The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the "Evening Echo"). THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1879.

Show of Curios. —An eadiibition of Curiosities (which, according to the adver vertisement, must be of a very varied and promiscuous nature) is now open for the public inspection at the Templar Hall, at the small charge of one shilling per head. As the proprietor is liberal in dispensing suits of clothes and watches, besides other nhcohsidered trifles, gratis, the admission Cannot be looked upon as all the money too dear. A shilling invested succeeded in'pulling'a'.' watch' off last night, and we have no doubt the winner will go again iif the watch don't.

Ashburton County Cricket Club.— The annual general meeting of the Ash- Iburton County Cricket Club was held at : Quill’s Commercial Hotel, last evening. :There was not a large attendance, and Mr. S. Saunders was voted to the chair. The i chairman briefly reviewed the past season, and explained that owing to insufficient notice the treasurer haid not prepared his usual financial statement, hut it was under stood that, after providing for all liabili ties, a small balance remained in hand. The election of officers was then proceeded with.’ ’ Mr. Mainwaring proposed, Mr. Douglas seconded, and it was carried, “That Mr. F. Guinness and Mr. C. P. Cox be requested to act as President and Vice-President respectively of the Club for?the forthcoming season. ” Mr. Douglas proposed and Mr. Fooks seconded, “ That Mr. S. Saunders be re-elected Captain.” The Chairman said that he would like to see some other gentleman nominated to this important office, as he had held it un interruptedly since the formation of the Club, and thought a change might possibly be to the advantage of members. Several gentlemen having spoken on the subject, the proposition was put and carried unani mously, Mr. Main waring was elected Se cretary, proposed by Mr. Hodder, and seconded by Mr. T. Buchanan; and, on tiie motion of Mr. T. Buchanan, seconded by Mr, Wilkie, Mr. A. Fooks was ap pointed Treasurer. Eleven gentlemen were nominated as members of the General Committee, and, on a ballot being taken, the following five were declared elected (Officers— Captain, Secretary, and Trea surer—to be members ex officio of the Committee), and four to form a quorum:— Messrs. Douglas, Westenra, Crisp, T. Buchanan, and Wilkie. Fourteen gentle men were nominated as Delegates to the Committee;of. the Cricketing - Association, and Mersrs. S. Saunders, Wilkiej aud Mainwaring were'elected. It was decided that practice should be held on the Domain Ground at 4 o’clock each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. A vote, of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceed ings. . - How About Our Little Item.— The following clipping is from a late home paper —Complaints are made of the extensive borrowings made by the small townships of New Zealand. A contem porary observes that every petty township and public body is plunging into debt with the mother country, A very similar spirit has been developed of late by Canadian municipalities, and it is desirable that both borrowers and lenders should reflect somewhat before serious complica tions ensile. '

‘‘.Sir,! do you mean to say that I speak falsely ?” said a person to a Fernch gentle man. -“ No, sare ! I, say not dat. But, sare, I sky you walk around the truth very much; ”

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 2.

A meeting of persons interested in re lieving the present state of the labor market has been held.

A Working Men’s Society has been for;ned to promote the interests of the labouring classes. Mr. Stork, the defeated candidate for City West, has been elected president. Apropos of the unemployed agitation, Messrs. Hamilton, contractors, are offer ing 8s per day, and cannot get men.

LAST NIGHT’S PARLIAMENT.

' o *7 7 (FROMOtJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) ' Wellington, Oct. 2. -v'TherMiVisibn will probably take place to-morrow,' and is quite sure to go against Government. Colonel Trimble and Mr. Dick made able and temperate speeches against the Government last night, and being both well-known Radicals they con demned Sir George Grey of having brought a reproach on the name “ Liberal,” by using it as a cloak for despotism and the “ most abominable communism.”

INCENDIARISM.

