MAIL NOTICES.

:: Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, . -'.*B follows For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. ;9." a. mi, aud 5 p.m., daily. . • For Chertsey Rakaia. &c., at 9 a.m. and's p.m. daily. Ari For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. : z; ,For Temuka, Timaru, and South at ,*6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily, ff. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, U-Meunt Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, bn Tiiesclay3 and Fridays, at -10.30 am. For Ashton, Water ton, and Longbeach, p|at 3.15 p. m. daily. : For .Wakanui,and Seafi eld, on Tues ; days and Fridays, at. 6 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post . Office—r • f From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 f p'm.j and 8.15 p.m; dailyf Fi-P From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 ||fa.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.25 p.m. daily. . Fr»m Temuka and Timaru at 9.20 a. m. f and 5.25 p.m. daily. r-Froni' Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, . - Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. I From Ashton, Waterton, and Long ; teach at 10 a. m. daily, f v From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues ? days and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. f.- f W. St. G. Douglas, Sxf:' Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1880. The County Waterworks Bill.

I ' The Ashburton County Waterworks 1* Bill passed the Lower House last mght, % and has advanced its first stage m the §& Upper House. The borrowing powers of the County under the Bill has been re- Pduced to L 50,000, and on the motion for fethe passing of the Bill, Mr. Hurst, one of the members for Auckland raised jßome- v'what vigorous protest against the bon ro Ping powers it contained, saying that the -Legislature had avowed tneir intention of permitting no further borrowing, Sii m George Grey took occasion to banter Mr. Sy'Hall on the financial crisis and til fit Government and the House Phad taken, and asked if m view of J e financial crisis Government meant to If bring in a Bill to prevent private persons tf-from borrowing. The Premier evidently ® became a little nettled- at this, for we find Sfhim replying that had it not been for the |®Grey Government there would have been §|no financial crisis, and the economical fit £ would have been unnecessary.

The Libraries.

During the past month or so numerous entertainments have been held in the country districts, the object of these assemblages being to raise funds for the. formation of new or the support of exist ing libraries. The gods help those who help themselves, and it is with no small degree of pleasure that we Bee the settlers doing their/best to help themselves in the matter of supporting their own. libraries. Books are ever-present teachers, and the man who has no access to books, or cares not to use them if he has, is poor indeed. We shall be glad when we see a good library established in every school district of the County, and we rejoice to see that so many of these districts are aiming at possessing libraries of their own. There is always a bright hope of success for any undertaking or movement when the mass of the people go in for it with spirit. Whether such move ment be aided, by the powers that be or not, if the people are in it enthusiastic ally it must go on. It is one of the New Zealand colonist’s weaknesses to look to Government for everything he wants, and depend as little as possible upon his own exertions. This dependent feeling militates against that manly, self-reliance that is always the mother of enterprise, and if it is encouraged it will in the end emasculate the people’s spirit, and innoculate them with the stuff that milksops are made of. The hard times of to-dav are likely, how ever, to be a good preventative to the spread of this weakness, and in the matter of the libraries it is perhaps better for all of them —more especially the Ashburton one —that the Committee on the library question appointed by the County Council has not seen its way to recommend the granting of public money for their aid or support. Private efforts must now more than ever be de pended on, and the hard fact becoming impressed on readers’ minds that they themselves , must support the literary in stitutions they belong to, we expect to see the latent pluck and perseverance that lie in the deeper cockles of John Bull’s heart stirred up to . activity and business. We expect to see each little country library vieing with its neighbor in aiming at ex cellence, and the book-shelves adding to their rows a steady and quarterly increase. But it must be done by the people them selves. Government aid is now hopeless, and the county purse-strings are tightly drawn, so that we must look for building up the libraries where Byron told the Greeks to look for courage Trust not for freedom to the Franks, They have a King who buys and sells, In native swords and native ranks The only hopeof courage dwells.

The Irish Tenants,

The Bill allowing compensation to Irish tenants, which was recently passed by the British House of Commons by a fair majority, has met the fate in the House of Lords which all measures meet that trench upon the sacred rights of land. In this colony of ours we hear men high in office accused of pulling the legislative wires so that the bias may roll in favor of land, and the humblest of our senatoi'3, with few exceptions, are said to be not above looking tenderly upon the loaves and fishes. As a comparison, we often find the immaculate Legislatures of Great Britain pointed to as models of purity, and a desire expressed that in manning our legislative benches we could emulate the British Houses of Parliament in our choice. But the rejection of this Bill by the Lords is only another proof that human nature is human nature all the world over; that the lord knows as well as the commoner the value of property, and knows how to guard his own interests. It is all very well to speak of liberal landlords, &c., but when we find such a Bill as the Tenants’ Compensation Bill rejected by the sweeping majority that opposed it we are tempted to the conclusion that the ghoul who raised the opposition was the same glioul the Irish tenant has always had so much difficulty in raising for his landlord, whether resident or absentee —viz., the metallic ghoul “Rent.”

