MAIL NOTICES.

- Mail* close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :- THURSDAY, May 5. For Northern Ports, per Takapnna, at 6.30 a.m.  „ FRIDAY, May 6. , For Nortorn Ports and Australian Colonies (except Tasmania), per VVaihora, at 10.30 a.m.

ENGLISH MAILS.

HOMEWARD— DIRECT MAILS. Doric, left April 2, due London May 12Tcmgaviro, left April 16, due London May | " Ruahine left April 21, due London June LArawa, left April 30, due London, June 10. SAN FRANOISCO MAILS. Mariposa, left April 22, due London May 23. OUTWARD—DIRECT MAILS Coptic, due colony May 2. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Alameda, dus colony May 20.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The R.M S. Kaikoura arrived at Ply mouth yesterday. Her frozen meat was m I good condition. The- election of a member to represent Bruce m the House of Representatives, took 1 place yeaterday, and resulted m the return of Mr Allen by a majority of 557. Mr Moore, M.H.R., addressed his con stituents at Rangiota last evening. After reviewing the work of the session, and criticising the taxation proposals of the Go- I vemment, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried, aa against thanks and no conti dence, the numbers being 51 for, 43 against. A large number present did not vote. ! The play this evening by the Kennedy - Dobson Company will be another of Dion Boucicault's—" Arrah-na-Pogue " —a piece full of rich Irish humor. The leading characters will be taken by Mr J. J. Kennedy, as " Shaun the Post" ; Mr Collet Dobson, as " O'Grady " ; Missldrene Thorn ton, as " Arrah " ; and Miss Hill, as " Fanny Power." On Friday evening " Little Lord Fauntleroy" will be presented, when the prize St. Bernard dog "Lion" will make his first appearance. Sir William and Lady Fox celebrated their golden wedding on Tuesday. A depu tation waited on them at their residence and presented an illuminated address with 800 siguatures,in which, besides congratulations, reference was made to. the valuable services rendered by Sir William, as a politican, tetnperauce reformer, etc. Congratulatory speeches were made by many old identities. Sir William Fox replied. He attributed his long life and good health to total ab both publicly and privately. The death of the Rev. C.H. Spurgeon will not, it would seem, lead to the discontinu- I ance of "The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pol i pit.*' Mr Spurgeon, when he was well, preached three times a week, and all his dis courses, we learn from the Phonetic Journal were taken down m shorthand by Mr Thomas Allen Rsed and members of his staff. As ouly one sermon has usually been published weekly, there are consequently enough sermons m manuscript to allow of the publication of a weekly sermon for the next ten or twelve years. The series commenced it 855 : there have been 2241 sermons pub lished ; and the largest number of one dis course sold was 200,000. An amusing remark, dropped by Mr Balfonr (says the "Pall Mall Gazette"), recalls incidentally " a felt want " whi',h we <tave several times regretted our inability to iiipply. The want is some word to cover ill subjects of the Queen-Empress and all Eortions of her dominions. We are "all >anes," according to the Laureate, m our relations to the princess ; bijt what are we all at other times? To speak merely of: En gland and the English infuriates the Scots. 4ud Briton and British leaves out the Irish. "English-speaking" has been sug gested ; but, apart from other objections, there is this, that the term does not cover all the inhabitants of these islands, nor even, according to Mr Balfour, all the members of the House of Commons. " Feus," said the Leader of the House, " are—as I may remind the English-speaking members of the House." So English dpeaking will not include us all. What m the world are we to call ourselves ? The oases arising out of the raid made by the Wellington police on Easter Monday on several alleged betting-houses, came on for hearing on Tuesday morning at the Resident Magistrate's Court. The cases against F. Martin and William Piper were adjourned until May 10. The first case called was that against Edward Yuille and Nathanial Nathan (m business as Yuille and Nathan). Defendants were charged with opening, keeping, and using a room m Willis street, for the purpose of money being received by defendants for the consideration and express assurances to pay thereafter money m events and contingencies of horse races. Judgment m this case was reserved for a week. The case against J. H. Pollock, charged with conducting a room, as agent; for Messrs Yuille and Nathan, was allowed to stand over for a week, as the case against his prin cipals would probably govern it. The caso acil?ust J- H. Simmonds was adjourned until Friday for further evidence. The charge against R. Patterson was heard, and jndg ment reserved for a week. In a sermon %t the Pitt street Wesleyan Church, Auckland, denouncing gambling, the Rev J. Berry spoke m strong terms of the evil, and argued the necessity pf sound and frequent instruction to the young upon the subject The teachers m the public schools should be requested to instruct children upon the evil of gamblfng, and people ought to demand I the abolition of the fcofcalisator and to resolve to vote for no candidate fop Par liament who gambled. He regretted the space and encouragement given to the sub ject by the Press, and ths way m which Churches nibbled at gambling m connection with bazaars. Mr Beiry, m the couiS3 of his remarks, asserted that there were more book makers m their city than there were minjste s of religion and schoolmasters put together, At Ellerslie racecourse it was a common sight to see young boys and girls betting with bookmakers, and he had a number of tickets issued by licensed bookmakers to boys m the Costley Home, The preacher also mentioned a ease m which three boys, members cf one family, the flldpsfc pf whom was under twenty, Iwl lately won #J.OG by betting on athletic sports. The world is ever moving on tow* •1« perfection, bufcseldom attains it, Constant improvement is bemg made m every branch of industry, but m Baking Powders Perfection has been reached m Warburton's ant t, Be Bfiafc, Support Local Industry.—The Lozenges, Jujubes, Comfits, and London Mixtures manufactured by Aulherkook ijfp Co. are e<ju»l to besb imported.

