The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1896. THE ELECTORAL ROLL.

W$ l|ave jusj;. obtained a copy of the Electoral Act .Amendment Act passed during last session ojt parliament, and as it effects some very important alterations of the previously existing law, it will be of interest to our readers to have these explained. First and foremost to Jthe " one-man-one- vote " principle has been added, the logical corollary of M on# qualification," the property vote being altogether abolished from and after , the lfth October instant. Th»fc is to say from and. after that date, »o person can register pp. other than a r<sg?4e»tfol though those whoso names had besp enrolled prior to that date m. respect of a property qualification will not suffer, a? their inaines will be retained. Thanhs to that active little member, the repre senta/iiye of Palmerston North— Mr Piiani— very proper provision has been made (Sections 4, 8, and 6^, for in forming (claimants after the prjnting of the genera), folj tljiat their names have been enrolled, for notifying transfers from one roll (to another, and the Striking off of tfce name of any elector. Pi ovision is also made for the altering of the name on the roll of any woman who marries after enrolment m her maiden name. It is further provided that any primary school may be ap pointed a polling-place, and m such case the Oommititejs mujat place it at the disposal of the Returning, Ofiicer from 4 p.m. of the day preceding the election^ll' 10 'pim^l the day of the election. Deputy Returning Officers are to have a vote as electors' of > the /districts ■on . the rolls whereof their names appear as electors, . and '* musterers " are to fee entitled to take out electors' rights m the same way as | shearers, but no right may be granted m any district after the j issue jo£ the writ. With a view to prevent the confuijon which has hitherto frequently occurred by the Returning Officer failing m precision m ticking off jbhe names of voters it is provided that a line wijist be drawn m ink or pencil through the number and name of each elector who records his or her Vote. And lastly it is further prpyided that the hours of closing the poll sb.ail m the newly constituted b.e same as m the old electorates, .when, m jthe ,opinion of the Governor, they contain .substantially the same geographical .areas^ Notice is to be given m the Gazette', and m all probability, under this clause, Ash burton vrtty be a six o'clock electorate as on the jla&t pc.ca^u-r-Kh.at js to say w,e anjti.cjipat.e tjjat jthe poll will cbs? at '♦•hat faouif, vhflp ; Qhrjstchiirch, Timatu, and Waita!: 1 will be ai»ong fche seven o'clock electorates. I fc remains only 1 0 remind those who are qualified to enrf 1 ' but have not yet enrolled their names., that they should $end m their claims without a moment's delay, as when the writs are issued it will be Iqo )ate,

Local and General.

Heading matter on firfet and fourth , pages. J The Burnham Band will play at the Show to-morrow. The Ashburton Prohibition League, m another column, advise electors not to pledge themselves. Very good advice too. , 7he Secretary of the A. and P. Associa-' cion notifies that exhibit numbers may be obtained at his office to-day from 9 a.m. to I 6 p.m. 1 he programme of the concert to be given on the Show night m the Oddfellows 9 Hall m aid of the funds of the Ashburiou Cricket Club is circulated with this isbiic. Attention must be drawn to Mr A. Lawrie'a new advertisemeutiu our columns, ia which he notifies that bis stock has been augmented by large shipments of new goods, direct from the English and French manu facturers. At the Magistrate's Court to-day before Mr Wray,;S. M., L. Rattray and H.Jack were each fined 10a and costs for allowing cattle to wander on the public roads. The only other business, the bankruptcy cases, is reported m another column. ■__ A Wellington telegram dated 28th instant •says Miss Laura Fisher, well-known "m 'mttfical ..cirques, throughout the colopy, c and eldest daughter of Mr George Fisher, Mayor of the city, was married to-day to Mr J. W. Mathieson, of the Auckland branch of the Bank of New Zealand. v> : The Otago Land- Board at its meeting on decided to give notice to some selectors of sections on the Marewhenua Estate, that unless there was satisfactory compliance wilh the residence condition be fore the 31st of December next, the Board would be obliged to cancel their leases. At the annual meeting of the Wontren'a Missionary Society of New Zealaud, held m Dunedin, it was resolved to change the name of the Society to the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, and secure recognition from the Synod of Otago. All the branches wrote .approving of the change, with the exception of Oamaru, where members of other denominations belonged to the Society, but as the other branohes concurred Oamaru ' "withdrew the objection. ; ,

The Timaru A. and P. Show closed yester day, the weather being showery. The attendance was not so good as m previous years. Mr Simmons gained mosß points m light horses, Mr H. Keen, the championship m draught stallions, .Mr John Small the championship m mares. Mr Lindsay's Hahau was the most successful m hunters. Cattle were poor, but there was excellent competition m agricultural aud. dairy pro duce.

Some extraordinary prices were realised at the Lincoln Ram Fair lately. One shearling from the flock of Mr John Pears, of Mere; which took seconoTprize at the Royal Show, was sold for 350 guineas ; and Mi M.illiog ton,, of Sempringham House, Billicgborougb, gave 200 guineas for another from the same flock. An animal bred by Mr Henry Dudd iag, of Riby Grove, also fetched 550 guineas. Several other rams fetched over 100 guineas apiece. ; . . A local p.aper reports that a peculiar, accident happened m I)dnevirke last week. A youngman' was splitting posts, when Mb axe, instead ;of; striking the log^ .went >be- ■ tween his legs and cut 9, deep gash m his back near his shoulders, The atiahap recalls one which occurred here some time ago. A man was bushfalling, when his axe o itching on a sapling was turned over his shoulder, and gashed his bock to a depth of some inches. - We are sorry to hear that the Ashburton Band will not this year play, on the Show ground, owing to the Committee of the A. and P. Association declining to pay. the usual sum. The") Band will play m the Domain on the afternoon of Friday, and a Subscription will be taken up m aid of the co3t of new uniforms, which are badly waned. Several new players haye joined the Band, and it is intended to go into active practice, with a view to competing at next year's Band contest at (Ximaru.

