reason of the delay which occurred in the forwarding of our recommendation, your Council imagined for the time that they had good cause of complaint against the Brigade. Whether, in the face of t«e knowledge which several councillors possessed, although, of course, unofficially, that the Brigade had held a special meeting, discussed the matter, and arrived at a determination, members of your body were justified in so hastily assuming, and so strongly expressing their belief, that the' Brigade were treating the Connell with contempt, we will leave. But we certainly think, sir, that we have just ground for complaint m that at your subsequent mating, when car Secretary wrote informing you that the fault was entirely hia, no opportunity was taken by councillors to.remove the stigma which they had so wantonly placed upon us as a body. Of course, all oar knowledge of what transpires at the Council meetings is gathered from the newspapers, and though the reporters are generally tolerably cor. rect, it *is quite passible that the fault may be with them. But, at any rate, tbe position of this matter appears to be as , follow*; —As earn as the Council 1 fyuft, without <

allowing iha possibility of any explana- 1 tion, they did not hesitate to charge as with a very serious offence with such pro minence that all the reporters present felt called upon to notice the circumstance, and our supposed delinquency was made as public as'possible. At the subsequent meeting our Secretary's explanation was, so far as we and the public know, received in the grimmest silence, and not the slightest anxiety was displayed hy tne Council to remove from the Brigade the stigma which they had been so ready to oast upon us. , We are aware, sir, that this in itself is only tsmall matter, and we flatter ourselves that under other circumstances our love for peace and harmony (if not onr thick* skinnedness) would have induced os to pass it over in silence. But taken in con nection with larger matter, we cannot but regard this as evidence of set ions want of cordiality between the Council and the Brigade. In all other respects we venture to

think that your Council cannot reasonably complain of onr conduct. As a Fire Bri gade we have rendered our services cheer fully and willi. gly whenever called np >n; we have worked loyally under the con stitution and rules framed by your body, and have to the latter abided by the ar rangement made at the establishment of the Brigade—that for twelve months at least we should give those rales a fair trial, and seek for neither alteration of same nor any additional expenditure or favors at yonr hands That the Council have shown no serious disposition to treat the Brigade with fair ness, and carry out their part of the com pact, is onr chief reason of complaint. We were not supplied with a copy of rules till some two or three months after onr establishment, and then with oa y one copy for the use of a brigade of twenty five members.

Onr body waa established on the dis tinct understanding that the Oonnoil would supply tho men with uniforms at an early date. We would respectfully remind the Conn ell that this question of uniforms is a serious one to the Brigade. We have no wish to haggle about the matter, but it seems to us that if your Council are not prepared to do aa other Corporations do, and provide suitable clothing for a body which gives its services voluntarily, you must hold those services in very slight esteem. And apart from any sentimen tality, this question of uniforms is a very grave oce to os. The want of them has prevented us from entering into engage ments which would have ma erially en uanoed the efficiency of the Brigade and the interest of the members in their work; and, moreover, we think it most unfair tbai when we render onr services volun tarily, and are prepared to undergo the discomfort and inconvenience those ser vices necessarily entail, we should in addi tion be called upnn to do so at our own expense as regards clothing. Well, sir, July Ist was fixed on as the date on which uniforms would besupplie % bus July came and weut, and six months afterwards we find ourselves no nearer the possession of uniforms than we were on the date when first established. Soon after July we are aware that a difficulty arose with the Fire losutaooe Companies; but we think that the Council cannot com plain of the manner in which the Brigade then met them on this question. The difficulty with the Insurance Companies was in a short time adjusted, but it was not for a considerable period after this that the Borough Council thought it ne cessary to revive the question of uniforms. When it was at last revived, and steps taken for its consummation, before that consummation, could be accomplished, the Council thought it wise to introduce the question of site Why the question of site should in any wiy interfere with the carrying out of the undertaking given by the Council to suitably clothe the Brigade, on the faith of which the men had been working for eight months, is of course best known to your body ; but- true it is that when the uniform question should have been settled, the unsettled state of the she question was made a pretext for further delay. And then, Sir, no sooner do we find that the site question is getting to its last stages and likely to be disposed of one way or another, that a notice of motion is tabled to consider the ad visability of 'forming a paid Brigade. Whatever other result this may have it ia Impossible but that it should have the result of farther delaying the question of uniforms.