THE DANISH LAND LAWS.

At a time when, not only m this Colony but m the Old Country also, one of the chief problems of the clay is to devise such legislation m regard to land ten are as shall best promote the weal of the people, it is interesting to note the manner m which other coun tries than our own have attemptrd its solution. Most people have some idea of the succession-law of France, which by compelling subdivision on the death of the land-owner has resulted m the immense multiplication of small hold ings, aud most people, too, are of the opinion that this sort of thing is m that country pushed too far, it being obvisus that a continual process of sub division must lead m the end to ab surdly small and therefore eventually unprofitable holdings. The fact is that while enormous estates are an evil, so also, though m a lesser - degree are holdings so small as those held by large numbers of the French peasants pro prietary. Bub it is not only the ques tion as to the aggregation of enormous areas of freehold, or that of infini tesimal subdivision which has to be dealt with, there is also the problem of the just relations between landlord and tenant, which is the crux ot the Irish difficulty, for example. In connection 1 with the latter branch of the land I question we notice by the following account contributed to an Australian contemporary that the little kingdom of Denmark has m operation laws which are certainly novel m many of their features, but whioh are stated to be working very satisfactory, and it is quite possible that m more direc tions than one New Zealand land re formers might profitably take a leaf out of the Danish book. The writer re ferred to says :—" The position oi proprietor and tenant has been ad justed by laws aud regulations that have for their object to secure the tenant and his wife a life lease of the farm and its privileges, and have m every direction curtailed the pro prietor's dominion over his tenants. !No proprietor is permitted to let a farm on a tenancy at will, neither is he permitted to cultivate any hitherto existing tenant farm on his own ac count; all vacant tenant farms must be relet and on no terms except for the tenant's own and his wife's life time so long as she remains a widow; m the event of her re-marrying, the landlord can decide whether he will accept her husband as tenant or otherwise. Any infringement of these con ditions by the proprietor renders him liable to heavy fines. Thers is also a provision made so that one or several farms may be let for several people's lifetime or for a term of years, but m no case less than fifty years. When a farm becomes tenantless the proprietor may let some one work the land for one year, enabling him (the proprietor) to have the farm buildings, <fee, put m proper repair, as required by law. If the proprietor does not procure a tenant within fourteen days after the expiration of the one year referred to, then he is liable to a fine for each day the farm is without a tenant, until he can prove that it is impossible to procure one. The local authorities will m the latter case, acting under instructions t irom. } the if they do not succeed, then a peculiar feature m the Danish law comes into operation, one that I think should commend itself to many philanthropists who are planning out village and small allotment homesteads for the unfortu nate and worthy unemployed. No Danish proprietor is permitted, under hetvy penalties, to do away with any established farm without the special consent of the inhabitants of the district, and with the assent of the Minister of the Interior \ and then he mnst not add the whole of the ground to the adjoining farms, but is compelled to establish what is termed house-farms, that is, he must erect one or more suitable dwellings, endowed with at least ten acres of land, duch houses wi^l be found m every I»anish village, and form the homc^ for farm servants. Any community may apply, if they deem it necessary, to have one or more of the established farms so cut up. This forms a very essential and important feature m the Danish land system. Young men who desire to marry can thus secure a comfortable home, surrounded by comfortable farmers. This is to my mind more applicable to o fir population than any system we may copy from the German village system, as the majority of our people whom we may desire to settle on the land, however stalwart they ■ may be, are yet altogether ignorant of farm work. Another important duty devolves on the proprietor. Ke is compelled to deliver to the tenant all farm buildings m proper repair, all 1 necesbary farming implements required to work the farm m good order; also, supply the required live stock, also seed for the first year. On the other hand, the tenant, subject to heavy penalties, is required to keep all m good order and pay his rent when due, the latter being a first charge after two taxes, termed the royal taxes, are liquidated. Provision is also made whereby the tenant may purchase the farm right out, the State advancing part of the purchase money at 4 per cent. There are some of the leading features of this very drastic law, made, be it observed, not by party fights m. Parliament, but by an absolute monarch, and whilst fair security is afforded the proprietor, the faqt is established that the whole people havjS a pjgljt to the soil. I may here mention that m conjunction with these rights of the people the State has not been neglectful m caring that they sha}l become thoroughly expert m j Understanding the business of cultivat ing the soil both with ecpnomy and skill. All State schools throughout the land are opened as high schools after school hours, where young men and women may study the science of agri culture or apy Qther subject m which they intend to perfect themselves. Tlje Danes do not indulge m the luxury of 'agricultural colleges, they permit the practical farmer to teach practice, an 4 teach science m their schools, high schools, polytechnic schools and univer l gjty. Thajfc the system has been both ecsonomk* wd successfujl fs we}l known. We now fcQttW3 tQ another important j feature, also bearing largely pp. £he success of their settling the people w the land. That there shall be no mis understanding about the success of settlement, it .may be noted that Denmark covers an area onjy ,one-sixth

