COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, JFriday afternoon. The following is the Christchurch Corn Ex change report for the week ending Friday, the Blh inst:—Rather unfavorable weather has been experienced during the past week for threshing and delivering operations, and grain is still coming forward in a very unmarl- etable condition. Prime, sound milling lines of Pearl and Hunter’s meet with ready sale among local millers, but Tuscan is rather dull, and is nearly .all going into store on growers’ ac count; Very large quantities of second quality are coming into the market, but it is almost an Impossibility to quit them except at chick feed prices. ■ .Milling and bright short feed oats find" re&dy purchasers at quotations given below, as do also Tartarian seed, clean and tm to .name, but long and discolored feed are 1 difficult to sell, there being only a limited en quiry. among local dealers. In barley the same stagnation as noted in last week’s report still exists. A few shipping lines have been taken at slightly reduced rates. Beans this year are of superior quality, but only meet wiihmoderate demand at the hands of buyers. Peas are ne-" gketed, except for prime Prussian Blues which could be placed. Clean, bright, farmers’ parcels of grass seed are enquired for, machine-dressed is being held over for the spring demand. Cocksfoot is offering more freely, and a fair business has been done during the week. Potatoes meet with buyers at prices named. Sydney telegrams to hand are not of such a reassuring character Wheat — Prime milling, 2s gd to 2s lid; second quality, 2s 2d to 2s fid ; chick feed (whole), is gd to 2s, f.o.K Oats—Milling, is lOd ; short feed (bright). Is gd ; discolored and in ferior, is 4d to Is fid ; Tartarian seed, is gd, . f.o.b. Barley—Malting, 3s fid to 3s 9i; second quality, 2s gd to 3s ; feed, is gd to 2s, Christchurch. Deans and Pecs— Beans, 2s fid to 2s 8d ; peas, Prussian blues, 3s fid, f.o.b. Ryegrass—Farmers’ parcels, 2s fid to 3s ; ma chine dressed, 3s gd to 4s, f.o.b. Cocksfoot — Clean and bright, to 3>£d; disco’ored,' 2d, f.0.b., Lyttelton. Potatoes—Blue Der wents, 35s country stations within twelve miles. Dairy Pror’uce—gutter, gd to g%d ; cheese, 4d to 4?/, f.o.b.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, May 9. Mr T. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett street —Furniture Messrs Matson, Oox and Co., at Tatter sail’s—Live and Dead Stock Tub-day, May 12 Messrs Matson, Cox and C)., at the Ashburton Saleyarda—Stock -MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Friday, May 8 Waterloo Library Hall Concert and Dance Old Council Chambers—Volunteer Meet ing, at 8 o’clock Templar Hall—Gospel Temperance Meet ing, at 8 o’clock 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 Wednesday, May 13 Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 o’clock Wednesday, Mat 20 Oddfellows’ Hall—Lecture, at 8 o’clock Friday, June 5 isaburton County Council—At Council Chambers, Ha.m. Lonbgeach Eoad Board at Boad Board , Office. Saturday, June 6. Vakanui Eoad Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for Thb Asheurtoh Guardian must be sent in not later than r 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 ra ln 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 leih rs o be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to Thb Editor.

MAIL NOTICES.

fWniln close at the Ashburton Post Office follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a. in. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p. m., daily. For Chertsejrßakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. Mid 5 p.ta. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. J Saz Temuka, at 6 a.m. and lo a." ~ for and South, at 6 a.m., its a. m., and 430 p. m., daily. For Greenstreer and Ashburton For-. Wednesdays and Saturdays, a.r 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seaheld, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For {(fount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdays, at Gam. and 430 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur day s, at 6 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, it 430 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 430 p. m. For Newlauds, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton '' ii Iffice— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 ».m., 435 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.15 a,m. and i. 35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.3' -1 *\m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. ai. :1,30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Porks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. for Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4 30 p.m., and on Wednesdays It 5 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. Fiom Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 prra. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urJaya.at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1885. Local Government.

