The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1880. The Borough Share of the Impounded Land Fund.

When Mr. Hugo Friedlander stood for the position of Mayor of Ashburton, he put forward as tiro recommendations of his canditure, his business experience and his ability as a financier, and these qualifica .tions made available to the ratepayers ‘ at a time when a business head and financial ability were so much wanted to conduct the affairs of the JBorough • - doubtless weighed heavily in his favor with the burgesses. That he has not belied y. -the hopes of those who supported him let the present state of Borough finance bear ; witness in a comparison with what it was ff when he took office. He has been ener- V getic and attentive to a fault, and his ; success has been so marked, that we have ft; heard one or two of those who opposed his • election heart and soul, confess their agree ':V able disappointment, and express their 3 intention of giving him their cordial sup r?... port should ho see fit to stand again. It may be honestly said of the Mayor that if his keen business eye can spy out a chance J H. c- : - v ilifc ■' - •

of increasing the borough funds, it will bo a very hopeless chance indeed if he allows it to slip untried. He is now engaged in a steady warfare with'the Longbeaeh Road Board and the County Council over a sura of nearly L3OO, which he feels thoroughly satisfied ought to come from the Longbeaeh Road Board to the Borough, and which the Longbeaeh Road Board and at least-two members of the County Council are just as thoroughly satisfied he has no right to. Our readers are doubtless familiar with the grounds bn which the Borough claims this money. The im pounded land fund has become a sort of household word. Twenty per cent, of the proceeds of all lands Bold within the pro vince became the property of the district in which these lands were situated, and the County of Ashburton having yielded a large sum to the colonial revenue from land sold within the County’s boundaries, became the recipient of not an inconsiderable sum, and remained-a creditor of Govern ment for what was still unpaid. Of this sum the old Ashburton Road Board, of which the township of Ashburton before its proclamation as a borough was a ward, received its share. When the Borough was proclaimed and, so to speak, swarmed off from the Ashburton Road Board, that body without any demur, paid'such share of their fuhda -to- the Borough as they considered belonged to : it, and promised to make a further division when Government made a further payment of what land fund was still owing. It will thus be seen' that when the township became:, a Municipality •the whole of the land fund accrued to that date had not , been paid, and the money now claimed by the Mayor is the share that the Ashburton Road Board would have paid to the Borough had the Board remained united, and not been divided into two —the Wakanui Road Board and the Longbeaeh Road Board. '■ When the division of the Board took place there were added to the new benches- men who “knew not Joseph,” and who did not know the history of the township’s claim, so that it is not surprising to find that claim disputed. Perhaps we may be forgiven for fancying, too, that were the bank books of the Boards plethoric in figures on the credit side the claim would not be very bitterly opposed. But an empty purse sharpens the wits consider ably, and we find the members of both the new Boards looking narrowly into the Borough’s claim. Mr. Grigg, the Long beach Chairman, simply repudiates it, while the Wakanui Board lias paid it under protest, and with a condition that a refund be made should the claim turn out to be not well founded. So far as the Borough’s claim is concerned it appears to be perfectly sound, provided . always that the Board’s claim upon the money in the first instance was sound. And it is just here that the Chair man of the County Council, supported by Mr. Grigg, differ from the Mayor. Both hold that the 20 per cent, of the land fund was not the property of the Road Boards, but of the County Council ; that they could distribute it as they chose, and in such, proportions as seemed to them judicious'; and that the sums from this fund given to the Boards by the County- Council were only a gift. The Council might,- if they had chosen, elected to give the money for the Boards, to spend, or they might have taken other modes of distributing it throughout the Country. They elected to give it in cash. If the Chairman and Mr. Grigg’s contention is correct, and the County Council had thus absolute control of the money, then clearly the Borough has no claim whatever upon the funds. But this is just the contention that the Mayor does not seem prepared to admit. •If he can upset it—and we know he will not rest content until he haR done so, or satisfied himself that lie cannot— then his claim, we should think, must be recognised ; but if he cannot, then the Borough must go without a sum of nearly £6OO, on the possession of which Councillors have built their hopes. We may quote here a letter of the Mayor, which lays down the case as clearly and as fairly for the Borough as it can be laid “ When Ashburton was declared a munici pality in September, 1878, a final settlement of accounts between the Borough and the then Ashburton Road Board (now the Wakanui and Longbeaeh Road Boards) could not be arrived at, as the impounded land fund was held in abeyance by the Government. I may state that this land fund accrued prior to 31st December, 1877, so it was the property of the various Road Boards in the Provincial Dis trict of Canterbury. The Counties Act was brought into force by the County Council on December 2nd, 1877, so that nearly all the im pounded land fund must have been in the hands of the Government'before the County Council took upon themselves the full powers under the Act. There can be no ihistal e that this land fund was the property of the Road Boaids and not of the County Council, who had no con trol of moneys coming to the Road Boards before they adopted the full provisions of the Act. It is clear, then, that a portion of this money became the property of the Ashburton Road Board, and consequently a small share became due to the township of Ashburton, which formed then one ward of the said Road Board, and which body fully recognised the fact, as will be shown from a letter written by their Clerk to the Borough Council at the time of enclosing statement of accounts to date of separation. The portion of this letter refer ring to this matter is as follows “I informed Messrs. Ffiedlander and Saunders that the Borough Council would have a further claim upon subsidy and unallocated land fund, when such payments (which are retrospective) shall be made by the Government.” I have no doubt, were that body still in existence, it would have faithfully carried out the terms of the settlement alluded to, as was promply done by the Wakanui Road Board. It was also hoped that the Longbeaeh Road Board would have faithfully carried out the intentions of their parent Board, and that their present Chairman would not have repudiated a fair and just debt. As the matter now stands, nothing is left for the Borough Council to do but to avail themselves of" the 33rd section of the Municipal Corporations Act, and get thc_ Com missioners of Audit to decide the case in dis pute.”

