The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1892. CURRENT TOPICS.

Much contumely has been cast on Mr Ballance on account of the manner of his leaving the Grey Minis try m 1879, and all sorts of statements of the " facts " of the case have been published. Since the present session began several newspapers have given sketches of Mr Ballance's personal characteristics and history, the in cident referred to having been again described m many different ways, ac cording to the bent of the several, writers' imaginations. The outcome of it all is that the Wellington " Even ing Post"-—a most virulent opponent of the Ministry m general and the Premier m particular—writing with a special knowledge of what actually took place, makes the explicit state ment that " there was nothing what ever m the occurrence which involved any discredit to Mr Ballance. On the contrary, Mr Ballance was most un justly and very badly treated by his then chief, and m withdrawing as he did from the Ministry he adopted the course best calculated to preserve his self-respect. His friends fully ap proved of his action, although, m common with Sir G. Grey's friends, they regretted that circumstances should have arisen to render such a course necessary." This should put an end to the persistent attempts that have been made to injure Mr Ballance by untrue accounts of the incident.

Mr Rolleston's famous phrase " galloping to a deficit" has also been the subject of discord. The words were not to be found m the full report of Mr Rolleston's speech which ap peared m the Christchurch papers, although they appeared m the sum mary of the speech telegraphed to other papers by the Press Association— Whose representative m Christchurch on the occasion m question was a member of the " Lyttelton Times" staff. The phrase was so much dis cussed that its absence from the verbatim reports was soon noticed, and then it became important to discover how the discrepancy arose. It then transpired that the condensed Press Association report was supplied to the reporter by Mr Rolleston himself before the speech was delivered—as is the practice of many other courteous public men who know the difficulty of summarising a long speech m time to telegraph it the same night—and the words were really never spoken. The attempts to traduce Mr W. P. Reeves and Mr Ward m connection with the matter were not creditable to those who made them, who might easily have obtained the explanation themselves.

School Committees and school teachers will rejoice if the Minister of Education is able to carry out his intention of passing into law a judici ous system of compulsory attendance at schools. Truancy is the greatest annoyance and injury that teachers have to suffer, and the most difficult with which Committees have to deal, and the present law on the subiect is, as has been admitted nearly every where, impracticable if not impossible, of administration. The great increase m the number of juvenile offenders who appear before the magistrates has convinced everybody that something must be done, yet School Committees will not incur the odium of instituting prosecutions, and the only course open is to amend the Act so as to make it workable, which we hope Mr Reeves will do forthwith. The appointment of truant officers, with prosecuting powers, seems to be the most simple method of dealing with the evil.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr B. Saville of Chriatchurch advertises I the idsue of bis illustrated list of "Calliope" I cycles. i The "Timaru Herald" says the football match between the Ashburton v Timaru clubs, on Thursday, was the finest game played m Timaru fchia season, The meeting next Tuesday with reference to the formation of a branch of the Farmers' and Country Settlers' League m Ash bur ton, i is to be held at the Arcade Chambers at 3 "p.m. The London County Council made arrange ments to supply music m the city parks on Sundays from June Ist to September 4th, 585 {band performances at 26 different parks ' and ope» »p»OM. $ome councillors wished daoes rouwc to foe nrghityted. on Sundays, 1,,,; *«•« majority of £b« commifteg decided to Ly downS on the mbjeot, 1 \ The following has keen* .h«*"J to the "North Otago Times" and is an ••js.^V on Water," written by a girl m the 6th stand ard m the Oamaru Middle School. "Essay on Water". —At some places wat,er is very scarce that the people nave to dive down to the bottom of the ocean, and bring it up. m buckefcfuls." **» : The Dunedin " Star" states that the syndicate who are endeavouring to float the Elginshire off tha beach near Timaru have every hope of being successful. They have now on board four large centrifugal pumps, with engines attached, capable of discharg ing 1000 tons of water per hour, and ready for starting with the first favourable spring tides. If all goes well, as anticipated, the vessel is expected to be docked at Lyttelton early next week. The farmers of this district are, by advertisement m another .column, offer ing a valuable coursing stake for competition, namely, a sweepstake of £2 2s each, for greyhounds of all ages, with £10 added, to be run at Lagmhor. This alone should attract good entries and a number of visitors to the town, but m addition there will the following day be a series of pigeon shooting matches for substantial prizes, particulars of which may be obtained at the Central Hotel. The public meeting of those interested m the Netherby-Hampstead water supply ques tion, held m the Templar Hall last nightl was not largely attended. Mr G. W. Andrews was appointed Chairman, and read the County Engineer's report on the ques tion already published. The meeting agreed to recommend the Hampstead Town Board to accept the County Council's offer to bring water for the district to the east side of the railway, and to proceed with the work at the earliest possible moment, taking the chief br*neh race down between the seetlons, and a branch race down Princes street.

