COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian ffffice, Wednesday afternoon, Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. report upon the live stock market for the A shburton district, for the week ending May sth, as follows: O ' Tuesday we held our usual we kly sale of sheep, cattle, and pigs at the Tinwald Y rds. for sheep was again a very small ( OW, and -the bidding remarkably weak. In cattle, however, there was a much larger entry thw .usual, and the demand for fat stock or really forward stores was a marked improve ment,. In pigs business was not quite so brisk and a really good line of bacon pigs was turned cut unsold. We quote mutton at 2d per lb, beef 17s'to ifs per xoolbs. Fat crossbred ewes sold from 6s gd to lOS 6d ; crossbred 2-tooth ewes, 10s 3d to 10s 6d ; sound mouth merino ewes, in poor condition, 5s id j store merino wethers, 3s lid. In cattle—Fat heifers, L 6 5s to L 4 12s 6d ; springers, L 8 to L 5 12s 6d ; yeatlings, Ll 16s to Li 2s fid; store steers, L 3, L 3 17s fid, [L3 14s, Pigs—Porkers, Li 12S fid.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Wednesday, Mat 6 Mr T. Bollock, at Mr Peterson’s Farm, Alford Forest—Land, Stock, etc. Thursday, May 7 Messrs Matson,,Cox and Co., at Mr W. B. Moss’s Store, Tancred street— Furniture Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett Street—Suburban Property Tuesday, May 12 Messrs Matson, Cox and C)., at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Wednesday, May 6 Orange Hall— Star of the East, I. O. G. T., meeting at 8 o’clock Thursday, Mat 7 Library Buildings—Public Meeting, at 7 o’clock Orauge Lodge—Regular Monthly meeting in the New Orange Hall; 7.30 p. m. Bangitata Road Board—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, at noon Friday, May 8 Waterloo Library flail Concert and ‘Dance Monday, May 11. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 Arcade Chambers —Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Friday, June 5 Ashburton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a. ra. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board "Office. Saturday, June 6. /fakanui Road Board, at Road Board ’office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. M notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of ood faith. All advertisements and business letters i,o be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to T?e Editor.

MAIL NOTICES.

jWftiln close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m, 10.30 a.m., and 6 p.m., daily. For. Chertsey Kakaia, &c.. at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. Ifpr Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For Tima.'a and South, at 6 a.m., 10 «.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.46 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Slount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Memington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. ax. For Howlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. MmU arrive at the Ashburton Post ‘Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 s.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.16 a.m. and €.36 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.3° mu. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. ia. ‘>>.3o p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. lor Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and' 4.30 p.m., and un Wednesdays >t 6 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at J.O a.m. daily. From Howlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays. at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1885. Arbitration.

Public anxiety in reference to the Anglo-Russian difficulty has been con siderably allayed by the cablegram we published yesterday stating that Eng land and Russia had come to a mutual agreement to submit to arbitration the recent Penjdeh incident and the dilimi tation of the Afghan frontier; but we doubt whether British subjects, with the exception of the “ peace-at-any price ” party, will regard the announce ment with unmixed feelings. Our cablegrams to-day inform us that during a long and animated debate which took place in the House of Commons yes terday, Lord Randolph Churchill, whose persistent energy and merciless castigation of Mr Gladstone’s policy have won for him considerable promin ence in the ranks of the Conserva tive party, characterised the agree ment come to with Russia as a “cowardly surrender of England’s rights.” We are not prepared to fully endorse the opinion so forcibly ex pressed by Lord Churchill, nor can we at this distance from the arena of operations estimate with any degree of certainty the weight to which it is en titled, but, reviewing the circumstances of the past six months, we must regret that the British Government has not shown less vacillation in dealing with this important crisis. Much as we value peace, much as we should de plore the general conflagration which, we fear, would fo'low war between Great Britain and Russia, we could not congratulate the nation upon a peace secured by the sacrifice of the Empire’s honor and prestige. It is not consistent with our national traditions nor agree able to our national instincts for Britain to give way to every Russian advance, but,so far as we canjudge from the information at our disposal, Russia has firmly maintained every step she has taken towards our Indian frontier, and even during the progress of the arbitration she will be able to continue her preparations for a descent upon Afghanistan. One would have thought it would have been made a condition precedent of the arbitration that the Russian forces should have been with drawn from the disputed territory. As matters stand Russia retains her hold of the country she has invaded ; and it may pretty safely be affirmed that if she considers the result of the arbitration to be against her interests, she will re fuse to abide by it. Peace is not yet fully assured, the aspect of affairs changes from day to day, and unless this further delay results in a peaceful solution of the difficulty, it cannot fail to have an unfavorable effect upon British interests.