The San Francisco Mail. —Mails for the United Kingdom, etc., via San Fran cisco, will close on Friday, 13th inst.

Wakanui Road Board.— The usual meeting of this Board was held to-day. A full report is held over till to-morrow. Resignation. Mr. Guinn ey, the schoolmaster at Wakanui, has sent in his resignation to the Chairman of the local School Committee. The County Waterworks Bill. —lt will be seen from our Parliamentary re port that the County Waterworks Bill was passed last afternoon. ' Alleged Sheep Stealing. — George Pike, who "had been apprehended on a charge of sheepstealing, was brought before Mr. Guinness this morning. On application of the police, the accused wa3 remanded until Tuesday next, but was let out on bail.

1.0. G.T.— Tinwald. —Last night the following were elected officers of the “Will and the Way” Lodge, 1.0.G.T., Tinwald W.C.T., Bro. D. Teppett; W.V.T., Bro. F. Shearer ; W.S. Bro. J. Gudsell ; W.F.S., Bro. 0. Hawkins; W.T., Bro. H. J. Jones ; W.C., Bro. R. Reeves; W.M., Bro. H. Bradshaw; W.1.G., Bro. J. Smith; W.0.G., Bro. J. Corrigan, jun.; W.D.M., Sister Teppett; W.R.H.S., Sister Mary Sanderson; W.L.H.S., Bro. Fred. Bradshaw; W.A.S., Bro. W. Hawkins ; P.W.C.T. , Bro. R. Galloway. The installation takes place next Wednesday.

South Rakaia School Committee. — The South Rakaia School Committee held its usual monthly meeting on Tuesday evening. Present —Messrs. Tucker (chair man), Cox, Sharp, and Welsh. A circular was read from the Board of Education, notifying that no teacher will be allowed to act as secretary to any School Com mittee. A letter was read from the Board sanctioning the appointment of Kate Doherty as pupil teacher to the school, subject to her passing the necessary ex amination and signing the usual inden tures. The Chairman stated that Kate Doherty had expressed her willingness to conform to the regulations, upon which lie had instructed her to commence work. The action was approved. It was resolved that the master be instructed not to absent himself from his duties without asking the consent of Chairman in writing and obtaing a written reply, or, in the absence of the Chairman, the consent of any two members of the Committee.

A Waif. —A black flat-bottomed dingy, containing a quantity of provisions and stores, also a pair of boots, has been picked up between VYangaparoa and Tiri tiri.

Teachers’ Salabies.— At a meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education on Wednesday, the following schedule of reductions in teachers’ salaries, etc., was agreed to, in consequence of the reduc tion in the education vote. Salaries under LSO to be exempted from reduction ; over LSO and under LIOO reduced 7 per cent. ; over LIOO and under Ll5O, 8 per cent. ; Ll5O to L2OO, 9 per cent. ; L2OO to L 259, 10 per cent. ; L 250 to L3OO, 11 per cent. ; L3OO to L 350 12 per cent. The bonus to masters for successfully passing pupil teachers is-to be reduced 50 per cent. ; payment for instruction of single pupil teachers to be reduced 25 per cent. ; inspector’s salary to be reduced 12 per cent. ; incidental grants to school com mittees to be reduced by 33 per cent. Ashburton High School. —A meeting of the Board of Governors of the Ashbur ton; High School was held in the County Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. Present —Dr. Trevor (Chairman), His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs. W. 0. Walker, Grigg, and C. P. Cox. A letter was read from Mr. E. G. Wright, suggest ing that the consideration of the establish-' ment of the High School 1 should be de ferred until Mr. Saunders and himself wore able to attend a meeting. Mr. Eyton wrote, forwarding the names of parents and guardians who were prepared to guarantee the attendance of boys at the High School if it were started at once. The total number guaranteed was twenty seven. Mr. Books was in attendance, and laid before the meeting a sketch-plan of a building, capable of seating sixty boys, at a probable cost of L 450. This building would be constructed so that at any future time, when the requirements of the district demanded it, it could be added to, and, in fact, was only, a portion of the main building which it..was esti mated would cost LllOO. It was resolved that Mr. Fooks prepare specifications, and advertise for tenders for the erection of the. building forthwith. It was decided to advertise for a master, and the Chair man and Mr. Walker were appointed a Committee to carry out preliminary matters. The meeting was of opinion that it would be unwise to attempt to open the school until after the Christmas holidays. The Board then adjourned until Wednesday, Ist; September. Milton’s Third Daughter. —Milton’s third daughter was named Deborah ; and to show the instability of all earthly things, she married Abraham Clark, a poor Spitalfields weaver. She kept a petty chandler’s shop, first at Holloway and afterwards at Cock-lane, near Shore ditch Church, Londbn. They were so poor that Queen Caroline (wife of George II.) sent her fifty guineas ; and on the sth of April, 1750, that unrivalled pro duction of her father’s' “Comus,” was played for her benefit, and the profits of the night amounted to Ll3O.

