hatred to blind his prophetic eyes, and t> > lead him innocently to play into the hands of his foes—of the very men, he ia never weary of telling us, who wish to hunt him down, but whom he will yet “ drag at his chariot wheels.” It will be remembered that one of the ex-Premier’s pet schemes for the emanci pation of the human race, of that portion of it especially who had no governing voice in the country and lay 60,000 strong in a galling political serfdom, was to give to the Colony of New Zealand, in emula tion of John Bright’s reforms, and quoting from John’s phrase book, “a free break fast table.” Sir George was able to see that pet scheme carried out, and for the better part of a year tea and sugar have floated into the colony under a greatly re duced import duty. When the customs duties were relaxed upon those commodi ties, admirers of “the people’s George ” were ready to gape and claw the elbow in astonishment and admiration. But the day of reckoning that proved Sir George’s terrible short-sightedness, as well as his perverse self-wiil, has not been long in coming, and we find that the colonial revenue has been lessened by £85,000 to gratify a crotchet of the so-called “Liberal” Government. The tea and sugar duties were undoubtedly relaxed, but can any one of our working men readers point to even the semblance of a diminution in their bills to the grocer for these exceedingly pleasant commodities. We are afraid that honest horny-handed John Bull, when asked how much he has saved or gained by the remissin of duties on tea and sugar, will reply in the Eng lish equivalent of Brother Jonathan’s “nary red cent.” Who then has profited ? Ay, there’s the rub. Not the working-man, who buys his week’s supply of a Saturday night; not the artisan, not the clerk, nor the professional man, whose consumption of these articles does not represent large sums spent in wholesale purchases of them, but whose requirements are sup plied by the capacity of a paper bag, or at furthest a 40 or 501 b sugar mat, or un pretending 101 b tea box. None of these can point to an appreciable reduction. But there are those who can. The ■mall retailer cannot, but the large importer, and the wholesale dealer' can—and —tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon—the squat ter : the man who, if he occupies many acres, employes many hands whose en gagements with their employers include tea and sugar in the comprehensive word that comes after the cheque figures— “ Found.” The squatter is perhaps the only private individual in the colony who feels any direct benefit by the loss caused to the country by Sir George’s “benefac tion ”to the human race in the remission of tea and sugar duty to the extent of £86,000 out of the Colonial Exchequer. And yet the squatter ia Sir George’s bete noir, the man who stands in the way of the colony’s progress, and who affords the good old knight so many opportunities for thrilling thehearts of the mass with his fiery declamation. If the colony has a night mare in the squatter—then, truly, Sir George is not the physician who is to roll the stone from off the colony’s heart. £85,000 dropped out of the colonial chest, by the liberator of mankind, not to re lieve the working man whom he pretends to love, but to relieve the large station owner whom he pretends to hate !

The Wakanui Road Board on Thursday decided not to accept any tender for Leadley’a drain, although several were sent in, and the work duly authorised last month. The action of the Board has led to a considerable amount of com ment, both from farmers and contractors : from farmers, because, should a wet har vest happen, their crops will be inevitably ruined, as in many cases it will be impos sible to get a machine on the land to cut the grain ; and by contractors, since the Job is one of some magnitude, and a great number of horses and men are out of employment. There is a very poor chance of the work now being undertaken till harvest. The Board’s reason for delaying the work was to enable them to interview the County Council, to endeavor to obtain from that body a grant in aid, but as no meeting takes place for a month, and the work has already been reported on by the County Engineer, we must admit that the Wakanui Board have co mitted an error, and trust that some of the members will adopt measures to rectify it, as it is a most necessary work, and- no time ought .now to be 1 lost in prosecuting it.

Public Holiday. —ln response to a re quest from the leading business firms in the Borough his Worship the Mayor has declared Monday next as a general holi day.

Caledonian Sports. — A committee of the Caledonian Sports Committee can vassed the town yesterday for subscriptions for tkp sports to be held on Boxing Day, and powers of persuasion suc ceeded in having close on £7O placed on their liatX They have certainly taken time Jtiy the firelock in going round so eiudy,’ and as. the Race Committee have not yet sent & list out they are likely to suffer by the supineness displayed by them. The sports people have certainly stolen a march upon the innocent horsey men.

