The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1891. CURRENT TOPICS.

We kaow now what the Hampstead people want. They want water, drain age, footpaths, and gas. We also know what they do not want—rates. Not one of the speakers who opposed the proposal to amalgamate with the Borough had a single fact or argument to adduce against it, while'the Borough on its side ofiered all the advantages which Hampstead wants, and that without any prospect of an increase, of the rates no.v paid by the suburban districts. Besides this the suburbs are offered a participation in the Borough reserves, which, in the course of a few years, will yield such a revenue as will reduce taxation to a very low scale, if not extinguish it altogether. Poor benighted JHampstea'l, not to take «, share in the benefits of amalgamation while the door is open !

I His Worship the Mayor may be I excused, indeed, should be commended, for the evident pride with which he referred at Thursday night's meeting to the financial position of the Borough. A maximum rate of one shilling, a water supply, an experienced engineer, a fire brigade, a long length of streets provided with channelling and foot paths, and an over-draft so small that it can scarcely be called a luxury and will disappear altogether in two years and a half, and an income of £3000. We question if Kaiapoi will ever be in so satisfactory a condition ; yet Kaiapoi is able to confer some benefits upon its inhabitants which Asliburton cannot, or will not, with all its opulence, give to its inhabitant;:. Kaiapoi has public deep wells, giving a constant flow of water. A considerable part of the Borough of Ashburton is without water, and, we fear, from the attitude of a number of the Councillors, likely to remain so. Surely the credit to be gained by the inclusion of a few hundreds more in the census returns is nothing compared with the discredit; which attaches to a prosperous town i rendered uninhabitable for want of water.

The title "Sempnti," wi«;h which we have been made familiar by the Manipuraffair, means a general or com mander of an army, being derived from sena, an army, and pati, a master or protector. The word does not appear iii any gazetteer that has yet reached New Zealand, and the many different ways in which it has been spelt by the news agencies has led to some conjec ture as to whether one form was singular and another plural, one mas culine and another feminine, or one the parent and another the son. The definition is now published, and we may assume that it applies to the com mander of the Native troops by whom the British officials were treacherously murdered at Manipur.

Some people of very tender suscepti bilities bat not ranch sense have found fault with the members of the Public Trust Commission for the tone in which they at times addressed (he officials whom they examined in the our.se of their enquiry. We should think that ~thi?—ifpicu:ajaoe whi< h some of the wit nesses displayed of the most elementary principles of business woul I earn the most utter contempt of able business men, such as those who ecu posed the Commission undoubtedly are. Look at oneof t.em my scandalous bits in the voluminous evidence. A security held over a property by a bank for an advance of £4000 was foisted on the Public Trustee, the money advanced by him going to pay oft the bank. Very soon afterwards the estate dried up as regards payment of interest, and after a long unproductive interval the Public Trustee foreclosed, and had to buy in the £4000 estate for £500. The balance of £3500 was then charged as loss to the unfortunats trusts to which the security in question had been apportioned after the advance had been made. Incompetency did not end here. Be it noted that the original mortgage for j£4ooo continued to figure in three annual balance-sheets as a " valuable security " for that sum, and was so passed by the Audit after the foreclosure had taken place and the property been conveyed to the Public Trustee for £500! And yet there are those who would have the Commis sioners bow the knee before those in competent " curled darlings." In Wel lington Ministers and Members may be slandered with impunity, but a hair of the head of a civil servant must not be disturbed, and to address one other wise than as if he were on a level with Royalty is flat treason.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Supreme Court Amendment Bill provides fop the employment of official short hand reporters in the Jaw courts. The Cromwell "Argus" states that the sun has not been visible for a week in the Upper Clutha Va'ley. Hard frosts prevail; mining is at a complete standstill. The Kaiapoi Borough Council have just had another deep well sunk for the use of the public. One of the existing public wells is rnnning dry and is to be deepened. Ths following weather forecast from Cap tain Edwin, was received at Lytttlton yes terday s—"5 —" North-west and south-west gale, with much rain, and glass further fall." The list of teachers published in the supplementary Gazette shows a total of 2909, of whom 1027 are not now employed, having retired or left the colony. There are only seven in the first rank, fifty-nine in the second, and 107 in the third. The "Church News" believes that fche Bishop of Nelson still intends, if possible, to go to England shortly, in the hope of thereby recovering from his illness. He hopes to return after an absence of about a yeai» sufficiently restored to resume the over sight of his di/jcese, In the meantime Arch deacon Muleg will bg life Commissary. Yesterday, Mr Thomas Tpevijpjsa, farmer, Wakanui, while loading grain from a shoot in Mr Rollitt's granary, had the misfortune to gpji bis leg broken, by a sack of grain coming down the shoot into the dray before he was ready to pecejive it. He was adjust ing the sack he had jusjt pacpiyed upon his dray, when another was sent dofe'u tp him, which struck his leg and caused the injury above mentioned. The Masonic charity service at the Masonic Hall to-morrow afternoon will afford the general public, as well as the members of the Craft, an opportunity of contributing towards the relief of the sick and needy, Bey. Bro, LnxfonJ, Distiict f:«ran<l Chaplain of Canterbury of the English Constitution, will preach the ser mon, and special and attractive musical iHTangejflejjt^ fjaye beejjj njacje,

