DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, Juke 5

Messrs Zouch and Macpharfion, at the Central Salerooms—Oil Paintings, etc Mr A. Harrison, at his rooms—Horses, traps, etc Mr T. Bullock, at the Arcade—Horses

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS Etc. Friday, June 4. Aanburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Oddfellows’ Hall—Dance at 8 o’clock Saturday, June 5 Wakanul Road Board—At Road Board office.

Monday, June 14 Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers a* 7.30

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th June, 1880, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz.;—

N. B. The above in so fab as bboards sub scriptions PAID IN ADVANCE will IlOt allcct old subscribers, with whom previously existing arrangements will be maintained. Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2a Od each (stamps may be sent as payment); if booked, 5s each. . Announcements of Births,’ Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country districts, require to be verified by the signa ture of the person sending the notice.

RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

Trains Arrive at Ashburton —From Christ church and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.35 p.m., nd 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5.27 p.m. (express). From Mount Somers, 10.5 a.m. Trains Leave Ashburton —For Christ hurch and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., end 5.37 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and aouth, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, 545 p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.5 p.m

MAIL NOTICES.

ftTaila 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, &c., at 10.30 a. m and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Ooldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 10 a. m. and 4.30 p. m daily. For Timaru and South, at 10 a.jn., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreot, on Weanesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Sea view, Seafield, nd Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and . For (tally at 4.30 p. m *Ti'or Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri at 10.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at thej Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 ~m, 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey, &o. at 10.15 s. and 4.36 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.30 daily. Front Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m np 6.30 p.m daily. From Greenatreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a. m. from Mount Somers, daily at 10.5 a.m. From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed oesdays ana Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long each at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Frl days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1886. EDUCATIONAL FRANCHISE.

Major Steward, the member for Waimate, has introduced a Bill to the House of Representatives intituled “ The Educational Franchise Act 1886,” which promises to amend a very prominent defect in the Education Act, 1877. At almost every meeting held for the election of school com mittees under the existing law the chairmen, respectively, have been asked for a definition of the term “ householder.” As might have been expected, a variety of conflicting de finitions have been supplied by gentle men presiding at meetings of house holders. In this district the Education Board deemed it.necessary to interfere in two cases, and rule that the elections having been improperly held—others than householders voting—were null and void. Major Steward proposes to | obviate this difficulty by supplying the I following official definition of the | present ambiguous term ; —“ The defi nition of the word ‘ householder,’ as given in section four of the said Act, is hereby repealed, and, for the purposes of the said Act and Amendment Act and of this Act, the word ‘householder’ shall mean and include every male or female person of the age of twenty-one years and upwards who is the resident owner, lessee, or tenant of any dwelling situate within the school district, and every lodger who has resided in such district for the space of not less than six months next before any election of a School Committee or of members of a School Committee, or next before the date of any memorial praying for the constitution of a school district, and every parent or guardian who is liable to maintain or has the actual custody of any child attending the school.” The Bill also deals with the cumulative vote. It proposes to provide ;—“ At any election held in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and Amendment Act, every householder may exercise as many votes as there arc persons required to be elected, or any less number of votes; but no householder shall be entitled to record more than one vote for any one candi date.” We trust Major Steward may succeed in passing into law the concise and well-considered Bill he has intro duced

The no-confidence debate suddenly collapsed in the House of Representatives last evening, and a division was taken at 11 30 p.m. The amendment moved by Mr Montgomery was rejected by 15 to 28, a much more pronounced victory than the most sanguine Ministerialist anticipated. It i 8 now expected that the session will be an unusually brief one, and it is not improbable that the prorogation will fake place during the first week in August.

In ’ll i Appeal Court at Wellington yester day in the case of Ell v Harper (Christchurch), Mr Jellicoe moved for leave to appeal to Her Majesty in Council against the dicision given by the Court of Appeal, in which they re mitted a petition for adjudication to the Christchurch Bankruptcy Court for rehearing. The application was refused.*

Ac a meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Education, held yesterday, it was decided to inform the Ashbnrton School Committee that the Board saw no reason to allow the school an additional master, and I recommended to take steps to secure a female teacher iu place of Miss Harband.—At the I same meeting the report of the Select Committee appointed to enquire into the condition of the schools in the North Canter bury district was read.—Consideration of the report was posponed until next meeting. The licv Father Chastagnon has request, d us to state that Mass will be celebrated at Methvqp on Sunday. Vespers at Ashburton at the usual hour

The meeting of the Ashburton (suburban) Licensing Committee fixed for to-day was postponed until Wednesday next, at noon. The Ashburton County Counoil has de cided to take steps to divide the Ashburton riding of the county into two ridings; the Ashburton river to be the dividing line.

After a brief period of lino frosty weather rain commenced again last evening and has fallen almost without intermission since. The rivers are rising, but no serious damage is yet reported.

