SHIPPING.

POET OP LYTTELTON

Arrived. Yesterday. AleH, schooner, from Pelorna S mud. Eliza Firth, brigantine, from Grey mouth. Hawea, s. s., from Port Chalmers. Rotomahana, s.b., from Auckland and way ports. 4 - Bailed. Yesterday. Thurso, barque, for Newcastle. Hawea, a.a., {for Manukau and way a.a., for Wellington and West Coast porta. Clematis, ketch, for Pelorus Sound. Ocean Bird, ketch, for Anahan. Rotomahana, as., for the South. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—To Anan, from Sydney. Sailed—Herald, for Grey mouth ; Lady Jocelyn, for Napier; Penguin, for the South. _ . , W Ellington, Yesterday. Arrived Wanaka, from the South ; Wallace, from Picton and Nelson. Sailed—The Omapete, for Greymouth ; Wanaka, for Nelson.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Friday, January 30. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., on the Alford Forest Road, opposite the Wool len Factory—Horses, Furniture, etc. Saturday, January 31 Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Tatter sail’s—Horses, Implements, etc. Tuesday, February 3. Messrs Matson, Cox and o>., at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett Street--Land MEETINGS AMUSEMENTS, Eto. This Evening Town Hall— Woodward’s Japanese Troupe Monday, February 2. Borough’Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 Town-Hall —Webb’s Marionettes, at 8 o’clock . ♦' . * Friday, February 6 ishburton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Friday, Malch 6. Lonbgeaoh Road Board at Road Board Office. Saturday, March 7. /Takanni Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

MAIL NOTICES.

ivritth close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &0., at 10.30 a.m. , and 5 p.m. daily. 1 For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. sot Temnka, at 6 a. m. and 10 a. m., Pot Tima-m and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Qreenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 F6r Wakanni, Elgin, Seaview, Seafieid, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. xn. For Kount 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, si 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes flays, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. in. For Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— 0 From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 s.m., 4.30 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &o. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.36 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.3'' 1 *vm. daily. Froiu Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. ».30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturday*, at 10.5 a.m. and 8.15 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. , , From Rowlands, 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, Seafieid, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1885. The Price of Wheat.

The result of the New Zealand whea harvest, small as may be its influence on the markets of the world, is a matter of paramount importance to the inhabi tants of this colony. The social and commercial interests of no other coun try are so largely affected by the con dition of its agricultural population, and it naturally follows that at this sea son of the year the probable price of wheat is a matter of general discussion and speculation. The comparative in significance of the few million bushels of wheat annually produced by New Zealand, does not allow the colony’s harvest to exercise more than an infi nitesimal bearing on the value of the cereal, but the stocks and prospects of other producing countries are matters of vital import to the colonial growers, as they indicate the probabilities, in re spect to price, which will materially guide them in the disposal of their own grain. The quotations we have cabled from London to-day for New Zealand wheat are 29s to 35s per quarter, a lower average price than has been touched for a century. The decline in price has been steadily going on for some months, and the estimates we have of the crops m the Northern Hemisphere show, at least, that there have been fairly good harvests in all the great wheat-producing countries of the world; But still there are indica tions that the limits of this de clension have been reached and grounds for hope are supplied that the approaching harvest will reach a more remunerative market. The American crop has been an unusually prolific one, and it is estimated that after exporting 128,000,000 bushels during the twelve months ending 30th June next, the States will hold a com siderable stock of old wheat. India is expected to export 50,000,000 bushels, and the European harvest has been rather above the average, Russia having available for export about the same quantity as India. The requirements of European consumers will be about 250,000,0000 bushels over and above their own production, a demand which will be fully satisfied by the surpluses indicated above and the stock at the opening of the crop year. The world’s surplus on the year, how ever, cannot exceed 40 000,000 bushels, and it will not be difficult for the pro ducers to keep back that comparatively small percentage from sale; and indeed there are even now indications of the supply and demand balancing one an other. India has already lessened her output; much of the American wheat will be turned into meat; and even in England the cereal is being used for feeding purposes and some of an in ferior quality will, no doubt, take the place of maize in starch making and other industries. Further, the winter in the Northern Hemisphere has been an exceptionally severe one, and in many of the American States prolonged frosts have prevented the sowing of winter wheat. In Russia the same difficulty has presented itself, and although spring wheat will be largely, it will not be proportionately substituted. Add to this the large additional acreage of arable land which will be turned to pastoral purposes, and the world’s sow ing will be considerably smaller than for several years past. All these facts enforce the belief that we must have touched the lowest price, that the gradual consumption will extinguish the surplus, which has paralysed the market since the harvest of 1882, and that a much needed improvement in values is at hand.

