The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1880.

Masonic. — A meeting of the share c holders of the Masonic Hall is called for evening.

L. O. L. —The ordinary meeting of the local Orange Lodge is to take place to morrow evening. A full attendance of members is requested.

Old Men’s Home.— The master of the Ashburton Home begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of two bags of vegetaoles and one case of apples from Mr. W. Gimblett, of Christchurch. Entertainments. —The limelight ex hibition, which has been the source of more than one evening’s enjoyment to the pleasure-seekers of the district, was repeated l?.st night in the Primitive Methodist Church. There waß a fair attendance, and the audience apparently were well pleased with what- was placed before them. —An entertainment specially for the young folks was given on Monday night, when the views exhibited were very amusing, and created much fun among the little ones.

The Ashburton Fire Brigade. —The usual monthly meeting of the Fire Bri gade was held last night, fourteen mem bers being present, Captain Wilkie in the chair. Correspondence from the Borough Council -was read, stating that the L 25 grant would be paid in November ; also that a resolution had been passed, ap pointing the Captain, Fire Inspector. From the Gas Company stating that as the lamp at the Engine Shed was a pri vate one the Company had no control over it. Six members were ballotted for, and three of them elected. The Trea surer’s statement showed a credit balance of L 8 14s. 2d. against which there were accounts presented amounting to Ll 5 13s. 4d. Some discussion then took place as to whether the sum of L 9 9s. Od. to the credit of the private fund should be encroached on, and it was pointed out that, in case of fire, this was tho only amount available for expenses, which had always to be paid on the spot; and on the motion of Lieut. Dolman, seconded by Treasurer Parkin, it was resolved— “ That the private funds be not drawn upon to pay general accounts. ” It was also resolved—“ That a balance sheet be drawn up shewing the present state of the Brigade’s funds, the same to be for warded to the Borough Council with a request to reconsider the resolution passed by the Council at its late meeting re the grant due to the Brigade. The accounts were then passed for payment when the Brigade possessed the funds. It was decided that new members should serve a probation extending over at least three practices previous to becoming entitled to uniforms. The Captain was requested to invite the members of the Firo Police to attend the next practice of the Brigade. The meeting then ad journed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

C. P. COX v. J. S. BRUCE.

To the Editor.

Sir, —The report of the above case in the Lyttelton Times of the 2Sth instant leads to the supposition that Mr. Cox had given up my farm on account of his lease expiring, and that the umpire appointed by tho arbitrators had founded his award upon the award of my arbitrator only. Mr. Cox had my farm on a long lease, which he persuaded me to cancel, and further, solely, at his request, tofliave the adjustment of our two accounts settled by arbitration.

This was done by the umpire after receiving the written awards of both of the arbitrators and going over the. farm with Mr. Cox, and resulted in the small balance of only L 95 3s. 6d. being given in my favor. This small sum, Mr. Cox, with his gene ralaptitude for what he calls business, re fused to pay me, and took me to the Supreme Court to set the award aside. Mr. Cox was saved a very large sum by my agreeing to cancel his lease during these hard times :

Firstly, by a heavy rental agreed upon in more prosperous times than the pre sent ; secondly, as he had cropped all the land he had a right to, and furthermore had laid half of it down so badly in grass that it is almost useless as it is, it would have been a heavy loss to him to continue to keep the farm unless he might break it up, which the lease prevents him from doing. The irregularities complained of by Judge Johnston were all caused by Mr. Cox, and yet he ia to have the decision given in his favor. Such are the uncertain ties of law, and proves how very often the ends of justice are defeated :

1, Mr. Cox got me to sign an agree ment which should have been a bond, and which he afterwards stated was not good.

2. He kept this agreement, and never informed the umpire that he had such an agreement, consequently from ignorance of such an agreement (which the law never allows), the umpire did not act in accor dance with it.

3. Mr. Cox communicated on several occasions with the umpire on the matter of the arbitration during the time that the umpire was engaged on his award, which was quite contrary with justice. 4. At Mi\ Cox’s request the umpire called a meeting of all the parties in terested in the arbitration, at which Mr. Cox’s arbitrator, Mr. John Carter, re fused to answer any question which was put to him, although the umpire demanded the same of him.

