Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1898. Local and General.

A REPORT of a school examination appear^ on the first page ; the full report of the adjourned meeting of the County Council will be found on the fourth page. The Price of Land. — Messrs Friedlander Bros , Limited, to-day sold at auction the 'arm of the late Mr Henry Bennett, oontain ing 146 acre?, at Wakanui, at £20 10s per acre, to Mr Bam Thomas, of Wakanui. The County Council and Ibsigaton. — The formal notices calling meetings of rate payers m the Rsngitata and Ruapuna dis tricts to consider the proposals to borrow for the purpose of parrying out irrigation schemes are published m pur advertising columns. St. George's Day. -!-The Banks were closed to-day, as ib is Sfc, George's I)ay. It is sad to have to chronicle that several hard words were uttered by farmers m conse quence. But Eurely m these patriotic times we should not begrudge honoring the patron saint of England. The Pacific Cable. —The Government has had a further communication from the Premier of South Australia with respect to ft proposed Commission respecting the Oape of {Good Hope cable, bub haa decided to adhere to iU former decision m favour of the Pacific route. MOWNT MAGDALA.-rThe U&W W'Pg Of the Mount Magdala, which ia the one to the westward of the former block, has been com pleted. An addition haß also been made to the chape), and sundry other arrangements carried out which will add greatly to the convenience of the resident nuns and the efficiency of the working of the institution. •' Toilers and Spoilebs."— Mr John Vale, organising agent of the Victorian Alliance, is adverbised to speak at the Orange Hall, on Thursday night next. Mr Vale visits Ash burton under the auspioes of the local Prohibition League, and the Bubjeot chosen is ono upon which Mr Vale will doubtless be heard to advantage. It may foe noted that folks who are antagonistic to Prohibition principles are cordially invited to be present,

Rapid Telegraphy. — A cablegram wasli deapatched to London by Reuter'a Telegram Agency at Uhriatchuroh at 6.15 p.m. on the 21ab insb., and a reply to it was handed to ( the sender at 10 o'clock on the morning of the 22nd, the reply being received exictly 15§ hou'B after the original message was despatched from this town. This of course includes the time occupied m delievering the j message to a private address m London and 1 also m this city, < Presumptive Evidence. — " The large , number of people who Jwent m and out of ( the hotel led me to presume that there was ( a breach of the Licensing Act going on," was the answer of a witness to Colonel Hume at the Police Commission yesterday. Colonel Hume suggested that they might have been , attending a prayer meeting, and, besides, he ' did not think the witness would convict the proprietor or the polios on presumptive evidence. The witness admitted the soundness of the Colonel's position, bub held to his own belief. Land Board. — At the meeting of the Land Board on Thursday the transfer of Lob 11, Highbank settlement, from A. Millar to J. Hursb was approved. Proposals submitted by the Wakanui, Anama, and Mount Hutt Road Boards for the expendi ture of thirds vWere approved. Mr J. Downie'a leader for Reserve 2997, Ohertsey, was accepted. T. E. Dorward was granted temporary occupation of forfeited sections near Rangitata. (Dhe South Rakaia Road Board wrote again with reference to the sand drift on sections at the eastern end ot the township, and it was resolved to authorise the Board to blind the road fences as suggested, and to notify the licensee to keep stook off the sandhills. Football. — At a meeting of the Senior and Junior Football Clubs, held m the Arcade Chambers last evening, the question of amalgamation was proposed and carried after a little discussion. The full report will appear m our Monday's issue. At .the annual general meeting of the Rakaia Football Club the following officers were elected :— Patron— Mr J C Wason, M'H.R. ; President — Mr D G Holmes; Vice-Presidents — Messrs Blackley, Craighead, Davison, Hardy, Dixon, May, A D Mollraith, J Thompson, Dr Cordner, and Rev J Holland ; Captain — A Santy ; Vice-Captain — M Withell ; Secretary- G Hardy ; Treasurer — H Mill ; Committee — Messrs W Davison, J Davison, J Harvey, W Harvey, and W Lambie ; Selection Committee— G Hardy, J Hardy, and A Santy. It was decided to open the season with a match, teams selected by the captain and viee-oaptain, on Wed nesday, April 27, 1898. In order to make room for the builders to complete the alterations we have resolved to greatly reduce our stock. We have therefore culled a large quantity of our Tweeds and Worsteds, etc., to clear at the following reductions :— Men's suits to measure, usual price 90s, now 70s ; Men's trousers, usual price 255, now 15s 6d ; etc. We have also pleasure m notifying that we have just been appointed agents for the famouß "British Monarch ' " Waverley " andEolipse-Humber Bicycles (both gents' and ladies'), which we are now Belling with all the " up-to-date " improvements at the lowest cash prices, or on the most liberal terms to suit the convenience of our customers. (Every machine guaranteed). — Craighead and , Bebryman, tho leading Tailors and Outfitters.

