The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Switzerland derives a yearly income of £4,000,000 from tourists. lii a Gracechurch street, London, bank, all the clerks are .women. , The daily surplus of births over deaths m the United Kingdom is 1500. A London matrimonial agent claims to have negotiated 40,000 marriages. The destitution m London is appalling. Thousands of respectable men and women are without food; It ia said that between the Island of Madagascar and the coast of India there are 16,000 islands, 600 of which are inhabited. Sixty thousand people are said to be out of work m the city of Berlin, Ninety thou sand are out of work m the east end of Lon don alqne. : The Emperor William, desiring to take a sleigh ride the other day, ordered a bed of sitow to be laid for lour mileß from the Palace door. Surely it cannot be true ! Complaint was made at the London Common Council that •' strangers " are m the habit of playing golf over Epping Forest on Sunday. Now, golf is essentially a Scotch game, played almost solely by Scotsmen. Do they really break the Sabbath m this reckless way when they get so far south of the Tweed ? It is worse than " whustlin." This last sitter at a private dinner at Edinburgh, who had at length made up his mind that it waa time to retire, announced his intention to the butler; and, fancying that he st»w something like a smile on the servant's face, he turned gravely round, saying: "Ay, John, I think I'll pro to bed ; but I'am no' fou, John, mind that—l'm ho' the least fou—but I'm just fatigued wi' drinking!" The royal family is not united, it seems' on the subject of the Salvation Army. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously accepted a copy of John Law's "In Darkest London," with introduction by General Booth. But the Princess Christian has re fused and returned the copy sent to her. Perhaps, however, it is not the Salvationists but the democratic spirit of the book against which Her Royal Highness revolts. "Punch's" cartoon on the Australian Convention represents five young lions pull ing m a racing boat, steered by a kangaroo, while the British Lion, m approved aquatic attire, is standing on the bank encouraging them with " Bravo ! boys, swing together !" The colonies represented are Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and West Australia. The cartoon is accom j panied by some spirited lines headed ["Advance, Australia! A Song of Sym pathy !" Boating men criticise the cartoon as being technically inaccurate, but there is no doubt about the genuineness of the motive. It is considered that the action of the Government as regards Mr Blackett, late engineer-in-chief (now consulting engineer m London), simply means that the Railway Commissioners will have to pay him out of the railway revenue, thus relieving ohe Public Works Department of that charge ; but no saving to the 'public exchequer will result. As a matter of fact, Mr Blackott is entitled to a very handsome pension, and the work he is doing formerly cost the colony some £2000 to £8000 a year. Thus were he dismissed, only a few hundreds would be saved m his salary ; while with his pension, and the fees of English consulting engineers, the colony would be some two or three thou sand pounds annually to the worse. In a letter to the "Daily Times" on the Otago Central Railway, Mr Vincent Pyke says :—" The rapidly growing prosperity of Wellington is largely due to railway enter prise. The Rimutaka ranges and the wild country between Kaiwarra and Manawatu presented obstacles infinitely more difficult to encounter and more costly to overcome than existed m thcTaieri (Jorge. Bat-these works have been done, with the results that settlement is progressing m the interior and trade i.s flourishing m Wellington. The same results will follow the prosecution of our main Central railway line, arid Pisgah having been reached, the Land of Promise must be conquered and redeemed from the wilderness, or Otago and Dunedin will gradually decline year by year as surely as the sun sets m the west." It is a lamentable but unfortunately indis putable fact says the "Oamaru Mail" that the fanners of this'district, with a few ex ceptions, are not successful as butter manu facturers. Every week now there comes to town from the Taieri and other dairy i factories a matter of some 40011)3 of butter, all of which with a, little system and effort could be supplied locally. The merchants state that they do not care to buy the locally manufactured article on account of its inferi ority, and this inferiority is due to careless ness with the dairy adjuncts. The butter from the factory comes to hand each half pound neatly packed m oiled paper, clean, fresh, and appetising; the whole packed m Cases of spotless cleanliness, while much of that manufactured round about town is sent m as an oleaginous and highly smelling mass utterly unfit for sale. On the attitude of the Romai%Catholic priests hi the Parnell crisis, Archbishop Crake has written a letter to the Dublin " Freeman's Journal," m which he says :— '' Do you think there is any honest and fairly intelligent man m Ireland, or out of it, who believes that the twenty-seven bishops who pronounced against Parnell on the 23rd of December jumped forward and fulminated against him simply to gratify Mr Gladstone m obedience to his dictation ? If any Irish Catholic can bring himself to believe such conduct possible on the part of the over welming body of the bishops of his church, I would, strongly recommend him to join some .other Christian community at once. The bishops have not forced this fight, Mr Parnell has forced it, by his gross misconduct. The priests are not compelled to follow, and I hereby positively declare that I shall look on all my priests m the same (light whether they conscieutionsly denounce Mr P&rnell or Support him, the latter being, I think, im possible." Some statements of a sensational character have recently been published reflectin" 1 on the administration of the Lands Department of New South Wales. When Mr Brunker reorganised his departments he appointed inspectors to go through the country to make inquiries into the arrears of payment of the Lands Department, and received, an intimation from the Treasury that the amount had reached a considerable sum. A. notification was therefore issued that if payments long overdue were not made the land would be forfeited. The result of this decisive step was to disclose a series of very gross irregularities m connection with the business of some of the country lands offices. It was found that m many cases where money was supposed to be due the amounts had been paid. Further investigations showed that instead of certain portions of these payments having been remitted to the Treanjury m the ordinary course, they had been wrongly appropriated, Those persons who had already paid their amounts were naturally much perplexed at finding notices made m regard to their selections; but wherever it was shown that the obligation had previously been discharged, the selector or the lessee was credited with the amount. In consequence of the serious misconduct which was discovered to have existed m some of the land offices, several officials were suspended, and one has shot himtelf. Others who were implioatad had been d» missed, and two are being prosecuted. Holloway's Ointment and Pitas.—As winter advances and the weather becomes njore and more inclement and trying the earliest evidences of ill health must be immediately checked and removed, or a slight illness may resuit m a serious malady. Relaxed and sore throat, quiusey, influenza, chronic cough, bronchitis, and most other pulmonary affections will be relieved by robbing this cooling ointment info the skin % ( nearly a# ppoticafjle to the seat of mis chief. Tins treatment, simple yet effective, is admirably adapted for thp' re.inq.val of these diseases during infancy and youth. Old asfclunatic invalids will derive marvellous relief from jthe uae pf Hollqway's remedies, which have wondprfully relieved many such sufferers, and re-establisj}e.d health fater. every, other |n,ea.u.e h»d eigualiy failed,

