MARRIAGE.

Mubray-Ballanxvnh.— On April 6, ab Ruapuna, Canterbury, by tbe Rev R. Taylor, assisted by the Rev J. R. Clark, Riohard James Murray, ion of Robert) Murray, Ashburton, to Bessie Thome, fourth daughter of John Ballantyne, of Ihirlesbwie, Ruapuna. ' " •

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1898.

Our attention haß been drawn to a long article m the local Standard, m which attacks are made on the Chairman of the County Council ; also to a letter — evidently from the same pen as that which produced the article — assailing tbe Clerk of the Longbeaoh Road Board. Both of these effusions are prompted by tbe same motive, the faot that the local bodies will not ' accept the absurd valuation of the Standard as a circulating medium -which the coterie connected with it strive to attach to it. As for the contemptible attacks upon the officials of the County Council and the Longbeach Road Board, because they cannot be cajoled or coeroed into needlessly spending the money of the ratepayers, they may be safely left to the good sense of the public, who, well posted as all are m the matter of the Standard's circula tion, can easily judge whether there is any excuse for attemptingby threatening and abuse to frighten public men into wasting public money. There is one point m the editorial effusion under notice which may be iust as well replied to once and for all. That is, the ridi culous and often repeated assertion that the Standard has any circulation to speak of outside the circle of Bub-, scribers to the Guardian and Mail. We have nobody on our staff mean enough to enter upon the system ot espionage that was adopted by the Standard to find out if possible what was the circulation of the Mail The "rod m pickle" trick was a miserable failure, m spite of impu dent attempts to undo our parcels at railway stations, on the trains, and m the postcarts, and the chasing of our runners over tbe country to see where papers were delivered. Yet without resorting to any such tactics, we have had unsolicited data given to us as to what extent the Standard really is circulated, and how many people m the district are content to pay for a sheet whose " Latest Cables" are written with the scissors, every line of its telegraphic news pro duced by the same agency, and which yields for press telegrams not a penny m wire charges to the Government The stronghold of any paper circulating m this county must of necessity be the most closely settled districts, and these are those on the line of the post man who carries the mail to Wakanui, Riverside, Seaview, Seafield, Kyie, etc. On that round less than thirty copies of this clamant and unscrupu lous sheet are circulated. In the ex tensive Forks — Winchmore district, the number is less than twenty. In those two districts some hundreds of settlers pay annual subscriptions to the Mail, besides others who subscribe to the Guardian. We mention these facts because we know them to be facts, and because they can be verified by anyone who has sufficient curiosity to do so. Of course Road Board officials know these things as well as we do, and as the two portions of the county instanced may be taken as samples of the whole, cjoubtleas • the Road Board officials know of other facts m this connection which have not come to our knowledge, and which we have not considered it our business to investigate, being satisfied that we have the support df the large majority of the many newspaper readers that are to be found m all the districts. One word m conclusion. It is welj knewn m business circles that the local bodies have been almost too liberal with the ratepayers' money m view of the facts above given, as most of those farmers who have been pestered into subscribing to the Standard are also subscribers to either the Mail or Guardian, which papers represent a weekly issue of nine publications as against three of the other sheet. It is thus absurd to suppose that any well in formed person can persuade himself into thinking that the farmers and business men of this county can be gulled into believing such statements as have been made by the writer referred to. As to the attack upon the Chairman of the County Council, that gentleman is perfectly able to take care of himself, as his assailant will probably very soon find out.

Local and General.

Reading matter on fourth page. A Welcome Raim.— Two inohea of rain fell at Springbur.n last week.

Coldstream Road Boabd. — Messrs E. H. ;Dobson, J. McKeage, D. Miller, J. Studholme Jnr., and E. G. Wright, have been elected members of the above Board.

Prbsessional Addrhss.— Mr J. Cathcart Wason, M.H.R. for Selwyn, notifies through our advertising columus that he will address his constituents m the Town Hall, Rakaia, on Tuesday, May 3, at eight o'clock*

Government Loans. — The Colonial Treasurer notifies m the Gazette that he will be prepared to consider applications from local bodies for Ipana under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Aot, 1886, on Wednes day, June 1. Tub Local Wheat Marjcei.—A /air amount of wheat was on offer m Ashbur.tou on Saturday, and several parcels of milling wheat changed hands ait late rates, whilst a number of farmers declined to bsl|L eyoept at an advance. Riveebbd Pbotkction. — The County Council have secured the reservation of two areas of land on the river bank for river protection purposes. One consisting of five and a half acres immediately adjoins the south-east boundary of the township, the other, consisting of forty-six acres, is higher ,up the river between the Aehburton Gorge $044 pod ; tb© south branoh of (he river,