METHVEN COLLIE DOG TRIALS.

The Methven Collie Club trials were held ' on the same ground as last year — viz, Mr J. Holmes' land afc Rose Hill— on 19ch and 20th inab. Two more perfect days for an outing could not have been met with. A good cap of Bnow having fallen on the tops two dayß before prevented the heat of the sun from being too oppressive. Both days weie cloudless and without wind. The officials worked hard, and wrh the exception of one or two hitches, everything raased off successfully. Mr C. P. Murray-Aynsley undertook the judging, and general'y gave satisfaction. Mr Trumper's work m putting out the sheep wa3 universally commended. Mr W. Batty and Mr Ewen McLennan also gave great assistance at this work. Mr A. McLennaD, of Blackford, supplied the merinos for c'asaes I. and 11 , and Mr C. P. Lock the crotsbreds for classes 111. and IV. A luncheon booth under the charge of Mrs Heer appeared to be doing a good trade m the middle of the day, a few hours m the mountain having a stimulating effect on the appetite. The attendance of the public was small on the first day but was good on the second, Alford Forest sending forward a large contingent. Class I. — Heading and Bringing Back. About 500 yards. Time limit, 12mins. First, £3 ; second, £1 10s ; third, 10s. 1. J. Muir head's Rap, Cast to left, headed wi^e, brought back rather fust, but keeping good control over the sheep, ringed m nine minutes. 2. W. Bsattie's $oy. Cast to right, crossed to left and back again, headed, and brought.baqk the sheep well under control j placed the sheep m the ring m nine minute 3. 3. D. McDonald's Don. Cast to right, Grossed to left, barked while heading, brought back very steadily, doing a very panny bit of work under the side of the bush ; ringed m eleven minutes. Of the others, (D. Davidson's Braan did some good work, but only succeeded m brioging two sheep. Ci Johnston's Flora missed the sheep on going out the first time, but on being brought back worked well, and ringed the sheep just on time. G. Bimler's Glen did very quick work, placing the sheep m the riDg m Bix minutes. E. McLennan's Tyke headed out of sight, and was rather rash m bringing back; ringed m eight minute^. ' Class ll.~Hej.ding, bringing back a.nd yard iog. About 380 yards. Time limit, ;2mins. First prize, £5 ; second, £1 lOa; third 103. 1. C. Mcßae'sNell. Cast to right, headed well, brought back steadily, and under good command put m very good work at the yards, yarding m eleven mimites-~a very good performance. 2. B. McLennan'a Corbie. Cast to right, headed well, brought back fast, did very good work at the yards, but failed to yard the sheep- . 3. W. Beatjbie'g Boy and G. J. Johnston's Fly scored an equal number of points for third place, but both failed to yard. A. Grieves Help was next m order, but failed m work at the yards. None of the re3t". did noticeable work. Class lll.— Hunt Away and Slew. About 500 yards. Time limit, 12 minutes. Itfrst, £5.; second, £1 10a ; third, 10a. 1. C Johnston's Ply did a lot of good work, and passed the last ijUg m eleven minutes. 2. T. Dayison'g Braan got through two flags, and then brought bank the sheep. 3. J. Macßae's §cot only succeeded in' getting past one flag. None of the others succeeded m inducing the sheep to face the snowgrass and the hill. Class IV. — Five sheep to be driven through two sets of hurdles, and then yarded, i Man to follow the sheep. Time limit, i 10 minutes. First, £3 ; second, £1 10a j \ third, 10a. < Thiß daeo brought forward a large nnnv ber of competitor?, apd some capital work < was put m. ' 1. H. Muirhead's Mick and W. Beatty's < Boy were bracketed with 18 points each out * of 20. Both got their sheep nicely yarded J m seven minutes. 8 3. J. Trumpsr's Jack and J. McGirr's * Matt were bracketed with jL3 points each, ' yarding m seyen and eight minutes respec- "5 tively. Many of the spectators considered c these two last were equal to thp two §mt, d but there is no doubt that the work done by r the whole four was so good that it required d a very close attention to points to be able to sepatate them. w A- McFarlane's Doll was not m form on <1 this occasion, and was some time at the first , t> hurdle, but after thai jporked well and » scored 12 points. O. Meßae's Nell was rather rash, b.u,t did al the work just on time and scored eleven points.. a) T. Davison's Braan laihjd to yard, but t ~ a otherwise did good steady work at the w hurdles and Bcored ten points. ; Very few of tl^e others got through the J first hurdle. 1 2C