We ate pleased to learn fchafc Mr 3. J. C. Quane has joined the staff of thp »ew Massey-Harris combiuatiou—-the amalgama tion of the Brantford and Massey Binder Companies—a» general ageafc. Mr Quan« was the first to introduce the Brantlord binder to .this district, and from its great supcess we are sure he will be able to do well the improved machine which the new firm are fc«r*u ng out, and which has already taken .h^noro ;n all the fieH trials m yirhich it h»s competed. tyCr J). Thomas is | agent for the 4shpurtoq Gowty fpr the pew Uiaol)iue«, ,

A gentleman touring m Palestine writwa i from Jerusalem to his brother m Auckland ; that " On all sides throughout the laud there are railways being made and laid out, and the Jews' minds are full of the thought of the coming Messiah. The Moslems are also of the same opinion that it cannot be very long. A short while ago, on board ship I met an influential Jewish Rabbi who had come all the way from Bombay to go [ through Palestine, visiting ill the Jewish settlements there, and all the Mediterranean coasts where there were Jews, to stir up interest among them to do all that lay m their power to hasten their rsfcurn to Palestine. This' Jewish question is becom ing a tremendous affair. Turkey seems deeply perplexed. When the railways are completed things will go ahead m a wonder ful manner," ,

Speaking of the great eight-hour demon stration m Hyde Park, Loudon, on Labour Day, Mr John Burns laid that betting was becoming a greater evil than drink among the working classes m England. He wanted them to understand, with regard to this eight-hour day, how mn«h better it was to spend £10,000 m getting labour members into Parliament than £200,000 on a strike. " But how many British working-men," he asked bitterly, "who for the sake of this forego putting a bob on Orme ?—who, I am sorry to say, wann't poisoned the other day. Yea, I mean it," he added, as a laugh fol lowed his words. " This betting business is a greater domestic terror, a greater curse than drink itself to the working man; and if I thought the eight hour day was going to give him l«urar« to demoralise himself with such things I'd pray that he should work for twenty-four/

Parliamentary.

—♦ : •' fPER PRESS ASSOCIATION; Wellington, July 22

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED. The Settled Land Bill, Oraki Suc cession Investigation Bill, and Kaiapoi Native Reserves Bill, were put through the final stages. IN COMMITTEE. The Provincial Ordinance Bill was committed and reported without amend ment* The Oyster Fisheries Bill was further considered m committee. In sub section 15, clause 5 was amended so as to exclude any portion of the colony' from the operations of the Act should it at any time be deemed desirable to do 80. The Council rose at 3.15 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Joyce, Mr Seddou said it was quita true that the military autho rities m England condemned the Martini- Henry rifle, but as 10,000 for this colony would cost a large sum of money the Government could not undertake to order them. The matter was one that would have to be left to the new commandant, and no doubt would be dealt with m his report. " Replying to Mr Reeves (Inangahua) Mr Seddon said no steps had been taken to secure the representation of the colony at t Lhe Chicago Exhibition as it was found that those who were particularly in terested m having their products repre sented were very lukewarm m the matter. He added that unless the people came forward to assist, it would cause an expense to the Government of at least £10,000. His opinion was that it would cost £20,000, and he thought this sum could better be expended m making roads find bridges. He intended, however, to submit the whole question to the House later m the session aad take its opinion on the matter. Replying to Mr Hutchison 'Dunedin Mr Reeves said he was having a short Act f-rafted which would probably deal with the question of carrying into effect a judicious system of compulsory atten dance at schools. Replying to Mr Earnshaw Mr Reeves said that he should do his utmost to intro duce the Colonial School Reader into the public schools of the colony within the next few months. In reply to another question it was stated that a Bill would be brought down this session to repeal the Arms Act. That an endeavour would be made to get the number of school books m the public schools reduced to the smallest limit.

THE FISANCIAI, PEBATE. Mr Sandford resumed the debate on the Financial Statement.. He said that the striking feature of this debate had been the spirit of contradiction which was ap parent m the ranks cf the Opposition, and if there was any truth m the old saying that a divided hvuse must fall, then the Opposi ion must surely fall. The Go vernment side of the House had been charged again and again with having no views of their own. He for one had never sunk his individuality, nor had he ever gone into a division m any matter under the whip of those who drive, and he and those. who $uppoi|ed the government could give pood reason for that support. They had no choice m the matter, as the

Government were prepared to go to a gre&tsr extent m the direction of their ' views than the Opposition, The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7,30 p.m. Mr Fish admitted that Mr Beeves' speech of the previous night was very brilliant m delivery, but after saying that he said ujl fcbafc ftoffld be said. It no doubt might be very high, p|asg fqr the Mim* 1*16* Of Labour to refer to the mem ber for Mount If 1 * »« W»» corner man of a Christy Minstrel troupe or to the leader of the Opposition as " Mr John ston," but he (Mr Fish) considered that such low and vulgar jesting waa not be coming m a Minister of the Crown. Mr Reeves should recognise the seriousness of his position, although he found him self m a position which nature never in tended him to occupy.. Referring to the Government administration he gave it as ■ his opinion that the handwriting was on the wall for them, As an instance of the terrorism practised on Civil servants by the present Ministry ha said that m previous sessions members of the Civil Seivice freely conversed rith members of tim House, but this year there was a marked change m that respect. One'of those gentlemen had actually stated that it was not safe with the powers that be for them t» be seen conversing with the occupants of the Opposition benches. He pointed out that £200,000 was not suffi cient for the prosecution of public works, and he considered that the proper course for the Government to adopt was to raise a moderate loan of £#00,000 which should be earmarked for special works. By their present proposals the Government de pended on fcheij? nest surplus for those works, but if their finance failed there would simply be stagnation and comber «• , cial depression. He fearjossly asserted that unless something occurred to hurl Ministers from the Benches, financial ruin would soon overtake the colony. Mr Earnshaw said that the statement had been received with remarkable favor ; that he wsi opposed to freehold tenure, but would not yofce to £urn the Govern ment out on that ground. He hoped that a comprehensive nieaaure woujld be brought m dealing with .charitable a-id and, on the q uostjcn of taxation, though itn^a majority of w.orking men would rather prefer to pay extra taxation than do without employment. He strongly defended the co-operative system and tjje Labor Bureau. I Mr Harkness moved the adjournment; of the debated The motion was agreed to. T,he Hqu^ rose at 12.35 a.m.

