The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1882.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 643, 23 May 1882, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1882.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.40 p.m. j

“Hands All Round.” —Tennyson’s new National song will bo sung for the first time in the colony, at the Exhibition building, Christchurch, to-morrow, by the Christchurch Choral Society.

Timber Yards at Tinwald. —Mr C. Jephson, of the coal and timber yards, Tinwald, notifies elsewhere that he has a large assortment of gates and hurdles on sale, also all the necessary requisites for builders in the way of timber and builders’ ironmongery. A Faint Hope. —From Invercargil comes the news that smoke has been observed on the ridges near Easy Harbor, on the West Coast of Stewart’s Island, and it is thought some of the crew of the missing ship Min-y-don may be cast away there.

Town Improvements. —Tenders have just been invited for the erection of new premises for Mr J. R. Steele, blacksmith. From enquiries made we learn that the building will be in West street. The architecture will be of a composite kind. A large arched doorway of about 10 feet by 9 feet will give access to the main shop, and this entrance is flanked on either side by a window 8 feet high, one of which will light the office (to the left), and the other the shoeing forge (to the right). On the keystone of tlie arched doorway will bo carved in relief the emblem of the trade carried on within—a bent arm grasping a hammer, and in the act of striking. The keystone over either window will be ornamented with a horseshoe carved in relief. The building, which will be 50 feet wide, 100 feet deep, and 20 feet high, will bo of substantial brick and stone, the latter from Messrs Friedlander’s well known quarry. In connection with the smithy will be, wo understand, a veterinary department, in which the ailments of equine patients will receive attention, and special accommodation will be made for their reception. The building, which will probably be completed in throe months’ time or thereabouts, was, wo are informed, designed by Mr A. E. Ingram, architect, of Burnett street, and the glimpse of the plans which we were enabled to get, warrants us in saying that Mr Ingram is entitled to great credit for the way he has done his work. The “ Victorian Horse and Veterinary Shoeing Forge” should prove a noteworthy addition to the many town improvements made in Ashburton of late.

Wakanui Election. —This hard-fought, much-written-of, and rauch-talked-about contest will take place on Friday the 9th June. The Franklyn North election will take place on the same clay.

Cattle Yards at linwald. —The railway authorities are now causing cattle yards (to cover about the same space as those at Ashburton) to be erected at Tinwalcl. The yards will be a great convenience. They will bo placed just opposite Scott’s Hotel.

Run Over.— At the inquest yesterday on the body of the little boy, James Patrick Maher, who was run over by a railway truck on a private siding at Christchurch on Friday, a verdict was returned of “accidental death.” The poor boy, who was deaf and dumb, was only six years of age. Of Local Interest. — A Christchurch contemporary says, an exhibit worthy of notice has been added to the Ladies Court in the shape of a knitted wool shawl, exhibited by Mrs Donald M‘Lean, made of scoured wool from one of the stations, aftd spUn and knitted by the exhibitor. This is a very well made shawl indeed, and .as a purely local production it is to be regretted that it came too late to be seen by the judges. Suicide op a Digger. —Samuel Ballard, a digger, shot himself through the chest on Sunday at Blenheim. The following letter was found in his pocket hook “My Dear Fiiendsj—l ant heartsick of this world. 1 cannot livb in it any longer. My ebergy is exhausted. I cannot work. I cAunot rest—there is one that knows why. Good-bye all.—S. B.” A slip of paper, containing the following address, was found upon him : —“ W. Gard, Donald McLean st.,{Newtown, Wellington.”

How the Court Helped Him to Spend it. —The township of Kerang (Victoria) was in a state of excitement, owing to the vagaries of a swagman who had arrived with a large cheque. He drew L 145 from the bank, and after having taken some drinks and a nap found on waking up that he had forgotten where he had placed the money. Thinking he had been robbed at the restaurant where he was staying, ha took a gun out of his swag and threatened to shoot everyone in the house. He then commenced making an onslaught on a shop window, completely smashing all the glass. On being secured he was taken to the lock-up. When searched the whole of the money was found inside his shirt. He was brought before the magistrates next day and fined Ll 5 10s.