The Health of Princess Louise. — The Princess Louise, wife of the Governor- General of Canada, is in a very delicate state of health. She is suffering from the effects of the sleigh accident which occurred some time ago. The shock to her nervous system is now exhibiting itself, and she has been ordered by her medical adviser to Germany. She will leave Canada immediately, and will be accompanied by her brother, _ Prince Leopold, who has relinquished his inten tion of making a tour of the United States.

Rebellion at the Cape. —lntelligence has been received from the Cape that the disaffection caused amongst the jßasuto tribes by the determination of the Cape Government to enforce the surrender of arms has resulted in an open rebellion of the natives! Letsie one of the principal chiefs, has advised his people to give up their guns, but his example has not been generally followed. Prompt measures have been taken for the suppression of the"outbreak. The Prince Imperial’s Monument.— The proposal to erect the memorial to the Prince Imperial at Westminster Abbey has been abandoned consequent upon the pronounced disapproval of the House of Commons. Her Majesty the Queen, how ever, has sanctioned the establishment of the memorial at Windsor, her consent being given on the ground that the Prince was killed whilst fighting under the Eng lish flag, and also as a token.of personal esteem and friendship for the afflicted mother, the Empress Eugenie. Forty Days’ Fasting. —An almost in credible but well-authenticated story is reported from Hew York. Dr. Tanner, a member of the medical profession of that city, avowing his belief in the possibility of sustaining human life without food for much beyond the ordinary accepted time, has undertaken to attempt the feat of fasting for forty days. His proposal was accepted, and arrangements made for a thoroughly scientific test. Dr. Tanner has already (July 20) fasted for twenty-five days without taking food of any description. He has been most strictly watched by qualified persons, and the utmost precau tion has been taken to guard against de ception. He is much weaker, but is still hopeful of accomplishing the forty days. The experiment has excited interest amongst the medical profession and the public generally.

A Wonderful Clock:.— The most as tounding thing a contemporary ever heard of in the way of a timepiece is a clock described by a Hindoo rajah as belonging to a native prince of Upper India, and jealously guarded as the rarest treasure of his luxurious palace. In front of the clock’s disc was a gong, swung upon poles, and near it was a pile of artificial human limbs. The pile was made up of the full number of pai'ts of twelve perfect bodies, but all lay heaped together in seeming confusion. Whenever the hands of the clock indicated the hour of one, out from the pile crawled just the number of parts needed to form the frame of one man, part joining itself to part with quick metallic click ; and, when completed, the figure sprang up, sieved a mallet, and, walking up to the gong, struck one blow that sent the sound pealing through every room and corridor of the stately palace. This done, he returned to the pile, and fell to pieces again. When two o’clock came, two men arose and did likewise; and so through all the hours, the number of figures being the same as the number of the hour, till at noon and midnight J be entire heap sprang up, and, marching to the gong, struck one after another each his blow, and then fell to pieces.

Baroness Burdett Coutts. - The Baroness Burdett Coutts has published a denial of the statement made in the press of her intended marriage with Ashmed Bartlett, the member for Eye, which is considered a hoax. The Balkans. —There are ominous signs of war in the Balkan peninsula. The Government of Bulgaria are _ massing troops on the Roumelian frontier, with the apparent object of securing.possession of the Bulgarian provinces south of . the Balkans. Remonstrances have been ad dressed to the Bulgarian Government on the subject.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Afghan War,

Ayoub Khan on the Move.