On Monday evening the annual meet ing of householders was held in the schoolroom, South Rakaia, for the pur pose of receiving the report,and electing a School Committee for the South Rakaia district for the coming year. There was not a good attendance. The Committee reported that they had much pleasure in again announcing a satisfactory termina tion of their year of offi e. The work of the school had gone on steadily, and the children had made good progress.— The Inspectors’ repott was a favorable one, and the Committee wished to testify to the careful way in which the children had been taught, also to the strict dis cipline and good order maintained throughout the school. The Committee stated that they had done their best to strengthen the hands of the teachers in carrying out the work, and wished their successors as pleasant a term of office as they had just passed through.—The credit balance in the bank was shown as LlB 3s lOd. The accounts had been audited and found correct by Mr J. Ollivier, the district auditor.— On the motion of Mr Hardy, seconded by Mr Mutter, the re port was adopted. On the motion of Mr Makeig, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring Committee and the taacherj,—The election of the new Com mittee was then proceeded with, Messrs Davies and Wilkinson acting as scruti neers.—The following gentleriien were no minated :—Messrs Hardy, Reycraft (jun), Fletcher, Broadbent, Philips, Turner, Oxley, Haslett, Makeig, and Cox, the election resulting in the return of the first seven named. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and scrutineers brought the meeting to a close. A other unfortunate, —Again we must draw the'attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by 11. E, May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for A9S4i or only a little over one-third of its value. 11. E. M. ;

aud Cv. arc now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secure a speedy clearance*

The annual meeting of householder® for the election of a new School Committee for the Ohertsey district, waa held on Monday evening. There was a very small attendance, only nine householders put ting in an appearance. The Chairman read the annual report, from which it appeared that school matters, financially and otherwise, were in a flourishing con dition. The Inspector’s report was also read, and considered highly satisfactory. The election of a new commiflee waa then proceeded with, and resulted in the fol lowing gentlemen being elected as the committee for the ensuing year, viz ; I Messrs Campbell, Wells, Childs, McDo well, Wilcox, Scarlet, and Doig. Mr 1 Childs was re-elected chairman. The Kumara Times of January 14th has the following;—“Mr Robert Stewart, late of Stafford, accompanied by Mrs Stewart, passed through Kumara yester day morning en route for Canterbury, where, as lay preacher and student evan gelist, he will take charge of the Rakaia district in connection with the Presbyter ian Church. On arrival here Mr Stewart was met by a few friends and presented with an address expressive of regret at losing the valuable services which, as 1 preacher and sabbath school superinten dent, he has rendered the congregations of Stafford and Kumara, as well as appre ciation of his many exce’lent personal qualities, and the manly, consistent Christian character which during a resi dence of sixteen years in the district he has ever maintained ; also, wishing Mrs Stewart and himself every success and happiness in their new sphere of labour. The address waa accompanied by a pre sentation of Herrog’a Biblical Encyclo pedia in 3 vols., a new work very highly spoken'of. Mr Stewart suitably responded, desiring those present to convey his best thanks to all the other friends, with many of whom he had been intimately acquainted from boyhood. Hon. Major Atkinson passed through Ashburton by the express this morning. Mr Thomas Bullock, J.P., presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and fined two first offenders each 5a for drunkenness.—N. Lenoury,

charged with having been drunk, was re manded until Friday next. —Alexander Finlay, charged with a breach of the Des titute Persons Relief Act, in failing to pro vide for his children, was remanded until Friday, bail being granted, himself in L6O and two sureties of L 25 each.

Our Springburn correspondent writes : I Owing to the action of one or two resi- I dents, the election of the new School I Committee attracted far more interest I than shown in any previous year. A I great number of residents attended at the I schoolroom at the hour appointed for the I election to take place. It appears that a I few fortunately, a very few—of the I settlers object to the schoolroom —the I only public building available —being med I for the purpose of society meetings and I social gatherings, for which this flourish- I ing district is famous; consequently some I little anxiety was felt by the intelligent I portion of the community for the result of I the election. However, it is to be hoped, I now that the election is over, the majority, I if not all, of the householders will he 1 satisfied. The following gentlemen were elected to the new committee Messrs George Stephen, T. £3. Mcßae, P. Jollie, j W. Cook, L. McGregor, J. Stephen and J. McFarlane. After the election a meeting I of the new Committee was held, and Mr T. E. Mcßae was again unanimously j i elected chairman. The first meeting of the new Committee of the South Rakaia School was held on I Monday evening immediately after the annual meeting of householders. Present —Messrs Hardy, Fletcher, Broadbent, Phillips, Reycraft. Turner, and Oxley. On the motion of Mr Oxley, seconded by j Mr Reycraft, Mr Hardy was elected Chairman. It was decided to hold the meetings in the Library on the first Mon day in each month at 7p m. It was re solved that the windows and door locks of the school be repaired. The tender of [ Mrs Gorringe for cleaning at Ll 3 10 per | I annum was accepted. Mr Fletcher under- I took to act as Secretary for the year. Ac counts amounting to 114 15s Gd were passed for payment, and the meeting ad journed until March 2nd. A Moore, a Christchurch grain mer-

chant, who has been absent from the colony for some time, has been adjudi cated a bankrupt, on the application of Aquila Ivory, of Rangiora, to whom he ewes L 2.000. Mr Spaokman, Ivory’s solicitor, said he had received a communi cation that Moore has been arrested in London at the suit of the National Bank, for L 12,000. Mr Deacon, solicitor for Moore, stated he believed he was return ing to the colony in the Aorangi, due at Pert- Chalmers on Friday. Ivory said Moore had given him as security a lien over 850 bales of sacks which were coming to him in the Atlamique, a French ship, from Calcutta. The Allan itque had recently arrived, but there were no sacks- for Moore on board. Judge Johnston said if Moore returned, and could meet his creditors, the bankruptcy could be an nulled.