THE MARKETS.

PBR PRKBB ASSOCIATION.

London, July 21. New Zealand long-berried wheat is steady at 345. South Australian wheat is firm at 35s and Victorian firmer at 345. Canterbury frozen mutton, 3|d per lb ; Wellington, 3§d; Canterbury lamb, s§d ; Wellington lamb, 5Jd.

Grain and Produce.

The following is the Christchurch Corn Exchange report of July 23 :— Wheat.—The lifelesaness of the market recorded, by us last week is still more pro nounced, and even the little demand for local milling has quickly faded away.' Gats.—For these we have some hope ; the Sydney market is quite bare, and maize has hardened. We think the rise of the week for prime milling will be maintained. Barley.—Market sluggish ; no prime offer ing! Ryegrass.—A decided improvement m demand, and a little m price. We have passed on a few good sized parcels during the week. Cocksfoot is not so much asked for. Beans and Peas remain the same. Potatoes.—The little enquiry we had for kidneys has gone, and the buyers have dis appeared ; derweota we cannot place. The following are prices paid to farmers, f.0.b., Lyttelton; packages extra, potatoes ex cepted:—Wheat—Sound Hunters, 3e 7d ; Pearl, 3s 8d; Tuscan, 3s 7d. Barley- Prime malting, 4b. Oats—Milling, 2a., Beans, 3b Id. Peas—Blue, 3s 2d. Potatoes, 15s at country stations. -Butter and cheese firm at last quotations.

MESSRS FRIKDLAJfDKB BROS. ' Messrs Friedlander Brew, report upon the Live Stock Market tor the week ending July 22, aa follows :— At the Tinwald yards on Tuesday last, about 8000 sheep were yarded. The at- I tendance was fairly representative, and prices for all classes of sheep ruled a little higher than at the last sale or two, more especially m crossbred breeding ewes i and hoggets, which met with very keen i competition. Freezing sheep were not strongly represented, and those yarded were only of mu«h lighter weight than those which have lately been put before the public m thii market.. In the fat pens mostly merinos were represented, and m these we Sold two pens of wethers on account of Mr Wilson at 12s 3d, the top price m that class. Crossbred ewes m these pens sold at 14s 4d to 15* id. Fat crossbred 2-tooths were only m limited supply, and sold at from 16s 6d, 17s 2d to 18s Id. The latter price we ob tained for 204 on account of Mr Meredith Wilson. In store sheep, crossbred hoggets sold remarkably well, and ranged from 9s 6d to 10s 2d for small, and from 12s 2d to 12s 9d for medium. For crossbred ewes m lamb the enquiry was very strong, and every lot sold at from 12s 6d to 14b 9d. Merino wethers did not meet with a strong enquiry, and the sale for this class of stock was rather dragging, prices ranging from Qs 6d to 7s 9d. Merino ewes m lamb sold from 6s to 78 6d for inferior, and from 8« to 9s Id for better class. In beef there Was a fairly good entry, and! butchers must have been very bare too, as they paid prices which were a good bit m advance of those lately realised at the Ashburton yards. There was a fairly good entry of piga, which sold at full market rates. On Friday we held onr usual fortnightly skin sale, at which buyers were fully represented, and prices were about the same as last quoted. Best butchers' green crossbred sola at from 4s to 4s Gd, second class from 3a Gd to 3s 9d, merino from 2s 9d to 3s 6d. Dry crossbred fiom 3s 9d to 5s Id for top, and 2s to 3s 6d for medium. Dry merino from Is 6d to 2s 9d according to weights. Hides and fat at scale rates.

MESSRS MILES AND CO. Skin Sale.—Messrs Miles and Co. re port on the auction of sheepskins held at Ashburton, on July 22 .'—The local sale of skins on Friday was well attended, but prices were somewhat-lower than those realised a fortnight ago. The recent damp unsettled weather has prevented fallmongers: front drying their atocks, and latest Home advices not being of the most assuring character, buyers did not appear anxious to operate. Ihe majority of the entries con sisted of station merinos,,'which met with slow competition. No prime crossbred skins were brought forward. We sold merinos up to 3s, and crossbred to 4s lOd.

THE SYDENHAM LICENSING CASES.

