The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas ET Prevalebit FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1882.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 658, 9 June 1882, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas ET Prevalebit FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1882.

TOWN EDITION.

Punch and Judy. —This ever j funcreating show, with other novel Mes, is on exhibition at the Town Hall. Police. — This morning, before his Worship the Mayor, Richard Baile was charged with drunkenness. Richard pleaded guilty, but excused himself by urging the exceptional coldness of the we'ather, which led him W indulge in hot brandy and water. Thir being a second appearance within a short period, he was fined 10s. Two first offenders were discharged with a caution. Willowby. —On Friday night last, a meeting was held at the residence of Mr B. Lowe, to consider matters in reference to the WeslSyan cause at Willowby. There was a very good attendance of Willowby folks, and the Rev. C. H. Standage with Mr H. M. Junes were also present. It was reported by Mr S. Chapman, the treasurer, that one-third of the cost of a place of worship was in hand already ; and after conversation those present guaranteed another third. It was thought that the balance might easily be raised by the early part of "September, at which time it is expected the Church will be opened. It was decided that the treasurer, with the Rev. C. H. Standage, should obtain the services of an Ashburton architect to superintend the erection of the church, a rough plan of which was presented to the meeting and approved. The site, as we have previously mentioned, was the gift of a gentleman at Leeston, and tenders for the building will shortly be called.

Nothing to Sit on. —The annual meeting of the Upper Ashburton Licenseiug Committee was held at the Road Board office, Westerfield, yesterday. The weather was delightfully damp, and the roads in a state “easier imagined than described,” as the penny-a-liners say. Mr C. J. Harper (Chairman of Committee) and Messrs M. Stitt, and D. M'Lcan put in an appearance. There was no business in the shape of applications to be transacted, for the Upper Ashburton district does not as yet boast a solitary “ pub ; ” sundry accounts were, however, passed for payment, after which the following resolution was passed, viz.—“ That the Chairman write to the Member of the House of Representatives for the district, pointing out the large expense incurred for elections, holding Courts, etc., in the district, where no licensed houses exist, requesting him to lay the matter before the House, with a view’ to get the Act repealed.” R.M. Couut. —At this Court yesterday afternoon, the following civil cases were heard :—Zouch v. Mulford —Claim L2 10s. This was a claim for one half share of a dividing fence erected by the plaintiff. Mr Branson for the plaintiff, Mr Wilding for defendant. After hearing the evidence, judgment was given for the plaintiff for full amount and costs. Wilding v. Zouch and Sargeant—Claim L 3 15s. Mr Branson appeared for the defendants, and pointed out that Mr Wilding had not given the necessary notice as provided by the Act, as he sued the defendants as trustees in the estate of K. Sando, a bankrupt. Mr Wilding, in reply, said this was the first he knew about this summons being issued against the defendants as trustees. His instructions were to issue a summons, against them not as trustees in the estate, but as private individuals His Worship enquired from the acting clerk to the Court the reason of the mistake. This not being satisfactory, Mr Wilding applied to have the summons amended, as he jnever gave any instructions, nor did he intend to sue the defendants as stated in the summons before the Court. His Worship decided to adjourn the case for one week, as apparently there had been some additions made to the summons by the officer of the Court. Jameson and Roberts v. Lemon—Claim, Ll 3 9s. No appearance of defendant. Judgment for plaintiff for full amount and costs. A number of other c*.ses were called, but there was “ no appearance” of either plaintiffs or defendants.