TUB BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY

— — Conference of County and Borough Councils. At the meeting of the County Council yesterday, which was attended by all the members of the County Council, the Borough Council attended to ait m conference with the County Council on the question of the Borough's waier supply. The Borough Councillors present were — Th« 3 Mayor (Mr Charles Reid), and Crs. Baker, Paul, Bird, Thomas, Orr, and Collins, with Mr Fooks, cli f engineer. The Chairman of the County Council having invited the visitors to state their case, The Mayor said he was nob able to, state to them anything that was new, as the County Councillors all knew the position of the Wakanui Creek, which had been before them on many occasions. There was great uncertainty m regard to creek affairs, and the Borough wished to have i hings definitely settled. The borough had had the supply from the mill intake for many years, bub there was much dissatisfaction about the tenure, and thingß had occurred recently that had impelled the Borough Council to take action wiih a view to securing a supply of water over which they could have some . control. They had decided, if possible, to take over the present water supply from the intake to the mill, and m doing so to make use of the Public Workß Act ; but after reaohing the mill the County Council would be asked to take the race over down to the sea for the benefit of creek settlers. The Borough Council were willing to co operate m any way with the County Council with a view to putting the Borough's tenure of the creek on a sound basis; The present supply waß good enough for the borough, provided that the munioipal authority had control of it. There were a number of ease ments that would fall m m a few years, and the Borough Council wished to make such arrangements as would secure that the borough could not be left without water at any time, because it pleaaed some one higher up, or between their intake and the river to shut off the water. The borough was willing to bear its share of the cost, as the Council thought of going m for more works m con nection with the borough, and as those works would probably make larger demands upon the water supply, the Council desired to have plenty of water to meet those de mands. The municipality had certain powers m the matter of taking water, but the Council had no desire to come into con flict with the County Council provided an arrangement on a sound basis could be come to. The millowners had given the Borough Council the same offer as they had given to the County Council, and the Mayor was m the belief that if the borough contributed to the maintenance of the supply there would be left a good thing for both bodies. The Chairman assumed there was no trouble at present, but that they feared trouble m the future ? The Mayor said the real fact was that they wanted to raise a loan, and wished to remove the possibility of trouble m "the future over the water, and desired to make their right to and control of the present Bupply unchallengeable. At present they had no control over the water. They had it on rent, and were paying an annual sum for it, and a9 the easements were soon to fall m an element of uncertainty was left on the minds of councillors and ratepayeis. In asking the ratepayers to consent to a loan their object was to provide concrete channelling m a great many more streets than now were supplied with channelling, and water to flow m those channels. In fact the loan would enable them to channel all the streets, but to supply those channels with a liying stream of water m each meant a very largely increased supply of water. The Borough Council ot course knew what they had to pay at present, but there was no saying what they would have to pay wh«n the easements fell m. The Chairman said he thought the action m this matter of the Borough Council waa premature. The County Council had shown no disposition to oppose the Borough Council m regard to their water supp'y m the past, and at present things seemed to be going all right. Therefore," he thought; i the time to take any other action would be when the easements fell m, Cr Thomas said that at present they held the water on sufferance and haa no control of it whatever. The loan was intended to provide a good many things, but, inter alia, the borough with a permanent tupply of water m the town ohaunels, and the ease ments provided that the water could be altogether cut off at three months' notice, If once they got the matter on a permanent footing they would . get rid of all un cerla:nty about it. The Chairman called attention ta the three months proviso mentioned by JMr Thomas. He had not known of the exis tence of this. But perhaps thoy would remember that two year< ago, when the creek matter [was before the council frequently, the council had passed a resolu tion by which water could be supplied to the borough and Allenton district from an auxiliary channel. This resolution had been passed m March, 189§. Since then, to oarry out fihis resolution, the council had secured land under the Public Works Acb, by which th.c County Council wa3 enabled to get water independently of the mill creek, so that there was no danger at all of the three months' notice olause affecting the borough injuriously, a3 the water could be brought down this auxuliary channel m a fortnight or so. But the deputation had not come to the real object of their interview. At least that waa his feeling. The borough had had a good Bupply for many years, and had not been interfered with by the council or any one elee co far as stopping the supply went. The present supply could be gauged by the engineer, and the County Council poujd easily guarantee that so long as there jya's enough water m the river, thera would be plenty for'the borough* Jf there was not enough they would get a 'fair share of what was there. He thought it would be better for the borough representatives to make a clean breast of it and say what