The Domain Shag.— A shag was seen to ' catch a fish iv the Domain on Monday morn ing and quietly take it off to one of the willows to discuss. No doubb but this : fellow has a good time of it m the Domain I waters. -' ■ . South Bakaia Road Boabd.— The fol lowing persons have been nominated as members— Messrs J. Copland, D. 6. Holmes, H. J. Harrison, J. Lambie and T. Morland. As the number nominated does nob exceed the number of vacancies the returning officer, Mr L. Oxley has declared them duly elected members of the Board. Kicked By a Hobse.— On Saturday evening, Mr Caleb Dunn, groom m charge of Mr Craighead's Railway Hotel stables, was somewhat severely kicked by a strange horse. Dr. Cordner attended the sufferer, who will be unable to resume duty for a few days. The kick was near the hip, and had it been a few inches either way would have been mctsb serious. ' The Hills Pbesbyterian Chuboh. — The services m connection with the Preabyterkn Church m the Springburn diatriob are being oonduobed by Mr Gilberb, of Ashburton. The Rev Mr Westbrooke is ab present on his holiday, and has gone for a visib to the North Island. Mr Gilberb has kindly oon senbad to oooupy the various pulpits until Mr Westbrooke'i return.

Industrial Building Sooiett. — The fifth annual general meeting of shareholders m the ABhburbon Industrial Building Society will be held m the Orange Hall to-night at half-past seven. The business will be of the nature seb forth m the rale* of the Associa tion, and will include the elecbion of directors. There should be a full atten danoe.

Irrigation for Rakaia and Village Settlement— Advantage was taken of the householders' meeting to mention the matter of a water supply for Rakaia township and village settlement, and a committee waß appointed to interview the memberß of the County Council when they visit Rakaia on Wednesday. ' It was also resolved that a deputation should wait on the Council at iti next meeting m May.

VOTING AT SOHOOL ELECTIONS.— Ab the I meeting of householders m the Borough School lasb evening tbe Rev. R. Taylor proposed bhab no election Bhould be valid unless the votes recorded represented an actual - majority of those present. The Chairman pointed oub that this would be m contravention of the Education Act. But ib is somewhat remarkable bhab had the reso lution been admissible and been passed, it would have invalidated the election, since no one candidate secured an absolute majority. This was accounted for by the unusual number of ballot paperß with leas than the f nil number of nine, a greab many only voting for one member. American Papers.— We have to thank several friends, some anonymous ones, for copies of late American papers, full of information regarding preparations for war. One anonymous correspondent was good enough to send us a oopy of a democratic Spanish journal, El Impartial, for which we are his debtors, as both Bides of the question are thus put before us. Another corres pondent has forwarded us a copy of the " Babtle Hymn of the Republic," which we shall find room for as soon as possible. A Dean on Gambling.—" Gambling and its consequences " fprmed the subject of an address by the Dean of Melbourne (Dr Vanoe) to business men at the Olderfleet last month. The National craze for gambling, which threatened to involve every society, every institution and every family, was, the the leoturer said, producing a new type of man. No more undesirable type of man could be imagined. He was callous, cynical, and unblushingly Belfish, with all his faculties absorbed m one sordid pursuit, without interest m politics, literature or art. The nobler side of his nature was entirely undeveloped— moody, close, unscrupulous, without, honor to his partner, affection for his family or oonscience toward his God. In conclusion, he asked whether it was nob the duty of a great nation, such as .we hoped to be, even to sacrifice the racecourses, harm less as they might be to many, simply be cause they were the means of bringing de gradation and ruin to many more, and to cast but everything which tended undeniably to the deterioration of character. Pbimitivb Methodist Church. — The services at the Primitive Methodist Church, Ashburton, were largely attended on .Sunday, both morning and evening, the church being almost fall m the evening. The Rev. G. H. Mann preached morning and evening. In the morning he took for his text Philemon 4 to 7, and dwelt on the Beoreb of a happy life, explaining that ohe text was a statement of experience as well as of exhortation; that after trying^ as most of us do, to find true happiness iv every other way and failing, Paul Had tried this method, and found ib a success. The preacher also' drew attention to the teaching of Christ on this subject as found m Matt. vi. In the evening the text chosen w&s Acts xvi., 30 31. The subject of conversion was considered apd thoroughly explained, the illustrations used bringing oub the points referred to. The preacher strongly ridiculed the idea of a stereotyped method of conversion, and pointed oub that many had a Christian experience, who knew neither the time nor the place of their con* version.

