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Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1023, 16 August 1883, Page 2

Oaptain Barry has disposed of his whale skeleton to the Otago Museum. The Oxford Commissioners went, on board the vessel yesterday and examined the stores, which appeared to be of excellent quality. News from Collingwood states that a young man named James Cottier, son of an Old resident of the district, was partially buried by a fall of earth in a claim at Lightband’s Gully. He was able to walk home, but died an hour later. The bodies of the pilot men who w«re drowned off Nelson have not been recovered, but the boat’s oars, stern-sheets and rudder have been picked up. Pilot Lowe has been so affected by the disaster that he is now confined to bed. Captain Whitwell is acting for him. A very successful Gospel Temperance meeting was held last evening in the Wesleyan Church, Wakanui. Mr G. W. Leadley was in the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Messrs G. W. Andrews, W. Gavin, I. fccott, R. Kilworth and Irevurza. At the close of a very enthusiastic meeting, 25 of the audience donned the blue ribbon, 23 »f of which were new pledges. The attendance was good, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. ,

Several parties are still working on the Ninety-Mile Beach, making fair wages for this season. A few men prospecting on Bakaia Island have been to a certain extent successful, but the actual result has not been made known. The Auckland football team which leaves to-day, comprise the following players : —Messrs Henderson, Oroxton, Hearns, O’Connor, Biggs, Spencer, Arreil, Sims, Maginie, Carter, Whiteside, Bing, Warbrick, Byan, Webster, Clayton, and Leckie.

In the Christchurch Supremo Court yesterday the case Sture against Union Steamship Company was heard. The plaintiff sued for L4OO for the loss of a bull calf killed on board the Tarawera while coaling at Melbourne, on the voyage from Scotland ro New Zealand. The evidence was concluded, but a nonsuit point is to be argued on Wednesday week.

Two pieces of extremely rich golden quartz were shown to Mr Bluett on Saturday by Mr H. Chamberlain, of Selwyn,withan intimation that there W's plenty more of the same kind where those were found. The locality was not indicated, but from what we can learn it is en this aide of the dividing range between the Rakaia and the Selwyn. From Mr Bluett’s description the quartz is far and away the richest ever found in New Zealand.—Ellesmere Guardian.

The number of inmates in. the Ashburton Home on the Ist July, 1882, was 37 ; admitted during the year 45 ; or a grand total of 82. Discharged or left the iusti tution, 23 ; deaths, 4 ; total, 27 ; number remaining on 30th June,- 1883, 55. The expenditure was L 1,238 5s 6d, as against L 1,064 17s 7d for the preceding year. The weekly average number was 43, and the weekly average cost was lls Id. There are 53 inmates in the Home at the present time.

The reappearance in Ashburton of the popular juvenile operatic artists, under the direction of Messrs Stanley and Darbyshire. is certain to be heartily welcomed. Unfortunately their engagements will only permit of them playing here for one evening, to-morrow, when the “ Pirates of Penzance ” will be given for the first time in this town. The success which the youngsters achieved on their previous visit is sufficient guarantee that the Oddfellows’ Hall will be crowded tomorrow evening.

Mr J. Davis, the agent of the Canterbury Linseed Oil and Fibre Company, is at present on a visit to Ashburton, and intends holding a meeting to-morrow evening at Quill's Hotel, for the purpose of setting before farmers and others in the district the advantages of the development of the flax industry. Mr Davis is well known as an able and energetic advocate, and he purposes convening a public meeting at a later date. As the question is one of considerable importance, we hope there will be a good attendance. At the Police Court this morning before Mr Baddeley, R.M., two women named Elizabeth Merton alias Bell, and Elizabeth Clark alias Burt, were brought up charged with having no lawful visible means of support and sentenced to a month’s imprisonment with hard labor. Robert and Sophia Hamilton were charged with being the occupiers of a house in Cox street, frequented by persons of illfame, and were sent to gaol for seven days with hard labor. The case against the four children of these prisoners, for being neglected children, was dismissed. The Blue Ribbon campaign in Ashburton will be opened this evening at the Town Hall, the proceedings being presided over by Mr Alfred Saunders. As is well known Mr Saunders holds extremely pronounced views on the total abstinence question, in addition to which he is a capital speaker and cogent reasoner. Were’he the only gentleman to address the audience, the devotees at the shrine of Temperance might expect a great treat, but the agenda will also comprise speeches from the Rev Mr Taylor (Addington), Mr J. T. Smith (Christchurch), and Mr Kilworth. Not an insignificant item will be the singing by the united choir. The mission will be continued on Friday and Saturday evenings. A public meeting was held in Springburn school last Friday evening, to decide what should be done with the money in. hand since the last Mount 1 Somers ploughing match. Mr Hood, with his usual liberality, drove his coach over, which was free, and had a good load, and several rode over from Mount Somers, only very few being from Alford Forest owing to their being busily engaged at the supposed diamond field. Mr W. T. Chapman took the chair. It was proposed by Mr A. Harvey, and seconded by Mr W. Edson—“ That the money be divided equally between the Mount Somers and Alford Forest libraries,” and an amendment was moved by Mr David McKenzie, and seconded by Mr B. Ed i—“ That the f.lford Forest people do as they please with their share of the money, provided they use it for a public purpose.” The Chairman put the amendment first, when only three voted for it. The original motion on being put to the meeting was carried by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