We extremely regret that we cannot find space m our columns for Mr Justice Denniston's judgment m the Sydenham Licensing cases. It is a most able and exhaustive exposition of his interpretation of the Licensing Law, and it must be remembered that it is delivered after a previous judg ment of his Honor was reviewed not altogether favorably by the Court of Appeal, so that there can be no doubt that every word of the present de cision has been carefully weighed. The brief summary of his Honor's conclusions does not convey a full view of the case, and we will endeavor to place before our readers m few words the most important considerations which gnided the judgment. The ground upon which the Sydenham Licensing Committee refused the re newal of the licenses of the only three publichouses then remaining m the borough was, m each case, that such house was not required m the neighborhood. The application on which Mr Justioe Denniston delivered judgment on Wednesday was for a writ of certiorari to remove the pro ceedings, on the application of Thomas Quill, one of the persons whose renewal was refused, and the decision of the Committee so refusing, on the grounds that the majority of the Committee m so refusing were not influenced by a judicial discretion, but Ir v me deter mination and bias, when the .same Committee reduced the licenses m the district from eight to thr&e. His Honor, m his judgment, first reviewed his reviewers, pointing out that they criticised the form of the order given by him m the previous appeal case, and not his view of the law. They assumed that he had to some extent ignored the provisions ag to considering the wishes of the residents m the neighborhood, The main points de cided by him, and apprpv§4 of m the Court of Appeal, are that i( the Act is an Act to regulate and not to suppress the liquor traffic; that it does not establish what is kifewn as 'local option'; that it does not allow a (Somtnijbjbee to a mandate from those electing them to fallow any particular course; that, m considering whether a licensed house is ' required m any neighborhood, it is to take into consideration the convenience of those who desire to drink as well as those who 4° nos» *n4 tnat it *s to act judicially. The question is-^what is required, not what m the opinion of the majority of the electors or of the Committee ought to be required," His Honor emphasises the fact that a Licensing Committee is essentially a judicial body, and admits that if thty exercise their discretion honestly and iti good faith, jbhe Court cannot jnjLer fere with them merely because it dis agrees with their judgment. ''But they are noli lgft entirely uncontrolled. They remainjudicial bodieg. To quote tho Lord Qhancelfor in'" Sjbarpe V" Wakefield (the oft-cited English case) ' An extensive power is confided to the justices to be exer&sed judicially; and

'discretion' means, whenitisaaid tKat something is to be done within tse-. discretion of the authorities, thfct something is to be done according to the ruletf.pi reason and justice, and not according to private opinion ; accord ing to law and not humour. It is the duty of a Committee, as with » Jury, as far ad possible to divest their minds of any feelings against any person or interest they have to deal with; to weigh the claims of an applicant for renewal -without prejudice, and to decide (m the absence of other ob jections) whether, taking all the circumstances of locality, population and other elements into considera j tion, his license is required.'" His Honor showed how stringent the rule of disqualification against Justices is on account of bias, and a case was cited m proof that the fact of the office being eleotive does not affect the principle. He pointed out that there is room within the proper exercise of a legal discretion for a wide difference i as to the manner m which the liquor , traffic should be regulated. The elec tors have a right to choose candidates with a view to giving effect ,to their own views on the point, and m order that they may do so candidates have a right to express their own opinions. He m effect admitted that a Com mittee might, be elected pledged to go as far as the law permits them m the way of diminishing the number of houses m a district, but "it does not follow that a Committee are at liberty to act on such a biassed or prejudiced state of mind as may render them unfit to do justice between all- parties. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over all bodies judically, to prevent gross and obvious abuse of their powers. In cases where there is a practically unlimited discretion, and when the Court is not obliged bo give reasons, interference by the higher Court must necessarily be invoked seldom and with difficulty. Men do not as a rule proclaim their intention to act unjustly. Often, indeed, m cases of political or sectarian partisan ship they do not know they have acted unjustly. The injustice on which the claim for interference is grounded has m most cases to be gathered from the actions and the sur rounding circumstances. His Honor went at some length into the facts, pointing out that Sydenham had a large area, a population of about 10,000—principally of the artisan and laboring classes, who could not be ex pected to keep their own supplies of liquor—and proceeded—" There is nothing that I can see or have heard which would justify closing all its hotels which would not justify tho closing of every hotel m every city m the colony. Up to June, 1891, it kept up eight public-houses. Five were then closed. At the present licensing meeting the three remaining houses were closed, on the ground m each case that the license of such house is not required m the neighbourhood, This must, I think, at once strike everyone as an extraordinary method of regulating the liquor traffic m such a district. Ido not mean' to suggest that a Committee is m no case, m law, entitled to close all the houses m a district, but m considering its action m so doing the size, population, and character of the district are to be con sidered. . . . I do not mean to say that the circumstances of con venient accommodation m another district should be altogether disre garded; but when the question is whether a Committee are actuated by an abstract dislike to publichouses and a desire to destroy all such m their own district, or an honest desire to regulate the liquor traffic within such district, the fact that they compel every man m such district who desires the accommodation of a publichouse tofind.it outside the district, even though a mile or nearly a mile from his residence, is not to be overlooked. . . . . The conclusion that no publichouses were required (m the sense placed on the word by the Court of Appeal) m a district of 10,000 in habitants such as I have described, and that its wants were properly met by the facilities I have mentioned [the Working Men's Club and the Railway Refreshment Rooms] seems so con trary to one's instincts of natural justice and common sense that one 1 turns naturally to consider the evi dence (outside the individnal know ledge of the members of the Com mittee) given m support of the objec tion." His Honor tUen examined the public attitude and utterances of the respondent members of the Committee and the right of the Court to interfere, concluding that, he thought, the Court was bound to say whether there had been an endeavor to evade the Act. Having to answer the question he could only answer it m one way. He thought the oircumstances showed that the majority of the Committee bad been unable to bring a judicial mind to the consideration of the ques tion, and had m fact, decided it on what hacj been throughout the case ouiled prohibition lines and without due consideration of the actual require ments of the district. Leave to appeal having been granted we are precluded from expressing any opinion upon the judgment; but whatever the future result may be Mr Justice Denniston's exposition of the licensing Act is the most masterly that we have yet seen.