It is evident that the Stout-Vogel Government have realised that the ratepayers of this colony are thoroughly in earnest in their demand for an im proved form of local self-government. The Colonial Treasurer, at least, has recognised that the existence of the Ministry in which he occupies so pro minent a position, in which he exer cises an influence so congenial to his ambition and interests, will be very much lengthened or curtailed by the success or failure of the legislation he has promised on this important sub ject. Sir Julius Vogel in his address to the electors of Auckland announced his intention, subject to the approval of his colleagues, to invite the chairmen of local bodies to .meet him in Welling ton to discuss the Government’s pro posals on this subject, or rather to frame a local government scheme themselves, but the other members of the Cabinet appear to have discountenanced the suggestion, and we were spared the cost of what would have been a very useless and undignified proceeding. But still the Treasurer does not feel the question; he would gladly assign satisfied with his own ability to deal with the task and the responsibility of pos sible failure to other hands. The fact is that while Sir Julius Vogel is quite at home in what may be styled the mercantile departments of Government, he has always shown himself singularly lacking in constructive statesmanship. His last move has been to invite the municipal bodies of the colony to fur nish him with their views upon the particular Act dealing with their con stitution and powers. In response to this invitation the Ashburton Borough Council was summoned to meet last evening, but, the councillors probably feeling some diffidence in sharing the Treasurers herculean labor, there was no quorum present at the ap pointed hour to formulate the views of the Council. Whether other municipal bodies display a similar hesitancy or whether they voluminously comply with ; he invitation, the Treasurer will cer ainly sit down to prepare his promised measure confronted by a mass of con flicting advice, which will rather com plicate than simplify his task, and will very much imperil the ultimate success of his labors. He told us sometime ago that in his opinion the difficulty was mainly one of finance. We are not disposed to under - estimate the importance of this feature, but there are questions of constitution and administration which will prove even more difficult of solution. Not only is intolerable inconvenience occa sioned in this colony by the necessity for referring purely local matters to a tribunal which knows little about the subject, and cares still less; but it is obvious that the Legislature is ham pered and overwhelmed by the neces sity for attending to both colonial and local legislation. Enterprise is unduly checked, and social matters neglected, because nothing can be done without the sanction or initiation of an over worked Parliament, which, during a hurried and crowded session, cannot attend to all its pjultifanous duties. This is especially the case jyhe.n any great question arises in the House. Practical legislation is then set aside for a more convenient season, which season, if it comes at all, comes very late. Nor is this the only, perhaps not the worst, evil which attaches to the mixing up of local and colonial affairs. It is notorious that many of the best and most influential members of the House of Representatives ajre t!)2 worst in a local sense, and constituencies who elect prominent politicians often do so at a sacrifice of local in terests ; therefore, such men are often passed over for those who will attend to the pressing local matters which at present are so unnecessarily taken to Wellington, The question is a very large one; our space does not allow us to deal with all its different aspects, but we are satisfied that unless Sir Julius Vogel has made himself personally acquainted with the prob lem he proposes to solve, unless he is prepared with a comprehensive, com plete and independent measure he will find the question of Local Government beset with other difficulties than that of mere finance

Another 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, trar ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of the Hall, Jligh street, for £954, or only a little over one-third of its value. 11, E. M. and Co, are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to seenre a speed clearance.

Mr Baddeley, R.M , delivered judg ment in the case Betts v Horne this morning. The plaintiff waa non-suited and ordered to pay costa. The full text of the judgment appears iu our Magister ial report. An important meeting of the Commit tee of the Ashburton Racing Club will be hold this evening.

The usual monthly meeting of the Loyal Orange Lodge waa held at the Orange Hall, last evening It was decided to hold a special meeting of the Lodge on Thursday next, to make arrangements for the annual banquet and Church pro cession.

The following appears on the order board of the Ashburton Rifle Volunteers this morning:—“Company drill every Thursday at -7 p. m. Recruit drill on Tuesdays at 7.30 p m., and on Thursdays at 7p m. The following will date from to-day:—Private J. Stephens, to be Acting-Corporal. ” At the conclusion of the sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morn ing, Mr Baddeley, R M., addressing Constable Black, of Methven, pointed out the desirableness of police officers abstain-

ing from indiscriminate discussion of cases in which they hid been engaged Constable Black might be filling a very difficult position, but it was unfortunate for him that in nearly every case he had brought before the Court an attempt was made to show a measure of impropriety on his part. Thi New Brighton races were held yesterday. The principal event, the New Brighton Beach Handicap of 30 sovs, was won by Mr J. T. Armstrong’s ch m Corrie Vick. A dividend of Lll3 8s waa paid on Sly Sam in the Open Handicap Trot.

About forty gentlemen have signified their intention to join the Ashburton Honorary Volunteer Corps, and a meet ing will be held at the old Borough Coun cil Chambers this evening to consider the progress of the movement. Applicants for admission to the corps must send in their names hy Saturday next, as it is proposed to communicate with theDefence Minister on Monday.

The Ashburton Hounds met at Winch more yesterday. There was a good muster of members of the Club, and an excel lent afternoon’s sport was enjoyed. After a period of comparative inactivity in the Soudan, we learn by cablegram to day of a successful attack having bean made by the British troops on the Mahdites at Tabakool During the en gagement Mr Lambio, the special corres pondent of the Sydney Morning Herald waa killed.

