The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1879. THE DRAINAGE OF THE LOWER ASHBURTON DISTRICT.

The fact that the County Council have so far recognised the necessity of some thiiig being done towards alleviating the damages done by every flood in the Wheat stone, Waterton, and Longbeach districts, as to grant the services of theii’ Engineer to report on the necessary works will be welcome news to our readers in that por tion of the county. Year after year, and flood, after flood, it has become eviden t that some arterial drainage works are absolutely necessary to enable farmers in those localities to prosecute their indus- J f tries with some prospect of success, but as long as the storm water from the hills is allowed to overflow the rich swamp country without a check, and be in fact assisted on its course to the sea by-roads and artificial drains, so long will agricul tural pursuits be a risky speculation, and r damages to crops, fences, and roads will f\ be the' rule. The question is a tolerably extensive one, and it is now evident that a grave error was committed when the land ; } was Hirst - surveyed, in. not reserving drainage areas throughout the country - from, the railway, to the sea, so that the flood water could be diverted from the farms and roads at convenient points, so as at once to relieve them from damage, ; - but as it unfortunately happened no such ■'i '-'reserves were made, and there is not a single road in the district leading direct to the sea, which could be utilised as a drain age area, all the roads are intersected by cross roads, cutting across the natural run of 'the water, and thus the flow of the storm water is checked in its progress to sea, and as a natural result farms are flooded, fences ruined, crops destroyed, and general dissatisfaction is expressed by the ratepayers. The evil complained of commences at the railway line. By this, the flood water is intercepted at various places, and from ' want of sufficient culverts, it collects at several points until it breaks through the the railway and thus, instead of gradually flowing away as the rain falls it rushes in a roaring torrent down such depressions in the land as give it vent. One case in point is the overflow at Tinwald. Here the main road to Waterton, knewn as Graham’s road, becomes in flood time a canal, and the storm water escaping over the railway where it could easily be di verted, is converted into a source of damage to roads and farms for a distance of fully ten miles. Now a remedy is easily found for this, and we are glad to see that the Lower Ashburton Road Board having taken the initiative in the . matter, are likely to be assisted by the County Council.. The proposal made by the former body wa3 that a drain should be cut on the upper side of the railway line and continued from Tinwald to Carter’s creek near the railway bridge. Owing, however to a diversity of interests respecting the proposed drain, the site of it being on the railway reserve, and out side the Lower Ashburton Road Board’s jurisdiction, it was found necessary to apply to the County Council, as being a body with larger powers, for their assist ance in the matter, and that body has so far agreed to the scheme as to prepare plans and estimates for the work. The hood water here will he considerably in missed, and the evil aggravated by the extra of WpV ‘diverted by the embawlpieht 2$ the feat !§»» I ?i Sis*,

will be averted from the low-lying lands on Graham’s roach Lower down on the same road, at Wheatstone, there is ano ther point which requires grave considera tion. Here the land is of the richest des cription, is intersected with numerous shallow watercourses, and is as a rule com pletely submerged in flood time. A cross drain was cut by tlie Road Board between two and three years ago, and although of some relief, has been found to be totally inadequate for the work required of it ; and it has been suggested that the sectional area of it should be increased to sufficient dimensions to render.it capable of divert ing all the flood water from the swamp lands into the Ashburton river. There ai'e no engineering difficulties in the way, and we understand that an outlay of about £4OO would effectually cure the evil, and relieve all the farmers in the locality of Wheatstone and Ashton from the risk of drowned crops, damaged fences, and the destruction of their pastures by standing water. The question of the necessary funds is beginning to pinch the Board concerned, they having been very liberal in the expenditure of their grants ; but we cannot shut our eyes to the justice of the principle which Mr John Grigg has endeavored to establish in his seat in the County Council, that swamp lands have as equal a right to a grant for drainage as dry lands have for a water supply. It seems hard that a district so wealthy in its re sources, should languish for want of so small a work, and we have no doubt that the farmers in the district would be only too willing to pay a special rate to have so great a boon conferred upon them. In the neighborhood of Waterton the ques tion presents more difficulties, since there is no public road along which drainage can be diverted, and it will be necessary to ac quire a drainage area, or pay compensa tion to land holders, for a right to cut drains through their land to the sea. Wa terton is in an unfortunate position, being situated in a natural depression of the country, and is thus converted into a re ceptacle for the overflow oif all the creeks within miles. The name of the town is suggestive, and suitable to it, for on every occasion when a couple of days heavy rain occurs, all landmarks "with the exception of houses, are under water, and the majority of houses have their floors from six inches to eighteen inches under water, consequently it will be no ordinary sized ditch which will be required to com pete with the torrents which overflow this part of the country. However,, .we will be glad to see the report of Mr Baxter on the matter, and hope that he will devise some scheme by which to combat the evil.

