Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1894. THE EIGHT HOURS BILL.

The Miners Eight Hours Bill was read a second time in the House of Commons on April 25. A majority of eighty-seven carried the second reading against a majority of seventy nine for the second reading of the same measure last May. The object of the Bill of 1893 was, as its title would I naturally imply, to restrict, the hours lof labor in mines to eight per day. It was brought in by a private mem ber—Mr S. Woods, of South Lanca shire, a well-known labor leader—and we take it, although the cable does not tell us, the same gentleman has charge of the Bill this year. In 1893 the Bill vanished in the " slaughter of the : innocents" and never reached Com mittee, as did many other Bills that were swamped by the mighty pressure on the House of the Home Rule question. Although the Bill is before the House again, and is introduced by a member who has himself been a pitman as his father was before him, the Bill has not the unanimous support of the miners of Great Britain. Dur ham and Northumberland, strong mining districts, do not wholly favor it, and the Miners' National Union last year, which represents about 100,000 members, decided that the eight hours system could not work in Northumberland and Durham, It was this decision of the National Union that was the cause of the insertion in the Bill of clauses leaving the adoption of the system optional in certain cases, and had also the effect of modifying by local option clauses the eight hours programme of the Trades Congress. This programme has not yet taken the form of a Bill, and the one now before the House deals only with miners, and very probably leaves a reservation to the Durham and Northumberland miners to adopt it or not as they may see fit. The opponents of the measure say it will destroy the industrial supremacy of Britain by in creasing the cost of production, and the trend of their arguments generally may be gleaned from this quotation from a speech of Lord Salisbury when he was Prime Minister: ~" But if w« are to have an Eight Honrs Bill, if w« are to have measures which forbid c man, no matter in what necessity h« may be, to exercise his strength anc ability for another hour or two beyonc the eight hours prescribed by law, i: all the hindrances and embarrassments which the state of the law puts or capital are to be endured, you must b( prepared for the natural result. Then are other countries close by whicl labor under no such delusion. Thej have the opportunity of importing to any extent they please English capital English machinery, and English skillec superintendence. They will as fai outdo us in capital and property as il is now our glory to boast that we d< them ; and the first mbn so suffer bj that state of things, when eraploymeni languishes and industries pine away will be those very workmen on whose behalf interested politicians are noia preaching arrangements which the modern world has never heard oi before, and which savour of the darkest superstition by which in dustry ever waa oppressed." Tc arguments of this nature the sup porters of the measure reply in the words of Lord Rosebsry that the world is about to join in the suppres. sion of over-production by giving labor a franchise sufficient to emancipate itself from the rules and regulations of the economists. And they cite eight hour experiments that have been tried and found to work well. Messrs Mather, of the halford Ironworks, ' Manchester, reduced their employees' time to forty-eight hours per week, with no reduction of wages, and found before the end of a year that they got as much work for their money as be fore. Messrs Pears did the same thing in.1893, with the same result, and so did a large engineering firm in London another in Sunderland. Perhaps these p*'*p^ifjal instances may have had a good deal to do ws} *>he recruiting of Lord Rosebery's stong help £o the pight hours cause, and the increase in thti majority for the second reading this year, Ajb any rate, they indicate that the possibility #£ an eight hours day in all trades is not alfcogofchgr foe. yond the hope of realisation at an earlier date than we may imagine.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the : Upper Ashburfcon Road District, which should have been held on Saturday last was so poorly attended that those present decided to adjourn the meeting to Monday, May 28. Several friends of the F.O.L.L. have been invited by ticket to a social in the Orange Hall on Wednesday, May 24. A reference to the almanac will show the error in the date. The social is to be held on the evening of the Queen's Birthday, Thursday, May 24. Messrs Glasson and Co. will continue their sale in the Arcade of the stock in trade , in the assigned estate of M. G. Daly of i Akaroa, general storekeeper, at 1.30 to- I morrow. We are informed that every line offered will be sold, to avoid the expense of re-packing. Friends of Mr Archibald McLeod, of Tinwald, will be pleased to learn that there is good ground of hope