The “ Referee ” of this morning devotes a j long article to the action taken by the Ash burton Racing Club in connection with the new racing rules. We agree to some extent with the remarks made by our contemporary, but the writer appears- to have lost the point of the Club’s objection to rule 20. We under stand that (he members of the local Club distinctly approve of the Metropolitan Clubs imposing reasonable restrictions upon country race meetings, but they demand that these restrictions should be clearly defined, and that when the other rules are complied with the Melropolitan Club should not have power to withhold its sanction from any race pro gramme. The “ Referee” says—“ The Com mittee of (lie C.J.C., wo consider, have been insulted by the members of the A.R.C. hinting that they will make an improper use of the powers conferred upon them by the new rules.” It is not often our contemporary gives utterance to such complete nonsense. No member of the Ashburton Racing Club even hinted that the present Committee would make an improper use of its power, but several members very sensibly asked “what guarantee have we that the next Committee or the Committee to be elected ton years hence will not endeavor, with the power given them by this rule, to suppress country racing?” The “odds,” to quote the language of our contemporary, may be very much against snob a contingency, but a well framed set of rules would not make the future in terests of sport dependent upon the whim or caprice of half a dozen unknown persons.

Mr C. C. Bowen Christchurch has received advice from London rr the Midland Railway, which show that all difficulties on ,the side of the company have removed.—All the papers, including the contract, in connection wilh the Railway arrived in Wellington by the Ban Francisco mail and were laid upon the table of the House yesterday.

A social gathering in connection with St Stephen’s Church was held in the Church Schoolroom last evening. Notwithstanding the inoloment weather there was a fairly good attendance. Refreshments were pic! vided by the lady members of the congrega tion, and music and conversation assisted in making a very pleasant evening.

At the County Council meeting this morning, Mr Wiight said be thought the C mncil would shortlp have to consider the question of re-adjustment of the representa tion of the Council, so that nine members should be returned to the Council instead of seven as at present.

From remarks made at tho'County Council meeting to-day, it seems probable that measures will at some time in the near future have to be taken in this County for the re pression of the rabbit nuisance. It was said that rabbits are plentiful on the Mesopotamia run, and that every season they encroach more and more upon the bounds of the County.

The Ashburton County Council have voted the sutnjof £2OO to be expended in the purchase of poisoned grain for the especial delectation of small birds. The grain will be distributed among the various road boards in the district, and it is hoped.that by means of this concerted action the numbers of the feathered pests will be considerably reduced.

The report of the Temperance Vigilance Committee, which has been tacitly ignored by the Christchurch Licensing Committees, was read at the Lyttelton Licensing Committee meeting yesterday, and elicited a warm dis cussion. The report goes to show that in the opinion of the temperance people the prohibition of Sunday trading is practically inoperative in Lyttelton.

The following statement of the rateable value of property within the various ridings of the County was laid on the table at a meeting of the Ashburton County Council to-day : Rangitata, £237,080 ; Mount Somers, £1112,211 ; Anama, £32,300; South Kakaia, £181,508; Upper Ashburton, £501,500; Mount Hull, £601,000; Ash burton, £070,051 ; total, £3,021,878.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

[per press association.]

Auckland, June S. Fully 300 bootmakers are out of work. By tho new agreement only journeymen and apprentices are recognised, so tiiat all the improvers are thrown out of work. Wanganui, Juno 3. Word has reached Wang mm that Messrs iSteveus and Butler, the Govern ment Land Uurchaso Commissioners, have been successful in receiving signature! for Waimariro block. They have gone as far as Oaumarunui, and find no ditlimlty in effecting sales. It was ruinoun d they were to be shot if they persisted in pass ing Manganui. -tejjao, but this was with out tho least foundations.

Wellington, Juno 3. The amended regulations for the village special settlements on tho perpetual lease system are gazetted.

The Gazette notifies the appointment of 0. H. Reeves as Registrar of Marriages, Births and Deaths at West Oxford, the lion W. Rolloston as School Commissioner for the Canterbury district. The appointment of the Hon. W. H, Reynolds as a member of the Executive Council is gazetted.

Dunedin, Jane 3. Charles Miller, expressman, who was injured by the alone from the blast in Dowling street, has served a writ on the Corporation, claiming £503 damages. At a meeting of the policy-holders in the Industrial Branch of the Government Association, it was resolved to' petition the Government recommending the closing of the Branch here, and the return of the money in full.

The class prize lists of tho Edinburgh University have been received, and show that tho students from the Utago Medical School h»ve gained dis’iuciion. K E. Barnett (Wellington) and John Somer ville (Dunedin) take three medals, both passing the second professional examina tion. F. H. Jolfooat (Dunedin) ta-s.es two medals ; P. A. Lindsay and W A. Flem- Ing take first class honors In Senior Surgery and Junior Practice of Physics ; tl. M. Inglis (Timnra) takes a medal and first place in natural history, and first class honors in chemistry and anatomy. F. Turby King (Taranaki) and F. H. Jeffcoat are both considered as having an excellent chance of gaining for the year tho highest distinction the school can give.

The Australia, the latest addition to the Union Company’s fleet, arrived this after noon, She is to be pat in the coasting trade.

THE LY-EE-MOON ENQUIRY.

Further Details.