A wilful attempt was made during Tues day night to burn down the Christchurch Resident Magistrate’s Courthouse. At ten minutes to five in the afternoon the bailiff’s office was locked up, and at half past seven the assistant bailiff, when passing the back of the Courthouse, looked in through the window of this office, and saw‘that everything was safe. At ten minutes to eight on Wednesday morning, when he opened the outer door, he per ceived a strong smell of something burning, and on hastening to open the door of the bailiff's department, saw smoke proceeding from underneath a large heap of burnt paper, which had been stacked on a chair in front of a table and near the wooden lining of the western side of the room. The seat of the chair, which had been of wood, was completely burnt out, a little of the lining of the wall burnt, and a portion of the leg of the table. All the pigeon holes on this table, which had contained between 250 and 300 summonses of various kinds, to be heard within the next few days, had been cleared and heaped on this chair, in addition to between 700 and 800 forms, and then evidently set fire to. An end window looking out from this table was unfastened and it appeared as if the incendiary, after completing his work, had got on to this table, and in getting out through the window had pushed the pigeon-hole frame on one side. The officials were in the habit of leaving keys of some of the offices hanging in the lobby for the accommodation of those who might have to return to work at night, and this must have been known to the perpetrator, as the door had been opened with the ordinary key. From the large heap of tinder left, and its proximity to such dry woodwork, the great wonder is that the flames did not spread. The loss of the documents destroyed will occasion the department and the public a a good deal of inconvenience.

The Subsidies. —Our readers will be glad to hear that Government have paid over the subsidies due to the public bodies. This informetion was conveyed through the medium of a telegram from E. G. Wright, Esq. , M.H.R., to the Chairman of the County Council yesterday. This payment will set a few thousand pounds afloat among the Road Boards, and be the means of finding employment for some idle but willing hands. The Unemployed.— At the meeting of the County Council yesterday Mr Reed called attention to the fact that the Go vernment were finding work for the employed in the construction of the Wai para section of the Northern railway, and asked whether it would not be competent for the Council to request the Govern ment to place the unemployed in this district on the same terms on the exten sion of the Mount Somers line. Mr Reed’s remarks were called forth in the course of a discussion that arose on the application of his Worship the Mayor for a grant in aid of the Borough Council, whose want of funds prevented them from affording the work they would to the unemployed. Mr Bullock had waited upon the Council at the request of many respectable men who were without em ployment.

PoUNDKEEPER AT ASHBURTON. —Mr W. Price, of Tinwald, will for the future take charge of, and find lodgings for, vagrant cattle, horses, &c. As Mr Price has had several years’ experience in this line, we would recommend owners of roving ani mals to watch their cattle’s movements, otherwise said owners will have to shell out a price to W. Price. The County Hospital. —To render this building complete, the architect, J. S. Bruce, Eaq., recommended to the County Council yesterday, certain improvements in the direction of water supply, drainage, and other necessary adjuncts to the erec tion. These were agreed to by the Council, and will necessarily tend towards making the Hospital one of the most per fect institutions of its class in the colony.

New Evening Paper for Christ church. —Efforts are being made to float a company for the purpose of starting a new evening paper in Christchurch. The proposal, we believe, is to raise a capital of £IO,OOO in 1000 shares of £lO each. The names of Messrs Draper, Allan, C. W. Turner,' and E. Richardson are men tioned in connection with the scheme. The new paper is said to rest its claim for public support on the ground that it intends to be independent of all political parties.—Press.” Mount Somers. —Most of the sheep stations in this district intend mustering their dry flocks during the ensuing week, with the intention of washing them pre paratory to commencing shearing. As soon as tliis is commenced there will be employment for a considerable number of hands for some time, in fact, once started work ought not to be slack till after har vest again. The Road . Board also con templates letting a lot of contracts shortly, which should find work for a number of the unemployed.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held yesterday, when there were present Messrs W. C. Walker (chairman), E. S. . Coster, Duncan Cameron, John Grigg-, Julian Jackson, and Charles Reed. chairman’s statement. The Chairman made his customary state ment as follows :—The Council’s Solicitor has advised me that after carefully con sidering the terms of the Counties Act he is of opinion that the proposed loan of £2OOO to the Ashburton Borough Council is not an appropriation of the moneys of the Council contemplated by that Act, or within the scope of the functions and duties of the Council, and that such appropriation would not be legal. I therefore informed the Mayor that the Council was unable to comply with the Borough Council’s request, and being aware of your desire to give effect if possible to the wishes of the Borough, I expressed the regret the Council felt that it was out of their power to render assistance in the manner proposed. Among the correspondence before you to-day there is a reply from the Borough Council to the Council’s letter re the proposed formation of a Board of Con servators. You will notice that that Council approves of the step suggested by you but recommends the advisability of an elected Board of Conservators in stead of a nominated one, and also that the Council should take the neeessary course to have a Bill to that effect carried through the Houses of Parlia ment during the ensuing session. I have not as yet received a reply from the North and Upper Ashburton Road Boards whether the way proposed by you of carrying out the protective works in their districts is opproved by them. The agreement with, the ferryman, Lower Rangitata ferry, has been signed by him and will be placed before you to-day for your approval and signature. lam in correspondence with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, regarding the reserve for the ferry and have reason to believe that the application for at any rate a part of the reserve will be fovorably entertained. I have advertised the ferry as duly opened for traffic till further notice. The Engineer’s report for this month will principally contain his report on the work to be undertaken at the approaches in the county to the Rakaia Gorge bridge, the method to be adopted in dealing with the storm water on South Rakaia plains, and the proposed drainage at Tinwald. As regards the erection of the Rakaia Gorge bridge the Chairman of the Selwyn County Council has informed me that the Government intend to lose no time in commencing tins work and tenders are already wanted for the first contract. The Lower Ashburton Road Board are now applying for the services of your Engineer to report re the works necessary for the arterial drainage of the lands in the Wheatston and surrounding districts. A communication from Mr. Aitken requesting something be done towards opening up the Alford Forest will be laid before you for your considera tion. You will also have to consider to day applications for the post of pound keeper at the Ashburton and Hinds pounds. FINANCE. A return w laid on the table of the ex penditure in the various ridings in the County. Mr. John Grigg rrlsed the question of the legality of paying over any money to the Borough, since the legal opinion of the Borough’s solicitor, Mr Garrick, had been given to the effect that the loan of £2OOO asked for by the Borough did not come within the scope of the Council’s legiti mate expenditure. There was an item of £125 shown on the balance sheet, which was also open to question. The discussion on the subject was post poned. engineer’s report.