Klondike Fbost.— The following pirticu lara - about things ab Klondyke make refreshing reading: "A man who' had wintered up there seven years told us," says the Alaska Miner, '" thab ib was so cold m January that] (hey froze the flames of their candles and' sold them for strawberries.' He said they ke'pb their fires oyer night by putting them pub jin the air and Jetting them freeze, and then thawed them oub m tbe morning. He had seen four men die of oolio from eating whisky thab was frozen so hard thab ib wouldn't thaw inside of them; and he kriew ft olerk m a hotel on the Yufron who gob rich selling the diamonds he wore, said diamonds being nothing on earth bub ice orystalg thab didn't thaw till after the. olerk bad' gob oub of the country. He said he had seen a man fall off the roof of a barn and freeze to stiff before he lib thab he broke m two when he bib the gr.ound, He had seen smoke freeze m a Ghimney jbilj the firp wouldn'b draw ; and he knew of one case where the smoke froze after ib gob a hundred feet up and fell bacik on the house, knocking a hole m the roof big enough to drive a yoke of steera. He said the reason thab nights were so long m bhab country was that the dark gob frozen so hard bhab daylighb oouldn'b thaw its way through iv less than Bix months."

In order to make room for the builders to complete the alteration? we have resolved to greatly reduce our stock. We have therefore culled a large quantity of our Tweeda and Worsteds, etc., to olear at the following reductions :— Men's suits to measure, usual price 90b, now 70s ; Men's trousers, usual price 255, now 15s 6df eto, We hare also pleasure m notifying that we have jusb been appointed agents for the famous "British Monarch ' " Waverley " and Eclipse-Humber Bicycles (both gents' and ladies'), which we are now selling with all the " up-to-date " improvements at the lowest pasji prioes, or on the most liberal terpns to bujU) the oonvenienoe of our customers. {Every' machine guaranteed).— Craighead and Bhbrya(an," the" leading TaUora and Outfitters.

Hom-oway's Pjlls,— With changing temp erature the digestion becomes impaired, liver disordered, and mind despondent* The cause of these irregularities is ea»ily re moved by the use of Holloway's Ointment and Pills. They directly afsbafk the source of the evil, remove all impurities from the circulation, restore the affeoted organs to their natural state, and correct all defective Becretions. An easy jne&ns of restoring health, and strength is supplied by Hollo way's Pills and Ointment. These famous medicines are blood renovating remedies, whose influence reaches the great centtes of the nervous system, purifies the circulation, induces a healthy state of the bodily powers, gives tone to the stomaoh and brain, pro auoing'a desire 'f op food, and aj} the proper requirements for health and vigour. ■ Gold ! Gold ! Gold ! Gold.! Bright, and yellow, hard, and cold 1 Thousands of rich people would give all they possess to have nature's wealth— "Good Haalbh." v Qen. sumption frequently starts with a nasty little cough. A bottle of Wood'B Grea;t Peppermint Cure will stop this or any kind of cough. Yes, stop it at once. Go to the store »nd get> » bo^le «fcr»ight) away— it's only | l

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING OLUB. AUTUMN MEETING-MAY 5 & 6. The following are the handicaps for the firsb day'B racing :— Nethebby High Weight Handicap, of 25 Bovb ; seven furlongs. Sb lb sb lb Doable Event 10 6 Alcestis .. 8 3 t Marino , M 9 9 Vulcan t . 8 3 Crescent .. 812 Liberty .. 8 0 Speculator .. 812 Oarsman ..8 0 Paladin ..8 7 Toxa ..8 0 Annoyanoe ..85 Laghmob Tbot Handicap, of 25 boys ; two mile?. Little Willie sor. Cosmo .. 39aeo Viva .. nor, Arahura .. 40aec Stockholm .. 12aeo Soottie .. 433e0 Mioro .. I2sec Maori .. 45seo Spotswood .. 20seo Big Mick .. 45seo Toby .. 23360 Little Joe .. 45seo Tracy Belle.. 27aeo Wildboy .. 48seo Sam ( . 29aec Toronto - .. 48seo Wharf dale .. 323e0 Ciomus .. 483e0 Lamere .. 35«e0 Abdallah

Paddyfeldt.. 38aeo . Shales .. 48sec Autumn Handicap, of 40 soys ; one mile and a quarter.