Land Tax. —The amount of Land Tax collected in the Ashburton County up to date is £484 12s lid. The balance is due on October 14. The Dromore Station. —We notice that as an outcome of the application for a goods shed at Dromore, made by Mr. E. G. Wright, several truck loads, which appear to consist of the “ makings ” of a station master’s “ shanty,” have been shunted on to the sidings. This shows a promptitude on the part of the Government quite as unexpected as welcome, and we hope to see tenders called for the grain shed which we trust will be of better architectural design than the buildings already sent up.

Wakanui School District. —Owing to the increase in the attendance at the Wakanui School, it has been found neces sary to add a female teacher to the staff, and a school-mistress is advertised for to day. It is also contemplated' to establish another school district in this locality, midway between the Ashburton township and the present school, We believe the site of the new school is intended to be fixed somewhere in the neighborhood of the Elgin Farm, where a large population is resident, and who are at present too far from any public school to take advantage of its benefits.

Ashburton Fire Brigade.—A prac tice of the Fire Brigade took place last evening in Tancred street. The suction hose of the engine was connected with the pipe opposite the A 1 Private Hotel, and two delivery hoses attached. These with half-inch nozzles, succeeeed in throwing a stream to a distance of 72 and 78 feet respectively. A single one-inch jet was then tried, and delivered a stream to a distance of 63 feet; and with a f-inch nozzle a distance of 98 feet was gained, the engine throwing a splendid stream although only fourteen men were on the pumps in place of twenty-two which are required to keep the engine in full work. The Brigade are to be complimented on the good working order the engine is in, and the gear in connection with it, and we should like to see so useful a body meet with.more support both with respect to volunteers and funds. Although Ash burton has been so far singularly free from any disastrous fires, the day may be not far distant when the services of this necessary corps may be required, and w/ feel sure that their services are only to be called into requisition to be appreciated. The Unemployed. —His Worship the Mayor received the following telegram yesterday from Christchurch : —“Will you please state how many men are actually wanting employment on Government works. lam afraid both Weka Pass and Albury sections are full, but if you will state the number who would like to go to either of those places, I will see what can be done. The work is let by piece-work, on the basis that good men can earn six shillings per day.— Dawson.” His Wor ship has also placed at our disposal the following telegram from the Under secretary for Public Works at Welling ton : —“ I havesubmitted your telegram of yesterday to the Minister for Public Works, who has set apart a portion of the Albury extension for the unemployed. The District Engineer at Christchurch has been wired to let you know the date when work will be ready, and how the men will be conveyed thither. If necessary, the Weka Pass work will also be available.— John Knowles.”

New Song.—“ My New Zealand Home” is the title of a soug written and composed by Mr John Grigg, of the Thames gold field, Auckland, and is intended for the boys and girls of the colony. The music is not difficult, and when known, so as to give the expression intended by the com poser, it will, we think, be very attractive. The get up, as one of the first productions of printing sheet music, by Wilsons and Horton, Auckland, eredit&bje, and fs find it can ot he obtained in the old jpljjjisn, as well m gaLfa find ftf <1 m&mm m

A Grain op Wheat.— lf we reckon that a single grain of wheat produces fifty grains, and that these fifty grains will each produce fifty grains more, and so on, we find in the second year 2500 grains ; in the third year, 125,000 grains ; in the sixth year, 15,625,000 grains; in the twelfth year, 234,140,625,000,000 grains. The third year’s crop would give 300 men a meal, leaving enough bran to feed eight pigs for one day. The produce of the single grain in the twelfth year would suffice to supply all the inhabitants of the earth with food during their lifetime. A Questionable Account. —At the meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board, on Monday last, an account was rendered by the Railway department to the Board for the sum of £7O 17s 9d, for expenses incurred in removing the Station-master’s house at Chertsey from one side of the line to the other. It seems that the Board had requested the removal; of the cottage so as to obtain a right-of-way on a road ; and after its removal the domicile had a number of additions and improvements made to it ; the South Rakaia Road Board are anxious to know before they “ part with the amount demanded from them whether the amount of the railway autho rities’ account includes these additions as well as the cost of removal. We must say that the little bill does look heavy for tlie amount of work done.

