The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1887. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1604, 8 July 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1887. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"D. D.," who advertised for situation as book-keeper, will find a letter awaiting him at the office of this paper. A letter from Mr C. W. Purnell, on the subject of a Political Reform Association for Ashburton, is unavoidably held over. The Aahburton Borough Council announces that all rates unpaid within a few days will be sued for. We are informed that the Council is very much m earnest ; it would be as well, therefore, for all ratepayers v»ho have not yet had a Bquaring-up to pay the amounts due by them aB soon as possible. The United Evangelistic Services continue to be well attended and appear to be much appreciated. On Wednesday evening at the Wesleyan Church Mr Joseph Lloyd conducted the meeting; and at the Salvation Army Barraoks last night Roy D. McNiooll presided. To-night Major and Mrs Barritt will give addresses, and an exceptionally interesting gathering ia anticipated. The' proceedings are entirely undenominational and what are considered orthodox forms and oorouiumuß are ior tne nonce ignored. Ghost hunting is a novel form of amusement, at any rate so far as Ashburton is concerned. Last night, however, a party of young fellows participated m this amusement. It is said that a " ghost " has been of late nightly perambulating the precincts of Trevorton, with the result that several people, residents of that quiet locality, have been soared out of six months' growth. Aooordingly a party was organised m Ashburton last night, and they proceeded to the alleged scene of the ghost's rambling. Rumour Btates that they were successful m their quest and bagged their bird. If so it is a pity they did not hand their charge over to the tender mercies of the local police, as labor, which is of a trying and terrestrial .description, is a meet ,reward for those ghosts, who are the cause of nearly soaring the wits out of women and children. In another column Messrs Orr and Alcorn announce that their olearing Bale will be continued during this month, when further reductions will be made m drapery, clothing, and general ironmongery, previous to stocktaking. Mr E. G. Wright has requested the Christchuroh Press to state, for the information of the numerous friends who have requested him to stand for Lincoln, that he has deoided to leave the contest for this eleotorate to the candidates already m the field; The " Canterbury Times," with characteristic promptitude, issues with this week's number (gratis) an admirably clear and accurate Map of the South Island showing the boundaries and population of the new electorates. A Map of the North Island electorates is to follow m next week's number. Tbeße maps will be m great demand. Barristers have a ludicrous habit of identifying themselves with their clients by speak, ing m the plural number. " Gen^rnen of the jury," said a luminary of tho western circuit;, " at the moment the policeman says he saw us ia the tap, I "will prove that we were looked up iv the station house m a state of intoxioation." Episcopal duty m Borne parts of Australia has its humorous side. One*f relate, on his first journey round, was flung into deep mud by a restive horse. Rising, ruefully, with his chaplain's help, and surveying the place, the Bishop consoled himself with this reflection • " I have left a very deep impression m that part of the diocese, at any rate." "The North Otago Times " is informed that a requisition is m course of signature asking Mr John Reid, of Elderslie, to contest tha Waitaki It is stated that the red-tape system is now so perfeot iv the British Royal dockyards tha* if only the moat trifling artiole be required by a foreman, no fewer thnn seventeen clerks are employed before the tranßaotion can be completed. Railway guards (remarks an exchange) are not pleasant husbands. An enthusiastic member of that fraternity, on being awakened the other night from a dream of an impend- 1 ing crash by a train, found himself sitting up m bed holding his wife by the ears, having nearly twisted her head of! m the fmitio efforts to "down brakes." The Court of the Mikado is being gradually stripped of every vestige of its Oriental coloring. It was ouly tho other day that the Bmproßs made the Enrpean fashion of female attire obligatory on tho Japanese ladies to the Court receptions, and the domestics of the palace are now to be rigged out m liveries imitated from those worn by the servants of the Imperial household. o{ Austria,