of the size of Victoria, containing ajj populatiSu of, m round .numbers,,, 2,000,000 yet Copenhagen, the capital, only contains about 800,000 inhabit ants. No other city exists m Denmark with a population of more than 20,000 Thus the large majority of the popula tion are, where they should be, on the land."

The Chess Tourney.

The draw for the handicap chess tourney, to commence on Friday, took place last evening, and resulted as fol lows :— Dr Hunter v Mr Cuthbertson, Mr Crisp v Mr Calyer, Mr Moore v Mr Clark, Mr Todd v Mr E. .J. Paul, Mr H. WiJis* v Mr A. Fooks, Mr Milsom v Kov. E. A. Scott, Mr Brooke v Dr, Tweed, Mr Salek vMr J. Leitch, The players are temporarily classed as follows: —Class 1— Rev E. A. Scott and Messrs Crisp and Willis ; class 2 -Drs Tweed and Hunter, and Messrs Milsom, CM. Brooke, Clark and S; Salek; class 3—Messrs Moore, Leitch and D. T, Todd ; class 4—Messrs Cuthbertson, A. Fooks, Colyer, and E. J.Paul. Class i gives pawn and move to cllrss 2, pawn and two moves to class 3, and knight to class 4. Class 2 gives pawn and move to 3, and pawn and two moves to 4, class 3 gives pawn and move to 4.

The Dobson-Kennedy Company.

"THE SHAUGHRAUN."

The announcement that the Dobson- Kennedy Company were to open a season of four nights m Ashburton with Bouci cault's popular Irish drama the " Shaugh raun," and the well-known ability of the performers, drew, we were glad to see, a good house at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. From first to last the piece ran well, and tha performers received quite an ovation at the close of each act. The title role was of course m the hands of Mr J. J. Kennedy, whose representation of the good-hearted, though m some respects disreputable, "Conn" is perfect m its way. He carries the sympathies of the house with him so entirely thac his every appearance seems to ba, the signal for applause. '* Moya Dolan" (Conn's sweet heart) found an arch and piquanle repre sentative m Miss Idrcne Thornton, whose introduced song, the "Wearing of the Green," it is needless to add. was en cored. Mr Dobson, as ''Robert Ffoliott," filled the part admirably, and Mr H. N, Douglas, as " Father Dolan," gave an excellent presentment of the character. The villains of the piece, " Corry Kin challa " and his minion and accomplice, the informer "Harvey Duff," were re spectively impersonated by Mr Joe Kennedy, and Mr Paul Creyton, the former being very successful, but the latter, we think, presenting a somewhat exaggerated interpretation of the part assigned to him. Mr "Norton's " Captain Molitieux " was fairly good, though open to criticism m some respects, and the part of "Mrs O'Kelly " (Conn's mother) was admirably taken by Mrs {1) Ingle. Perhaps the best scene of the whole play was " the wake," m which the Shauyth raun himself assists m mere ways than one, even to the extent of taking a pretty active part m the consumption of the whisky, which is being drunk at his own laying-out as an "ilDgant corpse." .Alto gather the piece was a great success, and as it is to be followed to-night by another great favorite —one oF the very best m the Company's rqm toire< " Arrah-na-Pogue," the Company will we make no doubt;, be rewarded, as.they deserve, with a bumper house.

THE MARKETS.

ASDFASFASDFDASF

uwing to cue nuns i SXll&HF&Mffl i\' mG little or no wheat is changing han-Is. The latest quotations are—chick, 3s lOd ; New Zealand med'um class milling, 4s 4d fca 4$ 5d ; Hunters, 4s 6d ; pearl velvet, 4s 7d ; Tuscan, 4s BJ. Oats—milling bright short, feeding sorts, 2s 2s to 2s 4d ; seed 2s 6d. Bran, 13 2d ; pollard Is 2d to Is 3d ; peas, 3s 6d. The supply of potatoes is m excess of the demand, New Zealand potatoes are quoted at £2 ss, but 13,700 sacks which are due by the Wakatipu and Poherua are certain to affecc these prices Circular Head, £3. Onions, £3 15s. Butter—dairy made, lid to la ; fictory, 1* 2d to Is 3d— nurket steady. Cheese 5d to 6d. Bacon —New Zealand, 7id to 8d ; hams, lOd to lid, Melbourne, May 4. Wheat 4s Id ; flour, stone made, £815s to £9; roller made, £9 to £10. Oats, Algerian and Danish, Is lOd ; stout, 2s 2*to2s'4d. Adelaide, May 4. Wheat, fair quality, averaged 4s 3d ; flour, stone made, £9 to £9 10s ; roller made, £9 15s to £10 2s 6d ; oats, 3s 3d to 3s 4d; barley, Cape, 3s 6d to 3s 9d"; English malting sorts, 4s 5d ; bran Js ; pollard, Is Id.

