SHIPPING INTELLIGCEE.

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

ARRIVED. . : March 9.—Wellington, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Rotorua, s.s., from Sydney. Both leave this afternoon. -

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi, will be closed at Christ, church on March 11th, and will be due in London on April 29th. The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on March 27th, and will be due in London on May 11th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, A 3 follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4.30 p.tn., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. i ;For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a. m: and 3.30 p. m daily. : For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at j. 15 p.m. daily. For .Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays 7-3° p.m. ~ W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

To Correspondents. letter was received to late for publica tion this evening, but will appear to morrow.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1880.

Again the wires inform us of agitations by the unemployed for work, and thoso are being made in every part of the colony, but chiefly in the centres of popu lation. Many people are sceptical of the existence to any great extent of real dis*

tress, and urge that steady, respectable, competent men do not require to be with out the means of livelihood. This may be so, but there can be no doubt entertained by thinking men of work being far loss plentiful than we have known it, and that through the great influx of immigration competitors for what is to be had have largely increased in number. Notwith standing all that has been said on the sub ject, no diminution appears to have taken place in the number of people who keep coming to the colony, and every ship that arrives brings its contingent of labor. Doubtless those laborers are brought here under different conditions from those who were imported under the indiscriminate regulations in vogue two years ago, but still, though their friends nominate them, or they pay their own passages, they have to enter the labor market when they arrive here, and, as the agitations we have referred to show, that market is glutted. It is a question how the supply and de mand are to be regulated, too, for we can see no prospect in the near future of the demand being at all equal to the supply. The present harvest is perhaps the. most bountiful we have ever reaped, and it has been gathered from the largest area ever cropped in the colony, yet there were far more laborers wanting employment at it then ever before. To the skilled work man New Zealand does not offer many attractions as a field for immigration, for its manufactures are few and but poorly developed, while the circumstances of the Government have caused a great retrench ment to take place in the prosecution of public works. The question of the un employed is a difficult one to cope with, but we are glad to notice that Government are willing to do what they can to relieve the immediate pressure. ■ Still, Govern ment cannot go on for ever finding work for men who cannot obtain it from pri vate employers, and the older the colony grows the more workers will enter the labor market, and it will require a time of great prosperity to fully absorb those already here. Government does well, therefore, to instruct the Home Agents to make known the state of the labor market here, for it is only by reduc ing or actually stopping immigration for a time that the supply of labor can be kept within the demand for it, and it would be well if the friends here of those in the old Country would tell to them a true tale of the actual state of the country. It is just as easy to be hard up here as at Home, and the money paid for passages would be as well retained for a time.

Forcible Entry. —At the Timaru R. M. Court yesterday, W. Quinn, Charles Pontiff, Charles Hawkins, John Keen, Michael Lynch, and Joseph Sims, laborers, were committed for trial at the Supreme Court for forcible entry on the land of Mr. James Cowl at Makikihi. Quinn held a mortgage over the land. Drainage of Christchurch. — The Christchurch Drainage Board have ac cepted a tender construction of a sewage reservoir, &c. It is under the engineer’s estimate, which was £41,000. Typhoid in Christchurch. —Twelve cases of typhoid fever have been reported in Christchurch during the past fortnight. The Native Commissioners. —The Native Commissioners on the South Island claims are now in Christchurch, and will hold sittings in Akaroa tliis week. A Good Sample. —We have been shown some tolerably good stalks of grain this season, but a sample one of oats came to hand yesterday from Mr. John Hood’s paddock at Mount Somers, which is the most prolific yet shown to us. It is a Canadian oat, not yet ripe, but with the enormous number of 342 grains on one branch of a stalk, and our informant stated that the paddock was all “ much of a muchness.” There are also some very large yields of oats reported in the Lagh mohr district.