they wanted. If it was an increased supply that was desired, they should say so, as m view of the agitation to extend the supply to accomplish irrigation it was perhaps the borough's fear that there wou^d be a shortage m the borough's supply. Or Thomas said, he wished to amend his remark about the three months' notion Ifc wag not so good as that, as he had ju9b Jearned tttab tt\p water .^ould be fmrned off at a moment's notice, and that was not a dice position to be m; The Mayor said it was control more than anything else that was wanted, and as the Borough Council meditated greatly enlarg-ng the channel works of the borough, which wou?d entail a large draft upon the river, they would like to ensure* a permanent and inalienable slipply for the enlarged works, so that when they went before the ratepayers they could offer them something definite. 1 As it was things were just now unsatis factory and uncertain. The jQhairmau recognised that there was unrest, but if the County Council proceeded to make the new intake it would be for the settlers of the county as Yell, asd not spepially for the borough. If it were made, the arrangements would b,a m the direction of giving the borough the assurance that, so far as lay withing human foresight and con trol of the works, the supply would be not lesß than bo many inches. But the Council could not control the natural supply m the river itself. Divided ppntrol would be in judicious because 1 it might become trouble some. The County Council was charged with the duty of conserving the rights of the ratepayers to the community, and the borough contributed no rates at all to the county funds, and the County pounoil?fl (|rst duty was to see to the rights of the county ratepayers. His personal opinion was that divided control would load to conflict, but the | question could be discussed after! He would ask Mr JJaxter to state" how the question of water supply BtqodB tqod as between the couuty'a ratepayers m Allen ton and the borough.

Mr Baxter said that Allenton received* about one fifth of the supply of the borough*

I The Chairman said tfiere wejre otfyer questions involved. The county had main tained the connection of bhe south branch with the north at some expense, and but f,qr this the borough would often have had to go without, and then supply would have gone long ago ; it was only 1 kept up b,y the County Council, and if it had nob been kept up the' borough's supply would long ago have run dry* If the application had come lor a certain measured supply the County