General Roberts also on the Move,

; Calcutta, -Aug. 4. Orders have been given- to" General Roberts to march with the northern division of the British army in Afghanis tan, numbering 10,000 men, to the relief of General Barrows, at CahdaKar. General Roberts has further been ordered to act in conjunction with the troops under Generals Phayre and Sandoman from the Bolan Pass,-so that the combined forces may operate against Ayoub Khan. It now transpires that the telegraph line between Cabal and the frontier was notcut by the hostile tribes, as was at first supposed, but was interrupted from some other cause. Intelligence lias been received from Afghanistan that Ayoub IChan has ad vanced to Merkareg for the purpose of attacking British troops under General Phayre who reached Cliaman recently from the Bolan Pass on their way to reinforce General Burrows at Candahar, but were unable to proceed owing to the disturbed state of the country. It is further stated that Ayoub -is sending a strong force to intercept supplies from the Bolan Pass.

Illness of Mr. Gladstone. London, Aug. 3.

The Right Hon. Mr. Gladstone is pro gressing favorably. The fever is dimin ishing. The Australians.

The match between the Australians and the Gloucestershire county team, at Clif ton, was continued to-day. The Home team went in to finish their innings, and were all disposed of for 191 rims. Palmer took six wickets. The Australians then went in for their second innings, and were all out for 246 runs. Macdonnell was caught for 79 ; Bonner was also caught for 35. The attendance at the match was very large. The fielding of the Home team was very large. Sugar. Mauritius, July 26. There is nothing shipping for Australia, owing to sugar arriving slowly. The Lords Step In. London, Aug. 4.

In the House of Lords last night the Irish Tenants Compensation'Bill, which wa3 sent up from the House of Commons came under discussion. After debate, the rejection of the Bill was--moved and carried by 282 to 51.

AUSTRALIAN

{Per Reuter's Agency.} Arrival. Melbourne, Aug. 4. Arrived.—Arawata, from the B3uff. Oats. New Zealand oats, 2s. 7d. to 2s. Bd. pe r bushel, with a firm and active demand. Embezzlement., Kevern, who has been charged with embezzlement of the Bank of New Zealand fund at Marton-, has again been re manded. The Torres Straits Mail. Cooktown, August 6. The Eastern and Australian Mail Com pany’s steamship Normanby has arrived from Singapore with the Torres Straits mail. She brings the following items of Eastern news The Chinese preparations for war with Russia continue unabated, and there is reason to believe that the warlike feeling is undiminished at Pekin. Six thousand French troops will occupy Tonquin, in Cochin China, in September. Piracy is rife at the present time in Chinese waters.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Pei' Press Association.) Auckland, August 2. The French warship Duichen has sailed for Tahiti. Heart Disease. At the inquest on the body ef Mrs. Stone, Otahutu, found dead in the street, the evidence showed that death had re sulted from heart disease. Sporting.

The colt, by Thunderbolt, out of Lyra, purchased from Mr. R. H. D. Fergusson, of Gorton, by Sir ' Hercules Robinson, will be shipped by the Rotomahana for Wellington to-morrow. The Industrial Home Inquiry.

The Industrial Home enquiry is closed." Mr. Habens returns to Wellington to morrow. and -will report to Government. A Gentle Whipping. Rapier, Aug. 5.

The prisoner Hewson, who last criminal sessions was sentenced .to two years’ im prisonment and twenty-five lashes, re ceived his Hogging yesterday. The opera tion was performed privately. The general impression is that' the whipping was a farce. The man who wielded the cat was allowed to disguise himself by blacking his face, and thought the whole thing should be carried out to the satisfaction of the prisoner. A Good Dividend.

At the Gas Company’s annual meeting to-day, a dividend wa3 declared equal to 12 J per cent. L 928 "was carried to the re se»ve fund.

More Natives Arrested// New Plymouth, Aug. 4,

Eight more natives, engaged fencing, liave been arrested and brought to town this evening. On the arrival of the Hins moa to-morrow morning, the prisoners (numbering forty) will embark, and be taken oii to Lyttelton direct. The Barque Malay. . ’ Wellington; August A.

The nautical enquiry into the recent, accident to the barque Malay has been adjourned, to enable the Magistrate, Assessor, and Counsel to visit the locality of the. accident. Fire- Henry Mace’s house, on his station, near. Foxton, was destroyed by fire last night. Lucky Landslip. Wellington, August 5 A landslip on the face of one of the hills close abutting on the Picton harbor, has disclosed a fourteen feet seam of good marketable brown coal, which, tested, proves of fair- steaming qualities. Embezzlement. A young man named John Blair, formerly a clerk at Timaru, wa3 arrested this morning on a charge of embezzling L 5 155., moneys of the Government. He .wa3 remanded for a- week. Wool. Dunedin, August 5. Cargill’s wool cablegram, dated the 3rd, says the market is dull, without any de mand. The next series but one com mences on November 23rd.