Addington Stock Market.

Chkistchuroh, May 4. There was a much improved market m all sections, and the business done was vejy satisfactory. Store Sheep—About 4700 were yarded, for all of which there was a good demand, with very satisfactory results. Crossbred lambs were m good demand, and sold freely up to 11s 4d. A very nice line of two-tooth crossbreds, mixed, from the Ashley Gorge Estate, sold at 14s 4d to 15s lid. Crossbred ewes, full mouth and failing and m lamb, brought up tollsSd. A considerable num ber of Chatham Islands crossbred wethers sold very well, up to 15s 3d being given for them for stores, while the culls brought 10s to 12s. Any good sorts of sheep for turnip I feeding brought fair prices, merino wethers I bringing from 6s 6d to Bs. Fat Sheep.—About 6JOO sheep were offered, none of which were of the primest quality, lut for all a good demand prevailed, up to 17s lOd being given for lines of cross bred wethers and maiden ewes, and from 15s 6d to 16s for smaller sorts. Crossbred ewes were m good demand, some prime fat .sheep of this class bringing up to 17s 6cl. Merino wethers were ottered of all descriptions, some very decent sheep being sold at 14s 6d and 14s 9rl, and some smaller sorts from 11s. Fat Cattle. -The sale of beef was limited, but there was a good demand for nice sorts of steers and heifers, some of which sold up to £7 15s, and heifers to £5 17s fid. Good conditioned cows were m better demand and the lot was cleared at satisfactory rates. Store Cattle.—With the exception of a nice line of steers, and some yearlings, the entry consisted entirely of cows and odd beasts. The steers, which were from a good farm, brought £5 to £5 10s, and the year lings werp well sold at 39s 6d. A good demand for cows resulted m prices being firmer than they have been yet. Jifearly every hoof was sold at from 30s to £3 17s. The demand for good sorts of dairy cows continues firm, and several changed hands at from £i 10s to £7 33r Some private sales ■vepe effected at higher rates. Pios — About 200 porkers and light bacouers met with a ready market at former rates. Good sorts of light bacon pigs were m good demand.

ROAD BOARDS.

WAKANUI.

A meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held on Saturday last it the Road Board Office, Moore Street. Present — Messrs M. Bruce (chairman), G. W. Leadley, J. Megson, D. Johnston, and G. Ooe. O IBRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that the sum amounting to £42, accrued from thirds on reserve 2165, had been paid into the credit of the Board, From Mr J. Bayliss, stating that he had sold his property m the Wakanui district, and asking that his name be taken off the valuation roll, and that of Mr Andrew Taib substituted. From the County Engineer, forwarding report on water supply to Village Settle ments. —It was resolved to reply to the County Council that the Board had no power to expend money, except what had accrued from " thirds." ROAD REPAIRS. The Chairman reported the road at Winter's corner to be m a bad state for traffic. —The Chairman was authorised to employ labor to have the road put m a passable slate, and the Surveyor was instructed to inspect the road m question and report on same. ELECTION. The Returning Officer reported that the following members had bpen re-elected : — No. 2 Ward—Messrs G. Coe and D. Johnston ; No. 3 Ward—Messrs Leadley and Bruce. An extraordinary vacancy had occurred m No. 3 Ward, and upon fresh nominations being taken, Messrs J. i Quigley and F. M. Rickman had been j nominated. A poll would be taken for the election of one on Friday, May 13. FINANCE. An interim balance sheet was examined < by the Board, and ordered to be pub lished for the information of the rate payer's. BOUNDARY KOAD. The Board expressed their dissatisfac tion at the meagre information supplied by the South Rakaia Road Board m refer ence 1 o the maintenance of the Boundary Road. Mr Meg=on moved—"That, for the future, the Rakaia Road Board be re quested to furnish this Board with details of all expenditure on the Boundary Road before incurring same, and that before any work be undertaken on the road, this Board be consulted ;or that the surveyors of the two Boards confer as to what work may be needed." This request was made for the reason that this Board has, during the last year, paid £40 for works on the Boundary Road, and no particulars whatever have been furnished to it- This was seconded by Mr Bruce and carried. SPECIAL ORDER. Considerable discussion took place as to the legality of the petition received from No. 2 Ward, praying for an additional member. Mr Johnston moved—"That the peti tion presented by the ratepayers, Messrs Amos, Doak, and others, for a third member, be referred to them to be ini tialed, andlnafca declaration bemadebefore a Justice of the Peace m the manner prescribed by the second schedule m the Road Boards Act, 1882. This was seconded by Mr Coe and carried. APPOINTMENT OF CLERK ANI> SURVEYOR. The Board then went into Committee to consider the applications received for the position of clerk and surveyor, when Mr J. A. Poole was appointed. After passing accounts, the Board adjourned.