On the occasion of Mr W. G. Wallace taking hm leave of Tinwald to take charge of the Southbridge Di trict School, a few friends waited on him and Mrs Wallace yesterday afternoon to ask his acceptance of a small token of their esteem. Owing to the suddenness or his departure, no time had been allowed for calling a public meeting. In the name of the Presbyter ian congregation, and as the result of a few hours’ effort, the Rev A. Blake hoped • Mr Wallace would accept of a copy of Farrar's Life of St Paul (a recent edition with maps and illustrations), and for Mrs Wallace a lady’s wo<}f basket. Mr Blake said they recognised Mr Wallace’s readi ness to assist in the work ol tjre congre gation, the >'abbath School, and the Tem perance Society, and would follow him to his new sphere with best wishes for his comfort and success, and with prayers for his continued usefulness. Mr Wallace suit ably acknowledged tha gifts. The workmen employed in three of the boot factories in Christchurch went out on strike yesterday. Tha local Boot makers’ Society desired to rats® the tariff of wages in the larger factories to a par with that in force in some of the smaller factories. Messrs Llghtband, Allan and Co., Suckling Bros., and O’Brien and 00. are the firms at present concerned. The demand is one for an increase of wages, and it is not considered likely the em ployers will give way. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr Robert Alcorn, J P,, two first offenders were each fined fO and costs for drunkenness. Don’t Die in the House. “Rouugh on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, Jack rabbits, gophers. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. i Holloways Ointment and Pills.— Diseases of the Bowels.—A remedy, which has been tested and proved in a thousand dif ferent ways, capable of eradiating poisonous taints from ulcers and healing them up, merits a trial of its capacity for extracting the internal corruptions from the bowels. On rubbing Holloway’s Ointment repeatedly on the abdo men a rash appears, and as it thickens the alyine irritability subsides. Acting as a deri vative, this unguent draws to the surface, re leases the tender intestines from all acrid mat ters, and prevents inflammation, dysentery, and ■ piles, for which blistering was the old- i fashioned, though successful treatment, now ‘ from its painfuhress fallen into disuse, the dis- ! covery of this Ointment having proclaimed a i remedy possessing equally derivative, yet, per- ] fectly painless powers.—{Ad vt. <

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Rangitata Road District will be held at the Road Board office, Lismoro, to-mor row. A meeting of the Committee of the Ash burton Racing Club, summoned for las' evening, was adjourned till .nday even ing next. A full report of the annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mount Somers Road district, and of the ordinary meeting of the Mount Somers Road Board, appear in this issue. The Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade met last evening, the Captain (Mr J. A. Caygili) presiding. The resignation o‘ Fireman Barrop, who is leaving the dis trict, was accepted. e The report of the Committee was read and adopted. Two new members were proposed for election, and it was resolved to hold extra prac ticas to make the Brigade as efficient as possible. The election of the monthly Committee concluded the proceedings The local postmaster has received a telegram stating that the San Francisco mail was expected to leave Wellington by the Hawea about 4 p.m. to-day. The Ashburton portion of the mail will pro bably be delivered by to-morrow’s ex press.

A public meeting, summoned by His Worship the Mayor, will be held in the Borough Council Chambers this evening at 7 o'clock to consider the formation of a Reserve Corps for Ashburton. Evangelistic meetings were conducted in the Tinwald Hal on several evenings last week by the Revs D. McLennan (Pleasant Point), T. W. Dunn (Pnkekohe) and A. Blake. Notwithstanding the un favorable weather the attendances were encouraging, and considerable interest was shown in the services.

A public meeting of householders of the Rangitata district will be held at the resi dence of Mr James Coskerie, to-morrow,

at 2 p.m., to fix the boundaries of a new school district, to be called the Upper Rangitata district, and to elect a School Committee for the said district. The Rev T. W, Dunn lectured to a crowded house at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening on “ Sweethearts, or matched and mated'” Mails for the Australian Colonies, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe via Melbourne close at the Bluff per Manaponri on Friday, Bth inst., at noon. This mail is due in London on June 29.

The annual general meeting of the church officers and members of the parochial district of Longbeach and Mount Somers was held yesterday at the Temperance Hah, Tinwald. There was a large atten dance. The Hon W. S. Peter occupied the chair. The statement of accounts for the past year was read and adopted. The Secretary (Mr Ward) was authorised to write to the Standing Committee re special offer tories. After some discussion it was re solved to guarantee the minimum sum of L2OO for the clergyman’s stipend. Several gentlemen expressed regret that the forms of the Synod should require a guar antee to |be signed at all. It was the opinion of those present that every effort would be made to pay the full stipend as hitherto. The guarantee was then apportioned as follows, viz—two-thirds payable by Long beach; one-third by Mount .Somers. It was decided that the Locgbeach parochial district be divided into three subdivisions as follows:—(1) Waterton, to consist of Longbeaoh, Ashton and Fleroington ; (2) Windermere, to ojnaist of the school districts of Hinds, Winslow, and Wil lowby; (3) Tinwald district, to enclose the remaining parts of the Longbeach dia tiiot The Secretary was instructed to make out half-yearly statements of re ceipts and expenditure, and to have the same affixed to the church doors in each district. A vote of Thanks to the chair Was passed, and the meeting adjourned.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS

