LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1424, 4 December 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The meeting of the South R&kaia Road Board, called for Thursday, lapsed for want of a quorum, and was adjourned till Monday next.

The Otago Daily Timet says that an attempt was made by the deputation from the County Council which waited on Sir Julius Vogel on Friday to test the truth of the rumours regarding Mr J. C. Brown’s contemplated elevation to the Council. The Tuapeka Times states that on the Treasurer saying that Mr Brown’s energy was unceasing and he bad always the ear of Ministers, Mr Fraser come forward with the remark that be believed the Government was about to deprive Tuapeka of Mr Brown’s services ; but the Treasurer not seeing the bait (or bearing it, rather), didn’t bite, and so nothing was elicited. A meeting of the Ashburton Hospital Board was held at the County Chambers yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs W. 0. Walker (Chairman), A, Harrison, D. McLean, and B. Friedlander. Tenders for additions and improvements (two contracts) to the Hospital were opened, and those of Messrs Muir and Beid, £lO7 7s, and J. B. Chapman, £l3l 12a 6d, accepted. It was resolved that Mr Harrison should, in company with the architect (Mr Fo fes) ascertain if the list of repairs might conveniently be reduced. A return of patients admitted and discharged during the month was laid upon the table. A letter was read from Mrs Mackay, accepting the appointment of matron to the Hospital. A letter was read from the Christchurch Hospital Board, stating that the Government had decided that all persons remanded from B.M. Courts suffering from delirium tremens should receive the necessary curative treatment in hospitals. The Christchurch Board was of opinion that the ordinary Hospitals were not the proper places for the reception of such oases, and asked the Ashburton Board to express its views on the matter. It was resolved that any action taken by the Christchurch Board would be endorsed by the Ashburton Board. The monthly accounts were passed for payment. Mr Harrison reported what action be bad taken with regard to a defective drain at the Hospital. The Board signified its approval. As the present was the last occasion on which Mr Friedlander, in consequence of vacating his position as Mayor, would occupy a seat on the Board, a motion was passed expressive of regret at the loss of his services, Mr Friedlander suitably acknowledged the vote, and after the transaction of routine business the Board adjourned.

At the meeting of the County Council yesterday, Mr Leadley, speaking of the work done by the “ unemployed,” now engaged on the Wakanui protective works, said that he never saw a more disgrao°tul exhibition of “ Government stroke” in all his life. One or two men were working, but the others were leaning on their shovel handles looking at them. The work was one which it was imperative should be done, but he thought the Council should adopt a different system, as at present the value of the labor of the unemployed was in no wise commensurate with the money the Council was paying them. The Engineer said there was a ganger (whom Mr Leadley said he did not see) in charge of the men. Two or three of the men had been discharged in consequence of having been refractory. One of the members of the Council said that he supposed the best workmen were left, but the Engineer promptly assured him that was not the case, “ as the Government had taken oft the best men, and only the refuse were left." In anwer to Mr Wright, the Engineer said that the average earnings of the men were from 2s 6d to 3s per day. Mr Wright said that the Council had spent £92 on work which it had been shown was at the outside not worth more than £4O. This showed the folly of giving men work for which they had no affinity. Mr Leadley thought it was a ease of unwillingness, rather than of inability. Men whom he had seen working in the streets of Ashburton he saw leaning on the handles of their shovels when ho visited the works, but -when they discovered his presence "they began to shake.” (Laughter.) After some farther oonvetsalioa it was resolved that the Overseer be informed of the statements which had been made in the Council, and that be be asked to furnish an explanation. It was pointed out that such explanation would be only serviceable for future guidance, as the men were all to leave the work on the following day. The Ashburton Fire Brigade has resolved to send a team of live men to the competition to be held in Dunedin in February next The team will hold its first practice at 5 a.m. on Monday, and will be under the tuition of Mr W. E. Dolman.