TINWALD TOWN BOARD.

■l-ottfj^^PANksTlSfiii^a-fUMyTIWat the Templar Hall. Present—Messrs M. Scott (chairman), M. Redmayne, E. Gates, and T. Williams. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr J. Gudsell, suggesting the appointment of a day man, and also advocating the opening uf Johnstons street. DEPUTATION. Mr Heselfcine interviewed the Board in reference co faulty drainage adjoining his property. ~'J he necessary work was ordered to be done. MAINTENANCE MAN. Mr Sturgeon was temporarily appointed to do the maintenance work for the Board. GItOVE STREET. The Surveyors were instructed to have levels taken along Grove street, from Catherine street to Graham's Road. MOTION RESCINDED. Mr Gates proposed that the motion j carried on the 11th day of December, 1886, viz., " That individuals making j application for kerbing pay half cost of same " be rescinded. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. ; Mr Gates applied for four months' leave ot absence, which was granted, Mr Redmayne using complimentary term* in regard to the manner in which Mr Gates had carried out his duties as a Commis sioner, and trusted he would soon safely return. GRAVEL PITi Mr Williams pointed out that the gravel pit would soon be overgrown with gorse, and suggested that, steps be taken to eradicate same. Inspection was ordered. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £5 17s 6d were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.

THE ANARCHISTS.

[press association telegram.]

St. Petersburg, May 3. Tho police offer a reward of 100,000 roubles for the discovery uf the print ing office m which the Anarchist lite rature is printed. : Washington, May 3. A,deputation waited on the chief of police at Chicago and asked for the return of the red flags which had been seized. He refused, saying the state of the city would become intolerable if Anarchism were encouraged, and in sisted on legal methods of reform being used. The deputation threatened to prosecute the police. Vienna, May 3. It is reported that a mail train on the Buda Pesth line was stopped by the explosion of a bomb, three persons being injured. Brussels, May 4. Twelve arrests have been made m connection with the explosion at Liege.

POLITICAL

MAORI MEETING,

[per press association,

Auckland. May 4. The Hon. Mr Cadman had a meeting with the natives of the Ngatimaniopoto tribe at Ctoiohanga yesterday. About one hundred Maoris were present. The chief Wahanui opened proceedings with a brief speech. Mr Cadman renewed the pro posals which he had previously made to natives regarding native land and territory adjoining°the trunk railway line. He rsferred to the necessity of making the land adjacent to the railway contribute to taxes m the form of freight,and urged the natives to become settlers m the true sense of the word. He also spoke of the serious nature of the rabbit pest, and of the necessity for keeping bunny down. He advised them to form a Committee m order to arrive at some agreement as to 1 blocks of land they would like to sell to Government, and agree to allow Govern ment restrictions as to sale of and lien on the land until the natives asked to have them removed from portions not required by Government. The meeting was sub sequently adjourned m order to give the natives an opportunity of considering the Minister's suggestions. Before adjourn ing Mr Cadman spoke to the natives of the advantages arising from European occupation, and warned them that the question of taking their lands would have to be faced. The natives have since formed a committee of five to draft reso lutions to be discussed to-morrow. Mr Cadman had an interview with Te Kooti last night, and agreed that the survey of Ruatoki block should not proceed further at present than the place where the ob struction occurred, investigation of title to be postponed until Te Kooti has seen the Uriweras and endeavored to obtain a settlement of the differences between the contending factions. This Te Kooti pro mised to do and to inform the Minister of the result of the negotiations as soon as possible. The Hon. Mr Carroll goes to Gisborne to-morrow and attends the native meeting there, and then proceeds to Wellington.

Hampstead Town Board

The monthly meeting of the Hampstead Town Board was held on Monday even ing. Present—Messrs Andrews (chair man), McElrea, Elliott, and Crooks. WATER SUPPLY. The County Council wrote, enclosing minutes of the Ashburton Borough Council m reference to water supply- — Trie cletk was iustructed to reply, request ing a more definite estimate of the cost, and stating that the Board only desiicl to know the lowest costj,(as asked for m their letter of March 3) at which the Council i will supply water at the boundary of the district. ROLL ALTERATIONS. The names of Mr L. Markey [iov Mr R. McOwen) for lot 7, D.P. 985, and Mr Arthur Pritchard (for Mr Schneider) for lob 15, U.S. 4949, ware placed upon the roll. CEMETERY FOOTPATH. The Wakanui Road Board wrote, re questing payment of quarter cost of forming and keibing footpath at the cemetery—The cterk was ordered to reply, stating that m accordance with their letter of April 2, 1891, the Board would pay one-sixth of the cost. A DARK AND DANGEROUS CORNER. / A petition was read from numerous ratepayers of the borough of AshburLO.n and Hampstead district for the erection of a lamp at the corner of the deep gravel pit opposite the gasworks,—The Board did not feel justified m expending funds outside their district, and recommended tl>« petitioners to apply to the Ashburton ■Borough Council. The Works Con.mittee were requested to make an inpection of the roads m the district on May 10. ARREARS OJ!" RATES. It was resolved to sue for all arrears of rates after May 31. The clerk was authorised to obtain, if ho desired, the assistance of Mr C. Braddell m rate col lecting. A statement of outstanding ratos was submitted. COMMISSIONERS, ETC. Mr McElrea's motion, given notice at a previ6us meeting, to take steps to in crease the number of Commissioners from five to seven was carried. It was'decided to move from the pre sent office at the end of the quarter, and to advertise for a room to be used as an office. This was all the business.