Bt lb sb lb CannoiuhQt 9 3 Hwi* ..7 7 Skirmisher .. 813 Rangefinder.. 7 5 Epauleb ... 812 Remorse .. 613 Quilbiri .. 8 2 BimeUllisb ..6 7 Mblrosh Pont Handicap, of 20 aova ; four furlongs. st lb it> lb Mania ..9 8 Vicar ..7 3 BotFly ..9 7 Virgil .. 7 3 Dot .. .. 813 Winnie ... 7 3 Tits .. ..8 7 Onawai .. 7 3 Topsy 7 10 Little Jim .. 7 3 RosieO'Shea 7 7 Pauline Urabell 7 0 Phyllis .. 7 5 Roseagnew .. 610 Golden Tresses 7 5 Gbotk Farm Handicap, of 30 aovs j seven furlongs. Sb lb 8b lb 'Double Event 9 5 Belligerent.. 7 6 Quiltiri .. 810 Aloeitis ..7 2 blarino .. 8 8 Mount Clair 612 Haria .. 8 3 Cherrystone 6 7 Seabrook ..8 0

Fltin* Handicap, of 25 soys j five furlongs, st lb st lb Bracelet .. 8 10 Grandshot ..7 3 Belligerent .. 713 Cherrystone 611 Paladin .. 7 13 Magg .. 610 Lord Stansbury 712 Navigator . . 6 7 Alcestia .. 710 Agreeable .. 6 7 Miss Charm.. 7 8 Flying Kitty 6 7 First Venture 7 5

Acceptances for the above events, and nominations for the Novel Eace and Disposal Stakes, must be m the hands of the Secretary at Devane's Hotel nob later than 9 p.m. on Saturday next, April 30.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We da not hold ourselves responslb'e for tha opinions expressed by our correspondents)

MR THOMAS AND THE TEACHERS

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir, — I cannot allow " Teacher "or any one else to try and put words into my mouth which I never uttered, and therefore am forced to reply to his silly effußion appearing m last Saturday's issue, and trust that no further correspondence will be expected from me on this subject. " Teacher," after apologising m a very lame manner to Mr Cow for several blunders he had made relat ing to football matters, turns" with renewed vigor to his attack upon me, and sayß " I unhesitatingly assert that Mr Thomas did say teachers and parsons, and by doing so. he insinuated that they were milksops." I just as unhesitatingly assert that I never used Buoh words, and that the words I used had no such meaning, and .therefore one of us must be telling falsehoods, and it is not me. I can prove by many witnesses (every one I have spoken to on the subject says the same as I do) and by manuscript, what I did say. Can " Teacher " prove what he says ? Or is he. prepared to swear that he was at the concert at all ? I don't think he was, Adi under no other hypothesis can I understand his bringing so unfounded a -charge against me. Bald assertion is no proof, and I now call upon "Teacher" to substantiate his statement, as I cannot .allow the matter to stand m its present unsatisfactory position. I am, etc,

D. Thomas,

CABLE NEWS.

Borne and Foreign.

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

Return of a French Expedition.

Oairo, April 24 The Marquis de Bonchamps, the leader of the Frenoh expedition which had for its objective Faßhoda, m the Upper Nile region, has returned to Addisabeba.

Large Bequests to Charities.

London, April 24 Mr Marriott, a Yorkshire manufacturer, bequeathed half a mlilion to charities, in cluding £180,000 to the Soolaty for the Propagation of the Gospel. • HH&sia an(i Turkey. London, April 25 Djavaud Pasha has been despatched on a Bpecial mission from Oonstantinople to St. Petersburg. The Tim's states that the chief objeob of the mission is to study the Cztt's aotions closely, and report to the Sultan.

Charge of Libelling A Ring.

Athens, April 25

Augelo Fulos, a member of the Greek Chamber of Deputies, and an intimate friend of Delymnis, the ex-Greek Pre mier, has been arrested on ' a charge of labelling King. George of Greece,

Australian.

Press Association— By JSleptrio Telegraph Copyright.

The Atacama Enquiry.

§ypNEV ; April 25 The enquiry into the loss of the Atacama exonerated the owners and Captain from all blame.

A Sad Story.

Afcer the brigade had extinguished a fire to-day the charred body of a man named Brierley was found with wounds m the head. His wife was found outside, m a nude state, and dreadfully burned, with severe wounds m the head. She expired without giving any information. The couple lived unhappily, and it is surmised that they had foughtf desperately, and then one or other Bred the hullolng.