The members of the Wesleyan Band of Hope gave an entertainment at the Old Men’s Home last evening. A programme of songs, readings, and recitations waa gone through in a very creditable man ner, and the inmates of the institution appeared to ba highly pleased wiih the amusement provided for them. The energetic secretary of the Band, Mr F. Steel, conducted the arrangements with his usual BUCC3SB, and at the conclusion of the entertainment Mr Fox on behalf of the

inmates, thanked the company for their kind efforts.

The current number of the Referee has the following trenchant remarks in refer ence to the Grand National Steeplechase Club:—‘‘The Grand National Steeple chase Club’s officials seem altogether to be making a nice jumble of the arrange ment- for their moating. First of all, May 25 is arranged as the date of run ning ; then, although this date has been fixed on for some months, there comes a cool request from the Mayor of Christ church that the Grand National people will alter the date of the meet in conaa quenca of Government having decided that a grand volunteer demonstration shall be hold on that day. And lo and behold! the Grand National Stewards are weak kneed enough to give way, and, as the Lower Heathcote Racing Club have fixed their gathering for May 26, the Grand National reunion has to be relegated to the 27th Close on the heels of this an nouncement come the weights for the Grand National Handicap and Hurdle Race, and here there appears to ma to have been some beautiful bungling. Rule 42 of the N.ZG. N.S, Club rules reads : ‘ln all handicaps the lowest weight shall not be less than 10st, and when the highest weight accepting is under 12 it 7ib it shall be raised to that weight, and Ihe others In proportion.’ The highest weight accepting under the handicap now framed must bo leas than 12st 71b, seeing that the top weight, Ravenswood, only has 12st 31b, and I cannot see how the handicap as issued can legally be raised 4ib all round. Then, again, rule 43 de crees that ‘ no horse shall carry less than lOat in any race,’ and yet we find Azim given 9st 121 b, and Secretary 9st 51b in the Hurdle Handicap. The handicaps issued are full of glaring inconsistencies, such, fur instance, as Ravenswood giving Macaroni 10 b in the Grand National Handicap ; Scrutineer conceding Maca roni 61b m the same race ; and Borderman giving s!b to Macaroni, 21 b to Berrington, and 231 b to Azirn in the Hurdle Handi cap. Acceptances are due on Tuesday. Herat of the present day, according to Colonel Grodekoff, a Russian writer, is as big as Tashkend ; that is, not less than 60,000 inhabitants By its buildings it ranks second to Meshed, in Central Asia, Its streets are crooked, narrow and dirty, ilia town is defended by a brick wall 24ft high, with a small ditch in front of it. At the fool of the tyall there are a number of houses, which are included in the city. The wall has no armament; nothing to remind one of a European fortified place, no isolated forts, or anything of the kind. In its actual state Herat is unable to de fend itself from a European army. About one mile to the no th of the city there are commanding heights, from which the city can be shelled in no time—in fact, laid in ashes. In the centre of the city is an

artificial eminence A citadel is built on it • its walls are 24ft high. In front of the wall i? a dee*p ditch, full'of water, overgrown with tall reeds. ' The wall is very much ruined, and the buildings in the citadel are crowded-and clumsy. Its importance in the eyes of the Afghans must be gathered from the fact that, before the late war, the Afghans had 25

battalions disposed in and around the city, and only sent nine battalions away to the frontier of India, leaving 16 battalions and 40 guns there during the entire war. The bspeful influence of the modern cooking acadepay will penetrate the in terior of our best householders in spite of all endeavors to return tp the gopd old fashioned cooking of our mothers. “That looks very nice, indeed,” remarked Mr Filzjoy to his bettor half as he uncovered the breakfast dish. “What is it?” “That

is the new cook’s speciality. Tripe smothered in crumbs of bread.” “Well, 1 should say eo,” eo ha made an unsuccess-

ful attempt to cut jt. “ It’s mighty tough.” “I don’t pee why." The cook had a diploma! She ought to be a good one.” “ Oh, that accounts for it. She’s fried the diploma.”

Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood elastic step and cheerfulness in American Co.’s Hop Bitters. Read and believe, Tic-Dploureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speedily yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills.

