Ashburton Guardian, Megna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1897. Local and General.

The income-tax is payable, in one sum, on the 29th inst. •

A report of the South Rakaia Road Board will be found on fourth page.

Stansbury has decided not to participate in the Auckland Anniversary regatta.

A notice of some importance from Messrs Mitchell and Turner is distributed with this issue.

At the Tabernacle to-morrow evening, the Rev. A. Ager is announced to administer the ordinance of Baptism.

Mr Robert Tinline, runholder at Ferny burst, Amuri, died on Thursday, aged 78. He had been at Fernyhurst nearly 40 years.

The Barrytown Flat Goldmining Company, Limited, in which a number of Ashburton residents are interested, has been duly registered.

Mr Andrew Orr notifies in cur advertising columns that htf commences a great sale of drapery and clothing on Tuesday next, when great bargains will be offered.

The Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister of Lands, during his speech at the Gaelic Society's meeting at Dunedin intimated his intention of shortly making a visit to the Old Country.

On the ground that his nomination for the Wairarapa seat wai illegally refused by the returning officer, Mr Coleman Phillips in tenda to petition Parliament next session fot £5,000 damages.

Out of fifteen applicants for the position of clerk to the Wakanui Road Board, the Board at its meeting to-day selected Mr John Kilgour at a salary of £52 per annum. This includes the Board's cottage as a resi dence, and is for half the clerk's time. The Board decided that a clerk working only half his time would be sufficient for all the Board's requirements at present, and made the appointment.

George Ruddock, a farmer, was committed for trial at Bangiora on Friday for having fired a revolver at John Adams. The evidence was to the effect that Adams was leading a stallion along Ashley road when Ruddock came along in a spring trap, which struck and wounded the atallion. Adams followed togetßuddock'aname, and the latter fired three shots, all of which missed, peftnoe was rsurved,

, In connection with the licensing election in March, rhe following polling booths, now id the list, have been abolished by the County Council:—Borough Council Cham bers, Ashburton ; the Schoolhouse atHamp stead, Ruapuna, Liemore, and Eiffelton. [ The Committee of the Canterbury Chamber I of Commerce on Friday decided to request Government to open the telegraph offices on Sunday mornings as formerly, and to point out that considerable inconvenience waß caused by their being closed. The daughter of a settler at Taupiri,' retumug ftom church, is stated to have oeeu waylaid by tramps and dragged into the scrub, but her outcries being heard by her brothers the assailants decamped. The police have failed to trace the offenders. la the annual volley and independent firing of the South Canterbury Volunteers the Waimate corps has won the prize five times, and has again put up an excellen' score which gives the Company a good chance of winning for the sixth year in succession. The January number of the Triad is to hand. This is a rapidly improving journal, and well worth supporting. The number before us has amongst a mass of interesting paragraphs and readable items, two capital prize stories. The musical supplement is entitled " Gavotte Joyeuse " a lively com position by Mr G. A. Paggue,

The jockeys R. Wilson and 0. Qochratie, who were injured at the races afc Tinwald last week, are -doing as well as could be expected, and Ellen Allman, who was taken to the hospital on Monday suffering from the effects of a dose of poison, is also recovering. She will be brought before the Courb when well enough to appear. An Auokland telegram says that y John Cave, a mill hand at Messrs Leyland and O'Brien's mill, Customs street, who was subject to fainting fits, fell over the breast work at the rear of the mill, striking with his head the logs at the bottom. He was found unconscious in the water, and was removed to the hospital, but his condition is critical. He has a wife and five children. We are sorry to hear that Mr Morris, senr., of Pleasant Point, uncle of Mrs Rudolph Friedlander, of this town, is seriously ill, having ruptured one of the blood vessels of the brain. Mrs and Miss Morris who were on a visit to Sumner returned toAshburton by the evening train yesterday, and proceeded by special to Pleasant Point. Last evening the confirmation services were continued in St Stephen's Church by the Bishop of Christchurch. There were twenty-one female candidates for the rite, which His Lordship administered, and then gave a short address on the lines of that delivered the previous evening. The service was well attended. The musical part of the service was appropriate to the occasion.

In the S.M. Court, yesterday, before Hon Major Steward and T. Bullock, Esq., J.P.'a, a young man named Frederick Power was fined 40s, or in default seven days' hard labor, for a breach of the Offensive Publi cations Act by exhibiting indecent trans parencies, known as French cards. A further charge against the same prisoner j of setting fire to a tent was dismissed, the evidence failing to connect him with the offence. The cards were ordered to be ; destroyed. Mr Reginald Coward, manager of the Chatmoss Estate, who was in Ashburton this morning, informs us that the crops and the feed on that property are in grand condition. He sent away 600 lambs last week to the Freezing Worka, as fine freezing lambs as he had ever seen, and there is another lot nearly ready to follow quite as good. Ie is pleasing to learn that the effects of the drought have not been universally felt. We are in receipt from the composer, Mr Llewellyn Owen, of the score of a new barn danee —" The Royal Cambrian "— published fo|? the author by the well-known mufeic publishers, Messrs Robert Cocks and Co, London. As a musical composition it is tai' above the avenge of or .unary dance music, the theme being bright and sparkling, I pursued very skilfully through a series of variations, always harmonious and pjeasing. We predict for it great popularity among i those who delight in " ohaaing the golden i hours with flying feet." At a meeting of the Canterbury Land Board held on Wednesday the following business of local interest was transacted :— The Ashburton High School Board applied for a portion of Croirn laud as an extension of endowment reserve No. 1123, It was resolved to obtain a report on the land from the Crown Lands Ranger, and to ask the Ashhurton County; Council whether they had any objection to the application. Mr Adam Jackson, Baling, appeared before the Board and applied for a reduction of the value of the land. Application declined.