THE EASTERN SITUATION.

Press Association— By Electrip Telegraph- Copyright. Londou, April 25 The Foreign Office correspondence shows that Count Muravieff, the Russian Foreign Minister, pleaded that respect for the sovereign rights of-, Ohina prevented any alteration of the status of tforfc Arthur, except its delivery to Russia.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Ashburton.

The annual meeting of householders wa« held m the Aahburton schoolroom last evening. The large attendance manifested more interest m school matters than has been shown for 'many years. Mr MoPheraon was ' appointed chairman |Dd explained the purpose of the meeting, after whioh the report and balance aheeb were read and adopted as follows: — The Committee beg to report that the progress of the school during the past year haß been a pronounced success, great improvement being noticed m vatious subjects, especially m writing and drawing. Out of six scholar* ships given by the local High Sohool for those attending public echooli m the Ash« burton county four pupils of this sohool qualified, three of whom gained soholarshi. a and two oame out top of the list* The whole of the pupil teachers also passed their respeotive yearly examinations, some having passed with honours. The buildings and appurtenances are m very good repair and the accommodation is ample for the con venience of the sohool. The Allenton side school waß opened daring the year and ia a great convenience for the younger ohildren resident In Allenton. The attendance at the main sohool was not affeoted to such an extent as anticipated by the opening of the Bide school. Daring the year a claee for cooking was formed and was successful from every point of view. The Committee having applied for the Bum of £390 whioh is more than likely will be forthcoming, hope to have other classes started during the coming year. Seventeen meeting! of the Committee were held during the year, at whioh the several members attended as follows: — Messrs Meddins 17, Maopheraon 16, Siloook 16, Phaup 16, Rule 12, Oraighead 11, Chapman 9, Hanmer 6, Keir (who resigned) 8 times out of a possible of 9, and Steel (who filled Mr Keir's vaoanoy) 7 times oat of a possible of B.— D. Maophbiuson, Chair man

The eleotion of members of the Committee was then proceeded with, Messrs Barrett and Dixon being appointed scrutineers. The following is the result of the polling : — Messrs D. Maopherson ... .« 39 W.Hi Rule .„ ... 36 J. Phaup 35 E. W. Hanmer ... ... 33 W. Craighead ... .- 31 J. R. Ctaapman « 31 J. Meddins ... .... 30 W. J. Silcock ... .... 29- J. O. Duncan ... .» 29 F. Steel 28 H. Stephenson ... .~ 27 H. M. Jones 24 H. C. Turner 23 R. MoOallum ... -22 j J. Pauling ... ... 22 W. Bryant .« _ 16 R. G. Restell 12 85 voterß recorded- their votes and there were two informal papers. The Chairman thanked the householders for their attendance, and votes of thanks having been given to the chairman and the scrutineers the meeting adjourned. THE NEW COMMITTEE.

The following business was transacted by the new Committee : — Mr Macpherson declined the chairman ship and Mr Craighead was elected. Mr Craighead thanked those present for electing him. He would do the beßt he could, and hoped they would give him their help. SECRETARY Mr Meddins thought the salary should be named before deciding on the secretary. Mr Phaup thought as there was a vacancy it should be advertised. I Mr Chapman said that was the opinion of several householders. Mr Macpberson moved, and Mr Duncan seconded, that the amount of the secretary's salary be £16. Mr Silcock moved as an amendment that the amount be £12, Mr Phaup seconded, and thought the amount was sufficient. The Chairman did not think £16 was too much,, especially as the Bide school at Allentop was m the committee's hands., Mr Macpherßon said that if the business was to be as great as last year the offioo would be worth 430. Ihe increase was carried. Mr Macpherson proposed, and Mr Rule seconded, that Mr Styche be appointed secretary and treasurer. Mr Phaup moved, and Mr Silcock seconded, that applications for the office of Secretary be advertised. The amendment was rejected, and Mr Styche was appointed secretary. CARETAKERS. Mrs Burns and Mrs Smith were appointed caretakers of the Borough and Allenton schools respectively. CHEQUES. It was decided that' cheques be aigned by the phairman, • ORDINARY MEETINGS. It was decided to meet oh the seqond Monday evening m each month at 7.30. FUEL. The Secretary was requested to get tenden for the supply of fuel. : : VISITING COMMITTEE. Messrs Duncan and Phaup were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. The meeting then adjourned.