The County Engineer’s report, as under, was then read :

1. —South Approach to Rakaia Gorge Bridge. In accordance with instructions recently received from the Council, I have examined that district, with a view to fixing the most suitable line for approach to bridge about to be constructed over the Rakaia River, adjacent to the present ferry. I may mention that the height to be over come in the making of this approach, is about 430 feet. The Government road, as presently laid out, passes over a succes sion of high terraces, along which a bridle path has, in places, been cut, in zigzag fashion, to a width of about 0 feet, and on gradients generally of about lin 5. It is apparent that no feasible road for vehicles can be got this way, without very consider able deviations from the lines marked oft* along these terraces. The work would be so expensive, and the extra length so con-' siderable, that I shall recommend the making of the road, on the line indicated in red on the plan. The accompanying section has been taken on that line. The cuttings, for the most part, will be along ground having a steep cross section (If to 1), and there will also be a considerable quantity of rock in the excavations, but the greater part of it is of such quality as to be easily removed. One important ad vantage to be gained in adopting this route, would be the lessened cost of main tenance, arising partly from the firmer nature of the material along that line, and partly from the altered location having a more northerly exposure, so that fewer slips may be expected to take place on the necessarily steep slopes of the cuttings and embankments. When preparing the working plan and sections, some modifica tions can still be made, and the total ex pense, including a fence on lower side, should not exceed £llsO. The length, in all, is. 92 chains. 2.—Drainage at Tinwald.

In compliance with your instructions to report on this subject in terms of requi sition placed before the Council, by the Lower Ashburton Road Board, I have carefully considered the snbject, and beg now to submit section of the main drain, which, in my opiuion ought to be made along the west side of railway in that dis trict. There is a large volume of water discharged at and near Tinwald in the time of heavy rains, and I would suggest that a portion of it should be carried off by a drain, leading from the south side of Wester-field (or Lagmohr) Road, directly to the creek south of Tinwald Station. All to the north of Westerfield Road Crossing, to be led into Mr. Carter’s oreek, as shown. The length of the former would be about 38 chains, and the latter 3l£ chains. This channel should

ho 12 fqefc wide (ij, bqfctqrq, with slopes of 2 to 1, arid the exGiWations to be deposited to a uniform height, on the- side next railway. It would be imprudent to extend the cut along the railway so as to discharge into the river, as you will observe from the section that there is no fall for this pur pose. The bottom of Mr. Carter’s creek is on the same level as the ordinary sur face of water in the river (which is 30 chains distant) and any cutting there would |be a. means- of leaking back water from the river towards Tinwald, in time of flood, and so tend to aggravate the evil instead of relieving it. At a point in Mr. Carter’s creek, about half a mile from the railway, a small embankment of nearly 3 chains in length will have to be formed, and the present channel will have to be regulated for; a distance of about 7 chains above this point. ,My estimate of the works proposed is as follows :

In addition to this there would be a culvert to construct under the footpath at Tinwald station, another through the re cently formed embankment for the branch railway, and a third under the main line of railway, to provide the additional water way required for the outlet, at creek south of Station.

