LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1418, 27 November 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We call the attention of our readers to an important sale of laud and farm stock to be held on the ground at Baugitata Island, on Monday, by Messrs H. Matson and Co. The farms to be offered contain together about 400 acres, of which 150 are under growing crops, which ore looking well. In addition to the land a large number of cattle, horses, and sheep will be submitted. Conveyances will meet the express on the Island, and refreshments will be provided.

Major Gudgeon has telegraphed to Sergeant Felton that he will hold a two hours’ sitting at the police station, Ashburton, on December 10, in order to hear any local claims there may be by old soldiers.

Last evening a meeting of church members was held in the Library, South Eakaia, to consider the advisableness of starting a Sunday School in connection with tho English Church in the district. Mr Hardy occupied the chair, and explained the position of church matters. It was resolved to open school on Sunday next at 2.30, Mr and Mrs Broadbent, who has had a large experience, undertook to act as, superintendents. Messrs Cox, Osborne, J. Turner, Dixon, Howell, Oxley, Makeig, and the Chairman formed themselves into a committee, and pledged themselves to use their best endeavours to forward tbs interests of the school. It is to be hoped the effort will be a success, as there has been no clergyman hero for nearly two years. We are glad to be able, for once, to compliment the administrators of railway matters upon having suited their tariff to the requirements of local trafio, the rate for conveying coal from the Mount Somers station to Ashburton having been reduced by nearly two shillings per ton. The rate formerly in force was almost a prohibitive one, and representations on the subject have been made by Mr Walker, M.H.E.,, to that effect with the result that the above-mentioned concession has been made. Mr C. T. Cockerill, one of the inmates of the Old Men’s Home, has brought to our office a sample of local industry, in the shape of a belly-band for shaft-horses made very neatly Jof spun-yarn. He claims that these bans dare stronger and more durable, as well as agreat deal cheaper than leather, as they can be supplied at 3s each. Ha has supplied a number of them to Mr Origg and others, and has shown us letters speaking very highly of his manufacture.

At the R.M. Court this morning, before Mr D. Williamson, J.P., and Mr D. Thomas, J.P., Richard Beale was charged with having indecently assaulted a girl 16 years of age at Mount Somers on August 20. The accused had been arres’ed on warrant at Chertsoy by Constable Beddek on the previous day. Tho police applied for a remand till Tuesday in order to secure the attendance of the necessary witnesses.—James Skilling, charged with cruelty to a horse, was severely admonished, and a fine of 20s and costs imposed.

A meeting of the South Rakaia Sports Committee was held on Thursday evening, Mr Hardy occupying the cbair.Mr Reyoraft, who has left tho district, tendered his resignation as Secretary, and Mr Oxley undertook to act. Mr Makeig was appointed starter, and Mr J, Turner olerk of the scales. The Secretary of the Lyttelton Orphanage wrote, stating that the band could not be allowed to attend. The Chairman stated that satisfactory arrangements had been made for the Burnham Band to be in attendance. The Secretary to tho C.J.C. wrote, stating that the club would not interfere with the programme, as tho races came under the denomination of sports. The Secretary reported that Mr Staveley had kindly sold the privileges by auction a a follows Publican’s booth, £ls 10s: refreshment booth, £3 10s; right of sports, £2 10a ; horse yards, £2 2s 6d ; sale of cards, £2 3s; total, £25 17s Gd. The gates bad not reached the reserve. The prices were considered satifactory, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Staveley. T) • distance for Farmers’ Plate was altered from two miles to one and a half mile. Mr Makeig moved ihat the Domain Board be asked to allow training on the ground. The motion was lost. The Secretary was requested to have programmes printed and circulated without delay. The meeting then adjourned.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hampstead Town Board was held at the Board's office last evening. Present— Messrs Mayo (Chairman), Andrews, Hunt, and Fawcett. The Chairman reported having had an interview with Mr W. B. Compton. It was resolved that Mr Compton should be paid £5 per annum to act as ranger and inspector of nuisances, and the Chairman and Mr Andrews were authorised to draw up a schedule of duties. It was resolved that a ford be made at end of Patching’s road, also, that a fence be erected on a dangerous part •f the road opposite the High School. It was decided to remove a culvert in Wellington street, should the labor gang have time. The Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council, requesting that body to appoint a suitable place for polling for members of the Licensing Committee. The Clerk was instructed to leave a receipt book at the Board’s office for the public convenience, and, after passing accounts for payment, the Board adjourned.