It is appalling (the " Lancet" says) to find • that the drink bill of 1890 amounts to/ £139,495,470, an increase of £7,282,194 over the sum of the previous year—all common sense and medical science nothwibhstanding. The total is larger than for any yeac but that of 1878, when it was more than £ 172,000,000. -Interviewing Sara] Bernhardt, a New Yorker rashly said: "Madame, we have lately heard much m America of your accu mulation of fat. Where is it?" In an instant the liernhardt was on her feet, her long arms waved wildly around her aureole, her eyes shot fire, ancl her nostrils were dilated. For an instant she was speechless -t-tlien she inquired : " Who said I was fat ? Have I ever been fat ? Am I fat now ? Look at me and tell me 13 it possible that I should ever become fat! I have heard of thatbefoi'3, and Ido not like it. It makes me furious. Everywhere I go nowadays I hear nothing but fat, fat, fat! " She was only pacified by • tlie pressman's assurance that she |wag hot fat, but the very embodi i ment of willowy gracp. I How delighted the " realists " will be (says the " Lbndon: Daily Telegraph") 'at' the announcement that Mr Charles Arnold, hero of "Hans the Bontman," is to turn his farming experience to practical account! In the Australian sheep-shearing scene m " Carl's Folly " the actor will shear a sheep m seven minutes, and afterwards, a highly trained Newfoundland prize dog will rescue a woman from drowning. The woman will jump from a bridge into a tank of real water, and the dog will follow and pull her out. And after this the silly sentimenta lists talk of the pleasures of imagination and conceive that the drama has an ideal mission. Perish the thought j When a sheep can be sheared m seven minutes on the stage! ■ A distinguished General, m command of one of the military districts of the United Kingdom, gave instructions (" Vanity Fair" says) to an officer serving under him, who had special qualifications for the work, to prepare a scheme of defence for one of the most important ports under his com mand. This officer, whose zeal was above suspicion, prepared a very elaborate re port, entering into the most minute details, which he forwarded according to his orders. He heard nothing further about it for several months, until at length it was returned, when he eagerly looked to see what remarks the General had made upon his work. To his disgust, he found nothing, until he had arrived at the last page of the report were was written, "You should have used a wider margin !" It is stated that arrangements have b.cen concluded for the first settlement under Mr; M'Kenzie's new regulations. It is to be undertaken by an association of which Mr Atkinson (a son of Sir Harry's) is secretary. The Association consists of young men, mostly settlers' sons from the Hutt district, all btma fide settlers, who intend to settle and improve the land they have taken nip, an area of 1600 acres, the capital value of which has been fixed at £4800, with a yearly rental of £240. They have named their settlement, which is m the Mangatainoko district, after the Minister for Lands. Other applications of the same kind are waiting to be considered. This is an emphatic proof of the falsity of the allegations m certain North Island papers that the new regulations would stop this class of settlement. SANDER AND SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT.--In protection of the world wide fame our manufacture has acquired-all over the globe, we publish the following: Hazard, M.D., Professor of General Patho logy and Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System, says m an editorial published m the " Clinical Record " :—" We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different manufac tures ; the preparation of Sander and Sons was the only one that proved to be reliable, and corresponding to scientific tests." Another concoction called "Refined Extract of Eucalyptus" has made its appearance since. This product stands, according to Dr Owen, foremost m causing injurious effects, j That gentleman communicates, at a meeting of the Medical Society of Victoria, that a child living at Fitzroy became most seriously indisposed through its use. In another case a lady states on the strength of statutory declaration that she suffered cruelly from the effects of the same concoction. To guard the high reputation of our manufacture we feel warranted m expo ing the above facts, anil ilesives the public to exercise cave and precaution when buying, SANDER ami, SONS (Advt.) 7

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(per press association.)

W«w Zealand Forc«-V Command. Wellington, May 4. The Government intend to ask Lord Wol^eley to recommend an Imperial officer well up m the latest scientific military knowledge as commandant of the Naw Zealand forces, at a salary of abdul £700. This will be provided, without any increase m the estimates, out of retrenchments. The engagement will be limited to a term, and at the end of that term can either be renewed or the services of another officer can be obtained.