Were it not for the railway works, these culverts would be unnecessary, and it ap pears to me that the cost of them ought to be ■ defrayed entirely by the railway authorities. I have no doubt they will agree to this when the matter is brought under their notice by the Road Boards concerned. The line of railway in that quarter will be greatly benefitted by the proposed drain. „■ - : As to the other works embraced in the foregoing estimate, I presume the expense would be borne equally by the Upper Ashburton and Lower Ashburton Road Boards, inasmuch as it would in reality be a boundary drain dividing that portion of the Road Districts. j. — Pounds. The Pound at Hinds is now . finished, and that at Alford Forest is in hand. The Contractors have got several of the gates, &c., ready, and will commence the erec tion in a few days. 4. — Bridges. The iron bark timber for bridge at Digby’s has arrived ■at Lyttelton, and operations will be commenced without delay. The balance of timber for Hinds bridge has also arrived, at Lyttelton. So soon as the Mount Somers Road Board signify their approval of the arrange ments made for bridge over Taylor’s stream, Mr. Butts’ tender for same will, 1 presume, be accepted. y, —Floodwater Ashburton and Rakaia Plains. I have, in conjunction with Mr. Lowe, the Government Engineer, and Mr. Bain, the Engineer appointed by the several Road Boards, inspected the damage done on the plains by the floods of June last. After examining several points on the Railway between Rakaia and Chertsey which were affected by the recent floods, we were met by representatives of the various Road Boards interested, who accompanied us the greater part of the way, while we made the circuit of the plains on the upper side of railway, and who pointed out to us fully the extent of the storm water, and the nature of the damage occasioned. I now beg to lay before you for your information copy of the joint report which we have submitted to the chairman of the South Rakaia Road Board, from whom the requisitions were received. Wioliam Baxter, County Engineer. RAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE APPROACHES.

Mr. Reed proposed -and Mr. Grigg seconded —“ That consideration of the approaches to the Rakaia bridge be post poned, and that Messrs. Jackson, Reed, and Cameron be appointed to visit the site with the Engineer, and report to next meeting. ” . The motion was carried TINWALD DRAINAGE. The portion of the report dealing with the drainage at Tinwald was referred to the Upper and Lower Ashburton Road Boards. REPORT ON FLOOD WATER ON THE ASHBUR TON AND RAKAIA PLAINS. ' The following'report by the Govern ment, County’s, and Road Boards’ Engi neers was submitted: — “In accordance with request, the un dersigned have conjointly examined the effects of the floods in June last on the above plains. On the Rakaia side there is no defined storm water channel, and con sequently in flood time the surface water accumulates in rapidly increasing volume from the hills to the sea. The June flood seems to have covered the entire surface of the district, discharging into all natural depressions in the plains as indicated on the plan (accompanying this report). In some places its course was several chains wide, and on some ploughed land the soil was carried away. The sectional area re presenting the volume of water passing near Barr Hill may be set down at 350 superficial feet; and at the railway cross ing near the 44th mile, at 459 feet. We are of opinion it is indispensable, in the general interests of the residents and pro perty that the flood water, where practica ble, should be carried off, and suggest that a channel of sufficient capacity and suitable inclination should be cut at Barr Hill, discharging into the Rakaia river, as indicated on the plan. At this point the natural course of the storm water comes nearest to the river, and the damage below this line is heavier than that above. The length of this proposed channel to the top of the terrace would be 60 chains, and water would be discharged oyer this terrace (which consists of loose shingle about 200 feet high) by a concrete shoot. Our estimate for, this work is £3,300. A few miles higher up the inclination of the surface water is more towards the centre of the plains, and to the line of railway near the post-office, Methven, about six miles from the river.’. The formation of a water-course from this point to Rakaia