Ashburton County Council.

(Continued from Yesterday.) WILLOWS. ■ It was resolved that the Engineer’s sug gestion re planting, willows be carried out. protective works. The part of the Engineer’s report refer ring to the protective works at the Ash burton Forks was approved. The En gineer was instructed to report fully, with estimate of cost, on Weldon’s protective works. - : TINWALD DRAINAGE. An extension of time was granted to contractor for . the _ Tinwald drainage works. . ‘' : '. | f u | . AN OMISSION.' The following letter was read k— “ Ashburton, August 3, 1880. —Sir, —Please find my .account enclosed for building bridge over the South Ashburton river, at Mount Somers, Hood’s crossing. There is one thing in connection with the bridge I wish to bring very particularly under the Council’s notice, and in which I wish the Council will meet me. By some means or other, when taking out the quantities for the bridge, I missed one of the largest items of timber in the structure. I refer to the hanging or cross beams, the loss of the cost of which I am rea’ly not able to bear and pay my way, for it runs into a very large amount. The beams amount in all to 26,666 feet of timber at 355. per 100 feet in Lyttelton —L466 13s. 96. ; and freight by rail and cartage to bridge, ns. 4d. per 100 feet —Li s7 is- lock; making the total cost on the ground amount to a total sum of L 617 15s. yd.; and then it had to be worked into the bridge. As a whole, the work has been very much more exoensive than I anticipated. First, the pile driving was very hard, and I had a total loss of two piles. After working on them many hours, I had to cut them off and drive others in their places I based my calculations on getting all the materials up the Mount Somers Branch Railway, but I had to cart it nearly all from Tinwald, which made it very much more expensive. I hope you will see that I am not able to bear such a loss as there is in the item of timber above mentioned, and I will be in attendance on the day the CouncT meets to answer any questions, or ex plain, or give any information the Council may wish. I may further explain that I had to pay the full price agreed on for the nse of the steam pile engine, which in the pro portion of extent of shortening .the bridge amounts to Ll 616 s. pd. Ihe same would apply to railway carriage and cartage of all the heavy tools and plant to and from the bridge, and would amount to L 9 14s. I also beg to state that the duty paid on sawn timber for the bridge amounts to L 43 165., which duty, you will understand, wa imposed after my tender was accepted. With the above statement I leave myself entirely in the hands of the members of the Council, pray ing they will meet me as liberally as possible. — 1 have, etc., Jas. Butt. “Account of materials not used in the bridge on account of the shortening of the struc ture :

After a long discussion, Mr. Grigg moved, and Mr. Bullock seconded—“ That Mr. Butt.be allowed L 422 in satisfaction of any claim he may have on account of the alleged omission in his tender. ” An amendment moved by Mr. Cameron, and seconded by Mr. Coster, was carried reducing the sum to L 372. The consideration was post poned of the question of allowing to Mr. Butt the sums of LIG lGs. Gd. and L 9 14s. as applied for by him. For the sur plus timber, etc., on Mr. Butt’s contract referred to by the Engineer in liis report, an allowance of L 403 lGs. Bd. was made. THE SOUTH ASHBURTON BRIDGE APPROACH. This matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to arrange. 1 ‘ TERMS CASH. ’ ’ Mr. D. Hoare, dating from Tim am, wrote acceding to the Council’s request for an acre of his land to form an ap proach to the Pudding Hill Bridge. He would allow an acre on It. S. 30520 to be taken for Ll 5, conditionally on the boundaries of the land being securely fenced where the acre was cut, costs of transfers, etc. being borne by the Council. “ Terms cash.” (Laughter). The offer of Mr. Hoare was accepted—terms and all. PUDDING HILL. The Enginoer was instructed to report on the protective works at Pudding Hill Bridge, with estimates of cost. THE METHVEN FILTER BASIN. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company wrote offering five acres of land on It. S. 26756 at LlO an acre, for the purpose of a filter basin, the Council to bear costs of transfer and the erection of a sheep and cattle proof fence. FLOODWATER CROSSINGS, WINCHMORE AND METHVEN. The Committee appointed to consider this question reported as follows : ■ “Ashburton, August 3, 1880. In accord ance with a resolution passed at last meeting, we have gone into the question of crossings re quired on the main line of floodwater drainage between Methven and Winchmore. ' We have arranged for two timber bridges and ten fords