The Public Trust Office.

[per pre.is association.]

Wellington, May 2. The Pu,blic Trust Commissioners have sent a copy of the evidenc* taken so far to the Government. From this it appears tin* officers are m th« habit of attending auction sales ordered by the Trustee and buying up goods which they have been allowed to appraise beforehand. Certain articles of value have been found to be missing. This has not been done with real property, but on the other hand the agents entrusted with sales have been prevented from buying such property themselves. The system of bookkeeping is cumbrous, inconvenient, and un intelligible. No interim report has been ■ent m, and the Commissioners intend to pursue the enquiry till they are m a position to send a full report to the Government. Both Government and the Commission look upon the practices disclosed m a serious light, and it was m order to have thorn stopped that the Commission forwarded the evidence up to date to the Government. Besides Mr Hamerfcon and Mr Wilson, Mr De <Qastrt>, chief clerk, Mr Maguire, accountant, and Mr Ronaldson, clerk, were called upon to I explain their conduct, both'in regard to buying articles at auction belonging <to trust tstates, and m regard to the administration of certain estates, particu larly one m which some two years elapsed before an account was rendered to those interested. The replies were received to-day, and will be considered by the Cabinet on Monday. May 4. It is considered that the evidence taken by the Public Trust Commission shows that the accounts were not properly audited, and the Commission intend to summon the audit officer to give evidence.

The Manipur Rising.

[rBK TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Calcutta, May I. The British troops.are pursuing the rebel chief Senapulty. The bodies of the British officers massacred on the outbreak of the re volt m Manipur have beei} exhumed and re-buriedwith funeral seryiees. Calcutta, May 2. The Manipuris state that tne chief Senapulty after a durbar signalled the massacre of the British. Mr Green wood, the British resident at Manipur, \yas stabbed m the back ancl then be headed. JVfr Quinton, Chief Comrais' fiioner of Assam, Lieut,-Colons! Skeqe c^nd the bugjers were breaded. [.Receiyed May 4, IQ.IQ a.m.] Caicut/ea, May 2. The authorities haVe very slight Ippes of capturing Jobraj qr Senapulty; wjjo{»ave takew to tbejmi^le, "• t

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[per pke.-?? association.J

London, May 1. By the collapse of a bridge at Nor wood six carriages of the Brighton train were wrecked and twelve persons in jured. Wilson Barrett, the well-known actor, is planning a tour through Aus tralia. v Preparations are being made m all the principal cities o£ Europe against the possibility of disturbance to-day, by increasing the strength of the military forces. The influenza is rapully spreading throughout England. The evidence m the charge against Captain Yerney is of a sensational character, and has proved his procuring females m Paris and elsewhere. Profess Tyndall has had a relapse. The Government have obtained pre cedence for the Irish Land Purchase Bill, and the Woman's Suffrage Bill has been shelved. Tn the House of Commons to-day, Mr Howard Vincent asked whether, m view of the treaties with foreign States, which precluded a preferential fiscal arrangement with the Australian colo nies, the Government would devise some other scheme with regard to the exchange of respective products. Sir James Fergusson replied that Ministers were keeping the matter iii view. Sir Chas. Tupper and the Australian Agents-General had a conference to day with Mr Groschen and Lord Knuts ford on the question of the investment of- trust funds. The latter said there was every prospect of a satisfactory adjustment. London, May 2. Sir Chaa. Dilke, disbelieves that the Australian colonies will speedily adopt federation. I Mr Justin McCarthy has conrened a meeting of anti-Parnell members of the Irish Party at the House of Com mons on. Monday to consider what action should be taken for the releise of the Irish Land League funds de posited with the banks m Paris. Paws, May 1. The French Parliamentary Labor Commission advise that ten hours should be made the legal limit of labor m factories. In the Chamber of Deputies, a motion has been tabled for the reduc tion of the duty on wheat from 8s 9d to 4s 6d per quarter, and a similar reduction on flour. Berlin, April 30. The result of the third ballot for Goestemunde gives Bismarck a majority of two to one over Schmalfeld, the Socialist candidate. Vienna, May 1. A crisis has occurred m the Aus trian Cabinet over the school question, and the resignation of the Ministry is expected. Washington, May 1. Owing to the objection of the Chinese Government to receive Mr Blair as United States Minister, at Pekin, he has been recalled. Belgrade, May 1. : Queen Natalie refuses to leave Ser via uritil her soil attains his majority. o'j.tawa, May 1. In the Dominion Parliament to-day -Afi. Titinrjpr. p"» nf tiift loading mptn bei*s of the Opposition, moved an amendment to the Address m Reply m favor of f reetrade with the United States. Constantinople. May 2. Heated parleying is taking place between M. Nelidoff, the Russian Am bassador, and the Eorte, owing to the stoppage at the Dardanelles of vessels flying t.he Russian mercantile flag.

AUSTRALIAN.