Obstructing the Thoroughfare.— For tying a horse, with a spring cart attached, to a po3t in the public thoroughfare, his Worship inflicted the minimum penalty of 10s. on Mr. Thomas Greenaway, at the Court this morning. The Carandinis.— On Monday evening next Madame Carandini’s ballad and opera company will give a farewell concert in the Town Hall. The programme, copies of which have boen extensively circulated, is made up of very high class music, while some of those sweet ballads for which Madame is so greatly celebrated, have also a place. We trust that the company, to the chief figure in which the New Zealand public owe so many hours of unalloyed pleasure, will have a full house.

Shipping. —The s. s. Rotorua arrived at Lyttelton this afternoon from Sydney, via Wellington. Closed. —lt is notified by tlie Secretary of Telegraphs, that the telegraph station at Leitlifield will be closed on and after Ist August next. The San Francisco Mail. —Mails for the United Kingdom etc., via San Fran cisco, will close at Ashburton on Saturday, the I7th inst., at 9 a.m. Money orders to go by this opportunity may be taken out the previous day, up to 4 p.m. St. Stephen’s Sunday School. —The St. Stephen’s Sunday school, not to be behind their friends of the otl 9 : denomina tions are to celebrate the Sunday school anniversary on Thursday evening in the Town Hall, when Sunday school hymns, &c.f will be sung by the . children and otheis. The Borough By-laws. —At the meet ing of the Borough Council held last evening, a resolution was passed to the effect that the By-laws, as adopted by the Council, should come into force on Satur day, 24th inst. In accordance with the. requirements of the Act, the By-Laws, as passed, will appear as a supplement in to morrow night’s Ileralcl. ■ Rehearing. —At the last .Court day, George Hydes was fined 20s. for having an unregistered dog in his possession. The case, oh; the application”; of Mr. Hydes, was reheard at the Court this morning, and on the defendant 3 wearing to the fact that lie never had owned a dog, arid that the one for which he was summoned ’ had, merely followed him for about one hundred yards, and had, , subsequently - been destroyed, liis Worship remitted the fine, and dismissed -the case. Juvenile Offenders. —At the Christ church Resident Magistrates Court' this morning Ambrose Hume, aged ten years, and George Firth, aged nine years, were charged with stealing a horse, which the prosecutor had left securely tied outside his house. The next morning the horse was gone. Prisoners subsequently tried to sell the horse for 255. The case was dismissed, on the understanding that the parents whipped the boys in the presence of a constable . Breach of. the Railway By-Laws.— At the R.M. Court this morning, Harry Ste phenson, jun., was charged with hav ing ridden a horse across the railway line other than the appointed crossings. Harry pled ignorance in excuse of his delinquency, stating that the offence took place on a Sunday, and as there were no trains running on that day, he had been under the impression that the by-laws were not then in force. His Worship, while not entertaining the excuse, was inclined to be lenient, and let the eques trian off with a fine of ss. . ,

The Giving of Work.— A correspon dent writes, -complaining that the Borough Council do not share what work they have to give amongst, the married men who are out of employ. He points out that when ever the Council has any work to do it is shared amongst, a . select few, while .numerous other. married men, who are equally capable and industrious, ; never gc-t a “show.” He suggests that a change in* the. employees should take., place every .month, and by. this means some would have a fair chance of. earning bread. - All are ratepayers, he .says, and. all ought to bear a portion of the burden during these_ depressed times. Accident at Rakaia. Yesterday, while Mr..- Henry Crooks, farmer, Rakaia, was attending to a wild young cow, she suddenly rushed him, catching him on the left eye with her horn. The whole cf the. lower eyelid was ripped up,.-and the eye itself had a very narrow, escape from being completely gougoclout, Mr. Crooks had such attention given to the wound as is available in Rakaia, where no medical man has yet taken up his quarters, and; then with the first train proceeded to Ash burton, where Dr. Stewart stitched up the wound.

