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Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 288, 9 March 1881, Page 2

Farmers’ Co-operation., —The F armors’ Co-operative Association is making rapid headway in the Timaru district. His Excellency’s Tour. —His Excellency the Governor, Sir Arthur Gordon, leaves Wellington on his Southern tour to-morrow afternoon.

Longbeach Assessment Court. —The Assessment Court for the above road district was held last Saturday, before J. Nugent Wood, Esq., judge. The assessment of the Coldstream estate was reduced by L 209 6s. Only four objections wore dealt with. The valuation list amounted to L 33,432 3s. Roman Catholic Church, Ashburton. —The Rev. Edmond Coffey, who has recently been appointed to the charge of the above church, invites, by an advertisement in another column, the Catholics of Ashburton and surrounding districts to a meeting, to be held in the church, to-mor. row evening, at seven o’clock. Robbery at Methven, —On Saturday, a box belonging to the barman of the Methven Hotel was broken into and robbed of nearly L6O, in gold, silver, notes, orders, and cheques. The box was in one of the bedrooms upstairs. The police are making a vigorous search for the thief, whom, it is hoped, will be soon discovered.

The New Minister. —The vacancy in the Cabinet has at length been filled up. The Wellington correspondent of the Press telegraphed to that journal last night ; “The Government came to a final decision to offer the vacant seat in the Ministry to Mr Walter Johnston, M.H.R. for Manawatu. Mr Johnston has accepted the offered portfolio, and his name was submitted this evening to his Excellency the Governor, by whom it was approved. Mr Johnston will accordingly be sworn-in to-morrow as Postmaster-Geneial. ” Since the above was in type we have received the following confirmatory telegrtm from the Press Association at We.lington. “ Mr Walter Johnston, M.H.R. for Manawatu has been offered and has accepted the vacant portfolio in the Govirnment, and ho will be sworn-in to-day as Post-master-General. ” Ashburton Industrial Association.— A committee meeting of this Association was held at the Borough Council office last evening. There was a good attendance of members. The action of the President and the Secretary with rcfereico to the postponement of the opening of the Exhibition, in consequence of tie Governor having consented to perform that ceremony, was agreed to. A considerable discussion aroie as to the manner of allowing admission to the opening ceremony. It was eventually decided that the reception admission tickets, which are available only for the first day, be issued at 5s each. The admission two hours after the opening to be 2s Gd, and after that period, during the remainder of the Exhibition, Is, and children half price. The Secretary reported that the cost of the illuminated address to his Excellency would be about L 5. Messrs Jacobson and Eyton offered to print one for the Committee gratuitously. His Worship the Mayor, Messrs C. P. Cox, and Thos. Bullock were appointed a sub-committee to arrange details in connection wth the reception of his Excellency the Governor.' Messrs Pavitt, Mayo, and Shearman were appointed a sub-committee to arrange general details, Mr H. Zander’s name was added to the Space Committee. Messrs Jacobson, Mayo, R. Friedlander, J. Wood, A. Roberts, and G. Compton were appointed a sub-committee to arrange and hang exhibits. It was resolved that the string band be engaged for the evenings during which the Exhibition is open—coat not to exceed L 5. A long discussion ensued as I o the main entrance, when it was eventually decided that the entrance should be at the side, the end doors to remain closed.

Missing. —Several boys at the naval training school at Kohimarama, Auckland, have stolen a punt, and are missing. The Library. A correspondent writes : Several papers have been taken from the table in the Reading Room of the Public Library, to the great disappointment of many readers. Insolvency. —Mr E. W. Mills, of Wellington, a well-known iron merchant, filed a declaration of insolvency yesterday, all endeavours to effect a satisfactory arrangement for carrying on the business having failed. Presbyterian As sembly. —The Presbyterian General Assembly of New Zealand met at Wellington last evening. The Rev Mr McNicoll, of Auckland, Moderator opened the Synod with an appropriate , address, and the Rev G. Ross, of Turakina, was appointed Moderator for the ensuing term. He delivered an address on the future prospects of Christianity. The Frozen Meat Industry. A special meeting of the Frozen Meat Export Company was held at Dunedin yesterday. Mr McQueen, who had charge of the fitting up of the Protos, was present, and stated that there was no dcubt whatever about the success of that shipment. The subscriptions are said to be coming in very slowly. Stack Fire at North Rakaia.—Yesterday afternoon, six stacks, the produce of about eighty acres of crop, consisting of wheat, barley, and oats, were totally destroyed by fire. It is not known how the fire originated. There were no traces of any burning having spread along the ground. The fire must have originated in the stacks themselves, and was probably the work of an incendiary. The stacks were the property of a man named Bharns, and were insured in the New Zealand office, but the amount of insurance has not transpired.

Mr Craighead advertises that his place of business will be closed for a few days, owing to. indisposition. - A meeting of the Catholics of Ashburton is to be held on Thursday evening, at the church in Burnett street. The finder of a three-sided topaz will be rewarded if he leaves it at the “Guardian” office. Messrs Matson, Cpx and Co. will offer for sale, on Friday week, a very valuable freehold farm. ■ The Thistle Lodge of Masons hold a Lodge of Instruction this evening. Through civility, constant attention, and good value, Mr H. M. Carson is able to return his hearty and sincere thanks. ; Members of the Caledonian Society meet at Quills Hotel, on Friday evening, to consider an address to the Governor.