MARRIAGE.

Beioh— Stbvbns. — On 15fch May, James Bjsaoh, of Willowby, to Emily Lov&day eldest daughter of William Stevens, of Aahton.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MAY 15,1888 REPORT ON PRISONS.

The eighth annnal report by Captain A. Hume, Inspector of Prisons, has been laid before the House together with the second annual report on the operation of "The First Offenders Probation Act, 1886." The Inspector has visited the thirteen larger gaols m the colony periodically at uncertain intervals and the smaller gaols as . time and circumstances permitted. The Inspector believes that the gaols are now established and conducted on an efficient and economical basis. While tyranny and cruelty are not approached, the system adopted is considered sufficiently severe to make penal servitude avd imprisonment deterrent, and as far as possible of a reformatory nature. The success m the working of the First Offenders Act has been very marked, and it has turned out to be a measure of considerable usefulness. Retrenchment has been carried on to some degree m prison management, and the cost of maintenance of prisoners has been less than for the corresponding period last year, a result which all must be gratified to hear. Along with retrenchment m prison expenditure the number and seriousness of prison offences has been diminished. Up to the time of drawing up the report only three escapes from gaol custody had been made, and all the prisoners were re-captured without much delay. One prisoner who escaped at Hokitika was never lost sight of, and one at Oamaru was only out an hour an a half. An escapee from Mount Cook gaol at Wellington managed to keep clear of the officials for three days before being oaptured. Sickness on the whole was not prevalent among prisoners, the daily average being 10-23 male 3 2-59 females out of a total of 5428 prisoners who were imprisoned for different offences, during the year. The evil of having persons Bent to gaol by the authorities while suffering from the effects of drink, was muoh to be deprecated, and two out of four deaths which occurred during the year were attributed to the direct effect of alcohol. Two executions took place at Auckland, and three persons at Qisborne, were sentenced to death, but the sentences were afterwards commuted. The proportion of criminals to the popu lation of the colony/ taken at 645,320 was 01 being a very slight increase on the previous year. Ths cost per head of maintaiug prisoners has been £49 4s 4d as against £53 18s 9d for 1886. The Inspector speaking on the question of retrenchment m cost of maintaining prisoners says :— " The substantial decrease m both the gross and net cost per prisoner for the past year cannot be looked upon but as satis factory as far as it goes, but it must be apparent to any one studying the subject that keeping opon small prisons at such places as Timaru, Nelson, and Lawrence is disastrous alike to the taxpayer and the criminal. The net average cost per prisoner m the English county prisons last year amounted to £22 7s Id, or £5 16s 6d less than the New Zealand prisoners, so that, all things considered, our prisons cannot be looked upon as other than economically managed. Were it not for the Supremo Court criminal sittings being held at Timaru and Nelson, those prisons might be converted into police gaols, but, where provision has to bo made for detaining prisoners awaiting trial at the fciupremo Court, it becomes necessary to keep up a sufficient staff to meet such requirements, it may be contended that these prisoners awaiting trial might bo kept elsewhere ; but then comeß the consideration that by remov ing them considerable obstacles are placed m the way of preparing their defence, etc. On a close examination it will be clearly seen that the smaller the prison the greater the expense, and it may be added, the worse the discipline. For ! example, Nelson is the most expensive, at £116 6s Bd., with as low a daily average of 3*9 prisoners, while Mount Cook, Wellington; is the cheapest, at £2 4s 9d per prisoner, with a daily average of 63 3 prisoners, all of whom are what may be termed remunerative. Awaitiug-trial, contempt-of-Court, or misdemeanant prisoners, who do not per form hard labor, are not incarcerated at Mount Cook ; this materially assists m keeping down expenses." The value of the work done by prison labor, m broken metal, bricks, drain-pipes and needle work is put down at £13,037 4s 9d as against £12,270 6s Od, so that while there was an increase m the number of criminals the cost per head was reduced, and the value of the work done was larger, Tho increase m the number of juvenile offenders is a matter of some regret, and the cause is not altogether clear. Captain Huino soys : " I regret to have to report a considerable increase again during the past year m tho number of juvenile offenders. During the year 1887 30 children under the age of ten years passed through the prisons of the colony, as against 39 m 1886, while is those from ten to fifteen years of age the ; numbers are 83, as against 101 $ but m those aged from fifteen to twenty jrearg