Chertsey. —This rising township has now a recreation ground to boast of. The situation is directly opposite the Railway station, and the committee have had it ploughed, harrowed, and fenced in, and will next year have it planted with trees, and laid out with footpaths, and make it generally into a pleasure garden for tlie residents. Storm Water on the Plains. —The exhaustive report of Messrs. Lowe, Baxter and Bain, on the storm water causing damage on the plains, has been submitted to the various local bodies af fected by it; and we understand that delegates from the various Road Boards interested,' and the County Council, will meet at an early date with a view to taking some practical steps towards adopt ing the suggestions contained in the report. Wakanui School Committee. —A m eet ing of the above committee was held.in the schoolroom on Monday evening. Pre sent—Messrs Earle (chairman), Thomas, Painter, and Clephane. A petition was presented to the committee for signature, by Mr Jones, of Seafield, with the view of getting the mail delivered three times a week at Wakanui and Seafield, instead of twice, as at present. The chairman was instructed to advertise for aschoolmistress, owing to the rapid increase of attendance lately. The master stated that the average attendance at present was over fifty. It was . further agreed that the chairman write to the Board of Education, inform ing them of the necessity for enlarging the school, and, if possible, to get it com pleted during the mid-summer holidays. The committee then adjourned.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[by telegraph.]

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington, Oct. 8.

Messrs Ormond, Russell, Dick, and several others of Mr Hall’s supporters have left Wellington, in the confidence that nothing could be done for a week, and that the usual courtesy as to necessary time would, as a matter of course, be granted to tlie incoming Ministry. But those who reckon on Sir George Grey by any ordinary rules are sure to be disap pointed, and this afternoon the absence of the gentlemen I have mentioned was taken advantage of to resist an adjourn ment over two ordinary sitting days, which would have liberated members for five days, and given Ministers an unusually short time to prepare to meet the House with a policy, and measures. It is rumored that Mr Stewart has followed Mr Pyke’s example, and forsaken a party in which his services were not appreciated, but it is difficult to believe that a gentle man of Mr Stewart’s position could take such a course.

It is confidently asserted by the Greyite organs and supporters that after a week’s very hard work, with alternate flattery and pressure, : Sir George Grey has been prevailed on to stand aside and let some one else lead his party, but no one expects that it is anything more than a feint to secure a speedy return. Mr Rolleston has not been allowed to keep the Public Works after all, but Mr Oliver is now nominated in that capacity. ; Between tlie self-seeking of individual members and the narrow, shortsighted demands for excessive expenditure in each district, a good Go vernment seems impossible, and at present it seems very like no Government at all, as neither party can command a working majority in the House. Oct. 9.

Parties are about equally balanced, and there is no sign of a well supported Government from either side, when it comes to a question of purchasing Mr. Vincent Pyke. You need have no doubt as to which party will bid highest, or which will make the freest use of a five million loan to purchase block votes with promises. Every day shows more clearly that the scramble for borrowed money has de moralised the House so completely that honest Government is impossible until that corrupting element is removed either by the cessation of loans or by the adoption of some different tribunal to decide on the expenditure on public works.

It is greatly to be desired that the Hall Ministry will remain in office at least long enough to give the colony and its creditors a reliable statement of the present de plorable position of our finance, as unless they do, there is not tlie slightest chance of the naked truth being made known, or the necessary painful and unpopular mea sures adopted to make both ends meet. A very ugly state of things, too, I am sure, is to be discovered in the Native Department, as soon as an honest Minister has time to investigate it.

A wrong done us may be forgiven, but how we may forgive those whom we have injured is a grave problem. A cheerful rumor is prevalent that the “ Bulletin” has decided to have all its original articles hereafter printed in red. This will pave its alleged readers no end of time and trouble. Apropos of this, we see by a poem published, by that reliable journal last wsels, entitled “An Jncident of tfie French Qainp,’ 1 and §ign§d ityfius Sergiu J the Browning has opened ft M pR

TELEGRAPHIC.

AUSTRALIAN.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

(Reuter's) i Sydney, Oct. 9. The Trades Unions have carried resolu tions condemning the continuance of assisted immigration. Brisbane, Oct. 9. Government have resolved to: resume assisted immigration. A. 'A \

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct. 9.