Yesterday was the day fixed for the annual Mothven school treat, but to the gre it disappointment of the rising genera tion and not a few of those of more mature years, especially ths fair sex, when morning dawned it was raining very heavily, and the annual picnic to the bush had to be postponed until the first fine day. The criminal statistics for the Canter bury district show a decrease of minor offences generally in 1884 compared with 1833, bat 58 were committed for trial as against 40 in the preceding year. The total number of persons apprehended was 2,260 as against 2,516 in 1883.

The annual meeting of householders in the Elgin school district was held on Mon day evening. Mr J. Cochrane, Chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair. —The report of the retiring Com mittee was read and adopted. The fol lowing gentlemen were elected as the Committee for the ensuing year: —Messrs J. Cochrane, H. Kennedy, T. Greenaway, P. Innes, A. Loathara, S. Scott and D. Cochrane. The newly elected Committee met after the meeting of householders, and Mr John Cochrane was re-elected Chairman. - Messrs Montgomery and George Booth were nominated to fill the vacancies on the Board of Education.

—MrS. Scott was appointed to ooun ersign cheques with the Chairman. —The care taker was re-appointed, and it was re solved to request the Board of Education to supply a pump and ladder for the school, and to remind them of the neces sity for repairs.—Holidays were granted until March 2nd, and it was decided to hold the annual treat early in March.— The usual votes of thanks closed Ihu meeting. Quiet nerve and balmy sleep in Hop Bitters’ for sleepless ladies , and invalids. Notice.— Advt.] Indigestion and Liver Complaints.—For these complaints Baxter’s Compound Quinine Pills have proved a specific, acting powerfully on the liver and mildly on the stomach. Sold everywhere, or post free from J. Baxter, Chemist, Christchurch, fpf ig or 44 stamps. August Flower.—The most nusefable brings in the world are those "suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted these two diseases and their effects; such as tour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, nalpitation of the heart, heart burn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the ' stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue ami dis agreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flower. This valuable medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s 6d a bottle. Sample !?oUl«s ; W.-JADYT,

Notwithstanding a downpour of rain there was a fairly good attendance at the second performance of Woodward’s Japa nese troupe last night. Several new feats were performed by different members of the company, the Girauds by Messrs Mat thews, Benno and Kitchi being loudly applauded. The company will appear at the Town Hall again to-night, and we hope the patronage they will receive will be commensurate with their merit. They open at Temuka to-morrow evening. The annual meeting of householders for the purpose of electing a School Commit tee for the Wakanui district was held on Monday evening, but was not very largely attended. Mr P. Stewart was voted to the chair. In accordance with a request made by Mr J. Brown, the whole of the raiantes of thj Committee meetings during the previous year were read, and the actions of the Committee were rather severely criticised by that gentleman. The Chairman reported that ho had re ceived a oommunioaCon from Mr Edge, to the effect that at the recent examina tions the percentage of passes at the side school was about 90, and at the main school about 78 Votes of thanks were accorded to the outgoing Committee and to the teachers of both schools. The election of a new Committee was then proceeded with. Ten gentlemen were nominated, and the following were elected:—Messrs Johnston, Cole, Walsh, Stewart, Leddy, Bennett, and Coak. 4. meeting of the Church officers of the Longbeach and Mount Somers parochial districts was held at tte Arcado Cham bers last evening. Present —Archdeacon Harris, and Messrs W. S. Peter, John Grigg, W. C. Walker, Dobson, E. G. Wright, C. J. Harper, 0. T. Dudley, and 0. Martin. A letter was read from the Primate, re the retaining the services of the Rev. Mr Garbett. The meeting resolved, without pledging their successors in office to the amount of guarantee, to support the Rev. Mr Garbett after Easter. It was also resolved thp.t after the month of March the sub-district'of Longbeach should contribute two-thirds of the stipend and other expenses of the district, and Mount Somers one-third, services to be given in the proportion of two in Long beach to one in Mount Somers.