Titnaru will be visited by an unusual num ber of mutton steamers this month, no less than four being expected, to take away in aU 39,000 carcases of frozen mutton. The Freezing Works are in lull swing, killing 1000 a day, and this will be kept up through the month, plenty of sheep being booked to maintain the tally. In June 27,000 were' shipped, 8000 by the s.s. Nairushire and 19,000 railed to Lyttelton to the ship Hine moa, equal to 1000 a day for that month. - "Herald." The distribution of prizes in Mr J. L. Higga'^arfc union has been delayed until July 27, Mr Higgs having decided to make the event of more interest than he at first intended, by the exhibition of a transforma tion scene showing the celebrate I Pink Terraces and Tar^wera in eruption. The whole of the scenery has been painted by Mr Higgs himself, and his is the first attempt by local talent to produce a trans formation scene in Ashburton. 1 The friendly societies of the Auckland rlistiict have lately entered into an arrange ment which must considerably enhance the [ usefulness of those beneficent institutions. It is this—that any member of a society who may remove to a country town where no lodge belonging to his own institution has i been founded, is allowed to secure the ser vices of the medical officer of any society | that does exist there, subject to the payment in advance of the amounts due to the doctor, and certain other reasonable conditions. The system is understood to have worked well, and it has been proposed to bring a similar plan of interchenge into operation in Wel lington. A very successful coursing meeting was I held at Mount Hutt yesterday under the auspices of the Methven Coursing Club. The programme consisted of a Puppy Stake of eight subscribers, whichjended in a division between Mr J. McCann's Prohibition and Mr R. Gilchrist's Cissy, and an All-Aged Stake of twelve subscribers, which resulted in a division between Mr W. Patching's Red t wood and Mr A. Hamill's Pride of Erin and Manner. The Ashburton visitors enjoyed & very pleasant outing, and speak highly of the hospitality of the Methveu coursing men. A disturbance, in which Arthur Clampett is alleged to have figured, came before the Dunedin Police Court on Thursday, when the licensee of Court's Otago Hotel was charged with keeping open after hours and permitting a disturbance. The evidence was to the effect that Clampett was in the hotel about four a.m., when another party of three or four came in. Chaffing remarks caused Clampett to pull out a revolver and threaten to shoot the others, and this led up to a lot of scuffling, which was only put an end to by the landlady and barman appear ing on the scene. It was shown that the bar was not open, that the porter had been instructed to serve only lodgers and travel lers out of a small lofc of liquor left in his charge, and that he had been specially warned not to let Clampett in, for disobey ing which order he had been dismissed.. Mi' Carew dismissed both charges. Ta'es of grisly horror often turn on the straits of a jr.an battling against death in solitude ; but we think it would be hard to beat this one, whioh comes from the far North Wet. A Canadiau, hunting in Labroquerie, came upon a little shanty. On approaching it he was shocked to see lying on the ground, in front, a severed human foot. Within the lodge a man lay on a bundle of rags. He was almost famished and nearly mad from suffering. Some weeks ago both his feet had been frozen, and mortification set in in one foot. In desperation he cut it off with a butcher knife and threw it outside. This crippled him co npletely, and h« lay in his hut dying of starvation, thirst, and pain. The hunter gave the wounded man something to eat, and set out to secure assistance. He procured a team and two men and returned to the hut, only to find that in the intervening period the wounded man had hacked off his other foot, mortification having attacked that too. The poor wretch was placed on a waggon and reached the Winnipeg hospipal alive, though in sore case. His name is \' 'Kiunon. The Toronto " Globe" senms to think there is some prospect that he will survive his ghastly experience.

The " Church News " writes as follows :— By the judgment delivered last month in the Supreme Court by Mr Justice Dennistou, the Prohibitionists have received a shock which may do much towards shattering the tower of hope which they had been con structing with omineuc zeal for some time past, and seemed almost to have completed up to its surmounting embattlement by the achievements gained in, Sydenham and else where. But the structure has been raised with somewhat of hastiness and want of judgment as to the true proportion of things. Like the case of the man in the Gospel, the Proiiibitionsts appear not to have first counted the cost, whether they had sufficient to finish it. Unless the learned judge is wrong in his dictum, they have sadly misinterpreted the Licensing Act, and the newly elected Licensing Bench of Prohibitionists for Sydenham will exceed their powers in closing certain houses notwithstanding his Honor's injunction to r.striin them from so doing. Apparently they are prepared to go any lengths in their enthusiastic desire to put a stop to drinking bars, whether rightly or wrongly. The pro ceedings at the recent meeting of this Bench are indicative of much pcrsißt.aut zeal for the suppression of the liquor traffic, and are slightly suggestive of the Inquisition in days of old. Christian zeal is a noble thing and worthy of admiration and respect; but to secure these on all sides it must be rightly guided with discretion and tempered with Christian charity, and must bear in its hand the balance of justice. It is a pity that so much earnest Christian zeal in combating a very real evil should be so wrongly directed as to nullify itself and render an otherwise noble effort to reduce the cvii of drink in operative.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[PJJR PKJESS ASSOCIATION.]

WKLLTJ&fTOBf,. July 4. At the inquest on Gibson Turtou a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. The medical testimony showed the prjLnary cause of death to be inflama tion and tjli^eq^e of heart. Aiiiatcur gcitlerM. Westpoiit, July 4. A local party of sealers secured twenty two fur seals at the Steeples, Cape Foulwind, yesterday.

Teas free from any excess of asfcringeucy, South British TeaJCompany's pure bleaus, &l] atprejseepers,