Besides, Sir, the Brigade cannot be blind to the fact that this motion, contemplating a new expenditure, has been taoled at a time when the Council bare thought it necessary to undergo a severe course of retrenchment, and we cannot, therefore, come to any other conclusion than that for some reason or other either the Ooun oil are unwilling to carry out their ar rangement as to uniforms, or the services of the Brigade are no: appreciated. Councillors hare, of course, a right to their own opinion ou the matter, and we have no; wish to quarrel with them ; but we think it unfair tuns that the question of carrying out the Council's undertaking should in any way assume the position of a grievance ; that it ia unbecoming on our part'to be continually asking the Council for whdt ought to have been supplied mouths ago as a matter of right and not of favor, and that it ia incompatible with our Independence as a volunteer body to wait until it is pat in the plainest possible English that our services are no longer desired We, therefore, have felt it due to ourselves to take the step indicated.

We have taken this course with con siderable reluctance, bat the relatione at present existing between the Council and ourselves leave us no alternative.

Brigade matters have been »o dealt with by your body that they appear to be now regarded aa little leas than a nuisance ; among members the constant delays have destroyed that esprit de corps necessary for the efficient wording of any force, and which was all that could be desired at the beginning of our career; and whether the fault rests with your body or our selves we are convinced that it ia not for the good of the ratepayers that a Fire Brigade should continue to exist which is not receiving the cordial support of your Council, We, are etc., John A. Oayoill’l On behalf of James Kkje J the Brigade. Hie Worship the Mayor of Ashburton. The Fire Brigade Committee reported as follows:—Your Committee met on the 9th instant, and after carefully consider ing the letter from the Fire Brigade, your Committee are unanimously of opinion that the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Bri gade should be removed to the Council’s old offices in Burnett street, the same to be made suitable for the Fire Brigade pur poses. Several members of the Fire Irigade were present during the discussion that followed.

The Mayor said he thought the Brigade had adopted a somewhat hasty and in judicious tone in addressing the Ooandl. They hsd taken apon themselves to sty that the Council had promised oertau things it did not intand|to perform. This statement was quite unwarranted, and it would have been better if it had been omitted. (Or Thomas; Hear, hear.) The Brigade, he thought, should have ascer tained the fate of the motion with regard to a paid brigade before taking this ex treme step. Their precipitate action might very materially affect the voting on that motion. The difference with the Fire Insurance Association was of longer duration than the writer of the lengthy letter before them would have them be-

lieve. But notwithstanding this differ ence, and the financial difficulties of the Council, fabtieri fop the Ifclfo&ni

been invited, and were now actually be fore the Council. This would show the Council had no desire to evade any promise they bad made in the matter. It appeared, however, to the Council that this was a convenient time to aettle the question of site, and as It waa understood when the Council left the old Chambers that they would be occupied by the Bri gade, a majority of the Oonnoil favored that arrangement. The Brigade took a different view, and the question waa atill under consideration, with regard to the treatment accorded to correspondence ad* dressed by the Brigade to the Council, he could only say that it waa treated in the same manner as other official correspondence. In this case it was referred to the Fire Brigade Com mittee. He was sorry Captain OaygiU was not present to hear the explanations the Council was prepared to offer, fie was sore the services of the Brigade were most highly valued both by the Oonnoil end by the burgesses, end aa Mayor It would always be his pleasing duty-to accord the utmost courtesy to the mem bers of the force.