“ The Scarifier.” —Montague Mosley, the man who started the foolish notion that he was a lecturer, and thought lie could injure Pastor Chiniquy by vamping up from old newspaper cuttings a string of what he called “yarns” and retailing them from a platform to a dozen or so people has been before the Christchurh R.M. on achai'ge of obtaining money under false pretences. He had obtained a six guinea suit from a tailor, and tendered a cheque in payment of all he was owing tlie architect of garments. The cheque was £7 125., and the debt amounted to £7 9s. This was squared by 3s. being given in as change. It was this 3s. upon which the “ false pretences ” charge was laid, for the cheque was dishonored. Mosley was dismissed, it having appeared ‘that the tailor had taken some of Mosely’s furniture in security. Want of Trucks. —On all sides we hear of complaints among the farmers of the inconveniences they suffer for want of ac commodation at the various railway stations for want of the necessary waggons and labor to tranship their grain in any thing like a reasonable time. Our re porter to-day heard complaints from several farmers in the Wakanui that drays sent in good time in the morning to the Ashburton station were delayed till a late hour in the afternoon. The Government were not backward in making all sorts of promises that during the grain season every nerve would be strained to get the grain to port as rapidly as possible, but we find, that leaving the paucity of trucks out of the question, there is a deficiency even of manual labor, a deficiency certainly only too easily made good at the shortest notice.

Getting into Shape. —The usual slip shod method of doing business in the Borough Council is to be revised and corrected for the future. Councillor St. Hill was very neatly and gracefully sat upon by Councillor Williamson last night as to his fondness for debate, and he will probably set his sharp wits to work to read up standing orders, so as to find out on what point he can fire off one of his pop guns at the solid flesh and steady nerve of the vis-a-vis of his Worship. Most folks would prefer, so far as their feelings are concerned, an hour of Councillor St. Hill’s tin-tack attacks than one minute of the sledge-hammer utterances of Councillor Williamson. The Mayor announced that for the future he would not allow verbal resolutions to be made, and that he would only recognise pen and ink sketches of the ideas of the Council. This resolve on the part of the Mayor will probably shorten the business, but it will tend to do away with a deal of the comic part of the Borough’s business. Accident at Burnham. —When the down train was leaving Burnham this afternoon a serious accident occurred. A woman with two children was stepping off the train on to the platform when the train

suddenly started. The jerk caused the eldest child, aged about three years to fall on the line, and before it could be rescued the wheel of one of the carriages had cut clean off one of its arms. The above are the particulars as we have been able to gather them ; we have notbeen able to ascertain the child’s name, which was taken on to Christchurch by the express. The Borough Bye-laws. — 1 ‘ Better late than never ” is a good old adage, and it must have been very satisfactory to the Borough Council last night to be informed that one more interview on this now hoary-headed measure would in all pro bability settle the knotty points which have so long been occupying their atten tion. We are glad for the sake of the ratepayers and the Council that the de liberation of the Municipal officers have so nearly arrived at a climax, but we are also glad on account of the printers who will now be able to set free some ten columns of very useful type which has been in durance vile for over a year patiently awaiting the final touch to be put on them by the Engineer and Solicitor to the Municipality. A Proposed New Government Build ing.—The local commander of the police forces (cavaliy, infantry, and irregulars) applied to the Borough Council for a fresh lock-up last night. He has plenty of ac commodation for lodgers of the usual class, but is not provided with the necessary ward for neglected or orphan dogs, and lie mildly laid before the Municipal authori ties the necessity for providing an orphan age. The authorities thought the request a°trifle too thin, and one facetious coun cillor remarked that it was a pity they had let ‘ { that cottage go for a five pound note, as it would have made a good asylum for the bow-wows. ” As we have so many public bodies, perhaps the architectural beauties of the town will be added to by the erection of the dog lock-up jointly between the Borough and County Councils and the six Road Boards, and so as to give each body fair play it ought to be octagonal, with eight compartments and a door to each, and the whole surmounted by a bull dog weather cock, with the device “ Cave canem” in bold type. A Closing Chapter. —Messrs. Edmis ton Bros, and Gundry, represented by Mr. T. Bullock, sold Mr. Joseph Ivess’ furniture at his late residence yesterday. Big prices were realised, many of the admirers of the dear departing one being anxious to secure some memorial of the great demagogue. The customary dinner to emigrating patriots on this occasion will be confined to a hasty sandwich at the railway station, whilst the purse of sove reigns and illuminated parchment, usual in cases where a severe loss to the district is sustained, will bo represented by a list of defaulting subscribers to the “Mail,” and some “crisp” advice to be more civil in his next rag-planting expedition. Advice to Ratepayers. —The attention of the ratepayers is called to section 12 of the Rating Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1879, which reads as follows : “ It shall be sufficient if any demand required to be made under section 48 of the Rating Act, 1876, be made by the same being sent through any post-office addressed to the person liable at his last known place of abode.or place of business.” Section 48 above referred to states that a demand for rates must be made in writing under the hand of any collector or other duly ap pointed person, and “delivered” to the person liable either personally, or by leaving the same at his last known place of abode or place of business, or on the premises in respect of which such rate is due. We would remind the ratepayers that the rate now struck is payable on the 15th inst., and it is necessary that it be collected within the time specified. It will be seen by advertisement that the rates are payable to the Town Clerk, at bis office, Burnett street, between the hours of 10 and 12 forenoon and 3 and 5 afternoon.

