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Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1011, 2 August 1883, Page 2

Another cable message has been received frond Mr Kelsey. A meeting of shareholders in the Diamond Company is to be held to-day, after which the telegrams will be published. For Pioneer shares. L2G offered and L3O wanted; and for Kohinoor, LlO offered and Ll 5 wanted. On Tuesday night two men had to cross the Waimakariri at Kaiapoi, when their boat capsized. One man got ashore, but as the night was dark he did not look for the other. As the latter made no appearance yesterday morning his mate reported the occurrence to the police, who dragged the river and recovered the body of the deceased, named William Wilson, well kni.wn in the district. There was a large number of people at the Town Hall last night when the prizes won at the rink tournament were distributed. Mr Joseph Clark gave away the prizes, and in doing so complimented the skate.s on the improvement they showed. Kinking was kept up for several hours, and both onlookers and performers evidently enjoyed themselves. The Club’s ball takes place this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The entertainment given in the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening for the benefit of St. Stephen’s Church choir drew a very good audience, and the songs and readings appeared to give satisfaction. The programme was a long and well varied one, and all the items were well rendered. The Rev. E. A. Scott occupied the chair, and at the conclusion thanked those present for their attendance, and said that special credit for the success of the entertainment was due to Mr W. Townshend, who had worked with commendable energy in getting it up. Kaikoura sheep farmers have received notice to immediately remove all rams from their flocks. The minimum penalty under the Act is LI per diem, and the maximum LlO per diem fo ■ each ram It is impossible to muster flocks now as the weather is very tempestuous, and the ranges partially covered with snow. Two months must elapse before flocks can be mustered. The minimum penalty in the smallest flock amounts to L 4.500. The working of the Sheep Act in this district is creating the utm.ist amount of dissatisfaction throughout the county among all classes.

At a meeting of members of the Westland Law Society on Tuesday evening to consider certain grievances of the profession against the Resident, Magistrate, Mr Stratford, it was unanimously resolved—- “ That having carefully considered such complaints, the Socety finds Mr Stratford habitually treats all members of the Bar while practising before him with the greatest discourtesy, and that his demeanour on the Bench is frequently most insulting and irritating and embarrassing to them, and that the Minister be requested to enquire into the matter.” A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the Minister.

The charge of gold stealing against William Nassau Marton, of Maori Creek, was concluded at Greymouth at an early hour yesterday morning. The indictment consisted of three charges, but the jury found him guilty only on the last (stealing auriferous earth), with a strong recommendation to mercy. On the Court resuming at 10, the Crown Prosecutor withdrew nine other charges of a similar character, and the Judge sentenced the prisoner to three months’ imprisonment. Owing to the washing site not having been taken and registered as part of a claim, the ground was declared Crown land, and the prisoner could not, therefore, be convicted of stealing from a claim. No witnesses for the defen je were called in the case.

According to the Wellington correspondent of the Timaru Herald, the Government have at last taken a decided step in re the Canterbury and West Coast railway. In a letter from the Premier to Mr J. E. Brown, who represents the meeting of Canterbury and Westland members, a promise is made to survey without delay the Arthur’s Pass route, also a route to connect North Canterbury with the West Coast and to reserve fifteen miles along each side of both routes, except for mining purposes. The letter also states that the Government has no intention of asking for any further appropriation than already appears on the Estimates out of the L 180,003, that being sufficient to carry the main line to Red Post, so the remaining portion of the LIBO,OOO shell be intact until dealt with by a future session. The Government is not prepared to express an opinion on tno Canterbury and Marlborough line. The Premier further promises to survey the route from Horsley Downs to Brunnerton before next session.

This morning residents of Ashburton were awakened at about a quarter past midnight by the unaccustomed sound of the firebell," which was rung with tremendous vigor, and was further supplemented by the shrieks of a railway engine whistle. The glow on the sky showed that the lire was somewhere in the direction of the north-east of the town, and on proceeding there it was found that a two-roomed c ..ttage on the Belt was inflames. The house was at the time occupied by an engine-fitter named Howard, who was bachelorising there with two other men, C. Moore and F. Williams, both of whom are, however, absent from Ashburton, Howard had returned about eleven o’clock, when he lit a fire and made some tea. shortly after ho went to bed, but about midnight ho was awakened by a smell of smoke, and he then discovered that the side of the house was on fire. All that was sayed were some bedding and a trunk—a box containing money and clothes, belo ging to Moore, and some property o Williams being burnt. The cottage, which was completely destroyed, was not insured.

There was great excitement manifested in the Ftownship of Methven last night, the occasion being the inauguration of a Druidical Lodge for the district. The movement is (viewed with great favor t isre, and thirty-six gentlemen expressed their intention of joining. Mr William Morgan was installed A rch Druid, and Mr Rands secretary, while Dr Ross was appointed surgeon. Business ever, an adjournment was made to Mr Patton's Hotel, where a sumptuous banquet was laid out in the new dining-room. The proceedings wore marked with great enthusiasm, and the usual toasts incident to such an occasion were heartily drunk, the most important being accorded musical honors, Several members of the Order from Ashburton were present as visitors, and enjoyed themselves thoough’.y.

The programme of the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting appears in this issue. Applications for the post of caretaker arc invited by the Ashburton Racing Club. Attention is directed to the announcement of Mr J. Moisoa, bootmaker, which will be found elsewhere. A farewell tea meeting to Mr W. H. Puddicombe and family takes place in the Primitive Methodist Church to-morrow evening. The usual weekly meeting of the Ashburton Quadrille Assembly is announced to take place to-morrow evening. In another column will be found Mr E. C. Dann’s advertisement, which should prove interesting to those who believe in herbal and other remedies for sufferings from various causes. Mr Charles N eate, chemist, has been appointed Ashburton agent.