Auckland. Thomas Macfarlane, curate intestate, In crossing the line near£the spot where an accident occurred the other day, was similarly struck by a passing engine, which came unexpectedly on him His left leg was broken, the right arm crushed, and he received contusion of the head. He was sent to the Hospital, but owing to his advanced age his state is critical. Wellington. A magisterial enquiry was held this afternoon into the loss of the barque Oceania, in the Straits yesterday. After taking evidence, the Assessors postponed judgment till to-morrow morning. It is understood that a sculling match is likely to come off between Hearn, the champion of New Zealand, and Boniface, a resident of Riverton. The latter has challenged Hearn to row a three-mile race at Riverton for LIOO a side, the champion to concede a start of one minute. Hearn has replied that he is perfectly willing to meet ioniface, but he is not prepared to m>ke a greater concession than half a minute. Dunedin. The National Insurance Company have declared an interim dividend at the rate of 15 per cant. per annum. Two boys, aged 15, were committed for trial for house-breaking. They succeeded in climbing a Gft fence, and an entrance was effected by palling down several tiers of bricks. They discovered the key of the safe, and from cash boxes in it secured some L 7 15s. A third boy was concerned, but the evidence showed he only assisted in spending the money. John Sloan, a laborer, attempted to commit suicide by walking into the surf at Ocean Beach.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE PROPOSED RESERVE CORPS.

To the Editor. Sir, — I notice that the Mayor has called a public meeting to consider the ex pediency of forming a Reserve Corps in this district. I hope the movement will not succeed. The principle upon which these Reserve Corps appear to be formed is, that their members shall enjoy the privi lege of remaining in reserve while their neighbors do the fighting. Now, this is not my idea of a soldier at all. We can hardly expect to find a hero in the man who makes it a condition of enlistment that, when tjie day of battle comes, he shall be. posted In eopie sale place in the rear. If there are apy persons in Ash burton who think it their duty to qndergo a course of military training (and no doubt the time may shortly arrive when it will become the duty of every one of us to carry arms) why don’t they join the Ashburton Rifles? I dare say Captain Douglas can find room for a few more recruit? in his ranks—moat recruiting officers can and probably he would -not enquire too closely into tb§ ages of the candidates under the circumstances. If, however, an independent corps be wanted,, Iqt a second company of Rifles be formed; but, for goodness sake, don’t let us hear aiy more about this Reserve Corps. An “Ashburton Reserve Corps ” would be a spectacle for gods and n»en.—l ana, etc., O. W. PohheljL.

MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD.

Ratepayers’ Meeting. p t. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mount Somers 'toad District was held at v the Board’s office, M >unt Somers on w Monday at 1p m There were about I twenty ratepayers present, and Mr W O Walkor, M H R.. o’iairman of the Road Soard, occupied the chair. The notice convening the meeting, and i the minutes of the last two meetings of t ratepayers having been read, the Chair- c man submitted the fallowing report . ( ANNUAL REPORT. i The Board, in laying the ba’anco sheet of the year ending March 31, 1885. before the ratepayers, beg to submit that the ] balance shown to the credit of the Board, ] L 8 17a Bd, is increased by the further 1 collection of rates since then to the satis- , factory amount of L 404 10a 2d, Out of last year's rates, total amount due L 1,277 lls 7d, L 1,138 9s lOdhas been collected, leaving L 139 Is 9d still to collect. The Board has been, tor the last year, work-, ing under considerable difficulty, as two portions of the district have separated under the provisions of the Ac 1 .; and also considerable discussion has taken place with regard to economical local govern ment, and the Board has been obliged to manage its affairs on such a footing as to feel ready to fall into any arrangements possible under altered circumstances. As the balance shows, however, the manage ment has not proved extravagant, but may fairly be claimed to bel economical. Out of a total expenditure of L 921 17a sd, salaries amount to LIOB 10s ; the Clerk’s salary to L 63, about equal to 5 per «ent. on the rates ; office expenditure, Ll 5 Is lid ; incidental, including elections, LBl lls 9d; leaving L 716 13s 9d spent on i roads, drainage and other works The Board, therefore, trusts that this state ment will be deemed satisfactory by the ■ ratepayers. . BALANCE-SHEET. 1 The balance-sheet was read as follows : —Receipts—Rates, 1832 3, Ll 7 0a 9d ; ditto, 1883 4, L6O 14s 9d ; ditto, 1884-5, I L 733 19s 8d ; sale of theodolite, Ll 4 19a ; Ashburton County Council, half-cost storm-water channel, L6B 6s lid ; sale part of Boyle’s road, L 8 16s 6d ; contri » buttons storm-water channel, Ll 5 ; De -3 posits on contracts, L 7 7a 6d ; rent of r reserves, LI; gorse cleaning, L 3 ; remov • ing dead beast, 10a—total, L 930 15a id Expenditure—Contracts and labor, L 716 i 13s 9d ; elections, L2O 8s 6d ; insurance, 1 legal, and interest, L4I 3s lid ; advor s rising, Ll 9 19a 4d ; stationery, etc, Ll 5 0 Is lid ; clerk, LG3 5s ; overseer, L455a ; - Bank balance, Ijß 17a 81—total, L 930 15s d Id.