Wells’ “Rough "on Corns." —Ask tor Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” Quick relief complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts" bunions. The N,Zv Drug Co., General Agents. 3 Catarrh of t hr Bladder.— Stinging .nutation, inflammation, all kidney and similar complaints, cured by “ Buchu-paiLa. ” The N.Z. Drug Co. f General Agents, J

Monday, May 25th, and Tuesday, May 26th, will be observed as Bank holi days. The Queen’s Birthday, a legal Bank holiday, tails upon Sunday, May 24, but the Bank and Bankers’ Act Amend ment Act provides that Sunday shall not bo deemed a Bank holiday within the meaning of the Act, and further provides that when a holiday falls upon a Sunday the day next fo’iowing shall be observed as a Bank holiday, provid 'd that if such following day be also a Bank holiday the day next following such holiday which is not a Bank holiday shall also be observed as a Bank holiday. Consequently Monday, May 25 being Whit Monday, both Mon day ana Tuesday, May 25 and 26 will be observed as holidays. We notice from the Nelson Colonist, of May 5, that Mr A. O. Aitken, lately of Ashburton, died at his residence, the Port, Nelson, on the 3rd of May. Mr Aitken, who was known two or three years ago in the Ashburton district as an extensive merchant, was only 27 years old at the time of his decease.

The celebrated model of the Strasburg clock will be exhibited in Ashburton during next week. At a meeting of the Ashburton Cours ing Club held last evening it was resolved to hold the next coursing, meeting on June 3, entries to close at 9 p.m. on June 1, when the draw will take p'ace. There will be a Puppy Stake for an un ; limited number of dogs at L2 2s each.

also an All-aged Stake for an unlimited number of dogs at L 3 3s each Judging from the success of the Club’s last meeting, the splendid running ground, the Lagh mar estate, and the large number of hares, this should be one of the best fix tures in this district outside of Plumpton Park,

Mr R. T. Booth, the temperance lec turer, has definitely decided to visit Ash burton on the 29th inst. A meeting of the Committee appointed to arrange for his lecture will be held at the Templar Hall this evening. A special meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was called for last even ing to consider a letter received from the Colonial Treasurer in reference to the Municipal Corporation Act, but no quorum assembled. It is announced that General Sir Peter Lumsden has resigned owing to his dis content with ths action of England on the Afghan frontier question. We regret to state that Mr Charles Braddell, the popular Town Clerk, is suffering from a severe attack of asthma. Notwithstanding his indisposition, Mr Braddell, with characteristic energy and determination, continues to discharge the duties of hia office.

The proprietors of the London Standard have settled four guin as per week on Mrs Cameron, the molher of their late special correspondent who was killed in the Soudan. Count Vambery says “it would be simply a political suicide if the English Government shou'd give in to Russia in respect to her boundary claims, and her claims of territory east of Herat. To do this would place the key of India In the hands of England’s insatiable rival.” August Flower. —The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects ; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heart burn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in 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 bottles, 6d.—f Aovt.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS

Auckland The Hinemoi took three 64 pounders on board from the Waihora, for convey ance to Southern ports. The steamer Gieoelg and the sailing vessels Waitemata and Gazelle returned from Kawau, being unsuccessful in the attempt to get off the stranded steamer Macgregor. It was unsafe where she was lying to take the sailing vessels. It is probable a farther attempt will be made to morrow.

The Wybert Reeve Comedy Company opened to-night at the Opera House, in “ For Love or Money,” to a good house. Sir George Grey will deliver an address under the auspices of the Liberal Associa tion on Monday next. The Mercantile Marine Association in vite the co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce in considering the position re cently taken up by the seamen and Lumpers' Union and its effect upon the trade of the port. Captain Fayenz, of the Austrian corvette Saida, was here in the Nevada with Dr Hochstetter in 1838 He was then a mid shipman. The Mayor paid him an official visit to-day. Hokitika. A fire occurred in Revell street at 8 o’clock last night. It originated by means of an iron chimney passing through the roof of Webb’s, fruiterer, owned by Louisson, and spread to Hay’s, chemist, owned by Prosser. ‘ Webb’s was com pletely gutted, and Hay’s very much damaged. The stocks were removed, but nearly all destroyed by the water or by removal. Goods were partly removed from Nicholson’s, draper, and Perry’s, grocer, on either side, but very little damage Was done. The steam fire engine was soon on the spot, and worked with great efficiency. The htnd engine proved of great service in keeping the fames back before steam was got up. But for the prompt assistance rendered by the Fire Brigade and public a serious fire would have resulted. The buildings were two storey, and built of wood. The in surances on Webb’s building, owned by Louisson, were LIOO in the Standard, stock and furniture uninsured ; Hay’s stock, L2 o oin Victoria, building and furniture uninsured. Webb loses every thing. Hay’s loss will be covered by the insurance. Nicholson’s and Perry’s loss is trifling. PuNEWN. A caucus of Otago members of both Houses will be held on Saturday, to con sider the best means to adopt tu ensure a more vigorous prosecution of the Otago Central Railway.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

