The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1891. THE IRRIGATION SCHEME.

Mr Baxter's exhaustive report on the system which would have to be adopted in order to bring the water on to the plains land of the part of the Ashburton County be tween the rivers Rakaia and Ashbur ton, and his estimate of the cost of the necessary works, ara now before the ratepayers. It is a lucid statement, and with the aid of the map of the dis trict, which can be seen at the County Council offices, the whole subject can be easily understood. Mr Baxter's report deals with two alternative schemes—one embracing the whole of the district in question, the other affe ting the lower and more arid part. The capital cost of the works, which'it must be noted do not include the actual distributing channels, is for the larger scheme estimated at £337,500, and theannual interestand sinsingf und on loan, and the cost of maintenance of the works is set down at £33,750, equal to ten per cent on the capital cost, and amounting to an annual charge of three shillings per acre on the area affected. The smaller scheme deals with that part of the district between a line drawn (roughly speak ing) from Digby's bridge to Lavington (Coster's) and the sea, comprising about 150,000 acres, and the estimated capital cost is £60,000; interest, sink ing fund and maintenance amounting to £7000 a year, or 1 l}d an acre yearly. This scheme includes the part, of the district where the rainfall is lightest, and an artificial supply of water con sequently most required. The north west and westerly rains reach most of the land to the hiliwards of the line described, and it is improbable that the landowners in that area will consent to the heavy expenditure which a further supply of water would entail upon them. We will take a later opportunity of dealing with tho merits of the respective schemes, and meantime will only sxy that at first sight we are disposed to agree with Mr Baxter that the less heroic scheme is on the whole the more suitable for the requirements of the district.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sir George Grey has been returned unop posed for Newton. Before Major Steward and Mr R. Alcorn, J.P's., this morning, a civil case was heard m which David Thomas sued Gideon Scobt for £5 18s 2d. Defendant disputed an item of 7s sd, which was allowed, and judgment was given for plaintiff fo; £5 10s 9d. The Minister of Education, accompanied by Mr T. S. Weston, chairman of the Educa tion Board, and Messrs Peryman, Mon> gomerj, and Joyce, members of the Board, visited the Normal School yesterday. The Minister is visiting the principal schools m the city and suburbs. The installation of W,M. and installation of officers of the Somerset Lodge, 1811, E.G., took place last night. The ceremony was ably conducted by Bros Crisp, P.M., Sfc John's Lodge, and Paul, P.M., Somerset Lodge, and the choir was led by Bro Brooks, who acted e£ Organist. The officers for the ensuing- year ape;— Bros C. W. Baker, W.M. ; J. R. Colyei', J.P.M, ; Cambridge, S.W.; Mullaney, J.W.;Pattman, Treasurer; VV. W. White, Secretary; Crooks, S.I), j Matthews, J.D.; J. W. Baker, D.C. ; Stephens, 1.G,; Cullen, Tyler. After the ceremony the brethren, who attended m fair numbers, sat down to supper m the refec tory, aud the usual toasts were honoured, and the proceeding enlivened with some singing. The Bister Lodges, St John's and Thistle, were officially represented,