Adelaide, May 2. An unusually large number of cable grams were sent under the reduced rates, which came into operation yes terday. The census shows the population of the city and suburbs to be 133,000. •Sydney, May 3. Bsadain Patey, the celebrated con tralto, intends to pay a visit to New Zealand, and leaves for Auckland on the 18th inst. m the R.M.s. Mariposa.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, May 3. The medical advisers report that the condition of Mr W. N. Blair, Engineer-in chief, is less favorable. Mr T. Rotherham, Locomotive Superin tendent for the Colony, left for Sydney yesterday, to report on behalf of the Railway Commissioners upon a trial of the Westinghouse ani automatic vacuum brake systems which will shortly take place there. _ Grbymouth, May 3. The reply to the resolution passed at the meeting to consider the Mi Hand Railway deviation on Friday, received from Mr Seddon yesterday, is considered unsatisfactory, and another meeting has been called for Monday evening to con sider his reply. Dunedin, May 2. On Wednesday evening a special train ran into a trolly near Kelso bridge. A man named Montgomery managed to throw himself clear, but another man Handson received severe injuries and his recovery is doubtful. Dunedin, May 3. j There is to be no formal opening of the Otago Central Railway. A train will run through early to-morrow morning, and it is intended to run an excursion train next Saturday. .- The unemployed sent to the Catlin's river appear likely to make fi»ir wages. It will be some three weeks before another batch can be sent, as a line has to be laid off through the bush.

Broken Hill.

[PEE PKESS ASSOCIATION.]

Sydney, May 2. There is considerable excitement m silver mining owing to further rich finds. Centrals and all stocks at Broken Hill are moving upwards. The latest quotations are Centrals £6 • South, £5 14s; Block 101 £U 16s, ' : London, May 2 Dr. Schnabel, a leading German metallurgist, will leave for New South Wales m July next for the purpose of advising the Broken Hill Company on the proper treatment of refractory ores.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions *xpiessed by our correspondents.)

THE FIRE BRIGADE AND THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir,-—ln your report of the meeting ol the Council held last Monday evening, I notice that Or Keir's speech was given ill full whereas the letter Irom the Brigade to the Council was not published. If chis had been done I think it would have given the ratepayers a better idea of matters as they now scand. About two years ago the Ashburton and Western Volunteer Fire 'Brigades, through the suggestion of the Council, aM.nlsrauiated, and uileswere drawn up by the Council for their guid ance. The Council then promised the Brigade an annual subsidy of £55, and to tind the Brigade m uniforms and boots. They did the latter m part only, and ac cordingly the -Brigade asked for some parts of their outfit which were still want ing, and that other little matters con nected with the plaut should be attended to A conference was held between the Fire Committee of the Council and dele gates from the Brigade on the subject. After discussing these matters the Brigade were asked what sum per annum would they take to work the Brigade, finding themselves m uniforms and boots, On the spur of the moment £80 was named. Out of this it was npver mentioned nor thought of that the Brigade should also pay for the gas, horse-hire, coal, oil, etc., etc. The next the Brigade heard of the matter is the report brought m to the Council and passed by that body, which was to the effect that the Brigade be al lowed £75 and required to find themselves m uniform, boots, gas, coal, oil, horse hire, and defray the cost of all small re pairs up to £5 to the plant. Betore this report was put m to the Council I think it would have only been fur to the Brigade, as volunteers and not paid men, to have conferred with them on the sub ject. I also state that a few Councillors were misled by the report, I having been repeatedly asked why we did not go on as we had been doing, they thinking we were not satisfied. We have a balance m our favor, and I certainly thin* it is to our credit to have such. We have worked up socials and concerts to get money m hand. At any time one or more of the members might meet with an accident at a fire or at practice. Is it not right that we should have a fund for that purpose ? Would the Council pay that man his loss of time or for medical attendance ? The Fire Brigade have never yet made money out of the Council, as thought by some of our esteemed Councillors, nor havfi they formed a Mutual Admiration Association, but simply have striven to get together a small sum of money to get the Brigade into the state of efficiency at which it has arrived. As to retrench ment, I beg to point out that if a Confer ence had been arranged with the Brigade, they, the Brigade, would doubtless have been all 3 to point out some place where a saving,might be made. The fact is the Council want us to do their work, to look after the consumption of the gas, coal, and oil—part, I say, of the plant, They have a caretaker to do all this, and why want us to do so ? Are we paid for the work ? No ! Then we are to find horses, and m the case of a large fire pumpers might be required, which Avould run into a considerable amount, and per haps at the end of the year the Brigade would have to put their hands m then own pockets. We have no guarantee from the Council otherwise. 1 say that we joined under a certain code of rules, and now the Council are the first to break them. I would like to know why the old Brigade broke up? Cr. Keir iwn.a pro minent member of that Brigade, and I think was the man to propose their disbanding. Now he wishes to break up -U*«-4iL ieseht""lsfigaCtß""~an<l"Tun one of- his own. The Brigade at any moment are quite willing that he should do so. Cr. Keir proposed that the old arrangement with the Brigade be continued, but that the allowance De reduced to £25. He sayrf this is five times as much as the Kaiapoi Brigade require. I maintain it is not so, and am able to prove this by figures and facts. In our letser to the Council we state this. Also why compare the two towns and the plant? What is Kaiapoi to .Ash-, burton? I think Ashburtbnians would not feel flattered by the comparison. Cr Keir also speaks about volunteers. I do not wish to run down our rod coats, but have they the work of firemen? Whac are their twelve parades to our twelve wet practices 1 Are they likely to destroy their uniforms as ours are destroyed, after a wet drill, soaked through with water ? Are they likely to be called out at all hours of the day and night to a fire or false alarms and to stand, the chance of broken limbs and burned uniforms? If a fire took place here m the day time men have not time to get on their uniform but must run to the fire m their working clothes. If these are destroyed would the Council make damage good ? As to going with the Council's proposal and trying the arrangement for six months, have we not been now two years formed, and our balance sheet shows us what we require, and I think this as the best average to be had. I notice that Cr Keir says he at tended the meeting of the Fire Brigade m the interests of peace. Is it peace on hia part, to, as soon as he gets on his feet, object to a letter sent him by our secretary simply because the word "al lowed" was used m same, I may say his own words given back to him? Is it peace on his part that on leaving a Council meeting one evening he, meeting one of our men should make the remark''That now he had the Brigade by the wool" meaning, I suppose, that he had carried his proposals and the Brigade would have to submit ? Now, sir, is this a fair spirit and feeling m which to meet the Brigade or does it look like peace. This is an important matter which concerns all ratepayers (we remem ber when the old Brigade disbanded, the threat of the lusUranee Companies to raise the rates) and I do not consider that councillors who have no interest whatever at stake m the* town (except per haps a little stock) should vote and be prominent m the master. How would they like to see a fire and find that they have an inefficient Brigade ?—I am, etc., . Jso J. C. Qxjane, Lieut , A.V.F.B.