4-SHBURTON— To-day. (Before H. 0. S, Baddeley, Escp, R.M.) Civil 0a«e8 Perham v Saundere, claim L 9 15s ; ad journed to June 5. Coulter v Betts, claim L4O. Mr Branson for the plaintiff, Mr Oaygill for the defendant. —Mr Oaygill applied for an adjournment to enable the defendant to obtain further particulars of the plain tiff's claim, and to bring a cross-action. Mr Branson consented to' the adjourn ment on payment of costs, and it was granted for a fortnight on these terms. Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Orr and Co v Richmond, claim L3o. Meech and Co v Campbell, claim L2 ss. —Judgment by default for the amount claimed and cosies Meech and Oorsbie, claim LI ss. —Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Betts v Horne, claim L 33 13s 4d,—Mr Wilding for the pla ntiff, Mr Purnell for the defendant.- Judgment in this case, which had been heard and argued befqre

the Court on April 17 and 24, was de-J livered as follows: —This is an action for 1 breach of warranty of a Deering reaper 1 and binder. It is quite clear from the I evidence who is the real owner of this I < machine, the subject of the present I action, but what I have to consider is, did I the defendant -o apeak of this machine I as to lead plaintiff to think that ha was I the real owner of it, and if so, did he I warrant it; and if warranted, did tho I plaintiff keep it an unreasonable time, I J have also to consider whether Raj acted I as agent of the defendant, and if so, I whether ho guaranteed the machine, and I in so doing compromised his principal 1 sufficiently to bind him. The defendant 1 gave hta evidence in a moat straightfor ward way, and seemed almost to allow I what would tell against himself, but still I I cannot say, after we ghing the evidence I very carefully, that I think the plaintiff I should have gathered from what took place that the Deering machine was de fendant’s, and even if he had thought so I think that there is every reason to be- I lieve that no guarantee was given for this ! second hand machine by anyone, either Ray or Horne. The time, moreover, that the machine was kept was very long, con sidering the short season that these ma chines are saleable. The plaintiff appa rently has misunderstood the defendant, and it is quite unreasonable to think that he (defendant) or Kay, for him, would , guarantee a machine that evidently was not his The plaintiff is non-suited."— Mr Wilding asked that no costs be al- I 'owed against the defendant.—Mr Purnell 1 submitted that his client was entitled to coats, and after argument LI Is solicitor's ' fee, and LI cost of witnesses, were al ' lowed. 1 Police Cases .

Drunkenness and Riotous Conduct. 1 —Robert Hunter was charged with having I been drunk and riotous at Methven yes- I terday.—Mr Wilding, who appeared for I the accused, admitted the offence, but I submitted that hia client bore a very good character and the alleged riotous behav- I iour appeared to have been of a trivial I nature. —Constable Black gave evidence in reference to a disturbance in which the I accused and another man had taken pact I at the Methven Hotel yesterday. On the I sug-geation of the Magistrate made at this I stage, a similar charge against the other I man, a first offender, was taken at the same time. —Constable Black, continuing, I said he would not have arrested the I second defendant on a charge of drunken ness ; Hunter was vary drunk. —H. Bailey said he had been at the Methven hotel yesterday. B e had seen the disturb ance subject of the present information. The second defendant was most certainly not drunk ; Hunter was very much under ] the influence of drink. The latter was very noisy, and the second defendant had good-naturedly, but perhaps a little roughly, turned him out of the house. The two defendants were on intimate terras, and witness thought they regarded the little fracas between them in the light of a joke —One of the defendants de scribed the occurrence, his evidence fully corroborating that of the previous witness. —Robert Hunter, the other defendant, admitted that ha had been “ a little bit drunk,” and “didn’t feel able to judge” of the condition of the other defendant. —W. Charters said he had seen the second defends ,t at the Methven Hotel yesterday. He certainly was not drunk. —The second defendant wav fined 23s and costs, with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment. Hunter was fined 60s and coats, with the alternative of 7 days’ im prisonment

RANGITATA ROAD BOARD.

The annual meeiiu>> of ratepayers of the Rangitata Road District took place at the Road Hoard's Office, Lismore, yester day. There was a larger attendance than usual, and Mr E. G. Wright (chairman of the Board) presided. The minutes of the last annual meeting having been read and confirmed, the Chairman submitted the annual balance

8 2 7 In moving the adoption of the balance sheet,the Chairman stated that the Board, having determined to keep the expendi ture as low as possible, struck a rate of £d in the pound only, the larger part of which had been expended in No 5 Ward, which ward had not in previous years re ceived its full share of the Board’s expen diture, but that such expenditure had now heea substantially idjuated, and future rates would, as far as practicable, be ex pended pro rata in each ward. He

expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the rates had bean collected by Mr J. C Bell, the amount outstanding being 15s 5d only. A sum of L 3 Ids lOd was due from the Government, but was dis puted on the ground that the land as a railway reserve was exempt from taxa tion.