PARISH MEETING.

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.

The adjourned annual meeting of parishioners of St. Stephen's was held m St. Stephen's schoolroom last evening. There were between twenty and thirty persons present, and the Rev, E. A.. Scott, incumbent, occupied the chair. ANNUAL REPORTS. The rev. Chairman read his annual statement regarding the Church's work, as follows :— In making my, annual report on the work of the Church m the year now ended, and of its prospects m the future, I shall as usual refer to some of the principal topics of interest. The burials m our section of the public cemetery have been twenty-five as against thirty last year. Of these, seven were children under five years old ; five were from our public institutions ; four mem bejsof our Sunday schools have passed away, viz : Helena Bell, aged fourteen years; Horace Wilmshurst, aged twelve ; Herbert Childs, aged six ; and Kate Ethel Crum, aged 10. Of the adult members of the congregation who have died, I must record the names cf Mr William Green, who was a regular communicant, Mrs Benjamin Barr, who passed away after a long and painful illness, and Mr James Pilbrow, whose sad death is frs&h m our memories. Our communicant body is stronger, I think, than it ever has been. During the last six months the average attendance at the early and mid day celebrations has considerably in creased. The communicants on Easter Sunday numbered 125, being by far the largest number of persons who ever com municated iv the Church m one day. In August last, with the approval of the Bishop, a special Male confirmation was held. I presented to the Bishop thirteen men and boys, many of whom are now communicants ; of these thirteen, six have already left the district. I realise more and more that post-confirmation work is quite as important as that which precedes confirmation, aed with this vit>w, I have founded a branch of our Communicants' Guild for young men, of the future of , which I am hopeful. Our Sunday schools contain more scholars that at any pa^t time. The rol 1 of the main school numbers 181, being an increase of 7 on last year and that of the Hampstead school 171. being an increase of 16, the total being 352 against 329. The increase, I note,"is entirely on the girls'side, the excess of girls over boys which was last year five, being now.thirty. This will need attention m the future. The staff of teachers is numerous, and I think on the whole efficient. I should be thankful to find a man of capacity who would devote himself to the Boys' Bible class, the condition of which at present is unsatisfactory. During the year there have been fifty two baptisms, again? t 67 last year, and seven marriages against four, piere has recently been formed, uncler