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held yesterday. There was no quorum at eleven o'clock, and business wasadjourned until a quarter to two, at which hour there were present—Messrs W. C. Walker (chaiiman), Harper, Grigg, Cameron, McMillan, Colter, and Brown. The.Chairman apologised for the absence through illness of Mr Hugo Friedlander. LEAVE OF ABSKNCE. Leave of absence was granted to Mr Wright during the session of Parliament. SOUTH R4KAIA IRRIGATION MSTRICT Particulars of the expense incurred re the South R-ikaia Irrigation District, as moved for by Mr Brown, were laid on the table. chairman's statement. The Chairman's usual statement was read as follows ;— The Property Tax Department has forwarded a list of persons who have bought C.dwn Lands in this county from Ist April, 1889, to 31st March, 1891, and of price paid in each instance. The Council can now place these persons' names on the rolls of this Council. Mr Wright informs the Council that he has presented the petition praying for separa tion from the Christchurch district in the matter of Charitable Aid, before Parlia ment, and that he intends conjointly with other members introducing a bill dealing with this question. The Planting Com mittee has met since last meeting and arranged for the planting to be done this season. Tenders for the work will be before the Council to-day. The Com mittee's report will be read at this meeting also the reports of the Committees ap pointed to consider the question of over draft and of traction engine traflic over the Ashburton bridge. The Hampstead Town Board forwards an account of £6, being half cost of repaiw of bridge over Main South road, and requests the Council to pay the same. The Council in December, 1889, paid a similar amount for the repairs to this bridge. Mr Chap man has signed the deeds and plans re his water races, and these have been duly signed and sealed by me so that this matter id at last completed. IRRIGATION REPORT. The Engineer's report oh the question of irrigation, for that portion of the Ash burton-Eangitata district westwards of the main line of railway, was held as read, and discussion of it postponed until members had had time to mike them selves familiar with its details. The report is given elsewhere. engineer's report. The ordinary report of the Engineer for the month was read as follows :— Plains Water Supply.— During last month blockage of races and some overflow has taken place through accumulations of ice, bnt little inconvenience has been experienced as the supply has not been entirely cut off. The races generally are now in good repair, so that when the thaw sets in, the service throughout will be efficient. Fords and culverts have been repaired where necessary, and in the few instances where occupiers have failed to clear their races the Council has done so at their expense. Axhburton - Jiang l+at o Water Supply. — The same remarks apply to this as the Rakaia Plains district. The clearing of a, few sections which had not been completed when frost set in, will be further attended to when frost breaks up. (Judging Sfc e-j-ms. —l have again made the bi-monthly record for period ending 30th June, which is still a very low one. Plantations. — Tenders will be placed before you to day for fencing, ploughing anc* planting several blocks in accordance with instructions of Planting Comipittee. A certain amount of gorge grubbing is required in most of the plantations, the cost of which in Ashbnrton-Rangitata district would probably be about £30, and in Ashburtou- Ringitata district £— lenders for which might be called at any time. Irrigation. —I beg to annex a separate re port on the question of irrigation of Ashbur ton-Rangitata district. WATER RACE —LY.VDHURST RAILWAY STATION. This matter was left in the hands of the Engineer to deal with. NO. 11. IRRIGATION DISTRICT. The Committee appointed to arrange for the meetings that had been held at Ashburton and Rakaia reported on these, and the report was adopted. PLANTING COMMITTEE. The Planting Committee reported on the question of planting required in the county and recommended the planting of certain reserves on various parts of the county at a cost of £772, The report was adopted. OVERDRAFT. The Committee appointed to consider the ques ioti of a loan to pay the over draft reported having obtained the Solici tor's opinion on the subject, which being against the Council having power to borrow under section 16, subsection 1, of the Local Bodies Loans Act, the Com mittee made the following recommenda tions :—" That (1) section 211 Counties Act, 1886, be amended to give Councils power to take moneys on deposit up to the limit provided by said section, so as to give Councils the option of either incurr ing an overdraft or taking moneys on deposit, or partly one or partly by the other, the total amount so raised not to exceed the limit provided by the said section. That (2) the Council's bankers be interviewed on the subject of reducing the overdraft." The report as read was agreed to and copies of' it ordered to be sent to Mr E, Gr. Wright, member for the district, an I to fche Government, with a request to Mr Wright to endeavor to get the recommendations passed into law. Copies were also ordered to be sent to the various counties and boroughs in the colony. As Mr Friedlander had intimated his intention of going away for a holiday, Mr Grigg was added to the overdraft Committee, and Mr Harper's motion, given notice of at kst meeting, was re ferred to them, and postponed meanwhile. The moiton dealt with the striking of a rate for general purposes over the ridings in the county. Mr Brown moved—"That before levying a differential rate there be laid on the table a return showing the raties levied, and the amount expended in each riding since January J., 1887, distinguishing the sums charged against the general account from those charged against each riding separately." Mr McMillan seconded, and the motion was carried. MR LEAULEV'S MATTER. Mr Leadley wrote oftVins to meet the Council half-way in the matter of oats bought by him from the Council, but whigh, he asserted, were short weight of what he was supposed to have received, The Council declined to accept any but the full amount of £4 8s 7d owing by Mr Laadley. ACCOUNTS. The month's accounts wore passed for I payment, IRRIGATION FAR jr. The tenant of the Irrigation Farm wrote asking that a lean-to be added to his house, as the accommodation was too small for his family. Tenders were or dered to be invited for the work, Mr Forsyth to be asked to pay ten per cent, of the expenditure and insure the house. | chertsey cemetery. A grant of £25 was made to the Chert sey Cemetery. MR CASS'S CASE. i Mr Cuss wrote offering to settle his i clsim upon the Council if certain altera tions wejre made upon the Hue of the race running'through his section. The p.tfer \yas accepted, .subject to the Engineer's approval, and that pf any neighbors interested—the Council, how ever, to be relieved from all further claims by Mr p.ws iv the. matter. (