Council could have met th 6 case and still ' ke{.t control of the supply. The Mayor said the Borough Connoil had similar powers under the Muncipal Corpora ions Act, to those possessed by the County under the Counties Act The Chairman— Within the borough only The Mayor— Oh no— outside as well, and knowing this, the Borough Council came to ask for the County Council's help m this matter The Chairman— Have you the clauses of the Municipal Corporations Act at hand on which you found this claim The Mayor— Yes, we have the Act here, and I will read clause 316. (The Mayor rtkd the clause which, condensed, gave the Borough Council power to construct water works for the supply of pure water for the use of the inhabitants of the borough, aud may purchase or take under the provisions of the Public Works Act, 1882, land within or beyond the borough, (or) the waters of any stream within or beyond the borough) The Chairman ;did not diepute the powers of the Borough Council, but they were all permissive, and subject to any greater authority. By special act the Ashbutton County Council had full control of all the rivers m the county, and this being bo the Borough Council could not take a gallon from any of those rivers except by arrange* menfo with the County Council- The latter had given the Borough Council water for years, and would doubtless continue to do so, but the Borough Council had no right m the face of the County Council's own act to take a gallon. The County Council's powers were full m regard to all the water. The Borough Council's powers were certainly large, but they did not extend to a single gallon of the water m any of the county rivers without the County Council's consent. It was better that the position should be known, and that wa& the reason why he had expressed himself m this way. It was probably the fear of the irrigation movement that had caused the Borough Council to be anxious i about the matter Cr Orr agreed with Mr Wright that irriga ■ tion had a good deal to do with their appear i \ ance before the County Council that day, ; and it was thought a conference was the best [ way through which to meet the County ■ Council. What the Borough Council would j like was full control of their present supply i from the intake to the mill, hoping that the I County Council would assist by taking . charge of the water from the stone bridge to i the sea. The light thrown on the subject by a the Chairman showed that the County . Council had full control |of the water m the ] district, and this light considerably altered 3 the position of things. Probably the i Borough Council were perfectly safe m the 3 hands of the County Council, but the repre i sentatives of the borough would much rathei 9 haye the control of their own supply m their I own hands Cr Collins said the object of the Borough a Council was to make some arrangement by i which the control of the supply should be placed m their hands. He understood from t what the Chairman had said that it was o impossible for them to go to the Ashburton c river and take water from it without c arrangement with the County Council. Ii t the chairman's contention was correct thet y the Borough Council had been disabused o: d a belief they possessed. The Borougl r Council had the right of the millownera ot Q one side, and the claims of the Wakanu c Road Board on the. other, the latter raisins q questions about the maintenance of bridges tt and threatening to stop the mill supply bj c injunction If that came off, then th< , s borough's supply would be stopped If th< r, contention of the Chairman was correct) thei I, there was only left for the Borough Couoci o to meet the County Council and get wha c they wanted, and probably they woul( a meet the borough m a liberal spirit. It wa y the intention of the Borough Council to largel; c increase the channelling m the borough, ani it to get a loan for the purpose, but before the] c oould go to the burgesses it would b ' neoessary to schedule the amount required n and this contention of the Chairman woult l 3 greatly aiter things. Q The Chairman said they need have no fea h about the threatened injunction. It wouli n take some lime to put lhat m force, and th 0 County Council could by that time have th it i auxiliary channel constructed and by i Q avert any possible danger of the supply beinj interrupted. Only two or three weeks woul< d be necessary to bring the water down th< ,1 channel, and the work cquld be done whil 0 the injunction proceedings were pending. 1 Cr Paul had not sat at the side table of thi jf Council all these years without having some 3 . notion of the County Council's right m th Q matter, but he though c the conference wouli 3 do good aa it had opened the eyes of th ,t borough representatives to the powers of thi i. County CounQil and their own. Some tim< ago the right of the Borough Council to thi ie water on Winter's Road had been challenged r but that had been got over: This had cauaec ; . discussion, the result of which had been thi d conference, and it was hoped that at least ai c assured supply would be obtained trom thi il County Council. [. The Chairman said that could only b< c brought about by the engineer's ganging thi Q present supply, and ascertaining what m a excess of that quantity was wanted, and if il 0 was possible to provide it; The supply from j Lake Heron, if it were brought down, would greatly increase the volume m the river and | tend to maintain the supply for the borough, 1 The borough had paid very little m the past f for the water privileges enjoyed, but when 8 the County Council knew what was wanted, 3 it would be an easy matter to say whether oi i not it would be given I Cr Thomas said it had been the opinion oi the Borough Council that the Municipal i Corporations Act gave the borough power to 1 take control of the water as far as it I was wanted — m this case from the intake to T the stone bridge, and the Borough Council I had come to the County Counoil m [ conference to deal with this question. The j statement of the chairman ended the meet ly ing as a conference and reduced the Borough - Council to the position of a deputation, but ; they had come to the County Council to get . them if possible to pull with them. : , The Mayor said he differed from the : chairman— with all due deference— in his 1 reading of the Act; If the ohairman's read [ ing was correct, the then clause of the Muni , cipal Corporations Ace that he had previously , quoted had no meaning. Believing that , they had the power he had indicated, the Borough, Council had come before the County I Council that day ■ The chairman said he had no doubt as to , the power of the County Council, or aa to ■ stability of its legal position. i ( Cr Thomas said they did not want to raise the legal f uestion* All they Wanted was to . be showii how to get the water', and it would , be their duty to get iti The chairman said he could make no pro -1 mises at present* They had first to ascer tain what they wanted, and then the County Council would ascertain if they oould give it.' He had no, doub,t fto to the County Cbunoil'a legal pb'wers, but not being a lawyer he might be wrong " After a few words from Cr Collias The chairman m reply said he recognised the importance of the community of the Ashburtoh borough, and the Council would no doubt deal on'th'e mdst liberal terms with it The Borough Counoil than thanked, the Chairman an, 3 members of the County Council and withdrew, Mr Harper said he was sure they would eoho what the Chairman had said, and he could nob see thab they could offer more to the Borough Council than the Chairman had indicated. Mr Lambie deprecated a divided authority,' He was qertain that the County Council would deal fairly and equitably with the Borough Council, but to guarantee any particular quantity would be injudicious, as they could not control the skies. Mr Williamson said the fact had been overlooked that' the borough had a frontage to the river, and wad entitled to a flow there. The County Council oould not divert the water liigh^r j»p, and leave the frontage dry; The Chairman had not overlooked the fact, but the river did not ruu for the ~?!!?"£!l -w"; w'db muat be kept running for all. Mr Williamson pointed out that the mill owners had pqwer to shut off the water at a moment's notice, and might do' so' if put to it. The Chairman said a fair sized ditch would carry all the borough wanted, and it could be maole m a fortnight from the auxiliary intake. He thought m any oase, and to meet all qpntingenoies, the auxiliary channel should be cut for the Allenton settlers, and that further developmenti Bhould not be waited for,

Mr Cameron hoped the interests of the mill would be considered Ib supplied a valuable market for the farmers, and was a ueeful public institution. ■ The Chairman fully recognised the value of the mill as a publio institution, bub it was the property of the Assets Realisation Board, and was not to be considered m preference to the interests of the ratepayers. After some further talk, Mr Williamson moved that the Chairman have authority to construct at once the in dependent intake above Smith's road. This was carried and the council proceeded to other business.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsib'e for tha opinions expressed by our correspondents)