Indecent Assault. A man named Patrick Martin has been remanded by the Christchurch R.M. on a charge of in decently assaulting a child of two years.

Reduction of Wages. —This morning the Christchurch Board of Conservators reduced their men’s wages from eight to five shillings per day. An Escaped Lunatic. —A lunatic named Daniel Foster, who recently escaped from Sunnyside, was last night captured at Governor’s Bay. The Unemployed in Napier.— They must be a queer lot of unemployed in Napier if the following telegram is true : The meeting of unemployed called for Saturday night proved a great fiasco ; about 50 men, two-thirds laborers, rolled up. The convener of the meeting un expectedly asserted that there was plenty of work, and then said there was none, rnd concluded by returning to his first statement, and offering to get work for any who said they could not find it. He told an extraordinary tale of how he and Mr. Vincent Pyke lived on snakes for a week in Victoria when on the “ wallaby.” The next speaker strongly denounced the non-employment cry, saying that every man able and willing to work could get constant employment. Bennett, convener of the meeting, said he must dispute this, and mounted the barrel which did duty as a platform, but some one pushed the barrel from under him, and he fell heavily to the ground, where he lay stunned for some time. On recovery, he offered to fight anyone in a 36-foot ring for love or money. This concluded the proceedings.

Holloway’s Tills. —These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated consti tution than any other medicine in the world. Persons of nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become decayed by billious affections, disordered stomach, or liver com plaints, should lose no time in giving these admirable Pills a fair trial. Cough, colds, asthma, or shortness of breath, are also within the range of the senative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete and permanent. They are as mild they are efficacious, and may be given, wit confidence to delicate females and young chil dren.—Advt.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

A u s TR A L I A N {Reuter's). Tlie Victorian Ministry. Melbourne, March 9. It is not probable there will be any opposition' offered to the re-election of Ministry. The Sugar Market. Mauritius advices, dated 17th January,

stated that the sugar market was active, and large sales were being made with stocks small.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

The Premier. Auckland March 9,

The Premier has been engaged with Mr. Whitaker to-day in departmental business.

A Fatal Jump from a Train.. Yesterday a passenger by the train to Waikato jumped off between Taupiri and Huntley, rolling down a steep bank. He has not been seen since, and is supposed to have been fatally injured. Pleuro-Pneumonia.

No further cases of pleuro-pneumoma are reported. The Cattle Inspector will make further inspections in the country districts. Mr. Buckland advocates a sub scription of LSOO to purchase the re mainder of the cattle introduced from New South Wales by W. Payne, with a view to their distraction. Mr. Buckland publishes a letter from the Chief Cattle Inspector of Victoria, admitting that pleuro-pneumonia prevails throughout that colon! 7 . A Valueless Cheque. Charles Williams, alias “ French Fred,” has been committed for trial for uttering a valueless cliequWUo the landlord of a hotel. The Unemployed. Dunedin, March 9. The Hon. Mr. Oliver telegraphs, offer ing the unemployed the same terms as in the North Island. The Irish Famine Fund. £1,602, of which £5 LG came from the country districts, were subscribed in Dunedin suburbs towards the Irish famine. A New Dredger. The Harbor Board instructed their Home agents to accept a tender for a hopper dredger which will have a carrying capacity of 1,258 tons, the price being £29,000. One of the conditions of the contract is that the builders undertake fitting up the machinery in the colony and superintend the working of the dredge here for three months after handing her over in good working order. Good Gold Return. The Gladstone Company at Arrow sent down a cake ’of 130 ounces from 138 tons of stone. The Dunedin Benevolent Institute. The report of the Benevolent Institute shows a revenue for the year of £5,534, expenditure £2,794. 1,521 persons were relieved Deserted wi\e3 received the lion’s share. The committee say that special efforts are needed to cope with the increasing distress. The Civil Service and Local Industries Commissions. Wellington, March 9. The members of the Civil Service Com mission have been appointed, and com prise Sir Robt. Douglas, Messrs. A. Saun ders, and J. Kelly, M.H.R.’s, and Mr. C. Pharazyn. The Commission to act will be presented to them to-day. The Com mission to decide upon the best means for promoting local industries will be ap pointed shortly.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH 8c FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE f Reuter's Telegrams.) No Extradition- London, March 6. A Russian named Hartman, charged with complicity in the late destruction by fire at the Academy of Forest Culture at Moscow, having escaped to France, the Russian Government recently demanded the extradition of the fugitive. The French Government, however, refused to deliver him up to the Russian authorities, and lie lias since been deported to Eng land. Tlie ship Invercargill has arrived. Another Gun Burst. Genoa, March 7. A gun burst on board the man-of-war Duilio, at La Spezzia, 10 sailors being wounded and the turret damaged.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's 7 elegrams.) Improving the Land Regulations. Melbourne, March 8.