In the telegraph report of the proceedings of the Board of Education with reference to the " Herald " article the sentence commenc ing "The writer's strictures were to some extent without a tincture of truth," should have reid, " were to some extent not with out a tincture of truth." At the Resident Magistrates Court, Timaru, yesterday morning, before 0. A. Wray, f_sq., R.M. John Morgan abas John Davis, who had been arrested by Detective Livingstone, was charged with obtaining 18s 6d from D. Zander, of Ashburton, by false pretences. Prisoner was remanded to Ashburton. laCdcutta early in Februaty, 4COO beggu-s assembled outside a rich man's door for alms. When the door was opened a rush of lepers took place, and two strange mendicants, man and woman, were killed. The affair is referred to in the Indian papers as if the assembling of thousands of lepers, beggars, and others at a rich man's house was not at ail unusual. There wis great excitement at Monte Carlo on Saturday, February 28, caused by the wonderful luck of a LoudoU visitor who, playing at trente et quarante.i won the maximum stakes 14 times in succession, his winnings amounting to £7000. The' Englis hman's streak of fortune temporarily broke the bank, and the croupiers, amid cheering, had to seek the cashier for a fresh supply of funds. The cable made the Englishman's winnings £70,000. One of the most celebrated restaurateurs in Germany has just passed through the Bankruptcy Court, and it was discovered that among the creditors was a knacker, to whom nearly a thousand pounds was owing for carcases of horses and asses. The debtor was sharply interrogated respecting this item, and he ultimately confessed that his customers had unconsciously devoured all these thousands of carcases,'being there and then under the delusion *hat they were eat ing venison. Mr T. H. Green, of Guy's hospital, has gained the distinction of being the only candidate from a j_ondon hospital at the pre liminary scientific examination for the degree of M.B. at the University of London who passed in the first division of the entire ex amination. Mr Green is a son of the late Mr T. H., Green of Christchurch (the well known bacon curer), and an M.A. of the New Zealand University. The Primitive Methodist Bazaar was con tinued last night, and was fairly well attended. One attraction was the phreno logical delineations by Mr R. Els ton, who had a large colored phrenological chart dis played by the rostrum, and an enclosed sanctum in the southern recess. In the latter he carried on. his examinations of heads, and filled in his charts of the organs he manipulated. A good many people sub jected themselves to his examination, as his charge was only a shilling, and he did good business for the church. The bazaar will be continued to-night. Mr E. Ede, of Allenton, I had on exhibition several very large apples, one monster among which—an Allenbank— weighed no less than lib 9_ozs. A most malicious act was perpetrated some time between Tuesday evening and Thursday morning on the farm of Mr Arthur Frisby, Ashburton Forks. In a paddock on the farm Mr Frisby had stacked the produce of sixty acres of wheat, awaiting cartage to town. On Thursday morning, when his men went to eart^he grain, they found that about forty sacks had been ripped from top to bottom, and that a great portion of the wheat was scattered on the ground. The affair is in the hands of the police, and it is to be trusted the cowardly miscreant who did the mean act will be brought to justice, and receive the punishment he so greatly merits. In Christchurch yeater lay afternoon, a deputation of unemployed, accompanied by the Mayor and several members of Parlia ment, waited upon the Mhvster for Lands, who said he would bring in a measure next session to enable land to be acquired for settlement, and at once open up for small settlements such suitable land as was in possession of Government, a-.id would con sult with the Minister for Public Works with a view to provide employment for men out of work until the settlement scheme was in operation. He promised to provide free passages for representatives of any associa tion of not less than twenty-five men, will ing to take up farm homesteads, who might be sent to select land. A Louisville judge has been mentally struggling with a drop-a-nickel-in-the-slot problem. An ingenious and impecunious lover of tobacco read an invitation on one of the machines to drop a nickel in the slot and draw out a cigar. He accepted the invitation, but used a nickel which had a string attached to it. He pulled up the nickel after he had obtained a cigar and dropped it in again, and again withdrew it. By this device he secured a pocket full of cigars, but was soon arrested. The judge, however, could not make up his mind as to any provision of the Jaw to meet the case. The man had not committed burglary, and apparently not larceny. He had simply acted according to instructions, and had met no resistance from the machine or its owner in the attempt to buy cigars at a very low i ate, The report of Messrs O'Conncr a-id Good all, C.E.s, on the travelling shingle at Timaru Harbour, was presented to the Timaru Harbour Board on Friday. Both are clearly of opinion that the magnitude and velocity of the shingle travel are such that it will inevitably overlap the works in a short | time, if steps are not taken to counteract it. There are only two means of averting the daa^er—(l) by extending the mole or by groins ; or (2) by shifting the shingle as it accrues. Of these alternatives dredging is the preferable one, as it is cheaper and more likely to give satisfactory results. The mode of dredgiug recommended is by a pump hopper dredger. Messrs O'Connor and Goodall differ as to the quantity of shingle to be moved and the cost of moving. Mr O'Connor estimates the annual cost, including interest on the plant, at £3400, and the latter says that £1500 would be nearer the mark. The trophies gained in the two meetings held by the local Amateur Swimming Club were presented last evening in Mr Alfred Harrison's auction room. Mr Alfred Harrison, Captain of the Club, presented the trophies to the several winners, and in doing so paid a high com. pliment to Mr Marsh, the winner of the Club's Champion Cup. He said Mr Marsh was about to leave Ashburton for Christ church, and he (the Captain) had given him a few lines to Captain Francis, of the Christ church Club, and trusted to hearing again of the Ashburton Champion in competition in the city It would be pleasing to him and to the Ashburton swimmers to find Mi- Marsh representing the Christchurch Club in future competitions in the Ashburton water. To each of the winners Mr Harrison had a kindly word of encouragement or compliment to give, especially to the younger members. At the close of the presentations Mr Harrison said the Club was still young, and had had to be content with an open day of the Domain and so had foregone the gate money. Their last meeting, however, had been so successful that he believed nCxt annual meeting would bo held on a close day, and perhaps they would then be able to'offer handsome trophies both in the adult and junior competitions. Perhaps, too, the trophies would be all ready for presentation immediately after the races were over—at a smoke concert or a soiree—and -this would be more satisfactory. The officers had worked well together, and he paid com pliments in this connection to Messrs Main waring, Kcmpthorne, and Barrett. Cheers were given for the officers, for the Captain who had distributed the trophies and lent his room to do it in, and for Mr Marsh the Club's Champion, and the meeting closed,

THE CABLE

[PKR riiBSS Wellsgto. r, April 3 About two-hundred miles west of Wakapuaka, the cable repairing steamer, Recorder, picked up the main cable, and discovered a flaw in it, She took up about fifty miles of the old cable, re placing it with new. It was ascertained that there is another flaw in the cable j some 200 miles away in a westerly direc . ion from the plac_ where the vessel was last working. The Recorder will leave I here bo resume operations on Monday I morning-,

TELEGRAPHIG.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(HE* PfcfiSs ASSOCIATION.)