At the Government experimental test target matches, Lieut. Skinner, gained the Ist prize, and Vol. Hazard 2nd. A. M. Pemberton, on a charge of. embezzling £l2 12s, tlie property of Atkinson and Horton, was remanded. Henry Watts, aged 14, lias been ar rested for attempted rape 011 a girl under 10. Wellington, Oct. 9. Mr Cox, the Government geologist, has forwarded. to the Colonial Secretary a report on the Wairarapa quartz reefs. It states that there are several outcrops of quartz, but no gold is visible. A couple of specimens taken from Brandon’s reef, when assayed, yielded 14 dwts. 1 gr., and 12 dwts. 1 grain to the ton respectively. Quartz taken from neighboring reefs gave 4 dwts. to the ton. Timber and water are abundant. The locality is readily accessible, and the quartz is not difficult to work.

At the Supreme Court, yesterday, tlie Grand Jury threw out the bill against Flexman, Ward, and others for an alleged l’iot at Gisborne, and brought down a presentment that the action of the justices at Gisborne in sending such paltry cases to Wellington was most reprehensible. His Honor promised to forward the pre sentment to the Colonial Seeretary, and remarked that if he found that he had power, he would disallow the expenses of the prosecution.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

London, October 6. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,660,000 quarters. Best Australian mutton tallow, 35s per cwt. The Bacchante has arrived at Gibralter. The race for the Czarewitch was won by Chippengate, Westbourne second!, and Dresden third. St. Petersburg, Oct. 6. A secret printing press has been dis covered, and several arrests made. Bombay, Oct. 7. ■ According to authentic information the Resident and staff - have left Manda lay. (Argus Special.) London, Oct. 6. The damage caused by the slight colli sion between the Achilles and the Alex andra, ironclads, has been repaired. The Italian press warmly welcomed Mr Gladstone in Italy. The Spanish Premier advises an alli ance with Austria.

The Crown Prince of Germany pro ceeds to Italy on a political mission. The Russian journals are again Avar like, and speak of war Avitli Germany, Austria, and England as inevitable.. ';3 . Russia has increased her Navy in the Pacific by one ironclad, Avhile four clippers are available as privateers. -

AUSTRALIAN.

(Special to the Association.) Melbourne, Oct. 8

Ten thousand bushels of Victorian Avheat have been sold to local millers at 6s o^d. Advices by the mail state that business prospects are much more cheerful., (Reuter's Telegrams.) Sydney, Oct. 8. The Agent-General has been recalled, in consequence of unsatisfactory corre spondence regarding the last Loan and Immigration Bill. Heavy floods are reported in the; north. Mr. Stewart has been nominated to the Legislative Council. Brisbane, Oct. 8. The summons against the “ Courier ” has been withdrawn. Melbourne, Oct. 8. A copious rainfall has taken place throughout Victoria. Sailed Arawata, for NeAv Zealand, with the Suez mail.

Departures from London between 14th and 29th August Avere Hermione; and Loch Ericht, for Port Chalmers ; Huru nui and Lady Jocelyn, for Lyttelton; Fernglen and Adamant, for Auckland ; OpaAva, for Wellington.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, Oct. 8. The neiv Ministry Avere SAVorn in this evening. A smart shock of earthquake was felt at nine minutes past three this morning. Morton Quin, for larceny, was dis charged, OAving to a Ik/w in the indictment. A fresh charge Avill be laid. The case against John Joseph Walsh, for embezzle ment, i 3 now proceeding. Grahamstoavn, Oct. 8. A serious accident occurred this morn ing to a boy attending trucks on the re clamation works. He AVas busy greasing the wheels of a truck; the driver, not noticing him, hitched on a horse, causing the truck to pass over the leg of the boy, and inflicting a serious injury to the limb. Christchurch, Oct. 8. Information has been received in toAvn that a young man, named John William Hemmony, 18 years of age, was killed between five and six o’clock yesterday afternoon on Mr Wright’s farm at Springs ton. Deceased Avas Avorking a Chester field roller, and Avas struck heavily on the left temple by a portion of the works, the roller also going over part of his face. He was killed instantaneously. The Rotomahana sailed for Wellington at 7.30 p,m, Tim steamer was visited by a large number of people to-day* acd her general elegance ana iWQQWIUQd&tiQn »Qot.£ Qm M PJ SIM fetjw

begin work on tlie railway contract. More will go up to-morrow. At tlie It. M. Court to-day, Edmond Moonelian, charged with attempted high way robbery with violence, was dismissed.