Statutory Declaration.—l, Franz Baaba Ironbark, Sandhurst, in the colony of Victoria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25ih June, 1877, my son Alfred, sis years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on the knee. I at once took all pains to secure medical assistance. However, in spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Maogillivray than an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, in order to save life. At this junction 1 called on Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of the Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of the same I bad the satisfaction of seeing my son within a fortnight out of all danger, to-day he is recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis bad been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied. And I make this solemn declaration, etc-, —Franzßaabe. Declared at Sandhurst, in the colony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven before me, Moritz OobD) J-P.-—(Advt.)

As oui 1 readers are aware, the Ashburton Dramatic Club had arranged to give two performances on the race nights, the pieces selected being " False Colors ” and “ Leave it to Me." Unfortunately when members who had been selected for the oast were, as sportsman have it, “almost fit,” a letter was received from Christchurch intimating the inability of the two principal lady performers to taka their parts, in consequence of serious indisposition. Two l our local men, always good at a pinch, at once entered into the negotiations with Mr Henry Alleyne, hia talented wife, Miss Florence Wade, and other members of the defunct “ Pink Pearl ” Company to show in Ashburton on the nights named. From an adveuL-cuient published in another column it will be seen that these negotiation have proved aucesa ul, Miss Wade Mr Alleyne, our genial friend Harry Power and Miss Medway, being announced to appear in the farcical comedy “ All at Sea,” a very amusing piece, brimful of music, dancing and genuine fun. Miss Wade will take the character of a light-hearted, hoydenish, maiden, Mr Alleyne that of her testy and grimpy old nnole; and Mr Power will no doubt make the moat of Queenie’s musical lover, a part which, in the hands of a capable actor like H. P., must produce “ the tears ol mirth.” On the second night a “ grand double bill ” will be presented, the piece* chosen being “ The Bells ” and “ The Bough Diamond.” We hope the enterpris* of the amateur impretsarios will receive

adequate reward. The Tinwald Presbyterian Bazaar was well patronised last evening and to-day. The sale of farm produce in connection with the Bazaar, held at the Arcade to-day by Mr T. Bullock, wafjjvery satisfactory. The annual treat in connection with the Ashton Sunday School took place yesterday in a field kindly lent by Mr Taylor. The weather was all that could be desired, and everything passed off most successfully. A liberal supply of appetising eatables was provided, and a programme of sports for which numerous and well selected prizes were offered, was gone through. Before distributing the school prizes the Superintendent, Mr T. Taylor, made a few remarks as to the progress of the school 'during the past year. He expressed a hope that parents would send their children regularly to the school and help the teachers in their endeavors. Mr G, Gilmour then distributed the prizes, which consisted of handsome well-bound volumes. Mr B. Oilmour, the treasurer, read a statement which showed the school to be in a good position financially. Votes of thanks to the ladies, the superintendent, and the teachers brought the proceedings to a close.

Reports recently received in Paris from * Igeria gave an extraordinary account of the state of affairs among the Frenoh military forces in that country. There is an almost complete absence of discipline. Duels are fought daily, and sanguinary fights take place between rival companies of Chasseurs and Zouaves, while foreigners are assaulted by native soldiers.

A rather startling statement was made by Mr Jackson at the meeting of the County Council yesterday. In asking leave to postpone consideration of bis notice of motion with reference to the unemployed question, in order that he might have time to obtain some information of which be was in search, he said that he has ascertained that the landowners in Ashburton county had annually to provide 23,375 free meals for men in search of work, the cost being nearly £ISOO. g Shortly after noon to-day as Dr Tweed was driving down Burnett street a dog rushed out into the road, startling the horse which bolted. Dr Tweed and bis groom were thrown out of the buggy, but not seriously injured. The vehicle was considerably damaged and the horse cut about the knees. Mr T. Bullock sold the priviliges in connection with the forthcom ng mee'ing of the A Bhburton Bacing Club, at the Arcade to-day, when the following prices were realised: New publican’s booth, Mrs Butler, £9 ; old publican's booth, Mrs Butler, £l4 ; confectioner’s booth No 1, Banger, £3 10s; do No 2, Banger, £2 10s ; right of sports, Marsh, £1; yards, Cartan £1 15.