[uEUTEu’s TELEGRAMS COPYRIGHT. ]

Sydney, June 3 Further details regarding the inquest on the Ly-ee-Moon disaster state that Captain Lake, m evidence, expressed his opinion that the wreck was caused by sheer carelessness on the part of Mr Fotheringham, the second officer, who was in charge of the deck at the time of striking. Fotheringham, on the other hand, asserts that the captain was | in charge of the ship at the time, and I that he received the course to be steered i from him. The evidence is of a very I conflicting nature throughout 1

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ASHBURTON—TO-DAY

Before Mr H. 0. S Baddeley, R.M.]

CIVIL CASES. Nicholson v Clayton, claim £3 15s Mr White for plaintiff. O.uo adj lunieu for fourteen days. Spenctr v Bczjnherg, claim £52 9s 7d Mr Caygill lor plaintiff, Mr White for defendant. This was a case in which th plain iff olait, e I the rent! ut;on of certain goods, horses and chattels, alleged t' have been illegally seiz id by the defend ,int, also damages for the detention, and trespass iu connec ion with the allo wed illegal seizure Mr Caygill called the fol lowing evidence ;M. Spencer, the plaintiff, said he lived at Ashburton horka Ha knew a man named Kinlay, ''’ho used to reside near him. On A pro 20 last he bought tv o horses from Kiulay ; lUcße were the horae*. specified in tin ■laim. Witness gave £2O for the two horses and harness. At this stage Mr White asked for th. production of the receipt which the wit ness said he had given him by Kinlay t appearing that it was in Christchurch, and a material witness for the plaintiil l e iD S absent, it waa decided to adjourn the case until Friday. The Court then mar.

RAILWAY RETURNS.

[ry telegraph.]

Wellington, June 3. Tlio following are the Railway Returns tor the four weeks ending May 31: North Island.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Pkkss Association.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Thursday, June - The Hon Coiunel Brett, without notice, moved “Ihat a message bo tranimitteo to the House of Representatives, asking chat the Uon J . A. Tale may bo permitted to give evidence before the Public . etition* Committee, relative to the reception of Cardinal Moran.”

The motion was agreed to. The Hon P. Buckley said that as a Want of Contidenoe motion was pending in another place, in accordance with the custom of the Council ho desired to move—“ That they adjourn.” The motion was agreed to. The Hon J. N. Wilson gave notice to move—“lhat it was desirable the members of the Legislature, in the present financial state of the colony, should forego this session half their honorarium, and that the members of this Council declare their willingness to make the concession.”

J ha Council adj urrned to next day,

HOUSE OF KhiVE jLNTATIVES,

Thursday, June 3

AFTERNOON SITTING Tho House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS,

Replying to questions Miristers said it was not the intention of Government to bring down any measure dealing with Hoad Boards, there was no truth in the report that a precedent to the signing by Government of an San Francisco mail contract, was an undertaking that sugar should not he earned by tho mail steamers from San Francisco or Honolulu to New Zealand without tho consent of the New Zealand Sugar Company. Other impor tant questions were answered. MOTION,

Mr J. W. Thomson moved—“ That a Committee be appointed to enquire into and report whether any member of the Legislature negorated for, or claimed, or received any commission, or other re" numeration, for promoting the passage o" ‘ The i istrict Railways Purchasing Act, 1885,’ or for negorating th sale or purchase debentures issued, or to be issued, there under by Government.” Agreed to. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT, Mr Btyce resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He said the Pre raier and Treasurer were very severe on those opinions fell heavily on him, as in certainly took a most despondent view oe the immediate future of the colony. Ha felt so strongly on this point that if y better condition of affairs did not ahortls come about he would retire from politicf altogether. He was not going* to cry “ Peace ! when there was no peace, ’’ and he help that it was the duty of every member to express his opinion fearlessly without regard to consequences. Those men who pointed out the true state of the Colony were the friends of the Colony, and they should not be deterred from speaking their minds. He considered it a great misfortune that the Financial affairs ot the Colony were ia charge of a gentleman whose name was everywhere connected with borrowing. Mr Bryce then proceeded to eritfclsa the Financial Statement at length. He did not know positively how that reduction was to be made, but ha prophesied that probably before two years larger reductions would have to be made. If the Premier did not make reductions, he would incur a re sponsibility that would bo distressing to him In the future. He believed that they were approaching a period when economy of a stringent character would be abso lutely necessary, but he did not think people were prepared for vhat economy a present. They were prepared, howevert for a motion like that of Mr Montgomery’s, He did not think it fitting or right th«. those things should be answered by either abuse or sneers, as he had simply spoken from Ms own thorough conviction. The Hon J. Billance commended the manner in which Mr Bryce had ap proached the subject but said he had not shown that the expenditure of the country was such as to justify a reduction of £75,000 ; Jhe had not, infect, debated the amendment at all. Referring to Mr Bryce's remarks as to Sir J. Vogel's name being synonymous with borrowing, he pointed out that he (Mr Bryce) was for years a consistent supporter of the public works policy pf tips present Colonial