On the motion of Mr Macfarlane, seconded by Mr Hood, the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

•NEW BOARD. Mr Easton asked whether, under the new arrangements, the local body would be a Road Board or a County Council Mr Macfarlane replied that the Board thought it would be wise to see the new Local Government Sill, proposed by the Government, beforejdeciding the matber referred to by Mr Easton.—Mr Hood pointed out that the opportunity to form the district into a County might pass away. ASHBURTON ROAD BRIDGE. The Chairman said he thought a mis apprehension existed as to how the ba lance of money requ ral for the erection of the Ashburton r ad bridge was to be raised. He did not expect that any special or general rate would be levied, but that the comparatively small amount required would with ease be provided from ordinary revenue THE board’s EXPENDITURE.

Mr Herring, on behalf of the Alford Estate Company, protested against the heavy rate levied by the Boar* The Company he represented had spent L 5,000 per annum of British capital—money not made in the colony—and they were bur dened by harsh and unnecessary taxation. There was no need for the heavy expen diture incurred by the Board ; he under stood it was maintained simply to support a few cockatoos and contractors in the neighborhood who had lived on the Board for years by what he might term “suck ing the bottle." He had repaired one road and would repair all his own roads if he were freed from rates. Some roads in the district, notably that to the coal pits, were in a disgraceful condition. Mr Macfarlane thought the remarks which had fallen from Mr Herring were quite un-called for. The works of the Board were let by tender, and even a capitalist fresh from England could take them if he chose to offer low enough.

Mr Edson said that if contractors re siding outside the district could offer to do the work cheaper than those living in the district, they would have it. The Board had the expenses at as low a point as possible, and he could assure Mr Herring the rate pressed much more heavily upon the small than upon the large proprietors He (Mr Edson) thought, the reflections cast upon the Board most improper. Mr Herring had accused the Board of complicity in “jobs” and of a wholesale breach of trust. He should withdraw his remarks or formulate soma motion to put before the meeting. Mr Hood concurred with Mr Edson. If his (Mr Hood’s) position in regard to the question justified it he would be dis posed to take Mr Herring very severely to task for his remarks. The Chairman said he was sorry Mr Herring had seen fit to make remarks which were distincty unworthy of that gentleman, and which in cooler moments Mr Herring would admit would have been

better unsaid. It was utterly absurd to state that a Board, constituted as they were, existed merely to provide ocoupa-

tion for their neighbors and friends. The Board could not put all the roads in a thorough state of repair at once, but even the Coal-pit road specified by Mr Herring was quite equal to the traffic upon it. Early settlers had had to put up with a much worse state of affairs, but Mr Her ring, being a new comer, had failed to re cognise the difficulties they had to over come in dealing with roads through broken country subject to frequent dam age from floods and storm-water. Mr Herring said that if his remarks were distasteful to the Board, or inaccu rate, no one would be readier than him self to withdraw them, but statements had been made that the expenditure of the Board was largely top the purdose he had represented He could not ref rail) from expressing the regret he felt at having to live in the district. Mr Her ring proceeded to express in no measured terms his opinion of the district and its inhabitants

The Chairman briefly explained why other districts, eulogised by B£r Herring, were in a batter position than Ashburton. Geraldine had secured 25 per cent of her land fund, and Coleridge had also been exceptionally treated. Consequently these districts were in a better position than those between the Rakaia and Rangitata, Mr Hood suggested that a public meet ing should be held to give the candidates for election to the Road Board an oppor tunity to explain the'jr' views.

The Chairman thought the candidates would be happy to meet the ratepayers. Mr Edson would like to see Mr Herring occupying a seat upon the Board. It would give that gentleman an opportunity to examine ihp grievanpea believed by him to exist.

Mr Herring said her had not offered hitpself as a candidate, as he felt there was no probability of being successful. Messrs Macfarlgne and Easton thought Mr Herring would receive support. On the invitation of Mr Edson, Mr Herring consented to be nominated for election as a member of the new Board.

On the motion' of Mr H '<>d, seconded by Mr MoOlimont, votes of thanks were passed to the Board and Chairman for their past services.

The Chairman in acknowledging the votes, expressed a hope that Mr Herring would be elected a member of the Board.