over tlie entire length, one of the bridges and five of the fords being situated in the Upper Ashburton Road District, the others being in the Mount Somero Road District, two of the fords in the latter district being required for roads which are now about to be formed and used as public roads. The fords for field crossings are at nearly equal distances apart, and will, in our opinion, be sufficient accommo dation for the district. The cost of bridges and" fords will be about L 330 in alh Those in. the Mount Somers Road District are nearly finished, and others are in hand. Annexed is a tracing, showing the method we propose for giving JDavid Morris access to the road, from which he is cut off by the new drain along the upper side of Lyndhurst road. This would ne cessitate the purchase of only two perches of land from the extreme corner of one of Mr. Anthony Thompson’s fields, which, from its position can hardly be Cultivated, and tlie in trinsic value is therefore very small. Mr. Thompson, however, declines to sell this piece, at all, and, as the line proposed seems t® us the only feasible one, we would suggest that the waste corner referred to-be acquired under the provisions of the Public Wo-ks Act. A bridge over the new drain there would cost, about L4O. —We are, etc., Duncan Cameron, Councillor; William Baxter, County Engineer.” It was resolved that the recommenda tions of the Committee be adopted , pro vided that Mr. Morris is satisfied with the approach suggested ; also, that -tlie necessary steps be taken to acquire the land, and that the Committee’s report in general be adopted. The Engineer was instructed to forward the estimate of connecting drain-with the., Winchmore drainage. WILLOWS AT DIGBY’s. ' The Engineer was empowered to fence the willow plantation at Digby’s, as he suggested, with barb wire. THANKS. The Secret ary, Agricultural and Pasto ral Association, wrote, conveying the As sociation’s thanks for the Council’s action in the matter of the erection of cattle yards, etc., on the cattle market reserve. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD. Mr. J. E. March forwarded a printed statement of the receipts and expenditure of the charitable institutions under the control of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. ; ARBITRATION. Mr. J. M’Quilkin wrote, appointing Mr. Cullen his arbitrator in the matter in dispute between himself and the Council. The Council appointed Mr. Cox as their arbitrator. ■ ROAD —DIGBY’S BRIDGE TO THE FORKS. The Upper Ashburton Road Board wrote, forwarding a tracing of a line of road approved by the .Board, for the: Council’s consideration. The line ran through reserve Ho. 1122,. and ten chains of a road not. much used now would .be available by the adoption of the line. It was resolved to inform the Road Board that the Council considered the most preferable course to follow-would be that the Board should negotiate and acquire the land required for the proposed road under the Public Works Act, 1876, as the Council lias no intention to exer cise any control over roads. The Council approved of the proposed line of road. taylor’s stream bridge. ’Mr. C. J. Wentworth Cookson, Sur veyor to the Mount Somers Road Board, wrote, acknowledging receipt of the Council’s account for 827 10s., half cost of construction of approaches to Taylor’s Stream bridge. He forwarded a sugges tion from his Beard that the Council should connect the bridge on the south side with the main road, and then apply to: the Board for half cost of tho whole work.

The Council agreed to this, but referred to the Engineer, for explanation to the Board, another suggestion, the Board made in Mr. Cookson’s letter, viz.:—that a space of one-third of an inch be left, between the planks on the Taylor’s Stream bridge, with a view to allowing the dirt to fall through, instead of close planking, as in the bridge over the South Ashburton. By this space being left, the. decking was less liable to rot, and a better foot-hoid in frosty weather was obtained. A saving of L2O or L3O would also be made. RAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE—SOUTH APPROACH,. A letter was read from the Selvvyn County Council, enclosing copy of one sent by them to the Minister for Public Works, supporting the Ashburton County Council’s application to Government for a further sum of Ll5O, to be spent on the southern approach to the Rakaia Gorge bridge. The Under-Secretary for Public Works, also wrote, saying that the whole of the money voted had already been placed at the disposal of the Board for approaches, and and as no vote existed out of which the Ll5O asked for could be paid, the Minister must decline the request. WATEKTON DRAINAGE. A letter was read from the Longbeach Road Board Secretary, enclosing part of Mr; Gutlibert’s report on Waterton drain age (which is embodied in our report of the Longbeach Road Board’s last meet ing)- The copy of the report was referred to the Engineer for his consideration A petition from sixteen settlers in the Waterton district was read, praying for the widening and deepening of the “ gorse fence drain ” from the Toi-toi paddock to the out-let near the sea. The work prayed for would aid the drainage of the district, and relieve Waterton village of the floodwater in wet seasons. Mr. Thomas. Taylor, Waterton, wrote on the same subject. The whole matter was referred to the Engineer.- RAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE APPROACH. The Chairman was empowered to aceept a tender for fencing Rakaia Gorge bridge approach. RACECOURSE. The Secretary of the Ashburton Racing Club wrote, asking , for a grant of money for the Club. The racecourse was gazetted as a recreation ground, and as the Council could not grant to the Club a longer lease than from year to year, the Club was precluded from granting a lease to any person willing to lay it down in grass or crop it. Up to the present date the Club had spent L 339 in permanent improvements, and. a further sum was still necessary for urgent works to make the course equal to other country racecourses. Mr. Coster was opposed to any further grant. Mr. Grigg thought this was a recreation ground used by more people than all the others put together. He contended that a sum of LSO should be given to the Club for fencing and planting purposes. To enable the Club to let the ground for grazing. The Club would bo able to obtain LSO or so a year rom this source. He did not by this