Ashburton-Mount Somers Railway, —ln the Legislative Council on June 25. the Hon. Mr. Peter moved that there be laid upon the table a plan of the devia tion lately surveyed on the Ashburton and Mount Somers line, for which tenders were advertised on the sth May, and then withdrawn ; also, by whose authority such deviation was surveyed, and all corres pondence or telegrams relating to the same. The Hon. Mr. 'Whitaker said there was no objection whatever to this motion. A plan showing the different lines was being prepared, and would be ready in a day. or two. The motion was agreed to.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) Collision. London, July 21. , The barque Chalgrove, 513 tons, bound for West Australia, put into Plymouth, damaged by collision with another vessel. Awaiting a Reply. : • London, July 12. England and, France, through their Ambassadors at Athens,- have advised the Greek Government to abstain from calling out the army reserve, pending-receipt- of Turkey’s reply to a circular note of the Great Powers, embodying decisions of the Berlin Conference. Demolition.

Calcutta, July 12. Orders have been given for the demoli tion of all the British forts at Cabul.

AUSTRALIAN

{By cable from Reuter's Agency.) Shipping. Melbourne, July 10. Arrived -P. and O. Company’s steamer Hydaspes, with inward' Suez mails, dated London, June 4. An Insane Bushranger. It now transpires that the elder Reilly, leader of the Hairow gang of bushrangers, has a grudge against Mr. Herne, the magistrate, and this is said to be the cause of bailing him up. It is believed that Reilly is insane. More Sticking Up. Melbourne, July 12. Magistrate Hearne, when returning from church at Harrow, was stopped by a gang under the leadership of a man named Reilly, . who threatened to shoot him unless he obtained a cheque for L3OO. He was incarcerated with his family in a deserted hut, but one escaped and gave the alarm. The police arrived at the hut and surrounded the Reillys,'who refused to surrender, threatening to shoot Hearne. The gang has been arrested, after wait ing four hours, without a shot being fired.

NEW' ZEALAND.

“Not Guilty.” Wellington, July 13,

The jury, in. the case of Wilson, for in decent assault, were locked up all night,' and. returned to Court at ten. o’clock this morning, with a verdict of “Not guilty.” The foreman stated , that there was a doubt,. and the jivry gave the prisoner the benefit. ;

4-td em Suicide. . • A man named Palmer attempted to commit suicide this morning by cutting an artery in his arm. The wound is not dangerous. The supposed cause was ina bility to obtain work. Serious Illness of Hanlon. Dunedin, July 13. A London telegram, dated July 3rd, states that Hanlon is dangerously ill from gastric fever. , Fears are entertained of the result. The cause is attributable to His rowing in a recent regatta at Rhode Island against the direction of his medical adviser. . •••.,: •

Interesting Exhibits. .. > * Invercargill, July 10. A preliminary exhibition of articles for the Melbourne Exhibition is, proposed to be held at the-Athemeum, and will include a, collection, prepared by Mr. Daniel, ■of Upton, 'aiid niade up as follows •; —Dressed, freestone, from Matthew Holmes, Castle Rock ; -hl.uestone, from Oreti, rough dressed'and'’polished; geological specimens s of-stala ; dtities'atid'' ; Reti-ffi'ca‘ti()n, from. the' lim’estone caves ; large collection of rabbit furs, the latter highly interesting as. show ing the development under the influence of New Zealand food and.climate of many furs of rare beautv utterly unlike original stock. - '-'

THE KUMAR A MINING ACCI DENT.

Finding of the Bodies. • - Kumara, July 13,

After moat hazardous work, the re covery party discovered the body of Denis Whelan yesterday, at 1 o’clock, but it was after 11- o’clock before' the body was thoroughly released, and brought to the surface. The examination of the body conclusively proved that death had been instantaneous,' while the victim was - in the act of running for the shaft, and a sot of lathes had struck him on the back, breaking it, and inflicting' serious injury .to the chest. The body was immediately dressed, coffined, and removed to town. The body of John Whelan was found in-.dose proximity at 1 o’clock last night, but although every exertion was used, the body, has, not yet been got out as the ground is very danger ous for the party at work. It is expected to be brought to the surface to-night. Cummins, one of the injured men, is now, in the hospital, but his life is despaired of. as he is sinking rapidly. The inquest oh Denis Whelan’s body commences at .8 o’clock to-morrow morning, and will pro bably be adjourned until after the funeral. The general opinion ,is that Government liquid appoint an Inspector of Mines in he district, arid report on-this case.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hdlddiuisdves responsible for the opinions'expressed-by our correspondents.