HAMPSTEAD TOWN BOARD.

The ordinary meeting pf the Hampstead Town Board was held on Friday evening. Present — Messrs Maynard (chairman), Hardley, Mahood, Stillwell, and Pickford. LBave of absence was given to Messrs McElrea and Hendry for the meeting. market's bbjdoe. Ms? Mahood stated that this bridge was in an unsafe condition, and tho Olerk was instructed to call the attention of the County Council to the fact that the deck requires immediate attention. OFFICE. Ifc was deoided, pn account of want of room, to discontinue the present office, and transact all the Board'? business fy the Qlerk's office. FORKS COMMITTEE. •*!ha. Osmmifctes reported having carried a ^% ll wopkn nuthprised afr last out the su , fc rk ar i gj meeting, and any ;--% left JB their during t!:e current month Wt,, W*-*.* M VM hands to be dealt with. BY-LAWS. It waa resolved to consider the revision of the by-laws at next meeting. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £14 were passed, and the Board sat as a BOABD OF HEALTH, and received the Inspector's report, which was considered satisfactory. >

Primitive Methodist Conference

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Fbildikg, January 9

At the on Friday afternoon the report of the Building Committee was presented, which showed the total number of churches to be 52 ; other preaching places, 67; parsonages and houses, 15 —increase 1; hearers, 7824—increase 321; value of church property, £31,849 17s Id—increase £574 13b 3d ; paid off debt this year, £532 3s 6d; present debt, £6000 3s- The dis trict treasurer presented the missionary re port which showed a total income of £360 15s l£d; expenditure £345 03 Bd—leaving a balance in hand of £15 14s s&d. He also presented the report of the loan fund com mittee.. Thete had been money lent since the coramencent of the fund to the value of £1209; lent during last year, £160; in cortie for last year, £272; balance in savings bank, £179 lls Id.

Cable Brevities.

London, January 6 Mr Henry Chaplin; President of the Local Government Board, who met with a serious accident in the hunting field, is improving. January 7. Sir Henry Norman is a member of the Commission appointed to inquire into the sugar industry in the West Indies, and sails for Jamaica on the 13th instant.

Brussixs, January 7 Mfor Lothaire, who gained considerable notoriety over hanging Mr Stokes in West Africa, has started for Java, where he will become a planter. Paris, January 7. Fifteen hundred French journalists have subscribed to purchase M. Edouard Defaille-'s picture depicting the review of 90,000 French trooka at Chalons in honor of, the Czar's visit. The subscribers intend presenting this magnificent picture to the Czar. The Co onial party in France are urging the Government to reoccupy Sfhjek Bwd jn tbff C4ulf of A4ca,

COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

Mr David Thomas reports upon the live stock mm ket for the week ending January 5, 1897, as under :—On Tuesday, at the Ashburton saleyards, the usual sale of stock was held, the entry for the day being 777 sheep, 45 cattle, 10 pigs, of which my entry comprised 417 Bheep, 17 head of cattle, 10 pigs. Owing to the continual dry weather the market was very dull, and sellers had hard work to dispose of their entries. The following were my sales :—Sheep—3B fat crossbred ewes 6s, 216 four-tooth wethers 9s 2d, 4 fat lambs 8s 3d, 55 at 10s 7d. Cattle- Fat steer* £5, heifers £4 15s, dairy cattle £4 ss, stores £2, £1 16s.

CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALES.