The Committee of the Ashburton*Racing Club will meet at the Club’s room this evening, to adopt a programme for the Autumn race meeting. The annual meeting of the householders of the Methven district, for the election of a School Committee for the ensuing year, was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening. There was a very good atten dance, and Mr J. O. MoWilliam was voted to the chair Owing to the unavoidable absence of the Chairman of the retiring Committee at the commencement of the proceedings, the consideration of the re port was postponed until after the elec tion. Fifteen gentlemen were nominated and a ballot was taken, Messrs Hussey and Slater acting as scrutineers. The election resulted as follows :—Mr D. Quinn, 45 ; Mr J. Hibba, 34 ; Mr Geo. Shann, 29 ; Mr R. Patton, 26 ; Mr J. 0. Me William, 22 ; Mr K. Butt, 18 ; Mr N. Duff, 16; Mr G. Pocock, 15 ;Mr J. Gaarder, 12 ; Mr J. McMullen, 6 ; Mr F. F. Powell, I;Mr J. Gilchrist, I; Mr W. Pocock, 1 ; MrD. Lynch, 1; Mr W, Morgan, 1. The first seven were de clared duly elected. Mr Morgan briefly stated the progress the school had made during the past year. At a meeting of the new Committee held immediately after the public meeting, Mr R. Patton was elected Chairman for the ensuing year. The annual meeting of house holders for the purpose of re ceiving the retiring Committee’s re port, and to elect a committee for the ensuing year, was held at the Winslow schoolroom on Monday evening. Mr Johnson, the chairman of the retiring committee, presided, and after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, proceeded*to read the report as follows : “ To the householders of the Winslow School district.—lt gives your Committee much pleasure to meet the householders of this district here this evening for the pur pose - t of giving you an account of their stewardship for the past year, and we will take this opportunity of bringing under your notice the favorable state of the school. Financially the school is dear from any debt. Amounts received and paid for salaries (including balance from last year of Lll 14s 7d), Llsl 14s 7d : amounts received for incidentals (includ ing balance of L 4 Is 8d and donation from concert), L 36 18s 18d ; amounts expanded during the year, L3l Ot 7d, leaving a credit balance of L 5 18s 3d It is scarcely necessary for your Committee to bring under your notice the excellent percentage of passes obtained by the careful and able teaching of Mr Batson (the master), and they do not *.hink it would be out of place this evening to record him a hearty vote of thanks and confidence for his success. In conclusion, your Committee must ask for your indulgence for the many short comings or mistakes the Committee may have made during their term of office, and they hope you will renew your confidence in any pf the members that may again coma forward t© seek your suffrages.” Nominations were then proceeded with, and a ballot being demanded it resulted as follows :—Hugh Rainey, 22 ; William Harris, 18; William Cockle, 16; James McLeod, 14 ; Edward Lovett, 14 ; Oliver Drawman, 10 ; Patrick Grace, 8 ; George Harris, 8; Jesse flayman, 5 ; Samuel Bellamy, 4. A show of hant a was taken to determine the tie between Messrs

Grace and Harris, and it resulted in the former being elected. Here Mr 0. Martin lodged a protest against several points of the Chairman’s ruling, and amongst some little confusion votes of thanks to the Chairman and schoolmaster were passed.—At a meeting of the com mittee held after the meeting of house holders, Mr William Harris was elected Chairman and Mr E. Lovett Secretary for the ensuing year. A movement is on foot to procure the release from prison of John Qilmour, the Graham’s road farmer who at the last

sittings of the Supreme Court was sen tenced to six months’ imprisonment for fraudulent bankruptcy. It was well enough known that poor Gilmour’s crime arose more from ignorance that from a wilfully criminal intention, and his pre vious good character as a hard working and respectable colonist, won the sym pathy of his fellow settlers in the county. Aa a result of this sympathetic feeling a petition has been prepared for presenta tion to Government, asking for his release, and already 400 signatures have been attached to it of bona fide farmers and ivell-known settlers.

The Bad and Worthless are never imitated or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it has been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in which the press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8,, and in every way trying to induce sabering invalids to use their stuff instead, expecting to make money on the credit and good name of 11. B. Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H. 8., with variously devised names in which the vyord “ Hop ” or “Hops ” were used 'iii a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop'Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what \ their style or name is. and especially those with the word “Hop” or “Hops” in their name or in any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr Soule’s name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists aud chemists are warned against dealing in imita tioas t r counterfeits,

TINWALD SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of householders for the purpose of electing representatives on theTinwald.School Committee, was[held in the schoolroom on Monday evening.

There was a fairly good attendance, and Mr J.JOlark, chairman of the School Com mittee, occupied the chair. The Chairman, after stating the pur pose for which the meeting had 'een con vened, called upon the Secretary to read the outgoing Committee’s report for the past year. The Secretary read the report as-fol lows :