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

To the Editor.

iX Sir— l.-wish-ypn would insert the fol lowing, to show the inconsistency of the Borough Council with reference to the Fire Brigade, as i- think' they must have very bad- memories. A short time ago, after waiting oveT twelve months for the Borough-to fulfil'its promises with respect to uniforms, the Brigade ordered- part of the uniforms, and waited on the Council for a grant towards the coat. The Coun cil granted L 25 out of about L 75 towards the cost, and promised that at the first meet ing after the lstof June they would payL2s due for further expenses of management, which I see, at the meeting last night was refused till November. As a member of the Brigade, I must say that we have always had a great amount of trouble as to the amount promised from the Coun cil, and I can state that we have only re ceived LI from honorary members. Con sidering that the majority of the. members of the Brigade are not owners of property in the Borough, I do not see how mer chants and property owners can expect the members to not only give their time, but to pay the expenses necessary to keep the plant in order. Amongst the whole of the merchants and tradesmen in Ashbur ton we have only one honorary - riiember that has paid his subscription.—l am, &c., A Member of the Ashburton Fire Brigade. Ashburton, July 13, 1880.

To the Editor. * Sir, —It is incompatible with my posi tion as Hon. Secretary to the: local Fire ■Brigade to allow the discussion which occurred in the Borough Council last evening to pass without’, comment. They say figures do not ;lie;you will therefore be well able to judge of the justice.of our (that is,'the Firejßrigade.’s) .demand if you peruse the foildWiiig i— ; At a meeting of the members of ;both Brigade-and 'FiiV Poiice 1 , neki oh Wednes day, 23rd Octobe i r,”TB7B, qt was moved by Mr. Thomas Dudson and. seconded by Mr. Millar—' 1 That tlje Brigade tender their services to the Borough.” This was carried nem. con. ;> and was. accordingly done, and upon the 20th Nov;, 1878, the Secretary to the Brigade received a letter, of which the following is a copy ; Town Clerk’s Office, 20lh November, 1878. —Sir, —l have the honor, by direction of the Ashburton Borough Council, to inform you that at a meeting held on the 18th inst., your memorial was considered, and in reply,-I beg to hand you the enclosed copy of resolution of the Council passed at the same meeting.—l have, etc., Charles Braddell,. Town Clerk. —Copy of resolution : “That the Council ac cept the services of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade, subject to its members being pre pared to work under a code of rules to be ap proved of by the Council. That an annual subsidy of fifty pounds (LSO) be voted for the maintenance of the Brigade, and that a Sub- Committee, consisting of Councillors William son, Saunders, Friedlander, and Ivess, be ap pointed to procure the required uniform.” 2. The rules were drawn up, submitted to the Council, and approved. It there fore follows, as a siwe qua non, that on the following dates half-yearly payments were due to the Fire Brigade : —l9th May, 1879, 20th Nov,, 1879, and 19th May, 1880; in addition to . cost of uniforms. Against the above we have received—-18th March, 1879, L 25 ; 3rd May, 1880, L 25, and on 18th May last a grant of’ L 25 towards payment of uniforms.

I shall not not worry you with a mass of figures, as perhaps some of our city fathers might not understand them, but shall content myself with saying that we have spent L7O alone in the last twelve months on a bell and tower much wanted, and on the faith of promises of support have expended some L6O .on uniforms and very necessary apparatus from England. In conclusion, I may stato that except for the liberal manner in which the County Council met the Brigade, we should have collapsed .some time since. Meanwhile, we can only hope that the' Government will pass the Brigades Bill, now before the House, 'in such a form as will compel public bodies to do their duty if only in the little matter of protecting the lives and property of those who may tem porarily- be placed under their care.- I am, &c., . . -•

W. Adams, HOll. Secretary.

THE ASHBURTON LIBRARY.

To the Editor.