Treasurer Mr Balance deferred the policy of the Government Mr Macarthur d.d not think a dissolu tion was the bogey which had been bel.. up- Mr Ballauce would not at all frighten the House. It was absurd to talk of dissolution on a question like the present. He held that no Government which cou d possibly bo formed would hold more diverse views than the present Government

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING rUTTIVG

The House resumed at 7,30. Mr Macarthur want on to refer to the difference of opinion between his fritnd mid the Treasurer, with respect to the Sinking Bund. He hoped, if the amend ment wort carried, a substantial reduc o would be given effect to. Dr A. K. Kowman thought it was strange that the Govorom..n', should ac cept this as a Ho Goi fidence motion, on which they might go out of office, whereas last year half a million could not dislodge them, tie thought the system ihat had iirnviled at Home of rewarding politica : supporters by giving thm orders and titles was cheapness itself coupared with the system of giving political railways and public works. The Hon E. Richardson siid he could

euow the House where a considerable laving had been effected during the las’ year. Ha pointed out that 90 miles el railway had been opened during the year, uid the working expenses were £SOOO les than in the previous year. The revenue had decreased £3OOO, but the net revenue had increased £2OOO, so that tinting th< year a profit had been made. More iiasengers had been carried this year, and many reductions had been made in, various directions. The outstandings ac counts were £23,000 less than in the previous year, and yet it had been said over and over again that no reductions had been made m any department. In respect to liabilities, he found that in March, 1884, the liabilities were £1,282.0j0 j yet the hou gentleman h’m self, in the motion he made, set the ex penditure down at £[,000,000. He might ■ay that the whole of the £386,000 would practically go to new railways. Mr Whyte said Government had, .luring the recess, learned many useful lessons, and, amongst others, not t < make too many rash promises. He ex pressed the hope that the virtue which would be impressed on Government before long was the virtne of resignation, Mr O’Conor wished to address his con atituents, as other members had done. He thought takidg the Estimates as a whole, they were moderate, but great savnga could still be effected in depart, mental expenditure. iUr tiiuoe said it was at last practically admitted by Government that there was depreason in the colony, and the antidote Government had discovered was a borrow ing and a spending policy. He thought the antidote had not been suceessfui, but the reverse. He did not hlame any par ticular Government for the depression, hut he considered any Government deserv ing of blame which ignored the fact that deprecsion existed. Mr Menteath took exception to the form in which the motion was brought down* Che mover knew well the motion must have but one effect, namely, to turn out Government, Mr Mon gomary still per sisted in his motion. In his opinion, no benefit would result from a change in the Ministry, and a political criscus at the present time would be very diaastroas. Mr Ross was In favour of retrenchment has made up his mind never to support any vote of no confidence brought down oy a private member, and for this reason he should give a vote which some people might be inclined to challenge, Mr Levestam combated the statements made by Mr Bruce that the O denial Treasures did not understand the Public Works policy. Why, the Colonial Treasu rer’s policy in 1870 rings throughout the country, and public meetings ail over the Colony endorsed that policy. He con-

siderod the Government had shown a net credit for every retrenchment they had made, and in the Charitable Aid aloce they had made a very large retrenchment. On the amendment being put, it was lost by 44 to 28, and the motion was carried. The following was the division list :

Ayers, 44.—Messrs Alhvpight, Ballance, Bevan, Bradshaw, Brown, Cadman, Gown, Dargiville, Duncan, Fraser, Gore, Grace, Guinness, Hakuene. Hatch, Holmes, Hursthouse, Iveas, Lance, Larnach,

Levestam, j, M‘Kenzie, M'Millian Men

teath, Moat, O’Callaghan, Pere, Pratt Reese, Reid, E. Richardson, Ross, Samuel Seddon, Steward, Stewart, Sir R. Stout, Taylor, Te Ao, T, Thompson, Tole, Turn bull, Walker, Sir J. Vogel, Noes 28.—Messrs Atkinson, Barren, Beetbaiu, Bruce, Buchanan. J.Buckland, W. Buckland, Conolly’ Dobson, Fergus, Fulton. Hirst, Hialop, Hobbs, Lake. Locke, Mtoarthur, M. Mackenzie, Mitchel son, Montgomery, Moss, Ormond, G. Richardson, Rolleaton, Russel, J. Thomp son, Trimble, Wilson,.

Pairs: For—Messrs Coster, Joyce, f Bzherbert, Karr, Garrick. Macandrew, Pearaoc, Harptr, Smith O’conor ; Against —Messrs Herat, Peacock, Johnston, Fisher, Wakefield, Softer, Brace, White, Newman, Sir G. Grey.

The House then went into Committee Supply for consideration of the Estimate Progress was reported. Major Atkinson asked how the Govern ment proposed to proceed with Esti mates.