Hampstead

There was a large attendance at the house holders' meeting, all the seating accommoda tion being occupied, and among those present were a considerable number of ladies. Mr Crooks, chairman of the School Com mittee, waa appointed chairman of the house holders' meeting. The Chairman thanked the meeting for the honor done him, and hoped that m any discussion that took place the speakers would confine themselves to the business, and not oauße any scenes. There was no necessity for that. The clerk read the Board's advertisement calling the meeting, and the fifteenth annual report and balance sheet of the Committee aa follows :— Ladies and Gentlemen,— l have the honor to inform you that during the past year the sohool has maintained its previous high standard of attainment (the last inspector's report showing an/average of passes of 834 per cent) and it is beyond question (especially m so large a school) fchat such general proficiency could" only be attained as the fesiilt of the gbod' discipline and untiring diligence of a thoroughly capable staff of teachers working harmoniously together for the advancement of their pupils, and I trust tfjat J express the feeling of the house? holders generally fn saying that oar teaching staff has deserved the very best thanks. There had been little difference m the roll number or attendance up till December last, the rq.ll number fluctuating from 401 to 391, and the average attendance from §55 to 341, always showing a difference of about 50 between the attendance and the roll number, which is a greater proportion thai) is desir. able, but this attendance question i 3 a troublesome one for the committees them selves to deal with without the aid of a truant officer. Any falling off m the December quarter oan be acoounted for by the usual number of children leaving school after the examination. A notable faob, I believe, m connection with this matter is that at the present time th.ere are fewer children Attending Ashburton, Allenton, and t^amp^ stead than there were at Ashburton and Hampstead only, before the Allenton side sohool was built. During the past year Miss Lusk resigned her position as second assistant tftiatresß and another teacher was appointed but resigned before assuming the duties. A further 'seleotion was then made from the original applicants and Misa 1 Sheafd was appointed and is expected to take up her duties at the end of the present month, meantime Mis^ JB. Thompson is acting temporarily. Mjisa A. 3. Qrr resjgned hep position m December last and Miss C. Porter *n$ Mifs apnpinfrnentß, haye been confirmed. I have tb.e pleaaup^ ta state tm ttw long de)ay§d. afldftfon te the sohooi has been *" m *>«Ib» the east year buddings and grounds are m firatSate order A ? Oli s?* C6 &** b ? ei ? l8t) f°* wnewinß and extending the asphalt fo'ofpaths," sSme of #hioh were unavoidably brtken ub 2 e w e<?biD^ ,?^ ? BW . buiia "gs- The hSbby .how bjilMb winter prSyed * thorough mooeii, fttf the oommitt c? wer 9 « n *bled to

ay off the balance (£lO odd) dne on the iano, pay all expenses m eonneotion with he show, and deposit a balance of £32 10s -t interest with the Ashburton Bailding Society . Having been 10 liberally supported n,this undertaking, the Committee did not eel justified m going to the public again m he summer with any entertainment m aid >f prizes, which had consequently been provided out of the proceeds of the hobby jhow, and there is still a balance of £22 odd on deposit at the present date. The accoarfts of the ' Committee bare been audited, and a balance sheet is attached hereto showing a credib to incidental land oi\£39 Oa 2d, out of which last quarter's expanses and about £7 of the asphalting oonttaot have to be paid. The Chairman said it had been customary to submit the report to ttie Committee be fore laying it before the public, bat owing to the lateness of the hoar at which a quorum of the Committee was' secured, and the early arrival of the householders,. it had not been submitted, bat the Committee were all present now and could obj ot to it if they chose. No one objeoted, and the report mi adopted by the householders. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. On the election of Committee being called on, Mr H. A. Piokford said he was the repre sentative of the bona fide working man, and he bad made it his object while on the Com mittee to safeguard the interests of the working man. Mr Maynard moved, and Mr Btoolc seconded, the according of a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing Committee, whioh was carried unanimously. M r Collins moved a vote of thanks to the teaohing etaflVwhose ability and self saari doe m a laborious Uak were evidenced by the successes achieved as shown by- the annual report. Mr Hardley seoonded j but before putting it to the meeting, ' ■ - . The chairman said he had had a large ex perience of the school, and was m a position, to say that it was one second to none under the Board of Education of North Canterbury. The vote was unanimously passed and Mr Brook, m a few graceful sentences aoknow* lodged the vote for himßelf and the staff. The following were then nominated as candidates for membership of the Com* mittee :—

