The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, ET Praevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1882. A Step in the Right Direction. The Ashburton Guardian.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 659, 10 June 1882, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, ET Praevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1882. A Step in the Right Direction. The Ashburton Guardian.

Meteor. —A very brilliant meteor was seen last evening in a westerly direction. It was visible for several seconds, ami is described by those who witnessed it as remarkably beautiful.

Franklyn North Election. —The nomination of candidates for this electorate took place yesterday. Only two candidates were nominated—Messrs Harris and Buckland, and the show of hands was slightly in favor of the former, the numbers being 27 to 25. A poll was demanded on behalf of the latter gentleman. Accidental Death. —At the inquest on the body of the late W. “ Accidental death ” was returned. The Wheeler, manager of the Auckland Working Men’s Club, a verdict of coroner severely reprimanded Hackett, whose being under the influence of liquor had necessitated Wheeler putting him out, and this led to the latter’s accidental death.

Cab Accident. —To-day at noon quite a sensation was caused in the vicinity of the Somerset Hotel by the vagaries of a stubborn horse attached to a hansom cab. After vigorously kicking out for some time the animal got mi to the footpath near the Town Hall, but his antics in this direction were cut short by some onlookers who rendered their assistance. The driver (John Newman) pluckily kept his seat during the adventure, and escaped unhurt, but the horse, which, we understand, belongs to Mrs Wilkie, and which was the cause of a similar accident last Saturday, is terribly cut about the hindquarters, and is likely to bleed to d<*ath in consequence of several veins being severed. The cab, however, is not much damaged.

South Rmcaia Road Board. —The usual monthly meeting of the above was held on Thursday, June Ist, at the Board’s office. Present—Messrs 0 N. Mackie (chairman), Holmes, White, and Allan. The Clerk’s report was read and received. It was estimated that it would cost L 250 for repairing and levelling crossings and culverts in the district. Resolved—- “ That the resolution with reference to the above bo sent to the County Council.” Correspondence was road from Messrs Holmes and Loughrey, enclosing opinion with reference to the Board’s liability re fencin',' gravel pits. Prom Geo. Shollock, poundkeopor, stating that the pound pump was out of repair.—Ordered to bo seen to. From residents of the Village Settlement, asking for a footpath to Newtown. —Letter received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that LIC 13? Id (being proceeds of sale of buildmgs at Newtown) had been paid in to the credit of the Board. From County Council, stating that Griffon, contractor, is now shingling culverts and crossings, etc. From Colonial Treasurer (circular), with question re local government. —Deferred till next meeting. Tenders for works advertised were opened as follows :--P. Clifford, re forming and repairing Acton road, at 17s Cd per chain; P. Clifford, for forming Cemetery road, 7s per chain; Railway terrace east, cost of forming, etc , L 32 10s; Albert Boils, tender for Collins road, at 5s per chain. The Clerk was instructed to call for tenders for reformation and repairing lower portion of Acton road. It was moved by Mr Holmes, and seconded by Mr Mackie, —“That the Clerk, Mr Makeig, bo given one month’s notice, in order that a new agreement may be entered into defining his duties and re adjusting his salary.” Mr White moved as an amendment —“ That the Clerk got the necessary notice to terminate his engagement, and that fresh tenders be called for the office of Clerk, Surveyor, and Overseer. ” His reason for moving in the matter was because there existed a deal of dissatisfaction amongst ratepayers as to the way Mr Makeig had discharged his duties. In fact, ho considered that the salary paid was excessive for the work done. On being put to the meeting the original motion was carried by the casting vote ot the Chairman. The Clerk was instructed to inform Messrs Holmes and Loughrey, in reference of Mr Jackson’s (solicitor) claim, that the Board would pay half the cost of boundary fence. Accounts for Ll5B 7a Id were passed, and the Board adjourned.

The City of Perth. Centrifugal pumps were got to work on the ship City of Perth yesterday, and found easily to keep the leak under. As soon as the weather moderates another effort will be made to tow her off. There was no improvement in the weather late last night.

Crushed to Death. —Edward Shannon, a miner at Back Creek, near Woodstock, while working in a tunnel, was covered up all but his head by some timber giving Way. While his mate was endeavoring to extricate him, tons of earth fell on Shannon, and when got out life was extinct The decease was thirty-four years old. He eaves a wife and no family. Funeral of Late Mr George Compton, —The funeral of the late Mr George Compton is to take place to-morrow at 1 o’clock. Besides being a member of the Masonic body and an ex-Oaptaiu of the Fire Brigade, Mr Compton had an extensive circle of acquaintances, and doubtless a large number of citizens will be present to-morrow to pay their last token of respect to one who for several years past has assisted in the advancement of this township. The Late Shooting Case at a Christchurch Boarding-house. —At the Christchurch R. M. Court yesterday, David M‘Nevin was charged with shooting with intent to kill. At" the conclusion of the evidence for the prosecution, Mr M‘Oonnell, who appeared for the accused, intimated that the defence would be reserved, and the prisoner was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court to be held at Christchurch. Bail was allowed—prisoner, himself, in LSOO, and two sureties in L 250 each. Bad Language. —James Franklyn was charged at the Police Court this morning before Mr Thomas Bullock, J.P., with being drunk and disorderly at Rakaia jmsterday, and also with using obscene language. Defendant admitted the charge, but pleaded that he was ‘ not in the habit of using bad language.” Sergeant Felton said that unfortunately the statement of the defendant was not exactly correct, lie had been twice previously convicted of using obscene language, and sentenced to two months on each charge. Constable Rouse described the language used, which was certainly not very choice. Cautioned, and sentenced to one month with hard labor. Defendant left the box murmuring his thanks. North Canterbury Educational Institute.—The Ashburton branch of this Institute held its usual meeting to-day. There was only a small attendance of members, owing to the unfavorable weather. The secretary gave a renum-i of the proceedings of the meeting hold in Christchurch, which resulted in the formation of an Educational Institute. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to him for his work in connection therewith. Some correspondence re the presidency of this branch was deferred till next meeting. The expediency of teachers’ salaries being paid direct from the Board of Education, instead of through the Committees, as at present, was discussed, but was deferred to next meeting. The Association then adjourned.

An Amusing Exhibition. —Thera is just now on view at the Town Hall “ Cato’s great amalgamated theatre of art and mechanism,” which will furnish half an hour or so of capital amusement. The hall is lined with paintings, oleographs, mezzo-tints, etc., and in front of the stage is a large stand completely covered with clever mechanical figures, in which may be recognised performing hand-bell-ringers, Christy minstrels, carpenters, blacksmiths, soldiers, sailors, apothecaries, plonghboys, and thieves, all as busily at work ns they know how. Overhead is a miniature railway and the clatter and hurry of the carriages make almost as much noise as the real thing. In a small tank are a couple of small mechanical figures swimming about in the water with much apparent relish, the motion of the arms and hands being very life-like. Then there are our old friends. Punch and J udy, and last, but not least, some real snakes, which will be found well worth looking at. The way in which Mr Cato handles a tiger-snake and another reptile from Australia, eleven feet in length, is what is vulgarly called “ a caution.” The showman appears to be on the most intimate terms with the snakes, and hangs them around his neck with all the indifference imaginable. The exhibition only remains on view until Monday night. It is worth seeing.