Dunedin, Oct. 8.

Sailed—Clifton, barque, for Newcastle. Tararua, s.s., for Lyttelton- and Welling ton.; : Passengers for Lyttelton—Mr and Mrs Wilkins, and Messrs Jones and Wil liams. .For Wellington—Messrs Grey, James, and Thompson. . ■ ' fcrJ In the Supreme Court to-day, in the case of Thomas Chalmers Reid, the jury, after an absence of about one hour;and .twenty minutes, returned to Court with the fol lowing verdict—On the first, second, and fifth counts they found the prisoner guilty, and not guilty on the third, fourth, and sixth ; in other words, that as Director and member of the Company he was guilty of fradulent appropriation of £1,446 to his own use, and not guilty of fradulently ap propriating the same moneys to the use of J. Chalmers Reid. He was then indicted on ten separate counts,, as having, as manager and director of the Colonial Building Society, received from Alexander Adam, on behalf of the Society, the sum of £2O, and fraudulently appropriated the same, a»d with having failed to make or caused to be made, any entry of the receipt of the same in the Company’s books. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the counts charging him as Director and member with having fraudulently appropriated the sum of £2O. Prisoner was then indicted for fraudulently appropriating the sum of £IOO, alleged by him to have been drawn by his brother. Verdicts of guilty were returned in this and two similar cases. Prisoner was remanded for sentence, pending argument on law points raised.

Invercaroill, Oct. 7

The use of the phosphorous rhodium process in the extermination ~ of‘rabbits is being attended with singular success. One or two stations have already been cleared of the pest. The ' rabbitters have been discharged, and their packs of dogs threatened with destruction. . The remedy is finding general; application, jahd high hopes are entertained that ere long the rabbit nuisance will be a thing of the past. _ | a. ' The weather is lovely, j and - agricultural : and-pastoral ’operations'. ar.e .in full swing under the most favorable auspices. Gheymooth, Oct.; 8..

At the District Court to-day, applica tion was made for the discharge of David Thomas. Faulkner,. a bankrupt. This was opposed by Mr. Perkins, on behalf of the creditors’ trustee, who intimated liis in tention of proceeding against the bank rupt for fradulent insolvency. Mr War ner, bankrupt’s solicitor!, threw up his brief, and the case was about to be ad journed till the following day in order that the bankrupt might obtain other legal advice, when the question of the validity of the trustee’s appointment was raised. His Honor, Judge Weston* said the point had been decided recently at Dunedin, and His Honor the Chief Jus tice had directed his attention to it. It was the case of the creditors’ trustees in the estate of James Black, A. Watt,.and others. His Honor then proceeded to read the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case, in which it was laid down that the appointment of two creditors’ trustees was illegal, as the New Zealand Act only provided for one trustee, and therefore they would have to hand over all the moneys they had collected to the clerk of the : Bench., - As they had acted illegally, and the law only contemplated the ap r pointment of one trustee, under the cir cumstances there were no proceedings be fore the Court. The only-way out of the difficulty he could see was the passing of a special Act of Parliament in the matter. In reply to Mr.. Perkins, His. Honor said he could not allow trustees their expenses. The bankrupt immediately, withdrew his application - for discharge, and left the Court. The effect of this judgment sim ply is that all proceedings in bankruptcy, or deeds of arrangement, in which- two trustees have been appointed, are illegal ; all sales, transfers, &c., effected by said trustees are illegal, and it is questionable whether lawyers who advised such pro ceedings are not liable for damages for wrongful advice to their clients. There have been several cases of a similar nature on the Coast, notably the protracted one of Kilgour’s insolvency. j