The Hon Sir R. Stoat said he bad pro raised to effect a reduction of £30,000 or £40,000 daring the financial year, and he still adhered to that promise. The House rose at 11.40.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

’ fPHK PRKBB ASSOCIATION. ■ F Railway Commission. , Aickland, June 4. I Sailed, s s. Botomahaua for Melbourne, , via Southern ports. S. Valle is r passen ger to give evidence before the Railway Commission at Wellington. New Hebrides. The Hon Colonel Sargood, of Victoria, telegraphed yesterday morning to the Rev J. Robertson, stating that an impor tant despaton had jual been received in Melbourne from Karl Granville on the subject of the New Hebrides, and asking for help to prevent the French claims being granted. A second cable message from Colonel Sargood, as follows, arrived last night .-—Granville’s despatch of April 22 covers a French official note declaring that the New Hebrides are wanted to secure native labor for their Pacific Islands. As this means slavery, surely New Zealand will never agree. In view of these messages It is probable a public meeting will be called for at an early date in opposition to the French proposals.

Bankruptcy. Dunedin, Jane 4. John Creighton, runholder at Mount Ida, has filed. Liabilities 1£7420, assets £IO,OOO

COMMERCIAL.

Markets.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS —COPFRIGHT.] London, June 2.

Consols are at £ioo ios. New Zealand securities are unchanged. There is no alteration to report in Colonial breadstuff's or tallow. The stock of tallow in London on June i was 15,800 casks.

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary m mthly meeting < f the Ashburton Ooonty Gounod was held at the Council Chambers to day. Presort Tessrs G. J ' Harper, J. Jackson, D. McLean, B. S. Cos er, and B. Q. Wright. On the motion of Mr Wright, seconded by Mr Jackaon, Mr Harper was voted to the chair. ROUT.NE. The Minutes of the last ordinary meeting of the Council were read aad confirmed ; the Rangers’ reports and diaries, a statement of the business done by the vh.innan since last meeting, copies of Bills introduced to Parliann nt, and a circular from Mr Farr were laid on the table. chatbm.ik’s statement.

The Engineer's groport iwas read as follows ; Blackford Redoliffa road : , The contractor is making very slow progress, and at the present rate will take quite a month to finish nia contract. A further contract to Terrible Gully might be let next month if the Council should so decide, but winter work in that reigon will necessarily be slow and expensive, and I should advise that further tenders be deferred for two months.—The contractor is now resuming work on Rakaia Gorge road.— Ashburton Gorge road; Mr Carleton has not yet commenced work near Stour River, but will, I expect, be there next week.—Upper Rangitata Bridge: Tenders will be placed before you to-day for redecking a portion of this bridge. The actual work should not occupy longer than about three weeks after the timber is on the ground, and the speci fication provides that, during the period of redecking, the bridge .will be kept open for traffic one day a week at the option of the Council:—road channel at Morris’, near boundry of Mount Mntt and Upper Ashburton Road districts: As requested by the Council, I have arranged for fencing that portion of channel abutting on road in Mount Hutt district, and the work is now in band. The corresponding portion in Upper Ashburton district will, I think, do without fencing, as there is but little traffic. In any case it would not be necessary to than 10 chains on that length. Bat, in lieu of this, it would be advisable to protect the side with sheeting for a distance of 34 yards at the point where the channel leaves the road. Here very considerable encroachment is tak ing place, and if the channel should break out on to the road, it would be a semewhat expensive work getting it reinstated:—Plains water supply is being fairly maintained over this system. The E races and .branches have been recently shut for overhaul, and these races are now in a fairly satisfactory state. The new_ races in Village Settlement district are now in epera tion, and I expect water will cross the railway next week.—The Mount Somers and Spring burn races have been shut oft and are now also in good order.—Occupiers have not been able to do much as yet in the Wheatstone district on account of surface dranage_ water finding its may into the races in considerable quantities.—Ashburton-Rangitata Water Sup ply ;—The maintenance contractor has made considerable improvements in the clearing of several portions of the races in Upper district, though a fgood deal more is required in some parts, The races and fords are net in good order in the lower district, especially below line of road leading from Ashburton to Upper Rangitata Bridge. The contrac tor undertakes to get them all in good order by the end of this month, _at which time his extended contract period I expires. I shall therefore have an inspec | tion of the whole made during the month ; meantime it will be for the Council to decide as to the question of future maintenance for this district. The proposed branch race from S has not yet been commenced. The owners interested have not provided the necessary funds. Mr Emerson applies for a deviation of Q race at its lower end, in accordance with accompanying sketch. He undertakes to do the work, and construct ford to the satisfac tion of the Coldstream Road Board. As the race terminates in his property at present, and no other interest is involved, I should recommend that his application be [granted. In the Winslow-Willoby|water race, too much flood water is being thrown into the race at lower end of Mr Croskill’s section mid provi-

sion must be made for thowing off the surplus towards|the[fcrd on road, which was originally designed, I believe, for the flood water. Mr McCann and Mr Bennie have made a satis factory finish of their new race but one of the fords is imperfect; this will be put right inthe course of two or three days.—Wakanui-SSfat Supply: Some of the fords hade repaired lately, and additional posts and rails at Culverts will be fixed next week. The

ordinary supply has been partly shut off, owing to the late increase on the races through ingress of Jsurfacewater. —Irrigation: As this subject is likely to be considered in Committee to-day I have nothing farther to report on it.

blackeord-bkdclifpe boad. It was resolved that tenders for farther contract be called for next meeting.