5. Mr. Cox had given all his claims in writing, all of which w.ere included in his arbitrator's award, so that he had every and tho same opportunities of presenting his claims that I had, but the real truth is that after the arbitrators had sent in their awards to the umpire, Mr. Cox wished to bring in fresh claims before the umpire, and virtually to set aside the award of his own arbitrator.

In justice to the gentlemen who took so much pains and trouble to justly adjust the accounts between us. 1 must ask you to be so good as to publish this letter.—l am, &c., J. Stanley Bruce. Ashburton, 30th July, 1880. 7

The Queen's Prize at Wimbledon. — At he Wimbledon meeting on July 20 the Queen’s prize was won by Private Fergus son, a.native of Argyle, Scotland. The Irish team won the Elcho Challenge Shield. A Stiff Trial. —A match has been arranged to be played in September next between the Australian Eleven and eleven of the best cricketers in England. A good deal of interest is attached to the proposed match.

Residents Magistrate's Court.

Tuesday, August 3.

(Before. Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) ENGINEER AND CONTRACTOR. The following is the conclusion of the report of ; the case Anderson v. Pass more Mr. Passmore gave evidence bearing out the effect of his counsel’s statements. Cross-examined by Mr. Williams, \ he said —I am not aware of an engine having been run specially for the benefit of my self and daughter, but it may have been. Iu such case the cost would come out of Messrs. Anderson’s pocket. Under some circumstances coal does not cost anything. When steam wa3 up and working for the contractors, the cost of coal consumed in going from Rakaia to Sherwood "Would not cost anything. There was an arbitration case about the lino, and it went in favor of the contractors. Messrs. Anderson sent in a bill for the amount claimed, and Mr. Alex. Anderson has made an ap plication for the amount, and I told him that the firm had offered to do the carriage free. Paid for tranship ment on one occasion, and allowed Messrs. Anderson to charge for any money out of pocket. An ordinary train would .bring up sixty-three tons. -I had a right to use the engine after August. The firm had to work after that date under my supervision. I had special privileges as engineer, and it was an understood thing that the engineer could use the line. Oxley, deposed—Am the manager on the Ashburton and Rakaia Railway, and remember a conversation between Ander son and Passmore. Mr. Anderson offered to bring up coals and anything else for Mr. Passmore as a favor. I thought it wa3 a matter of obligation by one gentle man to another. Henry Sheppard, agent for J. and A. Anderson, on the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway, was present at a con versation between the parties. Mr. Anderson arranged to bring up the coal, but there was no offer to bring up the goods for nothing. It was my place to keep accounts of goods being brought up, and if there had been an offer to bring up the goods free I should not have kept account of them. After referring to the District Railways Act, his Worship said the point to be decided was whether the plaintiffs were common carriers, and, if so, it would be necessary to show that they had a regular scale of charges. It would seem, however, that the plaintiffs were, at the" time, only servants of the Company, and the Company not having declared the rail way open, by complying'with the Act, they had no right whatever to carry goods. The plaintiffs had taken upon themselves the right to carry goods on the line, at their own risk, and therefore they would have to take the consequences. Plaintiffs would be nonsuited with costs. Mr. Williams gave notice of appeal. THE DRINK BILK Mr. Baldwin produced his books, and found Hodgson’s account in the ledger, which started with a balance of account Ll 3 Os. 6d. By Mr. Branson—My books are correct. The item “ By one mare, April, L 30,” is correct. Do not know what part of April it was. The charge I made per bottle of beer wan 6d. Tho greater portion of the beer defendant had from me was colonial beer. Will contradict the defendant if he swears that most- of the items were for drinks sold over the bar. By Mr. Ireland—When defendant got drink at the bar he usually paid for them. I am certain that since the settlement with the mare that defendant has not had drinks to the extent of more than L 3 for which he has not paid. George Smerdie, sworn, said he “had stayed about a, month or five weeks with Hodgson. While I lived at Hodgson’s, I sometimes went to Baldwin’s for beef. The most of the beer was in shilling bottles. Used to go three or four times a week, and ofien five or six times in the day. I might have got fourteen bottles of beer at a time. By Mr. Branson—The beer was bottled draught beer. I used to see the beer put into the bottles. J. Waylie sworn, said he was book keeper to Mr. Baldwin. Had seen bottles of beer taken away for Hodgson. The items were entered into the ledger from the day book. By Mr. Branson—lf I am away for a day or two Mr. Baldwin puts the items on a piece of paper, and I enter the amounts from the slips. Have seen Hodgson get beer in bottles. Mr. Branson submitted that all the items, with the exception of these marked as “ Cash,” should be struck out. It had been held that the Trippling Act was in force in the Colony, and he denied that the objection was .a technical one. It was only equivalent to a person bringing a claim before that Court for an amount exceeding LIOO, which would be beyond the jurisdiction of his Worship ; so,. in like manner, the Court could not adjudi cate on a case like tho present. The fact of the Tippling Act being in force within the colony, placed the claim of the plaintiff beyond the jurisdiction of the Court. Mr. Branson asked for a nonsuit. Mr. Ireland argued that the Tippling Act was meant to prohibit publicans from allowing men to remain on the premises and run up a score for drinks. The case nowbefore the Court was entirely different, as the drinks had been supplied in bulk and taken off the premises. His Worship quoted the case of Highett v. Macdonald, N.Z. Jurist, vol. 3, and said the Tippling Act in its entirety was in force within the colony, and therefore all goods supplied at one time, which did not amount in the whole to 205., could not be recovered. Therefore all items in the claim which did not in the total amount to that sum would have to be erased, and, as far as he saw, the only items which could be recovered were those for ca?h. The alleged settlement of L2O could not be entertained as it only settled the claim in part, and, leaving a balance, the whole account would necessarily be in dispute. The sum of L2O would go as a contra against the amount which the plaintiff could legally recover. Judgment would be given for the defendant with costs L2 2s. Mr. Baldwin gave notiee of appeal. CLAIMS FOR OATS. Murphy v. Little. Claim LI 14s. 6d. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff; Mr. Branson for defendant: Judgment was given for LI ss. 4d., and costs 15s. Murphy v. Little. Claim Ll 7 Is. Gd., value of oats belonging to plaintiff, which it was alleged had been wrongfully appro