the numbers are 336, as against 295 «, giving a total increase during the past year of 14 prisoners under the age of twenty years. Though this increase is only about one-fourth of the previous year's increase, still it is a matter of deep regret that so large a number as 113 children under the age of fifteen ' years should have been detained m prisons where it is at present almost a matter of impossibility to keep them isolated from the older and hardened criminals. I am, however, glad to be able to report that much has been done m this direction, and m some cases these children have been kept entirely separate from all other prisoners. With reference » to these juvenile offenders whose prison-career I hare closaly watched/ 1 hare no hesitation m stating that sending them to prison does con siderably more harm than good, and that, however carefully they may be looked after m prison, they are more dangerous to society when liberated than they were when sentenced, and the dread of prison life is lost to them. They receive the same rations as adult prisoners, and as many of them are mere children prison discipline has to be relaxed on their behalf. It appears to me that the only means of preventing a criminal class developing m the colony is to establish a reformatory for juvenile offenders. This might advantageously be done as an experiment, without incurring any additional expense. in the fe'outh Island, by converting either Caversham or Burnhara Industrial Schools into a re formatory for convicted juvenile criminals and retaining the other establishment as an industrial school proper for uncon victed orphans or neglected and homeless children." An interesting statement regarding the falling off m the number of re-convicted criminals is made m the report, and the Inspector says " That a comparison of the previously convicted prisoners sen tenced during the past few years with those sentenced five years ago — viz,, m 1883 — shpws a decrease of 10 males and the substantial decrease of 180 females. The contrast is significant m a variety of ways. In the first place, the saving of expense to the country has been considerable. In private families there has not been so much loss m wages while the bread winner has been shut up, but more important still has been the vast amount of human misery which has been spared. Some credit for this must be given to the better- system of management which has been estab lished m all the prisons of late years, which is proved by the marked diminu tion m the number of prison-punish ments ; there has been improvement also m the methods employed for the treatment of long-sentenced prisoners. For all of them, the first stage of life is made especially penal and severe, and they mUBt win their way upwards to milder treatment by conducting them selves so as to deserve it. More care, too, is now given to their instruction ; this, combined with a fixed system of punishments and rewards, is an effective agency of reformation." To make this decrease annual and to prevent " the present satisfactory falling-off m re-con victed criminals being followed by a temporary increase, it is of the utmost importance that the prisons now build ing at Auckland and Wellington should be finished with all practicable speed, as the additional accommodation is urgently required to guarantee the complete separation of casual offenders from habitual criminals. This is the only complete method of preventing the contaminating influence of the worst class of offenders. It is generally the case that, m spite of all precautions, criminals do contrivo to hold some intercourse with one another. It is important, therefore to take care that the least possible amount of mischief shall come from it, and this is very fairly secured by the absolute local separation of two classes, and the con sequent limiting of the influence of the worst class to members of its own order. A prison so conducted is no longer what a prison once was — a training school m vice, taking its own fashion, almost as a matter of course, from the lowest and mcst degraded of its in mates." The necessity of having a prison for first offenders know as the star class of prisoners m England is pointed out, as it is said to be ono of the best possible preventatives against contamination, With the completion of the gaols at Mouut Cook, Wellington, and Mount Eden, Auckland, there will be ample accommodation for all the prisoners, and there will bo no moro unnecessary crowding of the gaols and consequent corruption from evil association. In concluding his report on the Prisons branch the Inspector enters his hearty protest against persons suffering from delirium tremens or supposed lunatics being sent to the prisons for medical treatment. Such action is nothing short of cruelty and inhumanity, and is occasioned by the hospital staffs being too much alive to their own peace and quietness. All such cases should be sent to tha hospitals for curative treatment, and then m the case of drunkards, when cured, they should be dealt with by magistrates and severely punished. In his report on the working of the Probation Act Captain Hume expresses himself as being highly pleased with its successful operation. Only one person out on probation failed to report him self periodically, and managed to elude the vigilance of the police officers. By the operation of the Act a saving of £5226 5s 9d has been effected by the colony. Similar Acts have been adopted by the Imperial Government and to tho Queensland Government, and the statute is generally admitted to be a valuable .one m converting those who have com mitted a first offence, perhaps from thoughtlessness or under the influence of strong temptation, into honest and useful members of society ; whereas imprisonment would most likely have turned them into habitual criminals. Ihe _ report altogether discloses "that much is being done for the caro and reform of the criminal class, but much yet remains to be carried out. The remarks of tho Inspector m reference to juvenile criminals are worthy of#vory grave attention, and tho Government should see that as far as possible the recommendations of the inspecting officer are carried out. The State is put to great expense every year m main taining its laws, and if the law-breakers can be dealt with m such a manner as to diminish their crimes both m number and magnitude, a desirable end will have been reached. Tho report may well be read and discussed by the Legislature with advantage to all 'concerned,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The reported silver lode at the Owen 1 Nelson, is said to be a galena lode with a small percentage of silver. A gentleman m Christohureh has, says the •• Press," received advice to have nothing to do with it. Out of a total of 3921 males and 877 femoles