A concert was given' at Lauriston on Fri day laap. as advertised m this paper, which was perhaps the: most successful affair of the kind eyer hefyji there. A number of Aahbur ton amateurs brayed the pouring rajn and drpy.e un, and with the J^atudiantina Band, contributed largely |to the success of the gathering. Want of e,pace. prevents ijj from partisularfsfng the items rendered, but the proof that they yepe yf{A\ received was shown by the faot that the engores were yery numerous— the band, with the hard name, creating a very favorable impression. .A dance, which lasted till four o'clock,«con oluded the entertainment.

On Saturday 'afternoon, says the Afcy, Zealand Jiffies, one of the messengers, at the Govefitjment intent only on tho satisfactory performances of his duties to the V3ry Jetjter, wafked jtb,e rounds ,pf the build ings and fopked bh,e dpora of phe various offices. When fre came Jb/> tfte premier's room he turned the key and passed on — without, of course, being aware of the faot that the Premier was within. Presently, when Mr §eddon wanted to go home to his "dinner; he fo»nd tbg-t be wasJockecTin. He forthwith made the best of a ba<|. bargain, and resumed work, and kept at it < ill half past ten at night, when the door was un locked and he was released. • There lives m this district (says the Wyttdhfpip ffeyld) one jfcho has long pasaed the allotted span. This is Mrs Cieron, mother of Mrs McF&dden, Edeodale road, with whom she lives. The old lady cele brated her 104 th birthday anniversary on October J. Mrs preron has always been remarkably heali/hy, ppppf haying had any sickness more than a slight cold. She yet remains very erect m sta.tu're, and almost every chapel Sunday (mon^tyy) walks into, Wyndbauj, afrput £wO. mjleJ3, a year, her eyesight) has jaijed a Ijtfcle, bu£ before thab she used to knit this whole of the socks required for the family ; but she began then to drop her stitches, and so discontinued her knitting. Evidently Mrs Creron gQTtm'pf J* Jopg ; .Hyed pace, for' her mother lived to ninety-six and her grand mother to 105. Allowing Mr Qreron's mother to be twenty-five years of age when the former was born, and also allowing the grandmother to have reached the same age wheft M$ Creron'o mother was born f these three lives wopfrej^ Wj» $&$ "' '

Mr John McLachlan advertises that hel will address the electors of Ashburton at the Oddfellows' Hal), on Tuesday, November 3, at 8 p.m. Mr Maslin, one of the candidates for the Ashburton seat, addressed a well-attended meeting of electors at Dromore, on Wednes day evening. Mr Candy, Chairman of the school prosiding. The candidate was well received, and after dealing very fully with Liberal land legislation, and satisfactorily answering a number of questions, |was accorded a unanimous vote of thinks.

An unfortunate state of things was made apparent to (he County Council to-day by Mr Charles Spray, one of the new Higbbauk settlers. Mr Spray selected the section he was successful m obtaining at the ballot from the map issued by Government. This map Mr Spray read as showing a water race' m a particular locality, and he has built a .house on a site convenient to the supposed race. He now finds since the .races have been mado that his house is half a mile away from a race, and the C >uncil has no water to give him. It is a very hard case indeed, but the Council is not to blame, as the map which the Council supplied to Government, and from which the sale maps were litho graphed, showed the correct lines of all the races. ■. : . - ■•■..,;

CORRESPONDENCE.

(.Wo do not hold ourselves responsib'c for the opinions expressed by dnr correspondents

THE NEW RELIGION.

Sir,— " Truth's " letter, attempting to reply to mine, only shows how strong is my position. I capnot be » Christian, because I do not believe m the new religion, and because I dare objeofa to be continually subjected to doses of teetotalism from the pulpit I am a disturber of the peace, add a cynic. I have yet to learn from some quali fied authority that the Gospel that has be*a preached ever sinoe that never to be for gotten scene on " the green hill far away" —where innocent blood was offered for guilty man, and which scene was the" culmination of the Saviour's mission— lays down a law to abstain from the "wine which cheeieth God. and|man" (the words are those of God's prophet, not my words) on pain of having ones Christianity called ia question. If temperance ia a virtue, then I- am virtuous ; but to be personally temperate is not enough for Buper-righteoue people like "Truth." To please him one must be prepared to interfere with the freedom of the man whom the poet describes as "a freeman whom the truth makeß free." If the old pastors who kept the'sheep of the Lord since the Reformation were " no Christians " because they saw no sin m drinking the wine of the grape or the, spirit of the birley, where are they now? | Yet they preached Christianity and kept the ; faith-pure for us, their degenera c sons.— l am, etc.,

Judges ix-t-16.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,— l am well pleased to find that " Citizen " has found ouc one church m Ashburton where he can hear .the Gospel preached. True Christians are. not m the habit of using strong and opprobrious language such for instance as the words «• bullied," •• coward," etc. " Citizen " and his brother, " Judges ix — 13 " are certain]]! not regular attendants at the H ouse of Goer or they would know that the so-called new religion is only preached on special occasions/ which only occur twice a year, and consider ing the great amount of evil caused through drunkenness, temperance and prohibition ought to be preached once a month. "Ci izen" and his mite must know that sermons, lectures, and addresses on temper ance and prohibition always draw a big, crowd. That is sufficient to prove that there is something m prohibition after all. I shallow leave this subject m the hands of the ministers of Ashburton to take up. — I am, etc i '

Truth;

THE ASHBURTON BAND.