The new Government have decided to rescind certain vexatious portions of the regulations which have from time to time been issued by Mr. Longmore, late Mini ster for Lands. Cricket. The cricket match ended to-day by the Victorian Fifteen beating the Australian Eleven by one wicket. The excitement was intense at the finish of the game. The Great Fiddler. Madame Camilla Urso, the great vio linist, will visit New Zealand shortly.

LAST NIGHT’S TELEGRAMS.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, March S.

Government have decided to appoint two Cattle Boards for Auckland and Wai kato and have gazetted regulations for their guidance. At a meeting of the Thames Farmers’ Club, it was stated that the cattle in that district are not diseased with pleui’o, but suffered from exhaustion in consequence of the long voyage. The Premier will visit Waikato, and will be present at the ceremony in com memoration of opening the navaigation of Upper Thames river. The rumor that Mr. Hamlin, M.H.R., intends to resign is contradicted. The volunteer officers have met to con sider proposals for improving the volun teer forces, to be submitted to Col. Leckie, ■who will forward the same to the Govern ment. Chief Paul, of Orakei has called a meeting of Kaipara tribes for the 17 th. He states that chiefs from the north are expected, and the meeting will be important. Dr. Fox, of the ship Earl Granville, died at the quarantine station, Motuaihi, of low fever. Grahamstown, March 8. Salmon have been seen in numbers on the Ohinemuri river, apparently making their way up stream. The natives are catching them, but the police are taking steps to prevent them in future. Yernor, agent for the Norwich Union, concerned in the disputed case Driscoll versus the company, lias been dismissed. Gisborne, March 8. The case of forgery against Mr. Ward, solicitor, still occupies the court.

Wellington, March 8. The Railway Commission commenced its sittings this morning. Mr. Oswald Curtis was elected chairman, Mr. Edward Downey was appointed secretary, and Mr. Mitchell shorthand reporter. The Com mission then adjourned. The Commis sioners visit several parts of the colony after concluding their sittings here. The Minister for Public Works left for Picton and West Coast ports this.evening, to thoroughly investigate the system of working the railways in those districts. The total subscriptions raised in aid of the Irish distress fund is LG7O.

A.t the inquest to-day on the body of Robert Campbell, seaman on board the Go-ahead, who died suddenly on the pas sage here, the jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes. Dunedin, March 8. At the twelfth annual meeting of the Standard Insurance Company to-day the report, which did not recommend pay ment of any dividend, was adopted. Messrs. J. Reid and J. Curie were re elected directors.

Several burglaries have been reported to the police. On Thursday the residence of Mr. Kohn, jeweller, was entered, and jewellery valued at Ll5O abstracted. An Order in Council has been issued, ordering a special sitting of the Supreme Court on the loth. This is necessary owing to the failure to adjourn the court at the conclusion of Mackenzie v. Smith’s case.

THE NELSON PRIZE FIRING.

[BY TELEGRAPH. | Rifle-camp, Brightwater,

March 8.