MR THOMAS AND THE TEACHERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,— ln reply, first to Mr Cow, lam willing to admit) that the players named by him were m the front rank as footballers, but he modeatly omitted his own name, he being the mainstay of the forward division for many years. I should have said "among the best " ; but my remarks were intended nob to exalt the teaohers, but to show Mr Thomaß that they could play and had played football, with much suocess, a fact which Mr Thomas owns ia his letter. Bub I maintain that the teachers, as a body, did more for the game than those employed m any other profession or trade. Mr Thomas m one breath admits that teachers do take a share m athletics, but immediately afterwards contradicts himself by classing youths into three groups- (1) studious, (2) let us aay " hard oases," (3) those right good fellowa the athletes; and he says now teachers, professors, or pri«s are the products of the first sorb. Mr Thomas, I again say, in* sinuated- that teachers are milksops, and although he now denies it, I emphatically asserb that he said •• teaoherß andparsens "— • never a word about professors* Perhaps Mr Thomas regrets it, and wishes he had said •• professors," and we all know that the wish is father to the thought. I have no quarrel with Mr Thomas' remarks on athletics, and the benefits of athletics, but I repeat my remark made m my first letter, that the speech was an insult to teaohers and "parsons." Doubtless ib was not meant; but as given the insinuation wa3 clear. And now we are to be classed with the prigs. | This is worse than milksops ; but prigs are I unfortunately to ba found among all classes, t even among auctioneers, also among our- I selves, I admit, but, Mr Editor, ib is I another profession (I need not name it) that I supplies them m quantities, — I am, etc.,

Teacbeb.

CANDLELIGHT NOTES.

£Br Jaqubs.]

••I must have liberty withal, as large a charter 03 tne wind, to blow on wh»m I ploaso.— As You like it.'

The weather of fch'iß week has shown us how much man is the creature of circum* atance3. Or rather, I should say how much the circumstance of a few days' rain will alter the case for the farmer; and we are here a community of people depending wholly on the success of thefarmera. For months the - men of the farms have been growling with hanging lips and lack lustre eyes because a relentlessly clear and blue sky showed no Bign of rain. But when "that lovely Thursday," as one pup it, came, and with ita Scotch mist gave us ever so little of a drenching, bub gave large promise of more, every sad eye beamed, and a seven-by-vine smile played and gambolled over the weather beaten countenances of the men who have to feed us all. It was worth surviving the drought indeed to see how easy ib was for. a shower of rain to turn sadness into joy, and the hearty hand-shakes and the cheery countenances were something dolight ful to experience and to Bee. The cold that came with the rain, or at least the rawness, was not so very pleasant though, and it will take some old fellows a long time to geb accustomed to it. But I never took a web jacket with greater pleasure m my life, and 1 accepted the chilliness m the same spirit, because m this life you cannot get your pleasures wholly unalloyed, and it would be the worse for us perhap3 if we did.

The suggestion contained m a cablegram you published yesterday rt the probability of Spain springing a surprise on the Ameri cane m the event of war reminds us that ib would not be the first time the government at Washington had had a surprise sprung on it. It is ancient history now, how when war was impending between the North and South over the question of the slave trade m the States, all the northern papers referred with pride to their splendid navy, and ib was pointed out that the seaport oities of the South would be at the mercy of the Northern cruisers, which would blockade the southern coasts m such an effective manner that supplies from outside would be cut off from the inland towns. And all the world thought that this was a true statement of the position, and pitied the poor South. But one fine morning a queer looking vessel steamed down (the Jameß river I think it was) towards the sea, and the blockading Yankee fleet lying cache at the mouth proceeded to make a capture. The events that immediately followed form a remarkable epooh m the history of America, and completely revolutionised. naval warfare. The Yankee fleet was ctmdaitktid completely disabled by the one veasel owned by the Confederates — the famous Merrimao. This was an eye opener for the world. Gone m a momenb was the confidence created by ages of naval triumphs m the invincibility of the wooden walls of old England. One "ram " could knock them all into matoh wood m half an hour. But it is due to the Northerners to say that their pluck, perae; veranqe and; ingenuity speedily met the" caße*,' and thfe still more famous 4I Monitor " \^aß the result, In an incredibly short time atter taking the rough hint given the Yankees scut this vessel after the 4 « Merri mac," and a great fight followed, which has inspired more poetry and patriotism m the western hemisphere than almost any historic fight of ancient or modern times. Ib may therefore be taken for granted Chat whatever surprise Spain may be able to spring upon our American cousins, will be returned with interest before the war is over.