Or Williamson asked whether the mo tion, of which notice bad been given, ’in respect to a paid Fire Brigade should not be disposed of first

Or Qnill said he did not intend to pro ceed with *he motion referred to, and asked permission to withdraw it Ha had not intend to oast any reflation upon the members of the present Brigade ; indeed, he thought they might be Induced to con stitute the paid Brigade. Bat finding the members of the Brigade were opposed to the change, be bad determined to with draw his proposal. Leave was given to Or Qaill to withdraw the motion of which he had given notice. Or Williamson supposed that the Bri gade having sent in their resignation they could do nothing bat accept it. Bat it appeared rather a strange proceeding for a force so lately formed. The Brigade bad charged the Council with a great number of faults and failings. No doubt the Oonnoil was guilty of many short comings and indiscretions—it was too ready to spend money on its Fire Brigade and other matters. The Brigade had abundant evidence of the Council's inten tion to provide uniforms, but the real grievance appeared to be that the Conooil had determined not to be dictated tp by the Brigade in every detail The site question had received the fullest and tairesc treatment. The Council had not

come to a decision hurriedly ; in fact, had no yet come to any decision at ail The men had been induced by some influence to send in their resignations, and he thought it a very fortunate thing that the Council had not gone to the expense of providing uniforms. If the people that guided the Brigade now continued to guide it, its working coaid never be satis factory. The letter was childish in the extreme. The Council was quite prepared to provide uniforms, but it wanted some assurance that the Brigade would' not re sign the first time it happened to- be crossed. At present the members of the Brigade appeared like so many spoiled children—if they could not have their own way they resigned. In such a case, the sooner a new Brigade, paid or otherwise, was formed the better. He did not know how a paid Brigade would answer, but he did kuow that the volun teer Brigade had cost the Council much more than it could afford. If a return were prepared, for which he might ask, showing the total expenditure upon the Brigade, he was sure they would find the Council had acted with the greatest liberality. He thought nothing remained for the Council to do but accept the re signations and form a new Brigade. Or Thom is said that Fire Brigade matters in Ashburton were like night mare—“ they are (constantly |on yon.” Since he first occupied it seat In the Coon oil they bad not quarrelled exactly, bat there had beeu incessant trouble. He had no doubt that the present crisis arose in a great measure out of a newspaper re port incorrectly stating that he had said the Brigade treated the Council with con tempt. Now, hesaid nothing of the sort; he may have thought it, but he distinctly objected to people presuming to repoi£ what he thought There was more paper and less sense in the letter before them than ha had seen in any other for many years. He knew the writer of the letter, and had given him credit for more sense. He referred at some length to the ques tions of site and uniforms. He agreed with Or Williamson that it was a fortun ate thing they bad not yet supplied the uniforms. It was on his suggestion the tenders for the anpply of uniforms Were not opened until the question of site was settled. There was evidently some disturbing influence in the Brigade. The Brigade had no confidence In the Council, and very aeon the Council would have no confidence In the Brigade, The Connell had tried alt possible means to preserve an esprit de corps among the members of the- Brigade but unsuccess fully; there was something or somebody behind the scenes. He thought the latter had been sent in horridly, possibly on account of Or Quill’s notice of motion. For himself he would prefer a volunteer to a paid brigade He thought they could have a volunter brigade, and that too with the men who had now been Induced to tender their resignations. He moved— “ That the letter be referred back to the Fire Brigade for reconsideration, and that the Fire Brigade Committee of the Council be empowered to act as a deputa tion to wait on the Brigade and settle matters.” Cr Bird seconded The motion. He wae astonished by (be position the Brigade had taken up, bat thought they had one apparent grievance—the delay in the pur chase of the uniforms. This matter had been delayed much longer than the Council wished or contemplated, but the other grievances were more imaginary than real. He thought mutual explanations might lead'to a better understanding. Cr Harrison, Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, would like another Chairman appointed. Ho thought snob a step might lead to more harmonious working and would be in the interests of the ratepayers. He bad received a kick first from one aide then from the other.

Of Thomas : His Worship the Mayor is ex officio Chairman. The Mayor said the question was be* coming a little mixed. The remarks of Or Harrison required some explanation. So far as he (the Mayor) knew that gen tleman had been treated very well He, taking a great interest In Fire Brigade matters, had attended the meetings of the Committee, hot for some reason Or Har rison had recently declined to do so.