for his recovery. After a very long and wasting illness, treat ment for internal worms has been successful, and the patienr, under Mrs Veel's nursing, is doing really well. The Wellington weekly paper " Fairplay," ( of which we heard a good deal a few months ago, has taken a new departure, and will partake more of the nature of a magazine than a purveyor of news. Its publication will be monthly instead of weekly, and the editorship has been assumed by Mr Arthur McKee, a journalist of Home experience. I Kiora! i Farmers and others are reminded that the sale at Mr Heron's homestead, Longbeach, of that gentleman's plant, live stock and implements will take place on Thursday at noon. At this sale Mr Heron's excellent little farm of fifty acres will be offered on reasonable terms to an eligible buyer—but the whole is »for absolute sale. The sale is absolute, because Mr Heron has taken, up a farm near Temuka, for which district he will leave shortly. Messrs Friedlander Bros, are the auctioneers. The Committee appointed in connection with the unemployed in Christchurch have decided to take some practical steps. It has been agreed to ask his Worship the Mayor to open a list for subscriptions to afford work in the Domain, on the banks of the river, and in the directioa of improving and beautifying the city generally, to the aged poor. There are now on the lists some foity unemployed of the age of sixty and upwards, and it is to meet their case tint the re solution has been proposed. The police had a more than usually laige gang of prisoners to escort from the Lyttelton Railway Station to the Gaol on the arrival of the 4 p.m. train on Monday, and several constables were engaged in the task. The men were as usual handcuffed together in pairs, and when just past the British Hotel two of them started to fight. They managed to exchange a few blows with the hands that were free, but were speedily seized by Sergeant Rutledse and Constable Fitzgerald, and marched off to their desti nation. The " Scientific American " treats of the effect of the Maxim gun in action, and its conclusions make one's flesh creep The gun, says our scientific contemporary, was well tested in the M&tabeleand campaign. In the skirmish of October 25 the Maxim gun effectually checked the native?. Al though the natives were armed with Martini- Henry and Winchester rifles, they were powerless before the terrible fire of the Maxim gun, which mowed them down like wheat before a scythe. In the morning the sight was terrible, bodies being literally torn to pieces by the shot. Each time the natives approached they were quickly re pulsed with the aid of the machine-gun. The Armstrong 7-pounder has also rendered efficient service in the campaign. Oa one occasion a shell dropped harmlessly upon the ground, when the negroes immediately began firing upon it. The shell then ex ploded killing several. The revelations recently made by a young American newspaper wo,m im have created a great scandal in London. It seems that someone made the statement to her that among the things money will not buy in England are "birth and position." " You have an aristocracy of money in America," said the Briton; " here we have one of blood, where pounds, shillings, and pence are not taken into consideration." There upon Miss Banks, the American journalist in question, longed for facts with which to confront" him, and, "having faith in ad vertising as a means of getting anything that one is willing to pay for, I wrote out an advertisement, which next day appeared in the personal columns of a prominent London paper." Thus it ran :—" A young American lady of means wishes to meet with a chaperon of highest social position, who will introduce her into the best English society. Liberal terms. Address, •Heiress, I——." Two days later Miss Banks had eighty-seven offers from every fashionable neighborhood in London. The thoughtlessness of the writers in signing their full names and titles to their epistle was surprising. However, nearly every letter was marked at the top "Confidential," "Private," or "Personal,' and it seemed to be an understood thing that the affair should go no further. The copies of the letters were published, and created a social earthquake. Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—As winter advances and the weather becomes more inclement and trying the earliest evidences of ill-health must be immediately checked and removed, or a slight illness will result in a serious malady. Relaxed and sore throit, quinsey, influenza, chronic cough, bronchitis,'and most other pulmonary affections will be relieved by rubbing this cooling ointment into the skin as nearly as practicable to the seat of mischief. The treatment, simple yet effective is admirably adapted for the removal of those diseases during infancy and youth. Old asthmatic invalids will der've marvellous relief from the use of Holloway's remedies, which have wonderfully relieved many such sufferers, and re-establish health after every other means had signally failed.