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, October 8,

In the House of Representatives last night an Imprest Supply Bill of £200,000 was passed.: , ■., :• . j The Hon. John Hall stated that he had been asked by the Governor to form a Ministry, and the following team;was the result':—Mr Whitaker, Government Re presentative in the Upper House and Attorney-General ; Mr Hall, Colonial Secretary and Premier ; Major Atkinson, Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs Mr Oliver, Minister of Public Works ; Mr Rolleston, Minister of Lands, Immigration, and Education ; Mr Bryce, Minister of Native Affairs ; Mr Tomoana, Native Member of the Executive Council. The Ministry was not complete, but would be complete at an early date, when provi sion would be made for the offices of Minister of Mines, Minister of Justice, and Postmaster-General. When all were filled some parts of the colony would be represented that were not now adequately provided for. To allow the Ministry some preparation, he moved for an ad journment till Tuesday. This was a course usually followed by the House on the occasion of a change of Ministry. Mr. Montgomery thought the hon. gentleman was asking more than the House could grant. The Premier had been in consultation with his party, and could go on with the business till Friday. He could then ask for an adjournment, which, if found necessary would be cour teously granted. Mr. Macandrew was of Mr. Mont gomery’s opinion. So soon as the Minis try had been sworn in and occupied the benches, he intended as a private member to move a vote of no-confidence in the Go vernment. He would move an amend ment that the House at its rising only ad journ till Friday. Mr, Wakefield condemned the opposi tion offered to the adjournment as unfiar to the House as a whole. and to the gentleman whu about te assume the ' Mitj" ihsehan pevq.4 vha.t Eq»«§ ads

journ from day to day until Ministers were ready to proceed with business.

Mr. Reader Wood seconded. He de precated any delay, but at the same time he thought as the hon. member for;Port* Chalmers gave notice that he had an im- ! portant amendment to bring forward iwhtenq Ministers took their seats, the party : to:be* thus dealt with should not persist'in jpost-'- poningthe bringing downof-suclTa motidn. Mr. Hall said the lion, member rfor Waitemata expressed surprise that lie had not given way when a notice; of;\!a wahiijof confidence motion was threatened. jii|He was equally surprised at. the - notice'..of such a motion, because it implied 'that they were to be asked to give -way before they had actually taken their seats. They did not want to burke the matter, but they wanted a fair trial for the question. He insisted that the country would de mand it. He wished the hon. member had made this statement about delay and loss of time to the gentleman who had so recently led his party, when the; last want of confidence motion was under discussion, for then they only gave way for shame’s sake. They had taken three days to -try and keep themselves together, and now demanded that their successors should bring down a policy in twenty-five hours. They only threatened to divide on The question because- they- knew a number of members of his party- were away, not anticipating such objection to the usual course to, crop up in their absence. It would be impossible for him to come down with a statement of policy on Friday. , [A voice— 1 ‘An outline. ”] He wanted to give them a-full statement, not a - mere outline. It was unconstitutional to press such a course. He appealed ; to . the common sense of. independent members not to delay proceedings, in! the way proposed,

After some further discussion taken part in by Messrs. Moss, Moorliouse, Murray, Adams, McLean, Saunders, and others, ' -■ ’ ' j

Sir George Grey recounted the circum stances Under which he had tendered his resignation. He accused ’Mr.- Hall- of having failed to form a arid of neglecting to inform His Excellency of the fact. The ‘ opposite side had not a majority, and a trial would prove it. ! Major Atkinson claimed that the time asked by tlie Premier was; only The com mon course followed. The vote of no confidence recently passed should have been ; taken as such absolutely, and the resignations , tendered at once. When a vote of the kind had been passed against himself he had not lost an’hour in tender ing his resignation. He would ask the Premier to accede to the amendment.

The amendment was passed and “the House adjourned till 2.30;0n Tuesday.

UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD

The usual monthly! meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday. Present— Messrs. .Charles Reed (chairman), McLean, Sargent, and Stitt. \ ■;!.

SURVEYOR’S REPORT. I -qy;y. The Surveyors’ report was read.,’ It re ferred' to various public work sin progress. It was intimated: that Scott and Ross had finished their contract for forming Black’s road ; that from £BO to., £IOO would be required for the works referred to in Messrs. Chisolm Bros. ’ letter, and that to repair the damages done to the Hinds roads by floods, about £IOO would be re quired. ; ... . The report was received. RIVER PROTECTIVE WORKS. !