The Midland Railway.

(IW, J»KES».ASSOCIATION.)

Geeymouth, May 1. A public meeting was held this evening to consider the obstacles being thrown m the way of the Midland Railway Company m connection with the Lake Brunner deviation. The following resolution was carried unani mously :—" That this meeting views with much apprehension the difficulty that has arisen between the Government and the Company, aqd is strongly of opinion that the agreement entered into by the people of Kumara, Greenstone, and Grey County with the Company should be adhered to, especially as the Grey County and General Government were alike satisfied with that arrangement and accepted £2700 as the basis of agree ment." ;

The Crisis in Queens land.

[per press association,]

J\n eight hQUr«' demonstration tx>k place at Barcaldine yesterday, when 1200 "Unionists marched m procession. The chairman of th,e strike committee

intimated tliat the pastoralists pre ferred to arbitrate, but the men would %ht the matter out to the bitter end. He said that from the evidence he was convinced of the truth of the attempted poisoning of a trooper by means of an apple poisoned with strychnine, and called upon every unionist to assist-in discovering the culprit. The proceed ings wore orderly. ,Itis estimated that £1600 will be required weekly to maintain the strike.

Irrigation.

ASHBURIW-RAKAIA DISTRICT. The following is the supplementary irrigation report submitted to the County Council on Friday last by Mr Baxter, the County Engineer: — As my report of 3rd April on this question potties up for. consideration to day I beg to add the following remarks on the subject :— I assumed that the average length of the irrigation period would be only six months annually. During this period a constant flow—day and night—of 200,000 gallons a minute, would, theoretically, be suffi cient to cover the entire area of 225,000 acres to a depth of ten inches, but for the purposes of distribution the following allowances must be made :— Ist. The periods m each week during which the irrigation process would be to a large extent, and m some cases alto gether, inoperative, 2nd. The loas from percolation and evaporation m mains, sub-mains, and laterals. ; 3rd. .Contingent). .waste, and non-effi cient application of supply. From these causes combined, it would m my opinion be safe to assume, as stated, thab, practically, not more than 112,500 acres (or half the entire area) would be covered during the irrigating period of the season to a depth of ten inches, say, five waterings, each two inches m depth, or the whole area to a depth of five inches. According to the State Engineer of Colorado, the duty of water there, is one cubic foot per second for every 55 acres during the irrigation season, which lasts only from 16th May to isfch August; That rate of supply would, theoretically, give a depth of about 4d inches per acre, but, m practice, the depth attained is not more than 12 to 15 inches ; that is to say, the supply distributed, is, at mo t only three-eighths of supply brought m from head work?, and calculated with constant flow. Mr George G. Anderson, Chief Engineer of the Northern Colorado Irrigation Com pany, speaking on the subject of distribu tion of part of the supply from Platte Canal gives the following example : —■ " Allowing 25 per cent for percolation and evaporation, if 480 cubic feet per second were allowed to enter at the head of canal, 360 cubic feet would be available for distribution. This, at 1*44 cubic feet per second continuously for 80 acres, would be sufficient for 20,000 acres. In a length of 45 miles 8000 acres are irrigated, and at the end, instead of having eiiough for 12,000 acres, only enough for 6000 acres remain m the canal, the total loss being nearly 50 per cent of the amount entering the canal." r The water duty of one cubic foot per second m the undernoted countries during the irrigating season which generally lasts t-ix months is approximately as follows :~ Italy, 70 acres ; France^ 83 acres ; great.r part of--California, 80 to 160 acres; India 100 to 200 acres, with larger areas when only one or two light waterings are applied during the season. The average might probably be set down at about 140 acres pur cubic foot per second, of supply measure at head works, and calculated with constant flow, of which about one half is distributed, wiy, 140 acres to a depth of 15 inches during the irrigation period of six months. On this basis, with the supply oroposed for Ashburton-Rakaia district, one cubic foot per second at bead works (and oue half distributed), would, for the larger scheme, have to serve every 422 acres, and for the smaller scheme every 536 acres, covered m each case to a depth of five inches during irrigation period of six months. This latter, however, might be stated at about 450 acres, as the capacities of mains and sub-mains were calculated for a somewhat enlarged supply. It would appear therefore that, taking the entire area into account, the proposed supply would relatively have to serve a much larger area here than m most irri gating countries. The greater average rainfall here, however, during the irrigat ing season; a,s compared with those coun tries, affords a good reason for the alteration of the duty of water to t&« extent indicated, and I am of opinion that the proposed volume of supply would be fairly adequate for requirements, especially as not more than half the area within the proposed districts would be likely to be operated on during any irri gation season. The ratio of supply deliverable for each property, would, generally speaking, be its relative proportion to the total acreage of the district; but it would of course be optional with occupiers, whether they would utilize their quota, over the whole, or only a part «f their holdings. Pumping —The alternative of pumping for each of the schemes is one which might be mentioned, but would n»t be likely to be adopted. The pumping machinery for the larger scheme would be situated m the river-bed opposite Lyndhurst road, the upper boundary of the district whore height of terrace is 180 feet. Ths site of thq lower would be at Holmeslea, where the height of the terrace is 50 feet. Allowing for friction and contingencies the raising 200,000 gallons p«r minute at the former site would be equivalent to 18,000 horse power approximately, and 130,000 gallons per minute at the latter site to about 2000 horse power. So' far as I can at present judge, any pumping scheme would probably be more costly to start with, and certainly more expensive m the way of maintenance than the gravitation schemes. Maintenance Estimates.—With refer ence to my estimate of maintenance of 150,000 acre scheme, stated m a lump sum. I beg to append list of items on which it was based :— Maintenance of headworks, mains and sub-main s, including damages from scour, storm water, &c. ... £1800 Fords, bridges, culverts, guages,&c. 600 Engineering and law expenses, caretakers, <fee 1450 Accommodation works, &c, conse quent on sub-dividing, land claims, &c. 500 Total .., „. ... £4350 To this should probably have been added an item of 10 per cent foi con tingencies, i For scheme No. 1, the works would be of such magnitude that the maintenance over a period of years could not fail to be a costly item. For a time the tunnels might not require much repair, but though the conditions at. proposed inlet are, cm fch.e whole favorable, shingle could ijpfc be altogether excluded, and the inaiu-. tenance of the side galleries which, would b> situated m the terraces would also be ah item o,f_ co^sideira.ble cost. The question of flood water m. that district would prove very troublesome^, and m addition {6 ordinary maintenance special expenses would have to, be incurred m this respocfc, Upfch m wains and sub-mains. , jAgain the deolivity' between the upper boundaries of the two districts is so great that a certain amounts of concrete protection wou}4 be required, from time, to time as,,