I "' '$ London, April 2. The Government refused to be re presented at the Surgical Congress in Berlin. London. April 3. \ {City iinancyr; consider that any at tempt to float a Victorian loan at a tuinimum of 9.'), will .prove a failure. Thomas 'Charles Baring, Conserva tive member of Parliament for the city of London, died to-day, aged 77. Hon. J. W. Forrester's article in the "Nineteenth Century" oh "The Seamy Side of Australia," is attracting considerable attention. It described ( property in the colonies as being at an artificial value, the result of unlimited credit, and advises persons who are thinking of investing in the,colonies to do so with caution. Owing to the limited response from the; colonies, the Imperial Institute have abandoned the intention to hold a Mining Exhibition, and will merely hold an exhibition of metal work, jewellery, and pottery, in which the colonies are invited to take part; The Eastern Extension Cable Com pany has arranged that the reduced cable tariff to the colonies will come into force on May Ist. The Fiji appeal "cases of Macarthur and Cornwall will probably be heard by the Judical Committee of the Privy Council at an early date. The wool list has closed, and in cludes the shipment by the ship Bel tana, from Adelaide. Mr Pond, a fellow of St John's Col lege, Cambridge university, has been appointed Professor of Classics in Auckland University, and leaves for New Zealand in E.M.S. Tongariro, at the end of the month. BeIgPwVDE, April 2. Ex-King Milan has delayed his de parture in the hopes that the Regent will be persuaded to bribe him into going. Berlin, April 2. There is a consensus of opinion against Dr Koch's cure, but it has been decided to continue the experiments. Bismarck was everywhere recognised with enthusiasm. New ¥okk, April 2. Four hundred strikers at Pittsburg made an attack on the coke works in that city, and fired upon the sheriffs who were endeavoring to quell the^ disturbance. The fire was returned, with tho result that seven of the strikers were killed and many wounded.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 3. Another difficulty m the bootmaking trade is threatened. The machinists and litters m that trade hay« submitted a statement for an increase of wages and arliminution of hours, but die masters have rejected it. The defaulting Whangarei postmaster, O'Halloran, was arrested this morning near Kgarugru, between Wangavei and Bay of Islands. Wellington, April 3. The Stamp office yields a surplus of £20,000, principally from legacy duties. It is expected the financial results of the year will be made up by Monday. The following are the principal Bills which the Government propose to intro duce next session :—Legislative Council Reform, Consolidation and Amendment of the Electoral Laws, Boards of Concilia tion, Native Lands, Wast Coast Settle ment Reserves, Public Trust Office Bill (to be founded on the report of the Com mission;, Labor Bills, Truck, Employers' Liability, Factory and Shops. The Cabinet will be engaged m the consideration of these measures next week. The Electora 1 Bill is intended to complete the one-man oae-vote system by applying it to by elections and requiring each voter to register m one district only. A public holiday is to be declared on the day of a general election, to give every mvn a chance of vo.ing. After the election the roll will be purged by taking off the names of every man who did not vote. This it is anticipated, will induce avery man who can to vote. Every facility will be given for she registration of electors. A Bank ruptcy Bill will also be introduced. The advisory Council is now engaged m drawing up a scheme of classification of the Civil Service. It has been thought advisable to bring m a fresh Bill on the subject, though powpr already exiscs under the old Acts. The Public Trust Commission has asked for extended power to take evidence |m other places. Government though noc actually refusing discouraged the idea on the ground of ex pe lse, and also because it is believed sufficient evidence for the purpose of the commission may be obtained here. The Government are anxious to have the re port for next session. The annual accounts of the Government Insurance Department have been de posited with the Treasury. During the year, 2761 new policies were issued, assuring £604,242, and yielding an annual revenue ol £20,489. The. total funds at the end of the year amount to £1,715,193, including £25,000 revenue for possible depreciation of freehold and mortgage securities. The rativ of expenses to premium income shows a decrease of three per cent as compared with the pre rious year It is understood with regard to the Wanaka that the Union Company was its own insurers to the fiill extent. Mrs Ellen Harding pleaded guilty at the Police Court this morning to three charges of sly grog selling, and was fined £10 on the first "charge and £1 each on the other two, with costs. Napier, April 3. The Agricultural and Pastoral Society passed the following resolution to-day, 4f That m the opinion of this Society the a; p >intir • it of a Chief It upector of Sheep for the colony is unnecessary as the ar rangements hitherto existing have worked satisfactorily." The resolution has been forwarded to kindred Societies. Gisborne, April 3. The body of John Bourke was recovered this afteruoon. It was found m close proximity to the Pier, terribly disfigured which leads to the belief that the unfor tunajb) man was drowned while endeavor ing to get back on to the pier.

The Wanaka.

[PEK PKEjjS ASSOIOATION.]

New Plymouth, April 4, A heavy southerly gale was blowing latst night, bub has not damaged the Wanaka wreck much. The Union Company's re presentative arrived last night.

CURRENT TOPICS.

The census of the colony is to be taken to-morrow, night, or rather, to [ write with precision, householders are required to fill up their papers on Monday morning with the necessary particulars in relation to all persons who shall have passed the night of Sunday under their roof. Should any member of the family bo absent, that person is not to be returned, for the reason that such person will be entered in the return of the householder upon whose premises he or she happens to have been on the night of Sunday. The census on this occasion will be all the more valuable and interesting, in that it is not merely New Zealand alone that is numbering her people, but the entire Britisli Empire, the census for the first time taking place con currently iti Great Britain and all her Colonies and Dependencies. It is to be presumed that a schedule will have been delivered at every house before the "Mail" of this morning reaches the hands of our readers, but should'it. happen that any house has been passed over, the head of the household should at once apply for a schedule to the enumerator or sub-enumerator of the district or to the police, for it is in the highest degree important to secure as nearly as possible perfect accuracy. For the same reason we hope that care will be taken by every householder to be exact in all particulars furnished; and to countervail the temptation to persons of either sex to set down them selves in the "Age" column as on the sunny side of 40 or, mayhap, of 30, it may once more be pointed out that there is no risk run of the publication of their actual years, inasmuch as the census papers are protected by law from disclosure, while every incorrect entry . by so much destroys the value of the ceh-jus statistics as a whole. The hint is by no means unnecessary, as it has been before now shown that in given instances the proportion of the female population returned as between cer tain limits of age was impossible of re concilement with actual fact. Let the truth be told; then, in order that the gross results may be absolutely trust worthy, there being no risk whatever of the discovery of particulars as affecting any unit of the population. Lastly, if the head of the household be unable for lack of sufficient education to un derstand or fill up legibly the forms supplied, let the aid of some competent neighbor be called in, or if this cannot conveniently be done, then, the paper will be filled up by the person who will call to collect the schedules.