river would bq such an pxpensivq work that we can hardly recommend it. The distance is about six miles, and after being led through minor terraces near the river, would require to be discharged over the river bank, which is very steep, about 300 feet high, and composed entirely. of shingle. The cost would be little less than £20,000. The chasms already scooped out by the storm-water in that immediate neighborhood afford indications of the danger of heading a large volume of water in that direction. The creek re ferred to carries all the water so half a mile below Methven post-office, but it there runs out on the surface, leaving uo defined channel. Seeing the enormous depth of shingle underneath the sur face, it has occured to us that a few acres might be stripped where the creek runs out, with a view to the absorp tion of the water. Doubtless, this would silt up in time, but the expense of keep ing it open or exposing fresh shingle, would be small ip comparison to main taining an open channel of any consider able length. All surface water between Methven and Barr Hill would be inter cepted by the proposed new channel If it were found this were insufficient, the ex pense incurred would’ not be wasted, as the settling basin would become a reser voir, from which water not absorbed by the shingle would be discharged, and any race to be made would be smaller than one made to take all the water. The cost of utilising seven acres in this way -would be £950. Regarding the flood water on the

Ashburton side of the plains, it seems to us if the existing creeks are utilised, and are continued in the direction of the North- Ashburton River, no great damage of con sequence need be anticipated. There has been little effort made to keep these creeks clear, and their channels are very tortuous, but we do not recommend straightening them further than removing sharp bends and contractions,, as the fail of the plains is so great that the bends lessen the in clination. The creek from Thompson’s house to the river is large, and the adjoin creek might be led into it along the road not yet formed, and we hear the Upper Ashburton Road Board intend utilising another road for the same purpose, the gradients being suitable, and there is ample space for the purpose. At an ex pense of £4O per mile, the creek could be widened and regulated to carry down the water there. Great care must be exercised by the Road Boards in providing suitable crossings at roads, and attending properly to inlets and outlets. Indeed, the conser vation of these creeks is so important that we should recommend it to be placed in the hands of the Board likely to be ap pointed for the conservation of the Ash burton rivers. In several instances over the plains, surface water might be more easily disposed of along lines of roads, which would tend much to remedy the evil. The amount of fall to water courses should always be carefully considered. The question of storm water is one of daily increasing importance, as cultivation is rapidly spreading over the plains, and so the rainfall is carried off more rapidly while the construction of ditching and fencing tends to divert the water from its natnral courses into channels un fitted to receive it; and further, that the value of damages done -is greatly increased when it is considered that culti vations are now liable to be destroyed in stead of waste lands as formerly. R. Preston Bain, Engineer appointed by South Rakaia Road Board. J. Henry Lowe, ' ‘ v . Resident Engineer, Canter bury Railways. William Baxter, County Council Engineer.

Mr. Grigg was of opinion that before a final report was brought up the require ments of all the districts should be con sidered.

Mr. Coster proposed that consideration of the report on the subject of storm water be postponed until the Road Boards have had an opportunity of considering the same. Mr. Grigg seconded, and the motion was carried. ROAD TO ALFORD FOREST BUSH. 4 ? J In repiy to a letter from Mr. J. A. Aitken, in reference to the necessity for a road to Alford Forest Bush, it was resolved to reply that unless some special necessity could be shown for such a work the Council could not contemplate inter fering with any roads within a road dis trict. , • • - LEAVE OF ABSENCE . A J was granted to Messrs. Saunders and E. G. Wright, M.H.Rs. RANGITATA TRAFFIC BRIDGE.- The Chairman explained that he con sidered it would be necessary to have half the expenditure on the bridge legalised from the funds of the Geraldine County Council. The expenditure had already been about £1,200. Mr. Reed said they had undertaken a de tail ; survey so as to show the Geraldine County Council the state of things. The following motion, proposed by Mr. Grigg was, after some discussion, adopted -—“ That all papers relating to the Rangi tata Bridge extension works be forwarded to the Member for the district, with a re quest tha he, draw the attention of the Government to the letter of this Council; dated July 17, 1879, and that the Govern ment be urged to act on one of the three suggestions contained therein; and also that he endeavor to obtain a refund from the Geraldine County Council of one half of the money already expended on works at the bridge.” BRIDGES IN THE MOUNT SOMERS DISTRICT. Copies of resolutions passed by the Mount Somers Road Board were read as follows : Resolved—With reference to the plans of a bridge over the South Ashburton river at Hood’s, and the County Engi neer’s estimate of the same, that the County Council be requested to invite alternative tenders—(l) for the erection of an iron bridge after Mr. Higginson’s plans; (2), for a 40-feet span timber bridge, in order that the two bodies in terested may have the opportunity of choosing the more econmical tender. Resolved—That, as the Government is unable to fix a site for a combined bridge over the north Ashburton river.’ the County Council be requested to adopt the site recommended by their Engineer, and have plans and specifications for 40-feet span timber traffic bridge prepared : and advertise for tenders with as little delay as possible. Resolved—That the tenders for bridge over Taylor’s stream, provisionally accepted by the County Council at its last sitting be approved of by the Board *