IMPERIAL POLITICS

Lohdoh. May 7. The Right Hon A. J. Balfour, ad dressing a meeting of Unionist women, said that crime in Ireland was an or ganised ifleans of political warfare. He protested agajin§t the Premier med dling in elections and dictating to the House of Commons. An Imperial Federation Defence Oommi^tes has been formed. Jts mem bers includ© Admiral Colomfy I^ord Reay, and Messrs Foster, L^nghan, aid the Hon P. 0. Morgan. The Com mittee will impress upon the Govern ment the advisableness of inviting the pojo.niss to combine with Great Britain and coutrijQijtje p}i a$ equitable basis to maritime defence in jbl)e gommpi|t interests of the Empire, each receiving a proportionate share in the control. Sir W. V. Harcourt has assured the Perfey electors that the report of his intended i?efcir&m§#t j ? entirely with out foundation.

CORRESPONDENCE

We do not hold oureeives responsible tor the opinions expressed by our correspondents.!

THE RANGITATA LICENSING ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOK- Sir.—ln my letter which appeared in your isbuo of Thursday Jast I published copies of letters from the Chairman of the Connty Council, and the originals of these copies I am ready and willing to produce and show to any elector or ratepayer of the county. In that communication I established these points—(a). That the Council had my schedule of estimated expenses before it at its meeting in February, applied to the Government for £350 to carry oat the election, and had not taken objection to a single item on the schedule, (b.) That ! the Council had expressly directed the polling booths to be used ; the person? to be employed in each booth j and the rates of pay, to which 1 strictly adhered, (c.) That the Council refused to accept the responsibility of certain acts which it un successfully endeavoured to get the Re turning Officer to do. (d.) That the £1 10d per day allowed by the Chairman to Deputies was Is 6d per day higher than the Government rate of pay. (c.) That I had only allowed more than one day's pay for distances over thirty miles, and that the Council desires to " sweat" these men by trying to get me to allow them only one day's pay for twenfcy-two to thirty hours work. The reply the Chair man oi the Council makes to his Council is that a good many of my assertions were not in accordance with the facts. I beg to inform that gentleman that ** assertions " form no part of my statements. I deal with facts only ; and, with the exception of a printer's mistake in making ** twenty five " in my letter appear as " twenty," I challenge the Chairman of the County Council to show wherein the facts I hive stated are untrustworthy. If he cannot, then the public can iadge the respective worths of my facts and the Chairman's assertion. The Chairman causes my personal ac count to be published, and as usual, ad vances no fact, but asserts that he thinks it will serve as a satisfactory answer to my letter, and will be instructive to rate payers. I state as a fact that it forms no reply whatever to my letter, as a whole, nor yet to any fact set forth therein ; but that it is highly instructive to the rate payers and the electors of the county, I proceed with a hearty good will to ahow. Section 10 ot *'The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," shows that the costs of these elections are paid by local bodies In proportion to the amount of I publicans' license fees received ; and this 'talk of the Chairman about ratepayers and ratepayers' money is simply literary rubbish. The Chairman publishes my account-in chief with two schedules marked respectively A and B. But, tell it not- in Gath, publish it not in Ashbur ton, the Chairman keeps back my letter to him which accompanied my account. In that letter it was pointed oat that the charges on schedule B, for attending meetings at the County Council Office, h%d been incurred by the Chairman, but that the meetings were unnecessary, I think I knew how to conduct an election t.nder the electoral law, at least as well as well as the C< unty Council or its Chair man, and if unnecessary interviews were arranged by the Chairman, thare asrain the public money has been squandered by the Council, not by mo. My account for con ducbing the election is exactly £28, which is per booth less than in the case of the As-hburton election, although the dis tances to be travelled in Kangitata are much longer than in Ashburton. This being so, wiil the Chairman inform the public why he publishes the more reason able of the accounts of the two Returning Officers for the information of the rate payers, who, I repeat, do not pay the costs of the elections. Coming to my account, the ten guineas fee fur conducting the election has been piid to every Returning Officer in the colony, and those who know the work and the responsibility will reviily agree that the fee is a monstrously email one. The fee of one guinea per day has been fixed for many years before f came to New Z i&land. Schedule Aof my account will show that for the ten days spent in visit ing the polling booths, I travelled on an average 36 or 3? miles per day, for which I could have charged 18s, yet I only 1 chatge 12-! 6d; or take the distances travelled in the aggregate, I could at the u^ual rate have easily charged £9 odd, yet I on'y charge £6 ss. Yet the Chair man's philosophy consists in part of re peated assertions that I am charging unreasonably, when I voluntarily m-ike the Council a present of 5s 61 per day, or close on £3 in the aggregate. Would the Chairman have done this ? Now what will the public and the Chairman's dear '•ratepayers" think when I tell them that none other than the Chairman of the Ashburton County Council authorised, and directed the Returning Officer to visit personally each polling booth and see that; everything was right, as this letter will in my ca*e show. (Copy.) Hinds, February 6,1894. The Clerk, Ashburton County Council. Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated sfh Inst. In reply I shall at once proceed to visit the polling booths as arranged, and take all necessary steps for holding the licensing election in this district on March 21. I am, sir, your obedient servant, John MoKbague, Returning Officer, Cornered again, Mr Chairman. Ihere is a well-known legal maxim that when one has no case, the best course is to abuse the other side. The Chairman informed his Council that at Government elections all payments had to be vouched for. It is not worth while following the Chairman through all his proceedings and statements, but I may tell the generai public the course pursued ivi regard to payments at general elections. Funda are sent about ten days previous to the election to the local postmaster, and treasury vouchers to the Returning Officers. When each deputy or poll clerk has finished his work he is handed a treasury voucher signed by the Returning Officer, and on presenting the voucher to the postmaster he is paid in cash; and the Government do not see the vouchers, until they are sent to Wellington through the post office. I have supplied the County Council with a schedule which shows in the case of eaoh single account in five columns. (1) the number of tha account; (2) the person to whom amount is due ; (3) his address ; (4) amount due ; (5) service performed, and the whole schedule is certified by me to be oorreet. I think he would be a poor man who would place any obstacle in the Council's way in this connection, or withhold any necessary and usual information. I certainly have done nothing of the sort. I must again refer for a moment to the councillor named Harper, who T, on last Thursday, referred to as the apostle of public ecpnomy had charged me f a'Cji tor the use of a sm^U Roa4 B.oard office for one day, as a polling booth. This man, as a councillor, informed the Council on Friday that the Chairman had laid down a scale of fees to be followed, and in nearly every case the amounts had been doubled. Harper, the councillor, »fc liresent must here surely be referring to the Ashburton election fees already paid., as I did not exceed the fees, authorised by the Council, and I can at any instant turn up the Council's authority for s.uch fees as I allowed. Would the county councillors obljgg by reading Ipngsley'a "Cheajp clothes and nasty."—j am, etc., Joaj? MoKbaour, Returning Officer.