POLITICAL.

(from our parliamentary correspondent )

Wellington, July 22. I,OBBY GOSSIP. Nothing breaks the monotony of "the debate on the Financial Statement, which drags wearily on. Mr Scobie Mackenzie and Mr W. t. Reeves had a joust last night, and of course from a literary and artistic poini of view* it was delightful. On the whole the debate, is yotei the slowest ever known. ' l The Opposition haye as yet challenged nothing or proved anything against the Treasurer, and their prolonged talk is alternatively abusive and wishy-washy. The discomfiture of Mr Soobie Mac kenzie by the Minister of Labor was complete. The former read the report of an interview of the "Taapeko Times" reporter with the Minister, m which the Minister was l&add to say—hs could carry the elections and' generally'do anything with the masses at his' back. 'Mr Reeves informed the House the story was pure fiction 1, a ni'erc squib by a clever reporter, yrho hud got great kudos for haying deceived Mr Maek'enssie wjth a r §tory of an interview that never occurred. Compensation is regarded &c <fead, and '

%hewis no other exciting topic on the fcap»S. w . . ,A™?AL PETITIONER. Richard Miller, of Ashburton, a peti tioner tor compensation for the loss of* eg m the service of the Government, has had his petition refused. . THE RAILWAY TARIFF. At the deputation to the Railway Com missioners, Mr E. G. Wright set forth the heavy traffic m grain, wool, and fat stock, and the claim to favorable con sideration of the producers, who were the mauMtay-of the railway system. He showedjiow Joss resulted by the present ianfl, at* settlers drove sheep long dis tances to escape the excessive charpes, whilst drays and traction engines were wt^re able to compete largely m carrying wool. Other members of the deputation spoke, showing that the tariff was'Tieavy upon small farmer*, whose lots were often too small for drivin •/ „ „ ™? WAMCIAL DEBATE. Mr Sandford spoke at>ly on the Finan cul Statement this afternoon. Mr Fish took up the debate at 7 30, and declaimed against the Government, laying particular stress on the alleged fact that the civil servants wore forbidden to speak to members of the Opposition.. His re marks on this head evoked immense and incredulous laughter.

[PKR PRSBH ABBOfllATlotr.]

Weixingtojt; July 22. TKB ÜBBX Bill. ' The Premier, m reply to the request of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists, states that the Government hope to sire the Libel BUI the force of law this session.

ROAD BOARD.

LONGBEACH. The adjourned meeting of the Long beach Road Board was held on Monday. 1 Present—Messrs Jame* Bishop (m the chair), James Croy, Arthur Wilsvri and Edwin Horsey, Mr Grieg forwarded an apology for unavoidable absence. CORRESPONDENCE. From Steward of Reserves, stating that his Board h%d no power to sell land to the Board for purposes of gravel {ft.— Resolved to acquire same under the Public Works Act, From Agricultural Deparlraest, re destruction of injurious birds. —Received. From George Gil mour, requesting his name to be taken off the roll, and that of Bogg Bros., substituted. —Alteration ordered to be made. From Commissioner of Taxes re subsidy.—The Clerk stated the declara tion required had been forwarded. PETITION. From Messrs J. Shearer, J. Small, D. Williamson, and others praying that portions of Terrace road v and Shearer's road be shingled—After consideration, tenders were ordered to be called for the former, and the Surveyors were instructed to report on the latter at next meeting. From W. Read, W. Aahton, T. Taylor, and others praying that cutting on Beach road, opposite Mr Timms 1, be widened.— The Surveyors were ordered to report on this matter at next meeting. Mr Protheroe interviewed the Board m reference to alleged damage to.roads caused by grubbing gone.—Resolved that the matter stand over until next meeting, pending further enquiries. -''• RATH. It was resolved to give notice of the intention of the Board at its next meeting to be held on Monday, August 1, to strike and levy a general rate of five-eighths of a penny m the £ on che whole jf the rate able projrcrtv m the district, for the year beginning on April 1,1892, and ending on March 31, 1893, payable m one sum on Monday, August 22, 1892. surveyors' road. It was resolved to call for tenders for shingling this road. surveyors' rkport. The Surveyors reported as follows: — Church Road—The contract for shingling this road has been completed, and the ac counts will be laid before the Board to-day. Drain on Windermere Road—Tenders have not been called owing to the difficulty m locating the position of the road. Boundary Road—The maintenance man has completed repairs to bridge at junction of boundary and Windermere roads? The former road is muchoutotrepair.and m come places the ruts are through the shiugle and into ths peat. WinsW Road—Re-shingling is needed on this road. Shingling Ford's Road—The maintenance man has been engaged m filling m holts and repairing sides of this road. We have ar ranged with Mr Hyland to alter drain near gravel pit opposite the Flemington Cheese and Butter Factory, but owing to want of information we are unable as yet to ascer tain the exact area and position of the re serve. R.S. 35754—Mr Read, the leaseholder this section, has requested that the wate race near his lease be altered. In order to release the storm water accu mulating m front of the Eifielton school, id has been found necessary to re-form water tables m front at the Road Board's premises. The maintenance man has been instructed to do this work. Cottages at Waterton—As instructed we had two gates constructed and fixed at the Board's cottages at Waterton. Gone Nuisance—Notices to grub gone have been served on several ratepayers, and it rests with the Board what further aotion shall be taken. Ford at Junction Bell's and Longbeach Road—We have arranged with Mr Cullen to do this work. It was decided not to proceed with work on Boundary and Window roads until a gravel pit had been acquired. The Surveyors were directed to have the work asked for by Mr Read carried oat.