“ The Tinwald School Committee have 1 much pleasure iu presenting to the house- I holders their report for the year ending to-night. At the general meeting of householders held on the 28th day of January, 1884, Mr Clark in the chair, the last y .-ar's report was read and adopted, ] and the following gentlemen elected to serve on the Committee, viz—Messrs Clark, Shearer, Lewis, Lowe, Ennis, Armstrong, and Smith, and at a meeting held thereafter Mr Clark was elected chairman, and Mr Smith Secretary. During the year the Committee have held eleven meetings, which have been at tended as follows:—Mr Clark, 2 ; Mr Lewis, 5 ; Mr Armstrong, 6 ; Mr Lowe, 8; Mr Shearer, 8; Mr Smith, 11. During the year Mr Lewis became disqualified, and Mr Gudsell, who was elected to fill his place, resigned. Seve-al repairs and improvements have been made during the

year. The concrete floor of the porch being in bad order, was boarded over ; the closets have been furnished with pans and trap doors; a large circumrotacy or the Giant’s swing has been erected; the yard at the back of the school-

master’s house has been substantially en closed; several alterations an<f repairs to the fences have been made and the ground attached to the schoolmaster’s house planted with fruit trees. The annual in spection by the Board’s inspector was held on October 24th and the report was considered satisfactory. At the com mencement of the year the average at tendance was 72.25, and at the close 82.93. The highest number on the roll, 120; and the largest attendance on any one day, 101. On December 24th ult., the annual school treat was held in the school ground, and proved a very enjoyable day to the children, parents and friends who were present.—Prizes were awarded ac cording to marks taken by the head master during six months of the year and with the result of the examination, and I prizjs were also awarded in the industrial department for drawing, writing, sewing, etc., as per list published some time back. The committee take this opportunity of thanking householders and friends for the very liberal way in which they respond to an appeal on behalf ef the prize and treat fund. By their generosity the Committee are enabled to report that after paying all liabilities (including cost of prizes in con nection with the above) they h ive a bal ance of 4s lid still to their credit. Dur ing the year, L 313 2s 7d has been paid in salaries, and L 49 19s 7d in incidentals leaving a credit balance in the bank of L 6 19s 2d.” After several questions had been ans wered satisfactory, on the motion of Mr Tippets, seconded by Mr W. H. Lowe, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The Rev Mr Blake proposed, and Mr F. Bradshaw seconded— ‘‘ That a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the retiring Committee.’’ This was carried by acclamation. The election of the Committee was then proceeded with, and resulted in the re turn of the following seven gentlemen : J. Smith ... ... ... 17 J. Farlane ... 16 F. S. Shearer 13 F. Schnider... ... ... 12 G. Simpson ... ... ... 10 J. Heseltine ... 9 J. Clark 7 There were thirteen candidate?. At a meeting of the newly-elected com mittee, Mr F. S. Shearer was appointed Chairman and Mr J. Smith Secretary, and it was decided to meet the first Wed nesday in each month.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydnev, January 22 Ministers have been attending banquets in the country. So far their utterances are not of political significance. It is an nounced that it is intended to introduce a Municipal Act early next session.

It is announced that the Governor is likely to leave the colony in July or August. A welcome rain has fallen over nearly every part of the country.

A tender has been accepted for a cable tramway to the North Shora at L 36,500. Government find some difficulty in ob taining a suitable residence for the Ad miral, who arrived yesterday. The Tamar, with the relieved crews, will probably leave early next week. Charles Bright is relinquishing the lecture platform, and rejoins the Press on the staff of the Daily Telegraph and Tri bune.

No fresh case of smallpox hag occurred, Tl)e latest was in the Redfern district where the inmates of a house were quar antined.

The Health and Industrial Exhibition, lately held under the auspices of the Pro tection League, has not been a financial success.

The oldest inhabitant in Richmond has died at the age of 98. All scullers are in active training on the Paramatta. A critic who recently witnessed Clifford’s performances says it is a pound to a postage stamp on Hanlan. Beach seems to be doing good work, but Hanlan has settled fairly down to busi ness, and will be very difficult to beat. Another firO at Newcastle has destroyed property valued at L 3,000. Advices from New Guinea state that the protectorate was proclaimed at other points than those visited by the Commo dore.

Hobart, January 22

An entertainment was given to the Australian visitors by Mr Douglas, the Premier, who, in responding to a toast, said “ Tasmania had bean ever ready to aid the cause of Federation. That cause had been opposed, but Tasmanians, in common with other Australians, would make it known they would maintain their rights. They had not deserved the treat ment they had received. They were as strung as the United States when they first declared their independence, and in dependent, too except for sheer love of the old country.”

THE CUMULATIVE VOTE.

At the meeting of householders held at the Borough School on Monday evening, a gentleman, an indefatigable attendant at public meetings, inq aired “ How does the kuromulative vote go 1” No one appeared prepared with a reply at the time, and the following analysis of the voting on the occasion, which will show how the cumu lative vote does go, may be of interest to others than the enquirer we have referred to :

Votes recorded. a S .c o •£ .S « o o > A. Orr 29 722 0113 52 IS* D. Thomas ... 4022 8 1 r o 476145 b. W. Alcorn ... 15 553 i o 1241 141 J. Tucker ... 2416 5 50 t 455125 J. Orr 241316 4 r O 058119 D. Williamson ... 4024 4 1 r o 171 116 W. H. Collins ... 12 5 212 1 o 537 116 R. Friedlander ... 25 19 61 o o 253 99 G. Lamb 32 7 o 2 o o 546 89 W. J. Silcock ... 116 31000 323 46

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Done din, Yesterday.