•j)ho Chairman explained the Do&tfd considered it necessary to call for alterna tive i tenders, with "a view to test the estimates. r ■ - The Council adopted the suggestion of the Board. ■ NORTH ASHBURTON BRIDGE, NEAR PUDDING HILL. Mr Julian Jackson thought the money should be spent in permanent works, and not in works that would in the future beepme a tax on the ratepayers. He thought that before steps were taken to build any more timber bridges the matter should receive grave consideration, and the wishes of the Mount Hutt Road Board should be considted. Mr Coster thought there was a dif ference between the wishes of the general,,: body of the ratepayers and those of a Road Board. A wider opinion than the members of the latter ought to be taken. Mr Grigg thought the opinion of the ratepayers should come through the Road ;‘A Board. . . .. . Mr Cameron would like to see a.more r' liberal view taken of the question. . Two' | of the other bridges were in the. Mount Somers district, but Mount Hutt would get the bridge in question. He would-,O consider it only fair if Mount Hutt and South Rakaia should pay a fourth of the * cost, Mount Somers a fourth, and the re mainder by the County Council.. ..J .uiv- Mr Reed said he could not see. why they should ask the Mount Hutt Road Board whether the Council should build this bridge or not. They , ha,d allocated what r - they thought fair to the district, and lie " could not see the necessity of asking Road Boards as to their expenditure, -rps V (5 q The Chairman explained that the con struction of the bridge had been contem- ~ plated for months, and had the ratepayers any objection to it, these could have been made longago. . ; • . - - i'J JA Mr Jackson explained that his meaning was that ratepayers should te in a better^- position to judge what their requirements | were than outsiders. He moved, “ ThatA the question of the bridge be referred te the Mount Hutt Road Board, to repqrt r on before any expeniture be incurred thereon.” - • A ■ /

Mr. Grigg seconded, pro, forma. He did not think it was wise to refer to these

questions. If there was any doubt as to the wisdom of building this bridge then the ratepayers’ local knowledge would be w a guidance to the Council, but all the evidence possible should be obtained before spending any money on it. 1 The Chairman could .not; admit'' the wisdom of this motion. The question . had been “ on the stocks ” for 12 Communication had been made with the railway company, as to its being a railway' or traffic bridge, and as it was now decided to be a traffic bridge, and the ratepayers had every opportunity of objecting.- . He would ask the Council to adopt the resb- , lution of the Mount Somers Road Board.. Mr. Jackson considered that if tlie Mount Hutt Road. Board had to pay any money towards the: erection, they would prefer it spent in necessaries rather than in luxuries, • -

Mr. Cameron expected that as the Methern railway wak now nearly com pleted a large traffic would spring up across the north branch and the bridge would be found a great convenience. The motion was lost. - ••• This was tantamout to instructing theT Engineer to call for tenders for the erection. the unemployed. Thos. Bullock, Esq., Mayor of Ash burton, waited upon the Council, and said a number of unemployed had waited upon him that morning. Amongst them were a number of respectable men with families, and, after having received 4 reply from the County Council that the £2OOO could not be borrowed, the Borough would ask for a grant in aid. The Borough had not received a Ishilling from the Council. [“ Oh ! oh !” from fnembers.] Well, they had not received a shilling for expenditure in the Borough. The money for water supply, had been absorbed by an order sent home for pipes. Thd Mayor also presented a petition, asking the Council to use its influence in having the Mount Somers railway extended to Mount Somers and Big Jim’s Bay. It was signed by E. G. Wright, Esq. , and 18 others.

The Chairman , replied, that the Council would only be tod happy ter relieve any distress among the unemployed, but the question of a grant'in- aid was quite aa impossible as a loan. In reference to the petition re the rail way, it was resolved that the Government be requested to proceed with the construc tion of the railway to Mount Somers, already authorised, and that the Govern ment be requested to consider the ques tion of sending some of the unemployed there as they have done to Waipara. The Council then adjourned for lunch. SUBSIDIES TO BE PAID AT LASTr On reassembling, • ; The Chairman read the following tele gram from. E. G., Wright, Esq., Welling ton “ All subsidies -applied for have been paid, and would recommend the Road Boards in the County to apply for for theirs forthwith.”