The following is a report of the sales made by Messra Friedlander Bros., Limited. —6, crossbred ewes, 10 bales at 6|d j merinos, lat s£d. Ufl, halfbred hoggels, 3at 6Jd ; crossbred hoggets, 7at 6£d. D, lambs crutchings, 2 at 2d. A, lambs crutchings, 3at 2£d. P, lambs crutchings, lat 2£d. RP, crossbred ewes, 5 at 6£d ; looks and pieces with 14 merino and 14 rams fleeces, 1 at 4d ; locks and pieces, 1 at 2}d. T over R, first cross ewes, 3at 6£d. PJ, crossbred ewes, 3at 6|d. 6M, hoggets, lat 6&d; crossbred ewes, 1 at 6£d. JD over bar, merinos, 7at 6£d ; crossbred hoggets, 2at 6£d. CD over bar, crossbred ewes, 2 at 6£d ; crossbred hoggets and merinos, 1 at 6d. HK, crossbred ewes, 3at 6|d; Shrop shire ewes, lat 6|d. OG, first cross ewes, 9 at 7d ; merino with 11 rams fleeces, 4 at d|d. AX conjoined, croasbred ewes, 2 at 6|d; crossbred and merinos, 1 at 6£d; merinos, lat 6£d j hoggets, 3at 6£d. WA, merinos with 17 crossbred fleeces, 2 at s£d ; crossbred ewes, 7 at 63d ; looks and pieoes, lat Id. N2, orossbreds, 5 at 7£d ; bellies and pieces with a few fleeces, lat 4£d. .M., merinos, 3at 6d. GWL, pieces, 1 at lid ; pieces, 1 at 2|d; lambs crutchings .and pieces, lat 2d. BL, merinos, 2at 6£d. T5, pieces, lat 2|d. Cross over diamond, cross bred ewes, 3 at r 6£d; threequarter-bred LiDColns, lat 6£d. VVS, threequarter-bred Lincolns, 2at 6fd. E, crossbred ewes, 3 at 7£d. JC in diamond, merinos, 3at 6£d. L', crossbred ewes, 3at 7d. HJ conjoined, cross breds, 2 afc 7d. BO under curve, half bred ewes, lat 7d. T, crossbre is, lat 7d. 85, halfbreds, lat 7d; first pieces, lat 3id; second pieces lat l£d. JBJ, looks and 20 rams fleeces, lat 2|d; bellies, lat 3d. J9, first pieces, lat 4£d. Triangle over bar, merino and halfbreds, lat 6d. MF in diamond, Down* rams, 1 at 6£d. We have also sold privately since our last report: H, crossbred ewes, 2at 6£. HB, con* joined, crossbred ewes, lat 6£d ; crossbred ewes, 10 at 6£d. 25, crosßbred hoggets, lat 6|d; merinos, 1 at6|d;mixed,lats£d; croßS bred ewes, 4at 6£d. Seafield, mixed, 1 at sd. HY conjoined, merino, lat s*d. F5, crossbred, 2at sd. 6M, quarter back, 1 at 6£d' WL, merino, 3at 63d; first cross hoggete, 1 at 6£d ; first cross ewes, 6 at 6}d; crossbred ewes, 5 at 6|d.

Mr David Thomas reports the following sales effected:—

(jD conioined in circle, crossbred ewe, 1 bale at 6§d ; merino ewe, lat 6|d. TH con joined, crossbred, lat 6£a. TK, merino ewe, lats i. / across [] J, crossbred,! at 7d. — over & under C, rams and merino, 1 at 6d. Sin —>, halfbred hogget, 2 at 6^-d. 3T, halfbred hogget, 2 at 6^d; halfbred wether, 4at 6|d. J. 6., crossbred, 4 at6£d ; merino ewe, sat s£d. jf\. J., crossbred, 4at 6d. A. over I, crossbred hogget, 3at 6|d* MB, halfbred, 3 at 6£d ; crossbred, 3 at 6d. TK, second erase ewe, etc., 3at 6^d. DA, ■ crossbred ewe, 2at 6^d. j&R over —, cross bred ewe, 2at 6d. W over L, balfbred ewe, etc., Bat tj^d. £, halfbred ewe, 6at 64d. 9M, crosebred ewe, 10 at 6£d. SS over —, crossbred, 3 at 6Jd. AS, merino ewe, 3at s^d. b7 over —*, crossbred ewe, 2 at 6d. — over HR conjoined, cotted and dingy, 3 at 6d; pieces, lat 3|d. UP conjoined, cotted, dead wool and bellies, 1 at 4Jd; locks, lat l£d. SC, first cross hogget, 2at i6d j first cross ewe, sat 6|d. 4M, crossbred j ewe, 4 at 6£d ; crossbred hogget, 5 at 6Jd ; ' crossbred hogget, etc., lat 6d. — over2E, halfbred ewe, 3 at 6d. RL, crossbred hog get, etc., 7 at 6d. 7K, meiino ewe, 3 at sgdj crossbred hogget, etc., 1 at 6d. CW over—, halfbred ewe, 3at 6id. 40, halfbred ewe, 3 at 7|d. SS, crossbred ewe, 7at 7^<l i cross bred hogget, 9 «t 6£d ; pieces and locks, 1 at 2d. Tin circle, V under, crossbred ewe, 12 at 6£d ; crossbred ewe, etc., lat 6d; cross bred bellies, 1 at 4d ; locks and pieces, 1 at l^d. 70 over —, crossbred ewe, lat s^l, WM, crossbred ewe, lat 6Jd. JJD, cross bred ewe, 1 at 6d ; merino ewe, 1 at s£d. FC, crossbred ewe, 2at 6£d. WF conjoined over —, crossbred, 3 at 6|d. HW conjoined, first cross ewe, 8 at 6|d j second cross ewe, 3at §|d. AH conjoined, halfbred wether, 5 at 5| J ; crossbred hogget, 3at s|d. N over —/halfbred ewe, 8 at 7£d ; crossbred ewe, 9at 7£d. Kite, crossbred ewe, etc., 10 at 6d, 151, crossbred ewe, 10 at 6£d. TX, crossbred ewe, 2 at 6|d ; bellies and pieces, 1 fadge at 4, Jd. D over S, crossbred, 3 bales at 6£d ; pieces and rams, 1 at 3|d ; cross bred, 1 fadge at 6fd. DV, crossbred locks and pieces, 1 bale at 2Jd, W7, halfbred hogget, 11 at 6d; crossbred hogget, 11 at 6^d. M over B, crossbred ewe, 12 at 6£d. &S, halfbred ewe, 3 at 6^-d. 5 over D. crossbred ewe, 2at 6d. C over T, first cross hogget, sat 6d. *$ over S, crossbred ewe, 9at 6Jd. p over W conjoined, first) and second cross ewe, 6at 6|d. 2L, crossbred ewe, 4at 6d; first cross ewe, 2at6d ; bellies and pieces, lat 3Jd. — over 3X, locks and pieces. lat Ifdj crossbred ewe, 8, at 6£d. RT, halfbred. §at 7d; bellies, 1 at 4£d; j crossbred locks and pieces, 1 at 6Ad. O over H, looka, lat l£d. AD conjoined, cross: bred ewe, 2 at 7d ; three-quarterbred ewe, I jit 6|d j halfbred ewe, etc., lat s|d; first fcalf bred pieces, 2 at 4|d ; lamba crutohings, .Iftt Ud, TE, crossbred ewe, 13 at 6|d. 7R -m"" I*^ BWQ, Bat 6£d. — over Heart, pieces, 1 at 7*d ; crossbreu *«« W* locks, 1 at 7^d. R6, first and second contttag halfbred, 1 at 9^d ; first amd second combing three-quarterbred, lac 9d. ~ over 8, fir^t combing halfbred. 1 at ll^d ; first combing three-quarterbred, 1 at 10|d; second and third "combing crossbred, 1 at 9d. WY, halfbred ewe, 2at 6^d; merino ewe, 2 at s|d ; bellies, | at 3Jrd.