Sporting men have i;eoently been hes>rd to. grumble about) the depressing ' numbers o? the imported game. O;nce upon 'a time pheasants could be found' m great numbers m various parts of Canterbury. Now: you may travel for a week and not so much as hear of one. Even hares are getting scarper than, they used to be m Canterbury; and if things go' ; ou as they artf they will probably become extinct m this part of the world at no very distant date. One reason for this is the great amount of poaching thah is oarried gn, Al r moat evqry boy can!* beg, borrow, or Weal a 'gun,' and almost everyone who understands the way to con struct a snare devotes all his spare time to the destruction of game. Poaghing is carried, on m tfcia c.ountry-'iu the tnost Dare-faced way, and seeing how trifling the outlay is— comparatively speaking — - oonnected with legitimate sport, this is all the more sur« prising. Another reason— especially for the growing eoarcity of hares— is the impunity with which unsportmanlike acts are com mitted. For instanoe, m the Qld bqttntry. no grown' person would venture to. gjloft himself te be ought shooting a partridge on, the run, or a tare on her form. Here people do the latter openly. The other day a sportsman wai passing a paddock close to A«hburton m which, one man deliberately shot a poor hare oh fter form nob ten yards away. In England" one Would be esiOseii for horsewhipping such a fe'llo^w pu th§ spot; But m this demoprat^o land qne can onto look qn and mgraljsj,

I am afraid our prohibitionist friends will read with some dismay a paragraph that appeared m your paper recently with refer ence to the manager of the Napier Institute" of Inebriates being found hopelessly drunk, and having to be remanded by the Court for medical treatment 1 , ' Evidently it wotild bd of no use giving the poor follow the" Pharisee's advice: " Physician, heal thyself." This gentleman's cure is clearly a failure. It may perhaps be possible that he has been experimenting with some new cure, which fussy friends are so ready ia propose, ipi which case we should sympathise with such; an unselfish person who seems quite wiJUofl "a

THE ASHBOBIOfI QUABDIAJS : SATUEDAY, APBIL 23, 1898,



KOZ£E TEA FJLoet ttolluftle



TO OUJ* SUBSCBIBEKB. IT IS hereby notified that all Contracts to deliver the Ashburton Mail and Ashburton Guardian made prior to March 19th last, whether subscribers may have paid m advance or otherwise, will be carried oujb under the conditions originally existing, exoepc with regard to the ''free list" which is under revision; and all contracts re advertisements prior to March lQth last, will be similarly carried out. THE ASHBURTON PUBLISHING CO HENRY" WILLIS, Manager*



Public Motioes. \ ■ ■ — ■ ■■■ ... ■ ■— - t ( 1848 OTAGO'S JUBILEE 1898- '< \ NEW ZEALAND ■ CLOTHING FACTORY'S Jubilee Commemoration COMPETITION mHE PROPRIETORS OF THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY have decided to commemorate the Jubilee of Otago by presenting A CHEQUE, VALUE £25, To the person who correctly estimates the Number of Visitors to the Otago Jubilee ExhibitioD (exclusive of season ticket holders) from date of opening, March 22, to June 4 inclusive. Should no one give the correct result, the person who guesses nearest will receive the above cheque, £25 ; if more than one person guesses the correct number the £25 will be equally divided amongst the successful competitors. &• THE PROPRIETORS make NO RESTRICTIONS as regards competing for the above valuable prise. Every Man, Woman, and ChilH m New Zealand may compete by applying for Forms at our Exhibit, near Fernery m Exhibition, or afa any of our 36 Retail Branches throughout the Colony. The above Competition closes on SATUR- DAY, May 14, 1893. All answera must reach us by thab date. HALLENSTEIN BROS.& Co , DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY'S JUBILEE 00MMEM- OEATION COMPETITION. 43 co r~ ph a ph . Pas * 9 2 $ &