Mr. Grigg proposed—“ That the. Clerk at once apply for'subsidies due to this Council, and to the Road Boards.

WATER SUPPLY- FOR PLAINS. Another telegram from Mr. ; Wright dated - 29th ult., was read, stating that in reference to the water supply scheme for the Rakaia plains, it would be necessary to forward a map to Wellington, showing where the pipes to convey the water would intersect private lands. - > v . , , The Clerk stated that the map was in course of preparation.

‘ DRAINAGES AT WHEATSONE.- , i n A letter was read from the Lower Ain* burton Road Board, asking that the ser vices of the County Engineer be granted for reporting on the best scheme for re lieving the storm water on the low lying lands in the Wheatstone district. '

Mr. Grigg moved the adoption of the recommendation, and asked the Council to include in the scheme a report on the whole district as far as Coldstream Home stead. It would not be absolutely neces sary to do the whole at once, but he should like to see it as bine scheme.* * The motion was carried. . . ‘ POUND-KEEPER AT HINDS.- ' t. t ; ’ The Lower Ashburton Board recom mended Mr. Little of Hindhope, as Pound keeper at Hinds, and he was duly ap pointed. ■ : • FERRYMAN AT RANGITATA. • . ;T The Lower Ashburton. Road Board wrote re Findlay’s application for remu neration whilst acting as feiryman at Lower Ashburton. ' :

fPtWßfibAv; •■o6T©ww f,

Wm A@HBUi.Tt3N HBIAUS,



Drain from South side of Westerfield Road Cross- ing to Creek south of i Tinwald, including con- crete and causewaying £ s. d. at end of ditto Drain from North side of Westerfield Road to Mr. 60 17 6 Carter’s Creek Embankment, &c., Car- ter’s Creek, half a mile 64 12 10 from railway .22 10 0 £148 0 4



Clothing Establishment. M f Iv‘ M HI If! * k-.- •* | kv. -V -1 fv? ASSIGNMENT OF THE; ESTATE OF MESSRS. AITKEN, CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS, BAsQOE & CO:; Mr. J. H. Morrison;',.' «ManagerMoagielWoolen Factory, cf l Trustees. ... • i r -AND MlUaJpHN^RoSSjr—^- Of Sargood, Sons & Ewing„ ypHE above large Clothing Manufac- J_ turing Firm having had to succumb to these hard -times, and assign their estate, we havCi been jinduced by the Trustees to purchase the whole of their large Manufactured Stock at a Very Heavy Reduction, andSfiave resolved to sell the same again in our Branches direct to the public at-,prices at which we could, not legitimately .sell our s own Goods.* ? . In fact (withoiit exaggeration) during the next few weeks we are in a position to offer *: HEW GOODS n-’- Dk4. a. w •'L.i 5 - ;•* & * <***"■» IN MEN’S AND BOYS-ATTIRE. .OCColonial Manufacture, at from ONE T H I R D O \ J° , ONE HALF fiiEi R USUAL COST. n '■! r 7 ;* *; /; HALLENSTEIN BROS., New Zealand Clothing Factory. : J The assigned Stock will be for Sale in *ur Ashburton Branch from and on SATURDAY NEXT, 28th JUNE. New Zealand Clothing Factory. \ b'iik ..f/bnsgA vm/oVT I2a •. .UifioinmlQ'V . jilia \<S ifiini .-H.ua frtii i - Meetings. As y n oti ce. os; ASHBURTON TOWN HALL COMPANY .3UVri[IJMITED3.;;I r A OK rfiHEANNUALGENERALMEETING | of the Ashburtcn Town Hall Com pany will be held on .MONDAY, the 6th October, at 12 o’Clocki noofi, : in : the Town Hall, y and not (on I Saturday next, as previously,advertised... . . - By order "of the Directors. CHARLES BRADDELL, S 0 c rGtsry# Ashburton, 2nd Oct., 1879. 522 a Public Notices. IQTHWQNDEROFTHEWQRLD 1!!. A -N EXHIBITION of Varieties of all kinds of Curiosities comprising Egyptian Skulls, Views of Great Cities, and Sir Walter Scott after Death, will be held .Td'-night (Thursday) in the TEM PLAR HALL.; 'All prizes and-no blanks. Suits of Clothes, Silver Watch, &c., &c. Admission, Is. Last night. 54 ASHBURTON TOWN HALLCOMPANY [Limited]. ■ ■_ / f %J: <4 by ' S . \k> ■ fiOTICEj isJLhereby.'given ]; that the , 1 REGISTER BOOK of the about Cpmpanyf is; CLOSED t ;for three weeks from date, 'and . willbe again open for inspection on 4th; October next] H By order of the Directors, jgathro . , ° Secretary. NEW~ZEALAND WESLEYAN , Published Monthly.'. • I i /. ■ 1 N JUST ARRIVED, the “ New Zealand Wesleyah ” for October. Price 6d Sold. at th'e ITERALD Oflice, East Street. t aLIAWW£EKS AND DIXON, Agents. C. —, , I I > ■ ■■ ■ ; 1 •SfiBURTON BOYS’ SCHOOL.-Mr. ix ‘Davidson’s Quarter Commences -ttff'MONDAY Next.' ' Vacancies for Four , io .. ui 44- —515 a €EASHBURTON BOROUGH, COUNCIL. NOTICE TO RATEPAYERS. -VTOTICE JS HEREBY GIVEN that I\l all the Rates now due and remain ing unpaid',oh the 13th'October next, will hfe>SUED FOR without further notice. . . - By order, '} C HAS. BRADDELL, ■■■ . ,t6l3.lL7o“'Town Clerk. j -“Ashburton, 29th Sept. j 1876. 507a—13 SOUTH RAKAIA ROAD DISTRICT. iITIENPERS will ? be; received up, to • Wed- X nesday, the. 6th Octoberf for the following works '■ U ; | V ail-i-Metallihg: about. 7: miles of . the Road , *L' " .7 ;aiid metalling about 1 mile of 'the road running through ol ' 3r'F6rihihg. aiid..metalling about 1 hiile of the road running through section No. 7135 . 4. For Fencing the Gravel Reserves in the district -r rl , .. ; ‘Separate' tenders will also be re ceived for picking the looso Btones Great" 'South ’arid River roads.-ali'srik'.v.'.v . r~ — Specifications can be seen at the Road l feißbardt Officej where tender forms .Iscanibeaibtained^^v-ioi ’ «"! A. MAKEIG, /.; f 491 a Clerk to the Board.