Messrs 11. Rutherford and T. Y. Dur.can, M.H.R., who have been travelling as Commissioners for the inspection of the fence .vhich, thanks mainly .to the energy of Mr Lance, was some two or three years ago erected along the south-western boundary of Canterbury to protect us from invasion by the rabbits of Otago, passed through Ashburton a day or two agb for the purpose of proceeding to the back country, north-west of Ambeiiey. They had finished their work so far as regards the south-western district, having travelled along some 85 miles offence, which they found gencral'y m excellent order, and state that they are quite satisfied as to the wisdom of the outlay involved m its erection and maintenance. Indeed the cost has been but a bagatelle as compared with the disastrous results which must have followed had the country been left unprotected from invasion by the mischievous hordes of the pestilent little rodents who played such havoc m Southland. Unquestionably pre vention is better than cui-e, but if any of: our back country settlers should find the rabbits coming m upon them, it may be of interest to them to learn that some one up m the interior of Otago has found out a way of poison ing them off with remarkable efficiency. The Mount Ida " Chronicle" relates that a settler on Miller's Flat has made the discovery that apple juice and strychnine is a combination so palat able, although deadly m its results, to Master Bunny as to be quite irre sistible. The settler referred to*, it appears, having mixed the ingredients mentioned, laid the preparation along a ploughed furrow, with the result of destroying several hundred rabbits, The following is the recipe :—" 61b of apples; boil for an hour and a half; then add 31b of sugar and half an ounce of strychnine (latter dissolved m boiling water), and boil the lot for another half-hour. Plough furrow, and lay half ateaspoonful of jam along the same on pieces of bark about six feet aparfc." We may add that, al though this is the first time we have read of this plan having been tried m New Zealand, we are informed that it has been carried into successful opera tion m Victoria for some years.

It will be seen the election for Te Aroha has been declared void, and it is evident that Mr JL'-len fully in tends to sit next session for that electorate, if possible. He has been addressing the electors at various centres, and has been well received. Should there be an election, and a contest between himself and Captain Fraser, the opinion of well-informed persons inclines to the belief that he will again head the poll. "Under these circumstances it is interesting to note that m his speech at Katikati, one day last week, he declared himself m favor of "strict economy and just retrench ment," and that he would " sternly set his face against further borrowing." He considers that the State should retain control of the railways, and objects to a land-tax, with one excep tion, being prepared to support such an impost upon " speculators who pur chase large blocks and never improve them to the value of sixpence." The good land now m the hands of the Government ' he considered should be disposed of to the best advantage. He did not mean at the highest price, but to the best class of settlers, such as those m Katikati, where every man was industrious, hard working, thrifty, and he hoped thriving, .possessed of a moderate amount of land. These bona fide freehold settlers, he thought, were the best class of agriculturists to have m the colony." Generally his speech was that of a thoughtful and sensible man, and of a fair man too, for while avowing himself a believer m Sir Harry Atkinson rather than Sir Julius Yogel, Mr Allen freely recognised the right of the Party whose leaders are now m power t;Q be acQ.orde.d, a fair trial'

COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held yssterday. Present—Messrs C. J. Harper. E. S. Coster, James Brown, W. McMillan, Duncan C.imeron, and Hugo Friedlander. In the absence of M.- W. C. Walker, Mr Harper was appointed Chairnun. chairman's statement. The Chairman read the usual statement, as follows :—The Minister for Crown Lan s informs the O.mncil that he has received a copy of, the resolution passed at the meeting of ratepayers at Hinds with reference to the expenditure ot the thiid. up m water supply instead of roads, and that he would be obliged if the Council would aaviso him if it concurs in the p'opo.vil. The Minister also _taces> that he ha> received objections from the Rangitata aud Cpper Ashburton Road Boards. Tue Lake Coleridge Road Board draws the attention of the Council to the great number of sheep annually destroyed by keas in the back parts of the Selwyn and. this county, and asks the Council to give this matter its attention, in order that at the next meetir.<<: of Parliament legislation may be made to authorise local bodies to spend portion of their funds in the destruction of keas. A letter from the Chairman South Rikaia Licensing Committee, in answer to the Council's letter re tho Returning Officer's account for local option and election of Com mittees, will be read to-day. Balance sheets for the year ending 3_~fc March, and six months ending the same date, are placed ou the table. HANGERS' RKI'ORTS. The business done by the Chairman, the rangers' diaries, and tho rangers' waste and obstruction sheets, were placed upon the table. ENGINEER'S KEI'ORT. The Engineer's report was read as .follows, aud adopted :— Plains Wat r Supply.■•*- This servicers on the whole way satisfactory. Pudding Hill Stream is holding but fairly well, but the North Ashburton River is now lower than it has been any time during this season. The Wakanui Creek has only half its usual supply, but there is still enough for the races in the Wakanui district. At this advanced period of the season, it is to be hoped that negotiations may not have tobeV entered upon for re-opeuing the connection with the South Branch, but this is a con tingency which the Council may have to provide for at an early date. The inlet works at Acton are at present in fair order. The river has receded somewhat from that point, and is not now pressing so heavily against the banks. The contractor is mak ing fair progress with the races through blocks 1 and 2 Rakaia village settlement;? Several fords and culverts have been re paired recently. The rangers, waste and obstruction sheets will be placed before you from which you will observe that one or two , of the cases are of a somewhat aggravated nature. ; , Ashlmr ton-Rangitata Water Supply. — There is a sumcent supply generally through out this district at presetit, with.no water to spare; the only exceptions being the Water tori and Upper Hinds districts, where the sources of supply are nearly dried up. ; Mount Somers , and Ashburton Forks Supply.— These races area little lighter than usual owing to short supply at inlet but the latter can be slightly improved by clearing out a portion of main, which will be attended to. County Br'ulges.-^&ome re-decking has been necessary during last month,.,-and Taylor's Stream bridge is closed at present for renewals of some piles aud corbels. Upper llaliaia Irriy ition Sc/icme.—lh&ve dealt, with, this question in a separate report, which will to-day be placed before you. SOOTH-NORTH BRANCH CONNECTION— ASHJJOKXON RIVER. Mr Friedlander moved to authorise the Chairman, in event of necessity arising, to make arrangements for establishing the connection between the iNbrth and South branches of the river. Mr Brown seconded, and the motion was carried. THE WASTE AND OBSTRUCTION SHEETS. Mr Brown took exception to the waste and obstruction sheet put in by Ranger Fawcett, as nob containing a notice of what appeared to him to be a gross ca_e of obstruction and waste in a paddock belonging to Mr S. Brown. He moved that the Engineer's attention be' called to the state of the paddock referred to and incidentally mentioned other instances in the same district ot what appeared to him to be unwarranted obstruction. A complaint was made in Ranger Morrison's sheet against Mr McAvey cutting gorse and carelessly allowing the small cuttings to go down the race, and cause obstuiction. Mr Cameron said he had seen small gorse floating down one of his races, evidently having come from the source complained of. He hud sent a man up the race to fork out the gorse. He had co complain of this sorb of thing, as the floating gorse might cause an obstruction in his races, and he have to bear the blame of it. Mr Brown spoke strongly against the by-laws not being put in force against offenders,,. and said that rangers, who neglect to take the preliminary action to have such offenders punished were unfit for their position. If they neglected to do so, then rangers should be appointed who would do their duty. There was nothing definite done in the matter, Mr Harper said that had Mr Wright been present at that meeting, he (Mr Harper) would have moved a question of privilege in regard to the publication of these rangers' reports. Mr Brown moved that the reports be handed to the reporters bo be printed. Mr Friedlander seconded. Mr Coster thought the publication did no good, as it would frequently appear that one or two men's names would be found in the list to whom no blame at all would attach. It had been shown that* day that there was a possibility of one man being reported very extensively for what was really the offence of another man. Mr Harper was quite sure that if the rangers did their work, and compelled clearance where obstruction occurred; and settlers also did their duty, there would be little necessity for those sheets. The flumes and fords under the charge of the Council were of ten a cause of waste, and these should be more carefully seen to. Mr Brown asked and obtained liberty to withdraw his motion After what Mr Cosber had said, and what had appeared that day re gorse, he felt that the publica tion would in some instances cause in justice to be done to law-abiding settlers. It was decided to draw the special attention of the Engineer to a defective ford at Lyndhurst, IRRIGATION REPORT. A lengthy discussion took place on the propriety of reading the Engineer's irri gation report, several members being of opinion that it would"- be better not to read it then, but to supply members with copies, so that they would be fully pre pared for its discussion at next meeting. Ultimately on Mr Friedlander's motion., the repo.it was read, ordered to be printed, and copies sent to each member. The report is printed in supplement form MrH.B. Huddlestone, C.E .Blenheim, wrote offering to supply information in regard to the mode of irrigation adopted in certain districts in India, with which he had been conversant. The letter was laid on the table. RATES RECOVERY. 5 Mr Friedlander moved that, in futurje, instead of having a final demand for overdue rates made by their solicitor, the Clerk should be instructed to issue summonses for the arrears. : The motion was carried. THE "THIRDS" QUESTION. The Crown Lands department wrote covering copy of the resolution recently passed by a meeting of ratepayers at Hinds, on 17th February, with reference i