\ ' TO THE EDITOR. SiR.T-rln former years tho Ashb,urton I Agricultural and Pastoral Association have engaged the services of the Ashburton Brass Baud to play a(> theii; annt^al Show. This year they have departed from their übu*l custom, a pd decided to haye Dp band, or ; what is egutvalent \>o the same, insulting the ! band by offering them the paltry sum of £4 for playing, when m former years the band ! have had £8. how, Sir, the Band have lately had an influx of new members, and I are now m a position to give the public 1 better musio than they have had for some time past, and again, they have decided to join the Brass Bands' Association with the view of attending the next contest at Oamaru, for which funds would be urgently needed. New uniforms and a few instru ments wou'.d also have to -be acquired, to enable the Band to be m anything like decent contest trim* For the last twenty years they haye '"had a J?hcynix-like ex* perience. The members have'lndlviduaUy; m a monetary sense, protitted nothing by the Band, all earnings having gone into the : Band funds, be?idta the members having to .put their hands m their pockets to help to ! keep things moving. . Two years ago they bought new instruments to the value of £150 for which members had to pinch tKernaelyes, g,nd the bandmaster waived h : s fight to his yearly salary, which.cdnsfde^ing the time and patience that he has ! devoted to the Band, was' more than we expected of him. Now, Sir, the Bajid cannqt m justice to itself and ojbhers, play for the miserable pittance offered them, so they have decided to try and please the nub}-c as muoh as possible, and with this view play a papular programme offfene'e* Tflusig, exg., ' m the Domain on Show day, commencing at two o'clock sharp, This will be the commence; menb of a series of open air performances by the Band, and if the public and tradesmen will only support us, we hope by next summer to have a band worthy of Ash bur ton) and to 860 it at 00 very distant date heading the iieb r at 'the innuaj contests.- Thanking you m antlolpatjton for 'insertion of the above.-r-jt am, etc.,, " ! ' "' : :' "' '

EDUCATION BOARD

\ We extract £he following fpm the report of Wednesday 'a meeting ;-^ "■ - A deputation waited on the Board on behalf of the residents on the north bank of the S;lwyn, aiid supported th,d application for a new school. • '' It was decided tfc*|> ftfessrs Renme.and Adams ejiquld visit thg distriqt and report. A letter was received from the Department asking for a statement of any works m this district that seemed to have a claim on the two small special votes for school buildings. It was resolved to reply that the schools authorised for Hinds-Rangitata and Spiing aton were the result of special settlement m, those districts., and that a aohool would shortly be required for the large settlement recently formed at Highbank'. , It was decided' to call for tenders for a school at Hinda-Rangitata, and to prepare plans' for ,the one at Allenton. The average attendance at Rakaia Soulh having fallen below 171, and there being every probability that a sufficient attend ance to entitle the school to th'e services of its present st^fjf could not £c maintained, the cigsistant "mistrep 1 waf givenpermißsion ]bo apply for other appointments. ! The" attend ance at l^ismpre haying ''fallen to njne, the Commibtee were informed that the Board could not continue to maintain the school on its pr^ent footing, bub must reduce it to the position of an aided school. la this case also, the mjstregs was allowed, to apply for bt^er positions. : ; A letter from Messrs (Jilfillan and C 0.," offered to supply the Board's schools free of cost with boxes showing the manufacture ot cor d flour and stirch.

The letter was received with thanks, the firm to be advised to apply to the School Committeeu, > ''"A ]?feer was received from the New Zealand 'Education 1 Institute pointing out that m Borne schools still 1 used for dancing purposes in|4ry #aa done to the furni#P,ftp f d loss of trap and interference with Short vo* wU >ereby Mpanonsd. 10 was stated that the floort of a]l pew =oboolt w«rt being grided,

COMMERCIAL.

Sydney, October 28. From statistics co 1 oteit iv allptrts of the colony, the Davy Telegraf-h estimates the colony's wheat yield f om 784,683 »cres at 8,000,000 bushe f, &* compared with 596,684 a"res nnd 5,195,312 buohi-ls lasc year. The estimated yield this je*r is i early enough for the colony 'd own consurrp.ion.

ADDINGTON MARKET.