REFUND. The Council decided to refund to the Hampstead Town Board £6, cost of re placing in brick a damaged culvert on the South Road, COMPTAINTS. Mr Corbefct, Wakanui, cpMplained that he had been charged 14s for clearing a water race running past his frontage. After hearing Mr Corbett and the ranger, the Council decided that the chargfe must be insisted on, but chat at the first op portunity certain Single ridges .in the race, of which Mr Corbett had complained, be reduced as far as possible. Mr M. Mahoney, Elgin, complained that men had been put on to clear his race at his expense while he was ready to do it himself, and there was yet time lefn of the close term for him to do it. He .said he had come on the ground on the 15th to clean his race, and found the Council's men already there. The water was to be turned on on the 16th. The Engineer md the Ranger were heard on the suLject of Mr Mahoney's race, which Inth said was a very much neglected one. Mr Griyg moved to insist upon the charge of 355, but the motion was not seconded. Mr Brown g.ive notice to move—" That this Council is of opinion that on the days notified that the water be turned off for race clearing, no men should be employed by the Council in clearing the races of defaulters." WATER CHARGES. Mr Coster gave notice to move—" Thab the Council take the question of the minimum charge for water into its con sideration at the next ordinary meeting, with the view of reducing the amount chargeable on sections under twenty acres." TENDERS. Tenders for work were accepted as follows :—Ploughing—No. I—J. Devery, 6a," Is, and 8d ;' No. 2—N. Fitzgerald, 7s 6d. Is 6,1, and lOd ; fencing-No. 1-D. Colwell, Is ljd ; No. 2-W. H, Lane, Is 4|d; strainers—Cooper, 3s each ; plant ing—Jas. Porter, 435, 44s 6d, 47s 6d, and 525. Messrs W. H. Colling te.nder for material was accepted as follows :—Stan dard, £11 7s ; No. 8 Hwire, £13 17s 6d ; and barb, £23 17s 6d in each case per ton. WATER SUPPLY, Mr Isaac Sargent was granted a tem porary water supply, as were also Mr P. Roberts, Maranui, .and Mr Blair. A deversion was granted to Mr S. Burnard, and Mr J. Keays', Hinds, application for diversion was referred to the Coklstream Road Board. The Council then adjourned.

IRRIGATION.

THft ASHBURTON-R4NGITATA SCHEME. • THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT. At the sitting of the County Council yesterday, Mr' Baxter, County Engineer, submitted the following rcpoit on the question of irrigation for the Ashburton- Rangitati district : — I rave now the honor to submit report on the question of irrigation for that portion of the A.shburton-Rangitata dis trict situated westwards of the main line of railway, in accordance with instruc tions received from Council. Dealing first with that section between Rsmgitata and Hinds rivers, I carefully examined the Uppar "Rangitata Gorge with ft view to leading the water on to the plain as far up as possible. The most suitable point for taking out a large supply is at that marked X on accompany ing plan, about one mile to'the north wast of R.S. 30773. Here the channel is formed in solid rock, is scarcely a chain ii width, with a rock bound recess at side, well fitted for inlet purposes, and ■containing a pool 18 feet in depth, which the natural action of the river seems to scour out and keep clear. The total volume of water in the riv-ur at the gorge ;at the lime of my visit was about 300,000 gallons a minute, and I believe it is seldom lower than it was then. The top of tei'iace adjoining the river is 206 feet above water level near the point of in take. The main terrace for several miles downwards is about the same height as this above the level of the river, but contains within it several terraces of less height, along which I marked off a line for main. The cross section of these terraces is nearly uniform at a slope of 1| horizontal to one perpendicular. Placing the bottom i,f channel 7 feet below water level at inlet, it would surmount the terrace at river 6| miles from inlet at X 2 on map. Of this length 2.| miles would be tunnelling and 4| miles of earthwork channel of depths varying from 5 to 25 feet. From X 2 the main would px-oceed to the point of outer terrace at X 3, a distance of a mile and a half, and thence on a line adjacent to the Moorhouse road to Mayfield. The formation width of main to its junction with first sub-main is 33 feet—fall 6 feet per mile—volume of supply, 70,000 gallons a minute. Area, 82,000 acres, of which 28,000 acres are between Moorhouse Road and Cracroft- Hackthorne road, and 54,000 acres be tween Cracrofr-Hackthorne road and line of railw.iy. The estimated cost for this block of 82,000 acres supplied from Rangitata Gorge is £70,000, which represents an expenditure of 17s per acre, or an annual rate probably of about Is and 9d per acre. That portion from Oracroft-Hackthorne ' (road to railway, 54,000 acres, could be supplied at a very much cheaper rate from the source originally proposed 2b miles north of Cracroft—by a channel 24 feet formation width, discharging 48,000 gallons a minute. The cost of this scheme I estimate at £13,475, representing a cost of five shillings per acre, or ar.rual rate of sixpence per acre. This estimate in cludes the cost of enlarging for outlet purpose i three of the present races east i of railway line, and a now cut 3.i miles in length, discharging into Rangitata river at point shown on map, where "the ten-see is only about 17 feet in height. With such an outlet, and the irrigation process terminating at railway, some seven miles from'the strip of swamp land near sea board which is about two miles in width I am of opinion that little more would be required in the way of drainage for a considerable period. Between the Kinds and Rangitata rivers there is an area of at least 36,000 acres on the east side of railway, which seems as well adopted for irrigation as the land west of railway. It forms part of Block V., reported on in May 1886, and the estimate of that period, with say 12 per cent added for increased cost of earth works would still apply, and keeping in vieypalso the increased rates of supply now proposed. With reference to the question of an auxiliary supply by a small race from the I. Rangitata Gorge for that portion of Shep herd Bush district, situated aboye the line of uppermost race from Ashburton ■ river, I will be in a position to report at next meeting. Meantime, however I may state that as the supply canrio*-' be brought on to the level of the plain at a higher point than Moorhouse's road the I area which would be benefifcted by an increase of the present supply would be limited to some 10,000 acres. Dealing next with the Ashburton- Hinds district, or that described as Block IV in my report of May 1886, but ex cluding the portion between Winslow- Rangifcata road and the railway, also the triangular bjock qf 7000 acres near May- Meld, and noijr included in the Hinds- Rangitata district, tho tot 1 aiva to bo serred would be (53,000 acres, lecmiring a supply of about 55,000 gallons a minute, lhe bouth Ashburto:i river at the head- Works is generally ecjual to that require*