Sporting. —Me learn that most of the horses engaged for the Queen’s Birthday Dunedin meeting have now arrived. There is little straight out betting, but a good deal has been done in doubles. Mokarakara and Haricot are the leading favorites for the Hurdle Race ; Sir Modred, the Envy filly. Adamant, and Legerdemain, for the Birthday Handicap. Amulet has been scratched for all engagements at the meeting. The late meeting of the South Australian Jockey Club was in every way successful. The racing was excellent, and most of the finishes were very close and interesting. Remit won the Goodwood Handicap, the next principal race to the Adelaide Cup, but a protest was entered on the ground that Result should have carried a penalty for winning the Free Handicap at Randwick, but it is said that it cannot be sustained. The Timaru Wrecks. —Mr 0. Bourk (scenic artist of the Ashburton Dramatic Club) has shown us to-day a painting just executed by himself, in which he has very faithfully depicted the melancholy sight to be witnessed just now on the beach at Timaru. The picture shows the prostrate Benvenue lying helplessly aground, while the City of Perth looks (as she does in reality) as if she was lying at anchor, and ready at a moment’s notice to “ heave up ” and away. The only objection we have to find with the painting—and we must point out defects as well as discover beauties—is that the coloring is a trifle too bright. This memento of the late shipping disaster will, be understand, be on view in Mr 11. M. Jones’ window in East street for the next few days, and it will doubtless attract a good deal of attention. It is for sale. Mr Bourk has also shown us a painting from his brush of a peninsula scene, which has been purchased by a Dunedinite. We may mention that Mr Bourk made a special trip to Timaru on Tuesday last to see the wrecks, and his painting of them Was taken from drawings made on the spot. The Small Birds Nuisance. —A deputation, consisting of Mr Steward, Colonel Brett, Messrs J. C. Brown, O’Callighan, Mcllwraith, McMillan, Postlethwaite, J. Wilson, Hurst, Pearson, J. McKenzie, W. Buchanan, and J. W. Thompson, interviewed Mr Rolleston and Mr Whitaker yesterday, in reference to the small bird nuisance. They expressed a wish for the passage of a Bill framed on the basis of the Bill introduced by Mr Saunders last session, to give power to County Councils, Road Boards, Borough Councils, and Town Districts Boards, to appropriate sums for the destruction of small birds and crows injurious to crops, out of ordinary rates, and if requested by the petition of one-third of the ratepayers, to levy a special rate for such purpose of o|d in the L, in any riding, ridings, or portions thereof over the district affected, or over the whole country or borough of Oil, and over the town districts not exceeding Id. The deputation offered to relieve the Government of the charge of the Bill in the House, but asked the Ministers to take charge of or assist to the utmost its passage in the Council. Mr Rolleston promised to assist the Bid to the utmost in the House, and Mr Whitaker promissd the same in the Council. Mr Steward was to give notice of the Bill to-day. The Opposition. A meeting of Opposition members was held at Wellington yesterday, Mr Hutchison in the chair. Mr Maeaudrew stated that the meeting had been called by Mr Montgomery and himself for tha purpose of conferring on matters essential to the proper conduct of business in the House. It was essential that the party should agree to unite under the leadership of some one member, and he was prepared, if required, to propose a name us leader. It was then suggested that the principle of union under one leader should be affirmed, but on account of tho number of members not yet assembled in Wellington, it was inexpedient to proceed to the immediate election. This was agreed to, and a resolution, moved by Mr Maeaudrew and seconded by Mr Montgomery, was agreed to—“ That one recognised leader bo appointed for tho party, and that the election of such take place as soon as possible after the arrival of the absent members of the oarty. ” Messrs W. J. Stewart and J. 0. Brown have consents 1 to act as Opposition whips until a leader bn appointed. Referring to this, the Press special, wiring last night, says : —Tho leader whom Mr Macandrow was prepared to propose is understood to be Mr Montgomery, whose leadership it is stated has also been distinctly approved by Sir George Grey. The Opposition allege that they can rely on forty-eight members in any trial of strength with tho Government, in which case they would of coarse command a majority of two in a full House, but their view is by no means accepted by the Ministerial side, who now claim a safe majority of seven. I fancy, however, that Mr Stevens’ presence in the Opposition camp was somewhat of a surprise to to tho other side, who have generally counted on him. That might reduce the Government majority to five. On the other hand, it is by no means certain that the Opposition can rely on even all the votes which their opponents at present give them. I am inclined as yet to divide the House thus Government, fifty-one ; Opposition, forty-three. However, a few days will give a better idea. J

Parliamentary. —The House met at 2.30 to-day, when Major Atkinson moved that Mr Hirst be appointed Chairman of Committees.

The Shipping Disaster at Timaru. — The grain has been nearly all unshipped from the City of Perth, and very little of it was found to be damaged. The vessel is quite afloat at high tide. She will be towed off as soon as possible now. The wreck of the Benvenue, her cargo of coal (or what remained of it), anchors and chains, etc., were sold on the beach today. The Timaru Harbor Board have voted Mrs Mills, wife of the late Harbor Master, an allowance of one year’s salary. ______________