In match No. 15 (Ladies’) 10 prizes are given. The ranges are 200 and 300 yards. The winners are :—l, A. Ballinger ; 2, Richardson—each 50 ; Beach, Acheson, H. Dixon, Mogridge, Lieut. Adams, Morris, and Paynter—each 48 ; Hunter, 47. The other scores are :—McKee, J. Ross and Harding—each 47; Turner, King, Oakey, Milne, A. Thomas, Smith, Gordon, Downie, and Christie—each 46 ; Rogers J. Hunter, McKenzie, Morrison, Haycock, F. France, C. France, Coventry, Clark, Fenton, Marshall, Webster, Segt. Haslett, A. Dixon, Muller, Armstrong, andH. Sutton —each 45; Griffiths, Roper, Buckley, Weir, Roley, Mair, Thomas, A. McKenzie, Hutchinson, H. Rose, Price, Corporal Haslett, and D. Thurston—each 44 ; Edy, Kellew, Jamison, Cummings, Parslaw, Dalgleish, W. Ballinger, Hay, Lewis, and Cooper—each 43 ; Gilchrist, Straclian, Hood, Menzies, F. Soper, Skinner, Robinson, Hoskins, Purnell, Bannister, Prouse, Tandy, Ellis, Somer ville, Barriball, Thurson, Coleman, and Wilson—each 42 ; Taylor, Currie, Davy, Penk, McKae, Gell, Fairs, Maddock, Fearson —each 41 ; McCredie, Stagg, Burr, and Hawes—each 40 ; Craugher, Hodges, Desfargis, Turner, Mason, P. Smith, Hislop, and Monk—39 ;. Wintor, F. Smith, F. Sutton, Fox, Lee, Monson —each 38 ; Capt. Thompson, W. Sutton, Crawe and Lyon —each 37 ; Black, 35 ; McKenzie, 34. The winner of the prize for the greatest number of bulls eyes is Acheson, with 65. 8 p. m.

Match 13, North v. South Island, for rifles, was won by the South with one point. The scores are—South : Rogers, 56 ; Acheson, 47 ; Paynter, 66 ; Webster, 56 ; Buckley, 52 ; M'Kenzie, 61 ; Hood, 60 ; Richardson, 64 ; Christie, 51 ; Tur ner, 56 ; total, 571. North : Oakey, 52 ; Purnell, 49 ; Cummings, 49 ; Monk, 52 ; Haslett, 64 ; M'Kee, 49 ; Hay, 58 ; Tay lor, 59 ; Downie, 68 ; Marr, 59 ; total, 570.

The consolation match is just com pleted. The -winners are—l, Sinclair (Christchurch) 73 ; 2, J. Ballinger, 72 ; 3, Frearson, 71 ; 4, Hutchison, 71; 5, Bradly, 70 ; 6, Hay, 70 ; 7, Cochrane, 70; 8, Howell, 69 ; 9, Mcßae, 68 ; 10, Hastel, 67.; 11, Howie, 67; 12 Bannister, 66. The cavalry 7 tournament takes place at Richmond on Wednesday, when the meet ing will terminate. March 9.

The nineteenth match is completed. The winners are—l, Somerville, 63 ; 2, Purnell, 55 ; 3, Fenton, 50 ; 4, Skinner, 50; 5, Gordon, 50; 6, Paynter, 47; 7, Hutchinson, 46 ; 8, Capt. Wilson, 46 ; 9, H. Dixon, 46. The other scores are— Ross, 43; F. France, 36 ; Hood and Richardson —each 35 ; Hutchinson and Mair—each 34 ; Rogers, 27 ; Milne, 26 ; Davy, 23 ; Hunter, 21 ; Lees, 14 ; Ellis, 9.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[by telegraph.] (Times Correspondent.) Otako, March 8.

The creek on which the new camp will be fixed is the Werekino, about two miles south of Stoney river. The following troops will cross : —Colonel Roberts com manding district ; Major Take command ing detatchment; Captains Newell, Gor don, and Grubb and companies 4,5, and 6, numbering 223 men, including 24 of the Arawa natives. These will be joined in a few days 63 of the Public Works Con tingent. The field telegraph will be im mediately extended to Werekino Camp Last night the weather changed for the worse, and it is now raining in torrents that it is doubtful whether the camp can be shifted to morrow as intended. It will seriously complicate matters if continued bad weather impedes the operations of the force, as every day is bringing us nearer to the critical point.

3.20 p.m.

This morning at 7 o’clock a detachment of 60 men, under Captain Newell, ac companied by Colonel Roberts and Major Tuke, marched to Werekino, and laid out the lines of the new camp. At 11 a. m., the main column followed under Cap tains Gordon and Grubb, and while cross ing the Stoney River on to the Plains, the men cheered lustily. They are at this moment engaged in pitching their tents. Their camp is a beautiful, and naturally a very strong one, command ing the country at each end from high mounds.