J. R. Bland ... ... .. 67 W. J. Crooka ... .. ..64 W. Moßae .. .... .. 63 J. Hunt .. 68 J. H. Maynard . . , M . ... 55 J. C. Cawsey ...^ i,  54 O. Sage 51 J. W. Hardley .. .. „. 44 W. Strange ... ..... 44 A. Lawrie -.„  \ v .- 38 J. McKeagne .. ., 36

A. J. Andrews .... i. 35 D. Cochrane .. i.^-23 B. Mahoqd ... ..' v . Zg H. W. Biobinson ..  32 A, McKenzie .. ..30 D. C. Btock 3Q G.W.Andrews .. ..28 . S.Payne .. .. .. 27 H. A.Piokford .„ ..23 G. Bright .. 20 J. Blaokler .. .. .; 15 The first nine were declared elected. Th« bailot papers to the number oi 150 were written at the table by Messrs Frizzsll, Simmers, Brook, Roberts, Bowden, Thiele, Robinton, and Bell, and the Rev. G. B. Inglis, and the scrutineer were Messrs Reid, Robinson, Orr, and .Collins. There were four informal votes. i Mr Crooks thanked the meeting for their attendance and the orderly manner m which the meeting had been conducted. He was gratified at his position on the poll, at he took it as an indication that the householder* recognised that he had done his best for the interest of the school, which was for the good of their children ; and he was pleased to see by the result, of the poll that the eohool was m good hands for another year.

The general meeting oloaed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and the NJtWK-OOMMTTTttB held a shorb meeting, at which Mr Bland proposed Mr Crooks as chairman for the ensuing year. ~~ Mr Crooks said he appreciated the compli ment, bat he really had too muoh other business to attend to, and he thought it had been understood that he would not accept another year of office. He begged -to decline, and proposed, the gentleman at the head of the poll (Mr J. B. Bland). This was seconded by Mr Hardley and carried Unanimously, and Mr Bland thanked the meeting for the honor done him, and trusted he would be able to uphold the prestige which the Committee and the sohool had attained under Mi Crooks' chairmanship. I The second Monday m each month was, fixed for Cbinauttee meetings, and the meeting closed ,

Tinwald.

The annual meeting of the houaeholdera of the Tinwald school district was. held m the Bchoolroom last evening. There was a good attendance and Mr J, A. Clothier, chairman of the outgoing committee, presided. The Committee reported having held eleven meetings daring the year. In April last) the number of scholars on the roll was boys 78, girls 70 ; total 148. The present number is boy« 82, girls 74; total 156, showing an increase of 8 scholars during the year. The average for last qnarter was 124. In the month' of June Miss Taylor resigned the position of infant mistress, the duties of which she had discharged with marked ability for three and a half years. Prior to her departure she was the reoipient of a suitable memento subscribed fox by the parents and friends of the scholars as $ token of {heir appreciation of tier services. On the recommendation of your Committee the Board promoted Miss Douds to the position of infant mistress and Miss R. Bonnington to that of assistant mistress. We are pleased to say that judging from the fnspeotor'a annual report the whole of the staff are doing excellent work. We strongly urge the importance of a more regular attendance on the part of many scholars, and we regret' that it has been necessary to dead" notices to several parents' and truab that thejT will send their children more, regularly m fthe future,' In response to our' repeated and argent applications the Board haye plapod a new window m the master 1 * room, and re-roofed the master's room and the master's hoqse with galvanised iron. We have to the best of our ability and the fqnds at oqr disposal kept the ootbujldingi and grounds m good order* The statement of accounts shows the receipts from Board £446 108 fjd, balance brought forward £11 6s lQd, total £447 17s 4d ; expenditure £435 13a, balance m hand £12 5a 4d, total £447 17s 4d,

For the new committee eleven nominations were received, and after they had been balloted for, the Chairman deolared tho following eleoted :— J. Clothier  .. ... 23 J.Stephens 21 C. Doherty ..  ..19 J.Gudaell 18 J. Hampton . . . f 17 ]p\ Bonnington  ... ,„ X 0. Hawkins ..„ <„ ,„ 13 At the close of the. annual meeting the new committee met, when Mr Clothier was unanimously eleoted chairman. He thanked them for the honor, and it was decided to hold the qoramitte^s meetings on the second Tuesday m the month at 7.^9. p.m,. •" *

Chertsey.