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Ashbur ton Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), ani Councillor* Richard Bird, W. H, Collins, Joseph Scaly, H. M. Jones, E. J. Paul, William Anderson and B. M. Cuthbertson. FJNANCK. The Mayor reported the debitbalaroe at the bank to be £1274 6* Id. The reoeipts from all sources since lasc meeting were: —Rates, 1893, £12 16a j 1894, £33 Si; rents reserves, £7 8s ; licenses—Excise, £5 ; carriage £1; carriers £1; drivers 53 ; petroleum, £1; hawkers, 6s ; doga £2 ; borough seal, £1 Is; inspector weights a nd measures, 4a Bd. THE VACANCY. Mr Fooks, as returning officer, notified the unopposed election of Mr Paul,, in place of Mr Stephens, who had rebigned. His worship the Mayor welcomed Councillor Paul back to his old place ac the council table. RAILWAY RESERVES. The Railway Commissioners wrote agreeing to hand over to the Council the control of the railway reserves in Eaßt street, the conditions being that the commissioners have power to take them back at any time. Cr Bird thought, in taking over the reserves, the Council were taking on themselves unnecessary work and ex pense. He had not been present when it was decided to make the request to the Commissioners. He moved that the offer be not accepted. Cr Anderson seconded the motion. He thought there would be a waste of money. The Mayor explained that the affair had emanated from the visit of the Com missioners to Ashburcon. He said that the Commissioners would never look after the reserves properly. The Council would look after the trees at a nominal cost, and the town would be improved Cr Cuthbertaon suggested the taking over of the reserves as far only as Kermode street. Or Scaly supported the Mayor's re marks, The raonoy involved would be trifle, and the few pounds required—(Cr Collins—lt would cost £10)— to prune the tree* would ornament the town, and be well spent. Cr Bird pointed out that it was not the result of a request from the Council, but merely the result of a private inter view with the Commissioners. Cr Scaly moved, and Cr Jones seconded, that the proposal be accepted. Cr Collins said that the commissioner? had so far kept the plantations in good order, and it would be a waste of money. Cr Paul thought the proposal would be a gool one if th<* reserves were vested in the Council. With Cr Collins he was^not sure that the audit department would pass an amount spent on railway property. Pending information on this point the matter was allowed to stand over. engineers' report. The engineers' report was read as fol lows :—Labor Gang—The men have been engaged during the past two weeks in re forming S.W. end of William street, Kermoie street, and Dobson street, and carting soil to sections, cleaning up along water races ar. MrD. Williamson's, repair ing the decking of the traffic bridge, and clearing grass off the approach, cleaning out water race in the Domain, grubbing gorse on the S E. Belt, forming and dress ing footpaths, stacking clover hay, repair ing culverts, cloaning side channel in West street, watering streets, attending to the water supply, clearing rubbish of] streets, and other maintenance work. IHE I'IKE BRIGADE. The name of W. Leggett was approved of aa a member of the fire brigade. Cr Cufrhbertson moved the adoption oi the clause of the Works Committee's re port of last meeting, which recommended the erection of a brick building as a fire brigade shed. He urged the necessity oi the work, and of doing it properly whili they were at it, and of erecting a substan tial building. Cr Jones seconded the motion pn forma. Cr Collins thought that before th< money wns expended there were manj things to be considered. One was tfo question of site. He thought the presen site was altogether unsuitable. For t>m thing, with the clock &s an alarm bell th< distance would be too great. It was als< too far from the water. He thought .i site adjacent to the Council building would be far better in many ways. Thi suggested expenditure with the presen overdraft in view was an unwise procedure tf the present accommodation were bad he thought it could be borne with a litth longer till tha money could be spared Hi moved as an amendment that the matte be allowed to stand over until the sprini for consideration of the matter of site, th« members to inspect suggested sites—(C; Cuthberteon —I wish they would)—in th< meantime. Or Anderson supported the motion The work was required, and the site i central one. Or Paul also f »vored the present site It was very central, considering that thi whole business of the town was tending that way; and apparently likely to. Hi knew of m other fire engine that was sc badly housed, and where the brigade was more efficient. He regretted its effect or the overdraft, but the work was neces sary. Cr Bird seconded the amendment, though he expected to get a rap over the knuckles over it. He had agreed to sup port the placing of a sum on the esti mates tor the purpose, but the amount suggested was double tint which he in tended to support. He did not kno w but that Cr Collins' suggestion re site was worth thinking over. > nother reason for delay was that the brick shed would be of little use until the winter was over. Or Scaly supported the amendment. Or Jones said he was not satisfied that the present site was the best one, and he thought that should ba ascertained before the work was done. The Mayor spoke to the same effect. Cr Cuthbertson said they were not: going to build a fire brigade station as Or Collins apparently fancied. He thought from what Cr Collins had said that he had never been insidj the building. It would cost £500 to change the site. He had been agitating this ma fter for eighteen months, and was constantly put off as was proposed in the amendment. He was surprised that such large property holders as were present were not willing fa do more for a fire brigade, With regard to the over draft they were nofc throwing their money into the sea. In a brick building they would have a valuable asset. Or Collins explained that his objection was n,t one of expense, but of site. He thought the Council would regret their action if they kept to the proposed site. The amendment was then put and carried, the Mayor, and Ore Collins, Bird, and SJealy voting for it, and Ora Jones, Quthhertscm. Paul, and Anderson against, the amendment being carried by tj>e casting vote of the Mayjtr. On Or OolHks' motion it was decided that the site of the proposed building be considered by a conference of the brigade and the Council. THOSE GATES. Cr Jones asked if the Mayor had seen the county engineer about the gates at the footway of the traffic bridge. The Mayor replied that he had not yet had an interview with the county engineer but would see him shortly. THE TOWN CLOCK. Mr Murray wrote, stating that the clock oould be utilised at a cost of about £10 as a fire alarm without injuring the dock*