Oijristchurch, October 28. Thf re were small eu tries and attendance at the Addingtoo market 10-d.«y. Fat Cattlk -224 hca<i were yarded. Steers brousht £4 15* o £10, heifers £5 to £8, cows £4 15s to £7 17d 6 I. : ?> -Dairy C'attlk. — Dull sale. Priceß ranged, from £3 to £7 10s. I ' Stobb Cattle. —Nearly all business done I was transacted privately. # Fat £heep.— The entry was Bmall, and owing to the inactivity of buyers for export, (both factories being c'o3ed), valuea were left to butchers. Freezing sheep were only purchased by special buyers. Merinos, except at the commencement of the sale, showed a decline. Freezing wethers 11s to 13s 7d, best maiden ewes 10s to 11s 6d, best freezers (m the wool) 14s 6d to 17s, best ■merino wethers lls 6d to 15s, inferior 6s 6d to 03 6d, best shorn fat ewes 10a to 13s sd, .medium do. 8s 6d to 9a 6j. Fat Lambs. — A large entry. Lambs, beat lls to 13s lOd, medium 7s to 9) 6d. Store Sheep. —Fair entry, and good com petition for all forward sheep. Shorn hoggetts 7s to 9s 6d, Bhorn four and six.; tooth wethers 9s 6d to lls 3d, and .four tooths (m the wool), mixed sexes, up to 14a lid ; ewes* and lambs 16s. ' " ; Pigs. — Fair entry, and keen competition for 'baconers. Heavy baconers - 28s to 475, --lighter 28i to 455, porkers 20s to 28s, stores 9a to 318, chippers 40s to 51s ; porkers and baconers averaged 4£d per lb. , .

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

Mr David Thomas reports as follows upon the live stock market m the Aehburton county for the week ending October 28: — On Tuesday, at the Ashburton yards the usual weekly sale was held. There wasonly an average attendance of farmers and others interested, and amongst them several buyers of good sheep. Although the bidding was stack at first, towards the end of the sale a vast improvement was noted, especially m hoggets of good quality ; but inferior sorts were hard to quit. Crossbred ewes are still m demand, and for what were yarded very good values were obtained, especially those with forward lambs. The total yarded for the day consisted of 4515 sheep, ~S4 head of cattle, and 12 pigs, of which my entry com prised 1695 sheep, 27 head of cattle, and 6 pigs. I succeeded m placing all my entry afc the following 'prices :— -Sheep— 4l Jat two tooth crosßbredß 13s 4d, 16 fat crossbreds 15s lOd, 30 fatcroasbred ewes lls, 34 fat cross breds 10s Id, 6 crossbred ewes m lamb 12s, 63 crossbred ewes and lambs (all counted) 5s lOd, 32 crossbred ewes and lambs 10* lOd, 197 two-tooth crossbred ewes and wethers 12s 2d, 24 hoggets 7s sd, 533 threequarter bred hoggets 12s sd, 104 hoggets 12j 6d, 268 crossb;ed hoggets lls 2d, 299 crossbred hoggets 128 9d, 76 crossbred hoggets lls 9d. Cittle— l fat steer £5 ss, 1 steer £6 ss, 1 steer £6 59, 1 steer £4 12s 6d, 2 fat heifers £5,1 steer £5 15s, 1 fat heifer £7 7a 6d, I' heifer £4 ss, 2 fat heifers £6 54, 1 heifer £5 lSs, 1 heifer £5 6s, 1 cow m milk £4 15s.

Messrs Friedlanc'er Bros., Limited, report upon, the live stock market for the week ending October 28:— At the Aahburton yard* there, was only a small attendance of buyers and others interested, but those present were evidently bent upon business. The entry for the day was made op chiefly of some good lines of well -grown hoggets, crossbred ewe* and lan.bs, and some medium crossbred two-tooths. In the fat penß there was a fairly good entry, consisting of cross bred ewes and a few pens of meriuo wethers. The former class scarcely maintained the lait week's rate?. The total entry for the day consisted of 4515 sheep, 54 cattle, and 12 pigs, of which oar totals were 1921 sheep and 17 cattle. The following were our sales for the day :— ln the fat pens, 20 cross bred wethers 13s 6d, 30 shorn crossbred ewes. 9,3, 31 at 8s" 6d, 20 merino ewes 7s lid, 35 crossbred ewes lls lid, 37 at 10a 3d, 74 at 10i 4d, 16 crossbred ewes l's«, 1' fat lamb ■1%%, 40 hoggets 12s Id, 3 ewes and lambs lls §d, 4 at. 7s sd. In stores, 85 crossbred ewes, with 81 lambs, ;33 2d, 164 hoggets lls 6d, 184 crossbred ewes, with JQO per cent of |ambs, 143, 593 crossbred ewes and wethers 10s lOd. Iv cattle, we sold 1 vealer S|ss, 3, stores £2 95., 1 springer £?. sa, 1 at £12 ss, 5 weaners 7s, I s eer 31a, 1 heifer 18. <. Jn beef, thete was a good entry, and prioes were good. During, the week we have placed the following lines of sheep : —494 hoggets 9s, 20 at 6s, 300 at 10s 3d, 174 at 9s, 267 ewes and lambs 11b, 376 at 12s 6d.

MR E. G. WRIGHT.

Thk rumours that have been freely circu lated by interested parties during the past few days, that Mr E. 6. Wright would not be a candidate 'for the Aahburton seat, are now finally set at rest by his own announce ment^ which appears m our advertising columns. Mr Wright has positively consented to place his services ac the disposal of the Aahburton electors, and he will, take an early opportunity of laying before them his views on the. political questions of the day. Interested parties have attempted to make capital 'out of the fact tfjabMr Wright has been m indiflferent health for some time past, but we are p,t opinion thaj) moBC people .will be inclined io regard this m quite a different light, and it wi'J tell strongly m Mr Wright^ favor atf the ballpt box that he has been willing to risk his hea^h, and pnt himself £q aqtual inponvepienoe to meet the wishes of hiß supporters. "Mr Wright's personal popularity is by no. means confined to those of the same political color. His services as a public man m this district, his uniform courtesy and his ability as a states man, are recognised by Liberals as well as by Conservatives, and these qualities, added to foifce of character* have marked: him out as r representative whom the electors would certainly never haye cause to, feel ashamed oorf r We 'learn that Mr Wright has been advised to visit the Hot Lakes, and fcav.e little doubt that be' will be ! as well as ever m a "lew

weeks.