An ordination service was held last night in Trinity Church. The Revs Gar land, Slade, Parsonson and Penfold were ordained to the work of the ministry. There was a large congregation. The charge was delivered by ex-President Morley. A short ministerial session of the Conference was held this morning, when arrangements were made for the ap pointments of Home missionaries. The Board of Examiners for the year was ap pointed, and this closed for the present the ministerial sessions. The United Conference assembled at ten o’clock. Re presentatives from all the districts of the i colony, except Wanganui, were present. An address of welcome was delivered by the President. An application to form Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Woodend into one circuit was negatived. An amendment Iby Mr Morley to unite Woodend and' I Kaiapoi with Ohoka into one circuit was I carried. Gisborne was 'transferred to the I Wellington district. A motion to form I Paeroa into a separate station was nega- I tived.

FLOODS ON THE WEST COURT.

Gkkymchjth, Yesterday.

Incessant heavy rain has fallen since yesterday. Within the last few boars the river rose verj rapidly, and is now com ing down in a roaring torrent, and still rising. The Mawhera arrived outside, but has been signalled to sea. Heavy rain still continues, and every creek and rivulet in the district is flooded. Che rivers are in high flood, and there is. every prospect of their getting higher still. Telegrams from travellers Inland report all the creeks to be higher than thvy have been for two years. There is no sign of any break in the weather. Later.

Bain has stopped, and the flood is going down. It was the largest volume of water seen in the river for a number of .years. All the lower part of the town was covered, and many houses were flooded. A good deal of the temporary piles and the staging of the Oobden Bridge, in coarse of erection, were carried away. All the timber work between the last two sets of iron cylinders disappeared, and some loose timber for the bridge on the Cobden side of the river. None of the cylinders were disturbed. Several small bridges in the neighborhood are reported to have been carried away. Much sympathy is felt for Mr J. Watson, contractor for the Oobden bridge.

Hoeitik i, Yesterday. The incessant downpour of tain to-day and last night caused the heaviest flood in the river experienced for many years. No damage is reported, as yet from the country districts, with the exception that the approaches to the Arahura Bridge are being carried away. ' All .the road traffic is suspended. ' r m _ 3

Qebymouth, To-day. The Oobden bridge looks a sad wreck now. Two cylinders on the Cobden aide have disappeared, and the greater portion of the temporary wood-work has vanished with the road way on lop. The value of the two cylinders alone is LI,600; the total loss is said to be 1*3,000. The Star of the South has been carried clear of the channel, and lies at the end of tip head in such a position as to form a pact of the breakwater. The flood is abating.

REPORTING EVIDENCE.

Invercargill, Yesterday. At the close of a case in the District Oourt to-day Judge Ward, to the great length of time occupied in taking evidence, said :—There is one reform in proceedings in Courts of Justice a hich we may well borrow from American practices, viz., the appointment to each superior Court of a sworn shorthand writer to take down evidence in lien of having the judges to write them out at full length. The present state of the practice in New Zea land is simply ridiculous. What has been stated by the witness at one trial may be proved among other ways by the Judge’s notes, but to cite ‘Taylor on Evidence,’ this mode of proof is open to very grave if not in-operable objection, as such notes form no part of record, nor is it the dufy of the Judge to take therp/nor have they the sanction of his oath to' their accuracy' or completeness. But in banco, oh the motion for a new trial, for instance, the notes taken by the Judge at the first trial are presumed to be correct,, and no proof of his blunders in taking down evidence will be accepted. Pratically a Judge’s notes are seldom used except in Banco. It is unnecessary also to point out the enormous saving of time to jurors, wit nesses and suitors that would be gained by the adoption of the American practice. In addition to the increased accuracy, the expense would be a mere trifle for each Court, as a shorthand writer would pro bably belong to the staff, of a newspaper. I do trust the present Ministry may see their way to carrying out this amendment in our legal practice. Mr Wade said—l have often wondered that Judges have borne the present prac tice so long. His Honor—lt is not the Judges. They are paid for their time, but juries and suitors are not. The saving of time to them would be great, and it is marvellous that the reform has not been effected long before this.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

To THE EdITOB,

Sib, —Replying to your correspondent “ Dissatisfied," I may say that a chemist has no right whatever to refuse to return a prescription banded to him for filling, when requested to do so ; nor has he any vested interest in it, whether bearing an address or not. Prescriptions given by the medical profession of this town to their patients, may be taken to any chemist the patient may choose to honor with it, whether addressed or not J but in the former case it is more courte ous for the patieut to tell his adviser that he would prefer taking It elsewhere than as addressed, when no objection will, I am sure, be made. I also feel convinced that no doctor here would issue instruc-

tions to chemists not to prescrip tions. Fortunately for ; thei public, chemists' errors are very rare, for, with a proper system of checking, etc., which Is a dine qua non in dispensing establish ments properly conducted, an error can only happen with the grossest ignorance or incompetence, and is quite inexcusable, —lam, etc, M.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1885.



NOTICE ’tO ADVERTISERS.