DORIE.

By Our Reporter

Harvesting in this district is now the main object of its worthy farmers, and in many instances oats are already safe in stack. The growing crops are looking excellent, considering the prolonged drought The wheat, of oourse, looks far better than do the oats, though some really good crops of the latter may be seen on several farms. If I am any judge I would say that Mr George Low h&s about as good, if not the best, crop of wheat of any, $nd Mr H. J. Harrison of oats; but I must be pardoned if I am in error, for from a glance over a gor#e tepee one cannot always form the most correct of conclusions—Messis W. Harrison and E. Richards have also some lovely crops. The sheep are looking very well, and though, not on the greenest of pastures appear to have snscient grass to last them till stubble feed is available, which, by ft continuance of the present state of affairs, will be at a not distant date.

Mr E. Harrison has recently returned from a trip to the Old Country. Taking hu cue from his brother William, he visited the ruins of Pompeii, bringing some interesting relics from that, famous place. The school is at present closed for harvest holidays, and the children, who are not called upon to assist in the important operations, will have a good opportunity to study their prizes recently won at the examination. The Walter A. Wood Com pany presented the Gomrni tee with two splendid books to be competed for, but I am not sufficiently posted with particulars to be able to name the fortunate competitors.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Ash burton County Council was held yesterday. Present —Messrs E. G. Wright (chairman), Harper, Herring, Chapman, Richards, Johnston, Williameon, StiU,, and Cameron.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT.

The Chairman's statement was read as follows : —Mr McLaren wrote asking leave to use the Rakaia gorge bridge for the purpose of taking over wool to Christchurch with his traction engine. He has been in formed that his request could not be entertained, as the bridge was not in a condition for such traffic. The Minister of Lands has been communicated with, point ing out that the summer is the only time when work at the proposed track over Whitcombe Pass, c&a be undertaken ad vantageously, and he has been requested to push on the work on the Canterbury side of the puss as much as postible, the necessary work being very light, an* could be completed in a few weeks. The Council will' see by a letter from the Lyttelton Harbour Board, that it has to meet on the Bth of February to elect one of its members to act on that Board. It would be as well to hold the ordinary meeting on that day iustead of on February 5, and so avoid two meetings being held so close to one another. I have obtained from the Council's solicitor, his opinion as to the proper course to be taken in reducing the polling booths for the coming election of licensing committee in March, as no doubt these booths could be i judioiously reduced, thereby causing a saving in the expense of the said election. This opinion has been forwarded to the returning officer for his guidance. He has, in reply, forwarded a letter showing what) polling booths he recommends should be abolished.