The annual meeting of householders was well attended, though; the public were very WQW m pqfctfng m an appearanoe. Mr fteorge Searletb' chairman of th« late Com mittea.ptetided, M d read the annual re porb. It was a most satuMuiofy C 2? !n every w*y. The inspector's examination and late inepeotion reports were gratifying indeed. Reference was made to the satis factory Btate of the grounds and bnildings. Financially the petition of the Committee was sound. On the motion of the Chairman and Mr Lewis the 1 report was adopted. The election of a new : Ot»mmitt«ia was then proceeded with, Messrs J. Stewart, A. »jd«, »n«J Todd noting bi Bflrutjoeen,

THE ASHBDETOJS GUARDIAN : TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1898.



Mr Cuyler is one of tbe leading merchants of this village and one OjE the mos.t prominent men m this vioimty.'— W. G. FrnmN, 'Edi- tor Red Creek ,ffera/d. For oala bjr Aah- burton Dru<? Goinpaiyi



| TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS. j XT IS 'hereby notified that all Contracts JL to deliver the Ashburton Mail and ! Ashburton Guardian made prior to March 19th laßt, whether subscribers may have . paid m advance or otherwise, will be carried ' out under the conditions originally existing, except with regard to the ••free list" which is under revision ; and all contraols re advertisements prior to March 19th lasb, will be fcimilarly carried oub. THE ASHBURTON PUBLISHING CO % HENRY WILLIS, Manager.



F. FERRIMAN.



Prepare hy G B. CLARKE, M.P.S., Manftg. Chemist, Woburn, Beds., England (Proprietor of the Sheep Dipping Com- position.) In Packets containing sufficient to dreas Eight Bushels of Seed Wheat), Barley, Oats, or other Corn. AGENT FOR ASHBURTON: F.FERRIMAN.



PRODUCES WHEAT PERFECTLY [FREE FROM SMUT, And of greater Value than that grown from Seed dressed with other Preparations.^ 43T Farmers are Solicited to make en- quiry of any Gentleman who has tried it, and decide as to Purchasing it according to the Character given of it. IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. Wool Pits, Ledbury, Herefordshire. October 23,1889.. Dear Sir, — I am pleased to testify to the efficacy of your "Carbolised Wheat Pro- tector," having used your Protector for 40 years and never having grown a Smutty Eir of Corn m my life ; therefore can con- fidently recommend your " Wheat Protec- tor " as a sure preventative for Smut, &o. — I am, yours truly, Mr.G. B. Clarke. G. B. JONES.



D. CLARKE'S CABBOLISED WHEAT PROTECTOR (Name and Label Registered under Trade Marks Act, No. 13,796 and 158,143) HAS BEEN USED FIFTY-THREE YEARS WITH UNDEVIATING SUCCESS TT has been amply proved by the Testi- monials of Thousands of the Firßt Practical Agriculturalists m the Kingdom, tbab this Preparation materially assists the Germina- tion of the Seed, causing the young Plant to come up much sooner, and grow more vigor- ously, protects it to maturity from the ravages of the Slug, Grub, and Wireworm, adds firmness to the Straw to support the Ear. Seed dressed with this Preparation may remain for any length of time without sustaining injury, and invariably



Church Services ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. WEDNESDAY— G.F.S. 7.30 p.m. THURSDA Y—Veßtry Meeting, 3.30 p.m. ; Meeting of the St. Stephen's Guild, 7.30 p.m. ; Consecration service, Bp.m. FRIDAY— Short service, 7,30 p.m. j Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES (May 1). 11 a.m.— Morning Prayer and Holy Com- munion. 3 p.m. — Greens tree t — Rev. T. A. Hamil- ton. 6.30 p.m.— Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. PHASES OF THE MOON. Afbil, d h m Full moon ... „. f 860 am Last quarter ..,.. ... X$ jl 6$ am New moon ... ... 21 951 am JTirot quarter M .„ 89 1 35 pco



UNIN TERR CJI»XIfiI> SUCCESS, Thia Ohemioal Prepartion is CARBOLISED as a remedy against the ravages of Birde, Books, or other Peata taking the aeed dreaied with itv THIS PREPARATION IS NOW BEING USED EXTENSIVELY IN THE COLONIES OF NEW ZEALAND, AUS- TRALIA, k CENTRAL AFRICA. WHEAT SOWING. Beat and Cheapest Dressing for seed Wheat, OARBOLISED. Patronised by THOUSANDS OF THE FIRSI PRACTICAL FARMERS m the Kingdom. PERFECT FREEDOM FROM; SMUT. It ia acknowledged to be an Eatablished Fact that



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