The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1884.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1384, 20 November 1884, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1884.

Last evening a mechanical diorama entitled “ Ephoseisuam,’’ was exhibited at the Town Hall, but owing to the attraction elsewhere] the attendance was very small. There are upwards of 500 moving fi'ures, which present great mechanical skill on the part of the makers, and should be seen to be believed. As a distribution of gifts is a part of the programme each evening, and the admis ion only one shilling the promoter should draw good houses during the holidays to-night and to-morrow.

The annual tea meeting of the Primitive Methodist Church took place yesterday in the church, which was crowded to its utmost capacity. The following ladies provided the tables Meadames Tucker, Steel, James, and Nixon, assisted by Mesdames Treziae, Hircock, and the Misses Steel. It is needless to say that the tea was all that could be desired. The alter meeting was held in the Orange Hal), under the presidency of Mr L. Scott, A temporary platform had been erected for the choir and the speakers, but despite the efforts made to provide sitting accommodation, a great many had to stand. The Chairman apologised for the absence of the Kev C. H. Standage, and proceeded to deliver an address in his usual happy style on different topics of the day. He alluded to the great Conference sitting at present in Christchurch, and hoped it would be productive of much good. The meeting was also addressed by the Revs A. Beattie and Nix >n, and Messrs Hircock, Grayburn, Rudd, and Captain Basendal. The choir, under the leadership of Mr Bevan, rendered some excellent anthems. “ Rejoice in the Lord ” was given with great spirit; perhaps the gem of the evening was “ Christ on the Sea,” which evidenced careful training, as did also “ The Village Bells " and “ The Foaming Sea.” Mrs Nixon sang “ Remember now Thy Creator” with all her sweetness and beauty of expression. Miss Clara Steel presided at the harmonium. A pleasing feature of the evening was a presentation by the chairman on behalf of the Church of a writing desk to Mr A. in recognition of his services. In replying, Mr James said his services as player of the harmonium had been given freely as his little contribution to the good cause. Votes of thanks to the ladies, the choir, and the speakers brought a very happy reunion to a close. A meeting of the Ratepayers Defence Association was held in the Rpdi Board office, Methven, at two o’clock on Monday. There was a large attendance of ratepayers considering that thik is shearing time and a very busy season with most of the farmers. A number of apologies were received from gentlemen who were unable to attend. Mr J Jackson, Chairman of the Road Board, was voted to the chair, and stated the business of the meeting and briefly introduced Mr J. 0. Wason, who stat-d that he had called the ratepayers together for the purpose of explaining the present position in which they now stood. He and others meant to fight the question out to the bitter end, but owing to the resolution arrived at by the Government and the evident intention of the Government to do justice to the district, he had taken upon himself

to seo Mr Coster and other influential gentlemen connected with the Kakiaia and Ashburton Forks Kailway Co, and proposed to them that in the meantime the existing dispute should end in order to facilitate the settling of the question between the Kailway Company and the Government. Proposed by Mr Coward,

and seconded by Mr R. Patton, and carried unanimously—“ That this meeting fully approves of the steps taken by Mr Wason, in regard to the District Railway Company’s demand for rates and respectfully urges upon the Directors of the Railway Company the advisability in the interests of the district of not proceeding further wiih the collection of rates, in order that the intending negotiations with the Government may not be hampered by any dispute between the Railway Company and the ratepayers ” A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman for presiding, and the meeting terminated. It is understood that Government havo communicated with the various district

Railway Companies as to whether they wished to enter into arrangements for the lease and sale of their lines. As regards

ratepayers the Government have taken new departures. It is now laid down as a condition that ratepayers are to pay twofifths of the amount, for which proceedings are being taken against them. Government stipulate that on ratepayers paying two-fifths, proceedings will be abandened against them until Parliament determines whether or not to ratify these agreements. The agreements it is atipul u tcd, are to be framed on a basis of ratepayers b-.’iog roleivcd of fuifcher payments than two-fifths, and the twenty years for which they are liable is to commence from the final paj mant. Ju the case of the Rotorua railway, the line, not being opened, is cambered with difijculties about the ratepayers In the case of the Waimea railway, the condition is added that the line is to be at opc,a worked in connection with the Government; lines The information asked for comprises all specifications, plans, etc., together with particulars as to capital.

Augpst Flower. —The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and li.yer complaint. kjore than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects r r sucih as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heart burn, waterbrgali, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and disagreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flower. This valuable medicine has cured thousands , and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve' you. It costs only p <jd a bpltle. Sample ' bottles, 6d.—[Advt. Don’t Die in the House. “ Rouugh o >l Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jackrabbits, gophers. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents, I Skinny Men. —“Wells’ Health Renewer restores health and vigor, cui.es dyspepsia, im potence, debility. The N.Z. Drug Cp. General Agents. I Oh, how refreshing, palatable, and reviving is a draught of cool water, with f lop Bitters in it, to a fever patient, See,—[Ajpyj'.J

The steamer Hawea, from Lyttelton, had a r arrow escape of going ashore outside Wellington Heads yesterday morning; during foggy weather. Captain Hamby supplies the following particulars: —The Hawea left Lyttelton at 5 5 last 1 evening, and at 3 35 this morning passed Gape Campbell, distant about seven or eight miles. At 530 a.m. I was called by the second officer, who said the weather was getting thick. I asked him it he had ssen land. He said yes, and took it to be Taurakira Heads. He also stated he thought >he vessel was to the eastward of her course. At 5 35 I stopped the ship, and took a cast of the lead, but getting no soundings at ninety fathoms, thought we were outside soundings. I then altered the course to N. by W. magnetic, and proceeded slow ahead, the weather being still very thick. At 6.15 I saw land close on board, a little on the starboard bow. The engines were immediately stopped, and then went astern, the lead being again cast. Got seventeen fathoms, and by indications , of soundings I thought the land * was Cape Taurakira, or thereabouts • I then steered W. by N. magnetic, to get well out in the bay, at the same time , going dead slow. About ten minutes afterwards saw rocks right ahead, and at

once went full speed aster i, but on account of the strong tide she was some lime going astern, and by the time she had stern way on bad drifted within a ship’s Jengtb of the rooks. The vessel was then headed southward, and kept on that course until the weather cleared, at 7 45, when she was once more put in her right course, arriving at D.lO this morning. Although she was very close to the rocks she never touched. After the weather had cleared it turned out that we had been close into Sinclair Bead. Can only account for getting in there by the strong tide setting the vetssl up the Strait, as hitherto the course steered has usually brought her to the eastward.

We were shown to-day someveryfine ripe cherries which wore grown by Mrs St Hill, Burnett street, and which may be seen at Mr W. C, Davis’s, fruiterer, East street. Considering the lateness of the season those may be considered as very early fruit in this district. Mr Sykes, dentist, wishes us to notify that he may be consulted to-day and to-morrow at Mr Cambridge’s, chemist. The best periodical for ladies to take monthly and from which they will receive the greatest benefit is Hop Bitters. Read.— [Advt.] 10 Wells’ “ Rough on Corns.”—Ask for Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., Genera Agents. 1 Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speedily yields to Baxter’s AntiNeuralgic Pills. This evening our advertising columns contain a large price list from one of the leading drapery establishments in Christchurch, and, we are confident visitors to town will do well by giving them a cal!. The r stock is large and wed assorted, containing all the novelties of the season a d a grand assortment of general household drapery, men’s and boys’ clothing, hats, shirts, ties, and scarves. The ladies’ show room is well worth a visit, being well stocked in millinery, mantles and underclothing of a large and varied description, at prices that are bound to effect a speedy clearance, H. E May & Co., The Hall.—[Advt.]