A letter was read from the chairman of the County Council enclosing a report of the Engineer for the County! arid overseer for the Board in reference to flood damages along the course of the river. The report stated that' the encroachment on the banks of the river was chiefly due to an altera tion in the channel at Air. Joseph Good’s,, and suggested that for, the protection of the river banks and adjacent roads, em bankments of gorse and stones should be made at various points, and: the silt scooped out where necessary in order to restore the river to its old channel. The report also pointed out that- the employ ment by a Board of River Conservators, of a small labor gang to effect repairs at •times of Foods, would do away with a great deal of damage and > subsequent ex pense. It was estimated that the works indicated would cost £450, and the money it was submitted' miglit' -be ; raised; by the ratepayers interested, subsidised by the Road Board and County Council, j After considerable discussion, it swas resolved that the overseer should be requested to see Mr.-Walker aridiarrange far "a tneeting of the ratepayers of the Forks Ward, to ' be held at’the local school-house some day next week. ... . . J BRIDGE OVER NORTH ASHBURTON. A letter .was read from the Bounty Council re bridge over the North Ashbur ton, enclosing - engineers’ report;' in re ference to the bridge in question. It was considered that the site selected for this bridge being about a mile distant from the crossing where it was originally re quested the bridge should be made, the work was actually a different one from that requested. by the ratepayers alto gether. The chairman, however, pointed out that it was too late to take any action, and that, the onlv thing they could do was to endeavour to get good approaches to ; the site now chosen. The. letter was re ceived. ' " * • V"‘ - ' : TENDERS. The tender of Thomas Bulger for keep ing road in repair for twelve months for £IOO was accepted, and. it was resolved that Robert Bingham should be employed as day labourer under the overseer, when necessary. The tender of W.C.D. Fraser for supplying metal at Is. per yard for twelve months, was accepted. That of Richard Clark, for keeping roads in re pair at £2 per week, was also accepted.

BRIDGES. . A letter was read from the County Council enclosing report on the River Protective Works, and explaining the: clauses of the Act relating to rating powers in connection with such works. From the same, in reply to the petition of ratepayers re site ot bridge near Digby’s, and explaining that the Council, in selecting the site adopted, were guided by the report of their engineer, and that the contract was signed before they were made aware that the ratepayers were dis satisfied.

CORRESPONDENCE. From William Nicholson, intimating that he was prepared to transfer two acres of land purchased by the .Board for a gsayel pif on. payment' fi£ the balance due. It to eompiunicate tbs Board's pa aa to hays jmgggf- If if pM&i " :

From the County Council, asking the Board to appoint Mr Leach, County Valuator, as valuator for the Board for 1880.

ey The-appointment was made, and ordered 'to bel advertised. Fro.m ;J oftti-Boyle, asking permission to remove ;200£yards of shingle from the river ' for making a road. Resolved to reply, tliat* the specifications of contract prohibited ,thp use of river-bed shingle. rh-From!/^Mossman, relative to the Board! ’ taking over certain roads in Tin !.wald,-; and urging that they should be taken over without being shingled, or that the Board should contribute towards the cost of shingling. Resolved to reply that the Board could only expend money on main thoroughfares. From W. C. D. Fraser, offering to take the reserve now leased by Mr Benuison for one or two years, atThe 'rental; of 20s per acre. The offer T was accepted. From Messrs-Weeks and Dixon, asking -a share of the,Bqarcps. advertising the “Ashburton Guardian.” Tlie request was granted.' - From Mr (John ' Cartel'', 'forwarding Tracing of a roiid. ' ; ” •’ 1 " I '' ; - ‘ f ” ■ "‘ f ‘ ACCOUNTS.' ILL Accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned. .

SOUTH RAKAIA ROAD BOARD.

An adjourned meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board was held.at-.the office on Monday,' /.October dßtlm, s .|; Present— Messrs 0. N. Mackie (chairman), D. G. Holmes, and J.; Lambie. .-, .. r -*■

' CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr E. S. Coster, apologising for Biis unavoidable .absjeiice. Leave of absence was granted to Mr N. -M‘Lean.- -

( The] report of Messrs Howe,'-Baxter, and R. P. Bain,' which libs already been published in our'columns,- was read./. After a discussion on the report and its' accompanying plan ,~it .was ~resolved to communicate with The otlier'public(bodies interested];in-, the-scheme, -vyith alryiew to holding a conference of delegates I to be appointed; by- The; Boards* and that -a re port be submitted before the' next‘meet ings of The Boards Interested. From, the . Railway Engineer’s office, enclosing accounts 1 for £7o'l-7s 9d, for re moving -the, stationmaster’s, cottage from the east"side of the - railway-line to the west side.., .It . was . resolved to qoppnuni cate with "the ’ Railway drawing his attention to' the extraordinaiy charge for sqTriflmg .a jwqrk,.and to request him to state, whether the,!.lmpfbvements made in the building were charged against the .Road Board. -