who were imprisoned for various offenoes last year, 3330 males and 671 females were able to read and write ; 133 males and 75 females were able to read only ; and 458 maleß and 131 females could neither road nor write. We have received a pamphlet — "Dairy Paotories and the Influence on Farm Economy," by Mr M. Murphy, F.L.S., and Secretary to the Canterbury A. and P. Asaooia tion. The pamphlet is a re-print of an article from the "New Zealand County Journal," and is replete with information on the subjeot of dairy factories. •» ■ ° It will be remembered that a rather Btart ling meeting of the Rangitata ratepayers took plade a week or two ago, and a good deal was said m referenoe to the nomination of a gentleman who was sebsequently eleoted. A petition'Hbas now been lodged and an enquiry will, be held into the validity of the election on Friday, May 25th. It is said that Archbishop Moran has not made himself at all popular with his flock m Australia, and that it is felt deßirable to plaoa someone else at the head of the affairs ot the church m these oolonies. The original m. tention was to confer on Arohbishop Mbran Borne offioe m the Vatioan. 1 Mails for the United Kingdom and Con tinents of Europe and America, and West Indies (via San Franoisao) Sandwich Islands, Fiji Islands, Cape of Good Hope, etc, will olose at Ashbnrton on Friday next as fol lows: — Letters, newspapers, etc., at 5 p.m., money orders at 10. a.m. This mail will be due m London on 25th June. There has for years been, a Btory current m New York that Calvin Fairbanks the Aboli tionist, received 35,150 lashes at the hands of Southern gaolers m ante helium days. Be that as it may, a fund is to be raised with the intention of obtaining a dollar for each stripe, and of endowing a college for the eduoation of negroes with the amount. Mr Eden George's advertisement m another oolumn is one whioh will prove of interest to every one m the Aehbarlon county. For first class style m the taking of photographs Mr Eden George's studio has been long and well known, and he is bringing with him to Ash burton his very best meohanioal contrivances as well as the best of tho scenery for which he has become noted. Under these oiroum stances a good result is sure to be obtained. A great number of persons assembled at the Aroade on Saturday evening to witness an exhibition of horse taming by Mr Thomas W. Prioe, who was very successful with the three horses operated on. Mr Prioe will give another exhibition nest Saturday evening, and as we understand that the horses then to oome forward are exceptionally difficult subjeots, a good deal of interest is shown m (he undertaking of the looal trainer to subdue them. Gordon Taylor Hughes, of Ohio, son of the American Consul at Birmingham, England, after four days of competitive examinatipn m a class of fifty-two on Saturday, "March 17th, was awarded a Cambridge Scholarship, valued at £400, one of the greatest prizas m English school life. The examination of young Hughes, who ia only seventeen, was oonduoted while he was confined to bed by illness. This is the first iostanoe of an Amerioan winning an English scholarship. . A new departure m printing has just been started m London. The words, instead of being set up letter by letter by the compositor, are m block, so that greater speed oan be attained, and the cost of the work reduced. It is found that 800 words m common use can be arranged m oases .within reaoh of the compositor's hand. All other out-of-the-way words must be done letter by letter. Girlß are learning the new type-setting, which has been brought into practical shape by an Irish lady. The cultivation of tobacco by English farmers is receiving considerable attention, and though the} Customs and the Inland Revenue Department are alike opposed to the innovation, the desperate condition of the farming interests m England at the present time would render opposition exceedingly dangerous. At a reoent meeting of the farmers concerned m the work, an Association of English Tobacco Growers was organized for the defence of their interests and for the general advancement of the growth of tobacco by British growers- The Paris Correspondent of the " Times " says : — General Boulanger has a passion for power, and, dazzled by the unexpected realisa tion of his dream of becoming Minister for War, he was bent on nothing less than a Dictatorship.,. Suoh an ambition, however, requires startling surprises and consummate audacity. Such a man must make his sup porters blind instruments, whereas General Boulanger has become a mere tool m the hands of those who hanker after revolt. Had he returned to the War Offioe his appointment would have been looked up as a challenge to the peaoe of the world, and would have estranged sympathies from France, a oountry giving tho signal for oonfliot. France would have been forced to confront the dilemma of a terrible defeat or an inevitable Dictator ship. She is beginning to see this, and will be glad that the firmness of Government has saved her from it. Mr George Aldridge, a gentleman hailing from Auckland, who has been on a leoturinc; tour m the south, opened m the Orange Hall last evening by discussing from his Stand' point the position of " Man here and here after." There was an audience of about 40 persons, including a very thin sprinkling of ladies. Mr T. M. Jones occupied the chair, and briefly introduced tho looturer. Mr Aldridge spoke very emphatically as to the hereafter of man, and quoted copiously from the Bible— or, as he oalled it, the Book, to prove that the righteous will inherit eternal life, but tho souls that sin will surely die, and be no more heard of. Mr Aldridge's style of delivery ia very stacoato, and his gesture unceasing and theatrical, but he managed to keep his little audience well interested m the subjeot matter of his leoture. Ha speaks deoiaively and without halt, and though suf fering from a cold, he oould at times be very realistic A oollootion