The Miller’s Creek Murderer.— The Tuapelca Times gives the following description of the Miller’s Creek murderer :—Kitto, the author of the double crime of murder and serious assault, with intent to kill, is a man apparently about fifty years of age, and a native of Redruth, Cornwall. He may be a good deal older than this, as he is a man who seems to carry bis age well. He has a nonchalant and reticent manner in regard to affairs of this world, snubbing anyone immediately who begins to talk of secular matters, bui is possessed of a fanaticism in regard to religion. Indeed, everything he does he seems to consider sanctioned by Divine authority. Ho asks a blessing before meals, and returns thanks afterwards, and prays fervently before retiring to rest. He seems to realise his position, but appears to think that he was incited to the dreadful crime by Divine authority. He is a Jew by persuasion, and believes in the ancient ceremony of circumcision. He eats his meals voraciously, drinking cold water only as a beverage. He seems to consider tea or coffee, or any of these common beverages, cither hurtful to the system or derogatory to his form of religion. A Christchurch Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. —Last evening a meeting was held in Christchurch for the purpose of inaugurating a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. There was a large attendance. Mr L. Harper, in the absence of the Primate through illness, moved —“That a society be established for the prevention of cruelty to animals, to be called the New Zealand Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.” [At this stage a black curly retriever trotted up to the platform and had a critical look at the gentlemen on the platform, being, apparently, a delegate from the canine race.] The Rev. W. Flavel, in seconding the res dution, commented on the appearance of the dog in question, as having been deputed to come forward and give his thanks by anticipation. The resolution was unanimously carried amid applause. Archdeacon Harris proposed that the following be the objects of the society (1) Encouraging the principles of humanity—especially in the education of the young ; (2) the putting in force legislative action to curb cruelty ; and (3) the circulation of literature advocating the objects of the society.” Carried unanimously. Mr Watson deprecated the cruelty practised in hare-hunting with dogs and in pigeon shooting ; and gavo instances of severe punishments inflicted at Home for cruelty to animals. Alford Forest. —Our own correspondent, writing on Tuesday last, says : “ For a few days past, a change in the weather was looked for. Sunday last was bitterly cold, and the snow began to fall during the night, and, except at short intervals, it has since continued. Some of the old residents say that such a coating of snow has not been seen at the foot of the hills since 1867. Should it not clear soon we may expect to hear of a sad havoc amongst the sheep on the hills—th weather having been so far mild, many had not come down. At the time I am writing there is one foot of snow on the main road, and I hear from the mailman that it is the same as far as Methven, or nearly so. To all appearances, rain will follow the snow, and for a few days, at least, very little communication can be expected.”

Local Option ax South Rakaia. —The polling resulted in a large majority of votes being recorded for the increase of all licenses.

South Rakaia Committee,— The licensing committee for South Rakaia met yesterday at the Road Board office. Present —Messrs Coster (chairman), Mann, Mackie, and Maugham. The police report on the three hotels in the district was considered satisfactory, and renewals were granted in each case, conditionally, on a bathroom being fitted in each house. A wholesale license was granted to Messrs C. Hardy and Co. Letters were received from the Under Secretary at Wellington and the County Council. The Court then adjourned till next quarterly meeting.

Putting Him Out. —Mr Wheeler, the manager of the Auckland Working Men’s Club, died yesterday from injuries received from ejecting a man from the club room. An inquest will be held. Mr Wheeler was putting out a man who had rendered himself objectionable, when he was precipitated downstairs, and sustained fatal injuries. Ashburton Woollen Factory. A meeting of the directors of the above was held last afternoon at Messrs Poyntz and Co-’s offices. The whole of the directors were present. Eight applications were received for the post of secretary to the Company, the appointment being conferred on Mr Poyntz. who has been acting as secretary pro. tern, since the company was first mooted. Messrs Poyntz and Co. ’» offices were appointed the registered offices of the Company. After the transaction of some further routine business, the meeting adjourned to the first Thursday in July. Fire Brigade. —lt is announced elsewhere that the fire-bell will be tolled on Sunday next, from one to two p. m., on the occasion of the funeral of late ex-Cap-tain Compton, and the members of the Brigade are requested to attend at the engine-shed at one o’clock of that day.

Re-Opening. —Mr J. Quaiffe announces that he has re-opened the Albert Flour Mills, under the management of Mr H. Bowers.