to the expenditure of the defeired "thirds" upon water supply instead of roads, and asking if tha Council con curred in the proposal. i The matter was held over for a month, meanwhile tho Department to be asked to defer taking action until the letter Le considered. IRRIGATION —GOVERNMENT-AID. The Crown Lands Office wrote to the elllct that Government being desirous of : assisting the Ashburton County upon" the , question of irrigation, the Minister would be glad to receive from "the Council any suggestions they wished to make ; or if fclicy wished any information obtained from either India, America, or Australia on the subject, the Government would communicate with those countries with a view of obtaining the very latest and most improved systems of irrigation. It was resolved that the Minister be thanked for his courtesy, and the Council hoped to lie in a position to avail them selves of his offer very shortly. | KEAS. I The Lake Coleridge Road Board wrote j complaining of the great increase ci keas | in tho upper portions of the SeLwyn and Ashburton. Counties. During the last, mustering many live and dead sheep, with kea holes in their backs, had been found. The Board desired the question to be considered by the Council, end an effort i made to have the kea included in the 1 Small Birds Nuisance Act. The Council concurred with the letter, and decided to ask Government to have a clause inserted for payment for the destruction of keas. ASHBURTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE. The Ashbuiton Borough Council wrote, requesting the attention of the County I Council to the unsatisfactory state of the bridge flooring. New timber, of a greater thickness than the original decking timber, was being used in replacing broken or damaged planks, thereby causing danger to the springs of vehicles crossing the bridge. The Engineer supplied a memorandum to the effect that the new timbers were just 4 inches thick, and the old ones had been worn down to 3§ inches, causing a little irregularity in places ; but with so much traction engine traffic over the bridge it would not do to lay undersized timber if permanency was to bs secured. lb was decided bo send a copy of the Engineer's memorandum to the Borough Council. After the luncheon adjournment, Mr Wright, who had arrived by the express, took his seat. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. A claim for £76- damages alleged to have been suffered by the construction of a race through his property —was made by Mr Francis Cass. Mr Purnell wrote stating that a writ for the amount had been served upon the Council. Mr Wright moved " That a committee, consisting of Messrs Friedlander, Brown, and the mover, be appointed to visit the locality and inquire into Mr Cass's grievance. Mr Cameron seconded, and the' motion was carried. Mr Coster moved "That the Council do nob recognise Mr Cass' claim." Mr Cameron seconded, and several other routine ny lions were carried to come into operation in the event of the matter going into Court. Mr Brown asked for a division on Mr Coster's motion, with the object of recording his dissent from it. The division was taken, and Mr Brown was the only dissentient Messrs McKay and Grierson, per their solicitor, wrote complaining that a race had been run through their property in tho Mount Hutb district without theiri' sanction having been obtained, and de clining to pay the rate. The Council decided to close the race, inasmuch as Mv McKay objected "to pay the rate and attached no importance bo the racr*. Messrs Stewart. Rakaia district, and Clephane, Wakanui district, wrote asking for a rebile in water charges they had to pay. Mr Stewart also appeared in per son. The Council adjourned considera tion of the applications until next meet ing. MESSRS CHAPMAN AND DEANS. Mr Purnell wrote advising the Council to accept the leases of the land of Messrs Chapman and Deans occupied by the waterworks, as being less costly than taking the land under the Public Works Act. ' It was decided to accept the leases and to pay the legal bill uf costs in connec tion with the matter. j POISONED WHEAT. The tender of the Ashburton Drug Company at 15s 9d per bushel for poisoned wheat was accepted. PAX-LENTS. Accounts to the amount of about £300 were passed for payment. OBSTRUCTION IN THE WAKANUI FLAT. Mr Brown, with consent of the Council, moved " That the Engineer be instructed to at oi.ee attend to the obstructions in the water races on the Wakanui Flat, and in particular to those on Wilson's Road, and the one on the river bank. That the Chairman be instructed to prosecute those persons who have deliberately obstructed the flow of the water, and those who by gross negligence have allowed their races to become obstructed, contrary to the water race by-laws." Mr Wright seconded, and the motion was carried. ■' ■ ' notices Of M&rioN. ■•■ Mr Wright gave notice to move at next meeting :—" That in all cases where the charge for water supply—lss per twenty chains of race—exceeds in the aggregate a sum equal to threepence per »»cre for any holding, the amount of such excess over threepence per acre shall be remitted." Mr Harper to move—"That a Com mittee be appointed to consider the desirableness of offering for sale of lease the County water races and water right." The Council then adjourned.