Board Meeting.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the I Mount Somers Road Board w*s held at I ‘ the Board’s office, Mount Somers, on Mon- j “ day last. Present—Messrs W. O. Walker I P (Chairman), W. Rdson, T. B. Mcßae, and J * A. Macfarlane. I overseer's report. I I The Overseer’s report was read as fol- 1 c lows : —Since last meeting S. McOlimont j * has finished his work on Peaohe’s road. I 1 The floods last week proved that the side I drain on this road is not large enough yet I to carry all the water in flood time. II ' would recommend that a catch water I j drain be made somewhere near the oaves. I The cost would'not exceed L 7, and this! would save the road from any further I ! damages.—Ford and Newton road: A. I Hardy has finished his work on this road, I The total coat of the work up to the pre- I sent time is L 39 lla 3d.—Rutherford a I Crossing: I have had this crossing re-1 .paired at a cost of LI los.—Wuolnhed I Creek and Deep Jreek Crossing : I have I had these two crossings repaired at a cost I of L2 10s. Pound Fences; I estimate the I cost of putting the fences and gates in j good repair at L 6 10a. —Taylor’s Stream I Bridg"; I would recommend the Board to | urge upon the County Council the neoea- I sity for some protective work at the I southern end of this bridge, some three I or four yards of the bank having been I washed away during the last freshlet. I Boyd’s road crossing, Hewson’a road I crossing, and Rutherford’s crossing want I repairing, the cost for the three would be I LI 10s —McLeod’s Flood-water Channel: I For a distance of about two chains the I bank wants making up. About fifteen I yards of boulders are also wanted at the I foot of the double fall. The cost would I bo about L2 Kh. The falls sustained no I damage during the last flood.—Gorge I Road: It is reported that the Gorge road j 1 is impassable in several places, but I have not had time to inspect it since the late ; floods. ■ PEACHe’s HOAD. It was resolved to send a copy of the j Overseer’s 'report upon this road to Mr ' Peache, and to request that gentleman to p clear out the creek or make a catch water ; drain. > WOOLSHED and deep creek. 5 % The Oveisaer was directed to have * crossings on these creeks repaired at once. THE pound. i The Chairman explained that the 1 County Council would baud to the Board L 5, due to Mr Fergus, to effect repairs to pound fences, a The Overseer was directed to arrange 1 with Mr Fergus for the repairs, and to - obtain his signature to the new agreo -1 ment. t It was resolved to reduce certain pound a fees, and to advertise the alteration in r both the local papers, i tatlok’s stream bridge. a The Clerk was directed to send a copy s of the Overseer’s report on this bridge to the County Engineer. ROAD CROSSINGS. i- It was resolved to repair Boyle’s road, Hewson’s road, Rutherford’s road and the a flood water channel crossings. 3 BDOCLEDCH ROAD. y It was resolved to repair the ford on I, Buocleuch road at a coat not exceeding L 5. t CCITING INTO RIVER, d The Overseer was directed to have the cutting in o the north branch of the Ash barton river made safe. J FORD AtID newton's ROAD. 3 The Christchureh manager of the Bank 0 of New Zealand wrote offering to con* ) tribute LlO towards shingling Ford and t Newton’s road, . The Clerk was directed to apply for the sum promised. ALFORD FOREST ROAD, i. On the motion of Mr Macfarlane, t seconded by Mr Mcßae, it was resolved to e request the County Council to make ap (j plication, under the Road and Bridges .. Construction Act, for a grant to construct 0 the Main road to Alford Forest, recently 8 gazetted. a The Board then adjourned.

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

GENERAL SUMMARY. London, April 12. Berlin newspapers comment on the fact that Queen Victoria did not send congrat ulations to Pr.nce Bistuaack on his birth day, All other rulers sent felicitations It is claimed that at the next Parlia mentary election a largo majority of Liberals will be returned, and Mr Glad stone will then retire in favor of Lord Darlington. The Volunteer review at Brighton on April 6 was considerably curtailed, owing to heavy rain which set in. A firm at Bir min gham has made 2,000,000 cartridges during the six months last past for Chine.

Henry M. Stanley, the explorer, now in London, proposes to visit the United States at the end of April. The London merchants, Scaramarga and Company, failed on March 25th for LI ,000,000, caused by decline in the wheat market.

Charles Price and Company’s oil mills at Belmdere, Kent, ware burned ; loss L 1.000,000, A London stockbroker, name not given, absconded on March 31 with a large amount of securities, leaving L 175,000 liabilities.

Two thousand five hundred Yorkshire colliers struck against a 10 per cent re duction of wages on March 31. The St James's Gazette of April 2 re ported the failure of Benjamin Davis, London, solicitor, for L 1,000,000. He fled to Spain.

The Parliament of Switzerland have restored to the Cantons their right of local option in regard to the sale of in toxicating liquor. Brandy drinking has grown to frightful proportions, and pro found agitation force! Government to this concession.