was taken up at the oonolusion to defray costs of the leoture. The subjeot for the lecture this evening will be " Where are the Dead ? " While Major Dane was m Auokland Sir George Grey showed him the relios m the Free Library which he himself had presented to tho institution, and explained many of them to the distinguished visitor. His Worship the Mayor took advantage of the opportunity, and had a shorthand writer present who took notes of the statements made by Sir George to be embodied m a catalogue. For instanoe, amongst the artiolea given by Sir George are a number of meres made of greenstone. Eaoh of these has a history. One was gjven on the famous oooa sion when the Ngatipaoa and other tribes of the Thames district oame to Auokland with the design of resouing a man who had been apprehended by the police for causing a disturbance m Queen Btreefc. They had enoamped m Meohanios' Bay and had'drawn their oanoes up there, Sir George had guns planted on the bill where the Supreme Qourt stands, and informed them that if they did not clear out within two hours he would fire upon them. They yielded, and the chief sent him a mere as a token of submission. This is m the Museum. A part of tho afternoon was spent m looking over some interesting and important letters whioh Sir George has just sent to the Library. "Bucho-Paiba."— Quiok, oomplete k cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary diseases. At ohomista and druggists Komp thorne, Proßser,Jland Co., Agents Christ church. j Holloway's Pih,s. — Weak Stomach. — The wisest oannot enumerate one quarter of the distressing symptoms arising from imperfect or disorded digestion, all of whioh oan be relieved by theße admirable pills. They remove oankery taste-from the mouth, flatulency, and constipation. Holloway's Pills rouße the stomach, liver, and every other organ, thereby bringing digestion to that healthy tone whioh fully enables it to |oonvert all we eat and drink to the nourishment of our bodies. Hence theso pills are the surest strengthened and the safest restoratives m nervousness, wasting, and ohronio debility. Holloway's Pills are infallible remedies for impaired appetite, erucations, aud a multitude of other . disagreeable symptoms whioh render the lives of thousands miserable indeed. These pills are approved by all classes,

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary inertias of the Council w B held last ev^tilng. Present— Tb •• IMUyor, and Ora Taoker, B'rd, Robarfca, Sea'.y, Reid, Thorn is, -William's m, Scott, and fl. Friedbnder. mayor's statement. The Mny >r said ih-ifc ih» debit balance at the Bink was £1426 7a 9. Thy armuats which had b^en received tt!no.i laat meefi'jf were : —Library, £1 ; rents of Roaorveß, £17; rent .nf pound, £5; costs of Baram>UJ, refund, 15i 6d ; ex penses at fire, refund, 103 ; eaith, 4i ; dog licenses. £3 l(h ; vrtei, 1887, £2 10i ; rates, 1883, £12 19* : total, £43 8i 6i. ' , OOaRESjPONDKNCE. Letters were read (1) From Messrs A. and T, Burt, Dunedln, applying for Iron pipes.— The pipes had been forwarded at the prioj hithorto arranged. — It was re solved that m future all pipas should be weighed before leaving the Oonnoil'e possession ; (2) From Engineer's depart meat, atatlag that the matter of planting treea on Railway RteervM would be en quired Into. — In reply to Council's letter m reference to the foregoing a subsequent communication was received stating that the planting of eastern Bide of reserve between Havelook and Kermod9 Btreets, exoept where sections were leased, would be commenced during the present planting aeaaon, and arrangements were now m contemplation for fencing the land.— Or Scaly moved that the letter be acknow ledged, and that the department be urged to extend the planting aa far as Cameron street. Carried; (3) From Oouaty Ooanotl making application for share of oertain ex panaealncurred m oonneotion with the traf fio bridge.— lt waa resolved that thearaount should be paid ; (4) From ELampstead Town Board, enoloslng amount of ex penses incurred by Western Fire Brigade at fire In town district, and renewing in timation that m fatare such claims would not be recogniaed. — Received ; (4) F/ora Ashburton Fira Brigade, applying for payment of subsidy. —Agreed to j (5) From Mr Tasker, applying for Council to baar ahare of oertain repairs required by the roof of a building on a reserve he recently leased. He had expended a good deal m improving the place. — After dla ouaaion the Council decided that It could not do anything m the matter; (6) Fcom Mr 0. R, Harold, applying for lease of certain reserves. — Application referred, to tha Reserves Committee ; (7) From Mr H. Mutton, applying for permission to erect culvert. — lit f erred to Works Com mittee ; (8; From Mr. 0. J. H. Neate, asking permission to burn rubbish, — Granted subjaot to the usual conditions WORKS OOaiMITIBB's EEPOBT The Works Committee reported as follows;— (1) Metal: Temdera were In vited for tie supply of 500 yards of street and footpath shingle, and that of .Mr W. ■Munro at llfi waa accepted ; (2) Ksr> mode street : Four Committee deotded that for the present only the quantity of soil applied for should ba taken fcom this street, whioh oan be done without injury to traffic. Mr Tucker had kindly lent a horse to the Oounoll to carry on this work. (3) During the fortnight the men have bden engaged at the Protective Works below the bridge, carting and handling gorae for same, attending to intake; cart ing rubbish off streets^ and carting soil from Karmode street. (4) The Town Clerk regrets that owing to Mr Fooka' illnf sj he has been unable to see him so as to make any arrangement, and requests a few days' extension of time. Clauses 1, 2 and 3 were adopted. In reference to clause 4 Or Frledlander aoked . If. the Oounoll shonld not have something definite before it. The pre sent occupant of the office was to have taken over the duties of Engineer last, week, and the present application came m the