The action of the Board in seeking to place the administration of affairs under one local body was fully explained and approved of by the meeting. The Chairman, in referring to the sub-

ject, said so general was the feeling that tlie present system of dual government and double rating powers was unnecessary and wasteful, that not a single ratepayer had objected to sjgn the petitions which were circulated with the object, in the first place, of severing portions of certain road districts and constituting new ones, and, in the second place, of combining to merge the whole into a new county. The wolka required within the limits of the proposed new county were few and inexpensive. The headworks of the water races south of the Ashburton had coat nothing for repairs, and were not likely to give them much trouble, and he was of opinion that the whole works within the proposed county, could be managed by an ordinary overseer, and the expendl- i ture greatly reduced. Mr Charles Harper said he quite agreed I with the proposal to merge certain road districts into a new county. It was non sense to continue playing at Road Boards. Most of the boards were in an impecuni ous condition, and entrusted their works either to incompetent or underpaid offi cers, and the sooner they could change this system for one competent authority, one rating body' and efficient manage ment the better. ‘

A vote of thanks to the Chairman, pro posed by Mr Harper and seconded by Mr Sutherland having been duly acknow* lodged, the proceedings closed.

TIMBER ROYALTY.

Invehcaegill, Last night. The Commissioner of Crown Lands pro* ceeded against Arthur Perkins in the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, to re cover JLIOO, royalty on timber cot from Crown lands. The clrcamstaoces were rather peculiar. H E. Moors secured by transfer a license to cut timber, and after wards Perkins joined him, it was generally supposed as partner, the firm being Moors and Company. Moors left the colony eighteen months ago, "and Perkins carried | on the mill, signing cheques in the name of the firm. The mill had cut over eight hundred thousand feet, but Government never got a penny on account of it. At I the last sitting of the Supreme Court Per- I kins sued the Equitable Company for in- I surance on the mill, which had been I burned, and recovered. Ha then deposed I that he had been partner with Moors all I through. The Department then proceeded I against him to recover royalty. The do- I fence was that thoughjjartner in the mill I and sale of timber, he was not partner in the license to out timber from Crown

lands, the firm paying Moors 4d pec I,oooft for timber sawn. Plaintiff was nonsuited, on the ground that partnership had not been proved, and because defen dant’s name was not on the license. It was hinted that royalty had been paid to an officer of the department, but no evi dence was adduced in support.

SPORTING

WAIMATE RACING CLUB. Waimatk, April 7- The Waimate Racing Club’s Steeple chase meeting, on June 6th, is to be held on Mr Studholme’s property instead of on the Club’s course, as last year. Nomina tions for the principal events doss to morrow, Friday. WELLINGTON RAGING CLUB. (By Telegraph.) Racecourse, To-day. The weather is dull and threatening. There is a poor attendance at the second day’s races of the W.R.0., postponed I from last weak. Waiwetu Handicap. Kingaak ... 1 Pasha ... 2 Erebus ... ... ... 3 Time, Imin 2l£seo. Totalisator divi dend, L2 Ba. Hubbles. Orient ... j ... 1 I Totara... ... 2 I Lochlomond ... ... ... 3 HebktaukgaJHanoioap. I Speculation ... 1 Pasha ... 2 Sou’-wester 3

THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

[beuteb’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT, j

[per belter’s special correspondent.] (Received May 8, 11a.m.) Suabim, May 7.

A successful midnight march was made last night against Tahakool, which place was attacked by the British troops and the enemy’s forces were defeated with great loss. Daring the withdrawal of the English troops, Mr Lambie, the special correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald, was wounded. [Received May 8, 12 40 p m ] [FBOM EECXEr’s SP CIAL CORBESPONDBNX. ] Suakjai, May 7* Evening. Lord VVolseley to-day made an offi cial inspection of the New South-Wales artillery. He expressed himself as pleased with the’ smart appearance of the men and the condition of ' the horses. Lord Wolseley afterwards sent for Colonel Richardson, the comman dant, and complimented him on the efficiency of his force.

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

( REUTER’S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.) London, May 6

Denmark is willing to arbitrate be* tween England and- Russia on the Afghan question.

London, May 7.

It is announced that General Sir Peter Lumsden has resigned, owing to his discontent with the action of England on the Afghan frontier ques tion.