Cr Cuthbertson moved that the clock be bo utilised, and that plans be drawn up. Cr Collinß seconded the motion. A matter of £10 to secure a good fire alarm was money well spent. The motion was carried. THE RATE ROLL. It was decided to call a special meeting, in accordance with the Act, for Monday next, to sign the rate roll. i COUNCIL SUPPLIES. The clerk drew the attention of the Council to the question raised in the local newspaper with regard to the sale of | goods to the Council by members of that body. The Mayor stated that it was a ques tion for individual councillors whether, in the face of the Act, they supplied goods to the Council. He intended to obtain a solicitor's opinion for his own guidance, THE WAKAHUI CREEK, The county solicitor wrote with refer ence to the proposed taking over of the Wakanui creek by the County Council, asking the Council to ratify their tgree menb with the County Council as to the annual expense under the new arrange ment, also to contribute £25 towards the expense of tbe alteration. THE COMMITTEES. Cr Paul was elected to fill Cr Stephens' place on the various committees. x LIGHTING. Cr Jones urged that the lamps which were to be erected be put up at once. One at the Alford Forest road was especi ally necessary. The Engineer was in structed to interview the Gas Company in the matter. LICENSES. A petroleum license was granted to Messrs Fletcher Bros; a carriage, car rier's, and driver's license to Mr T. Tatty; and a fish hawker's license to Mr W. I Mariden. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £67 were passed for payment, and the Council ad* journed.

DOMAIN BOARD.

A meeting of the Domain Board wu then held. Permission was granted to the Ash burton Football Club to have a close day on May 24, the approval of the Athletio Association having been obtained. Mr Newman's tender for the clover , straw was accepted. | The Domain committee recommended the payment of £30 Co Mr Fooks ac remuneration for his services in the Domain since 1889, and that he in future be allowed £10 par annum as clerk and general supervisor of the' Domain. The Domain work had never been included in Mr Fooks 1 schedule of duties, and the matter had been overlooked in the pact. Mr Cuthbertson moved as an amend ment to the adoption of the report that the £30 be altered to £50. Mr Jones seconded the amendment. Mr Collins said the amount of remuner ation was small. To Mr Fooks' engineer* ing skill and taste the ratepayers owed tho present state of the Domain. t&r Scaly testified to the assiduity with which Mr Fooks hid attended to the Domain. The amendment was carried unani mously. The committee also recommended the concluding of the present engagement with the caretaker, and that applications be called for to fill the vacancy; also recommending the Council to find work for the caretaker in some other depart ment. The recommendation was agreed to. Mr Scaly said he wished to contradict an impression which had gob abroad that the clover seed crop in the Domain was a failure. As a matter of fact there was qui*e 6c*t of seed, and there would be half as much again, making in all about 9c wt. The Board then adjourned.

Hampstead Town Board.

The monthly meeting of the Hamp* stead Town Board was held last evening. Present — Messrs Crooks (chairman), Rickman, Andrews, and Macpheraon. COBRBSPONDENC* From the Wakanui Road Board, enquiring if this Board will defray one trird of the cost of repairing Wakanui Road from Milton Road to Trevor's Road. It w&t resolved to pay the third part of the cost and request the Wakanni Board to keep the expenditure within as moderate limits as possible. From the Aahburton County Council, enquiring what anjount this Board re ceived annually from conditional licenses. —The clerk had supplied the information. From the tame, advising this Board that £4 was available on its account for expenditure in poisoned grain.—(t was left to the Chairman to make enquiries as to prices etc., from the several vendow before purchasing. From the Rev Father O'Donnell, re questing permission ok behalf of the Lad j Superior, to transport the convent. Granted, subject to any damage to roads or footpaths being made good. PKTIWOKt.' In reference to the petition received at last meeting to have Eton street opened to a width of one chain, the the chairman reported that an examina tion of the deposited plan showed that the street was only half a chain wide as already opened. Works. Mr Andrews reported that as autho rised the foot path by the manse had been widened, and the channel on Beach road cleaned out. The ford at the end of Trevor's road had also been repaired. The chairman stated that the sub-corn' mittee, of which he was one, had accepted the tender of Robert; Bennett for forming i footpath on Budge road at 5s lOd per chain, and improving cutting on reserve 1261, £2 2s. It was decided that the channels, wherever necessary, be ploughed and cleaned out with spade and shovel, and the soil utilised for filling hollows as far * as possible; any surplus to ha pot in heaps and carted away. KBSEKVJiS. It was decided to give Mr R. Meaclftm one week's notice to take up the lease of reserve 1415, and failing his compliance the reserve to be let to 'the next highest; tenderer ; also to give Mr Wra. Meaclem notice that unless the arrears cf rent on lot 15 gravel reserve be at once paid the Board will resume possession. BATES The clerk was directed to instruct the collector to sue at once for all unpaid ratefi. DOGS, I* was resolved that all owners of un registered do?s be prosecuted after the expiration of the present weak—the ranger to look them up in the meantime. WATER SUPPLY. The clerk reported that, before applying to owners on the back sections for contri butions, he had enquired of the County Engineer if the estimate was intended to cover an extension to their properties, and the Engineer had informed him that it would.now be necessary for the persons interested to furnish a plan and make * fresh application to the County Council, Mr Andrews undertook to prepare a sketch plan, obtain the signatures, and put the matter in train for the next meet ing of the Council. GOBSK. The day man was instructed to at once oommence cutting and grubbing where owners have neglected to do so. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1610s 6d were passed and the Board adjourned. BOARD OP HEAITH. The Inspector reported the sanitary condition of the district to be cood. f