Or Harrison said he did not attend as he thought two Chairmen quite nneoes sary. He bad received no adequate support except from Mr Jameson, when that gentleman was a member of the Committee, he alleged that the Mayor had not properly controlled the meeting! between the Committee and the Brigade. On one occasion he (Mr Harrison) had almost been called a “ liar " by one of the firemen, and the Mayor denied him an opportunity to reply.

The Mayor explained that he bad first prssided at the Oommittee meetings by request of Or Harrison. Some statements made by Or Harrison weald have been better unsaid. He was compelled to think hat Or Harrison had absented bom the meetings on account of his re liotance to give publicity to his views on tb questions between the Council and the Bdgade. V -Thomas expressed astonishment at thatnrn the debate had taken. Be and Or ware appointed to the Committee to rpaedy the previous incompetence of that body, ana he bad since noabld cuff twb

THE ASHBUkTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER IS, 1886. ,j



Wanted. WANTED Known The Cheapest House in Town for first class Millinery and Drapery, H. 0- Seders, East s reet. \\ ‘ ANTED to dispose of a first-class YV Furniture Business fronting on East street and Tancre J street. —J. Mkkch 12 105 ANTED—Penders 1 r hiarveeUutt If {*itu uitcijab ut 12J ocr.s *■.>» Urass, at r cotiaden. J. Foster 12 .63 T) OTATOES! POTATOES SI X. R- 8. Bean has a few mora sacks oi potatoes on band for sale. —R. K. Bean, West street. 12 170 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatfioal Agent, eta, Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to 760 \ rANTJs.D Known— Orders for Christ Yf mss auu New dear’s Cake are being boukea at the lowest posaiote price, oy «>. NOBRISU, Freetrade Bakery, East street, A-shuuriou. srEW Fruit just an.veU by steamer, new currants, 6d per lb ; new rat sms, 7d per in; new suiiauas, 8d per lb ; new tigs, 8d per box; white sugar, d 3 per lb; mixed biscuits, 6d per lb ; fresh but ter, 7d —at McGregor s, Tattered street. WANTED Known —Down again 1 What, the price of wheat 1 No But the price of meat- Lamb, fore quarters, 2s 6u; hind quarters, 3s fid. Best sausages in the town, 5d per id, at Baker and Co s, London Butchery, Tau ored street. H 971



Australian mercantile UNION INSURANCE COMPANY. Thb ohm Company nr Canteebuey WBloh did hot Raise Raxes S3J pee OXHT OH COUNTET RISKS. We ARK HOW, AS WE HATE BBBH pod tfUK PAST THESE YEARS, AoOKMISO BISKS AX 25 PEE CENT OFF TAEIFF. w, b. aioss, Agent for Ashburton District. September 22, 1885. 9 615 PARTNERSHIP NOTICE. THTg undersigned has much pleasure in stating that he has admitted Mr JOHN ANDREW MACPHKRSON into Partnership with him, and that the busi ness will in future be carried on under the ■tele or firm of 7 ZODCH & MACPHEESON, Auctioneers, Land, Estate and Stock Salesmen. Valuators, etc, ’ W. H. ZOUOH, Auctioneer. Every description of Agency Business, •ales In Town and Country, Valuations tnd Commissions undertaken on the most easonable terms. The usual Saturday Market Bales will be mar e as attractive ■s possible, and farmers may rely open their stock and produce realising the HIGHEST MARKET VALUE, at a ynlnitnnm COBt. No yard ees charged when sales are ZOUCH & MACPH ERSON AUCTIONEERS, &o.