nature of a surprise. He would like to hear something more about it. The Mayor said, that Mr Braddell had informed him that he had endeavored to Bee Mr Fooks, but as that gentleman hid been ill he had not been able to interview him. He '{the Mayor) had suggested to Mr Braddell to put the matter before the Cbonoil bj that the question might not arise cf the matt jr having bean overlooked Or Bird asked if Councillors were to understand that Mr Braddell oontem plated arranging with Mr Fooks to carry on the Engineering work. Or Thomas thought that before that question was answered the wlshea of the Oounoll on the subjoot should be aaoer talnedt The Mayor Bald that he understood from Mr Braddell that the latter would ba able to overlook all works where no professional engineer's assistance would be required. Should an Engineer's services be wanted, Me Braddell would employ one. Or Friedlander said that the explana tion did not give him the information he asked for.' Or Williamson said that he thought the Council expected the services of an Engineer m the terms of the eohedule of duties adopted some tlme'ago. Or Friedlander thought the Council would surely not pay the extra aalary when they did not get the services of an engineer. He thought that m a matter like this the Mayor should lead the Oounoil. It was an important aubjeot and the Mayor should not thrown the entire responsibility on the Oounoil. The Mayor said that for his part he did|aot think the services of a professional engineer were required to auperintehd the laying of onlverfcs. Or Reid was about to apeak when the Mayor said that a motion would have to be tabled before he could allow the dls oussion to proceed. Or Bird was of opinion that having appointed Mr Braddell Engineer the Council should wait till another meeting to see If the arrangements made were Batiafaotory. If they were not, then the Oounoil could take auoh atep3 as were thought necessary. He moved that Mr Br-addell's request ba granted. Or Roberts aeoonded Or Bird's motion Ha said that at the time the appointment was made it was understood that when ever an engineer's aorvioeß were required Mr Braddell should call In the aaalatanca of either Mr Fooks or Mr Baxter. Oc Thomas said that he had voted for the appointment feeling firmly that if aa engineer was wanted-, his services would bo obtained. The Borough did not re quire an engineer now, but when such ahould be the case Mr Braddell would have to obtain his aaalstanoe no matter what it cost. Or Soott agreed with Or Thomas as to the appointment. He thought the Council Bhould say what it expeotea before Me Braddell was led into making expensive arrangements, Or tiealy maintained that the Council had already said what it expected. The schedule of duties showed that. Although he did not objoot to Or Bird's motion he thought that the Clerk had' had ample time to make arrangomants. The Council should cow have tho aervicos of an Engineer, but it had not those services, Or Frledlander waa surprised at the i»round some Councillors were taking up. The new oppolutuoents were mooted first on the ground of retrenchment, but they found now that Instead of paying the Olerk £125 a year they were now paying Mm £200 and letting the foreman super vlae the works. If it waa the OounoiPs opinion that they did not require an 1 Engineer then let them reduce the salary. Or Williamson considered that the Oouaoil were aimply being tr.fljd with. When the aucoaseful applicant for the offio9B waß appointed, he ahould have neen preparod to fulfil the dutloa of those uffioes If he could not do It, he Bhould have otked for time when the appoint <n?nt w a made, The Oounoll were given o •. :i then that arrangements had o.tu made by which their position

w< aid be (be same aa it bad baen pre viously. Now he had found that at the fcirao (he appointments were made Mr Braddell had never spoken to Mr Fooks. Waa that like endeavoring to make arrangements ? The other night when this noa'ter cropped up, Mr Braddell might have eeen the fooling of the Oounoll, bot n-j Arrangements had been made, and the Oounoli still ht»d no Engineer, Wan it for him, as Chairman, or for any member, of the Works Committee to wait <n Mr Bra3del ! as being the Engineer". Mr Bifaddell vtuh very well m bis own pace, bod ho (Or Wliliamson) did not reo.vnoUe him, and would not recognise him ub Engines. He was not oapable of doing the^ESglneeclng work, A 'gentle man m the building trade had bad to go to the late Engineer for levele. This wait the Engineer's office, bat people Bad to go elsewhere when they wanted an Engi neer's services. He had no objection to Mr Braddell db Town Olerfc, but he was ' oak of place aa Engineer.. He would . have protested against the appointment at the time it was made, • but for the aaaaranoe that an engineer's Bervfoas would be always available. If Mr Fooka was ao ill it was strange that people had been able to get levela from him, and that the Council's foreman could see him. He believed now that so proposal had ever been made to Mr Fooks. The Council had been trifled with and he waa not going to submit to it. He felt strongly on this matter ; more strongly than he had felt on anything for a long tlma. Of Reid said that the Clerk had had ample time to nuke his arrangements* The matter had been brought op at the last meeting of the Oounoil, when the Gle'k must have known some of, the 0 >uno!llors' feelings o*l the matter. He bad the schedule cf duties to go by; Taat was bidding on the officer appointed, an 1 if he did not go by it the sooner the Oounoll got some one who would the better. Or Williamson said that he would aup« por; Or Bird's motion if an addition was male that no salary should be paid on acciunt of the Engineer till the services of a professional man wsre obtained; It was monstrous that the Oounoll should p¥j for services that they had not had Or Bird explained that he voted for Mr Braddell's appointment on the represen tation of Or Tucker, who