Wholesale arrests of Anarchists, chiefly Germans and Austrians, were made at Berne and Zurich on April 3 At the race between Cambridge and Oxford crews on Match 28 the river banks tyere lined with spectators. The water was smooth, and the conditions favored the Oxford crew. Both boats got off well together, but Oxford took the lead and maintained it to the end, winning by three lengths. Time—2omin 36aeo, a trifling improvement over the time one year ago, when the record was 2lmin Syaec. The improvement is not as great as \yas anticipated in view of the fine weather and smooth water. AMERICAN SUMMARY. Mr Deakin, Irrigation Commissioner, with Messrs Cunningham, representative of the Argus, and J. L. Lowe, of the Age, leave I?" the steamer for Sydney at date. Ejf-President Fiske, Grant's partner in the broken Marine Bank, was found guilty on April 2, of embezzling the funds of the concern, and is liable to imprisonment for from five to ten years. The Secretary of State, Mr Bayard, de clined to interfere in the matter of Burton and Cunningham, dynamiters, now await ing trial in London for connection the recent explosions there. The'request to interfere came from the Irish National League. The New York Financial Chronicle says the present views on the price of wheat are extravagant, Without counting the

Californian surplus and good crops which now appear assured, the amount in sight in the United states and afloat for Europe is 2,000,003 quarters more than last year. A few loyal subjects of the Qneen in Victoria, B. U., sent Her Majesty, on March 29kh, a Fraser river salmon, weigh* Ing 901 b. S.M.S. Swiftsnre, Heron and two other war vessals, have been ordered to Victoria, British Columbia, to increase the naval defence of the Province in view of the possibility of war between Russia and ; Engl nd. The Uruguayan Government is attesting priests for preaching against attitude of the authorities In regard to civil mar riages. A ruptnre with the Vatican is I imminent.

A delegation of {Chinese have arrived at the city of Mexico to treat with Govern ment for the introduction of their country men into the republic, and making them full-fledged Chinese citizens. Mr Phelps, of Vermont, has-been ap pointed Minister to the Court of St James; Mr M Lane, of Maryland, Minister to Franc ; Mr Pendleton, of Ohio, Minister to Germany; and Mr Jackson, of Georgia, Minister to Mexico.

The Memorial Cathedral erected by the late A. T. Steward, New" York millionaire merchant, at Garden City, Long Island, was formally opened on April 3. It is one of the finest and most costly ecclesiastical structures in America.

The Land and Cattle Company’s pro party, embracing 60,000 head of cattle and 30.000 acres of land near Fort Worth, Texas, was sold to an English syndioite incorporated in London on April 9, for 3.750.000 dollars. The Baltimore police arrested all spirit mediums and clairvoyants they conld lay hands on on April 7. They were fined 25 dollars each.

California was awarded on April 4, by the Committee of the New Orleans Expo sition, the sweepstake gold medal, against the world, for the best varieties of citron fruits. Ex-Secretary of State Frelinghuysen died at Newark, N. J. The Hon John Prisntery, ex-member of Congress, and a strong Fenian, was pelted with rotten eggs at Chicago on April 5, while attempting to address a rough poli | tical meeting. The New York Chinamen held a jubilee on March 31 over the defeat of the French at Langson. A naturalised American named Robert

Ireland was kidnapped in New York by English officials, fie was a piper in the English army in 1876, and a deserter from Ayr. Ireland was taken to Canada, and will be sent to England for trial. The casejwas laid before the Secretary of State at Washington. A large Mormon emigration from Utah to Mexico is going bn at present, under orders from the church.

A professional spiritualist and medium named J. Harvey Watt came to grief in Kansas City. He had made a number of

converts during the year, but was at length exposed at a materialising seance by a newspaper editor, who threw a small jet of an aniline solution on the face of the imposter.

THE REVOLUTION IN PANAMA. Preston, the rebel leader on the_ Isth mus, seized R. M. S. Colin at Aspinwall on March 30, and imprisoned Captain Pearse, agent of the Company, Consul Wright and other Americans. H.M.S. Lily, on nearing the wharf at Aspinwall, was fired on, and promptly returned the fire. An American man-of-war was or dered to Aspinwall. The rebels got pos session of Panama on March 31. Aspin wall was burnt by the insurgents the same day to escape capture by Government - troops. The Pacific Mail Docks, on the north end of the island, and the Canal property at Chripol, are the only build ings saved. There was no loss among the shipping. Thousands are destitute and without shelter. Great complaint is made of the English and American ward ships for not protecting foreign interests on the Isthmus.

Later advices say Preston, chief of the, insurrectionists, is a notorious criminal, and his party is made up of banditti from- Pern, Chili and Jamaica, with many negroes. They have no political prin ciples, and aim only at plunder. The dis- - turbance, both in Panama and Aspinwall, is entirely social. There was a serious loss of mail matter by the burning of ; Aspinwall. The entire mail for the South Pacific, registered and ordinary; des-." patched from New York on March 21, perished. Consul Adamson telegraphs on April 2:—“Suffering at Aspinwall is awful,” and asks aid for the homeless and starving people. Railway transit over the Isthmus was closed on April 1, but would ■* be ro-opeoed shortly. The U.S. ■Severn* ment despatched some £OO marines to the scene. The Governor of Canca tele graphed on April 8, that the , had taken possession of the City of Panama. A United States force was guarding both ends of the railroad on April 11, and a relief train was running.