BEWARE! BEWARE!! OF IMITATIONS. ASK FOR BOULT’S TONIO Herbal JBeer. None Genuine except that beating my label *Pyy jt j Try it 1! It is one of th* Best Medicinal and Summer Tonics ever offered to the Public. Delivered in Ashburton at 2s per dozen Bottles not returned will bo charged for. T. HOULT, EAST STREET, ASB BURTON, 11 8 Groceries EVER CHEAPER THAN JAMES McGREGOR’S, *AXOBSD StcvKir (opposite the Arcade). Sest White Cryatal Sugar, 3d per lb by the mat Bert English Cut Loaf Sugar, 4sd per lb Box Tea, from 1S» 6d per bo* L grand assortment of new tin Fish— herrings in Shrimp, Tomato or Tennel Banco; Kippered, Spieed or Devild Herrings; Digby Chicks or Fmdon Haddocks, at Is per tin |Wi Herrings, 7d. Best Oysters, 6d Mott's Oatmeal, 3« 9d per bag fiato/J, 8d Beet Cutting Brand, 9d Mackerel, 10d Sardines, 6d «H sizes near Figs, 0d per box Cadbury's Cocos, Is per tin 'Biscuits, 3d Cheese, fid Bestßiee. Sago and Tapi«», 3djper lb Cocoa, tin or packet, la od p« l« JAMES tojQRBGOB, ftyargd fttwirti 111 II



Special Advertisements. Mount hutt road board DISTRICT. Notice is hereby given that it is the •sat ion of the Meant Hutt Road Hoard t it* next meeting, on F .IDAY, De cember 11, to Strike a Rate of (Jd) one farthing in the £ on all the rateaole pro perty in the District for the period ending ,iDrch 31. 1383, and payable in one in at* m;m on J nuai ) 8, iS^G i lie Rate nook is open i»r i speotion at the Road Bo*rd Office, Methven. JULIAN JaCKHON, Chairman. i Mount Hutt Road Board Office, Methven, November 25, 1886. 11 6



V*/" ANTED Known—That uaxes ax*i> v V (jo, has bought 1009 yards superior Velveteen, all shades, from Is; dress goods grand value, worth 2a, now Is; James’ jackets, cost 25s 6d, now 4a 6d ; hats and bonnets uait-pnce; winceys, 1 yard wide, 6d ; iaoiea* ulsters, 2a lid. 607 WANTED Known—That K. Lasoab i£& mil cat his tamuy orders direct from the .Freezing Chamber, in hiaat street, on and after .November 1, when bis oaatomers can rely on weil-nuug meat and tree from flyblows.—lC. Las- CASTER, iCeady-Mouey Meat Mart, Bui nett street,, and Somerset JtJutchory, East street. 9 OS** Wa iMTKD Known—wettheim aew mg Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clotmag factory's Branch, Fast street, Ashoarton. WANTED Known—To the ladies of Ashbarton and sunounding dis tricts and the public in general Mr J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has re ceived a large shipment of French, Eng lish and Carman ladies’ shoes, balloc op and elastic sides, great choice, now for inspection, which J. MuisOu intends dis posing of at reasonable rates during the coming holidays, xiis own make always on hand or made to order, icepamng done with care and promptitude. Colo nial boots of all Kinds. IN ext to the Club, xaucrea stieet, Asnburtuu. 10 BSU oyeouti n.d ver tiaoinen us. wTiwAWßiMUtiho ai \u BCE 'iEUY. o on WEDN j Y NeXT (December 2) f tne undersigned WiLu of rtN his ex tensive grounds, on the vVakauui toad, to venters and picnic parties- The Carden is replete with every variety of fruit, plea sant lounges and shady wains. The boat ing is in every respect excellent. Special arrangements made for tue reception of private picnic parties, school children anu other laige numbers of visitors. Admission, bd ; boating, Is an hour, ooatmau exit a ; tresu fruit, luWtß- price. 11 7a d. dO A T. 2 276 BaKCAI’N. —First o.ass English Lever Chronograph ST-iP WATCH ; Cneap. J. SALEK, Pawnbroker, hast street. Boating,



Bees. Bees. Bees. W.*x WiX WaX. DiVJS* tUVJfio. HiV .d. from la 6d at tho fiitoatu dash, Door ana Gabiuet Wutkt, WaKauui road, Aahbartou. X. i£. XILWOriX'D, j 1 31 i’toprieiot.