SPORTING.

S.C.J.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

(PEH PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Timaru, April 3. Following are the weights for the first day S.C.J.C. Autumn Meeting. Timaku Hurdles ; one and a half miles Little Arthur, list 71b; Ivanhoe, list Torrent, lOsg 101 b ; Trimolite, lOst 71b Conspirator, fist 71b. WasiidykkWelthii. One mile.—Kingof Ulster lOse 51b, Bon lOsb 21b, Conspirator 9st 121 b, Lady Zetland 9st 51b, Mailboy 9sfc 31b, Emma 9st, Morten Bst 81b, Ad venturess Bst 21b, Tiger Lily Bst. Flying Handicap. Six furlongs.— Lord Aston-Bst 121 b, Crachfield Bst 91b, Red Cross - Bst 51b. Mariner Bst, Miss 1 George 7st 121 b, Lady Bell 7st 101 b, Loo •7st 31b, Adieu Gst 71b. Timabu Cup. One and a half mile.— Occident Bst 101 b, Prime Warden Bst 91b, Blizzard Bst 71b, Lord Aston Bst 51b, Breadalbane Bst 21b, Cruchfiold Bst lib, Palliser Bst, Moraine 7st 71b, Mariner 7st 51b, Martha 7st. Distkict Plate. One and a quarter mile.—Quibble 9st, Miss George Bst 51b, Martha Bst 31b, Liberator Bst," Ben 7st 7.1 b, Conspirator 7st 51b, Lady Zetland 7st, Irene 6st 121 b, Inchkeith 6st 71b, Morten u'st 31b, College Girl 6st.

THE MARKETS.

(]?ER PKESS ASSOCIATIOK.)

London, April 2. rhe wool list has closed, and includes a shipment by the ship Ueltana from Ade laide. (This is the vessel which took fire on her voyage Home, and pufcioto Ly'-telton whore she was discharged, repaired, and reloa»l"d.) (Received April 4, 10.30 a.m.) - -- -*■». -- ■; .■'=■.. .^L.dU»i«>i*^sA-pril 2. three months'liills are at 2| per cent; market weaker. N.Z. fout per cent inscribed stouk lOo;}:; 3 V per cent do. 97J. ,:„ Wlw»t^|Tpw^2ewAffiJEslnMWried 43a ; market firmer. For New Z?aland wheat on the passage, sellers are asking 39s Od, but buyers refuse to give more, than 395. New Zealand wheat off coast 41s. . Canteilmiy mutton 4£d; Wellington 4^d ; Canterbury, lamb sjd." Beef, fore-quarter^ 3 7-lCil; hind-quarters 4|d. South Australian wheat 44s 61, Victorian wheat 42s 6d.

The Ny-.v Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited; have received the folio vms; cable mesease, dated Lon don, 2nd April, 1891:— ' Wool—The sales opened this day at the level of la^t saies, except for fine greasy crossbred, for which the market is nnntr. Faultj scoured merino, market easier. Attendance of both Home and Foreign buyers is good and competition fairly active. The total quantity avail able, including woci held over from Jast series, is 365,000 bales, 70,000 bales of which have been forwarded to the manu facturing districts direct. :

Grain and Produce.