proposal desire to commit the Council to any support or recognition of racing, but si rn ply to put this recreation ground, as such, in a position to realise a rent. He would move that LSO be granted to the Racing Club, to be devoted to completing fencing, ploughing and planting with blue gums a strip of the north-west side of the race course. The money to be paid on the production of vouchers that the work has been done.

. Mr. Bullock seconded, and the motion was carried.

MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY. The Under-Secretary for Public .Works-.As forwarded a tracing, as asked for, showing the original and alternative, routes of the Mount Somers Railway. This tracing had _ been sent to the Mount Somers Board, who returned it along with a copyyA of a resolution passed at their last-meet*-—- ing on 2nd August, as follows,That the tracing of the Mount Somers Railway - sent by the Resident Engineer be for-. ; , warded to the County Councilj with a re quest that they will use their influence in .. . having the lino carried out according'to. |. Mr. Triphook’s survey.” -v After a lengthy discussion,' in wKichP I*- 1 *- some members thought it was advisable to say nothing about the alteration in the * route, as Government only wanted a very • slight reason for delaying construction for an indefinite length of time. -UV vov-vM

Mr. Bullock moved that Government be requested to carry the line f as' laid down in Triphook’s survey.

i This was not seconded. : : 1 ; u-vs Tsrtui-a It was ultimately decided to write to the Mount Somers Road Board, stating that the Council does not think it wise to express an opinion on the subject. • - - * THE LIBRARIES..- The report of the Committee appointed to consider the question of grants to pub- ; , lie libraries was read as follows : —“ Tout. Committee have carefully. looked ati -the S matter from every point of view, and ad- *'" mit the desii'ableness of such institutions being properly established, and adequately supported. At the same time the Com- - mittee felt bound to. take into. .considers- - ; tion that this is tlie first occasion that-’ the County fund has been asked to contri bute to this purpose. Under the, present aspect of colonial and County finance. s> your Committee feel themselves unable to recommend any grant for the above pur-, pose.—W. C. Walker, Chairman.” . ; The report was adopted. AN 11 ALLOWANCE’’ REFUSED. • Mr.-John Boyle wrote, applying: for:ah yU allowance on three fords constructed. by.T him on tlie Methven drainage race, No.. 3 section. He had fixed liis price when tendering in the belief that he would be able to obtain the necessary boulders from the river-bed within forty chains of the bank ; but lie found that the contractors" for the protective works on the south bank of the river had appropriated them all. This necessitated a journey of five miles to Mr. Boyle, and entailed a heavy loss upon him, as he was able to cart only two loads per day, in place of twenty, as he had ex pected. He estimated his loss at LB4,.and asked for a concession. .... The Council refused to entertain the request. - • - A-7 7 7 7.0 THE HOSPITAL RESERVE. ..... The Chief Surveyor wrote, saying .that | he was powerless to alter the size and • shape of the Ashburton Hospital Reserve, but advised an application bj r the Coun cil and the Domain Board to the Govern- ' ment. The matter was referred to the Hospital Committee. v-./-. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L 4,924 ss. 2d. were passed for payment. TENDERS. , : .:J . 77 :; Tenders were accepted for works as

RESERVES. A ' - ' V Messrs. Grigg, Coster, and the Chair man were appointed a Committee to re port on the County Reserves. • ... THE CATTLE YARDS." . . Messrs. Grigg and the Chairman were appointed a committee to pass the work of the cattle yards when finished. SPECIAL MEETING-..- A special meeting was held to confirm the resolution of tho Council regarding Methven Pound, the by-laws to come in force the day after the next meeting of i- Council. " ’