Sir, — -I am afraid the writer of -the letter which appeared in the Ghiardianand Herald . of the. 3rd has taken a rather jaundiced view-of: that unfortunate bant ing the Public Library. He must, with others, have been well aware that a new committee,, would be elected in June ; why did he not then present... him-. se|f.,,.fpr.:.,:election i.:; ,'lt t . is .all very well -to sit, ; dpwn and find fault (nothing .easier),, Jb.uc I would suggest that .if he have anything to complain of, and thinks lie could remedy.it, he should come forward and .present his views, and I am .quPe sure they will gladly be entertained by the committee. ~ As to the prevalence of what tlie writer is pleased to call “ caste,” I cannot see that it at all prevails in the present case. Some thirty or forty mem bers of the Library were present at the time of the election of the present com mittee.- Several names were proposed and in many cases the persons so nominated declined to serve. However, the writer is informed that Dr. Ross posted a notice in the book that at the next quarterly meeting he should move that the number of ihe committee be nine instead of five, as at present. - This will enable tlie writer to ventilate his grievance and open up a remedy,. Perhaps the writer is not aware that the. Gas Company and Church have paid 10s. 6d. each time of using the room, and the committee would, only be too glad to let all and every “ism” have the -use of the rdom. upon the same terms. It is one of the rules that the room may be let for meetings at a minimum charge of 10s. 6d. per niglit. I am quite sure the treasurer would be only too glad to receive the writer’s sub scription, if he is not already a member, and as many of his denomination as would completely swamp the present subscribers, and I am quite sure the librarian will not ask any impertinent questions as to a person’s standing in society before deliver ing.bodks or making use of. the reading room. ........ : .

It is a.pity .that this Library , should be made, a sectarian question until .the treasurer has refused to take subscriptions -from any other party than the one spoken of.—l am, &c., A Member of the

DISTRICT COURT.

The cases set down for liearing ( at the District Court'on Thursday, before ’Judge Ward, are vasfollows. Fergus v. Peter, claim L 195 19s. 2d.-, value of wheat and oaten sheaves.

Luscombe v. Grigg, claim L 35 Bs. 6d., for work and labor done.

' E. G Wright v. James Fletcher, claim L2OO, instalment of purchase money of two hundred acres of land, payable under agreement on January 3rd, 1880. ;

J. Stalker v. Megsori, claim L 123 16s,

Bd., for threshing; Tn bankruptcy—Applications for dis charge of C. B. M. Branson, J. Moore, J. Baylis3, H. Redfern, W. and C. Riscly. Rs William Frisby, Mr. Branson will apply for an order for payment of costs out of the estate. Be Maclean and Winter. Mr. Purnell applies for an order declaring the com plete execution of the deed of arrange ment.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Tuesday, July 6.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R. M.) civil cases.

John Orr, trustee in Edwards’ Estate v. Corsbie.—Claim L2 93. Mr. Corsbie wished the trustee to prove the debt, as he had never obtained the goods for which he was sued. The man who had received the articles held a receipt for the amount claimed, which he would put in. Mr. Orr said he had no wish, toobtain from Mr. Corsbie what wa3 not legitimate, and if the defendant had written to him to inform him that the account had been settled, there would have been no occasion for the matter to have come into Court.. .Mr. Corsbie explained that.- no' account had been rendered to him until he had received the summons. Case, dismissed, with'costs. Grigg v. Luscombe.—ln giving judg ment in this base, Iris Worship disallowed the law points raised. He was of opinion the wheat had been threshed too soon, and sufficient care had not been exercised by the defendant. Judgment would be given for.L2s and costs L 7 2s.

John Orr, trustee in Edwards’ Estate, v. Aitken.—Claim 18s. Mr. Crisp, for the defence, stated that the case could not go on, as the plaint stated that the plaintiff was “ John Orr, merchant,” whereas there was no such person. It should have been “John Orr, of the firm of Orr and Co., merchants. Another objection was that the description as trustee in the estate of H. J. Edwards was not sufficient, but it should have been stated that the plaintiff was “.creditors’ ” trustee in the estate of H. J. Edwards. His Worship stated, with regard to the first objection, that that could be amended, but there was some doubt a 3 to the second objection. Mr. Orr said that if Mr. Crisp were to persist in his objection, instead of hear ing the case on its merits, he would apply to have the summons amended. If sucli objections were allowed, it would only be putting Mr. Aitken to more ex pense, as in any subsequent action he (Mr. Orr) should bring his legal adviser, and hence the expense would be increased.; He would apply to have the summons amended. Mr.' Crisp argued that the second amendment could not be enter tained, as the. statute had given the exact

words to bo. used in such an action,' His Worship said that while he thought the objection a technical, and frivolous one, it nevertheless was. according to the statute, and hence he would have to non suit the case. Mr. Crisp said that if' his Worship thought the objection frivolous, he would elect to go on with the case. The case was accordingly gone' on with. John . Orr stated he was. trustee in Edwards’ estate, and knew from the’ books that the goods had been supplied. W. Aitken stated the work had been done for M‘lntyre, for whom he was working for 255. per week. When the work was done, he had .told a man named Garden, who was in the employ of Edwards, that the work was done, for M'lntyro. I was a servant of Mclntyre’s. By. the Bench—l do. not know how Edwards comes to charge me. Ido not owe Edwards anything. _ By plaintiff— The plough is now at the Hinds, ft belongs to Quigley ; he bought the- plough from M : lntyre. If M‘lntyre was' to swear the work was not for him, he would be swear ing falsely. Judgment for defendant, with costs LI Is.