Advertisements for Thb Ashbcrtom Guardian must btf sent in not later than 8 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. . AH notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters wo bo addressed Thb Manager ; literary jcmmuhications should bo addressed o Thb Editor.



Cornsacks. ORA BALES of CORNSACKS to arrive ex ship Atlantigue (now due), size 48 x 26fc, 2J. Apply, at once, to V HAYES & CO., XI Arcade, Ashburton. JDimant and Coe, ARB authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING M A OBLINES, and are prepared to receive PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith. Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANCRED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11 2181 SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, stationery, &c. ENORMOUS REDUCTIONS. Mast he sold—even If at a lou •JSSZ Andrewes Bros., Poosnsuauus, SxAiioNjma, &u., Aihbortoa.



Wanted. ANTED —A Groom, of this paper. Apply, office 1 146 r WANTED —A respectable Girl to do housework. A pp'y, Mrs Truckle, >rince Albert Boarding-house. 1 141 itttaNTED—A Man to make himself VV generally useful. Apply, Bux ,br’s Family Hotel. 1 123 WANTED Known That persons wish ing to purchase Cheap Groceries would do well to look at J. McGregor’s idvertismeut in another column. ANTED Known— That R. Lancas ter starts the new year entirely on his own account with a very light handi cap, which will enable him to sell meat cheaper than ever. With quality, clean liness and civility combined—defies com petition. So rally round to the Ready- Money Meat Matt, Bullock’s Arcade. 1 2 VIST ANTED Known—Fresh Flounder:. » * are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Lake Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. AV. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 *-*7 AN TED Known—Boots ! Bools 1 W That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit. Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6cl; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10s ; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must | be cleared at once. 7 1278 WANTED Known Removed.— Jones and Bradshaw, Corn and Chaff DeaLrs, have removed to the large premises in Havelock street nearly ojlpo site Mr A. Harrison’s auction rooms (lately occupied by Messrs Robinson and Townsend), where they will be better able to comply with the demands of their trade. Jones and TRadshaw. ANTED Known.—We are not to be beaten ! Good straw hats, 4£d, 6d, 9i ; black Cashmere, double width, 1s 3d; print costumes, 2s 9d ; white calico, 2s 6d per doz; a lot of infants’ white and colored satin and merino hats and hoods. Is to 3s 6d— usual price, 4s 6d to 12s 6d. fl. C. fcfEGBRS, ealys’ Buildings, East street.



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. 7 60



SOMETHING worth knowing.—F. F. CLAYTON, Practical Tailor, pro fessed Coat and Habit Maker, is next Jones and Bradshaw’s, East street. F. F. 0. is too well known aa a master of his profession to need further comment. One trial will prove it- Gentlemen’s own ma terial made up ; repairs, and alterations carefully attended to. 10 195'2



WANTED Known—O. Hawkin’s, of Tmwald, having decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and quality of Boots, will, Ut January, 1885, Sell for Cash Only, at the following reduced rates : —Men’s Harvest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 6s 9d; Shooter Boots, 10s 3i ; Women’s Strong Lace Boots, 8s 6d ; Leather Elastic, 9s 6d; Children’s all reduced from 1s per pair. Motto—“ Small Pro fits and Quick .Returns.” 0. Boot and Shoemaker. 12 2393



WANTED Known—J, Meeoh & Co., are still Selling On and not Selling Off at saleroom prices. J. M. and Co’s Furniture is made for use as well as ornament and not for auction sales. The best materials are used, being specially selected, and combined with good workmanship, all goods are guaran tee lof the best quality, and at the very lowest prices. East and Burnett street, Ashburton, 12 23<2



WANTED Known—The undersigned beg to notify to their customers and the public generally that they have Removed into the premises adjoining Mr Taylor, Baker, East street. By strict attention to business and making a good article, they hope to merit the continu ance of public patronage. Fowkg and McEwbn, Bootmakers, East street, Ash burton. 10 1973



Special Advertisements. TO my readers and the reading public. Just to band.—New Books.—Black Poodle, by Anatey ; Our Old Mobility ; The Cuckoo Clock, by Mrs Molesworth ; We Two, by Edna Doyal; Poverty, by Platt; I Say .No, by Wilkie Collins; John Bull’s Womankind, by author of John Bull and his Island; The Jilt, by Charles Keide; Good Stories of Man and other Animals, by Charles Reade; Vesteged, by Geo F. Gumming; Pages in Wa ting, by Edmund Yates; Notes on Ingersoll, by Rev L. A. Lambert, Roman Catholic Jesuit; My Own Child, by Florence Marryatt; Life, Opinions, and Table Talk of Dr Johnson; American Society Novels; Inspiration; A Clerical Lympucium; Bos well’s Life of Johnson ; Magna Charta Stories; Taming Down without Banting ; Money and Mechanism of Exchange, by S. Jevons; John Holdsworth’s Chief Mate; My Watch Below, by W, 0. Rus sel; The Wonder of Nature; Death Shut, by Reed; How to live upon Is per Week; Stories of Waterloo; Secrets of Success ; How to Bead Character; Christmas Number of Goodward’s Ghrystal Stories ; Longman’s Magazine; The Book of the Beginnings, by R. H. Newton; Mistletoe Bough; 160 Illustrated London Graphics, latest copies, to be sold cheap at Thomas J?, Farley’s, PRINTER, BOOKSELLER, AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



FANCY BAZAAR Continued a few days to clear out surplus stock. GREAT BARGAINS. SIXPENNY~& SHILLING TABLES, Also, a TABLE of VARIETIES from ONE PENNY to FOURPENCE. Please observe. —In the ROOM NEXT to my PRESENT SHOP, specially taken for the Christmas Season. R. Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shoo to Quill’s Hotel.)