SPORTING.

THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

[MS -fftKas ASSOCIATION.] Cbustcirurch, July 22. The following MCtpUooes were made to. night fqr th« ; S.Z. Gband Natiomaii , Stswliechass HA/WOAf. of MO ion, About threo and a<half dulm.

The following nomination* were received for the principal eyeenta «t th* Hunt (Jluh meeting to 06 held m conjanctibn with tQfl Grand National;- -1' v. • *"• •■ Maiden Hukdi^s, of 10Q soys; 13 milp.— Warrigal, Hn Mwllaney. Ohumnjy, Kulnin^ Cajolery, Smogifler, Spurned, Kilmarnook. Ladies' Bracelet, of 75 soy*; two milea ou the flat.—Mn E. Turner's Wainfai. Hn \\. 0. Rutherford's Catamount, Mrs J. C. N. Grigg's Gilly, Mm- —Captain Webb, Mrs I). O'Brien's Calm, Mist' Phillip** Masonic. • Winter Handicap, of 100 »ov» j ]| mile, —Young Cheviot, ¥ajh * Samoa, WaterMiy, -White Sqaall,aMerrie England, Welcome Nat, Yon Xemiwk^ Retica, Zaccho, Kilmaraock, Drift Crown &s&s&*>'%'!** Beaufort %E^£scfttej( ( of m wvs i 2JimU^-^irQ< W «t l FUautP4»e,W»ilwi|i |

THE ASHBURTON GUAhDIA^: SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1898



it lb Whalebone ... U 13 Ahua ... ... 11 9 Couranto ... 11 8 Norton , ... II 4 Commotion ... 10 8 Sir Garnet ... 10 8 Lyndoora ... 10 3 Booties 10 3 Oaloola 10 2 N.Z. Grand - Natio: Handicap of 30 inileci* 6t lb Norton ... 11 12 Couranto, ... \\ 1Q Kuluine ... 11 5 Waterbnry 11 5 The Idler „ 11 0. Erin-go-Bragh 10 4

st lb Mamie 10 0 Kafinanawa... 9 11 Chance 9 10 Waltaogi .9 9 Flintfltone ... 9 7 Morok ... ... 9 7 Worth ... ... 9 7 Smnggler ... g 7 »nal Hurdle Rack 0 mvs. About two st lb Magpie ... 10 2 Cajolery ... 1Q ( Capt*W Webb 10 I Kaimana^a 9 U Itoquoif /.. 9 c



NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOET THE Proprietors have much pleasure m informing their Patrons and the General Public, that they have opened Tem porary Premises m TANCRED STREET, opposite the Arcade. NEW STOCK. NEW STOCK. | WE SPECIALLY INVITE BUYERS OF CLOTHING TO PAY US A VISIT. HATS AND CAPS Tn the Latest Shapes, Including Light Weight, Flexible m Black and Colored, also Soft Felts, marked at prices to suit every body. -LATEST JSTOVELTIES— SHIRTS, SCARFS, BOWS, RUGS, PORTMANTEAUX, BRACES, COLLARS, &c. NEW ZEitKAITD Clothing? Fuetory. TANCRED STREET. W. H. Wbbbee, Manager,



|\TOW SKLLING at Greatly Reduced J»N Price* (for cash), Hundreds of r~ *-•* on History, Science, Religion, S3?a« a* Photo Albums *»d Frames, Fiction, &c. Mugical Instruments, Pictures, Games, .. v mi %\Ja A l Music. A large stock sn*. Mly *oJ!e^ leas than half price. Stationery 7"? Account Books.—L. F. Andrbwes amd Co.