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. The next meeting of the Hospital Com mittee would take place on Monday first. The Council then adjourned. _ . A

Mount Somers Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held at the office, Mount Somers, on Monday, August 2nd, 1880. Present—Messrs. W. C. Walker (chair man), Duncan Cameron, J. E. Taylor, and A. E. Peach. .•> ... ..... ~

The Surveyor’s report was read , and considered. The following correspondence was read ;

From the Resident Engiueer, enclosing a tracing of the proposed diversion of the Mount Somers Railway. It was proposed by Mr. Peache, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and carried—“ That the tracing be sent to the County Council, with a request that they will use their influence in having the line carried out according to Mr; Triphook’s survey.” From the Ashburton County Council, also forwarding tracing of the above di version for the Board’s consideration. The Clem was directed to return it to, them.

From Mr. W. T. Chapman, requesting that the Board would repair the road leading to his property. The Surveyor to get the work done. f i n r From the Ashburton County Council, re poundkeeper for the Mount Somers Pound, asking the Board if-they would recommend that Mr. Clark be appointed. Mr, Clark here interviewed the Board and stated that he would not be prepared to carry on his duties after the 31st in3t. for i the same remuneration that he was at present receiving. The Board, therefore, ! decided to call for fresh tenders for ■ twelve months, to bo sent in by the 30th August, which tenders would be opened by a committee consisting.of two members of the Board. . From Mr. Edward Chapman, chairman of public meeting held at Methven, re the Amended Water Supply Bill, protest

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1880.



£ s. d. 54° lineal feet piles, at 4s. 9c!. ... 128 8,410 superficial feet iron bark tiin- 5 0 ber, at 44s. 9s. 188 3 8 4,245 lbs. iron work, at 4c!. ... 87 8 0 16 8



under:— Cattle yards—Nelson and Coutts 0 .0 Sheep yards—Page and Plodder... 169 9 10 House—-Muir and Reed ... 177 0 • 0 Shingling—J. Griffin ... 49. 14. s | Filtering basin—Victoi Soland ... 310 6 ; 0 :y Hinds bridge approach—Trevurza Pudding Hill bridge approrch— 67 IO 6 . Tohn Boyle 104 5 d Painting ferry-house—lames Hughes 8 10 b



Miscellaneous |rITANTED, a BOARDER, in . a YY respectable family. Firstclass ac commodation, with use of Sitting and Bedroom. Apply, office of this paper. ■ 711 Anted to purchase a STAUNCH HACK, about four year* old. Apply office of this paper. 722 C \ DVERTISEMENTS, inserted under I\ the Shilling rate, must be prepaid. Booked, Is. 6d.. will be charged. 625 c GOOD PIANO on hire, by the evening. Jones, H. M. Stationery and'Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. I TOLUNTEER ACT and AMEND :. y MENTS on sale at the office of .this paper. . | SOCIETIES ACT and P AMENDMENT on sale at the office of this paper. S yOINT STOCK COMPANIES ACT on sale at the office of this paper. Ledgers and Cash Books, I' Pocket Ledgers, Where is it ? Letter Books, Note, Letter, and Foolscap Papers, Envelopes, Court, Business, and Official Drawing and Tissue Paper. H. M. Jones,: Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. ~ PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. A GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte •/\ for Sale, second hand, price L 35 cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c p : _ IMPORTANT NOTICE. :,-m/TR, E. A. GARNETT begs to inform ' Jj?J_ the inhabitants of Ashburton and - surrounding districts that he has DIS POSED of his BUSINESS to Mr. F. CLARK/ of Christchurch, and while .thanking them for the liberal support accorded to him during his residence here, would solicit a continuance of the same on behalf of his successor. Referring to the above, F. CLARK hopes, by strict attention to business and moderate charges, to merit a fair share of public support. ' F. CLARK, TOBACCONIST, STATIONER, W. : AND FANCY GOODS MERCHANT, Ashburton. Agent for the sale of the Ashburton Guardian and Evening Herald. 725c-92g V. R. ESTATE OF THOMAS GREEN WAY. A MEETING OF CREDITORS. A MEETING of CREDITORS in the A estate of Thomas Greenway, of Ash burton, Farmer, will be held at the office of Mes»ra. Friedlandor Brothers, Ashbur ton, on MONDAY, August 9th, at 2 p.m. HUGO FRIEDLANDER, \ Trusteeg JOSHUA TUCKER, / ArU Ashburton, Aug. 4th, 1880. 729 c