priated by defendant for his own use. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff; Mr. Branson for defendant. A portion of the claim was for L 5, damages, through the los3 sustained by plaintiff in not being able to crop his land in consequence of inability to obtain seed oats. The defence was that the oats had been taken by plaintiff’s permission in payment of an account. Judgment was given for Ll 3 17s. 4d., and costs L 3 4s. His Worship refused an application by Mr. Branson to appeal. APPLICATION FOR REHEARING.

Mr. O’Reilly applied for a rehearing in the case of Little v. Murphy, heard on the 27th July, but his Worship woull not grant the application.

Ashburton County Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the County Council was held to-day. Present —Messrs. W. C. Walker (Chairman), John Grigg, Duncan Cameron, Julian Jackson, Thomas Bullock, and E. S. Cos ter. THE CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT was then read. It detailed the business done by the Chairman during the month, the results of. which would be laid before the Council in ordinary course. He had sent a letter to the Minister for Public Works, regarding some rotten planks that existed in the Rangifcata traffic bridge, and which might load to an accident. He had asked the Minister to give the matter liis immediate attention, tho bridge now being under Government control. The Chair man had ordered the painting of the south west wall of the Hospital with sili cate paint to remedy leakage, and also that the joints of the underground pipes should be attended to, they being defec tive. He had replied to the Chairman of the Mount Hutt’s inquiry if the,Council has power, or is likely to have it under their new Waterworks Bill to levy rates on land outside the district proposed to be supplied with water, and to apply such rates towards the general expenses of the scheme. This letter the Chairman had replied to to, the effect that under the pro posed Bill an estimate would have to be made, and the cost of the scheme so ap portioned to the district included ; that all interest, sinking fund, &c., will have to be provided by the district, and therefore no necessity could arise for a general rate. Such an estimate, besides being such as to satisfy the ratepayers who can reject it if they choose, must also satisfy the lenders of the loan, and that no possible contingency can involve a general rate, though possibly the Council would have the power to strike a general rate for that, or any purpose. Considering that the Coun cil represents ratepayers throughout the County very sufficiently, there is no reason to fear tho imposition of a general rate. Tho Selwyn County Council had written to Government endorsing ths Ashburton Council’s application: for a further grant to complete the southern approach to the Rakaia Gorge Bridge, but he (the Chairman) had -learned Go vernment could hot entertain the request.