TBB ASHBUKTUJ* flUAflDlAfl ; CTfISBA?, MAY 8, 18S4.



Business Notices. i " GttBISTCHUECH TO THE FKONtT Look! What Is This? WHY Groceries Lower Than Ever, mmmmimla , a Q^ mil ill /"\UR, MR A H FLETCHER, having bought large lines at a Law Rate will offer to the Public of ABhburton and surrounding district these Goods net Bankrupt Stock but Fresh Goods—direct from the Manufacturer. Peruse the following Price List:— Fine Sago 2d per lb—7lb Is Fine Tapioca 2d per lb — 71b for Is Best Japan Rice 2£d per lb- 51b for Is Split Peas 2d per lb—7lb for Is New Kaisins 5d per lb—l2lb for 4s lid New Currants, (best cleaned) 4d per lb—l2lb for 3a lid New Sultanas 6d per lb—l2lb for 4s lid Fine Crystal Sugar 2|d per lb Fine Salt 5a 4d per cwt bag Bryant's Safety Matches, 7£d per dozen Cream of Tartar (pure) li 2d, per lb Best Mixed Peel 9d per lb Whitning Id yer lb—l2lb lid Pearl Barley 2jd per lb—Bibs for la New Dates 84d per lb—2lb for Is Valencia Raisins 5d lb—l2s for 4s lid Plaid Vestas 4|d per doz -12 packets, 4s 4d Baking Powder 9J per lb Electric Caudles 6|d per lb—l2lb, fia 5d Washing Soda l£d per lb— 121b for Is4d Vinegar 6d per bottle, Is 9d per gallon Best Kerosene, 160 test 6s per tin, 128 per case , Finest Coffee, ground on the premises Is 4d, Is 6s; the best Is 8d per lb. REMEMBER PATRONISE THE ONE WHO BKOUGaT DOWN THE PRICES. fletoheb""bros., CASH SUPPLY STOKES, j EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Special Prices for this Month AT G* J. Neill and Co/s THE CHEAPEST HODSE IN ASHBURTON FOR r>KA.3b»JE3R,Y, CLOTHING, AND BOOTH. Lone Lace Curtains Is 9d pair Double Width Dress Goods^d retonne 3id Dress Good* 3s lid doz 01 ble-bed'White Twill Sheeting |d J^arge Turkish Towels B|d # Grey Calico 2a 3d doz. Women's Ribbed Hose bi pair Ootton Shirting, very strong 3|d Doable-bed Quilts 3s lid each Strong Ticking S|d Heav ForfarSid CLOTHING. CTLOXiIIBiG. Boys' Tffeed Suits 3s lid Man's Shirts at any price # Men's Tweed Trousers 10* 61 now 63 lid Men'a Merino socks only bd pair Men's Colonial Tweed Suits only 19d 6d Msn'a Ties at half price. Men s New Zealand Tweed Suits 33i6d Men's C>lonial-knit Woollen Socka onl how 29* 6d 9£d pair BOOTS. BOOT* In B:iote we defy o.j-npaucion, all our \l > jts are mtde specially to our order. We guarantee every p«f i>o give satisfaction- Women's Elasbio'side Boats 8; 6J, now IVfon's BalmoMl Boots 10a 6d, now 7s lid 03 lid Men's Bluchera 5* Women h ICid Shoas 7^ lid, now §4 lid Man's Nailed Shooters 103 6d, now s lid Women'fl Loachar SShoea li 01, now 5* lid Woman's C^rpat Siipp^ra Is 6d Ohlidren'a Patent Leather Shoos and SHppara ia Endless Variety at G. J. NEILL AND GO'S, FRIEDLANDEIE'S CORNER TERMS CASH V THE BUST HOUSE IN / v\ TOWN' / ■r* \ for / x>. \ ' <V\ / $ / \ V/ \ / 3 / \ rP \ X & / \ *r\ / / / • g \ o x .\ X > £ \X ,f / M Pi / /\ «" « P / / / \. \ 9 /4 / \\ \ /& / \ \ C> / LINOLEUMS, \ J / FLOOR CLOTHS, \ / KTC, ETC. \^ Nmw ffwaLANDi "DC^WNG for removal for Sale KW g LA JJ Apply to T. BULLOCK. riolli*ii«r F«ct«ry : JKALTH rKiL «, DeU^, atJor.T*T AW/iTTWrnrMirVT •"» " Wholesome," Refreshing" Al SPECIAL ANiNOUfcOEMim. : Grocers. Wholesale r'4NDER's. WE WISH to draw your attention to, --— ~ " " the Specially LOW PRICKS of; TIN W ALP. OW High-class Gooda. , _-_„„ „.,„ - o  , 5 j OOR SALE—Three Sectiona, wel Men'tf All Wool Tweed Suits, our own Vp situated, Corner of Jane and m»ke 28a 9d McMardo straets, numbered 50, 51 and Men's All' Wool Tweed Tronsers, our own 52. Easy terms of payment. make, 9.4 6d T> BULLOCK Men's All Wool Tweed Overcoats, our , „___ . «-*»•_« s _ Salek Boots. Boots. Boots. wraHUlluiawmtt TRY US FOR A PAIR. —- THK LEADInTboU.E FOR FOR PIIETTY ™* UM<^UE GENTLEMEN'S MEEOERY. ™ING PRESENTS ' , , v  w I BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, We keep all the leading lines. .New , Shapes in Hard liats_ The latest in Soft d PRESENTATIONS, •nd Frame Hats. Lays' Caps from bi "" DON'T PASUHIS BY. i**»>™>» " «»*- "£ "» FINEST AND LAKGEST STOCK in the Mend Trousers to measure from 14s 6d- Colonial Tweed. District, at the WATERPROOF GOODS. JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT Men's, Youths', and Ladies' w The WMBber we have sjld this season ia Q OAI rl/ % gu>»s«tee that we keep the genuine O» SAL tIV x 'l'he I(BI?MAfi.K " Sewing Machine ia SPECTACLES to suit all sights. ttl# to be*had«fc<tb9 New Zaaland CJoth- . ng Factory. The CUeayeht and Bast Sight Testing a Speenlty. Mteliin* i» the Would." On time p»y- ,_.____ AXrT . ~ . , iu«i»u-2b 6d per week. WATCH AND CLOCK: repairs at HALLENS TEIN BEOS. I OWEST Christehurch prices] ALEX. HBNDR&, i ~ Maaapr. 1 SATJIBFAOIION GUARANXJSBi^