msnt, and more, after supplying the Kangibata races, bub for some months last year all the surplus available after leaving a small quantity to feed the river to the , lowpr end of its course, was 20,000 gallons a minute, sufficient only to irrigate the 23,000 acres, situated between the May field-Valctta road and the cross road near Hfickthorne railway station. The cost of enlarging mains, new sub-mains and all accessory works, including outlet to Ashburton river along the line of Hack thorne road, I estimate at £2700, or about two shillings and fourpenoe per acre, equivalent to an annual rate of about threepence per acre. The remaining 40,000 acres of the block would, during dry seasons such as the last, have to be irrigated from some other source. This could be accomplished by the en largement of the Cracroft main, and the extension of it, by fluming across Hinds River, thence along line XL shown in blue which corresponds to the line des cribed as outlet for the 23,000 acre block, bub this arrangement could only be car ried out on the basis of the irrigation scheme becoming operative in the Ran gitata District. In course of time, as a result of irriga tion, more especially towards the lower part of the district, some provision would have to be made for drainage within thb limits of the low-lying swamp land, and il might be well to count upon "a sum of say £3000 being ultimately required for such a contingency. At tlie present time the arterial drainage of a great part of that district is very incomplete, and this con dition is aggravated by the lack of any thing like adequate means for the passage of ordinary floodwaters through the dis trict. If these natural requirements of drain age were attended to, lam of opinion that not much more would be necessary from irrigation causes for several years, and care would have to be exercised to see that the expenditure for the latter was supplementary to the present drainage requirements, and not in substitution of them. The cost of works alluded to would be approximately as follows ;— Enlarging Cracroft Main, Fluming Hinds River, and Extension of Main bo Lyatt £7500 Sub-Mains and other Works, in cluding outfall drains to sea £3500 Contingent Drainage in Long beach Road District... .:. £3,000

Total ... £14,000 Taking the upper and lower sections together, the cost for 63,000 acres would thus be £10,700—five shillings and three pence per acre, or an annual rate per acre of say sixpence. Had the South Ashburton River been an unfailing source of supply the cost would have been little more than half the above amount. LAKE HERON; In my report of April 3, last, on the question of irrigation of Ashhurton-Rakaia Plains, I indicated that anauxiliary supply for the Ashburton River might ha obtained from Lake Heron, but as my instructions then were to consider the Rakaia River as the sole source of supply for Ashbur ton-Rakaia District, the question of sup plementing the Ashburton River Supply and utilising it for that district was not taken up in that report. Since then I have visited Lake Heron and ciken levels, etc , for an outlet channel from the Lake, as per accompanying plan and section. The Chief-Sun eyor states that the area of the Lake is about 1800 acres. The highest point, on the line of outlet would be about 20ft. only above the level of the lake, The length of new channel would be about 108 chains. 1 should propose to have it about 15ft. wide at the bottom, placed 10 feet below ordinary water level which would provide for a depth of 4 feet of water in the channel, and the draining off a depth of 6 feet btlow the surface cf the lake. The cost of making this outlet I estimate at £5597 los 4(1." The propo-ed channel terminates in the bed of a natural creek which runs into the Maori Lake, thence into the Ashbnr ton river, a distance in all of about 6 miles. The basin of this creek is of ample capa city, for the most part, somewhat irre guUr in width, but with fairly defined banks nearly all the way, some portions of the creek no doubt would be subject to scour, but not to such an extent as to render it unserviceable. The outflow from the lake in May last was only 30 cubic feet jer second and the Cameron river which sometimes dis charges into the lake, and sometimes into the lake stream (but which at small ex pense could be permanently led into the lake) container! a like quantity, the total available supply at that time being thus 60 cubic feet per second. After allowingfor evaporation and perco lation over the long distance to be traversed, this would be sufficient to irrigate about 20,000 acres only. The residents, however, assert that the usual supply from September to February is about three times as muoh as it was then, and sometimes much more, but taking it at 2£times, the area irrigable from this source might be set down at 50,000 acres, and that without taking advantage of the storage represented by the 6 feet of sur face depth which of itself would be equal to a five weeks' supply, and that period would be still further extended according to the increased accumulation in the lake during specially hjgh floods, The lake at a small cost could be main tained at high water level which is 2 feet 7 inches above ordinary level, but this in some respects, might be un-.le.sinb]'>. An outlet 18 feet wide placed G feet only below the surface of the water in the lake would cost £4000, but would lack the great advantage of the additional storage supply gained by the lower outlet at a cost of £J 600 more. The total cost of connecting the lake with the South Ashburton river, accord ing a.3 the smaljer or larger scheme was adopted I estimate at £5400, and £7000 respectively. It would thus appear that the Lake Heron supply, of itself, is not sufficient to irrigate any considerable portion of the Rakaia plains, and cannot therefore be used as a substitute for the Rakaia river as a permanent source of supply, as it would suffice for only one. third of the area contemplated by the Lavington scheme. It might, however, be utilized for the supply of a considerable section of the plain higher up which the Lavinw ton scheme would not reach. The chief difficulty here would be the risk and ex pense in crossing the wide expanse of riverbed, low sandy islands, old river course, ero., near West Coast road, above Winchmore, but these matters I should have to report on in detail if the Council should propose to utilize the lake in that direction. As this report is more especially meant to deal with the district south of Ash burton river, an alternative scheme for the disposal of Lake Heron waters would be for the irrigating of the lower 40 000 acres of Ashburton Hinds block above the railway in lieu of the suggested ex tension from Cracroft to Lyatt which could only be undertaken in the event of the scheme in Hie Rnngitata district beim' | initiated in the first instance. The cost i of bringing the water into the said block of 40,000 acres would be about the same m each case. '' Should the Council be of opinion that there is any likelihood of the waters of lake Heron being brought into requisi tion it would be important at the proper ' season to have some accurate gua«in»s of ! the summer discharge fro.ni that source '

True economy To purchase Oouhtess Tea for two shillings. Free from any ex pees of ustnugency, J

Island News.

[PER JhRESb ASSOQIATION.] Auckland, July 2. Arrived mission schooner Southern Cross, from Melanesia, after a four months' cruise. She reports that ''head hunting" is very prevalent in Malayfcai, Solomon Islands. Things otherwise are quiet. Bishop Selwyn is sill at Norfolk Island, slowly improving.