engineer’s REPORT... The Engineer’s report was then read as follows : engineer’s retort. I have the honor to report on progress of works a 3 follows : ■ ■ ■, , - i,—Bridge over North Ashburton River, Pud ding Hill. This structure is now all but finished. The trusses are all in position, and it now only remains to lay the planking of roadway over about half the length of the bridge. Tenders for the approaches will be laid before you to-day, as also a letter from Mr. Hoare, stating the terms on which he ia willing to give the land re quired for the approach on south side river. For the embankment on north side, I have specified a section of stone work, which will, to a certain extent, guard against the effects of overflow which periodically takes place from the Pudding Hill stream near that point, bub, with a view to further securing the north approaches I would recommend that something be done in the stream itself, either in the shape of a bulwark for a dis tance of about five chains near the point of overflow, or by letting the Pudding Hill stream into the main river at a point higher up, which, on account of the great fall would not be a difficult operation. Should the Council sanction any protec tive work here, I will examine further into the matter and report at next meet ing. 2, —Pudding Hill Dam. Operations were suspended during the first fortnight of July, on account of the flooded state of the river, but since the work was resumed, good progress has been made, and the foundations have now been got in for the full width of the channel, except a small por tion near the outlet. There are 60 barrels cement on the ground, and a considerable quantity also at Methven Station. 3. — Pound, Mtthven. Messrs. Nelson and Coutts have, since the date of last meeting, satisfactorily completed this pound. —South Approaches to Rakaia Gorge Bridge. The various contracts for this work are now complete, but the question of fencing No. 2 contract is still in abeyance.

3. —Filter Basin, Belmont, Methven. Tenders for this work will be placed before you to-day, also letter from New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company as to their terms for the land which seem very reasonable. 6. Winchmore and Methven Drainage.

With the exception of Mr. Arthur Devery’s section, which will be finished in a few days, the earthwork of all the other contracts is complete, and the contractors are now getting in the fords and bridges for fields and accommodation roads which the Council deputed Mr. Cameron and myself to arrange with the various owners. Accompanying this is our report as to these crossings. _ In connection with this line of drainage I beg to state that it seem 3 advisable to extend the opening up of the creek as far as the upper end of R. S. 24404, as from its present disconnected form, betwoen that point and the commencement of Ifo. 5 contract, all floodwater goes on to the sur face, much to the injury of roads and land. To the north of point referred to near R. S. 24404 the channel is deep and well defined, and nothing further should be done to it there.

7. — Willows. The contractor for willow planting has finished his work, and has also put in an additional 964 plants at . same rate. The planting has been confined en tirely to those portions of the river near which the works recently executed by tho Council are situated, but there are many other portions of the riverbed where