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN CON FEDBRAOY.

A treaty of offensive and de fensive, was signed on March 1§ at Sal vano, by the Governments of San Salva dor, Nicaragua, and Costa Bics, for mutual defence against Barrios, of Guate mala, and his schemes of confederacy. President Zalvidere, of San Salvador, assumed the chief command. News was received on March 31 of a battle between Barrios’ troops and the San Salvador forces, in which the former were defeated. The fight took place on the plains of Santa Anna, near the frontier. After’ ten hours’ desperate fighting, in which quarter was never asked or taken, the , Guatemalans were completely routed, leaving 1,500 dead upon the field. Barrios retreated across the frontier. The San Salvador force numbered 11,0C0 ; Guate malans, 16,000. The opinion is that this battle has definitely settled the question of a Central Union on the plan proposed by Barrios. Great (?) sympathy is ex pressed for the defeated revolutionists, and the disaster is regarded as good news by the mercantile community. Accord ing to a despatch of April 4, hostilities between Guatemala and the Allied Re publics were suspended, and an armistice of one month’s duration is announced. The Union decree of President Barrios was also annulled. The gold-hilted a word of Barrios was found on the'battle field of Ohalcbicaps, broken, and his death has' been confirmed. The installation of bis successor, General Llsseodro Barrelos, one of the two Vice-Presidents, has taken place, and his Presidency was acknowledged by the United States. The family of Barrios has left Guatemala for San Francisco.

AFFAIRS IN THE SOUDAN.

The r Mudir of Dongola has arrived at Cairo, to confer with the English Egyptian officials. On leaving Dongola, some of the natives threw mud at him. General Graham’s troops returned to Suakim on April 5, and according to Hatches of that date from London, it is believed the public is witness the withdrawal of the whole of the British forces froqa the ;oodan to Egypt, and the abandonment of the nlla'Alßn to urn expedition. General Graham telegraphed from Sua kim to Government on April 6, as follows •' OUr march tuTamai, and'our destruc tion of that place after Osman Digfia’s Boast to drive us into the sea, must greatly discourage the rebels.?’ 11 ' ' ■ General Stephenson reports on April 1}. —It will be practically impossible jfco move the British forces from Dongol*

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1885.



HAVE FOR SALE CHEAP. WOOLPACKS, full weights FENCING WIBF Nob. 8 and 9, at leu than esc LINSEED, colonial BARBED, WIRE, from L 27 10b to L 5? . a ton TURNIP & RAPE SEEDS, all descrip tions, guaranteed to grow OATS & CHAFF, large stock, low prices ENGLISH & OTHER CLOVERS ■ MATSON, COX AND CO.



ATCHMAKEftS Jjeweuirs tcnJ^Z CH-CH.



Wanted. IIXTANTED —A correspondent for the VV Guardian, at Mount Somers Apply to the Manager. \\ TAB TED—A Man to make Horse \\ Covers Apply, at once, to James HaSELTINE. Saddler, etc , Ashburton or Tmwald 5 698 IX7 A.NTED A General Servant. W Apply Mrs F. M*yo, Pamps’eul, between the hours of 2 and 6.30 p, m on Tuesday next. 5 697 VT 7 "ANTFD Known—Before buying Vy Dress Materials, Dlatecs, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc., call and inspect out stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. C. Sbgers, tealys’ Buildings, East Street. /"'I BEAT Reductions for Cash at Tones and Bradshaw’s. —Good oaten sheaf chaff from 50s per ton, la 6d per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9d per bag; new oatmeal 4s per bag; good cheese 5d per lb ; ffour, bran, sharps, and ehickwheat at very cheap rates. VS.TANTED Known—Wertheim Sew ing Machines can bo had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Olotliing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. 2 276 Glorious news. Andrew orr will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6s 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2a 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at lls Od—every article at half-price. VT 7” AN TED Known—Boots ! Boots 1 V f That Hates and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4a 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10a; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278 WANTED Known—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4£d, Towels 3£d,- 36-inch Oilcloth 9d, Camisoles le 4d. Andrew Oer’s Cheap Sale. 2 185 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall,.Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760



Special Advertisements. SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATION-RY, &c. Must be sold - even if at a loss To Sait everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &0., Ashburton.