necessity demanded, whi'e this m the lower district,, on account of tre mot moderate full, would oily be necessary to asinall extent, if at all. Another important consideration m re- Sfcrd to the Lircer scheme is th;it as the construction of the works would extend over a period of three or four years, the loss of interest during that time woul I have to be m.ide up from the maintenance rite. For these reasons, and others, I am satisfied the charge for maintenance and supervision extending over such a wide area would not b* much .less than 5 per cent per annum over a period of years. • ■ '"" ■■*-•-'■• The extension of time for repayment of Government loan (which is at present fixed at. twenty-six yearn), is a question which, as tending to lower the rate for interest and .sinking fund, would seem to I call for consideration m a scheme of this sort, where the ulterior benefits are J'kely to be so great, but this and other financial phases of the question will no doubt be fully considered if circumstances should I call for legislation on the subject,

Wakanui Road Board.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annuitl meeting of ratepayers m the Wakanvsi Roud District was held on Satur day m the 80-ird room, Moore street. There was a small attendance of rate payers, and Mr Murdoch Bruce, chairman of the Board, presided. chairman's rbport. The Clerk (Mr E. J. Fooks) read the annual report of the Chairman as follows : — In presenting you with the annual statement of receipts and expenditure of the BoaH which has been duly published, I will not detain you long m commenting thereon, or on the works carried out by the Board, aa they have been mostly of a routine character. You will have noticed from the statement or receipts that, an amount of £140 los Id has accrued to the Board from thirds,receipts on account of reserves let iv the district under the per petual lease system, the whole of which, 1 might say, goes to No 3 ward and hax !to be expended on works for the benefit of the settlers and approved by the Land Board. The amount expended on eggs and heads of small birds is larger this year than any previous, and still the pests seems to be us bad as ever. The Board passed a resolution requesting the Minister for Agriculture to place a sum of money on Hie estimates for the purpose of intvodacinsj the sparrow hawk and other natural, enemies of the small birds. but the Minister has replied that there aie no funds available for the purpose, but; that the Government propose to in troduce a bill next session to deal with the small birds nuisance. There is'nodoubt it is getting a very serious question. The Board have had under their consideration the question of removing the maintenance man's residence to reserve 1768 near the mill, and tenders have been called for making one dwelling house of the two cottages, building stable etc., but the matter has been left m abeyance until after the annual meeting, m order to get an expression of opinion from the ratepayers. The County Council have taken the maintenance of the water race culverts and fords out of the hands of the Board. BALANCE SHEET. The Clort also read the Board's balance sheet: m detail, as advertised. Mr Brown moved die adoption of tke report, and balance sheet. He would like to sue placed under the head of " main tenance " m each ward the total cost to each,, of .the maintenance man and his team, «o thai., the ratcpapers m each ward would be able to know exactly what the maintenance of their roads cost them. Mr Meredith Wilson seconded the adoption of the report, but complained that some of the work was not done to his satisfaction, more especially Buckley's road, which was nofc m a condition prob able for traction engines. The report and balance sheet were adopted. A long and irregular, and not always rigidly polite discussion followed on a variety of subjects. THE MAINTENANCE MAN. Mr David Johnston' moved:- " That it be a recommendation to the Board at its next monthly meeting to take into con sideration the advisableness of giving the maintenance man three months' notice, and that it devise some cheaper method of dealing with the maintenance of our, roads, as thin meeting is of opinion that the present system of maintenance is a most expensive onu." He did not find any fault at all with the msn employed. - It was the system he attacked. Mr Meredith Wilson seconded. Mr Leadley wished to clear up.a mis-, understanding. , The maintenance man's * time was rot made up wholly with repairing roads ; he was also employed on new work. He (the speaker) had urged the keeping jf a diajy of the man's work* The motion was too sweeping. Mr James Brown moved as an amend ment—"Tlmt no tender for removal of the cottages be accepted until the. Board has more fuli'y considered the question as to whether the present system of Main taining the roads is not more costly, and less satisfactory, than having the work done by contract." : . The amendment was riot seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. THE BOUNDARIES. Mr Brown moved—" That this meeting is of opinion that the present division of the Wards pi-esses very unjustly on No; 2 Ward, and that the present boundaries should be altered, and another member elected for No. 2 Ward." Mr David Johnston seconded, and the motion was carried. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting adjourned.