willow planting would be very service able, and as tho co3t would be small, a few thousand willows might be put in dur ing this month, while the season is suit able, if the Council should so determine. S.—Forks . Protective Works. With your authority,- I have ordered the addition of some sheet planking for two of the groins recently erected on Mr. Sutherland’s No. 2 contract, where the current is setting in with great violence. The expense of this, together with some stonework, required further-up, will not exceed L4O. At the upper end of Messrs. Weldon’s land, there is a length of about 10 chains of the river bank in a very precarious con dition. This part of the river lias, as yet, not had any protective work. * The river bed is there at a high level, and the cur rent is setting in against the low banks in such a manner, that, unless its direction changes, an outbreak at that place seems almost inevitable. The protection would necessarily he a work of considerable magnitude. <p. The contractors have now executed about half t-lie quantity of the earthwork, but the ground has been so saturated with water, that they have not been able to make such progress as will allow them to finish in the specified time, and they ask for an extension of six weeks. 10. - Drasnagt neat Wheelers. The owners along the line having now given a free right-of-way, this drainage is being proceoded with, but on a somewhat modified line, so as better to suit the re quirements of the district generally. 10. —Drainage near Bell's and Dawson's roads. The crossings and floodgates required for this line of drainage have now been completed. •• . . With reference to the claim by Mr. McQuilkin for compensation, He has now named an arbiter to act for him in the matter, and it now rests with the Council to appoint one on their behalf." 11. —Bridge over South Ashburton River, Mount Somers. This bridge has now been completed at the reduced length ordered by the Coun cil— The proportionate amount of contract for this length is ..-*3,879 9 6 Extras ordeied ... 41 12 3 Total .... ... Showing a saving on contract price of ... 1,019 12 o The value of such portion of the ma terial as the contractor had on hand for the portion abandoned, previous to his obtaining notice as to the shortening, and which is now surplus, amounts, at cost price, to L 403 16s. Bd. Part of the material is at the bridge, part at the upper end of Mount Somers Branch Line, and part at Tinwald. As yet I have not certified any payment for this surplus material, as the Council will have an opportunity of considering the whole question fully to-day. The contractor some time ago called my attention to a grave omission in his tender, -which -would involve him in a loss of nearly L7OO. This consists in hi 3 leaving out of his calculatior s the trans verse or supporting beams over the entire length of the bridge. He ia, I believe, to represent the matter to the Council to day. Meantime, I may say it is patent from the quantities in his tender, that this is a bona fide omission. The contractors for the approaches to this bridge not being in a position to take up the work, I should recommend that it be put into the hands of Mr. Fergus, the next lowest tenderer, who is prepared to commence at once. 12, Wheatstone Drainage Extension. This work is : now far advanced, and is likely to be finished within a fortnight. 13. — Approach, Hinds River Bridge, Sur veyors road. Tenders for this work, which includes tho straightening and widening of channel adjoining the bridge, will bo placed before you to-day. i/f. — Certificates. '■ I have granted certicates for all work done under my charge during the month of July. William Baxter, County Engineer.

Ashburton Horticultural Society.

The usual monthly meeting was held on Tuesday evening. There was a fair at tendance, and Mr. Smith was voted to the chair. He introduced Mr. G. Broom field, who at the previous meeting had promised to read a paper on “ Cucumbers, their growth and cultivation. ” Mr. Broom field, however, explained that, owing to a misunderstanding with reference to the night of meeting,- he had not prepared a paper ; but, rather than disappoint those who had come together to gain some in formation, he would give some of his own experience on the subject, thinking the meeting would agree with him when he said that practical experience would be of more use than the mere propounding of theories. At his request, Mr. (Poyntz here read some extracts from “ The Cot tage Gardiner’s Dictionary,” the different varieties of cucumbers and the modes of raising them. Mr. Broom field then gave some valuable information relative to the raising of cucumbers by means of a properly constructed frame, and calling attention to the necessity of sheltering the young plants from the winds so prevalent here, as, in his opinion, they did more harm even than frost. The seeds should first ba sown in pots half . filled with mould, and having a sheet of glass on the top, when they might be expected to come up in three or four days. After the appearance of the second leaves they should be trans planted direct to the hot-bed. It was a great mistake to allow the plants to show fruit too soon. It would be much better to cut the fruit buds off, and further, if the plants are not allowed to carry too much fruit, they would keep in growth from six to nine months, bearing all the time. To those who had any intention of growing cucumbers, he would recommend as the most suitable for this country and climate “ Cox’s Volunteer.” There were many others, such as “ Duke of Edin burgh,” “Master’s Prolific,” “Telegraph,” &c., but to his mind the first named was the best. Referring to outdoor cucumbers Mr. Broomfield thought those present were well acquainted with the usual modes of propagation, and it vrould be unnecessary for him to go into the subject further. A number of questions were then put to the speaker, after which, on the motion of Mr." Jacobson, seconded by Mr. Poyntz, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Broomfield for the very interesting infor mation he had placed before them. It

was stated that a paper for the next meet ing had been promised by Mr. Sealy, the subject to be announced in due course. The meeting then adjourned.