Rumours have been current in New Plymouth for some days that trouble was brewing at Parihaka, but Mr. Carrington, who has just returned from there, says that Te Whiti gave no sign, If the Maoris do anything it will be some miles from here. Colonel Roberts remains on the spot, evidently considering the time a critical one.

The Maoris, as usual, took possession of the old camp as soon as it was evacuated. The weather has changed for the better.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last night at the Council’s office. Present—- His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs. A. Orr, G. St. Hill, D. Williamson, G. Par kin, G. M. Robinson, T. Bullock, and E. Saunders. chairman’s statement.

The Chairman said that since the last ordinary meeting had been held, the councillors had inspected Mr. Saunders’ scheme, which had been adopted, and Mr. Fooks instructed to prepare plans. It would be necessary to advertise the ap pointment of the rate collector ; and he (the Mayor) would also suggest that the Sergeant of Police be instructed to lock up all dogs which were not re gistered, as the borough being so much in debt, it was incumbent on the Conncil to look to every source of revenue. The

FINANCIAL STATEMENT was then read as follows :—Balance at Bank, Dr. L 696 16s. 7d. ; rates collected since last meeting, L 7 4s. ; rates collected previously, L 1059 4s. ; rents, L 7 4s. ; dog licenses, L 26 10s. ; dog licenses pre viously collected, Ll 3. Total—Lilli 2s. The Mayor stated that lie had been re ported wrongly in the papers last ordi nary meeting. He had stated that a certain amount of rates were to Mr. T. Bullock’s debit in the rate book, and he had called attention to the fact, but not with any intention of saying what might give offence to Mr. Bullock. Mr. Bullock, in explanation, said he was surprised to see himself reported as not having paid his rates on four sections. Two of two sections never belonged to him. He had long ago paid his own rates, and also rates due by his tenants. THE FIRE BRIGADE. A letter was read from the Ashburton Fire Brigade, asking payment of the L 25 voted to them by the Council, and also asking that the Council’s promise regard ing the finding of uniforms for the brigade may be fulfilled.! The Mayor considered it absolutely necessary that the present quarter should be tided over before they could pay the sum asked for, and the brigade could not look for anj 7 payment towards uniforms until the overdraft at the Bank had been paid. The Fire Insurance Association had agreed to reconsider the amount of their subscription towards the brigade.

Mr. Parkin said unless any payment was made to the brigade that that body would have to resign. It was impossible for them to continue their duties without assistance.

Mr. St. Hill did not think the letter should be received, knowing as the brigade did, the straits in which the Council’s funds were, and he thought the brigade should have waited until they knew the Council were in funds.

Mr. Parkin said that none of the brigade received any emolument, and more than that, three members bad become respon sible for the cost of the bell.

Mr. Bullock said he must agree with Mr. Parkin. There had been a promise to the brigade to pay this subsidy, and the Council were duty bound to pay the money. Mr. Saunders proposed, Mr. St. Hill seconded—“ That the money be paid as soon as the Council is in funds.” He did not think it would be right to break the engagement made with the Bank not to overdraw their account after the 31st March. The resolution was carried. THE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

A letter was read from the Upper Ash burton Road Board granting permission to the borough to cut a channel to bring water down Winter’s road, providing the borough will pay all damages in the future that may be incurred by such channel either to roads or private property. It was resolved to acknowledge the let ter with tnanks. COUNTY COUNCIL GRANT FOR DRAINAGE. The clerk to the County Council wrote stating that the consideration of their ap plication for a grant to assist in the drain age of the town was deferred till next meeting. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION. The Mayor stated that he had written to the County Council for assistance to wards the drainage of the Borough ; and he had noticed that the subject had been deferred for a month on the motion of Mr. Bullock. Mr. Bullock said he had asked for an adjournment, as he was not possessed of data to go on with the discussion. Mr. Williamson considered that the work being a mutual one, the borough’s claim was not only a fair, but also a legal one. SUNDAY TRADING. A letter was read from Christchurch Municipal Council enclosing the following rssolution —“ This Council deprecates the action of those in this city who expose their goods for sale on the Lord’s day; and that they deeply regret that the Municipal Acts do not empower the muni cipalities to make a bye-law to suppress such practices ; and further that this Council pledges itself to act in conjunction with other municipalities to petition the Governor in Council, or the legislature of this colony, to pass an Act to prohibit Sunday trading.” His Worship was glad to observe such a resolution had been passed, and thought the Council should give all the assistance in their power to help the Chistchurch Municipality. Mr. St. Hill thought a bye-law should be passed compelling shutters to be put up on a Sunday. (Laughter). Mr. Parkin proposed, and Mr. Orr seconded —“ That this Council endorses the action of the Chi'istchurcli City Council,” which was passed. DOG HOUSE FOR VaGRANT OURS.