France and Russia.

3^ Tlie ; Czar's Visitv .%■- Paris, October 28 The £}en*t'e' and the Chamber of have re-assembled. M,M, Brisson. and Loubet made eloquent references to the Czar's speeches, which they said inspired confidence, hope and enthusiasm. St Petersburg, October 28 M. Pqbiedonostzeff, m the course of j an interview, saict^tbere v?as no real alliance between ' Russia and only friendly relations

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Aahburton County Council was held to-day. Present — Vfeasra E. 6. Wright (chairman), and all ■ be members. " ' - chairman's statemknt. The Chairman's statement, summarising the business to be brought before the Coun cil was read. In the course of it mention was made of the fact that the Hokitika County Council had wired, pointing out that the sum on the estimates for Whitcombe Pasa track was inadequate, and urging that the members of the district be asked to press for a substantial increase on the supple mentary eatimate3. This had been attended to, and the Chairman noted £,1000 had been placed on these estimates for the work. ENGINEER'S fcHIQRT. The , Engineer's report' was read and adopted asu nder :— . : :, ■'■^-'Mt-^

Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply.-— There ia i an ample supply circulating throughout the district, bat the races generally are m want of - a good overhaul: •■- It; has- be n arranged that this shall take place during the month of November. The repairs of concrete channel .at Padding Hill will be executed next week, when, for. this purpose,, water will be shut off from the K> races. The matter of ford repairs has been attended to, and a few worn out culverts m W&kanui Ro*d District will be replaced by fords m the course of next month. According to Council's instructions, I have examined into ' the matter- of our increased supply, from Rakaia River; to ; provide for a connection between El and. E 3rtacfs, with -a-, view to supply the properties on the route, and the priyate. water .for an ..intermediate , race -on jheline indicated on map. A general en- "--- TargiSment'OfTftice from the river would nob be necessary,* but only iniprovemertfir at • few pojnts through Aoton Estate. Mr Allan ia agreeable to 4hia arrangement, and 'suggests that three small sheep bridges be provided for that race on the crossings ab River' Road. ■- ' The' first part of- progress connection leaving E I/race would be through Mr Henry Harrison's property for a length of 35 ohains, with a cutting of .4 feet 9 inches at one point. This )length Would be of no benefit to that part of his ptppjeirty, but he does not objeot to it m thi6«»6^ott interest, and as the proposed extension woufd be of service to some of his lands lower down. As the result of inspection and levels, I estimate the cost of ' works to provide r supply for proposed services as follows : — Improving Race from River at six different places .■•...'. ;.: ... 8 0 0 Three small sheep Bridges, River "■ Road ... ... ..I ... 710 6 Additions to Fords , ... ... 310 0 Race R.S. 16332, and Sheep Bridge — ;.. 6 0 0 Total cost from River to Mr . Sprott'q R.S. 30399 ...£25 0 0 This -would provide a supply for a race about six miles m length, proposed to be constructed from Mr SprotVs R.B. 30399 to near the sea, and also about three miles of a branch for Mr Wright's property, (late Mr Storry's), and others. I understand the . Council is asked to defray the cost of works estimated above at £25, to provide an ade quate supply, and that the nine miles of racemaking referred to will be ; undertaken by the sevetal owners along the line -at their own cost. The races, etc., authorised for Highbank Estate are m progress - - Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply.— Several of the races are now considerably over grown,. and will be overhauled during the incoming month to provide for the usuaf summer supply. .The repairs of fords, cul> verts, flumes, etc, ate being attended to County Bridges,— -Only slight. repairs have been necestary 'daring the month. The gores grubbing at Rangitata Bridge appro aches hasi been^ .finished, as ' has also the renewal of fencing south approach Digby*s Bridge. Part of the longitudinal m lower chordofcßakaia- Gorge Floo* Chancel Bridge is considerably decayed, and will require renewal soon.- v ,r ;.

Btour8 tour Stock Bridge. — The contractor is having materials prepared, and the work*of erection wiHba commenced Boom 4 i County Plantations. —Gum seed* and stringy bark h&ve been sown m plantations at Westerfield, Riiapuna and An*tna to the extent of 12.4 acres. The substitution of iron for gorße fences near Winslow and Tinwald has been completed, and upwards of a hundred cords of firewood have Wen pro: vided. &p the later place by casual labor. Tb,e thinning of young gum plantation pn reserve 1774 near Drotnore is also m progress. Some gorse grabbing m unlet plantations is being done, and will be followed up till finished, and ploughing of strips against summer fires will be undertaken where necessary. The lessees of some of the planted blocks are considerably behind with the cutting of fences and grubbing of. gorse. I will report more fully on this matter next month.

THB ACTON RACES.

It was resolved to authorise the enlarge ment of the races through Acton, aa reoom mended by the engineer. ' , - WAKANUI OBEEK.