■ ’ From the - Asliburtou County Council, informing the Board that the Council had decided to erect a suitable . pound in the and,requestingThem to choose a site ahd the acreage necessary for the proper working ; 'of ; the pound;,-. rlt was resolved that ten acre's on a reserve about •one mile north of;the; Soutlrßakaia town ship be recommended for a site, for a pound. Mr Lambie proposed, and Mr Holmes seconded, ‘ ‘ That the Clerk Be instructed to obtain a new; map of the district, also one of, the township, showing all allot ments surveyed-and-sold up to date.” - . TENDERS ACCEPTED. ; Tenders were accepted as under, for the foHowing works : ; ' Metalling River Road.—Frazer and Grigg, Is Id per yard. Forming and Metalling Road through R. S. 3568 and 7139.—Frazer and Grigg ; -formation 9s per chain ; metalling, Is 3d per yard. Picking and Stacking Stones on Great South Road.—Hazlett and Irwin, 6d per 'chain;;, q ,-j.- - : - n ... -. , Ditto on. River Road.—Hazlett and Irwin, 5d per chain. S 4 Fencing Gravel Pits. —Three pits on Chertsey Boundary Road, G. Vucitich, 6s 6d per chain. -Eight pits in other parts of district) A. Turner, 6s lOd per chain. NEW WORKS. It was resolved That, tenders be invited for tlie formatiomof about. 310. chains at Irishtown, and metalling about 155 chains in the same locality. The pay. sheet, amounting to £268 5s 6d, was passed, for payment, and the Board adjourned till Thursday, Novem ber 6th.

Alteration of the Names of Road Boards.

The following Proclamation appears in a Gazette just to hand : . (E.S.) - ff • J [J -.y Hercules Robinson, Governor.

A PRO CLAM ATION. WHEREAS by a Proclamation bear ing date the twenty-ninth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine, the road districts respect ively described in the First and Second Schedules, thereto were constituted new districts under the respective names of “The. North Ashburton Road District” and “ The _jower Ashburton ; Road Dis trictit j;j. „v» Now, therefore, I, Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, by. virtue and in exer cise of the powers vested in riie by “ The Canterbury Roads Ordinance, 1872,” “ The Abolition of Provinces Act, I§7§, ! ' and ‘5 The Canterbury Jfcbadp Ordinance Amendment Act, 1877,” do hereby de clare and proclaim that the aforesaid Pro clamation is revoked so far as relates to the names of the said road districts :

And I do hereby further declare and proclaim, that, From and after the date hereof, the name of the road district des cribed in'the First Schedule to the afore said Proclamation shall be/ ; “ The Waka nui Road District,” and the name of the road district described in the Second Schedule to the aforesaid Proclamation shall be “ The Longbeach Road District.” Given under the hand of His Excel lency Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and, Commander-in-Chief in and over , Her Majesty’s Colony .of New Zea land and its Dependencies, and .Vice- Admiral ' of. the same ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government -House, ivt Wel lington, this twenty-ninth day of • September,' jn the -year df our Lord one thousand sight hundred and geysmtyenm®, i: , ’v ' gee 1 '

October %

THE ASHBURTON HERALD,



Clothing Establishment. ASSIGNMENT OF THE ESTATE j j ‘\ of.' • ■ '- v ; MESSRS. AITKEN, PASCOE & CO., CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS, to . Mr. J. H. Morrison, 1 Manager Mosgiel Woolen j Factory, t Trustees. and ( Mr. Joiin Ross, Of Sargood, Sons & Ewing above large Clothing Manufac _| ' luring Firm having had to su ecu mb to these hard times, and assign their estate, we have been induced by the Trustees to purchase the whole of their large Manufactured Stock at a Very Heavy Reduction, and have resolved to sell the same again in our Branches direct to the public-at prices at which we could not legitimately sell our own Goods. In fact (without exaggeration) during the next few weeks we are in a position sto -offer NEW GOODS MEN’S ; AND BOYS’ ATTIRE, s Of .Colonial. Manufacture, at from C! O N E T H I : R D > ro ii hi one hale THEIR USUAL COST f 5 ~.V; HAM.ENSTEIN BROS., New Zealand Clothing Factory. >VThe assigned Stock will be for Sale in our Ashburton Branch from and on SATURDAY NEXT, 28th JUNE. New Zealand Clothing Factory.