An Impudent Impostor.

A few weeks ago, a man who gave his name as Leslie, made a tour of the Ash burton County, representing himself as being the travelling agent of "Th« American Celluloid Portrait Company," with its New Zealand headquarters at Dunedin. He was armed with a supply of sample portraits, very prettily exe cuted ; a scale of pnuts graduating from 5s upwards; and a "sweet persuading tongue," He visited a large number of residents in the borough, and in the other townships in the county, getting abund ance of orders and the cash in advance. Asked how his customers were to know his ton >■ ficfos, he put on a smile that, like that of ihe heathen Chinee, was childlike .and bland, and referred his questioner to the officers of police, all of whom knew him to be a respectable man. Hie assurance was so thorough, and the reference so peifectly satisfactory that of course nobody ever thought of asking the police about him. He promised the executed portraits in from tcp to twenty days, and departed to send his orders to Dunedin. The ten days passed and drew on to twenty, but no portraits came, and the victims began to suspect they had been diddled. Information was given to the police, and inquiries were made, with the result that, after an assurance from the police at Dunedin that no such com pany was known there, but that many letters addressed to it were unclaimed at the pest office, a warrant was issued for Leslie's arrest. But to cook a hare you must first ratch it —so to bring this swindler to justice he must first be caught. Astern chase is a long chase, and the clever swindler has had a long start of justice. I

THE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

The more the business methods of the Public Trust Office authorities are looked into, the more fearful and wonderful does the system appear. The many who have been interested in estates which have been administered by the Office, and who have suffered loss, have hitherto made very little outcry, being confident in the good faith of the management, and i*ecog nising that.some losses are inevitable, even in the best managed concerns. But now that the manner in which the Office was conducted has been ex posed, there can be little doubt that many claims for the restitution of lost funds will be made against the Treasury, based upon the maladminis tration or incapacity of the officers. We have good authority for coming to the conclusion that these claims against the Treasury can probably be made good in law, while no possible doubt can exist that they are incontrovertible in point of equity and justice. The Public Trust Office, in advertising its business, made a prominent feature of the guarantee of the State. All its advertisements contained a bold head line, " Guaranteed by the State," above the announcement of the classes of business it undertook. Those who entrusted business to it were therefore fully justified in believing that they had the security of the colony for at least the integrity of the capital entrusted to the. Office, if not for any return on that capital. Many of the beneficiaries, however, have learned to their sorrow that not only is no interest coming to them, but some or all or the capital in which they were interested has been lost. The question is—will the State leave these un fortunates to sutler their losses, seeing that they are proved to have been occasioned by the laches of a State Department? We think not. Neither those interested in the funds in the hands of the Office, nor the Board of Advice to whom applications for loans and valuation of securities are submitted, have any say as to what particular moneys are to be advanced on any stated security. All trust money coming into the Office is paid into the General Trust Fund, on which the Treasury pays interest at the rate of four per cent per annum; Loans are made from this general fund, and the amount is afterwards apportioned to one or more estates, at the sole discretion of the Public Trustee. Those interested in the estates are not informed that their moneys have been lent, nor are the borrowers made acquainted with the ownership of the capital borrowed. More astonishing still '« the fact that only these estates from which moneys are so lent partici pate in any way in the profit or loss -which may arise from such trans itions. Not even a guarantee against loss is charged against funds invested at _ the more profitable rates, from which unavoidable losses might be made gqqc}. Even the commissions pharged by the Office for negotiating loans from irn trust funds—another extremely irregular practice—have been allowed to swell the profits of the General Trust fund, These profits have reached a total of upwards of i 550,000, by which the State has bene fited, and it is only equitable that the State should restore the amount of the losses, which is not believed to be more than £12,000 or £15,000, The plain position of the case is that the General Fund shows a large profit, whi^e sever-d of the individual estates show a heavy loss. This state of affairs should not be allowed to exist in any circumstances, and when, as in the present ease, the profits are more than sufficient to liquidate the fosses, it becomes contrary to all received notions of commercial qp State morality. We trust ta hear an early announce ment that justice is to be done to the losers by the peculiar management of the Public Trust Office.

POLITICAL.

(from our parliamentary corres pondent.) Wellington. July 3. The following are the chiefly offensive portions of the article in the Opposition organ (the Wellington "Press") of last evening, which formed the subject of the animated debate of this afternoon: — " That extremely commonplace young man, Mr 'Jackson Palmer, has succeeded a gentleman (Mr Monk) who, though pos sessed of many faults, was at least a man of extremely good taste and fine feelings. The constituency which had the honor to own him na a representative, acting in that nphit of contrariness and that love of change which, unfoi\u.*..tely, seizes rioteir, has seen fit to send in his place Mr Jack son Palmer, a gentleman very pro perly and naturally unknown to fame, who, not being an improvement in any way on his predecessor, is, in respect of the good qualities which we have mentioned, a very strong contrast to him. We shall not say any thing about his personal appearance be cause we never like to refer to Jjtich a matter unless we are able to do so by way of commendation. An extremely poor speaker, utterly deficient as a gammarian as can be proved by his utterances, and the ambitious Bill, dealing with a subject that he does not understand, which he has had the hardihood to introduce. A man without an idea worthy of being clothed in language superior to the poor stuff he uses. It is difficult to discover the motives which can have actuated the in telligence, if they have any, of his con stituents. He has settled down into the Paul Pry of the excitingly valorous, pious and straightforward Minister of Justice, and has distinguished himself in this way on several occasions, the last being when heasked if Mr Justice Richmond had sat in Ihe Edwards case at the instance of the Government. Mr Palmer could not have taken a better way to show a weakness of intellect amounting almost to imbecility. Tho Minister for Justice, too, if it were not that his success as a lawyer equalled that of the management of the large landed syndicate composed of his relatives, whom he has discovered to be social pests, ought to have known how the sittings of the Court of Appeal are con ducted. Mr Jackson Palmer, if he has any power of discrimination, ought to see that the one quality which becomes his want of other qualifies is modesty. Let him cultivate it, and cease to be the tool of the Minister for Justice, to whom open warfare, and ability to take blow in return for blow, are strangers."