engineer's report

The engineer's report was rend as follows : Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply.—All the authorised races on the Highbaak estate have now been satisfactorily completed. 1 have taken levels for the deviation of one mile of race on the Oorwar property. The present route involves liability to leakage in embanked portions, and considerable expense in maintenance. To obviate these objections the owner agrees to construct the new race at his own cost. The altered line implies some severance, but it lus a better fall, and will be in every way more satisfactory than the present. The authorised improvements of the race from Rakaia river at Acton hare been postponed for a little, as it would have been necessary to shut off the water for a time, and this was deemed inadvisable during the present drought. These im provements, however, are likely to he effected before the various owners have their new races made. I understand it is the intention of the Mount Hutt and Wakanui Road Boards now to take over the water race fords in their respective districts on the conditions proposed by the Council. The number in Mount Hutt ia 127 and in Wakanui 108. Several fords hare recently been substituted for culverts, and it is not advisable to remove any more of the latter at present. The contract for enlargement of channel through Mr Fechney's property, connecting with O'cihca'a creek to North Ashburton river was satisfactorily com pleted in the beginning of December last. Thereafter, the south branch became rapidly lower, and receded from its northern bank. At your request, works were then under taken in the riverbed itself to bring in the requisite supply for the Wakanui creek, half of the available volume of water in the south branch having been diverted for the purpose. The water in the diversion, and also in that left in the south branch, has been gradually lowering since that time, with the result that there is now only about half the usual mill supply in the Wakanui creek, and the water left io the Bouth branch barely reaches the sea. la these circumstances, it would be imprudent to divert any more from the south branch. !he total available supply is now in the Pudding Hill main, and two-thirds of the supply in the north branch is turned into the auxiliary channel, the remaining third disappearing gradually in the riverbed a few miles lower down in the vicinity of the Spreadeagle. W ah the existing sources drying up, it thus appears the situation is now becoming Critical, and as the present supplies are derived almost entirely from the Ashburton rivers and their tributaries, the time seems to be ripe for the introducing of suppl* mentary supplies from other sources. Al though the normal summer supply in the Ashburton rivers has been lessening year by year for some years, this is the first occasion on which the south branch has threatened to give in altogether. Mount Somers and Ashburton Forks Water Supply.—Theadditions recently made to the Mount Somers dam should ensure a fair supply for that district. The Alford supply is getting low, and Cannot well be increased. The supply in the race at the lower end of Forks is ample.

County Bridges.-—The stock bridge over the river Stour was completed last month. Ib is situated three chains below the road, and the accompanying tracing shows the extent of reserve which I should now pro pose the Land Board should be asked to grant for paddocking purposes, etc., in con nection with this bridge.

County plantations.—-Some two or three acres of the recently planted strip at South Road, Rakaia, have been destroyed by the fire which swept through Mr Gardiner's property a few days ago. The drought has also prejudicially affected parts of the remaining strip, and some of the other plantations. The fire was so intense that it swept right across the road.

BACE piyEBSIQN. The alteration of a mile of race at Corw&r was approved of, and the clause referring to Fechuey's creek and the diversion of water, South Aahburton, was agreed to.

STOUR BRIDGE.

It was resolved that application be made to the Land Board for forty acres of land at Stour Bridge for a camping ground for travelling stock.

PLANTING. The Planting Committee reported on Mr Sealy's contract for planting. The report was approved.

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The Committee recommended that notice should be given to the Wakanui Road Board that the Council will consider at its next meeting a motion to rescind the resolution passed in 1889 regarding bearing half cost of the maintenance of bridges, etc., in the Wakanui district. The report was adopted.

ACCOUNTS.

Accounts to the amount of £750 were passed for payment. WATER STOPLY. Several applications for water supplies, diversions, etc., were dealt with. SuIOKNSING QOESTI9N. It was decided, on the score of economy, to abolish several of the polling booths for the licensing election in March next. HARBOR BOARP. It was resolved that the Council hold its ordimry meeting at 11 a.m. on February 8, for the c ectfyn of $ member of the Lyttel ton Harbor Board. HINDS BRIDGE, It was decided to again approach the .Railway department, asking them to re consider their decision as to attaching a sheep bridge to the Hinds railway bridge. BOLL ALTERATIONS. Several aM*atipKs pq phe roll were authorised. SLAT/GtHTBRING LICENCE. A slaughtering license was granted to Mr J. Heseltine. POG COLLARS. The payment to the police for «»le of dog rollars was fixed at the same as last year. Mr Williamsoa and the Engineer were ap» pointed to inspect and pass the dog collars. RAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE. It was decided to adhere to the conditions of the by-laws for this bridge. Tie Council then adjourned for luncheon, and on resuming considered the water question, reported in another column.

MAGISTERIAL.

SOUTH R&KAIA—FRIDAY.

(Before Messrs C. A. C. Hardy and L. Oxley, J's.P.)

Assault.—John Murphy was charged with assaulting Philip Dolan with* pitch* ark on a public road on Boxing Day. Philip Dolau was charged with assaulting John Murphy with a stick on the same day. Both pleaded guilty. After hearing the vidence, which showed family squabbles iikd bad b'ood, Murphy was fined £5 and costs or one month's hard labor, and Dol»n £3 and costs or fourteen days' hard labor. The Bench intimted that if there was any farther quarrelling, and accused came before the Court, they would both be severely dwlfc with, without the option of a fine. Dolan made a statement to the effect that he wm afraid of Murphy, who had threatened to take his life, and he thought he should have protection.

THE WATER SUPPLY QUESTION

Proposal to Tap the Rangitata.

At the close of the County Council meeting yesterday the following paragraph . in the Engineer's report was discussed :— Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply.— The Hind* Gorge supply ia barely tufiomt to reach Ruapuna, and is daily getting lets. The Limestone creek is almost dry. The lower end of the Willowby extension race for about three miles is dry. Into race for many miles above vYinslow rant through very shingly ground. Some improvement* have been made in the upper portions, and water is now working slowly downward*. With the above exceptions, comprising a comparatively small mileage, there is still • fair supply all over the district, hot if drought continues much longer, great hard* ship will ensue. To guard against a similar contingency for another year the tapping of the Rangitata river would be the best remedy. The Chairman (Mr E. G. Wright) *aid they had now been brought face Urnoe with the fact that in a dry season their souroes of water supply were not sufficient for the requirements of their race system, and there was nothing for it now but to tap the Rangitata. The only question to be settled was one of ways and means. So thas the Council should know exactly how the district was supplied, and what return ia water charges was received, he had prepared the following abstract:—