Incendiarism.

(PUK PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Nelson. May 4 An attempt was made by an incendiary last night to burn down a new unoccupied building belonging to Mr T. Campbell, m Bronte street. The incendiary had poured kerosene m at the opening left for a window, and dropped some lighted paper afterwards. Fortunately it did nofc. burn, though the floor was much charred.

Masonic.

[per :press, association.J

Auckland, May 3. When on his way to officiate at th« annual installation of the officers of-^j» i Provincial Grand Lodge, S. C, Sir Frederick Whittiker slipped near the Northern Club and fell on to the curbing of the pavement, the result being a nasty wound over the left eye. He had the wound dressed: when he reached the halL and notwithstanding the accident re nwnod and conducted tho installation. Tn an address lie spoke tif the position of Masonry m regard, to the new Con stitution, and eomniended the brethren of the oU\ Constitution for adhering to the t^d Order, «o!;withst«uiding the tempta tion to wandar from the fold into the arms of what he termed a " clandestine Constitution."

Auctioneer's Report.

Mr F. M. Kickman sports as foHotrs on his weekly sale held at the Arcade on Saturday ; —Au &\tvy of over on© hundred horses can^e to hand, including a truck of med^iu draught horses from Dunedin. 4ii,e atte^buw <tf the public was very

Tftß ASHBUBTOK QUABDIAK, MONDAY, JtAY 4, 1891



Keating's Couoii |jQzknges quros Cough Asthma, Bronchitis. ' Medical testimony States that ho Qther medicine is so effectual m the cure of these dangerous maladies One Lozenge alone gives case, one or two at bedtime ensuaes rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing ajre in,vauiab,le. They con tain nq opium, nqr any violent drug. Sold l.)y all Chemist, iutjijs, is l§d and'2s 9d each - .