THE MARKETS.

Grain and Produce.

The following is the Corn Exchange Re port for the week ending July 3. :— Very little business has transpired during th<j past week in Wheat, owing to the latest cables showing a downward tendency in the London market; however holders do not show any inclination to give Avay at the moment. Oats. —Severalparcels have changed hands both in milling and feed sorts, at quotations. Barley.—Malting commands a fair enquiry. Beans. —Several lines have changed hands where unbroken and fit for shipment to the United Kingdom. Peas.— Peas are somewhat neglected. Grass Sekd. The enquiry for rye is now setting in, but the supply is likely to be limited ; the same remarks apply to cocksfoot. Potatoes.— Several large parcels of Decwents have been quitted at quotations :— The following are present values :—Wheat, Tuscan, 4s 3d to 4s 4(1: Pearl, 4? 2d to 4s 3d ; Hunter's, 4s Id to 4s 2il. Oats, prime milling, Is lOd; short heavy feed, Is 9d ; Danish and long, Is 6d to Is 7d. Barley, malting, 3s to 3s 3d : second quality, 2s 3d to 2s 9d; feed, 2s. Beans and Peas, 2s 8.1 to 2s 9d fo.- the former. Peas.—Blue Prussians, 3s; feed, 2s "»d to 2s 6.1. Grass Seed, town machine dressed, 5s 3d to 5s 6d ; cocksfoot, prime, s|d to 5Ad. Potatoes, Derwents, 20s to 22s 6.1, at coun try stations within a twelve mile radius. Dairy Produce, Butter, uo material change; Cheese, 3|d to 41.

Addington Stock Market

Ihe following figures, calculated for the " Lyttelton Times," on the basis of Wednes day's market afc Addington, will enable graziers to form an idea of the value, of stock. Steers weighing 7001b sold at £7 to £7 ] 7s 6d, or at an average of 21s per 1001b, at which price also some heifers of good quality were disposed of. Cows varied, according to condition, from las to 18s per 1001b. Fat cross-bred wethers and maiden ewes for ex port, 051b to 681b, sold from 18s 6d to2ls6d» which, deducting present value of skins and fat, shows that the mutton brought 2Jd per lb. Wethers and maiden ewes, weighing 451b to 501b, brought from 14s to 17s 6d, or 2|d to 2-Jd per lb ; old ewes, 561b to 601b, 14s 9d to lGs, or lfd to 2d per lb; two-tooth crossbred wethers, 551b to 601b, sold at 16a lid to 18s 2d, or 2£dperlb. Merino wethers of prime quality, sold at 13s to 14s, or 2|<i to 2§d per lb ; inferior sorts brought 1M to 2d per lb, net. Pigs.—Porkers, of 501b weight, sold from lls to 13s; 60lb, 14s to 17s, according to condition ; best baconers, weighing 1201b to 15.01b, brought from LI 5a to LI 15s, or an average of 2Jd per lb ♦ baconers, weighing 2001b and over, sold from LI 15s to L 2 15s.

Ashburton Live Stock Market.

MR, D. THOMAS. Air D. Thomas reports upon the live stock market in the Ashbnrton district for the week ending July 1, as ' follows, viz. : _on Tuesday at the Ashburton Yards the usual weekly sale of live stock was held The attendance of the public was an average one aud the catalogue presented for the day's business consisted principally of first-class sheep. Values were exceedingly good, and most lines found new owners at prices equal to anything this season. The sheep seat forward by Messrs Peter, McParlane, Brown, and McKendry were much admired and realised as much or more than they would have done at Addington. The catalogue for the day consisted of 6487 sheep, 49 head of cattle, and 11 pigs, of which my entry was as follows, viz. :-382l sheep and 46 cattle. My principal sales were-4 crowb'reds at ids | 5b tab merino ewes, 6s 6d' 71 fat crossbred ewes, 11s 7dj 91 fat crossbred two-tooths, las Id; 61 merino wethers, 7s 8d; 23 mixed, sheep, 4s 5d ■; 150 crossbred ewes, 9s lid, 300 merino wethers, Us 8d; 20Q oroajbredjambs, 12s 5d ; 172 crossbred kmbs, 13s; 204 crossbred two-tooths, 13s / d ; 462 crossbred two-tooths, 15s 7d • "ik fat merino ewes, 6s Ud } 234 crossbred ewes in lamb 10s 4t\; 534 crossbred ewes in Urnh r 9s Id ; 106 crossbred fat sheep. 16s Iftrt • 94 fot wosshreds, 12s I0d; G2 fat erSml two.tooths, 17s; etc. Takeu Si rSlhe sheep were of better quality than usual nearly every lino being good either for freezing or turniping; for each of these elasso* the demand was active, and i* likely to be so far a while. In cattle the entry wai larger than usual, but the prices were no better. Beef sells f air i y well, but^oor stores are not wanted} neither » n youn cattle imless at ruinous prices to the vendors" I must decline to quote for fear of mislead ing : come and see for yourselves. Good l*pf is worth 14s to 18s 6d per IQOJb On Friday, Jove 26, I held mv naiw] fortnightly sale of sheejddiw, hides w fat, and tallow at whiofan average atteS auce qf buyers were present. I fed a toy large catalogue to offer, vw, ,1,1! J oi the English marked. Up 1« ft certain point bindings wero brisk, Lad -the va Jes waliacl jvevo pretty evU chrougl S putonens 1 best crossbwls made 5a 3d 5a ft ' to us Sd each i second quality, 4a 4k 4d 4« quality, 2« 61, 2s 9( I, 3s, 3s 3d, to Ssd eac - inferior, la 9d to 3s 5d each j farmJri^t dry skms made 4 3 to 5s Cd ; second quahtv

THE ASHBUBTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1891.