1130 , £2515 The question of a further supply of water would be a simple enough one if it were for a part of the county which was absolutely without water. flJhey could take a poll of the ratepayers, and doubtless the result would be that the ratepayers would consent. But that was not the position. What was desired to be done was to bring water from the Rangitata to supply the people along it* banks and so relieve the other sources of their supply. There could be 200 miles of races supplied from the Rangitata, and the water now used for those 200 miles of races could be sent to other plaoea on the plaint, out even to the Rakaia and beyond tieafiekL The Ashburton river supplied 850 miles out of the 1130 mites of the whole system, and an auxiliary supply from the RangiUta would thus relieve that river of about one* third of the demand now made upon it. There was no difficulty in the matter of construction—the only question was one of funds. They could only raise a loan br taking a vote oi the ratepayers for" tbut auxiliary supply. This, he believed, woutt be negatived. It might not; but the result was doubtful. Ia the meantime they could only put the work in hand by increasing their overdraft. That a preeent stood »t £3000 and the limit waa £4600. The margin may be sufficient to meet the oase if they selected the proposal to tap th« river at> Cracroft, but it they chose th« gorge proposal it would be more costly, but far more effectual. Parliament might be* persuaded to amend the Act so h^

authorise'the Couucil to raise mom

security of their water charges, sbjjflPl? could got £5000 with which toMVOTn thsr gorge scheme. But n»*n><=s=a4Pney would have to increase their water charges to cover interest. If it were found the* sufficient water could be token by the Cracroft scheme at the coat of what wm allowed by the overdraft, that ooaid be done without asking anybody's sanction. Mr Purnell, their solicitor, was of opinion that water charges oould not be pledged a* ( security for a loan, and ib wm suggested to go to parliament to have the Aoc amended to empower the Council to procure- ■•* sufficient supply of water to meet the de mands of the settlers, which demands were increasing every day. He was not speak ing of irrigation—that question wm in abeyance—but of an ordinary \ imply sufficient for daily wants. The by'lawi might be altered to make the water charges available for interest, but they ooold not make them available as security. It wu now for the Council to My how far it was prepared to so with the question. Mr Wright then read an estimate made some time ago by the engineer, of the cost of a scheme from the Itangittit*— £4300, exclusive of land or fencing. Neither of the two excluded items would amount to much—they never had done in the Council's experience— but that wm too high a figure for all that that estimate proposed to do. Since the report was written, however, th« Ashburton south branch had been levied upon as far as they dared, bat with it ail the settlers were still short, and the Ash burton Borough did not get as much m their channel system required. He purposed going up with Mr Baxter to'see what it wm best to do, and to compare as between Cm croft and the Gorge. The Borough Council Wished the connection between the north and south branches to be made permanent. This could be maintained at a comparatively small cost, but it wm impossible to increase the volume of the south branch.

Mr Herring asked if Lake Heron had been given up as a prospective source of supply! The Chairman said it had not been lost sight of, but it was a very costly one, Mid they were now seeking for one that would be less cosily to the ratepayers. The demand was iaoraasjng yearly, and it was probable that in the end they would hare to gt t0 take Heron. J ' '- 1 ~}

Mr Haroer favored the tapping of the river at Cracroft as the leMt costly and likely to benefit the larger area of country for the cost incurred, fle thought if this oould be worked %t about £1600 they oould go on with it m soon m possible, but fee feare4 the rfitsDayers wonld hot sanction £4600. Be Was gfad to hear the Chairjpan say he would go up to the source and 'in spect it and sea what wm best to be' done: He would be glad to accompany him, not that he would be any use from any expert knowledge he had, but it wm always best to b*ys some practical knowledge gained by actual?pre'j!#nei* oa thq sjwfc of work that WM intended to be done. r ' { " l

Mr Herring also expressed bis readiness to accompany the party,' believing thai members of public bodies should have 4 personal fcnow}edge of works to be under* taken.

Mr Richards asked if the supply in any case would be available for this season.

The Chairman said that before ths work could possibly be done, the wet somou wonld be on.

Mr Chapman commended tha aotion of the Chairman. He could not see when the greatly increased supply was to come from unless the Rangitata were tapped. The de mands upon the present sources were very great and \\*d largely increased rectntly— Eightjank, |of it)Sp»ttft«, ; Mr Harper moved that the Council visit the Baogitata river and report at neit nweting. • ■ ' *i Mr Johnstone seconded, and after the motion had been carried, the Connoil Ait cussed arrangements for the journey tiod rose. ■• . .• ■

fHI ABHBUB*OJS GtJAKDIAJV { SaTOEDAY, JANUaEY 9, 1897.