BANG IT AT A TRAFFIC BRIDGE. A letter was read from the Geraldine County Council, agreeing to the Council's

pcoposals with regard to this bridge. It was resolved that daring the work of re-

pairing the bridge be kept open after

3 o’clock each day.

FLOOD CHiNm It was decided that the Engineer’s suggestion with regard to flood channel be carried out. A IMPLICATION. Mr Emerson’s application for a devia tion cf Q race, at the lower end was granted. WIXSIOW—WILLOWBY WAXES SACK It was resolved that the Engineer put in gauge to control the water that Is kilowed to flow into the water race. (LICENSING EXPENSES. With regard to the questicn of expenses in connection with the election of the South Rakala Licensing Committee, whiclF the Council considered excessive, it was resolved that the Sooth Bakala Road Board be informed that the expense of election of Licensing Committee could be reduced by the anoolntmsnt of the Conncl ’a Returning < ffiier. NEW BIDING Pursuant to notice, Mr Wright moved— “ That this Council take proceedings to divide the Ashburton riding into two ridings, north and south of the Ashbur ton river; that such new ridings be named the Wakanui and Ashburton ridings respectively.” Mr Coster seconded the motion, wbicit was carried, '

The Chairman said :—The Geraldine County Council has written to say that it agrees to bear its shar of re-decking one third part of that portion of the Bangitata bridge requiring it, and prefers to post pone the whole expenditure for some fme. Tenders for re-decking that portion of the bridge, therefore, have been invited, and will be placed before the Council to-day. The Council will no doubt have noticed that the police were successful in discover ing the person who had tampered with the sluices at Pudding Hiil, and who proved to be a boy named Waste, a son of a small farmer in the district; also that the boy has been sent to Burnham for two years. The rolls of the various ridings in this county having come to hand since last meeting, av d I now place before theC’ouncil a statement showing thaCthe rateable value of the county amounts to £3,021,878, which is £338,070 less than the valuation in 1884. The Council can now decide what rate will be required to pay off the Bank overdraft and provide funds for future county works. The Council should also decide ns to the striking of the water rate. A circular from the Clutha County Council, suggesting alterations in Sheep and Rabbit Acts will be read. Wakanui Koad Board has forwarded copy of resolutions passed by it with reference to Leadley’ and Butterick’s drain. A petition from certain ratepayers on the same subject accompanies this letter Mr John Corbett has also written concerning damage received from this source, also from the Wakanui Mill supply. Two copies of the proposed Counties Act, 1886, forwarded by Mr Walker, are placed on the table for the Council’s information. Mr I>. Cameron, of dunes, enquires if the Council intend supplying poisoned grain this winter. engineer’s rkpokt.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1886.



IF PAID IN ADVANCE : (id Per Quarter.. 6s (id, by post, Os „ Hall-year 12s (id, by post, 18s Od „ Year .. 21s Od, by post, 37s Od IF hooked : Per Quarter., 7s 6d, by post, 10s Od „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s (id „ Year 30s Od, by post, IBs Od



Revenue. Expendi- Per Kawakawa, J£ s. d. ture. £ s. cent. d. 155 11 0 262 5 8 57-56 Whangarei F135 5 8 269 17 0 61-99 Auckland .. 10951 5 1 7319 8 5 73-12 Napier 5772 7 0 3109 8 6 53-87 Wellington 5875 7 5 3933 10 3 66-95 Wanganui . 6501 10 0 5078 16 10 76'93 Total . 29191 9 2 20003 6 8 68-52 Hurunui- Bluff . Middle £ a. Isi d. \XD. £ s. d. 67735 0 7 35772 12 1 52.81 Creymouth 1797 19 9 950 8 0 53-36 Westport . 1188 11 3 958 9 1 13*23 Nelson 963 0 11 587 5 2 69-98 i’icton 596 7 10 579 13 5 97-19 Total 72581 9 1 38557 6 9 53-12 Corresponding period last year £ s. d. £ d. Kawakawa. 135 1 1 171 10 2 39-12 Whangarei 280 5 1 271 11 3 98-02 Auckland . 8916 8 11 5155 11 11 57-83 Napier 1118 8 1 18 61 10 0 11 95 Wellington 5122 2 10 2931 11 2 57-29 Wanganui. 5218 1 6 1351 11 5 82-92 Total 21159 8 0 11753 5 11 61-99 Middle Island, £ s. d. £ d. llurunui- Bluff . 61861 2 1 32715 7 6 52-93 Oreymouth 1793 18 1 891 11 9 19-87 Westport . 633 10 0 45-1 9 8 68 18 Nelson 1072 12 3 507 10 0 17-31 Pioton 530 1 0 169 16 10 88-62 Total .. 65,900 6 8 3570 6 9 53-21



Messrs white, smithson, and RAYMOND, of Timaru, Solicitors, notify that their Mr J. W. WHITE will attend THE ASHBURTON COURTS, and may be consulted after the arrival of the South Express on Mondays and Thursdays In case Mr White should be prevented from being present, one of the firm will attend. MONEY TO LEND upon approved securities. Temporary offices at Quill’s Hotel.



