The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 308, 1 April 1881, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. [.lssued at 5.30 p. m. ]

Appeal Court. —The next sitting of this Court has been fixed by a Gazette notice for March 9, 1882. Great Autumn Handicap. —Acceptances for this event are due at the Commercial Hotel, Christchurch, at 8 o’clock this evening. Vital Statistics. —During the month terminated yesterday, 26 births and 18 deaths occurred in the Ashburton registration district. There were no marriages during the same period. Public Library. —The annual general meeting of the subscribers to the Public Library took place last evening. A full report of the proceedings will be found in another column.

Committed for Trial. —Maurice Fitzpatrick was this morning committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court, Christchurch, on a charge of larceny of a L2O note. The particulars of the case are contained in our police report. Arrest. —James Scott, who has been out on bail, and now awaits his trial at the Supreme Court on charges of embezzlement and forgery, was re-arrested on the station platform this morning, his sureties fearing he was about to abscond.

Assessment Court. -—The ami ual Borough Assessment Court was held this morning, at the Court-house. A number of objections were heard. A considerable reduction wasf made in several cases—a complete list of which will be found in another column. Flexible Harrow. —The flexible harrow exhibited here by Messrs Haxton and Beattie, patentees, won golden opinions at a public trial before the farmers of the Riccarton district held yesterday.

Alford Forest. —The harvest in this district is not so satisfactory as was expected. Consequent on the heavy rains and accompanying strong winds, the grain has been shaken out in many cases to an alarming extent. Harvest operations are also considerably delayed.

Mount Somers Presbyterian Church. —The annual festival for the combined districts of the Alford Forest and Mount Somers comes off at the former place on the 14th inst. Should the weather prove favorable, there will probably be a large gathering. Several ladies have kindly volunteered their assistance.

Reid and Gray’s Double-Furrow Ploughs.— lt is gratifying to learn that, consequent on the award of a first prize to Messrs Reid and Gray for their doublefurrow ploughs, business has accrued to this enterprising firm both from Victoria and New South Wales. No further comment is necessary.

Well Merited. —ln recognition of the efforts of the Brigade in saving their offices, at the fire in Christchurch yesterday, Messrs P. Cunningham and Co. during the day forwarded a cheque for 25 guineas, with a letter of hearty thanks to the Superintendent of the Brigade.

Fall in the Price of Bread. —lt will be seen by our advertising columns that breadstuffs have a downward tendency locally. Messrs Taylor and A. O. Aitken are selling 41b loaves of bread at Gd, whilst Mr Theile announces his ability to supply the same article for cash at W per loaf cheaper. The Shooting Season. —The shooting season opened to-day and extends to July 31st. During that period native game consisting of wild duck of any species, bittern, pied stilt, plover, wild geese, dotterell, native pigeon, teal, black stilt, plover, curlew, and quail, may be taken or killed within the Counties of Amuri, Kaikoura, Cheviot, Ashley, Akaroa, Selwyn, and Ashburton.

The Wanderers in Dunedin.—Yesterday, the cricket match, Dunedin v. Christchurch Wanderers, was commenced at Dunedin, the visitors going first to the wickets, and making 263 before the fall of their last wicket. The Dunedinites had lopt one wicket for 18 runs when time was called. Longden made top score for the Wanderers with 56 runs, and six others of the team got twenty or over. A telegram received this afternoon, states that to-day, the Dunedin men have scored 191 for the loss of eight wickets, Pararaor being not out, with 98.

New Morning Paper in Wellington. —A public meeting, called by Mr Ivess, was held in Wellington last night, to consider the question of the formation of a company for the publication of a new morning paper. About 50 were present, and it was resolred to form a company with a capital of LSOOO, in L 5 shares. Mr Ivess stated that already L 2600 had been subscribed, and another gentleman guaranteed LSOO more. An influential Committee was appointed to raise the balance and organise a company. It was stated that the plant would arrive from England in a few days.

Thrown Off the Line. —An accident occurred on the railway line to the second train from Christchurch to this town last evening, when a few miles this side of Chertsey. Some bags of grass seed fell out of one of the waggons on to the rails, and as a consequence three of the trucks were thrown off the line. Fortunately no damage was done, and these were replaced in about three-quarters of an hour, the train arriving here nearly an hour late. No delay in connection with the arrival of the express occurred here, as it was notified to the guard to come on direct by telegraph.

Good Templakism at Alford Forest. —The soiree in connection with the Bushman’s Pride Lodge, 1.0.G.T., was held in the Main School, Alford Forest, on Friday evening last, and was an unqualified success. About sixty persons sat down to an excellent spread that had been provided ; some splendid fruit which had been presented by Bro. Biraber proving perfectly irresistible. The decorations of the room were formed of toi-toi grass, evergreens, &c., and reflected every credit on the designers. Full justice having been done to the viands, regalia was assumed by the brethern and officers of the lodge, and the entertainment opened by a congratulatory adddress by the Lodge Deputy, Bro Knight; this being followed by two readings, one of these in the Yorskshire dialect of a very amusing character. “The Hill of the Heather” by Bro P. McNeil was vociferously encored ; and in response, “ The World is but a Bubble” was rendered. The Main Schoolchildren then sang “ Open the Door for the Children,” in excellent time and voice, the'result being a well merited and deafening applause. * ‘ The Habit Song” received a like tribute of approval, and was followed by a comic reading “The Old Bachelors” by Sister Knight. “The Collier’s Song ” and ‘‘ Little Sweetheart” were given by Bro. Ivy, Two readings by the W.O.T. and Bro. Qhlson, and a recitation by Bro. Knight, with a variety of vocal and recitative selections followed, a most enjoyable evening being spent. About L2 was added to the regalia funds of the lodge.