Special Advertisements- NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF COAL, HE undersigned are now landing, ex s.a nauruiu, iuo BestN e wcastle 0 o al Imported for the season A TRIAL SOLICITED They have also added to their stocks t)f Building Materials the following lines, viz, Y.D.L, Timber and Palings Kauri Timber, Flooring and Lining Roofing Iron, Doors and Sashes Lime, Cement, Fencing Materials, &c,, And every requisite for the trade. MAOPHERSON, FILMER AND CO. SAWMILLERS, TIMBER, COAL, AND FIREWOOD MERCHANTS. East street, Ashburton. s.s Hauroto, the (late A. Hayes).



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



Davis’s gURPLUS STOCK OF FURNITURE Now selling off at HALF-PRICE. Must bo sold to make room for NEW STOCK. Parties about to Furnish will SAVE 50 Peu Cent. BY PUCHASING AT W. DAVIS’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, EAST STREET SOUTH, Ashburton 9 1729



V. R. T>E DENS IS O’CONNELL, J-V BANKRUPT, Of Manchester street, Christ church, and Lyttelton, CLOTHIER AND DRAPER. Marked price of Stock, £2,424 Actual Cost, £l,BlB Sold for £934. NOTICE OF BANKRUPTCY - . In Bankruptcy. In the Estate of Dennis O’Con nell, of Christchurch and Lyttel ton, Draper. Tenders are invited for the pur chase, either separately or other wise, of the stock, fittings, and book debts of the business in Manchester street, Christchurch, and also in Lyttelton. The stock consists of clothing and general drapery, and is mostly new, the business having been carried on only since May last. It will be on view on and after Monday next, and the stock sheets can be inspected on the premises, Manchester street. Tenders will be received by the undersigned until 10 a.m. on Monday, Ist December, E. 0. LATTER, Official Assignee. Christchurch, 21st Nov., 1884. ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER. Official Assignee’s Office, December, 1884. Messrs H. E. May and Co., Gentlemen, —I have the plea sure to inform you that your tenders for the purchase of stocks in Christchurch and Lyttelton • have been accepted, viz— Christchurch ... £1602 18 0 Lyttelton ... £315 7 0 £lBlB 5 0 At 10/6d in the £, being £954 9s. Yours faithfully, B. 0, LATTER, Official Assignee. Mr White,will deliver the stocks. Notice op Eale to the Public. This stock, which really repre sents a retail value of £2,424, was bought by us of the Official Assignee for £954, so that if we get one-half O’Connell’s price it will pay us handsomely, and that is all we want. We think you are convinced that our sales are thoroughly genuine, and always worth a visit, especially if saving money is an object SALE COMMENCES SATURDAY, January 10. Terms Cash —No discounts or abatements of any kind. H. E. May & Co



Victoria House. Season sale coMMENGiNG "on January ;l6th, & continuing FOR FIVE WEERS ONLY. ' ' REMARKABLE REALITIES! GLARING REDUCTIONS!! jpSf'Fot Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windows'®^ Dimant and Coe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &<i., In premises lately occupied by Orr and Co., Coro East end Tailored streets, ASHBURTON.



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Tancred Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf, 5d per lb Best Wliite Crystal, 3£d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, la 6d, 2s, 2s 6d, and 2s 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, 31 Mixed Biscuits. 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, Raisins, I New Figs, Is per box Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jama, 6£d Herrings, 7d Keiller’s Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickh s, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES McGREGOR, Tancred Street 12 2342



Holloways Ointment and Pills combine both sanitive and sanative powers in a high degree—by the former term is understood their ability to preserve health, by the latter their capability to restore health. With these reme dies at hand no invalid need be at fault to guide himself or herself safely through the many trials to which everyone is subjected during our long and ofttimes inclement winters. Coughs, colds, ulcerated throats, diptheria, whooping cough, can be successfully treated by well rubbing this Ointment upon the chest, and by taking the Pills. During damp foggy weatherasthmaticalsufterers will experience the utmost possible relief from [ the inunction of the. pintment on all tender chested persons will saVe' endless misery by adopting this treatment,—[Advt,] Don’t Die in the House, “Rouugh on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, ued-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack rabb ts, gophers. The N.Z. Drug Co,, General Agents. i Did men, tottering round from rheumatism, kidney trouble, or any weakness, will be made almost new by using Hop Bitters freely. Read,