JgLACK, BEATTIE & COMPANY, Criterion House, 201, 203, 2G5, High street, CHRISTCHURCH. We have the pleasure to advise our Customers and the residents generally io the Ashburton District that we have now received vary large Shipments of NEWEST DRAPERY GOODS for the Present Season. The advantages which we possess in being able to buy in *he Best British Markets, and the •.botongh experience of cur buyer, enables ns to supply all Goods under OUR CASH SYSTEM - of bnainesa AT LOWEST PRICES. We endeavour to give our Customers best value procurable, whatever Prices they may wish to purchase Goods at, and our Stock is so



LARGE AND WELL-ASSORTED that the most varied wants can bs sup plied. We append a list of onr Depart menta, in each of which an itnmens Variety of most Novel and Fashionabli Goods will be found DRESS DEPARTMENT HOSIERY DEPARTMENT MANTLE DEPARTMENT DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT MILLINERY DEPARTMENT DReSS DEPARTMENT HOSIERY DEPARTMENT MANTLE DEPARTMENT DRESSMAKING”DEPARTMENT MILLINERY "DEPARTMENT CLOTHING DEPARTMENT UNDERCLOTHING DEPARTMENT TAILORING DEPARTMENT HOUCEHOLD FURNIHING DEPT. olcnial Manotactueb from various mils. Including BLANKETS, FLANNELS & TWEEDS OF ASHBURTON MANUFACTURE. Cash System Asm Cash Peicks. BLACK, BEATTIE & CO. GENERAL DRAPERY WARE HOUSE, TAILORS, DRESSMAKERS and MILLINERS



Wanted. VSTAKT. h D to Purchase Second hand VV SACKS. George Jameson, Aj-hburton. ft 75 iTT'ANTED—Tenders for Fussockiug about 500 aces of Grass Land, To be in by MONDAY, 7th Jane. For further particulars apply Clark Bros ~ Woodl nd’, Dromore. 6 73



IV/f USIG.— Mk J , r I. Bkooks, teacher Pianoforte, Organ, Violin, bing ing, etc. Pianos tuned. Terms on application. Williams Street, Ashburton. 5 20 WANTED KNOWN—To Meet the Times, C. Hawkins. Tinwald, is now making Men’s Watertight Boots to order—Rivelted, 18s ; pegged, 20s. A good assortment of Boots for the winter season, now in stork, at the lowest possible price, A call earnestly solicited ANTED—Two Sisters or Friends raay meet with Board and Resi dence in a comfortable home, in Ashbur ton, at moderate charges ; or Two Young 1 'rirls attending the High School. Address in first instance, P.S., Randall’s, 7 ANTED 909 lovers of the Fine Arts to see the new Premium Pictures, to be given away to subscribers to the American publications. The Picluroa are now on view at the Picture Frame Manu factory of. Gates and Son, Burnett Street, opposite the “ Ashburton Mail” Cilice. Known—Hayes and Co ' . hnve bought (he samples of an English Umbrella manufacturer, at, a large aiscoimt. Also, a splendid lot of now Dress Materials, very cheap. Como and see thorn, at Haves and Co.’s, Arcade. Fruiterer, A'c., East street. C 52 5 22



FOR CASH. - Whito Sugar, 2.L1 ; \Vliito Crystal, 3d ; Sperm Candles, 5d ; I ingfish, 4d ; best Lobsters, Gd ; Plaid Vestas, 5d per dor,. ; Tea, Is per lb; Sago, 2id; Tapioca, 2Ad; Cutting Salmon, Sd ; Venus Nailrod, 5s Gd ; Groats, 9d. McGregor, Tancod Street 5 &T" TED Known—The Gospel will V? be preached evtry Lord's Day evening in the Arcade Chambers at G 30 p.m. (d.v.) Free for all. No collection, TTTANTED KNOWN—Long looked VV for come at last. T. Hoult, having commenced bacon curing, he is able to supply a real good Pork Sausage at 6J per lb at the Factory, Moore at, Ashburton. Pigs cured in any quantity dried, smoked and delivered homo at One Penny per lb. T. Hoult. PRESENTS ! Presents ! Wo are now giving Presents to the valne of 4a In the £ to every purchaser of One Shilling and upwards on Drapery and Millinery, etc. For description of Presents see Window. Dressmaking on the premises. Perfect fit guaranteed.— H. 0. Segers, Melford House. Monthly advertiser, issued by Robert Elston, Theatrical Agent and Bill Poster ; terms—4o inch space 5s per month, centre spaces 10a ; fur longer terms special arrangements can be made ; advertisements should not be later than the 26th ef each month. 760 WANTED Known—Wertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements, i CANTERBURY MILLS, ASHBURTON. I WILL be a BUYER of UPWARDS OF ' 800,000 Bushels , MILLING WHEAT THIS SEASON. Also some Large Lines of OATS AND OTHER PRODUCE. CORNSACKS, Fall Size and Weight, at 5s 6d por dozen. C. W. TURNER, 340 Per D. H. BROWN, rilO the Ashburton Guards and Voluu- X teere.— THE VOLUNTEER RED BOOK, containing the whole o the Exercises in Battalion Drill, Squat, —/ill, Bayonet Drill, Infantry Drill, Etc, NOW IN. The above should be perused by all Volunteers and will be found useful to those intending to compete for Govern ment appointments. This book being difficult to procure all intending purchasers Lad better apply at once to T. F. FARLEY. _ School Committees will do well to con sider the many advantages to be derived from purchasing their prize books from me, as I am now offering prize books at very reasonable prices, in fact, at Christ church prices, and no carriage to pay, whilst my stock consists of about 3,500 volumes.