Miles of race Annual supplied, revenue Padding Hill ... ... 150 £360 /Ashburton river (N. & S.) 880 1860 \Westerfield , 60 75 Mt.Somers&Aib/n Forks 50 70 Limestone creek races ... '25 150 Hinds Gorge ... ,•, 25 "^ 50 Fakaia ... ... 30 70



Busine s Notices _____________' W^FASHING PRINT, 3|d* WHITE MUSLIN, 3a lid per doz f AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 6s lid AT G. J. NEILL'S. Flannelette* 3£d yard. The Best Turkish TOWELS in Aehburton ate at— G. J. NEILL'S. i^tfH&yy Blue Sailos Suits 4s Ud, m jj^K Meu'e Tweed Jgj-gjfc gd^ 6(J> ftfc H G. J. NEILL'S. H^^Ee»< L»c« Shoei, 4s Ud. Ladies' two-Btrap Shoes, 4s lid. " G. J. NEILL'S. fitditt', Mtid^.ftnaOhadfea's TAN SHOES oi Every Description, at Very Low Pricea, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDBR'S CORNER, EAST STREET.



Friends, and the Public generally, that MR J. W- TIMMINS Wai ADMITTED A PARTNER, as from the First Day of January, 1897. MITCHELL & TDENEK. r —: —~



NEW FIRM -:- :- -: ... ... - : - NEW FIRM gT BAYIS MONEY BY DEALING - WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. NO OLD BTOOK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS of BUSINESS THE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with a Cash Firm, where vhey do not have to pay for the great Josses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. ►MITCHELL & BRODRIBB BUY AND BELL FOR CASH,



THURBFOBiS ft AftE ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN ASHBURTON. — A Few Quotations will be Convincing — jßibbed Pant, (heavy) U 6d-worth Ladies' Hose^fast oolon, plain and ribbed « V *}£ «.««*», qa White and Brown Turkish Towels, only 6d ' muts Sockt M-w«ftt 94 White Cali d va! afc 2a lld _ l2yda guVMtw H»ti SHr"^ 1" lM The Best Value for Flannelettes n Blocher Booti 48 Q l\ d I TB r»°V*r 6li Ashburton. ?T y.Sn°r esw 8. W^ 4s Ud-worth Heavy Twill, 4s lid dozen-worth 7d a,d UAum* Gem Shoes, Speo»l, 4s ua woim lmm Une o{ Corßetat all Bizegj afc H»iriin« Tweed Trousers 8s 6d-eheap at Be .t!j£ortin«it of Sunshades in town, 10s od from Is Mwi's Felt Hats ifrom 2s 6d gailor BtrftW ftU ahadea and sh W« huva the Choicest A«sortraent oi naw from gd eftci j_ pick your own Bhape in town. fni«in»tfi« and trimming-, and have your j width FULL BANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. JMEASUEED GABMENTS A SPECIALTY. 49s 6d fu^^oi ftTeom 49s 6b MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, BAST BTIiBBJ.



Public notices. THE OHRIbTMAS HOLIDAYS. NEW ZEALAND QLOTHING "pACTOEY. Light Summer Coats from 6s 6d' Light Summer Suits from 10s 6d Light Washing Vestß, slightly soiled 2s 6d Light Bine Serge Suits for Summer wear 16s 6d Boyß' Washing Suits, all sizes 4s 6d i SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boys' Drill Suits, all sizes 6s 9d, usua price 10s 6d. FOR TRAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10s 6d Steel Trunks from 10s 6d Gladstone Bags, Black and Nut Brown. STRA^HATS. Boyß' Straw^Hats Is, the best value in Ashburton Men's Panama Hats Is. i n _ BOOTS & SHOES. Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, best i quality 5s 6d Men's Leather Shoes 7s 6d, splendid value Men's Light Boots for summer wear 8s 6d !'• NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory. ALEX. HBNDRY Manager.



Wanted. _________! Q ALVATION Army — All welcome ! Come!! Subjects—ll a.ra., Daubing, with untempered mortar, Ezek. 13-10. 7 p.m,, God compared to a lion—Hosea 5-14. 1 51 J. G. CHAPPLE. WANTED— A General Servant, also Nurse Girl. Inferences required. Apply immediately to Guardian Office. I_oo | TTTKSI-EYGhurch, To-morrow, Morning, VV Mr S. S. Chapman, evening, Rev. C Abernethy. Strangers cordially invited. 1 1 52 OST—AGoId Bracelet. Finder will be rewarded. Apply to Mr C W. Purnell. 1 53 mHE Tabernacle,~The Rev Albert Ager X will administer the ordinance of Be lievers' Baptism at To-morrow evening's ser vice at 6.30. 1 54 FOR Sale—Freehold of Waterton Hotel, or will be let to good tenant. Apply Mrs Donnan, Waterton Hotel. 1 16



"\7"OUNG Ladies' Journal for January, X Weldons Christmas Number, Graphic, Idler, Army and Navy, Mother's Help, Great Thoughts, (bound), Famiiy Hurald, (bound), Rodney Stone, Australian Bash Track, Lamentations, Denounced, The Penny | Comequioke, Who did it. New Books.— ; H. M, Jones. DID you ever hear the like ? Men a best Canvas Shoes 5s 6d, at Mellor's, I '"ancred street FTIHERE is no doubt, no possible doubt I that you get Good Value for your money at Mellor's. VVTANTED Known—The Economic, TT Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear.— i W. H. Collier. "TTTANTED Known—Jam Jars, Jam Jars VV of all kinds at very low prices at Fletcher Bros, Cash Supply Stores. ANTED Known—Large delivery of the "Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth much more.— W. H. Collier. WANTED Known—looo pairs of Boots to be sold in twenty-one days at Mellor's. MAURITIUS Sugar and Brewers' Chrystals. The finest Preserving Sugars in the World to be obtained at Fletcher Bros, East Street.