Sergeant Pratt wrote, calling attention to the regulation by which all dogs not having the badge of registration on them were liable to be at once seized, and within 24 hours destroyed. He pointed out the necessity of the borough erecting a house for the safe custody of the dogs. The or dinance stated “ that all unregistered dogs or any dogs at large without the badge of registration wheresoever found may be destroyed.” The Mayor said he agreed with the principal {embodied in the letter, but not with the time allowed. It would be un fair to imprison and destroy a dog in 24 hours’ notice. The difficulty might be got over by making the time 48 hours and advertising the description of dogs imprisoned; but it would be necessary for the borough to erect the house, and as it would be in the borough perhaps the county would object to pay part of the cost,

Mr. St. Hill could not see why the borough should erect a dog lock-up more than a lock-up for drunkards. Mr. Saunders moved —“That the police be asked the probable cost of the establish ment, also’the practice of other boroughs in such cases.” Mr. St. Hill seconded, and the motion was passed. THE SIX-SHILLING LETTER. Mr. E; G. Crisp wrote as follows : “ With reference to the letter of Miss Callaghan as to the rate collector having no legal claim upon her for 65., handed me by the Town Clerk for my explanation, I now have to inform you that as this matter has been brought before a legal tribunal, I doubt not you will see the propriety of leaving it to that tribunal. As a matter of common fair-play, as well as a matter of common courtesy,, might I submit to you that when, on any future occasion the conduct of any person em ployed by you is to be brought into ques tion, and under discussion, that person may reasonably be considered to be entitled to a notice, informing him of the matter to be discussed, and time of dis cussion.

“ Had this course been adopted in my case, the present unpleasant position of this matter had never been reached.—l remain, &c., Edwd. G. Crisp.” Mr. Robinson was of opinion that Mr. Crisp thought the Council were wizards, as he appeared to consider the matter should have been laid before him some days pre vious to the meeting of the Council. Mr. Crisp’s letter was a preposterous one. Mr. St. Hill said the R.M. had ruled the Borough Solicitor could not claim his expenses ; he was supposed to do the borough’s work, and the question was, had Mr. Crisp a right to charge for such work as private work ? He would move— “ That this Council disapproves of the Borough Solicitor’s charging this amount.”

A lively discussion then took place as to* the correctness of the resolution as stated in the minute book, Councillor St. Hill making a strong attack on the Borough Solicitor in reference to the alleged over charge of 6s. His Worship said he would decline re ceiving any resolutions in future unless they were handed to him in writing. Mr. G. M. Robinson seconded the reso lution, and could not see the fairness of of the Solicitor drawing pay from both the Council and the ratepayers. qy-K Mr. Bullock thought it was necessai-y before passing this resolution to define the duties of the Solicitor. I Mr. Parkin said it was evident that the Solicitor’s duties were to have at once taken out summonses, and not to have written letters and charged for them.

Mr. Williamson said he did not attend this Council to listen to the eloquence of Mr. St. Hill all night. He would call the attention of the Mayor to clause 39 of the bye-laws, and it was not in accordance with that condition that Mr. Hill should arro gate to himself the right to answer every Councillor on every possible occasion ; and he for one would not attend the Council unless it was conducted in accordance with the customs of other public bodies, and the rules laid down.

Mr. Saunders fully agreed with Mr. Williamson’s remarks. Unless the work of the Council were carried on in ac cordance with the rules, it would impos sible for the clerk to take proper minutes. Mr. St. Hill persisted in making remarks in an interjectional manner. He agreed so far with the terms of the resolution, but he was of opinion that consideration should be deferred. Mr. Orr would like to know if the Col lector was instructed to obtain the assis tance of the solicitor, in collecting the rates.