School requisites of every description kept in stock. c Thomas F*. Farley, Bookseller, Stationer, Printer, and Newsagent, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton. Branch Shop : Town Hall, Ashburton, i



Special advertisements. fi flSsT ii|i “Hlhj IlSi’wiaßeaaßKliili ■SIS gapBBBiH muummm ROw JS IRO IN W o .!4 S S ARMAGH STREET, Ohrlatcharch.



Portable Ranges; Burn Wood and Coal—ln Four Slaes. PAINTED CORRUGATED IRON IN Four, Five, Six and Sovon Fool Lengths 40 pcf cent, Ohoapor than Galvanised Iron. 10 1988 Changed Hands! BRANCH SHOP, TOWN HALL, Ashburton. THE BOOK & STATIONERY Business lately carried on by Messrs H. J. Wood end Co, of Christchurch, has been purchased by me, and at a price con siderably below original cost; this will give ray many patrons an opportunity of ob taining a number of requisites at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. STATIONERY. —Special care Is given to all orders. Promptitude guaranteed. MANUFACTURE of ACCOUNT BOOKS Having made arrangements with a first class firm for the execution of all Codj missions as described above, clients may roly upon receiving PROMPT ATTENTION, first class work being made a specialty.



LITERATURE. Any book not in stock will be procured without delay. Orders taken for all news papers British and Foreign included), Public Committees receiving liberal con cessions. . PRINTING. This branch is b“ing fostered, and every attention paid to accuracy, neatness, and promptitude in the execution of all orders, all work receiving personal superintend ence. DELIVERY OF NEWSPAPERS. Customers may roly upon receiving their Morning and Evening Papers safely de livered at their doors, and not upon the front lawn. The same remark applies to Home Papers, Journals, and Periodicals ; also, purchasers may have their Parcels delivered promptly. Wholesale Lines Always in Stock. Brown Paper, Grocer’s Bags, Tea Papers, Twine, and Tradesmen's general requisites. Bookbinding Okdeks Received. F. Farley, BOOKSELLER. STATIONER, PRINTER & NEWSAGENT, Saunders’ Buildings and Town Hall, Ashbduton.



NE W 7. EAL AN D CJL O T KING factory. rnHE NEW GOODS FOR THE i WINTER SEASON AKE NOW OPENED GUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE TMWN, And the variety of Style and Patterns in Mon’s, Youths’, and Boys’ Clothing leaves nothing to bo desired. Thousands of Men’s and Boys' Suita, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweede. Every garment warranted shrunk Overcoats, Waterproof Coats and leggings in groat variety Hats, comprising every new stjdo worn Children's Jersey Suits, .Children’s Men of-War Suits Gentlemen’s Hosiery, Scarves; Oxford, Regatta and White Shirts Rugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags The celebrated WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. , N.Z, CLOTHING FACTORY, : East Street,



Victorian Steam Car: J. R. STEED 6 WISH to intimate to the Pnblic of Aahburton a having obtained STEAM POWER and oth carrying on their work efficiently, are now in a positi public with a fir * -class article at prices to suit the tin Every of Carriages and Traps made Spring Traps from £2O, Whitechapels from i P.S.—Special attention paid to Repaintin VICTORIAN STEAM IR AND GENERAL SHOEIN J. R. S. & SON, while thanking the public foi I this department, beg to Intimate that, having proci ate now la a position to undertake all kinds of Kngii Special attention is given to Turning, Boring ar Machinery, Including Combines, Engines, Reape description of Agricultural Implements. ESTIMATES given for Contractors and . HORSES CAREFULLY HOD~Drang



pONTINUAT lON OF THt UNPARALLELED CHEAP SALE Of Meaers Friodluuder Bros’ stock of Drapery, Clothing, AND Boots AMOUNTING TO A POUT £sooq ANDKEW ORU having purchased the above STOCK at a largo reduction from Coat Price, is still giving it away at Unheard-of prices, His great object being to turn it into caali,. nojjuiatter|Jat s gwhat sacrifice * ANDREW ORR



NOTICE. JT is roq loafed that all ACCOUNTS owtti!' " Tho Ashburton Guardian Company, Limited,” up to 30th April, bo Paid at once to Mu B. Hucjhes, whoeo '-oceipt alone will bo a sufficient discharge. * CHAS. W. PURNELL, hi 1L Chairman.