the superintendence of Mrs Scott, a branch I of tha now nearly world-wide Girls" Friendly Society, which already numbsrs twenty-eight member?. The Society will m future moefc m the room at the back of this building which they are furnishing for the purpose. I may mention that though the associates of the G.F.S. are necessarily members of the Church of England,no such restriction applies to the ordinary members. The monthly services at Seafield still continue to be exceedingly well attended, better this year I think than m any previous year. The Dromore services have n:>t been very successful and are at, present m abeyance. jJuring^the year I received a request to hold periodical ser vices m the Winchmore School Room. I came to the conclusion that my present engagements made it almost impossible for me to accept the invitation. More over it seemed to me that as the Bishop has signified his intention of placing the large Mount Somers district, of which Wuichmore is a part, under tha charge of the Incumbent of Ashburton, to -be worked with the help of an assistant curate, it would be better to wait before undertaking definite work therein. The parish has, as you know, expressed its willingness to support the Bishop m this sche:ne ; lam only sorry, as I am sure the Bishop is, that the proposal is still m the same position as last year. "The Parish Magazine" still con tinues to increase its circulation which is now close upon 300. There is one thing which specially pleases me m connection with it and that is the ready response which is always made to any appeal mit for money. 1 have not found m necessary to solicit anyone for subscriptions to the liquidation of the debt upon the school room, and m answer to an appeal, £19 baa been sent me during the year for our Sick and Needy Fund. Mrs Scott's Mothers Meeting still holds its members, and is I know doing real good. rihe classes for female Sunday School teachers are also well attended. The work of the Ladies Working Party is referred to by the Churchwardens. Their present purpose is to erect new iron gates to the churchyard. I am most thankful that the last of our Church debt? is paid. This is,in great part owing to Mr Bullock, who informed the School Committee m October last, that he was prepared to give or collect £10, if they would procure the balance of the £63, which was due on the building. Mr Bullock's challenge has been accepted. I trust thit Mr Bullock will not be allowed to give more thana fa>r proportion of that £10. I must also thank the friend whose liberal gift made it possible for the Co mmittee to repaint the building. I cannot refain here from expressing my extreme gratitude t^ all those, who by their ever ready assistance have brought about this immunity from debt successive church wardens and vestries, with the never failing, loyal, and self-denying help by the ladies of the parish -what could have been done without these 1 While talking of money, I may say that the Bishop's idea is that a parish should give a tithe, that is a tenth pait.of its income to Home and Foreign missions. We have nearly, though not quite done this. The amount passing through the churchwardens hands has been £441, our mission gifts having been £40. We- im proved m ihis respect last year. We shall do even better, I hope, next.. And now for the future, material and spiritual. And first material—l hope we I shall eiis all temptation to run into | debt again. And yet perhaps that might be better than placidly resting on oui I oaivs. Ar) there other objects for wlvch we shrill i<e justified m seeking to raise money? I think there are. Following the lead of the churchwardens m theii report, I venture to suggest that a churcl room m Hampstead for Sunday s.choo ■ and other purposes would be a greai 1 arl.raT.^^ in/i tUn tWo i\ s the othei thing to be desired, viz., the completiot or partial completion of the church, witli perhaps the erection of an organ. I d( not now discuss the relative important of these works. I hope (hat will be don* to night, and a definite conclusion arrivec at as soon as possible. And then the spiritual future. W( cannot say what it will be, but what ar< we to hope for, to long for ; to work for to pray for? Should not the church become, m the first place, more and mpn a spiritual home m which old and young should receive instruction m all. things which balong to Christ, m which thej should find help, strength and inspiration, help m the troubles of life, strength tc battle with sin and temptation, inspira tion which may enable them to see anc strive for all that is purest and noblesl and true3t m life ; that, and a deepening faith m the life to come, which is the onlj possible preservative against worldli ness. A spiritual home—yes, the church ought to be that and some thing more too. We should be 8 church of brothers and sisters, who art loving and working for their brothers and sisters m the world, doing what w6 can to comfort the sorrowful, to raise the fallen, to rescue the perishing, and tc bring human souls to the feet of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. There is the ideal Church, a Church of which each member is consecrated,to the service of Christ, and m which therefore, each member is not only finding light and life for himself, but is forever seeking to bring others within the range of that same Light and Life. . May the Holy Spirt of God hot only give our deliberations to-night, but make each one of us living members of that body of which Christ is the Head, of that temple of which Christ is the chief corner stone. The Churchwardens' report was as follows ; m which, as will be seen, is a condensation of the balance sheet, which was given m full after the report :— The Churchwardens and Vestry are again able to congratulate the Parishioners upon the state of the Church finances. The offertories for the year have amounted to £301 19.s 2d, including £6 14s Id from Seafield and lls 3d from Dromore. This is more than m any previous ye.it. As compared with last year there is a decrease of £6 17s 9d m envelopes, but an increase of £14 7s 8d m ordinary collections. This is practically an increase of nearly £30 m collections, as m the previous year there were oertain special services, not held this year, at which the collections amounted to £15. Subscriptions have amounted:to, £72 13s 6d as against £66 9ct last year and have been reaciily: paid. They are also glad to be able to announce that the debt on the schoolroom is now liquidated. All the church buildings have baen repainted and;are m good repair, there being now no encumbrance of any kir.d upon the church property. In short, for the first time since the Church was founded, there is absolute immunity from debt. During the year, the Ladies' Working Party have continued their labora, which have been more successful than usual. New seats have been placed m the Church and various improvements made at their expense, to the value of £12 10s ; this is m addition, to the articles made for the Garden Party. The above sum is nofc included m the printed ac e )iints. The Churchwardens srratefully acknowledge their assistance. They venture to hope that the congregation will not consider the present financial position oE the Church* as justifying a lessening of their liberality m giving. The present income only just meafjß tile current expenditure. Moreover, faidiia two or three years the Church wil probably require re-roofing; and besid *' this, there are two vory lar^e works which would be of' great value. One is the buil.ling of a chuich room m Hamp- j efcead for Sunday School and other pur.-

