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Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1317, 17 August 1886, Page 2

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held in the Arcade Chambers last evening. There was a goodj attendance of members. Four new members were initiated and two candidates proposed. The anniversary committee reported that arrangements in connection with the forthcoming celebration were progressing satisfactorily. The Lodge was closed in due

At a meeting of the Canterbury Land Board held on Thursday tho following sales of land were reported;—Perpetual lease of reserve 264 at Dromore. Section 1 leased to Thomas Miles 24 acres ; section 2, 50 acres, Daniel O’Harc section 3, 50 acres, to George Campbell; section 5 50 acres, to Donald Campbell; section 7, 50 acres, to John M’Mullin; section 8, 50 acres, to David Lynch ; section 9, 41 acres, to W. Dalgety ; section 11, 50 to John Gough; section 12, 50 acres, to Thomas Happer; section 13, 50 acres, to John Miles.

The annual Steeplechase Meeting of the Ashburton County Hunt]Club will bo held on the Ashburton Racecourse to-morrow. An excellent course, much of it over natural country, has been selected, and a really capital day's sport is [anticipated. Acceptances for the various handicaps close this evening at 9 o’clock, and the first race will start at 12.30 to-morrow. The following are Hippodamia’s “tips”: —Hurdle Race, Captain 1, Larry 2 ; Hunt Cup, Ben H 1, Rugby 2 ; Flat Race, Panic 1, Malvino 2 ; Maiden Steeplechase, Pickwick 1, Wrangler 2. We remind our readers of the Presbyterian tea meeting to be held in the Town Hall this evening. " At the Resident Magistrates’ Court this morning John Burke O’Brien and a first offender were charged with drunkenness. O’Brien, who had just served a term of inr prisonment on a similar charge, applied for a “protection order against the police,” and protested that if he were given another chance he would abandon his drinking habits. The Magistrate said there was a very formidable record against the accused. He could not protect ” him against .the police, but would protect him from himself by the issue of a prohibition order to have effect throughout the county. O’Brien was fined 40s and costs, with the alternative of seven day’s imprisonment. The first offender was fined 5s and costs, with the usual alternative. O’Brien was farther charged with resisting the police, and Constables Beddek and Remer having proved the offence, the accused was fined 40a and costs, with the alternative of two months’ imprisonment.

The Lyttelton, Tinu* of this morning says : —ln reference to a rumour which has gained currency that Mr W. J. Steward, M.H.R. for Waimato, was about to resign his scat in the House of Representatives, we understand that that gentleman has no such intention. He proposes, however, to address his constituents at an early date. The following members of Parliament left Wellington for the south by the s.s. Ta:awera at eleven o’clock last night:—Hon Mr Walker, Hon Mr Bathgate, Hon Mr Shrimski, Hon Mr Campbell, Hon Mr Robinson, Messrs Lance, Cowan, Turnbull, Hatch, McMillan, Sutter, Stewart, Taylor, Thomson, Richardson, I’yko, Reese, Reid, Walker, Mackenzie, Fulton, Fergus, Montgomery, Rolleston, Duncan, O’Catlagban, Pearson, McKenzie, Gore, Barron, Hislop, Dockland, and Hurst. The remaining southern members are expected to leave Wellington by the Penguin to-morrow. Telegrams have been received from Hobart stating that payable gold has been struck north of Mount Tyrell, about a mile north of the Prospector’s Claim, near Macquarrie Harbor. Work has been going on in the vicinity for three years, the prospectors being protected by a prospecting order. While prospecting has been going on, some alluvial ground has been worked, yielding 500 oz gold. Only twenty people are interested in the claim, and £2OOO has been refused by one of the (proprietors. Up to the present time the greatest difficulty has been experienced in carrying stores to the claim, but if Government Officers testify to the value of the discovery, the propriefors intend to apply to Government for construction of roads. It is notified in the Gkircffc that the pukeko, or swamp hen, has been declared to be native game, and is to be protected as such.