The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1883. A Well-Deserved Compliment.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 838, 10 January 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1883. A Well-Deserved Compliment.

At a meeting of the County Council to-day, a motion was brought forward by Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., to the effect that a bonus of should be voted to Mr William Baxter, the County Engineer. Of all the public servants m the County, none has done more to deserve this compliment than has Mr Baxter, and this recognition of his ability and energy will meet with the approval of everyone. As was truly said by a member of the Council, the Engineer has been the means of saving the County many thousands of pounds. He is not one of those who are satisfied with going through the mere office routine, but he grudges no time or trouble to bring the works he is entrusted with to a successful issue. Since his appointment, Mr Baxter has carried out numerous undertakings, among which may be mentioned the extensive water supply system throughout the County and the construction of several important bridges. Whatever he has been called upon to do be has done to the perfect satisfaction of the Council and the people, and the County may well feel proud of possessing such an able officer. Mr Wright, in proposing the motion, said that had the state of the finances warranted such a course, he would have proposed that the Engineer’s salary should be permanently raised. It is to be regretted that this cannot be done, but at the same time Mr Baxter will, we feel sure, appreciate a compliment which does as much honor to the giver as to the recipient.

Postponement.—On account of Mr Maccabe’s illness, his appearance in Ashburton has been postponed till 1 riday evening, the 19th inst. Old Men’s Home. —ln consequence of a death occurring at the Old Men’s Home, the entertainment intended to have been held there this evening is postponed. Appointment. —lt is notified in the Gazette that Messrs James Wilkie and John Davison are appointed assessors under the Property Assessment Act, 1879, within the Canterbury Property Assessment District. Fancy Fair. —A fancy fair will be held at Eastertide in Mr Hunt’s grounds, Wakanui road, in aid of the church funds. It is to be hoped that the success which recently attended a similar enterprise will be repeated. Larceny. Alexander Findlay was brought up at the Police Court this morning, charged with stealing a purse containing L 5, the property of a man named Russell. Evidence having been taken, the prisoner was remanded till Friday. Mr Alcorn was the presiding magistrate. Good News fob Farmers.—We learn on good authority that grain freights to England for the coming season will ba reduced to 40s per ton. This will indeei be good news for the farmers, as a difference of 10s per ton, or 3d per bushel, will he saved. With an additional 3d per bushel, added to good yields, farmers ought to be in a prosperous condition after harvest, if good weather favors them for the next few weeks. Wesleyan. —This evening a social tea meeting will be held in the Wesleyan Church, the object of which is, we understand, to give members of the congregation an opportunity of becoming more conversant with the work done during the last quarter, as well as to take counsel together regarding important matters to be laid before the meeting. The proceedings are (to be of an essentially homely character, and a good attendance is anticipated. Direct Steam Service. —With reference to the cablegram that Sir Francis Dillon-13ell had advertised for tenders for a direct steam service to New Zealand, it may be mentioned that the time for receipt of such tenders will not close until Ist March. By the next mail the Government expect to receive a copy of the advertisement inserted in the Home papers, and this will also be inserted in the colonial papers, thus giving plenty of time to persons in New Zealand to tender should they care to do so. Archibald Forbes. —This gentleman, who is lecturing to immense audiences in Christchurch, will arrive in Ashburton on Monday, and will make his first appearance in the Town Hall ths same evening. The subject of the opening lecture is “ Experiences of a War Correspondent,” in which he recounts his marvellous battlefield experiences during the last ten or twelve years. On the following evening he will speak about “ Kings and Primes I have met.” Both lectures will be illustrated with life-size portraits of the Royal people, famous warriors, and other illustrious personages described. The ticket arrangements include the issue of a ticket admitting to both lectures at a reduced rate. School Treat. —The scholars and teachers of the Presbyterian Sunday School had their annual treat to-day, at the homestead of His Worship the Mayor, Mr D. Williamson, the grounds of which were placed at the disposal of the institution. A number of expresses and wagons were brought into requisition to convey the younger children to their destination, arriving at which both juveniles and adults were not long in settling down to thorough enjoyment, Mr Andrew Orr, the superintendent, with his colleagues, assisting most effectually to make the day’s proceedings highly successful. The usual supply of good things, without which a children’s gathering would lose much of its attractiveness, were provided, and this festival of the Prehyterian School children will certainly be a sort of “ red letter day,” which will not easily be forgotten by the participators.

Good Templart.—Tho ninth annual session of the Grand Lodge, 1.0.G.T., in connection with the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World, was opened at Wellington yesterday. The following representatives were present Star of Wellington Lodge, Bro. D. Hall and Bro. A. Guise ; Hope of Parnell, Bro W. Haynes and Bro. Robb ; Star of Newton, Bro. J. Lengbottom ; Flower of tho Forest, Bro. Scott; Hope ®f Wairoa, Bro J. Robertson ; Pioneer of Milton, Bro Moorhou.ie ; Guiding Star, Bro. R. Hare ; Egmont, Sister M. M. Sutherland and Bro. S. Howell ; Ebenezer, Bro. R. Hare ; Advance, Bro. B. Miller ; Victoria, Bro, G. Robertson and Bro. W. Webber ; Olive Branch, Bro. W. Oollis ; Hope of Manukau, Bros. S. Spencer and A. Robb; Perseverance, Bro, M. Haynes ; Banner of Freedom, Bro. W. Moorhouse ; \o. Surrender, Bro. R. Hare ; Karori United Bro. P. J. Brandt; Ark of Eden, Bro. G. Bailey ; All Welcome, Bro. W. Moorhouse ; Hand of Unity, Bro. J. Higgs ; Phoenix, Bro. Reef ; Invincible, Bro. W. Haynes ; Try Again, Bro. E. Westwood ; Royal Oak, Bro. T. Scott; Pako Wangi, Bro. W, Webber; Mystic Tie, Bro. E. McFennan; Temple of Peace, Bro. W. Johnson; Star of Thames, Bro. W. Johnson ; Woodville Pioneer, Bro. Groves. The Sublime degree was conferred upon four brothers and two sisters. It was arranged to hold a public meeting on Thursday evening.