King Christian of Denmark has been invited by Russia to arbitrate between England and that country in regard to the Penjdeh incident, and he has signi fied his willingness to accept the office, provided the invitation emanates from the British Government also.

The Daily Neivs to-day states that the Russian Government have assured England that they have no designs on Herat now or in the future.

CABLE NEWS.

LATfcST FROM EUROPE-

t Irkutsk's tkleobims—copyright.] * The Rebellion in Canada. ' Ottawa, May 6. [ Farther details to hand in regard to , the engagement between the rebel i Indians and General Middleton’s force , on Sunday last, show that the Indians^ 1 who were completely routed, lost fully , ioo men. The troops were successful j in rescuing the women who had been , taken prisoners by the Batouches. Monetary and Commercial- London, May 5. 1 Consols have further advanced %to New Zealand securities 5 I per cent xo-40 loan, shows an advance of 2 per cent, and is now 1 qz}4. The 4/4 per cent 1879-1904 loan has risen by to 101. The market rate of dis count has farther fallen 1 / { % now stand ing at 2 per cent, being below Bank rate. Colonial breadstuff's and tallow are at previous quotations. Dividend. The London chartered Bank of Australia has declared a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent per annum, and carried forward to the reserve fund L 25,000. Shipping „■ c Rio Hr Janeiro May 5. , The New Zealand Shipping Com pany’s s.s., Ruapehu arrived here yes- - terday evening. Her cargo of meat*ls in good’condition. Shawr, Savill and Albion Company,’s s.s. Tainui left here this afternoon for London, with her frozen meat in good condition. (Received May 8, 11 a.m.) Monetary. LOndon, May J. The Directors of the Bank of Eng land have decided to-day to reduce the bank rate of discount from 3 to 3 pef cent,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, .FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1885.



sheet as follows: — . Receipts. £ S. d. Rates ■ • 349 is I Bank overdraft . 88 4 6 £438 2 7 Expenditure. Bank overdraft • 77 3 6 Main roads—contracts and labor • 329 3 7 Advertising... . 8 19 O Postages . 1 O 0 Rite collecting ■ 15 O O Interest on overdraft . 3 14 6 Huehes (copying roll) . 2 2 O Horse feed 1 0 0



HAVE FOR SALE CHEAP. WOOLPAOES, full weights FENCING WIPE- Nos. 8 and 9, at less than oi 5. LINS BED, colonial BARRED WIRE, from L 27 10a to JM a ton TDRHHV& RAPE SEEDS, all descrip tions, guaranteed to grow OATS & GRAFF, largo stock, low prices ENGLISH A OTHER CLOVERS MATSON, OOX AND 00.



Wanted. 'TTA'NTED —A general servant. Apply y V Office of this Paper, 5 703 TTANTED—A correspondent for the |fV Guardian, at Mount Somers, pply to the Manager. HAT ANTED—A Man to make Horae V V Covers Apply, at once, to James [useltine, Saddler, etc., Ashburton or tnwald. 5 698 [TTANTED Known—That T. Hoult VV bas commenced Bacon Curing, nd having purchased a first class sausage mchme, lie will be able to supply the 'ants of the inhabitants of Ashburton with real good Pork Sausage. Freeh every ay. Only good corn fed pigs bought. 5 711 KTTANTED Known—Before buying VV Dress Materials, Dialers, Jackets, lolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect mr stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery md Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. 0. Regers, ■ ealya’ Buildings, East street. &REAT Reductions for Cash at Jones and (radshaw’s,—Wood oaten sheaf ihaff from 60s per ton, Is 6d per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9d per sag; new oatmeal 4s per bag ; good ffieese Bd per lb ; ffour, bran, sharps, and chickwheat at very cheap rates. VETANTED Known—Wertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. 2 276 GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Orr will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6a 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at lls 6d—every article at half-price. _____ 2 237 Known—Boots ! Boots I VV That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10a ; Men’s Elastic sides, 9a, 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 it 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4jri, Towels 3£d, 36-inch Oilcloth 9d, Camisoles le 4d. Andrew Orr’s Cheap Sale 2 185 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatpioal 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 OEE FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATION RY, Ac. Must be sold —even if at a loss To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksbiaers, Stationers, &c., 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* dians, etc. Photo and Scrap Albums, Is Tobacconist’s Sundries, etc. Specially low rates to Country Stores. “ Young Ladies’ Journal,” April number, Is 3d. K. Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDING, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel, )5 692



Canterbury Mills. fpO FARMERS AND OTHERS, CORN SACKS, K size and weights. At lowest current rates, 3 292 C, W, TURNER.