The Collector said he had showed Mr. Crisp the defaulters list, and asked him the best means of getting the rates in. Mr. Crisp said the simplest way would be to advise them by letter. The resolution was then put and carried. Mr. Bullock suggested that the over due rates should be tacked on to the next rate due, so as to prevent expenses. A minute of a meeting held on January 12th was produced, showing that the in structions were to sue at once. THE WESLEYAN PARSONAGE RATE. Rev. W. Keall again wrote, drawing the attention of the Council to the un fairness of charging the Wesleyan Church trustees with rates on the parsonage when it was a custom all over the colony not to tax any church property ; also asking that a rate already paid be refunded. Mr. Bullock said he had been informed that m other boroughs no church property was rated. He was aware the borough was fully entitled to the rate, but he would suggest the Clerk write to other boroughs to know what the custom was. The Mayor contended that under clause 115 they had no power to remit the rates. Mr. Williamson—lf we can’t pay the L 25 due to the Fire Brigade we cannot remit these rates. Mr. Orr—lt is the custom, I am told, from Auckland to the Bluff, not to collect these rates. Mr. St. Hill moved, and Mr. Parkin seconded —“ That the letter be acknow- , ledged, and a reply forwarded that the Boi'ough could not move in the matter.” The resolution was carried. It was resolved to correspond with other municipalities as to the custom with regard to property held by religious bodies. BYE-LAWS. The Mayor said it was time these bye laws were completed, and he hoped the committee would exercise more diligence. The Town Clerk said lie believed the Borough Solicitor wanted to see the Borough Engineer once more before they would be ready. THE RESERVE COMMITTEE. The Mayor said the Reserve Committee had resolved to sell the lease of some of the reserves by auction. THE IVATER SUPPLY SCHEME. Mr. C. E. Fooks reported on the pro posed water supply. He had taken all the necessary levels, and explained the plans A of the proposed work as prepared by him. The scheme provided for an alternative course in the Domain. Mr. Saunders said both Dr. Trevor and himself, as members of the Domain Board, would agree to the scheme in any direc tion, and firm of Saunders Bros, would offer any facility' towards the prosecution of the work so far as their race was con cerned. Mr. Bullock reminded Mr. Fooks that in January, 1879, this same scheme was brought before the Council, and was re pqrted by him as impracticable as .a tem porary scheme,' and was in consequence abandoned for the permanent orq.

Tuesday, March 9, iBSo.I

THE ASHBURTON HERALD



New Advertisements. A PRIVATE and Superior Ladies’ School for DISPOSAL. Can be taken with or without the Plant. Terms Moderate. ! Ladies about to commence scholastic duties would do exceedingly well by an early attention. Address — Guardian office, Ashburton. 154 c 592 g ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. "VTOTICE is hereby given that at the I\| Ordinary Meeting of the Ashbur ton Borough Council, held on the Bth day of March, 1880, CHARLES BRADDELL was appointed RATE COLLECTOR for the Borough. All Rates must be paid to him at the Town Clerk’s office, on or be fore the 15th day of MARCH, instant, between the hours of 10 and 12 forenoon, and 3 and 5 afternoon. HUGO FRIEDLANDER, Mayor. Borough Council Office, Ashburton, Bth March, 1880. 157 c A N T E D K N O W N, that EVERETT BROS. & CO., Have loch street, will make a GRAND DIS PLAY on FRIDAY, : MARCH 12th, from half-past seven to eight. No ad- ANTED—A good General Servant, accustomed to children. Must have references. Apply, Press office, Ashburton. 152 c LONGBEACH ROAD DISTRICT. TENDERS are hereby invited for , COATING with CLAY Fifteen Chains of Ford’s road, and will be received up till 3 o’clock p.m. on MONDAY, the 15th March, at the office, Longbeach road, where a specification of the work to be done can be seen. W. CUTHBERT, 159 c District Surveyor. NEWS AND MAGAZINE AGENCY, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS , : ■; DEPOT. RE-OPENING. HM. JONES begs to inform his . customers and the public generally that he has re-opened part of the premises lately occupied by A. Weston and K. Sando and Co. for the sale of Newspapers, Magazinse, Stationery, Fancy goods, Toys, &c. English and Colonial papers. Periodicals, &c. , by each mail. Licensed to sell Stamps. Lowest prices—Terms cash. Agent for “ Ashburton Guardian,” “AshburtonHerald,’, “Ashburton Mail,” “Lyttelton Times,” “Canterbury Times,” Daily “Press,” “ Weekly Press,” “Otago Witness,” “Australasian,” “Town and County Journal.” Subscribers to “ Canterbury Times” and “ Weekly Press” can obtain their copies at the above Establishment. *l2lc NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. .Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please,- he is prepared to* guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cl’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a