The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY. JULY 22, 1885 The West Coast Railway.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1559, 22 July 1885, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY. JULY 22, 1885 The West Coast Railway.

In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon the Colonial Treasurer announced that the Government had received a cablegram from the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway delegates now in London stating that they had concluded an arrangement with Messrs Meiggs and Son, a firm of and financiers of good repute, to construct the railway, provided further concessions were granted. Messrs Meiggs and Son ask, in addition to the land grants, a guaranteed payment of Lgy.ooo in excess of the working expenses per annum tor twenty years, payable in London half-yearly, commencing aftei the railways are finished; and they state it is intended to finish them in from three to five years. The cost of the railway is estimated as follows; £ Actual cost of works ... 3,025,000 Interest during construction 400,000 Engineers and administration 50,000 And expenses of underwriting ... 385,000 Total... ... ~.^3,860,000 The guarantee payment, L 97,000, asked for is about per cent on the estimated cost. Having compared the proposal with the one for constructing the railway by the Sir Julius Vogel said that, in his opinion, the arrangement had much to commend it, and that on Friday next a resolution would be moved approving of the proposal, provided taat after the works were completed and the annual payment of L 9 7,000 began, half the cost should be charged to the provincial district of Canterbury north of the Rangitata river and to the provincial districts of Nelson and Westland, as well as the entire cost of maintaining the main roads between Nelson and Greyraouth, and between Christchurch and Hokitika.

Agricultural Statistics.

On more than one occasion we have referred to the inefficient manner in which the work appertaining to the Registrar-General’s Department is conducted, and we are pleased to notice that Mr W. C. Walker, the vigilant member for Ashburton, has taken the initiatory step towards securing a reform. In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr Walker asked the Government if it were in contemplation to instruct the Registrar-General to publish the annual agricultural statistics of the colony at such a date as to be of more practical use than they had been in the past. The Hon J. A. Tole replied that the statistics were published as early as in any other colony and as soon as practicable. We are not surprised to find Mr Tole displaying some ignorance in connection with this important matter; nor are we surprised that the Registrar-General, who doubtless framed the answer given by the Minister, should contend that his Department is equal to any of its colonial cotemporaries. Even were this contention correct it would not be very logical ; the fact of work being done in a dilatory manner elsewhere is not sufficient excuse for dilatory work here, but if Mr Tole’s reading is as extensive as it should be, he must know that every other colony, every civilized agricultural country, publish their statistics much earlier and much more accurately than we do. Reformation is not impracticable. Nearly twelve months ago we urged that the acreage in crop should be ascertained during the month of November or December; the figures could at once Ije published, and the yield estimated from reliable information afterwards obtained. The cost of such a system would be less than that of the present one, and the result would be of much practical value; the result of the present system owing to departmental delays, ignorance and officialism, is practically valueless. We trust Mr Walker, with his characteristic energy, will succeed in bringing about a reform which will be of value to the whole colony and of especial value to his qwn constituents.

Ashburton E M. Court.

Mr R. J. Seddon, member for Kumara, had the following questions on the Order Paper in the House of Representatiwes to-day:— (i) If C. W. Purnell, Esq., solicitor, of Ashburton, in the case Regina v Bryson, heard in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Ashburton, on July 14, 1885, appeared for ?pd on behalf of the 'prosecutor, the Registrar of Electors of the Wakanui Electorate? (a) If the Minister of Justice is aware that in the conducting of that case the said C. W. Purnell, Esq., applied to the defending counsel, F. Wilding, Esq, solicitor, certain offensive terms ? (3) Is the Minister of Justice aware that the presiding Magistrate did not either commit for contempt or insist on an apology being tendered by the counsel so offending? (4) Will the Minister of Justice cause an enquiry to be made into the conduct of the case and of business generally at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Ashburton ?

The statue to be erected in memory of the late William Sefton Moorhouse is on board thea.s. Ruapehu, which is expected in Lyttelton on Thursday or Friday next. The second of the Evangelistic ■'ervioas being conducted daring this week in the Presbyterian Ohurch was held last night, when the audience was considerably larger than on the previous evening. The Rev Mr Elmslie presided, and delivered a remarkably clear and striking address from I. Peter iv. iB. From the fixed attention of all present, from beginning to end, it was very apparent that a deep and salutory impression had been made upon all the hearers. This also was seen in the I most hearty and earnest manner in which [ all the other devotional exercises were enI gaged In by the whole congregation. It is to be hoped that still more advantage will be taken of the special opportunity afforded this evening and on the two evenings that follow’after it. It may also be added that the young people are not to be overlooked In these services, for the Minister intimated that a special service had been arranged for them at two o’clock on Saturday next, when the Rev Mr Elmslie will address them in particular. It Is expected that the church will be well filled on that occasion, A return has hewn presented to the | Legislative Council showing the amount of agricultural and dairy produce exported from New Zealand to Rio de Janeiro by way of Magellan Straits, during the last three months. The respective values ace as follow :—Flour, L 1,450 ; potatoes, L 463 ; oats, L 136: onions, L 27; maize, Ll 4 ; cheese, Lll ; salt beef, L 6. Total, L2,l'J3. The Hon Mr Stout, Minister for Education, delivered his Educational statement in the House of Representatives last night. He referred at length to primary schools and the aid granted to them, and | generally reviewed the colonial system of education. Our resume of the statement is held over. About 35 members of the Ashburton Rifles and 27 of the Ashburton Guards mustered for the weekly drill last evening. After an hour!s practice under Ser-geant-Major Jones, the Rifles were moved outside and exercised by Lieutenant Dolman in the bright moonlight, the Ser-geant-Major’s attention being devotod to the Guards for the remainder of the evening. At a meeting uf the combined -Committees it was decided to at once Invite tenders for the erection of a drill-shed, in accordance with plans and specifications [ drawn up by Lieutenant Fooks. We hear it has been suggested that the two corps 1 should unite in getting up a grand volunteer ball in aid of the drill shed fund. The idea is a good one, and should be carried out. This evening Mrs G. Sawkins will delivered a public lecture at the Town Ball on “ Love, diink and separation,” and as she is reputed to be a very eloquent and amusing speaker we expect to see a full house. Clergymen, lawyers, editors, bankers, and ladies need American Hop Bitters daily, for nerve focre. Read