Machine Shop, WAKAJSUI 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 INWARDL* 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 ! ever 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 be ieve it was Lord Wolseley who said (he happens to be the most popular mat, of the day, and one must squeeze a littii popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should read incessantly, and never forget his news papers;” and I say the same I Read ! Read ! Read ! When both you and my self will be considerably benefited. Nor having room to give a detailed list of the contents of my shelves, I can only finish i by saying—Come and see for yourselves, j and if you are disappointed come again.— Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas F. Farley's, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, East St., Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. rpHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that Messrs WILDING, LEWIS & OA STGILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company .in the Ashburton Dis trict. All risk* taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GOCLD, ! 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury. MACPHERSON, FILMER AND CO. Timber, Coax., and Firewood MEBCH ANTS, East street, Ashburton. STUDY your Interests, and get quota tions for every requisite for the Building Trade. Study your Comfort and try our PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, Just landed, ex Candid. Doors, Sashes, Mouldings, Roofing Iron, Gates, Hurdles, On Sale, in any quantities pS- WE ARE PRODUCERS And can’sell to suit the times W. H. COLLINS, Manager.



gTUDY THE FOLLOWINGj Quotations AND BEFRIEND YOURSELF b. d. All Wool Welsh Fannel, very heavy, suitable for men’s shirts 0 9f Saxony Union Flannel, fine, suit able for babies’ wear ... ... 0 8f Scarlet Saxony Flannel 0 8f Grey Calico, per yard 0 2 Slate Hlesia, per yard 0 2| Heavy Brown Holland, per yard 0 4£ Forfar, for aprons, per yard ... 0 8| One Yard Wide Forfar,.per yard 0 7£ Cotton Tick, per yard 0 4| Turkey Red, per yard ... ... 0 Heavy Twill Cretonne; this is well worth 15... ... ... ... 0 8£ Reversible Cretonne, usually sold fur Is, per yard 0 9f All Wool Crimean Shirting ... 1 3 Warm Wincey Shirting 0 4-| Union Crimean Shirting ... ... 0 7| White Blankets, suitable for chil dren’s beds, per pair ... ... 7 11 No. 2 Quality White Blankets, per pair ... ... ... ... 9 6 Ko 3 Quality White Blankets, per pair ... ... ... ••• 12 9 Double-bed Size, per pair ... 13 9 Extra Large Blanxeta, per pair ... 19 6



See our 2la and 25a BLANKETS They will really astonish you. tailoring department. All Tweeds well shrunk. Fit Guaranteed. Charges cannot be beaten. MEN'S CLOTHING To meet these hard times. Men’s Tweed Trousers—3s 9d, 5s lid, 7a 6d, 10a 6d Men’s Tweed Trousers and Vest—7s lid, 10s 6d, 12a 6d Men’s Tweed Suita—l7s 6d, 255, 30s Men’s Oil Coats, leather bound —15a 9d See our 21s O V|E R 0 O A T. A very special line. H. E. May & Co., THE HALL. ■J-J' 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 groin we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we hare 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 grain sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower’s account or otherwise, as may be arranged 3 454 fjl HE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory CONTRACTORS To V-j New Zealand Government Rail ways, Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &c. &c. Ac. 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 moat 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 be entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the follow ing centres, viz:— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth Oatnaru Greyraouth Napier Waimate Reefton Waipawa Timaru Wellington Hastings Ashburton Mastetton Gisborne Christchurch Wanganui Thames Lyttelton Hawera Auckland



Victoria House. N EW SEASON’S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION BE FINE ART GOODS, CREWEL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS. TRANPER PATTERNS, &0., To appear in our Next. DIMAN T & COB, Ueperal Drapers, Clothiers, &c., East and Tancred Streets, Ashburton*



Special Advertisements, Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Tancked Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf K d per lb Best White Crysta., Sjd per lb Beet Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, la 3d, Is 6d, 2a, 2s 6d, and 2a 9d Box Tea from 12e 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, KM each. Rice, 3‘! Mixed Bi cuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 6i Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box 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. JAMES 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



Holloway’s Pills are strongly recom mended to all persons who are much reduced in power and condition, wlpse stomachs are weak, and whose nerves arc shattered. The beneficial effects of these Pills will be percep tible after a few days’ trial, though a more ex tended course may be required to re-establish perfect health. Holloway’s medicine acts on the organs of digestion, and induces complete regularity in the stomach, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. This treatment is both safe and cer, -ain in result, and is thoroughly consistent with observation,' experience, and common sense. Hie purification of the blood, the removal o all noxious matter from the secretions, and the excitement of gentle action in the bowels, are the sources of the curative powers of Hollo* way’s Pills. —Advt,