WtUH<MI. CASH AdvertiseniotiM* under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at thie Office^ _, Rink To-Night. TO LET, a comfortable three-roomed .Cottage. Apply, Prince Albert Temperance Hotel, Wills Street. 7 167 MISSES McDONiLD, Dressmakers, next to Miss Carson's, and near Fire Brigade Station, Burnett Street. 7 168 XHJND, a black and tun Do?. If not claimed within ten days will be sold to defray expenses. Apply office of this paper. . 7|163 WESLEYAN Church.—Preacherst o morroW, 11 a.m. Rev J. H. Gray, 6.30 p.m, Bey 8. Lawry—subject: "A Pressing Invitation to a Great Banquet. MBS OONLAN and tolas Arnott, . Costume Makers, having opened m Saunders* Buildings, are prepared to guarantee perfect fit, and latest P«riß fashions. Dresses made from 10a 6d. 7§154 USE FiowEit's Cough Drops and Sulphur Tablets. H. G. F&owkr Confectioner, East street. T7"EROSENE, Flour, Tapioca, Sago, j\. Rice, etc., at Wholesale Prices.— , I'hk Oash Storis, Havelock street (opposite Harrison's). 7J153 SPEIGHT'S bebt Dunedin Beer always on tap at Butler's Family Ho tel. F 88 TpIRE ! The Salvage Sale will be con- Jj tinued for Fourteen Days. All Wool Dress Tweeds at about Half price. —S. W. Alcork & Co. SALVAGE Sale. Great reductions on pvery article. Trimmed Millinery Ha'f price.—S. W. Alcorn & Co. WANTED Known—DrScott'rcefe brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained m Ashburton at W. H. Colmbr'h, "The Corner." \¥TANTED KNOWN, Grand display H of new Millinery, Ulsters, and Jackets, at most reasonable prices at The CoRNErt. ; : SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest,' the largest, the beat, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. Siloock. 4J182 O ALVAGE SALE—A large quantity O of Goods slightly soile > by removal during the late fire. WUI be sold at greatly Reduced Prices.—Andrew Orr. CVTANTED -Gentlemen before buyinii YY their Suits and Clothing of all descriptions to inspect bur stock. £1000 worth must be sold regardless of cost. — H C. Seders, Melford House. WANTED Known—ln consequence of slowness of trade this season, we aave reduced almost everything of our well assorted 6rst-class Drapery, Clothing, c C.--H. C. Segers, Melford House. x \ f ANTISD Known.—l liave a large ■■ V stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to self ct from. Register Grates, Stoves, ■portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kepf. m ntock.—.J. W, Hardmv, East Street A »jL Wuoj Uolouu* xweecl civiCs U; £JL measure; fit and workmanship : from 50s cash. Roberi Aixjorn, Ashburfcon Clothing Mart, Saunders Building^. WANTED Known—lf you want good value m first-class Drapery and Slothing for your money go to H. C- Segers, Melford House. Great reduc tions now on. ROSE Trees, Onions, Plough Shares, Flour, Chaff, Oatmeal, Macrocarpa Fruit Trees, Tea, Sharps, Potatoes, Ohick Wheat, Carrots. Insignia, H>*y, alt, Oats, Barb Wire, and Civility. For the above articles) cheap and good for uash, try J. Thomas, opposite Army Barracks, Havelock street. • TELEGRAM to A. Orr.—Your offer for 124 Pieces French Merino is j accepted ; Edwards. Bennett, and Co., Christchu^ch. Tho above goods are now beinz so!d <*t half price at A. Orb's Cheap Salef_ \ «L 140 fTrANTED Known—That you will »▼ make no mistake for quality and ariety m English and Colonial Boots, and is highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. Durinar coming holidays die- OMuntfor Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and worhm» nship guaranteed.



The world is ever moving on towar i perfection butseldom attains it, Constan improvement is being made m every branch of industry, but m Baking Powders Perfection has been reached Iji" Warburton'B Can t B? Beat,



■ I NOTICE. Communications on matters connected viiih any Department of the Paper, SHOULD NOT be addressed to any member of the itafl by name. Letters relating to Advertisements or other Baniness, to be addressed to THE MANAGER. Literary communications to THF EDITOR. The Best Tea IN CANTERBURY for the money, and five from any excess of astringency. COUNTESS 2s. ASK YOUR GROCER. 7 121 The Ousiow Biscuit. The latest and most delicate biscuit manufactured by A ilsebrook and Co .



NOTICE. A DVERTISEMKNT3 fop th« First 1 Country) edition of the GfHKDUK must reach this offi<<* h} 2 p.m. AdrerttomMita for Hie Second (town edition will be recsWed up to 3 p.m. ASHBURTON TuBLIaHING C> May 23,1892. ' *? Farther successful experiments have-been made m smelting iron-sand at Onehung*. Pour and a half tons of pig were puddled, hammered and rolled on Thursday, and it 18 stated to be a pure product of iron without alniixtme with any other metal. When rolled it if descried as a "kind, mild iron. Mr E. M. 3mith, M.H.R. for Taranaki, m proaecating the expenmenta. " COLBMANB AND iSONf\ EUCALYPTE Ex tract is the only genuine m the market, and was a warded medals and diplonjaß at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating all competitors. For all affeqtions of the Chest and Lunga, Consumption, Asthma, Coughs, Colds, .Gravel, and Kidney Com plaints, ifc h*s no equal. Agents— AsHWRfOH D»ua Comity,