RIVED. ARRIVED. NEW GOODS. Wholesale and Retail. Books by various authors Stationery in great variety Toys and Fancy Goods of every de scription Jewellery, Cutlery, Concertinas, Accor ding, etc. Photo and Scrap Albums, la Tobacconist’s Sundries, etc. Specially low rates to Country Stores. “ Young Ladies’ Journal,” April number, la 3d. R. Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDING, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel.)s 692 Canterbury Mills. fJIO FARMERS AND OTHERS. CORN SACKS, size and weights. At lowest current rates, 3 292 0. W, TURNER. AGRICULTURAL Machine Shop, WAKANUI ROAD. CHARLES RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cutters, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of macninery. Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adjusted. Model work. General repairs. 3 384 Read, mark, learn and INWARDLY DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, and lighten your inward gloom by appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC EASTER CARDS ! aver imported into Ashburton (direct from Home). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books personally selected, and just received. I believe it was Lord Wolseley who said [he happens to be the most popular man if the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man ivho aspires to great heights should read □ceasantly, and never forget his newa lapera; ’ and I say the same 1 Read ! Read ! Read ! When both you and my telf will be considerably benefited. Not laving room, to give a detailed list of the ioutents of my shelves, I can only finish >y saying—Come and see for yourselves, md if you are disappointed come again,— Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas F. Farley’s, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, J Saunders’ Buildings, East St,, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. HE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that ‘ bs rs WILDING, L WIS & CAfGILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Din tnct. All risks taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GOOLD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury.



Timber Timber TO FARMERS and Others about to Build—Buy your timber from the Producers at first cost and Save Money. To Housekeepers who wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Coal— We are now landing, tx s.s. Tekapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE GOAL, which will bo sold at Lowest Rates. Every Requisite for the Building Trade kept in Stock, and Building supplied throughout. *** Farmers would do well to call and obtain quotations. MACPHERSON, FILMER AND CO. (late A. Hayes), TIMBER, COAL & WOOD Imerch ANTS, I East street, Ashburton.



Clothing Factory f CONTRACTORS o New Zealand Government RaFe ways, Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &c. &c. &c. Are now prepared to enter into contracts for the supply of NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS in any quantities, the organisation of the Factory being specially adapted for turning out large supplies in the most inexpensive and expeditious manner. ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS Estimates and drawings supplied on the shortest notice. Head Offices and Factory— DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NOTE -Measures for all uniforms may bo entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the xollow ing centres, viz;— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth Oamaru Grey mouth Napier Waimate Reefton Waipawa Timaru Wellington Hastings Ashburton Mauterton Gisborne Christchurch Wanganui Thames Lyttelton Hawera Auckland OTICE TO FARMERS. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans ; Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates.



To farmers desirous of holding their grain we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to us, enables us to offer to farmers extra facilities for the storage and classification of grain at nominal rates. We are prepared to make liberal cash advances on grajn sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower’s account or otherwise, as may be arranged. UTUMN AND WINTER Are now showing their NEW SEASON’S GOODS, Which are well worth yo inspection. They comprise the Newest and Beat of every kind of MILLINERY, DRAPERS, UNDER CLOTHING FOR INFANTS, GIRLS & LADIES. MERCERY. MEN’S, BOYS’, & YOUTHS’ COLONIAL, VICTORIAN, AND ENGLISH CLOTHING, At the Lowest Possible Cash Price. If you will trouble to think for a minute, we feel sure you will be convinced that the way our business is conducted must insure you the best pro curable for money. WE IMPORT DIRECT I From the Best Manufacturers WE SELL FOR CASH Avoiding all bad debts WE BUY CHIEFLY FOR CASH, Securing all Cash Discounts Our Business is managed personally by the proprietor in the most economical way, thus saving the immense cost of an Extravagant Establishment with manager, sub-manager and an expensive staff; therefore we will not allow any house or company to undersell us. So if they should advertise or make a special load or draw of any particular article, we will give you the same at their price or lower, 1 guaranteeing, taking things all round, our Value will be found by far the beat. Country Orders sent by post will receive special attention, and be sent free of carriage (by rail) to ANY PART OP CANTERBURY. H. JB. May & Co., 3 454 H. E. May & Co., Tflfi HALL.



Victoria House. EW SEASON’S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION BE FINE ART GOODS, CREWEL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS, TRANPES PATTERNS, &c., To appear in our Next. DIMANT & 0 >E, General Drapers, Clothiers, &0., East and lancred Streets, Ashburton,



Special Advertisements Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Takcred Street. ■Sugars—English Cut Loaf M per lb Best White Oryst&._, 3£d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, 1b 3d, la 6d, 2b, 2b 6d, and 2s 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, 8d Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 61 Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per hex Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6Jd Herrings, 7d Keillor's Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. TAMES McGREGOR, Tancred Street, 12 2342 Cadbury’s Cocoa. fJIHE PUREST AND BEST. Should be Used by Everyone, ON SALE AT ORR. AND ALCORN’S, Ashburton Agents. To Arrive, a Grand Assortment of Cadbury’s Fancy Goods, comprising— FANCY CHOCOLATES, CHOCOLATE CREAMS, Etc. ORR AND ALCORNS 4 605



Another unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a .£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra- in the estate of Dennis O’Connell* tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954, or only a little over one-third of its value, H. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, vhich surely ought to secure a speed clearame.