Mr [Johnston moved the motion of which he had given notice to rescind the resolution of the conference of June 10, 1889, and the Council of September 3, 1889* to pay half coat of maintenance of the fords and bridges ovep W.aKanui creek. Mr Johnston thought that aa the Council was noie to have nothing to do with the creek, the resolution might be rescinded. Mr McFarlane seconded ttie motion. Mr Williamson was astonished that the motion 'had' not - been ruled' gut of p,rd.er. i The Wakanui JXoad Board was \he other party to 'the agreement, and the typnor of the Council waar&t stake m such a motipn as this. Tjiere had' bean realty no change m the position since 1889, except that the Council derived more revenue from the creek fchefo then, and used "its water more extensively. He was opposed to, the motion without any consultation with the Wakanui Board, The Chairman pointed out that there had been neglect on the part of the Board, interested. The charges against the Coun cil for this half coat had not been made for several years, and were how made at this late date. As the Council was nob the only party interested, he thought Mr Johnston would do well to withdraw his motion.

Mr Cameron thought as the Wakanai settlers had had all the benefit of the water m the creek ever since it flowed, ( *they should pay ill the'tiost of maintenance 1 tof the' rp&tt and tiridgetFcrossing it, the" mor& especially Chat thepou'nci} would h'^ve 'nothing' to'cjo with the crgejt m future. He "thdiigbf 4 committee should bj adopted to inquire, Jntp the whoje question. tyr Harper said |he question w&» an. important one. The resolution sought) to bg rescinded had^been the result of a complaint on (he part pf jthe local bodies interested that too much water was being sent down the creek, The Borough Gotmcil, the Wakanai Road Board, and i the millewners were ail interested m the question, and he thought it would be better that the Council, being an expiring body, should leave it to the new Council to deal with.

Mr Johnatone did nofc aea that any honor would be sacrificed or that any further information could be obtained m the matter, and he. declined fc° withdraw his motion. MrlWiHiamaon would monies for •»com mittee. He would prefer 1 to see another conference on the Bubjeot. «*. Mr Cameron seconded the amendment. Mr McFai lane favored the appointment of a committee. ' ' Mr Harper did not understand that the creek had been abandoned by the Council. It had been j;emporari|y abandoned, pending negotiations with the 1 millpjjpners, I but l he had no idea that the pounoil' meant td abandon it' altogether.' *' ' c ; '' * ' '-' MVphanm^n'^na Mr Stitt a]so favoured a comnjitftee, but with MrvMcJj'arlane, did OOb thick the Wakanui Board h$J any niQrq,! cairn on the Council. Mr Richards thought it ws| right to pay the Wftkanui Boardß claim up to now, but caw no saorifice of honor m refusing to pay m future. . - The Chairman said it would b% soant oourtsey to pass the motion m the form Mr Johnston had put it, but> quite fair if the Council intended to cease the present agree* ment, to give the bodies interested notice. The anlendment was carried, and, the chair - man, Mamcb Qanaerop, , §titt, .fohnstoq, Caapman and Williamson were appoinwdrfc, , Committee. ■■•.•■ ■  isiv \ ; 1 accounts, ' i- / Accounts to the; amo'unb of £603 7| lid

'WL

iHfe ASfiBtJKtON GtIABDIAN: TfiUBSDA*, OOTOfeJBK 29, 1806.



SYNorsis of New Advbrtisbmjonts. B. G.Wright-r-^'eption notice. Mrs W.. Bowmttrilfpx-^Profeaflional notice. Aahburtdn Tr'otting^Qluoi— Re ' paiaefc. H. A. if ackay— |Grrey 'gelding, 'hack, for Ba]e. w ' * i '■ ' ' ' jtNpyr .^fea'and CJothing sewing maohino, ' ' 7 . ' ' Sydenham Borough Council— Tenders in- vited for lease of reserves No. 2379, Cairn- 'brae. v Fletcher Bros, j Spring B'ossom Tea atfd *Harbal Eitrapt. Bank Holiday, Friday, from 12 noon. . Mr J. McKeague, addrcß3to Eeotars at Ocldfellowb' Hall to night. Mr A.'Hatirison.saleof drapeiy, clothing, etc., Saturdiy, October 31. Mr E G. »Vright's Committee meeting Saturday, October 31, a5,7.30 p.m. Mr J.^Motachlaij-addresgea p ha electors n I .he Oddfellows' 'Hall dn Tuesday, Nov. 3. ' Deep Sea Fwbiog Co— Fresh fish.



Drink only Kqzie Tea ; it m abaolutey pure, s . IJ. %ty!sl \ 8«?J? '9^ 1 "



It will fee seen b.y a new a4yectisemen|i m another column that MP^ra and Berryman are probably now allowing the largest atook of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited m Ashbur- ton. This speaks well for their enterprise and Jpotil jadunlry*