went down to see Mr Braddell on the matter, that that gentleman was prepared to . engage pro* fesßional asßietauoe „ Or Tacker said that as his, name wai brought In he would state what he actually said, and those Councillors, who did not understand it mast be very deose. ■._ What he said was that Mr Braddell was pre pired to employ either Mr Fooki or.Mr Baxter should professional assistance be required. At the time the amalgamation of offices was made it. was distinctly, sa(d the alteration was carried -info) effect a~p that one man could live comfortably <gi the combined salaries, Instead of two men starving on email salaries; Applications for the offices a*me m and Mr Braddoll Was aeleoted Until Mo l^ooks oeasecl to hold his appointment Mr Braddell ooulH not speak to him ; staoe thea.he had beea ill. A good deal had been said about thU illness m reference to Mr Bcaddell making .' ; ! his atfaDgemeatß, buthe would like to ajsk how often the Engineer had been (11, the Works Committee batug delayed weska m ,oonßequenoe.. Ha contended that the Town Oierk could do almost all (he work r where actual engineering was required the services of a professional man would be available. The late Engineer had done a great deal of work, sqoh as ohecklngaooounts, that belonged entirely to tha Town Clerk's department, It had been said that the Engineer mast super vise all works, but he would like to ask had their late Engineer done that — some* tim9s he walked round onoaday, and sometimes not for a week. Be agreed with a reuia k made by Or Thomas, that they had got these offices into a worse meat than before, aud they would oost just as muoh. ' . Ors Thomas and Tucker protested against Or Williamson's proposed addition to the motion. - • Or Soott wanted tojknow If Mr Braddift would have to pay the Bslary of au Engineer. Or Roberta said tbat that qusstion was a serious one. Was the Engineer to be engaged by the year to devote bis time to the Oounoll, or was he only to be called m when hia sesrvloes were required? ' Or Williamßon stated that In aooordanoa with the schedule of duties, the services and advice of an Engineer should be available at any time. If they did not want an engineer they Lad better kuook off the office, Or Scott asked again if the Oounoil was to understand that Mr Braddell was to engage an Engineer by the year. Or Williamson said they did not osre as long as an engineer's services were available. Or Thomas said that might be a cheap way for the Coanoll to get an engineer but It was not a right way. He bora oat Or Tucker'a remarks as to what had tran aplred at the appointment. Ifc was under stood that the clerk should oall m pro fessional assistance when it was required* [Or Frledlander said the schedule of duties spoke for itself] Was the Engineer to act as foreman and to stand over work while it was being done. [A Councillor said that had been done previously.] Oe Thontaa maintained that It was not so. All that was required and all that was. necessary was that before apy work was passed the Engineer should be satisfied that it was well done. After some dlßcassion, as to whether « free debate should be allowed au argument arose as to whether the clause properly belonged to the Works Committee's re port. Ors Frledlander and Reid, as members of the Works Committee, objeoted to it, maintaining that it should have corns aa a petition from the oletk. After Borne discussion the Mayor asked that the clause might be withdrawn. This was agreed to, and no further discussion at this stage of the meeting could take place. LIBRARY. Or Roberts asked what were the hours during which the library was opened to subscribers. As the recent change m office hoars necessitated fresh arrangements being made, the matter was referred to the Library Committee. STEAM FJRK ENGINE. Or Thomas asked when the £200 promised towards the purchase of a steam' fire engine would be forthcoming, He also asked if the respective merits of the Shand Mason and Merry weather engines had been considered. Or Tucker, the Chairman of the Com mittee explained the present position of affiira. The money had been promised and it should now b& collected. The con* aent of the Fire Brigade Association should also be obtained to the Council proouting any Buitable engine. ggENQINEEB. This matter ag*ln came up, Or R. Frledlander wanting to know what arrangements were to be made. At the Mayor's request the Oierk briefly explained. He desired to see Mr Fooka In order to oms to an arrangement tha.t would be satisfactory to the Works Committee, He asked for a few dayo extension of time, beoause he did not like to go on business t:> man who was laid up; After . aome desultory dlsoussloc Or Thomas moved, that the extension of time as asked for be granted. Or Soott seconded. Or Bird did not now know whether it" would be advisable to bring forward the motion he had previously tabled. Ha had acen Mr Fooks on- englnearin » buai neso, Mr BeaJdell having sent lura, aad he supposed Mr Braddell would have to pay Mr Fooks for the work done, Taer*





DIARY. { \ Moon's ' Sun Sun Moon Moon ago at May Rises. Sota Bieoa Sets. noon. f a.m. p.m. 14 Monday .. 7.9 4.43 9.30 7.8 2 15 Tuesday .. 7.10 4.42 10.22 7.54 3 16 Wednesday.. 7.11 4.41 11.11 8.47 4 17 Thursday .. 7.12 4.40 11,55 9,45 5 p.m. 18 Friday.. .. 7.13 4.30 0.31 10-48 6 10 SaturJay ... 7.14 439 1.11 11.53 7 20 Sunday .. 7.15 4;38 1.42 * • 8 Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 3 days old shines till about 8 o'olook. ■ The Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'clock m the morning. . The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown till about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. . - ' The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shines till morning, ... The Moon at 21 days old rlßes about 11 a.m. and Bhines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shinesti 11 morning The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.