F. FERBIMAN. THE PATENT ELASTIC STEEL ', i HORSE COLLAR. (Contract ors^to Her Majesty a Government War Office. Patented m Great Britain, France, Bel- gium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, South Australia, Victoria, and the United States ot America, etc. LATEST AWARDS.— Bilver Medal, Birkenhead Agrioultural Sooiety, 1990.— Silver Medal, Altringham Agricmltmal Sooiety, 1890. Diploma of Merit, Royal Military Exhibition, Chelsea, 1890.— Bronze Medal, Prague Exhibition, 1891. THE COLLAR is an invention which winß the approval of all owners- of horses who once give i» a trial. TESTIMONIALS. To Mr P. Ferriman, Dear Sir,— l have taken great paina to Bee how the above Collars would answer, and as you have taken over the agency for them I am sending you this testimonial, hoping you will use it for the benefit of the farming oommunity, as I am satisfied the Steel Collar is a great boon to this county on account of the great heat and bouldera we have to contend with. I have used them for carting shingle m riverbedo and find that they ease the horses very much. I have also used them m the hottest part of Bummer to put m turnips, and find the horseß wearing the Steel Collars finished much fresher and took less feed to keep them m condition than those working m the ' leather collars. I had a mare sent to me with her sbouWers quite raw, and her owner could not cure them. I started to work her m the Steel Collar, and within a month had her as sound as possible. Another man sent me a mare with a tumor on her shoulder. I worked her m a Steel Collar and had her well m a week. In fact I do not think they can be too highly praised, and if once used no other sort will be used again. At the same time I would like to remind all that uee them that they must be kept quite clean, a rub with a wet cloth is all that is required. m F. A. Saunders. Mayfield. ABhburton, February 12, 1898 Mb F. Febriman. Dear Sir,— About a month ago I purchased one of your Steel Horse Collars for one of my horaes, which 1 found ib impossible to work with the leather collar, though I tried every device m stuffing and padding I could think of. I at lust decided to buy a Steel Collar, and eince then I have worked the horse constantly, and he has done his work with the greatest ease, and is ontirely free from sore shouldera. I am so satisfied with this one that I intend going m for another. Yours Truly, WM. EUSTON. THE Advantages of the Collar MAY BE SUMMARISED AS BELOW :— No Hames required ; It is easi'y fi:ted ; , It oannot get out of Bhape by wear ; It requires no stuffing ; There is no piaohing of the shoulders ; The jerk at starting with a heavy load is minimised, the collar being m itself a spring. The pull is distributed over a large Burface of the thoulder, and doea not come wholly on the outer edge, as is often the case with the ordinary Collar. It never wants drying, and, therefore, a second Collar for use during that pro- cess is unnecessary. Ib is cheaper, lighter, and more comfort- able, and lasts loDger than a Leather Collar and the parts arc interchange- ab'o. AGENT FOR ASHBURTON : P. FERBIMAN. Church Services ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburtoc. SUNDAY SERVICES (Z4th April). 8 30 a.m. — Holy Communion. 11 a.m. — Morning Prayer. 3 p.m.— Seafield, Rev. H. Purchas, 3 p.m — Dromore, Mr T. Gates. 6.30 p.m. — Evening Prayer. The Rev. Harold Purchas, of Mount Somers, will officiate at all the services m St. Stephen's Church. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, WILLS STREET, ASHBURTON. CHURCH SERVICES, SUNDAY, APRIL 24. Preacher: Rev. G. H. Mann. Morning at 11 —Subject, "The Secret of a Happy Life." Evening at 6.3o— Subject., "Conversion, how and when it is Experienced." 4194 IIOSSJJB TEA ifi pure



INOANDESENT GAS-LIGHT EXCURSION WASHER 1,000000 HIGH CLASS TOWELS GIVEN AWAY TO P U RCH ASEES 0 P EXCURSION WASHER, The Best Washing Powder m the World. s A Large HONEYCOMB TOWEL given witt^jjThree Packet*. A TURKISH ROLLER TOWEL or a Large HAND or; BATH TURKISH •IQWEL given with Twelve Peokete. ■— •:o:— ■ SHEARMAN BROS., FAMILY GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, «fc WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, , . MARKET HOUSE, BURNETTJ3TREET, ASHBURTON. Telephone No. 53. 21 CASES 8 BALES. \ M. & T. / EX TOKAMAKU3 NOW OPENING. MITCHELL & TURNER, DRESS & FASHION . ANDREW ORR XT AS Opened an immeree Slock of New Goods for the Autumn and Winter. Hundreds of New Capeß and Jackets, m all shades. The latest style-. DRSSES, COSTUME MATERIALS. SPECIALLY SELECTED. LOVELY GOODS. ISO Dozen Ladies 1 Corsets m all makes, includiug the Cycle Cor sot, LADIES' GAITERS IN ALL SHADES, KEW SHAPES, NEW MODELS, m thejlatest up to date style. Ladies' and Gentlemen's boots and shoes— French, English, and Colonial. ITHE BEST MAKES ONLY KEPTiIN STOCK. ALL GUARANTEED MARVELLOUS VALUE. INSPECHON INVITED. ANDREW ORR. INCANDESCENT GAS-LIGHT. (WELSBACH PATENTS). GREAT RED OCTION IN PRICES — — :o:— — HAVING made Special and more Advantageous terms with the Australasian Incandescent Gas Light Company, Ltd., and being appointed Sole Agent for Asuburton, I am now able to offer you these burners at the following reduced prioes :— C BURNERS, PLAIN, COMPLETE, 15a EACH. j C BURNERS, " AVON," WITH BYE PASS, 17s 6d EACH. N BURNERS, PLAIN, 10a EACH. N BURNERS, WITH BYE PASS, lls 6d EACH. Mantles for above are now reduced to 2s 6d ejtcb. No Householder can aflord to be any longer without the Incandescent Light The C Burner gives FiVE (5) times the light of an .gaa burner with consumption of less than TWO-THIRDS of the gas. \ The N Burner gives DOUBLE the light of an ordinary gas burner, with a con- sumption of gas less than ONETHIRD of the^ga*. FOR FULL PARTICULARS APPLY TO W. J. ADAMS, '*■ PLUMBER AND GASFITTEE, BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON, SOLE AGENT FOR ASHBURTON. . 4 99