Wanted. ODDFELLOWS' Ball at Tinwald, Show' Night. Double, Ticket 4s, single 3s. extra lddie-i 1?. Refreshments free. 10 253 FISH for Show D y — Flounders, Groper, Blue Cod an I Crayfish. — Dkep Sea Fishing Company, opposite Mail Office. ( 10 257 EOR SALE — Handsome G ey Gelding ' Hack, thoroughly quiet m all classes saddle and harness work ; also Daisy Cart and Harness. — H. A. Mackay, Ashburton. 10 249 WANTED Known.— A Dance will be held m the Orange Hall on Show night. Gents 2? 6d. Ladies free. 10 236 WANTED KNOWN -Spring Blossom Tea is really delicious. Packed m £lb, lib, 51b, and 1 lb tins, Is 9d and 2a per lb. Fletcher Bros., AgentP. . ; ' TTILETCHER'S Extract of Herbs, 7d per JD bottle-makes 8 gallons of splendid botanic beer. Fletcher Bros, Sole Agenisj Ashburton and Chrißtchurch. v ' " h DON'T FORGET FTIHERE ia no doubt, no possible doubt,. X that you get Good Value for your money at Mellor's. • ' I HEARD a man say that Mellor is selling Boots Wonderfully Cheap. WANTED Known— The Economic ** Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9>d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear»--T- W. : H. Collier. * •,-:•: •:*- :-\ '■""- ■% "" , ; i- POPUL4R CONCERT WHAT do I see before my eyes? A Cheap sale of Boots at Mellor's. '-.■ "TTTANTED Known— Mellor's Sale W surpassing anything ever heard of m Ashburton. 10 ' NOW'S your time to Buy. There is a Big Sale at Mellor's Zealandia Boot; Store. ; * ODDFELLOWS' HALL MOTHERS and fathers who have to provide Boots and Shoes, should call, at Mellor's Zealandia Boot Stored ' "\T7"E lead, follow who may. Children's YV Slippers Is. Mellor's Taucred street. - . ... . SHOW NIGHT NEW "Mangel, Carrot, and Turnip Seeds. The favorite sorts at low prices. — Carson and Co. 10 84 ■\X7~HERE, Oh where, is that Cheap I \y Boot Shop ? Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. LATEST NOVELTIES EIDE Beat.— Kent's Championship .Bicycles are the best Built lo your own measure. Tyres and accessories of all sorts*— Carson and Co., Agents 10 86 YOUNG Ladiia' Jc|uMl ; fpr* October ' -^Weldon'o ' Jourtfal for September Jude the Obscure, Master Wilberforce, Autobiography of a Truth (Edna Lyall), The Crime of the Century, Checkea Through, Within Her. Grasp, Romance of Two Worlds, Sons of Fire, and other new books. — H. M. Jones. INTRODUCED, THE early bird catches the early worm, -so call at Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale



Business Notices. ' SHOW DAY. : SHOW DAY.) LADIES! T"\O NOT FAIL TO SEE THE FAMOUS "VICTORY " SEWiNO MACHINES. GRAND EXHIBITION ON SHOW GROUNDS THE CHEAPEST AND BEST MACHINE > IN THE WORLD. HAI£eHSTEIN BROS, SOLE AGENTS. " — SPE(|AL-~ TjiOß SHOW AND .HOLIDAY SEASON Tweed Costume, SS^t] Complete TwOed Coßtume, • including , :33si€lci. / Material, Fancy sho*i alpaca, dress; > Lining, 33s 6d. Furnißhing, Choice fAnoy alpaca, and 33m 6d. J making. SPFCIAL COSTUME LENGTHS. A nice line of Fancy Tweed. 5s lid. Lovely fanoy shot Alpaca, the <very cream of fashion,*, [13a6d. . 12 yards good Washing Print for 3a lid. New Spanish Lawns for" Blouses. Fancy Silks for Blonseo. Black and white striped Prints for Blouses " The Cream of .Fashion!" ; MIfiNS, „ BOYS, >& YOUTHS- CLOTHING n Oreat Variety, and at prices to meet;, the times. - ■= r ' ■ Ashburlon Drapery Company. ARGADE HOUSE. •'■' ; Churcli Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburtori. THURBP AY— Mothers' Union Meeting, .3 p.n*. Gonfirmation Class for women ia St. Stephen's Church, 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY— Short. Seiyice, 7 3.0 p.m. Choir Practice, # p. m,. SATURDAY'^ Confirmation Class (miyed) m St. Stephen's Church, it 2 p.m. v - SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m.--*i.orcing Prayer and Holy , , Communion. 3 p.m.— Greenßtreet. • , 6,30 p.m.— Evening Prayer. REV. T, A. HAMILTON. \ •.. Wanted, : QWDFEtLOWS' TTALL, SHOW NIGHT, Grand' Concert and Entertainment m aid of Cricket Club Funds. Watch papers for Programme. . • H. C. PERCY, 10 179 Hon. Sec. ■TIT'ANTED Known—Go to the Cobnkb TT for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millidery— W. H. Collier.: WANTED Known— We are clearing out . all our Macintoshes, Jackets, Lined Cloaks and Dressing Gowns. No reasonable o/jfer refused for anything soiled or •« not up to date/V-MrrcHELL and Tubneb. WANTED iinovn^Mpn's Mercery, Clothing and' Boots, For .Goods (hat wear well, tit well,' and look well, try that old established firm — Mitchell and Tubneb. f\ J) PFELL OW S' TT ALL, SHOW NI&Bl, GEAND CONCERT and VARIETY EN- TERTAINMENT, 10 178 ANTED Known— looo pairs of Boot to be sold m twenty-one days at Mellob's. BARGAINS m Earthenware this month at Cabson and Co.'s. First-class goods. . WANTED Known — Just opened, ex j Pakeba l apd Gothic, Flannelettes, white, sjbripes, and .colours t; velveteens, black, all prices* Colours, l^cge ya^ety, including new sbftdos m Reseda, Humboldt and Hungarian— Mitchell and Tjjrne^. ID you ever hear the like ? Men s best Canvas Shoes 5s 6d, at Mellor's, Tanored street -|~ ETTS> piari^s. Ljjtts' Diaries for 1897. X-J Colpn'iai KdijLious for O^ce and »sp bpw io fean.d. fearge of Mer(Tw. nt i^ StAtitmefy.. New Jot 6f Foreign Stamps'. Jnßpegtlott Jnyjted Andbewes, Anderson, a^T *-®> Keativg's Powder aoairoys bugp, fleap, moths beetlep, and all other inseots, whiht qai c harmless to 4on)Sßtio animals. Id exterminating baetleo the suooess of this powder ia ex raordinary. It is perfect -y olean m app ioation. Bee the artiole you purchase is Keaxi a's, as imi ations are noxious and ineffectual, Sold m tins, 6^, lg aod 2i Ql eiigb, by nU obenieiß,