Wanted f XTANTffD a etrong active Ti'iath for t V 3 months ; one accustomed to the trade. Apply at onoo t > Thomas Whitta. Blacksmith, Lauriston. 5 147 VITANTED Tendwra for Outtlog Gorse W Apply to J.Bonifant, Wakanui. Tenders to close on Saturday npxt, addressed to the " Mail " Offioa. 5J148 U[ ANTED— Comfortable houße 4 or. 5 Vf b'drooms, rent moderate., bend full p^riicolare to X V Z , Box 24, As\i- button, 6 133 \TT ANTED to Sail -AFirst-olasa Piano V? grand^ action.. Cash or terms very liberal. Appfy Haybs and Co. BOOTS. —We have reduced our Boot! List, and are' selling them wonder- fully oheap.— Tl. O. Skgers, Melford House IF ycu want a genuine Ashbnrton Tweed Suit to measure, or ready made, or Boots that will keep your feet dry, at prices marvellously low, coma to the Asbburton Clothing Mart, Sanndara' buildings.— Robeut Alcorn. WANTiiD Known. —Melford Honse is now shewing a splendid assortment of Drapery, Millinery, Cloth* Ing, Bootß, &o, very cheap. "\ I /"ANTED -Everyone to come and V V see the nicest lot of Glass, China, and Earthenware ever shown m Ashbur- ton, and the Cheapeetever landed m New Zealand. Imported direot from the Manufacturers. — Robert Aloorn, Saun- ders' Balldings. Stll WINTER. — We are now shewing a Splendid Assortment of Ladies and Children's Ulsters m all the leading styles, very oheap, — H, 0. Seders, Melford House. WANTED Cash. — Mulr'a Oatmeal (251 b), 2a 63; Candles, 6d ; Vestas, 51 dcz. ; Coffee and Milk, Is , Cocoa and Milk, Is; Corn Flour, 4d ; Fruita m Syrnp (21b tin*), la Crockery, Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mc- Gregor, Tauored street. WANTED Known.— Cheap Jack has opened a shop m Compton's Buildlogß, Moore street, with a large Btoek of Fancy Gooda, Crockery,' Muslo, &c , which he will sell at Caeap Jack prices, viz. 30 per oant under any other Bhop m town. bak~ekT~bkos BUILDBKS, UNDERTAKERS, Ac, Conor Wakanui Road QDd Goes street, \ (Next Cbntkal Hotel.) Or at Baker and Brown's Coach Factory Havelook street 11J1 j r 7 TRY KIRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY FRESH FRUIT "X" -JAM 8 - NOTICE. OUR Special Quality "X" brand ol New Season's JAM Is made frotn \ Fresh Frnlt, within a few hours after it ! has been gathered; it thus retains the full . J flavor of the Fresh Fruit, and is the beßi quality it Is possible to make. CAUTION : None is Genuine unless our Name ia stamped on the Tin, and ha* our regis- tered Tiftde Mark, the letter '• X,"on the Label. S. KiRKPATRICK AND CO., . j MANUFACTURERS, ; NELSON. NEW ZEALAND * CLOTHING FACTORY.?! HEW GOODS ! NEW GOODS ! ! FOB THE AUTUMN and WINTER Season are to hand, and we would rcquOßt intending purchasers of Clothing to pay our establishment a visit pravioua to purchaaingelsewhore, and See our Men's Sac Suits from 37a 6d ' Lateßt cut aud good value 8 cc our Men's Tweed Trousers from 10s Gd Well adapted for good wear free our Men's Twred Overcoats from 40s All Colonial Wool and nicely mado flee oar Men's Moleß from Gs 6d Own moke, impervious to wear See our Boys' Fritz Suits from 10a Gd Parents and Guardians come &inßpo^t See our Boys' Trouser SuUb from 22s Gd Colonial production, well and truly mado. Purchase yonr Clothing direot from the Manufacturers, —TAILORING— are doing a very large business ia this Department, and would rcquesc all requiring a first-o ass suit, Colonial twoed, made to mnapurp, to on trust thoir orders with us. We can offer yon 600 different patters to select from, and can give you value unsurpassed Fit, Btylo, and work- manship guaranteed. —HATS. HATS. HATS. HATS— Any shape, Btylp, or s'zo m stock. This Department is fully supplied with all the latest novelties. The Mercery Department you will find replete with every necessary requisite In Men's Youths', and Boys' wear at prices which cannot bo beaten m Ashburton. Encourage New Zealand Industries and buy from the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Ag«nta for the celebrated w ertheim j Sewing Machines, which can be had on easy timefpayments. W. H. WEBBER, Manager.