Longbeach Road District

The usual monthly meeting of the Board of this district took place on Mon day, the 2nd inst. There were present Messrs Grigg (chairman), Chapman, and Dawson. . ' : v- Aft'er the minutes of the last usual meeting were read and approved of, the Government advertisement with reference to the alienation of a portion of this dis trict to bo formed into a separate road dis trict was discussed, and it was resolved That, with reference to the petition, that a portion of this district be severed and formed into a new road district, to be called “ The Tin wald-Winslow Road District,” as advertised by the Government in the Ashburton Mail of Saturday, the 31st July, this Board has no means of judging if the requirements' of the Canterbury Roads Ordinances have been com plied with, and that a copy of this petition, with the signatures be asked for. That, for the information of the Govern ment, the Board would point out. that it has been already petitioned by the number of rate payers required by the provisions of “The Canterbury Roads Ordinance, 1872,” to have the whole, of the district divided into wards ; that the Board has complied with this request, and taken action by forwarding a petition to His Excellency the Governor, enclosed in letter to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, dated 17th June 1880, and that, in the schedule to this petition, last referred, to, No. 1 Ward has got the same boundaries as the portion of the district now advertised for severance.

That copies of these resolutions be for wa- ded to the Honorable the Colonial Secre tary, with the respectful request of the Board that the petition for severance be not complied .with, for the reasons already stated,, and also, because the division oF the district, into wards would have the same effect, so far as the separate working of the part desired to be severed, as the severance of it from the district would. And lastly, that copies cf these reso lutions be forwarded to E. G. Wright, Esq., the member for the district, asking him to kindly: explain the matter to the Govern ment. C OSKESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read from Mr. Thomas White, asking that the drainage of Dawson’s road, near the junction of Bell’s road with it, might be improved. The Surveyor having explained what was required, the work v> r a3 ordered to be done. From Messrs. Jackson and Sweeney Bros., asking that the road . leading from Ealing railway station eastwards along the north bank of the Rangitata river be formed. The Surveyor was desired to inspect the place, and report thereon at next meeting. From Mr. C. H. Dowding, the manager of the. Coldstream estate, asking that the repeated applications for the formation of Crow’s road may be complied with. The Board; decided to put the work in hand.

From Mr. James Scott, the manager of the Ohatmoss estate, protesting against the drainage works. now being done on Boundary road, and giving the Board notice that should any damage be done to the Ohatmoss estate, owing to the effects of this drainage, that the Company will hold the .Board liable for all such damage done. The letter was ordered to lie on the table. From four ratepayers, asking that the Ohatmoss road from Boundary to McLennon’s roads be formed. The Board decided that they had not sufficient funds at present for this work. . surveyor's report. The Surveyor’s report was read as follows : Ward System. I have the honor to report that since the last meeting of the Board, the petition then resolved on was forwarded to his Excellency the Governor, asking that the district may be subdivided into wards. No reply to the same has aa yet been received. The Clerk was desired to write again to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Tenders Accepted. For each of the six pieces of work authorized by the Board to be done a tender wait accepted by the Chairman. The acceptation of their tenders, as well as the performance of some small necessary but unauthorized works, was approved of by the Board. . Contracts. All the various contracts are now being proceeded with satisfactorily and certifi cates for progress payments have been granted. Rangitata Cutting. Owing to the diversion of the lower beach road' where the cutting through the terrace into the Rangitata river bed is being made, the road will now be through a greater length of swampy ground at the foot of the terrace than was originally intended. This will require the expendi ture of a small extra amount of money which I would ask the Board to authorize. Agreed to. Tinwald.

The cleaning out of a ditch at Tinwald to take the water off the Great South road at Mr. Shearer’s workshop is required. The Board decided not to do any more work in that locality until either the sever ance of that portion of the district or the proclamation of the district into wards - was carried out.