MPORT A N i. 'lUe an Francisco Mail leaves Ashburton Novemoer 7th, and reaches Loudon ahum. December 18th, and ail who wish to re member their Dome friends had better Bookseller, Stationer, Printer, and Newsagent, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton, JFOR CHRIoTMAo CaRDs ! uURioTMiS OaßDci ! 1 UMrUoiMaci OaRDS !!! A splendid assortment is now open, ana inspection is solicited. A large shipment having just come to hand, - chool Committees are respect* fully requested to make an early selection. Thomas P. Parley, BOuKSELLhR, LTO., Corner of Saunders* Building, Ashburton apply to T. F, FARL'.Y, SCHOOL PRIZES



FOR Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Asthma, Coryza, Influenza, Con sumption, etc. KAY’S Compound of Linseed, Ani seed, Senega, Squill, Tolu, etc, with Chlorodyne. KAY’S Compound, a demulcent ex pectorant, for Coughs, Colds aud O.ibut Complaints. KAY'S Compound, for Coughs and Colds, is equally serviceable for laotses ana Cattle. KaY’S Tie Pills, a specific in Neu ralgia, Face Ache, eta. Contains (jiiuiiue. Iron, etc. C~ OAGCLINE Cement for Broken Articles. Sold everywhere. Sole'makers—| KAY BROS., 101 Stooknort, England Changed Hands! BRANCH SHOP, TOWN HALL, Ashburton. THE BOOK & STATIONERY Business lately carried on by Messrs H. J. Wood and Co, of Christohnroh, has been purchased by me, and at a price con siderably below original cost; this will give my m-*ny patrons an opportunity of ob taining a number of requisites at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. STATIONERY.—SpeciaI care is given to all orders. Promptitude guaranteed. MANUFACTURE of ACCOUNT BOOKS Having made arrangements with a first* data firm for the execution of all Com* missions as described above, clients may reiy upon receiving PROMPT ATTENTION, first class work being made a specialty. LITERATURE. Any book not in stock will be procured without delay. Orders taken for ail news papers (British and Foreign included), Public committees receiving liberal con cessions . —■ PRI STIKG. This branch is b ing fostered, and every attention paid to accuracy, neatness, and promptitude in the execution of ali orders, ad work receiving personal superintend ence —— DELIVERY OF NEWSPAPERS. Customers may rely upon receiving their Morning and Evening Papers safely de livered at their doors, and not upon the front lawn. The same remarx applies to Home Papers, Journals, and Periodicals ; also, puiooasers may have their Parcels delivered promptly.



Wholesale Lines always in Stock. Brown Paper, Wrooer’s Bag*, Tea Papers, t wine, and tradesmen's general requisites. Bookbinding Ok ers Received. £. F. Parley, BOOKSELLER, STATIONER, PRINTER & NEWSAGENT, Saundora’ buildings and Town Hall, ABHBUETON. rJIHE NEW ZEALAND ulothing Factory OONYB AO TORS £'o ’ j New Zealand Government Rail* ways. Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &o, t&a <»c. Are now prepared to enter Into contracts :or the supply of N AVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS iu any quantities, the organisation of tbe Factory being specially adapted tor turning out large supplies in the most inexpensive and expeditious manner. ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS Estimates and drawings supplied ou the shortest notice. Bead Offices and Factory— DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NOTE —Measures for all uniforms may oe entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the follow ing centres, via:— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth oamaru Greymouth Napier Waimate Reeftou Waipawa Timaru Wellington Hastings Ashburton Masterton Gisborne Christchurch Wanganui Thames Lyttelton Hawera Auckland