Twelfth of July Celebration.

Last night the members of the- Loyal Orange Lodge, Ho. 23, Ashburton, cele brated 'the 12th July by a dinner in Shearman’s Hotel. The tables' were laid at half-past eight, immediately after the arrival of the last train from Christchurch, where some 15 or 20 of the Ashburton brethren had been hiking part in the great demonstration during the day. About 80 sat down to dinner, which was purveyed in Host Shearman’s best style. Most of the Orangemen wore the sashes, etc., of the Order, and the officers the badges of their positions, Thq, chair was occupied by Bro. - St. Hill, the' Worshipful Master of the Lodge, the vice-chair being filled by Bros. S. B. Nelson, and G. M. Robinson. After the toast of Her Majesty had been honored with due loyalty, proposed as it was in a patriotic speech by the Chairman, Bro. G. M. Robin son proposed the “ charter toast ” of the Lodge. The memory of William the Third called to their recollection the privilege of freedom of thought they possessed, and the perfect im munity they stood in from the power of all who would arrogate to themselves the right of thinking for them. The toast having been acknowledged, Bro. S. B. Nelson gave that of “ the Grand Master of the Orange Institution of Great Britain, the Earl of Inniskillen.” This toast hav ing been drunk, Mr. Minnis recited “ the Breaking of the Boom.” The Chairman then gave “ the health of the Grand Master and officers of the. Middle Island, coupled with the name of Bro. S. B. Nelson, Deputy Grand Master of the Middle Island.” Bro. Nelson replied, complimenting the Lodge bn its turn out of members, and comparing the attendance that night and the demonstra tion that day in Christchurch with 14 years ago, when only four attended the celebration dinner. The * ‘ little one had become a thousand” indeed. After the Mayor and Borough Council had been toasted—Bros. Sfc. Hill and Robinson responding—“ the, Friendly Societies” .were..given, Messrs, Zouch, and Scott, responding for the’Foresters and Odd ‘fellows. . “ The Officers of the Lodge ” were ' then proposed’ in complimentary terms by Bro.' Sealy. The Lodge, he said, was one of great importance requiring good men .at its head, and he thought the very best of the lodge had been chosen. The Lodge had increased with great rapidity, for it was only three years old, yet for numbers it took no mean stand amongst the Lodges of the Colony. The Chairman replied for himself and officers, but was not prepared to admit that the very best men in the Lodge were in office. It was owing to the enthusiasm of, and to the aid given by private members that the Lodge was what it was. He had seen a very large number of young members initiated since the last 12th of July, and he hoped to see many more. ' Perhaps the best proof of the Lodge’s stability was it funds, and he was happy that they were in a position to lend a helping hand to any poor brothers who may require aid. Other, toasts followed, and throughout the evening songs by various members en livened the time. f

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present—His Worship the Mayor (pre siding), Messrs. Roberts, St. Hill, Fried lander, Parkin, • Williamson, and the Borough Solicitor (Mr. Crisp). . . mayor’s STATEMENT.

His Worship, in his opening remarks, said he had interviewed- the County Council regarding the sale of the water pipes and the subsidy due to the Borough by the Longbeach Road Board. He had been so far successful with the question of the pipes that it had been left in the hands, of himself and the Chairman ©f the County, Council to deal with the matter. The deed had been received from Messrs. G-arrick and Cowlishaw, relating to the supply of. water from ..Saunders Bros’, miilrace, and was,ready for , signature by tile parties interested. His Worship thought that the Borough had not been treated fairly by the County Council with reference to the subsidies, owing princi pally to the arguments of the Chairman of Longbeach Road Board. However, he would not allow the matter to rest, but would write to the Government to ask for what purpose the money had been allotted. The Mayor also noted that no subsidy had been received from the County Council for planting purposes, and as the matter had been held over by the Council, tke Mayor thought the chances of getting the subsidy were not very bright. The balance in the Bank at present was L 450 11s. 4d.; the amount of rates received since last meeting being Ll 7. 55., and dog fees 10s. THE BY-LAWS. A letter was read from the Under Secretary, acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the By-laws passed by the Council. Mr. Friedlander moved that the By laws be published, and come into force on Saturday, 24th July. Mr. Parkin seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. THE WATER SUPPLY. Mr. Crisp read a letter from Messrs. Garrick and Cowlishaw, forwarding. a deed granting to the Council the use of the water taken from Saunders Bros. 1 millrace, on certain conditions, Mr. Parkin moved—“ That the seal of the Council be affixed to the counterpart .