Waterton Drainage. Notwithstanding that the works for the protection of Waterton from the offects of floods are nearly completed, that place was more heavily flooded during the last heavy rain than, I am informed, it ever was before, and from a careful survey of the place and surrounding neighborhood, I am convinced that these works, even when completed, will not be sufficient to carry away the storm water which now accumulates at Waterton and flows over the top of the main rord there in several places. What I would propose should now he done, would be the construction of a wholly artificial main drain from the gully in Mr.|Ricliard Davies’s land, R.gS. 18894, right up through Waterton and on into the old toi-toi paddock until Spicer’s creek is sufficiently tapped, for that is the main source of thewater that floods Water ton. The details of the scheme might be briefly as follows : —Following the line of a gorse fence which commences at Williams’ corner, on the lower beach road, and continues the -whole distance, a Btrip of land half a chain in width be purchased (I follow the line of the gorse fence so as not to cut through.any paddocks and thus cause compensation for corners, etc., cut off, to bo necessary)! On this strip form a drain with plough and scoop, say sixteen feet wide, at the gully, three feet deep, and decreasing one foot in width every

half mile from, the ..mouth upwards. The total length is about four miles and thirty-six chains ; thus at the spot where Spicer’s creek would be tapped the width would be only seven feat, giving an aver age width of eleven and a half feet, and of this work a very considerable proportion is already performed by means of the side ditches alongside of the gorse fence, only that not being properly connected, the beneficial effect is lost. All water-rights, such as irrigation, &c., could be preserved along this course by means of stanks, and overflooding of existing ditches or drains, which might be intersected, could be avoided by using floodgates. This drain being almost quite straight throughout its entire length, and having a .very con siderable, yet, in my opinion, not too much fall, its effect would be to render ■ any accumulation of floodrwater im possible; and as it would tap a great number of springs, the supply would con tinue all the year round. As for its maintenance, being straight, very, little, if any, silting up would occur, and if it did silt up a little at first, the silt could be removed by acouping, at a c«mpara tively small expenso. Again, as for scouring, the nature of the soil above . Watarton is that it will not scour, and that in the part having the quickest fall for the remainder of the course, I will not now say that it will not scour, but if it was found that it would scour, a number of timber stanks, about one foot each in height, placed across and in the drain would decrease the fall to any amount required, acting in the same way as the locks in a canal. If Waterton is to be protected from floods, I am convinced this is the cheapest and most effectual method to obtain that object, as what is required being to cut off the water in Spicer’s and other smaller creeks, the drain leading through Wheatstone cannot take any more water than now finds its way into it, unless it is made very much larger, and -it is already quite large enough to be on a road-way, and the other County drainage work following, as it does the zigzag course of a creek, I am afraid trill be found, if not useless, at least too costly in if s maintenance to be of any permanent service. W. Cuthbert, Surveyor.: It was resolved that this clause of the report bo referred, to the Ashburton. County Council for their favorable con sideration, and that the Surveyor make a Btill further survey of the ground,'and attend the next meeting of the Council- to render any further information that may be required.' : ~v' The Surveyor was desired to give Mr. Stalker the levels, etc., for carrying the water across the Great - South Road opposite his house, and to instruct him to proceed at once with the work. The pay sheet* amounting .to LISS 3s, 5d., having been examined and passed for payment, the meeting adjourned.

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Recalled. London, Aug. 2. The Government have recalled Sir Bartle Frere from the Governorship of the Cape Colony. The Australian Cricketers. The cricket match, Australians v. Gloucestershire county team, at Clifton, was resumed to-day. The attendance at the match was very large throughout the day. The Australians ‘ went in first, and ‘ - were all out for , 110 runs, MJDonneU IT being caught after making forty-two. The Home team then went in for their r... first innings, and when the stumps were drawn for the day had lost six wickets for 120. Illness of Mr. Gladstone. - Mr. Gladstone is doing as well as can jj; be expected from the nature of his illness, but the feverish symptoms which. accom-. ; : pany congestion of the lungs still con tinue. August 3. .d The illness of the Right Hon. Mr. Gladstone has caused great excitement in England and abroad. He still continues, however, to improve, but it is believed.; - that he will be unable to attend tha ;;; House of Commons during the remainder of the session. • Cutting the Wires. Calcutta, August 2. The telegraph line has been cut between the Indian frontier and Cabul. The Candaliar Catastrophe. v: ;: . August 3. :: T Further details are to hand regarding ... the attack made on General Burrows at Candahar by Ayoub Khan’s forces. 20 officers and 400 British troops, with 800 . friendly Natives, hare been killed and wounded. Warlike Preparations. Constantinople, Aug. 3. The Turkish forces in the district of Epirus and Thessaly have been increased to the extent of 50,000 troops, in view of possible hostilities with Greece. :

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Beater s Agency.) Victorian Politics, Melbourne, Aug. 3. The portfolio of Postmaster-General in Mr. Berry’s Ministry is still unfilled. It is expected that Sir John O’Shanassy will assume an independent attitude in the Assembly during the present session. In the re-election of Ministers, several are being opposed.