'-Holloway's Pills and Ointment.— Vicissitudes of climate, exposure and hard ships, tell heavily on soldiers and sailors, sowing the seeds of diseases which Imay ultimately break tip the consMtujtion. Naturally carole a of their health a word in season may avert many evils, and may cause theru to. resort to timely measures without any difficulty or publicity. Hollow ay's effectual remedies are s,o. suitable, and are so easily adapted for the varied complaints to which our soldiers and bailors aw liable, that a supply should always be obtained before proceeding abroad." It may with confidence b3 stated that many a, yaluato life might be saved, or confirmed cripple prevented from begging in the streets, if HoUe.way'a r^m,ed,ie§ b*a b?e« i\s§d iv time i



The Best Remedy fou Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidenty. recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to whicn we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of tie Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild in their operation, and afe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is J^d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine endors throughout the wo Id



Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE in the world is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects in Coughs, Colds, Influenzat etc. ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—" 24th April, 1885 — Messrs Sander and Sons, —It is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflammation of the bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attack of low fever, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard in the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After applying the extract evi&ry four he nrs for nine or ten da-vs it was out of all danger. I would persuf.de |,U who may b,e effected with any such disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a tria'j and I am convinced that they mil find it the most wonderful of medicines.-—Yours •tc, E. J. Curnow, Wattle street, Sahd hurst. —(Advt i>



TO BRIDGE CARPENTERS. WANTED, Tenders for building a stone shoot at the Buxton Lime Kilns. Labour only. Plans ar.d speci fications at this Office. Tenders close on FRIDAY, July 10, at noon, addressed fco the undersigned, Mount Somcrs. 7 29 " E. F. WRIGHT. STOCK-TAKING. C*reat Redueiioftg. HAVE BEEN MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. SPECIAL LINES I'O'l m h i s rTT c c k. Men's Tweed Trousers ... 7s 6d to Clea\ Boys' Pilot Overcoii!s ... 9s 11<? Men's Tweed Suits ... Has Roys' Tweed Baits ... 7s6d '..'. Men's Shirts with collar... Is 111 HATS ami CAPS, fcCAR?S and BOWS GREATLY REDUCED. s NEW CiOOD,^ GENUINE VALUE. NEW ZEALAND CLOTH* KG FACTORY



WANTKD Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept in stock.—J. W. Hardley, East street, __!±?O2 riO Meet the Times. —I am supplying L Galvanised Iron T«nks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years. Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.-— J. W. Hardley, East street. 6J201 WANTED Known.—That for quality, assortment, and price see Andrew Orr'a large stock of Millinery, Clothing, and Boot?. No present??, no bribes, but good value.— Andrew Oru. WANTED every man tn the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ash burton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. "117 ANTED Knonn—H. J)ynLEYjvin —-W —■sink —utsep —fretTs antT supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 8d per foot. H. Budiby, Moore Street. 6§54 ANTED KNOWN,—If you have the Cash, you can save abcut 0s in every Pound, by buying your Jackets Ulsters, Dress Goods, Millinery, &c, at .S. W. Alcorn & Co.'s Clearing Sale. 6_36 ___ T) X E S E N T S.— Through necessary ST alterations we will still continue giving preseuts. Come and see our Cheap Lines.—H. C. Seger*, Melford House. "TCE Cream off. Contjh drops on. Un JL doubtedly the best. H. f.i. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. NEW GAMES - Tiddledy Winks, Reversi, Snickem, and others, Fresh Supplies of The Minors' Right. The Squatter's Dream, Robbery Under Arms. A Colonial Reformer, Tol<l after Supper, Three Men in a Boa*:, and hundreds of others. NKW MUSIC— Vocal and Instrumental.—L. F. Andhewes AND Co._



*\\J ANTED Known-Old Spoons and VV Forks Electro-plated and made equal to new at 15s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweller, East Street, 4 150 WANTED Known.—Call and secure bargains of Win'er Drapery at the Great Sale at W. EL Collier's, " The Corner." DOUBLE Blankets, and through mis understanding double quantity sent from Mill. H.*ve reduced the price 5s Ser pair.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton lothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. " 6 154 ■TTT ANTED Known—ln consequence VV of the inconvenience to Customers by the rebuilding of our shop front, we have determind to give some very cheap lines.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED, every man in the district to order a Kaiapoi or Roslyn Tweed Suit. Also, Boys' Suits and Gents' Overcoats in great variety.—Andrew Orr. DURING Alterations Customers should inspect our prices. Lot of Goods to be cleared very cheap. Hand uome presents given away.— H. C. Segers, Mcl ford House. f~^ LORIOUS News.—Just purchased a \JC Dunedin Warehouseman's Stock ef 90 Pieces French Cashmeres and Merinos at less than half price. Will to sold during the cheap sale at Is 10k! ; regular price gg 9d—Andrew Orr. WANTED Known.—That if you want real good weai ing boots, to keep your feet dry, you can get them in great variety at John Moison's, the expert j Bootmaker, Town Hall shop, East Street' 6 73



Wanted. ■ CASH. Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS I/-. Addresses may be Itntat his Office. WANTED Known—b. W. Alcorn will feel obliged if all accounts owing are paid within fourteen days. WANTED Known. — Blankets and Flannels great bargains at Andrew j Okr s. "\T/ ANTED Known.—Great Clearing VV Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—W. TJ. Collier. IpINEST Cod Liver Oil. Chest and 1 Lung Protectors. Chilblain lini ments. Brooke, Chemist, Ashburton. \ EV, J. A. LUXFORD, of OamartT, * will preach both Morning and Evening, To-morrow, in the Wesleyan Church: 7 28 WANTED Known-Girls' Boots 2s lid, Ladies' French Shoes 3s 1 Id, Gents' Shoes 5s 6d ; at Andrew Orr's Cheap Sale. 6 214