The following is the Christchurch Corn Exchange report for the week ending Friday, April 3rd:—The grain market has been somewhat interfered with by the Easter holidays. The weather continues fine, an threshing operations may be said to have closed, except m cages where growers have thatched down, with the object ot waiting for higher prices. Wheat is enquired for, and prices were firm at quotations ; whilst buyers are not over anxious to operate, sellers shew no inclination to make any con cessions. Oats — The market shows no sign of animation, the few sales made'being for local consumption. Barley —No prime samples are offering, and secoad quality meet with no enquiry except for pig feed. Beans iire taken for export at quotations. Blue Prussian Peas command full rates if hand thrashed; other sorts entirely '. neglected. Grass Seed—Bye has seen little ! business ; Cocksfoot is saleable if of good color and weight, but light, discolored parcels are difficult to place. Potatoes— Kidneys are unsaleable. Derwents are beginning to find a few speculators foi* delivery when ripe at 25s to 27s 6d at country stations within twelve miles of the port. Quotations are as follows t-«-Wheafc f Tuscan, 3s 8d; Pearl, 3s 6£d; Hunters', 3s sd; second quality, 3s Id to 3s 2d ; broken, 2s 6cl to 2s 9d. Oats, milling, Is 8d; short feed, Is 6d; inferior and long, Is 3d to Is sd. Barley, prime malting, 3s 3d ; second quality and feed neglected. Peas, blue hoilers, 3s; feed, 2s 4d. Beans, 2s 6d. Grass Seed, rye, machine dressed, 5s to 5a 6d ; farmers' parcels, 3s 6d to 4e 6d j cocks foot, 4£d to sd. Dairy produce—Butter, factory, 8d; farmers' keg, fid to 7d; cheese, small loaf shape, 4£d % larger size, 3£d to 4d. The above prices are those paid to farmers for delivery f.o.b. Lyttelton. New sacks extra—3s 6d per dozen, ;. r

Ashburton Live Stock Market.

MR D. THOMAS. Mr D. Thomas reports upon the Live Stock Market m the Aahburton District for the v/oek ending 3rd April, 1891, as follows, viz:-—On Tuesday at the Tinwaid Yards the usual weekly sale of live stock was held. There was again a very large yarding of sheep, about 15,000 being entered for the day's requirements. The attendance of farmers mid others was again a large one, but biddings were languid, caused m a great measure by the generally poor quality of the stock on offer. Of course there were some good pens of crossbreda, and theae sold well, but the majority of the entry consisted of failing-mouth merino and crossbred ewes, and these realised lower prices than of late. The day likewise had a depressing influence, being hoc and dusty, and many farmers who intended to invest were deterred by the fear of the continuance of the drought. The totals yarded for the day were 15,196 sheep, 58 rams, 19 head of cattle, and 81 pigs, oi which my entry was 7588 sheep, 56 rams, and 59 pigs for the following clients, viz., Messrs Liil, Sargisson, D. Morrow, W. LiuigdoD, Bonuiugton, Thomas, Kenning fcon, Sommerville, Buddenklau, Kinley, Win. Anderson, Dalgtty, Stoddart, K. Frisby,, Choak, P. Roberts, Ford, P. Cunningham, W. H. Bell, P. Sheehan, W. Wilson, E. Gates, Parkerson, Crosskell, Croskerie, Johnstone, Grigg, McKendry, &c, &&, and my principal sales were 13 fat larubs 9s 6d, 25 fat ewes 8s 6d, 40 fat merino ewes 5s 7d, 137 crossbred ewes 6s Bd, 130 merino ewes 5s 6d, 112 crossbred ewes 53 sd, 1 14 crossbred ewes 5e Bd, 62 crossbred lambs Si's 9d, 100 crossbred lambs 6b Id, 160 crossbred ewes 5s Id, 175 . crossbred lambs 8s lOd, 156 crossbred ewes 4s 6d, 782 broken mouth merino ewes Is, 140 merino wethers 5s 9d, 47 crossbred ewctf 7s Bd, 133 crossbred ewes 5s 2d, 135 crossbred ewes 6s 9d, 100 crossbred lambs 7s 6d, 494 crossbred lambs 8s 6d, 157 crossbred ewes 6s 9d, 524 merino ewes 3s 4d, 184 sound-mouth merino ewes 5s 3d, 183 do. 5s 4d, 188 crossbred ewes 9s 10d, 247 crossbred ewes Bs, 201 merino ewes £s lOd, 379 merino ewes 4s lOil, 97 merino wethers 2s 4d, 45 crossbred ewes 7s lOd, 49 fat mgrino ewes 6s 3d, 140 merino ewes 5s 4d, 501' merino ewes 3s 7d, 800 merino ewes 3s 7d, Ac, &c,. In rams I sold 31 at i'roa £ guinea to 3% guineas each. In pigs I sold 10 small baconers at £1 2s 9d, and lp larger size at £1 5s 6d. ■"A On Wednesday I held a clearing sale for Mr M. Scott, who has acid his hotel.- There was a large audience, but the articles to be submitted (mostly light horses) did not seem to be m favor. With two exception!, how- - ever, I cleared every line, and I have the owner's word for it that- they brought'more than he expected. On Thursday I held a clearing sale of trotting and blood horses for Mr Digby. There was a good attendance, and I suc ceeded m placing the whole of the' horses except live. The biddings were not brisk, but the values obtained may beoonsidcred as fairly good. To-day I held a sale of sheepskins at which my catalogue consisted of 851 skins and pelts, and five bags wooL - Biddings were brisk, and I cleared my entry as Follows ;—-For best crossbred pelts, 2s sd, 2s 8d to 2s lOd ; for merino do, Is 6d, Is 9d to 2s 2d each ; inferior, Is to 2s; small, Id to 6d each; woolly skins, 5d to s|d?per< lb; wool m bags, 4£d to s£d per lb ; piece*, 2d to 3d per lb. ' ". ' ■

4SDB ASiEBIJETON GTTABBIAK, SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 18^j



TIIU BKST P.KMtiDY FOB INDIGESTION — Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to whica we are subject* Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, and afe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is l|d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine ypdorg throughout the wo W l'