■ ' A ;■ ' ', ' grant of easement for taking water from Saunders . Bros. ’ millrace.” Mr. Roberts seconded the motion, and it was carried. - ■ LICENSE FEES. - - ' ' ‘ A memo, was read from Mr. Alexander , Rose, Collector of Customs at Lyttelton, stating that the following had been paid : ’rA to the Borough’s credit with the Bank of New Zealand:—Publicans’ licenses, LIBO ; auctioneers’ licenses, LBO ; total, L 260. Ordered to be acknowledged. ;4-hj

.7 CHARITABLE AID. A letter was read from G. S. Cooper, Esq., Under-Secretary, asking for a re - ■ : A turn showing the amount of money ex- m pended in the Borough during the year- 'JJ ended 31st March, 1880, for. the indoor v and outdoor'relief of the poor ;. when the ,v‘ relief was obtainable; and the number, sex, and nationality of the recipients of A? such relief ; the return. also to show whether the sums were paid by Govern ment, by local bodies, or otherwise.. - His Worship though s it would- not be very difficult to answer such a communi cation as this, as nothing had been ex- r peiided for such purposes, as far as he -' knew. • '"■•■"'4 A LAWYER’S LETTER., v • ’ . A letter was read from Messrs'. . Bran son and Purnell, stating; that .they had re* vA ceived instructions; from • Mr» i George }"A Compton to draw the Council’s to the state of the open drain land, on the East Town Belt, and request- Lj ing the Council to /have the said drain r: covered over, so that their client might ' enjoy the Belt road, as heretofore. The letter stated that by- the drain* being left open, life was not . only endangered, but Mr. Compton was deprived of the full A use of the roadway, and the footpath running past his land had been encroached A upon. The letter concluded by expressing (■% a hope that the matter would receive the Council’s immediate attention, so as to render further proceedings unnecessary. The Borough Engineer stated that at present a cart could not get to Mr. Comp- A*- ton’s house without a culvert were put in. Mr. St. Hill moved, and Mr. Parkin seconded, that the Engineer be instructed to do what he thought would be necessary L to make the road passable without delay. 1 Carried. . A A CHEQUE WANTED. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Fire Brigade, asking that a- cheque . for L 25 be forwarded, being the amount due by the Borough as subsidy to the Brigade. ' • . • Mr. Hill proposed that the matter be deferred until next November. „• There being no seconder forthcoming for the motion, it accordingly lapsed. Mr. Parkin moved that the. amount of $ L 25 due to the Fire Brigade be paid. Mr. Roberts seconded.

Mr. St. Hill would propose' an. amend ment. The Fire Brigade had always been most courteously and liberally treated by the Council, but the tone of their letter was too peremptory. He had no particu lar objection to the Brigade getting the money, but he thought that body, know- 1 ing the impecunious state of the Council’s finances, should have exercised a little leniency, and waited for the. money until, the Council was in funds. He had been A told that the Brigade had a credit balance, ■' and therefore that body was able to wait. He ~*‘ would move that the consideration.;6f the' Brigade’s demand he held over till next November, when the Insurance Com panies grant would be available. Mr. Parkin was about to speak, when A his Worship reminded him that the amendment was not seconded, when Mr. Parkin said he would second the amend ment. Mr. St..Hill’s information on the state of the Brigade’s finances was not . ; correct, as being treasurer to the Brigade, he knew that demands on that body could not be met on account of in sufficiency of funds. - The amendment was carried. ; EIRE INSPECTOR. The Secretary to the Ashburton Fire Brigade also wrote, forwarding a resolu tion of the Brigade, asking that a Fire Inspector be appointed for the Borough, and suggesting the propriety of the Captain of the Brigade, Mr. James Wilkie, being ■•q appointed to the position. Mr. G. Parkin explained that it was necessary a Fire Inspector should be ap pointed, as at present, if a fire occurred, no one was authorised to order the pulling down of a building to prevent the spread of the fire. Resolved that his Worship be requested to take action in the matter. ASPHALTE. Mr. James Bradley wrote, stating that he had received orders for laying down asphalte in East street, and requested the Council’s permission to do the work, subject to the approval of the Engineer. Resolved, that the permission sought for by Mr. Bradley bo granted. THE borough’s COTTAGES. Mr. St. Hill reported from the Works Committee that he and Mr. Parkin had examined the Borough cottages, and ‘ found that the way in which the and doors were broken was through horses rubbing up alongside the buildings. It ;> was dangerous also to children to allow the horses to be about, and he would suggest that the owners of horses be cautioned that if the animals are found there, after a short notice, they, .would be impounded.