Victorian Steam Carriage Works. J. R. STEEL & SOM WISH to intimate to the Public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that, having obtained STE\M POWER and other Machinery requisite for the carrying on their w.*rk efficiently, are now in a position to meet the demands oi the public with a firsi-claas nmole at prices to suit the times. Every description of Carriages and Traps made, Painted and Repaired, Spring Traps from £BO. Whitechapels from £25. Buggies from £3O. P.S.—Special attention paid to Repainting and Retrimming. VICTORIAN STEAM IRON WORKS AND GENERAL SHOEING FORGE. J. R.S. & SON, while thanking the public for their past liberal support in this department, beg to intimate tha', having prooored firßi-oIaBB Machinery, they ate now in a p sition to undertake all kinds of Engineering work. . ■'Special attention is given to Turning, Boring and the Repairing of all kinds or Machinery, including Combiner, Sug ues, Reaper and Binders and every description of Agricultural Implements. ESTIMATES given for Contractors and Builders Ironwork. HORSES CAREFULLY HOD—Draughts, 7s ; Hacks, 6s. 8 415 Victoria House. AMU DISTRIBUTION OF BOHEMIAN GLASS VASES, Etc., To Purchasers of Parcels amounting to TEN SHILLINGS AND ONE POUND. be Exhibited In Windows in a few days. Presents equal to a reduction of THREE SHILLINGS IN THE POUND, to be distributed upon arrival. Gr * roiolei to Dimaut and Coe, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTH ! ERB, % Ki



Special Advertisements. ASHB RTO xs 0o A L AND FIREWOOD DEPOT. B. Se Bean Begs to inform the inhabitants of Ash burton that be still continues to deliver HEW ASTLB. WESTPdKI', AND BROOKFIELD OOjU at lowest rates. Firewood, P iet and Hails, Stases Etc., Potatoes Chuff, Oats, Bran, Sharps, Etc B. S. BEAN, 8 419 West street.



ÜBLIO NOTICE. MESSRS SHENSLEY & CO., Music Warehousemen, CHRISTCHURCH, Have appointed T. F. Farley, Book seller, Stationer and Printer, Aabburton, their Agent for the sale of Pianos, Harmoniums, American Organs, and have •applied bim with a large stuck of Sheet Maaio, comprising the latest and most popular longs, Duets, Piece Maaio, Dances, etc.; also, Violins, Cornets, Flutes, Accordians, Violin Bows, Concer tinas, eto. Pianos, American Organs and Harmoniums sold upon deferred pay meats. Easy terms granted. A splendid stock now on view at T. F. Faeibt’s Music Warehouse, Saunders’s Buildings, Ashburton. More than 3,000 sheets of music now on hand. 8 288



EXTRACT from New Zealand Gazette Bth October, 1885. OliAlMcs UNDBiTfOREST TREES PLANTING ENCOURAGEMENT ACTS. General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 6th October, 1886. Notice.—“ The Forest Tree a Planting Encouragement Act Amendment Act. 1871,” and “ The Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Act, 1872,” having been repealen, it is requested that all out standing claims in pursuance of those Acts, and of any regulations made thereunder, may be sent in to the office of the Com* missioner of Crown Lands for the district in which plantations nave been made, fore the Slat day of December next. J. BALLANOE f 10 873 minister of lands.



CHRISTMAS | Bazaar! Bazaar!! ISOW OPENED. Table of Articles from Id to 4d. Ihe Wonderful 6d Table. The Marvellous One Shilling Table. Please observe in the room next to my Present Shop. NEW BOOKS suitable for rewards and presentations conveniently arranged on Tables—Reduced Christmas Prices—Free Admission—Everybody come and wel* come. —— R. Bevan, STATIONER, BOOKS uiEoER, &a., (Next Shop so Quill’s Hotel), Saunders' Buildings. Wilhelm Zander RESPECTF* iLL¥ uot.fiea the public of Ashburton and its vicinity that he has taken over MR F. CLARK’S hairdressing, tobacco, and fancy woods business, And will carry on the same on bia oWu account. la addition to the well assorted stock I have just opened out a variety of P.pbs, Scents, Brobhwarb, and Fancy Goods of avery desoblptxon, ALL DIRECT IMPORTED, Also,



Cricketing and Lawn Tennis Material at greatly REDUCED PRICES. A trim solicited. —Ladies’ and Gentle men's Hairdressing and Hair Work of every description made up on ttie shortest n itice. a Private Room for Liadies.— Monthly subscriptions now open. WILHELM ZANDER, Tobacconist, Hairdresser, and Fancy Goods Dealer, EAST STREET, AoHBDRI’ON. II 997