Wanted CASH Advertisements under this heading not excwdirii SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may b« If ft at his Office. T7IOOTBALLS !—I have a new stock X 1 all marked cheap, from two ahillings upwards.—H. M. Jones. 524 XT/ANTED—A General Farm Hand, VV must be a good Ploughman. Apply to E. H. DoßßO>, Waipuna, Hinds. 5 29 \7"OUR Character Read and Future JL foretold by Palmist from Dunedin Exhibition. East Street, two doors from Hoult's. "117 ANTED.—A Six-roomed, House to Vy rent or purchase, from June Is', 1891. Apply to VVw. Sparrow. 516 T3IANOS and Organs, on very easy JL terms. Inspection invited. H. M. Jones. 5 15 /POOLING and invigorating Ice Cream \J »s made by H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, East Street. WANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens *jadies and Children.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known —Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." ANTED Known—That Andrew!)*** m offering 80 Ladies Sealette ackets, newest styles, at moderate rices. 4g53 WANTED Known—Old Spoons and Forks Electro-plated and made equsil to new at 15s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweller, East Street. 4 150 MILLINERY. —Specially selected Paris styles m Hats and Bonnets. Mrs Gated has just returned from Sydney with all the latest ideas m Millinery.— Andrew Orr. * 154 WANTED Known.—Mm J. Buch anan has opened as Fruiterer and Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr and Co., East Street. WANTED Known.—lt you want good value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapest first-class Drapery m town. —H. C. Segers, Melford House WANTED Known.—Mrs J. Buch anan, Fruiterer and Confections. Tea and coffee at all hours ; hot luncheon on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr and Co'e, East Street. JUST opened a choice lot of Ladies Plush Jackets, newest shapes. Also a new lot of Ladies' Pelerines and Bois. —H. C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED Known—Thai; Andrew Our is appointed agent for the cele brated Standard Boots. Every pair guaranteed. 4*54 WANTED Known — That Andrew Orr is offering at a £reat reduction 250 pairs of best Kaiapoi and Roslyn Blankets, contracted for when wool was at its lowest price. 4§52 XI7 ANTED Known.—'^e are now VV opening all our new Winter Goods m Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boot-S "fee- — &■• C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. Vl/ANTED KNOWN, that the V V Foresters' .Social will be h«ld m the Oddfellows Ha 1 on Wednesday, May 13th. Tickets as usual. D. Amo.s, Secretary. 4 258 GLASS, Earthenware, and China, direct from the Manufacturers.—- Robert Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. LOCAXTINDUSTRY. -Gents' Suits made to order from £3 10s. Ladies I Dress Tweeds, double-width Kaiapoi j made, beautiful goods at 4s 6d. Six yards to the dress.— \ndrew Orr. 4 155 r_J~ANDSOME Presents given away I"1 m.)lint. Now giving tickets to every purchaser of 5s and upwards of Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, etc. •*—H. O. Segers, Melford House / •'HEAP SALE of Surplus Stock will \ J be continued for this month only, Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Music, etc., at Wholesale Prices to effect a clear ance. Subscribers wanted for monthly parts of Leisure Hour, Quiver, Gar dener's Magazine, American. Agriculturist, English Mechanic, and others.—L. F. An ore wes & Co. Public Notices. u.s.s co SiSs U.S.S., cc UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND, Limited Steamers sail as under :— From LYITELTON TO Wellington ... Daily, except Sunday (Tuesdays and Saturdays 10 p.m.; other days, 5 p.m.) Dunedin.,, Tues., Thurs,, and Friday. Nelson ... Tubs,, Thurs,, and Sat. Gnehunga... Every Thursday, Auckland via East Coast ,„ Thursda Melbourne... Tuesday, Sydney via Auckland , Every alternate Thursday. Sydney via Cook's Strait ... Fortnightly. Passengers miy be booked to Ho hart, Melbourne, Sydney, and all New Zealand ports at the office of GEC. JAMESON, Agent, Ashburton. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS " i Acceleration of Morning Train to Tiniaru, 7th May, for Orari Races. TPHE 10.55 a.m. train from Ashburton 1 to Tiniaru will be accelerated up to Omri on 7th May. It will be due from Timvald at U. 2 ,... Window 11.12, Hinds 11.20, Rangitata 11.55, arriving at Orari at 12.11 p.m. It will stop at all stations if required, but will nob work goods traffic for or from stations between Ashburton and Orari. Ruiurn Tickets obtainable any day. s*ll BY ORDER. The spread of the English language is in dicated by the fact that it was used m the framing of * fscent treaty between Russia ami China. Tiik Best Bkmkdy fob, Indigestion — Norton's Camomile Pills are <Gonfiilenty recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the capse of nearly all the diseases 10 wliiuii we arc subject [Norton's Pills, with justice called the ['Natural Strengthcncr of t^e Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild m their operation, and life under any circumstances. Said m j battles, at Is lid, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine S euduia throughout the wo Id**



PuVio Notices." " , FOE SALE. ■ "OYE CORN, CAPE BARLEY, TARES, RAPE This is the time for sowing. WANTED TO PURCHASE— Last Season's Heavy Canadian OATS. jJOHN G. RESTELL. Money to lend. T||"ONEY t» Lend at LOW RATKB OF INTEREST, en Mortgage «f FREE HOLD PROPERTY, iniumsof £100 TO^Jgsooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashbnrton, or to J.C. PRUDHOE, Diufcrict Agent. Government Insurance Office. Chrifrtchurch. WIM. THTM AHhOJT TEETH CHRISrCHCROH DENTAL SURGERY. Corner of Oaahel and High atreeta S. M™ AND CX SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin %hi Westport CTTE hare gainelthe FIRST AWARD YY »t the Dunedin Exhibition for ArtiMcial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v:e guarantee the highest class work and perfect lit at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Complete Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumpa without extra fee or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMmiSTERING~NITROUS OXIDE CiAS Heveral times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe. Fob for Administration sa. Extraction, 2s Od. Artificial Teeth and Dentures, made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at Bliiiill nnst Stephens Bros., MARKET HOUSE. NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND THE PUBLIC. OWING to the demand being greatly m excess of our supply last season for the Patent Double Refined KERO SENE, we have made special arrange ments this year with the shippers for regular consignments during the winter months. The first we have just landed, AND IS NOW IN STOCK. It has many advantages over the ordinary Kerosene, and has no rival for Household Purposes, being perfectly pure, gives a mellow brilliant light, will not dazzle or afl'ect the eye, is almost; odourless, much more economical, absolutely «afe, therefore dispenses with all riak m handling and danger m using where there are Children. We have also all kinds of ENGLISH CANDLES m stock including— 6TEARINE, SPERM, PA.RRAFIN, . WAX, ETC. Special quotations for Boxes, Cases, and Lapgb Parcels. N.B.—All goods purchased from us can be returned if not satisfactory. Satisfac tion being our motto. BTEPHJ3WS BROS. MARKET HOUSE. AUTUMN, 1891. LATEST NOVELTIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS IfcTOW 020* -VIEW AT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY fjWERYTHING new. New Shirts, Jji New Underclothing, New Scarfd and Bows, New Hats, New Suits for Men, New Suits for Boys, Everything new and of the LATEST FASHIONS. New Tweeds and Coatings for Measure Suits to hand. IjiapeCtion Respectfully Solicited. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY W H. WEBBER, Manager ,