Ha ; § dais s.8:1 o Ms H CO § p WILLIAM nz =PATCHINa, BAST STREET.



TTTISHBS TO ANNOUNCE to his Farming Friends and Customers of the Ashburton County, that he haa now added SADDLERY AND HARNESS MAKING, to hia TENT TARPAUTJS AND HORSB CLOTH BUSINESS and will alao car.7 0B CLARK'S TINWALD SHOP as usual. NOTE—Having secured the services of MR JOHN CLARK as manager of the new department, ALL ORDERS WILL BE PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. NOTE ADDRESS—EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 12 170 Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S C H UJR CH, Ashburtoa. SUNDAY SERVICES. 8.30 a.m —Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer. 630 p.m.—Evening Prayer, Rev, H. 0. M. Watson. N.B.—Sunday (10th) will be a holiday for the Sunday Schools. REV. T. A? HAMILTON.



1 QO'V NEW Year Cards and log # . Booklets, Christmas Cards half price, New Books, Fancy Goods, Toys and Stationery. A large variety of goods suitable for New Year presents. New lot of Foreign Stomps and packets,—Andrewes, Anderson, & Co. "TTT ANTED Known—We have justopened W a line of cheap all wool Suits and Trousers. Good out and splendid value. Tennis and working Shirts in great variety, Mitchell and Turner WANTED—Every Lady in Ashburton to see our Window of Blouse Goods, bought at a big discount, and selling at less than wholesale prices.—Mitchell AND TtTRNBR. ________________ I\/TILLINERY— Ladies should inspect the JjrJL new Millinery, Capes, Mantles, jackets, Blouses ? French and English Corsets j all new and tip to date.— &. OsR. WE lead, follow who may. Children's Bilppers Is. Mellor's Tanered | street. WANTED Known — Alterations and Additions to our Show Rooms now completed. Special display of Millinery for the Holiday Season. A late shipment of Sailor Straws to be sold cheap.—Mitchell ANO TfJBNKR.



Australian Cricketers. QUEENSLAND V. ASHBURTON AND SOUTH CANTERBURY IN THE Askburton Domain, Tuesday and Wednesday, JANUARY 12 and 13. Admission—One Shilling eaxjh day. • OWN Make in Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina fores 5 also a good assortment of Calicoes, Muslins, Flannelettes, Trimmings, etc., at Mbs Ai<cobn's new shop, Baker's Buildings. NOTICE,— Are you going to build Because the cheapest Bhop for Roofing Iron Ridging, Gutters, Nails, Lead, Spout ing, Water Tanks, Pumps, Ranges, Register Grates, Locks and Hinges, Washing Boilers, land all sorts of Ironmongery, is J. W. Hardlky'Si Ironmonger, Plumber, and Tißiraifcb. QlUfptoM 58, *



WANTED Known—What the people say. That Andbew Orr has the largest and best assorted stock of Boots in Canterbury. * 11 125 I F Y0p T I^ANT the Newest and Nicest Millinery, Irpy Muslins, and Dress God^s. go to Mbs ALCOBiSf's. Dresses made on the premises. Fitguaranteed, TaE early bird catches the early worms bo call at Mellor'b Cheap Boot bale, ANTED Knowa—Specta»le3, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and Everything in the optical at 8. BAiiEic-s, Optician "^r^rTTANTED Known—Go to the Corner W for Newest Styles in Drapery and Millinery—W. H. Colder. STUDY Economy and patronise MejxQS Cheap Boot Sale. \aNTED Known—That J. MLoison has just received a large shipment oi English, American, and Continental Boots <*nd Shoes, suitable for the season ; afso ap "**lming #N*k o( the best colonial ma^whicn of at very makes, wwen.. ■-«fcheeoß»ingh(Ph4»yß reasonable prices duriu & . MoiSOHT'S Repairs as usual done at once . - — v<m Premier Boot Store, East Street, Ashbiu.



| It will be seen by a new advertisement in another column that Messrs Craighead and Berryman ape prpb,ably now showing the largest stock of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring goods ever eihibiteft in Ashbur ton. This speaks well for their enterprise and local industry. ' Keaxino's Powdkb deatroya bugs, fieu m>thl beetles, and »11 other insects, whilst gui c h»rmießS to domestio • inimals. la exterminating beetles the auooeea of this I p^wdeV h #x frao^gnary. It is perfe*otlj! clean in application: $cc Uiq article yoa purohane is^KErnsa'a/as itoititions frte uoxioos and inefleotuM, Sold iq tijji, $d, U



On,b Box of Clarke's B 41 Piijls warran ted ts> ourp all discharges from the Urinary Organs, in either sex: /acquired or cons i tutional), 'Gravel and tfairifc ip tjU,s Back Guarranteed free from Mercury, 'gold in Boxes 4b 6d each, by all Chemists and patent medicine Vendors throughout the World Proprietor! : Thje Lincoln asj> Midland



phamber'ain a Cough Remedy cures ooldvi oroujpan^ whooping cough. It iipl«u«it« safe and reliable, for Ml* bir AaHBCXTQ^