A. decision under the Stamp Act has just been given by the Commissioner at • Wellington, which is considerable importance to Joint Stock Companies. All Companies and Corporations have to sign all documents by affixing their seals. The Stamp Office there, and probably the Stamp Offices elsewhere, have for some time past insisted on treating all documents so signed as being executed under seal, and not under hand, the result being that an ordinary memorandum of agreement to which a Company was a party, was assessed as liable to a 10s duty, instead of to a duty of is, which would be the amount charged if the agreement was between two private individuals. The charge was recently protested against, and an appeal made to the Commissioner, it being contended that the affixing of the Company’s seal to an agreement by way of signature did not constitute the document a deed or agreement under seal. The matter was referred by the hon Commissioner to the Law Office, and the decision is that the contention is correct, and that such agreements by Companies are only subject to a stamp duty «f Is. At the Dunedin Supreme Court yesterday, Judge Williams granted a mandamus calling upon the Dunedin Central Licensing Committee to reconsider the appl cation for the renewal of a license to the Dunedin railway refreshment rooms, which had been refused at the last meet-

ing. Mr Haggitt, who was heard in support of the motion, contended that although Licensing Committees had large discretionary powers with regard to the renewal of licenses, it was perfectly clear that no applications for renewals should be refused without giving the holder of the license an opportunity of being heard in answer to the objections raised. In this case the plaintiff had been deprived of his license on the ground that the licensed premises were not required in the neighborhood, without an opportunity being afforded him of being heard in reply to the said objection. Moreover, the objection that the premises were not required should be taken by the persons affected and residents in the neighborhood and not by a Licensing Committee. The Licensing Committee had given him every assistance to bring the matter before this Court, and were anxious to have an opportunity of re-opening the matter. His Honor said as no statement of defence had bee • filed, the case went practically by lefault.

Our local correspondent writes ;—During the past four days Rakaia has experienced the old fashioned nor’-westers, and the dust and sand have been most qnpleasant to all whose calling took them outside. The river has been higher than it has been for some years, taking into consideration the extra width now the additions to the bridge are completed. On Tuesday evening the train from Mothven only got as far as Lauriston, and had to return owing to the depth of water in the station yard. Many from here were much disappointed at not being able to reach Methven on Tuesday evening to attend Mr Rowse’s opening dinner. Others who came from Ashburton and Christchurch for the branch line were in a similar plight, and had to stay the night. About 6 p.m. on Wednesday the wind chopped round to the south-east, which was a most pleasant change, and heavy rain came down for some hours, followed by a smart frost. Yesterday the hounds met at Mr John Corbett’s, Ashburton Forks, that indefatigable sportsman having arranged a nice dine of country over his own and adjoining farms. The hounds took up the drag on the bridge road and went away at a tremendous pace, crossing the upper part of the Kducation reserve, turning sharply to the right to Mr Pearce’s, over the familiar post and rails in the river-bed, then to the left on to Mr Mclntyre’s farm, several hedges and rails following, the majority of the field jumping well. Returnin'* tawards the main road, the hounds still going very fast, the kill occurred near Mr Corbett’s bo nostead. After a short breather the pack was again laid on, and again Had rather the best of it in a run over the same line. Amongst thosa following close, to the hounds we noticed the Huntsman (on Butterfly), Messrs Hutchison (on Rouaer), Hart (on Pirate), Cargill (on Mulfcum in Parvo), Denshire (on Jester), G-aham (on Chester), Ross ( >n Mr Stilt’s hunter), Hunt (2), and Fooka.

Tenders for various works are invited in this issue. .

A meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge of Oddfellows is summoned for to-morrow evening. , • . A meeting of the local Dramatic'Club is called for this evening; business important, and full attendance asked for. Attention is directed to the announcement of Messrs .Vndrewes Bros., who are to hold a great clearing sale of stationery, fancy goods, etc.

Kidney complaint, one of the most common and yet most neglected diseases of this country, can be readily cured by the use of Hop Bitters. See.— [Advt.] 8

Mother Swan’s Worm Syrup.—lnfallible, tasteless, harmless, cathartic ; for feverishness, restlessness, worms, constipation, is at druggists. Meses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. 2

“ Bardell and Pickwick ” will be placed oh the boards at the Methven. schoolroom on the evening of the 31st August, by members of the Library Committee. Various other items are on the programme, and a dance will conclude the evening’s enjoyment. Proceeds to be devoted to the library funds. Our firming friends and all others engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits will have a rare opportunity for investment at a sale to be held on the 24th inst, at the Dundas homestead. Mr W. Saunders, the proprietor, has determined on holding an entire clearing sale, and his sheep, horses and farming implements are to be submitted to auction on the above date.

Holloway’s Pills. Liver Complaints.—The 'digestion cannot be long so seriously disordered without the derangement being perceptible on the countenance. These pills prevent both unpleasant consequences ; they improve the appetite and with the increase of desire" for food, they augment the powers of digestion and assimilation in the stomach. Holloways Pills deal most satisfactorily with deranged or diseased conditions of the many organs engaged in extracting nourishment for our bodies from our various diets—as the liver, stomach, and bowels, over all of which they exercise the most salutary control. By resorting at an early stage of this malady to these purifying and laxative Pills, the dyspeptic is speedily restored' to health and strength, and his sallowness gradually vanishes.—[Advt.]