. V. MILES & CO. " " Messrs Miles and Co., per Mr George Jameson, report on the Ashburton Live Stock Market as follows :— '**. ■ Tinwald Saleyards, Ashburton County, 31st March.—We have to record another very heavy entry of sheep, fully I^ooo having been penned for the day's sale. Ihcre was a full attendance, but the de mand did not appear to be quite so keen as during previous sa'es, although £fc may be fairly stated that all classes of good sound young sheep were briskly competed for, and, were sold at values that would compare with any prerious market. Really good sound ewes, both crossbreds and merinos, brought full rates,, also. good lines of crossbreds suitable for turnip feeding, and good lines of crossbred lambs. Of the hitter we had the pleasure of offer ing a splendid line of first crosji Uwiibs, 1750, sent forward by the Hon. W. S. Peter, the whole of this last season's dropping, which we sold at an even twice of 10d each, and considering their fcreed. ing and quality they were without donbt the cheapest line m the day's market. We also sold, on account of the." ttbie owner, a line of the now famous Anama merino ewes, ' full' mouthed sheep, at 9s 6d each. For MrEdward Qening, of the Alforc£EjiUte, we f)ty



Keating's Cough Lozkkoes cure Coughs, Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony states that no other medicine is so effectual m the cure of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensuaes rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing they are invaluable. They con tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, m this, Is 1-Jd and 2s 9d each,



Statutory Declaration,^!, .Franz Raabe, Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and' sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six yearn <if age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his kirn, lat once took all pains to secure medical assistants, JTow ever, m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Macgillivray that a» amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, m order to save life. At this juncture I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Globtilus, and by the application of the same I had too satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night out of all danger, and to-day he is recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this solemn declaration, etc. FiUNK Baabk, Declared at Sandhurst, m the colony for Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and sefcntyrseysn, before me, MoritzCobu, J.P., HAdyt-J 0



CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may bo left at this Offi«n WANTED Known.—Miis J. Bucp- Anan has opened as Fruiterer and Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr nd Co., East Street. ■, ANTED Known.—lt you want good value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapest first-class Drapery m town.—H. C. Segeus, Melford House. YI7ANTF.D Known.— MV are now VV opening all our new Winter Goods m Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c.-*-f1.,-. 0. SBOBRSf Melford House. ■ ■.-.-, ANTED Known. —Cheapest House m. town, for First-class Diapery Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c—H. C. Segbrs, Melford House. _ /POOLING mid invigorating Ice Crsam \J as made by H. G. Flower, Con ectioner, Easfc Street. WANTED~Known.— Mhs J. Buch anan, Fruiterer and Confectioner. Tea and coffee at all hours ; hot luncheon on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr and Cob, East Street, ; WANTED Known — Some ■ special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." ANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds. —Robert Ai-corn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder'a Buildings. TT7ANTED Known—The "Strong- W wear" Boot is the best for Mem ladies and Children.—W. H. Collier. /"""I LASS, EarthenwareT and China, \JT direct from the Manufacturers. Robert Aicoen, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. *|VJOW ON —At Stationers' Hal, JJN Great Sale of Surplus Stock of Books, Stationery, Fancy GouU Music, etc. Great reductions for cash, for one m«>nth only. Hundreds of books at less than English price. At L. F. Andrewes &-Co.'s, Stationers Hall. ANTED Known — The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is ;it W. P. Hannaford's, Burnett tetreet. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch.



Public notices. LONGBEACH COACH. ON and after MONDAY, 6th April, the Longbeach Coach will leave the Ashburton Post Office at 4 p.m. ; instead of at 5 p.m. as formerly. B. R. BROWNE, 4 28 Coachman. ASHBURTON RACING CLUB. TENDERS wanted for Lease of the ASHBURTON RACEOOURSE for one cereal crop. Particulars may be seen At the Mail Ufiico, when tenders must be lodged by SATURDAY, April 11, at 4 p.m. G. BISSET, 3 193 Secretary. TITONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of £100 TO^£sooo P»r further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office, Christchurch. W. W. Spencer A Co EXTENSION OF W. W. BPCIWJSR * Cm* Great Clearing Sale. Being heavily overstocked, and m order to make room for a shipment of Goods which we have landing from Home m about a fortnight, we have made Greater Reductions than ever. AU Wool, colonial flannel, 10M, 4-ply fingering wool, all colors, Is lid; Calicos 2a 3d the doz; Dress Goods 4W; Washing Prints, 2§d, 3|d, and 4sd ; Washing Muslin _. 2s lid the doz ; Towels, 3|d j [x] each ; a very large Towel 9|d, Jj Onow 6|d ; very good Ticking, m . 6d: double width Sheeting, H <G 7£d; heavy white Linen Twill H 0 Sheeting, ll|d ; heavy cotton Shirting, SW; Cretonnes, 4id ; l fif Men's woollen Sox, ll&d; Boys' p> H Braces, 4d ; Men's Braces, 8d; M <J Men's Regatta Shirts, 2s lid ; <*■> Men's good Tweed Suits. 22a Q _- 6d ; Boys' Tweed Suits from l p| 4s lid ; Men's colored Moles p H 7s 6d, now 5s lid ; Boys' do. p H 2s lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. £j £4 Men's Bluchers, 6s6d ; Men'a \*\ colonial made Shooters, 9s lid; Boys' strong Boots very cheap. Women's strong Elastics, 6s 9d; Girls' and Maids' Kid Elastic Sides and Button Boots 2s lid.. 3s lid, and 4s 6d at W. W. BPJE2VCJBR * Con THE ARCADE N.B. —We have this day purchased a Traveller's Set of Samples at a discount of 50 per cent. If you want a real bargain now is your chance. WJmT£ETIJ jViItIOUTTEETH CHRISfCHGRGH DENTAL •SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High streets S. M™ AND Co SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin anl Westport rtTE have gained the FIRST AWARD , W "* the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dwitures and Mechanical Appii ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that ye guarantee the kighest class work and perfect fit at the Most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Dukablk, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe] Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s Cd. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at small cost %0 : , ' AUTUMN, 1891. LA TEST NO VEL TIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS osro^w" on "view AT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. TTWERYTHING new. New Shirt?, ,fy New Underclotning, New Scarfs 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. Inspection Respectfully Solicited. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W. H. WEBBER, Manager.