Business Notices. ; ■ j FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS. rniIERE ARE IWELVE STUBBORN FACTS THAT CANNOT BE DENIED. , let-Thai G. J. NEILL is selling good | 6th-That G. J. NEILL is selling Men's strong White Muslin at 3s lid dcz. Tweed Trousers at 5s lid. 2ud-ThatG.J. NPILL is selling good! 7th -That G. J. NEILL is selhn? J3oys Washing Prints at a yard. j Sailor Suits m navy blue or ffawn 3rd-That G. J. NEILL has pretty j serge, at 4s lid the smt. ? Summer Dress Tweeds at 9a 6d a j Bth-That G. J. NEILL is silling drew, that can't be beat. Women's Shoes at 4s lid. ;. 4th-That G. J. NEILL is selling Ladies' i 9th- hat G. J NEILL i» Belling Men s and Children's Summer Hate of ] nailed Shooters at 7s lid. < every description, the very latest ! lOth-That G. J. NEILL is selling Men's style, cheaper thau anyone m Ash- light Balmorals atr 8a lid. \ burton. ' 11th -That G. J. .NEILL is selling Ladies' sth— That G. J. NULL it selling Men's | and rChUdreWTwi^oots and Shoes ; Heavy Tweed (colonial) Suite at 24s of every description at very ltfw 6d. prices* • - ! 12th— THAT : -^m : j s ;;: iaop- ■ Well— He sells Millinery, General Drapery, Clothing and Boots, of every Description— IS AT FBIBDLANDER'S COKNEB, East Street, Ashburtoh. Kaiapoi Bouse, Ashburton, October 1, 1896. To Our Friends— * -,... Jjavzng completed arrangements with the Trustees under the Will of the late William Mitchell' for the purchase of their interest m the business carried on under the style of Mitchell and 7 urner, Drapers, toe ■: have much pleasure m informing you that we hope to continue the business on greatly imvroved lines, ■ such as importing the bulk of each seasons goods and quitting them- at CASH PRICES, hitting the premises, and re-organising the staff, so as to bring tlie Establishment quite up to date. : Our Country Friends will be well served with full - r / ranges of samples of the newest goods, ;; In the ) meantime all Orders by Post Kwill receive prompt attention. MITCHELL ($• TURNER, ; Tancred Street, j ' ;' •. ■-■ '".I ■''■■■' .' ■ ■ ■■■'' I- ' ' ' '■' '■■).-■ ■ \'.l ' '. ; ;_ '' PRELIMINARY IN OTICE. LATE WITH MITCHELL & TURNER, \ '■'■-. AND' MR' XT' XT "D R°DRI ■B ■ « R ±Lv ±1. ±5 RODB IB B, HAVE ARRANGED A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PUEOttASE OF THB BUSINES?, LATELY KNOWN AS v 41 THE BLUE HOUSE" DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT. The Business m future will be carried on under the name and style of MITCHELL & BRODRIBB j THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, MILLINERS, bkh. WE would like to draw the attention of the Public generally, that Mr Mitchell being well known and intimately acquainted with most. of the inhabitants of Ashburton and district, aod through having business con- nections directly with them, is m a position to say that he thoroughly under- stands their requirements, and caw guarantee to all his friends the ;r-~a:- BEST VALUE IN THE TRADE FOR HIGH CLASS GOODS. WITH THIS ASSURANCE THE CLOTHING & MERCERY DEPARTMENTS Will "be wnder his personal supervision, and by strict attention to Business and carefully studying the requirements of all hie Friends and the public generally, Mr Mitchell respectfully solicits a fair share of their patronage. tailorFng Under the Chart-Order System a Specialty.- THE MANCHESTER & DRESS DEPARTMENTS Are now foeiijg Stocked with all the requirements necessary for carrying on a Large Cash Trade, and by giving only Wood Honest Values, combined with the desire to work and build up a/Substantial business, - MITCHELL & BEODKIBB Have no hesitation m challenging the trade by giving the best value m Asfaburton, THE MILLINERY & UNDEBCLOTHING D> PARTMENT Will receive the most careful attention, and by always being to ihe front for Style, Variety, and a desire to please we can with confi- dence assure the Ladies of Ashburton and district that their orders will receive -the best attention. , A NEW BOOT DEPARTMENT ■ • • ■ ' * .' ■ ■ is now being Fitted and Stocked with all the best makes, and m this Branch of our Business we intend to be ever foremost. LOOK OUT FOR SPECIAL QUOTATIONS IN FUrURE ISSUES. ; OPENING DAY— SATUBDAY, the 17th. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERS, JJetweei) J, Qrr & Vo>t and the Clothing Factory, Ashburtou/