Wanted "VT7 ASHING taken in and easy home VV work done. Apply at Mail Office for address. 5 70 TDOX.ED Stationary, plain and fancy ; -*-* Account and Letter Books, Clips, Files, Letter Balances and office re quisites—H. M. Jones OIANOS, Organs, and Cycles; best j ■■- value obtainable for cash or terms. H, M JoNEe. i 1 / ANTED all loveis of fife flowers to call and see James Porter's Prize Chrysanthemums at Clifton Nur sery. 5 67 WANTED Known—Stephens Bros. ask that all their Accounts be paid at the shop to Mr R. J. Shearman. AH accounts not paid by the 10 h wil bo placed in the hands of a collector. —H. H. Stephens for Stephens Bros. 5*25 WANTED, to sell out my Stock of Brown .Leghorn and Minorca Fowls from firet prize birds.—William Rowan, near Woollen Factory. 5 55 Clocks, etc., (all guaran ' ■ teed) at wholesale cost for one month only. Now's your time.—Lums den's. 3 219 / Oats, oa per sack. Al \..J kinds of Farm and Mill Produce cheap for cash.—J. Thomas, Havelock street. ____ WANTED Known. — Men's Tweed Suite 153 Bd, Men's Tweed Trousers 7s lid, Mens' Strong Flannellette Shirts 2s 6d, Mens' and Boys' Boots and Shoes greatly reduced.—Arcade House. 465 W" ANTED " Known - The Cheapest House in town for First-class Millinery and Drapery is H. C. Segers. Melford House. MRS ALGORN has on sale for he Holidays a varied assortment of Toys, Dolls, Prams, Fancy Goods, and Christmas Presents—Saundera Buildings. WANTED Known. — Embroideries from Id a yard, Corsets 3s lid,, ladies' Ulsters from4s lid, Ladies' Gloves four pair for Is, Kid Gloves four bo.M'ons Is 6d.~ Arcade Houbq. 63 Fyou want first-class fruit go to Adams for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, etc WANTED Known — Men's strong Tweed Suits from 16s 6d; shirts from 2s 6d.—Arcade House. 4 24 fjTTANTED Known—Before haying VV your Hats come and see our Stock. Greatest variety to choose from Jn Aahbnrton. All marked very Cheap. — H. C. Seoers, Melford House.' SALE now on—White Calico 23 lid per dozen, Toweli 2s 6d per dozen, Lace, Curtains, from Is lid per pair, at Arcade Houae. 4 27 BOYS' three garment long trouser Suits for 10a. Men's Colonial male nailed Shooter Boots at 7s 6d per pair at R. Alcokn's sale, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. 1115 W" ANTED Known—Tomatoes, good ripe Grapes, Plums, Apples, etc., at Marsden's Fruit Shop, below Mitchell and Turner's^ 2 109 "TTISIT the Sale. Trimmed Millinery ' going at any price Ladies' Under dothing reduced to 20 per cent, below cost.-—Arcade House. 4 64 71/"A_Trj_D Known—For Stylish and VV Fashionable Jackets, marked Cheap, go to H. C. Segers, Melford House. DOLLAR CIGARETTES—3d per packei "TTy ANTED Known—The Corner Ii W showing a magnificent New gtool of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H. Collier. WANTED Known. — For Millinery, Mantles, Jackets. Ulsten», anc Macintoshes, Ladies' and Children's underclothing, try Mitchell & Tubnek. WAN ED Known — Ladies art invited to inspect the Nov«lties ir our Dress Department and Show Koom without being pressed to buy.—Mitchelt AND TURNER. ITTTANTED Known —All goods in Show * » Room to be slaughtered at any price.—Arcade Pouse. 4 28 WANTED Known — Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the optical me at S. Salek's, Optician WANTED Known—The whole of the stock to be pacrificed by oider of the Purchaser, Arcade House, 4 2*l ANTEDHknown-L W Pants 3s lid, Flannel Shirts 3s 9d, Worsted Socks 3d per pair.—Arcade House 425 OYSTERS and Fresh Fish of all sorts arrive evening per express at Deep Sea Fishing Oo.'s Shop, Burnett street Ashburton 2 62 TEN Crates—New goods from the manufacturers in R. Alcorn's sale- Tea sets for six persons, 9d 6d ; 40 piece Tea Sets frcm 15s ; Bedroom Sets from Bs. Large coloured band and gilt, very handsome, 19s 6d. Ornaments, Folding Screens, * > Own make in Ladies' and Children's Underclothing. Aprons, and Pinafores.— Mrs ALConN,"Saunders' Buildings. OTICEt Kofcice! Sport for all. Guns let out on hire or sold on fcima payments. Hiving a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair* Guns of any description. Gun fittings in stock. Prices low.—J. W Hardley, Ironmonger, eto. WANTED Known—Special line of Gents' Regatta Shirts, all sizes, with or without collars, 2* 6d.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known.—Cheefe&s, Hop sacks, Diagonals, Fast Dye Swrges, TVtte&t m& Fancy Dresses, &c , with Trimmings to .match at Mitchell and Turner's. WANTED Known--To" >«iak^ **.oom for Spring Boots I will give tm per cent for cash. . Repairs dene at once cheaper than evei to stay bad times over at J. Motsois'tf, Premier Bootmaker. aUNS ! Guns { Guns ! My new stock of Guns just to hand direct from the manufacturers. Double and Single Barrel Breech Leaders, Rifles, etc. In spection invited. No old stock to select from afc J. W. Hardley's Sporting Repository. BANG ! Bang i Bbu s \ My new sei son'a stock of Ammunition to hand Eley's, Kyclock's and, Cluo Cartridges, Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, Cases and all sporting materials of the first quality at J. W. Haroxey's, Gun Emporium. H FASTER Cards, and Booklets, Fire / Screens Pictures. Glass Ornaments, Christmas Catds, Hrick6t and Lawn Tennis Material, Photo Albums, and Frames, and hundreds of other articles are to be sold at a great sacrifice for Cash during this month only at L, 1^ Auurewes & Co. Stationers' HalJ,



