LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1638, 17 August 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

, Messrs G. Gates," A. Roberts, and G. F. Scott I have been nominated for the vaoanoy m tbo I Borough Council caused by tbe resignation of * Or W. Roberts. The elootoral rolls for the distrusts of Aehburton and Rangitata are now open for inspection at the office of the Registrar and at the various Poßt Oftoes within the two districts. . Mr and Mrs Willmott, who will be favourably remembered by our theatre goers, havo arrived m Aebburton and propose opening at tho Oddfellows' Hall during the present week. They bring with them some lady and gentle* men artistes who havo been well reoeived throughout the towns of the North Island. Tho oomedies, etc., to be produced are new and said to be extremely funny, and as there has been a dearth of amusements here lately, and from the high reputation of Mr and Mrs Willmott, wo prognosticate a successful season. At the R.M. Court this morning before Mr R. Alcorn J.P., and Mr H. Friedlander J.P., two first offenders for having been drunk whil e m charge of horses, wero each fined 20a and costs, An inspection parade of the Ashburton Volunteers was held at the drillsbed last evening. The Rifles mustered 45 (Captain Dolman) Guards 43 (Captain Sparrow.) Major Newall was inspecting officer. The corps were broken into squads and exeroised m aiming and position drill. Major Newall complimented the men on their good attendance and paid a high tribute to tho Guards for their really good muster. Mr Braddell wishes lo acknowledge dona* tionß from the following gentlemen towards the museum: Taranaki iron sand and specimens of various processes of manufaoting iron from Band, Mr Woymouth Roberts ; coal, Mr T. Koily ; native timber grub, Mr Mitoholi ; coins, Mr Mobs. Rumor has it that a gentleman resident m Geraldino contemplates contesting the election for the Rangitata seat. For misoonduot m managing the affairs of a client namad Gralton,Ja Kempsey solicitor named |Miohael Kerrigan .was, on the loth instant, struck off the rolls of the Supreme Court of Now South Wales, and thoir Honors held out to him no hope of his over being reinstated. Metal Boarfa and neokties are a new German invention. Gold, platinum, and silvor stripes i are welded, after tho mosaic style, upon a metal ground, prepared by the inoandeecent process, then compressed by means of powerful presses, and finally elongated by rolling into long sheets or strips. The colors are yellow, red, green, white, grey, and black, and the scarfs, being indestructible are considered of practical value. They are manufactured chiefly at Daden and Pforzheim. The " Tuapeka Times " says that " a prize of ft bottle of brandy was given at the Heriot ploughing match for the ploughman with the largest foot. The trophy was won by J. Chalmers, who measured nineteen inohss from stem to etern. This dido't include toenails."! A man, sued for bis newspaper subscription at Melbourne, pleaded that, though he reoeived the paper, he had never ordered it. Asked tho Judge (Cope) : •• If a baker left a loaf of broad at your door, and you trjok it and ate it, would you pay for that ? " Defendant : " Certainly, your Honor, but that is a different thing." Hi& Honor: "Not at aU. You eat tbe loaf end devour the newspaper." Verdiot for amount, with coats. "A costly widow's oap is to be sent to the Qaoon as a Jubilee gift from tho Queen regent of Spain. It is made of priceless old Spanish lace, with m embroidered veil at the baok hanging almost to the ground, and a pearl diadem m front, the jewels being embroidered on tho laoe by Quoon Christiana herßolf, who ib an accomplished noodlowoman. The cap is copied from an old portrait wbioh Queen Christiana found m the Palace at Madrid, representing a widow of the Spanish Royal House m the gala costume of three Oenturies ago.

An Auckland resident, who haa recently been up m tho Henderson's Mill distriot and through the gumtields there, was surprised to find, soys the •' New Zealand Herald " of the Bth instant, so many men there (doing well. They are earning four to six shillings a day, ■nd can livo comfortably upon ten shillings a week— meat and bread being got very reason* Ably from the stores. Many of tho gumdiggers are not the pariahs wo] are accustomed to assooiate with that occupation, but : respect able Auokland tradosmon, who rather than loaf idly about the town are making tho best of things by trjing their luok on tho gumfields.

The Preaa Gallery of tho House of Representatives has been greatly improved by certain alterations whioh have jUBt boen completed, and whioh wore authorised by the Minister for Publio Works at tho request of tbe reporters. The Speaker's ohair has been shifted back somo throe feet ; and this will not only allow every member to be seen from the gallery, but will give, what has long been required, additional table Tapaoo on the floor of the House; Tho " Hansard " reporters, tco, have now a complete view of the floor of tbo House, an advantago whioh they will greatly appreoiate. In addition to this important improvement, the floor of the Prasa Gallery has been rained three iuohoa, additional seating accommodation has been provided, and other alterations havo been offeoted.

At the inquest last evening on the body of Fndoriok Georgo Thomas Siburn, a waitor at tbe Royal Hotel, Ohristohurob, who shot him. Bolt on the previous night, a Tordiot was ro< turned of " euioido while temporarily insane," Ho loft letters addreesod to the licensee and manager of tbe hotel stating that ha intended to kill himself on account of a lore affair with two woman. It appears that two yeara ago he reooived a severe injury to bis head m Wei* liogton, through tbe balanofl'Weight of a lift falling on him and tbat he attempted suicide eomo tlmo ago.

Parents do not use vile drugs or nostrums m your families, but use pure Bop Bitters made only by Amorioan Go. See and read,

- A speoial meeting of the South Rakaia Library Committee was held m the Library on Tuesday evening. Present — Mtsßrs Hardy (Chairman), Stewart, Liddy, Blaokburn Hughes Oxley and Pyke. There was considerable discussion re the number of papers and periodicals taken, and it was resolved to atop a number of tho same, owing to the finanoial state of the institution ftnd the faot that paper stealing still oontinned. — It was resolved to hold an entertainment and dance m aid of the funds, and Messrs Hardy, Oxley, Blackburn and Broadbent were appointed a sub-Committee to carry out the same.— lt was decided to purchase a number of new works. — It was resolved to carry out some improvements m the ground.— The Secretary was instructed to hunt up the outstanding subscriptions and to oarry out the by-laws m future and insist on payment m advance m all oases. — Accounts amounting to £36 15b wero passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.

An entertainment will be given to-morrow (Thursday) evening m the Old Men's Home. The ohair will be taken by tho Rev E. A. Scott at 7.30 p.m. punctually. Free admission will be given to the publio as usual, but a colleotion will be taken at the olobo of the entertainment for the newspaper fund.

A Bpocial meeting of the Ashburton Hospital Board was held yesterday. Present : Messrs W. O. Walker (Chairman), T. Scaly, D. MoLean and and A. Harrison. Tenders for supplies .were opened and the following were accepted : Bread, Mrs Morris ; meat, R. Lanoßßter ; medical comforts, H. Zander and Co. ; milk, J. Hepburn ; interments, Gates and Son ; drugs, O. Neato ; fuel, MoOallum and Go. ; grooerios, H. Zander and Go. ; fish, O. Byal. It was resolved that four garden seats be obtained from Mr Steele for disposal m the grounds, and that Mr Steele be thanked for his donation of one. Routine business was transaoted, and the Board adjourned.

Heavy consignments of German beet sugar are demoralising the Melbourne sugar market. A cablegram states that it is proposed to levy an extra duty on beet sugar imported into Victoria, to countervail the effect of tho continental bounty system on the trade.

Saturday ia known as " Beggarß' Day " m Mexioo. Licensed mendicants swarm m in* credible numbers, fill the streets and make a tour of tho shops and markets, levying demands m the utmost confidence.