SPENCER'S M )JMSTBR CLEARANCE. MABK THE EXTRAORDINARY REDUCTIONS MADE FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS or this ORB AT SALE. r CLOTHIWG DEPIBTIEIT. NOTE THE REDUCTIONS MEN'S SAO SUITS. Former Prio* 31g Od, 37s 6d, 3ts 6d, 37a 6d, 45s os, 55s Od Sale Prices 21. Od,, 26s 6d, 21s Od, 29a 6d, 35» 6d, 35s 6d Former Prices 49i6d,% 42s 6d, 47s 6d, 65s Od, 32s od, 49s 6d Sale Prices 28s 6d, 29s 6d, 32s 6d, 45s od, 21s Od, 38s 6d Former Prices 55s Od, 45s Od, 47s 6d, 59s 6d, 62s 6d, 47s 6d Sale Prices 38s 6d, 33s Od, 37s 6d, 37s 6d, 42s 6d, 86s 6d SPECIAL LINES. Colonial Saddle Tweed Suite, 52s 6d, for 35s 6d; Black Worsted do, 59s 6d, for 89s 6dj Colonial Tweed do, 39a Sd, for 28s 6d; Colonial Tweed do, 37s 6d, for 29s 6d j Kaiapoi, very heavy line, do, 50s, for 37s 6dj Roslyn, very heavy line, do, 655, tor 47s 6d. MEN'S TWEED OVERCOATS. Former Pride. 45s Od, 25s 6d, 34s 6d, 82s 6d, 35s Od, 27s 6d, 29s 6j, 45s Sa&s Pbwbs 32s 6d, 21s Od, 24s 6d, 22s 6d, 233 6d, 19j 6d, 2U 6d, 34s 6d JOB CLEARANCE. MEN'S PII.K TIES 6 *» Is. LADIES 1 CLOSE-FITTING THREE-QUARTE6 JACKETS. Former Prices 36a 6d, 19s 6d, 17s od, 81s od, 32s 6d SALE PRICIfiS Hs lid, 6s lid, Gs lid, 13s Ud, 8s lid Former Prices 27s 6d, 30s Od, 14s 6d, 26s 6d, 31s Od SALE PRICES 13s 3d, 14s lid, 4s lid, 13s Ud, 13s lid LADIES' SHORT JACKETS. Former Prices 16s 6d, 12s 6d, 12s 6d, 13s 6d, 21s Od SALE PRICES 4s Ud, 4s Ud, 5s 6d, 5s lid, 6s Ud Former Prices 21s od, 18s 6d, 29s 3d, 22s Od, 17s 6d SALE PRICES 6s 9d. 5s 9d, 5a Ud, 7s 3d, 6s 6d LADIES' TWEED ULSTERS. Former Prices 8s lid, 8s lid, 9s 6d, 12s 6d, 14s 9A SALE PRICES 3s Ud, 3s Ud, 4a lid, 6s lid, 5s lid Former Prices 12s 6d, 18 3 6d, 82s 6d 16s 6d, 10s 9d SALEPRICE3 7s Ud, 6s Ud, 14s lid, 9s lid. 6s Ud I>RESS .'HBPiRTHBMt. MERINOS—BIack and Colored Former Prices 3s 6d, Is 6d, 4s 6d, 3s 3d, 4s 6d, 8s 9d, 3s 3d Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s 6d «a» Prices 2s s|d, Is 2Jd, 3s sd, 2s 7d,Bs 6i, 8s Id, 2s 7d, Is 3d, llfd, llfd MELTON CLOTHS—'Brown, Navy, Maroon, and Grey*; Is 9d for 11H FRENCH BEIGES—DoubIe Widtk, 2s Ud for Is 9d. SPECIAL A few lengths of DRESS TWEEDS left, beautiful patterns, really first class Goods, at the following ASTONISHING REDUCED PRICES: Former Prices 8s 9d, 3s 6d, 3s 6d, 3a 6d, 3s 6d, 2s 11, 2s. lid, 3s 6d, 3s 3d SiJLE PRICES 2s sd, 2s 3d, 2s Id, Is Ud, Is IOJd, Is Ud, 2s Id, 2s Id, 2s 8d REMNANTS OF DRESS GOODS JAT SURPRISING REDUCTIONS; COLONIAL MADE BLANKER AT THE^XAOT MILL PRICED We shall not replace any lines sold out, hence the necessity of makin • your purchases early. ~~STS ALEK, IVatchmaker and Jeweller TEMPORARY PKEMISEB IT W. 0. DAVIS' REFRESHMENT ROOM. Fire. Fire. Fire* MUST BE CLEAEED AT AITY PRICE MY STOCK of Electro-Plated and Silverware, Gold and Silver Jewellery, and other high-class Jew«llery, has to be S'JLD previous to going into new premises, as intend opening with an entirely new stock. Weddloff Presents, Birthday Presents, and Presentation Testimonials. Thane will be found goods specially suitable and at Less than COST PRICE. lhe MUST BE CLEARED. Watchmaking and Jewellery Repairing carried on as usual S, SALEK, WATCHMAKER AND JEWFJ.LKR.