J. QUANE & CO. PRODUCE AND GENERAL MERCHANTS, FINANCIAL AND CJMMISSION AGENTS, BEG to announce that they have COMMENCED BUSINESB m Havelook street, Ashburton, with a Stock consisting of — OATEN SHEAF AND STRAW CHAFF FEED OATS, HAY IN TKUSSES BEAN, SHABPS, FLOUR TEA, BUGAE, POTATOES, FOWLS' WHEAT PLOUGd SHARES, &c. &c. • Cash Purchasers of WHEAT, OATS, BARLEY, Ac. and all Farm Produce. Mortgages and Loans on Land and Stock arranged at Lowest Rates of Interest. AGENT S FOR N.Z. Accident Insurance Company. ,- ' Jk , SELLING OFF <« o . Iplll Cicat junctions. /^^^ £ Pffillp 4|/ PEB °™t" DISCOUNT /(C^l^al "" a JBgBB gOB ONE_MoWfe|?SJ £ ~D "jl/TURRAY, Jeweller, having secured the Premises lately O •H X\. IVX oooapled by Mr Njbatb, Ohemisfc, Is now offering his ,_, m StOOK its " <n DISCOUNT OF 38 [IN THE £ PREVIOUS TO REMOVAL. 3 26 THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIAB1LIT? OF SHAREHOLDERS. * CAPITAL— £I,6OO7OOO STERLITO. HEAD OFFICE 7 DUNEDIN. ¥ NSURERB have the most undoubted Security under this Company's Policie 8 I together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. FIRE acd MARINE RKKS accepted on all descriptions of Proportv and Merchandise also Crop, Stick, and ilachino Risks at Lowest Kates of Premium, fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. OFFICE : HEREFORD STREET, OHRISTOHURUH. (Opposite Oank of New Zealand.) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, Manager for Canterbury. ALBEET JROBEitTS. AGENT ASHBURTON McCallum and Co., PAINTERS, GLAZIERS, PAPERHANGERS, SIGNWRITERS, Etod. W E deßtre to inform our Clients and the"p7blic of Ashburton, that we have com- V V menced business m all the above Lines, and solicit their patronage This Department will be under the management of Mb GF.O. VlNOffiNr, late of Mr J R °f **££&«??? a JLr^ mport M^^EB^LS of the bast brands only, and shall employ only FIRBT^LASS Workmen to do our Work, Clients can rely on obtainSS utmost VALUE, aa well as aatisf action, for their MONEY. OILS," PAINTS, VARNISHES, WINDOW GLASS, BRUSHES, Eto. Always m Stock j *' We have 60,000 pieces of PAPERHANGINGS due to arrive, of the very choice** PATTERNS and COLORS obtainable m London. McOallum end Co., TIMBER AND|COAL MERCHANTS, PAINTERS, PAPERHANGERS GLAZIERS, Etc., EABT:STRE2T, ASHBURTOfI. . , W. H. COLLINS, Manager. Important to Grain Growers. QAIJTIOJ^III APTKR the gratnltons paff In the " Weekly " end daily •« Press," and the present •drertisement In the " 4shborton Gaardiau " respecting tho Poisoned Wheai prepared by the so-called Patent Prooesa of Me J. M. Oimbrld^e, on behalf of- the Ashburton Drug Oomplfay, I deem it my duty to draw the attention of Graincrowera to the fact that the process In question Is not patented In Now Zealand nor Is It likely to be, for the simple reason that the various advantages set forth are exactly those which I have strictly observed m the preparation of my Poisoned Wheat for the last three years. Copy of Telegram*. Hazkidban, Esq. , Patent Registrar, Wellington. Please reply whether J. M. Cambridge Aahbarton, has obtained or applied for any patent m oonneotlon with Polijoaed Wheats, and if co poßt copy of specification Ashbar ton, 30th April, 1888. CM Bkookb Mr O. M. Brookb, Ashburton. — No application received from Mr Cambridge Wellington, May 1, 18S8. • F. Waldegbavb, Deputy Patent Officer. If Agriculturists want a satisfactory and reliable atilole (not an experimental ono, to which yoa have hi.herto been chltfl/ treated) Brooke's Poisoned Wheat Is the preparation to aso, as the following testimonials hereby testify •— - --"I have the honotb, dlreotion of the Bwd, to inform you that yonr Po'soned Wheat m proving highly satisfactory, and to request that yoa will forward me twenlv buehels more of exactly similar qaality at yonr earlies convenient Yonm bM Road Board Office, Kirwee. 14th Ju'y, 1886. Ammx John Franow I have great pleasure to lsform you that i ha Poisoned Wheat tha Board received f iT r\ gl i y3B Batlß /* ction ' aDd be « y ea f wiil at jonr earliest convenience eight bushels moro, the same sample as before. — Tours, &o Road Board Office, Temuka, 23 d June, 1886. *' Geboeob Dyson I have the honor by direction of the Board to riqneat you to forward £10 worth rf your bost Poisoned Grain, the 6Rmo aa the last lot received from you last season which was everything that could be tfesir F d. I used some a few dsy/aco after bavl Ing it frcm last season, and it wbs m firai-rote ccniition. and very rfWimi District Office, South Sakaia, 4th Jone, 1886. F A »*«■«« PREPARED ONLY BY makbig. C. M. BRO OKE, (F-A7E OF XA IA P.I) "*^^ m CHEMIST, ASHBURTON. POTATOES! POTATOES! POTATOES! rjnHß UndeHlgncd has now for SALE, by Bag or per Ton, a splendid Hoe of Prime Blue Derwents, Grown on good ground, and warranted to give satisfaction. PLOW SMAREST~PIOUGH SHARES. JUNSOME and SIMV and HOBNSBY'S, (ALL SIZES.) ANGLO-AMERICAN DRILLS. DRAIN ANDjIELD PIPES. Cepa Barley, Cape Barley. ' NELSON, MOATE AND CO.'S TEA AND COFFEE, AND ALL KINDS OF GENERAL STOKESJ G EIO R G.E JA M JCfiSfl) N. ASHBURTON-B J