poses; the other, the completion, or labial completion of the Church itself. They hope that the parish meeting will discuss the relative importance of these works and, if possible, come to a definite conclusion as to which should be first undertaken. They here regret to say that the funds at their disposal have not warranted the taking up of shares m. the Ashburton Building Society, as re commended at the last annual meeting. It is hardly necessary for the Church wardens to refer to the general work of the Church, which the Incumbent will do m hisarinual report. Thej wish, how ever, to acknowledge the value of the special training which is new hemp: given by the organist, Mr Gates, m conjunction with Mr J. W. Stevenson, to the boys of the choir. This is not only improving the Church singing and ensuring a con tinuous flow of boys into the Choir, hut will, they feel, do much to attach the lads to the Church and through the Church to its living Head.—John Curtis, Chas. Littlkcot, Churchwardens. Mr Curtis dretr attention to the satis factory state of the finances, there bein^ a credit balance of £1 5s 7d to the church account and £1 10s 8d to the Sunday School. Mr Littlecott, speaking of the envelope system, said that fifty-five members of the church, under this system, contri buted to the church funds a total of £139 16s. He urged the adoption of this system more extensively. Mr Bollock moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and Mr Twentyman seconded. The motion was carried. Dr Trevor moved a vote of thanks to the church workers, payinga high compli. merit to them all for the work that had been done. Ie was seldom that a church was m the happy position of being free from debt, but (his was the happy position that day of St Stephen's. This was the first vestry that had been able to say that of the churches position. He remembered the time when the back parlor of a public house, or a dilapidated old wookhed was all that could bo got to hold the services m, and it was pleasing to look at the handsome buildings they now possessed and compare them with the times he referred to. The Sunday school report was exceeding!/ satisfactory, and the Church owed a deep debt of grati tude to the teachers. This question of education was one that would have to be faced sooner or later by the Church. He had little faith m getting anything from Wellington, and feared that any thing that was to be done would have to be done by the peeple themselves. The thar.ks of the Church were due to the choir, to the ladies, and to the other workers, specially so to Mrs Scott. Mr Pickford seconded the motion, speaking m eulogusfcic terms of the ladies and the young people who had assisted m the decoration of the Ghurch. The Chairman, m acknowledging Dr Trevor's compliments to Mrs Scott, reminded the meeting that while the Dr was paying a tribute to the work done by the vestries, it was only due to the Dr to say that he had invented quite a gold mine for the Church m the garden party which had returned a most phenomenal sum to the Church funds. * The motion was carried. CHURCHWARDENS. ." The chairman announced that he had re-appointed Mr John Curtis- as his Churchwarden. Mr Littlecott was proposed for people's Churchwarden, but declined, as he was not at all certaiti that he would be lone m the district. Dr Trevor was unanimously elected people's Churchwarden and shortly acknowledged the honor conferred upon him. VESTRYMEN. The following Vestrymen were elected : -Messrs J. H. Twontymnn,-George Jameson, V, Littlecctt, W. G. Ilees, E. Stephens, E. J. Pa U ], E. Kempthorno, E. Jj. Clowes, P. H. Cox, and H. H. Fooks. lhese were elected after a discussion and vote had taken place on the question of increasing the vestry from seven* to ten, the latter number having been chosen. The Chairman asked" the meeting to discuss that part of the report which re ferred to the desirableness of settling what work should next be undertaken. In answer to Mr Twentyman, the Chairman said no site had as yet been ac quired at Hampstead, and there was ac cammodation for the congregation m the Church, except on special occasions. A motion was carried to instruct the vestry to take the whole matter into con sideration, and to report to a special parish meeting when they had come to a definite conclusion as to what work should be proceeded with. Another motion, by Mr Thomas, to recommend the increase of the incum bent's stipend, was carried. After some further discussion, the meeting passed a vote of. thanks to the Chairman, and the benediction was pro* nounced. .. -.. r

SPORTING.

AbHBURTON RACING CLUB.

AUTUMN MEETING,

FIRST DAY.

President —E. G. . Wright, M.H.R. Vice-President—C. W. PurneU, Esq. Judge—Matthew Stitfr. Stewards— C. W. Purnell, Hugo Friedlander, E. Gates, J. C. N. Griog, T. leahy, W. Lyttelton, F. Russell, D. Thomas, W. B. Denshire. Treasurer—D. Thomas. Clerk of the Scales—lt. Friedlander. Handicappek — J. Cresswell. Starter —D. Thomas. Clerk of Course—R. F. Curtis, Secretary—E. Saunders. The Ashburton Racing Club's Autumn meeting began yesterday. The weather was fine, but the attendance was very poor for. an . Autumn meeting. The Committee must learn that as one swallow does not make a summer,,neither does one stake make a race meeting, and if the Ashburton meetings are to maintain their standing the money given to open races will have to be increased rather than reduced. Men of mark m the New Zealand sporting world were conspicuous by their absence, and though this may to some extent be attributable to the post ponement of the Wellington meeting, the fact that two or three who saw the end of that gathering were present yesterday shows that had thorn been any substantial attraction at Ashburton substantial sports men would have attended m greater numbers. The class of horses engaged was very poor, and" the racing was with few exceptions scarcely above mediocrity. The Club is fortunate*that under such circumstances Messrs Mason and Roberts were able to pass'£lß7© (£lO2 more than oil the corresponding: day last* year) through the totwlisator.: The 'Government tax of 1^ per cent was charged to the investing public. The course is now nicely grassed, but was rather heavy from the: recent rains. Mt John Henry, Commercial H<ifcel,'had both the licensed booths, md m that under thegrand stand served a good luncheon, though his notice to do .so; through .some misunderstanding about the sale, was short. 'Mra Ranger had the confectioner's booth, and served an ejccellenfc. lunch ihere.' Mr Inspector Fender was present in;unifonn, r juid with Sergeaut Mollerj Detective Benjamin, and a strong contingent of the Force, ; had no difficulty m keeping ordep,> very few of the ordinary racecourse peats putting m an appearance.! The weakest part of the arrangements was the starting; There has been occasion before to find fault, but yesterday Mr Thomas was I^ 6 successful

THE ASHBUBTON GUARDIA: THUBSDAY, MAY 5, 1892.



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