Business Announcements. THE ASHBURTON TOWN HALL COMPANY LIMITED. v A MEETING of tHe Shareholders of /\ the above Company is hereby called to be held at the Towil Hall, Ashburton, on MONDAY, the ,18th:, day of October instant, at:7-30 iri’theeyenmg, to consider the enlarging of the ‘ Powers of,, Directors with reference to borrowing., and other alterations of the Memoi-an'duin pf -Articles of Association. :■ ~ c THOS. BULtOCi, - Chairman? of the Bpardbf Directors. Dated this 2nd day of October, ,1879. f .£• 524 a WANTED, a good Female VOook, or Married Couple without encum brance, for a Station. Apply at c ,Quill’s Hotel. ' 525 a WANTED, a Good Man Cook for aj station ; must be a steady rhiin. . ' Apply Quill’s Hotel. > \ , 5 526£ PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, wills Street, f' -.4 \ SPECIAL SERVICE will be held in the above Church? on Friday, 3rd inst., at 7.30 p.m., conducted by Mr. W. H. Puddicombe, late in charge of the Waimate Station. -527 a R. In the District Court of Christchurch, ! Holden at Ashburton. : —- ) In the matter of the “ Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876.” and the “ Debtors and Creditors Act Amend ment Act, 1878,” and of the bank ruptcy of JOHN COWPER, Station j master, Tinwald. N OTICE is herebyigiven that the creditors of the above-named debtor having failed tb elect a trustee, I have this day appointed Frederick Pavitt, of Ashburton, a certificated accountant in bankruptcy, to be trustee of the estate of the above-named debtor, and the said Frederick Pavitt has in writing signified his acceptance of such Trusteeship. Dated at Ashburton this twenty-third day of Seotember, 1879. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, 523 a Clerk of the Court. -s ~ • IIN THE ESTATE OF J. PORTER. 1 FIRST DIVIDEND on all proved Claims: in James Porter’s Estate, will be payable at the Offices of Messrs. Fried lander Bros., on and after MONDAY, 6th instant. R. FRIEDLANDER, 528 a Trustee.