JjIRED. S. JEOTBIES, Manufactur- \ X. ing Confectioner, has opened a Shop in East street, next " The Corner,' for Bale of all kinds o£ superior Con« fectionery. Nothing inferior acid. No cheap cigarettes. §114 W" HAT is most essential to a tea drinker's happiness \ Why, Health Tea, and don't you forget it, Henry 1 Zander, Wholesale Agen* IV O more indigestion ; no mure nervoua -^ ness from indulging in too much oa drinKing, for those who drink *' Health Tea." One trial will convince you.— Henry Zander, Authorised Agent.



Impubities is thb »w#-»We have seen hosts of letters from peop'p who b.aye re ceived great benefit from the use of CJarjje's Bood Mixture. It cannot be too highly estimated, for it cleanses and clears the blood from all impurities. This is a good testimankl from the "Family Doctor "which gees on further to say; "It is the finest blood purifier that science and skill have brought to light, and we can with the utmostffongdpncg recommend it to our subscribers aod tjjjje public generally." For Scrofula, Scurvy, Kczema, Bad Legs, Skin and Blood diseases, Sores and Pimples of all kinds its effects are marvellous. Thousands of testimonials. Clarke's Blood Mixture is sold everywhere, at 2s 9d per bottle. Beware of worthless Imitations aud (substitutes. i)



DOLLAR CIOARETTES-Fioest Ame"ri an Tobacco,— Henry Zander, Wholesale Agoat