Shipping. The P. and O. Co.’s. steamer Matara, with the inward Suez mail, which left London on July 2nd, arrived at King George’s Sound to-day.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Further Arrests.

New Plymouth, Aug. 3.

Another batch of native prisoners, twelve number, were brought into town by the constabulary last night. The natives have hitherto given their captors* little or no trouble, but those brought'into town last night were a very obstinate lot. When taken out of their cells this morn ing they refused to return to them when ordered to do so, and the gaoler had to

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4 , iBSo.



Miscellaneous tttaNTED, a BOARDER, in a W respectable family. Firstclass ac commodation , with, use of Sitting and ; Bedroom. Apply, office of this paper. 711 'ANTED TO PURCHASE a ;.si: T ▼ STAUNCH HACK, about four Mjeaxs. old. Apply office of this paper. ■ 722 c Pife- ■ ■ - inserted under the Shilling rate, must be prepaid. ' gßooked, Is. 6d. will be charged. 625 c GOOD PIANO on hire, by the ~ evening.- Jones, H. M. Stationery fit and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and I Bating Square. ‘ TTOLUNTEER ACT and AMEND- IpV MENTS on sale at the office of - this paper. fc SOCIETIES ACT and ISfilj AMENDMENT on sale at the office of this paper. rJOINT STOCK COMPANIES ACT on sale at the office of this paper. by a MARRIED COUPLE, W unincumbered, SITUATION on station. Man, good general hand; wife, tflgood cook. Would take management, if necessary. Apply, P.M.D., office of this Hfvpaper. ‘ 26c > i- PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. '0? \ GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte f~;. for Sale, second hand, price L 35 x cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c Of r - • ■ REWARD. feiAQTRAYEb from M’Kerrow and Co.’s " O yard, Rakaia, on Saturday morning, I; July 24, FOUR HORSES, one a Chestnut Draught Gelding, with whiteblaze down the ‘S face. One brown or black light Colt, with ' white stockings. One bay draught filly, Pr .rising 4yrs., and one half-bred brown gelding, collar-marked ; the latter is sup posed to have led them to Lowcliffs [| station, where he has been running. Any £ one giving such information to the under- Kv signed as will lead to their recovery will : .be rewarded. Any one detaining them t>;after this notice will be prosecuted. W. J. G. BLUETT, ®f;724c Auctioneer, Leeston. IMPORTANT NOTICE. m/f-R. E. A. GARNETT begs to inform JjJl 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, AND FANCY GOODS MERCHANT, Ashburton. 725 c I 'IP & r j-- % LOAAL ORANGE LODGE, No. 23. mHE ORDINARY MEETING will be Jheld TO-MORROW NIGHT, August sth, at 7.30 sharp. All members pi requested, to attend. Business : Nomination of officers. 727 c GEO. ST. HILL. & SOMERSET MASONIC HALL. A LL SHAREHOLDERS are re r\ quested to attend a MEETING to be held in the Hall on THURSDAY, August sth, at 7.30 p.m., punctually. Business— To consider the advisability of fencing, and other important improvements. HENRY ZANDER, 728 c Hon. Sec. Alfred Harrison.



SATURDAY, 7th AUGUST. ' 1 o’clock. A LFRED HARRISON has been favored with instructions from the Trustees in the Estate of Thomas Clark to sell by Public Auction, at his rooms, on above date— Town Section No. 730, Situate at tke Corner of Wakanui road and Williams street. This section has a frontage of over five chains, and is without doubt one of the most valuable sites in the township. For Absolute Sale. , For Cash. 1-] Title under Land Transfer Act. 723 c ALFRED HARRISON, Auctioneer.