Mr. Parkin corroborated the statement of Mr. St. Hill, and drew the Council’s at tention to the fact that a cottage which had been sold a short time since, on the under standing that it be removed, was still on the ground, and had been converted into a stable. It was resolved that the occupiers of the Borough, cottages be informed that if they allowed their horses to continue on the reserve, the Council would give the owners of the horses notice to quit. ENGINEERS’ REPORT. Kcrbing and Channelling. —The con tractor is making good progress with this work. The frosts have damaged the facing of a portion of the concrete, which will, however, bo made good by the con tractor, who has now made better pro vision for its protection. A suggestion has been made to us to postpone the-com- ’'A*.': pletion of the work, but we believe it more advisable to get it done during the damp weather, and before the commence ment of the usual spring nor’-westers. Water Supply. —We have made up the contract accounts, amounting to L 300145. 9d., and have given Mr. Wilkie a final certificate.; We have to explain with re?

ference to Messrs. Saunders’, letter re

taking the water from the millrace, that we acted under the Mayor’s authority in allowing the service gate to remain open ; also, that no men were sent to the intake

THE ASHBURTON HERALUcTUESDAT, JULY 13, 1880.



Sr tmj Miscellaneous GOOD PIANO on hire, by the evening. ' H.- M. Jones, Stationery ; and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. A DVERTISEMENTS, inserted under the Shilling rate, must be prepaid. Booked, Is. 6d. will be charged. 625 c pTTT ■ VV KINS, The .Tinwald Bootmaker, has > REMOVED to premises Opposite • the Tinwald Post Office, where he is- still open s to Sell firet-class Boots and Shoes at his - ; usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c ; TX7ANTED—A General SERVANT at *'/.»*» once. Apply to Mrs. George Parkin, Moore Street, Ashburton. 642 c "ATTANTED—A Respectable YOUNG VV MAN to make himself generally useful. Apply Quill’s Commercial Hotel. • 652 c TTTANTED, Immediately, a steady ex -*.■ VV perienced man COOK, for a station. Apply to T. R. Hoddek, and V• Company. . . , • 654 c PIANOFORTE FOR SALE. GOOD Strong Cottage Pianoforte ’for Sale, second hand, price L 35 cash. Apply office of this paper. 641 c & THISTLE MASONIC LODGE, No. 627. S.C., mHE REGULAR MONTHLY MEET- A ING of the above Lodge will be -held on THURSDAY EVE HNG next, July 15th, at the Masonic Hall, Tancred - street, at 7.30 p.m. sharp. 656 c Visiting Brethren Invited. By order of the R.W.M. G. GAUKRODGER. Sec. pr-o. tern. TO A. HARRISON, Esq., Dear Sir— WE, the undersigned Burgesses of Ash burton, respectfully request you to allow yourself to be nominated for the seat in the Borough Council, vacated by E. Saunders, Esq., and in the event of your complying with our request, we pledge ourselves to use our best endeavors . to secure your return. Yours faithfully, George St. Hill J. M. Cambridge J. Tucker Wm. Anderson O. Digby Andrew Orr T. Chambers W. T. Davison John W. Baker Thomas Taylor J. R. Chapman John Orr William Sparrow E. A. Garnett James Bradley ; Baker and Brown And 25 others. Havelock street, July 29th, 1880. Gentlemen— , , "PERMIT me to thank you' for the I above kind expression of your wishes, in answer to which I simply say —PUT ME IN—and I will endeavor to aet to the best of my ability for our Borough. •i ' ' And believe me, faithfully yours, 611 c ALFRED HARRISON.



Amusements. rjtOWN HALL, ASHBURTON. FAREWELL CONCERT BY THE Carandini OPERA and BALLAD COMPANY A splendid Programme. Admission — 3s. and 2s. 656 c |J| O W N HAL L, ASHBURTON. GRAND OPTICAL Entertainment, CONSISTING of a large number of in teresting and DISSOLVING VIEWS, . by LIMELIGHT, both LOCAL andFOREIGN, On the 20th JULY, 1880, in Aid of the Primitive Methodist Church Funds. ..... See Hand Bills for Programme. Prices of Admission —Dress Circle, 23.; Body of Hall, Front Seats, Is. 6d ; Back Sears, Is. Children Half-price to all parts 'of the House. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. ; commence at 8 prompt. . 643c-27g