R.M. Court —The Court yesterday dis posed of several petty debt cases, none of ' which were for any serious amount, and the majority of which would have been far more cheaply and satisfactorily settled through the medium of a mutual frifehd or an arbitrator. A dead set seems to'have been made in three separate cases against a farmerin the Forks district, andin one case, a tall weather-beaten and dilapi dated individual pleaded ignorance of the mining of a “ sundowner.” For his in formation and that of others not up in colonial phraselogy, we may state that • ittndowner is a swagger who travels from r Stition to station, ostensibly looking for a job, and all the time hoping he will not wiw it. • The “ modus operand! ” of these . vagrants is to travel-until within a mile or rSOrof the bomestead of a run, and then b comfortable nap till near sundown, liiuparic is approaching he boldly walks up irouteitatibh and asks for work. No matter work is to be had or not, the tinsT is sure of mutton and damper for and a shake down. In be is ready-for a start for the on whom to do a similar The breed la not so numerous nor marked as in the old days, but BWrtft-irt *till to.be met with, l i

; Parliament at Christchurch Show. The Government have placed the Go vernment yacht Hinemoa at the disposal of m-inkers w ishing to visit the Christ church show, and it is believed that the opportunity will be taken advantage of by a makority of the members. The Unemployed. —We have it on good authority that some 1100 men are out of work in th! Timaru district. In the Ellesmere district men are offering them selves to farmers and contractors at 5s per day. Although work is slack in the Ash burton County we are inclined to believe that we are not so badly off as other places. The number of idle men is not large in proportion, but at the same time the prospect for work from now till harvest is not very cheering. Wages on contract works for good men still rule from 8s to 8s 6d per day.

The Lyttelton Smuggling Case. —Tlxe man Willie ms charged at the Lyttelton Court with having smuggled tobacco in his possession, was to-day lined £IOO, and ordered to be imprisoned until the fine was paid. It is no joke to be found out trying to evade Queen’s duty.

The Unemployed at Christchurch.— We learn from our own correspondent at Christchurch, that up to the present time about 140 passes have been issued by the Public Works Department to the Weka Pass and Albury extensions, which are now fully supplied with men. Passes, however, are still issued ty; those desirous of going to any part of 3 the country to look for work. Mr March took a carpen ter with him South yesterday, who got work at Ashburton. The unemployed tradesmen here will doubtless be pleased to learn that Mr March is of opinion that unemployed tradesmen in Christchurch may find work in this direction if they try. Such is the tenor of Mr March’s telegram to Christchurch. A number of men who have got work elsewhere have already cleared out of Christchurch bag and baggage. A “ Rouse-About. ” —One of the many kinds of occupations in the colonies, for which no special education or training is required, is the “ rouse-about, ” There is no necessity for him to have taken a degree at any of the universities, nor is even a ciuil service examination considered necessary to qualify for the position. The colonial “ rouse-about ” resembles a poet in one respect, and in one only—he is “bora, not made.” His duties are various, indeed multifarious. According to a description given yesterday by an employer of labor, the “ rouse-about ” is expected to be a carpenter, a fencer, a cook, a baker, and “ anything else re quired to be done about the station,” and we should expect that occasionally he might be called in to assist as tutor, and to play operatic airs on the piano. How ever, tile representative of the ‘‘ profes sion ” which appeared before the R. M. yesterday, would not, we think, shine in either of the last mentioned lines. In fact he was described as being the reverse of clean in the kitchen, and we must say that to sit down to a square meal prepared by this specimen ‘rouse-about,” would require a good appetite and a powerful stomach, and a well answered prayer for digestion.

New Masonic Hall. —For some time past the Ashburton Freemasons have had a project in their minds of building a new hall in which to hold the meetings of their lodges. At present the Somerset Lodge holds its meetings where they have been held since the Lodge’s institution— in the Somerset sample room, while the meetings of the other two Lodges are held elsewhere. A place of meeting specially their own is always at least a comfort to any Society, and as the Free masons in Ashburton are quite strong enough to build such a place of meeting, they will not much longer be without a hall, every arrangement having been made for an almost immediate start. Thu name chosen for the projected building is, we understand, the Somerset Masonic Hall, and the site will bo the corner of Williams and Tancred streets. The plans have been prepared by Messrs Foots and Son, and they give promise of an ad dition to the architecture of the town of no small importance. In style the now hall will be Doric, and the structure will be a substantial one of brick, with plastered walls. The front of the build ing will be stuccoed, 21ft Gin high, and double doors will give entrance to the hall. On either side of the entrance will be an ante-room, with refreshment rooms above, supplied witli gas stoves. The hall to the ceiling will be 17ft in height, 28ft 4in in width, and 70ft 4in long. As we have already said, the whole building will be plastered inside, and a dome in the centre of the ceiling will supply ventilation. The Gas Com pany’s mains run down to the site, and of course the will be laid on for lighting purposes, «tc. When finished the hall will be elegantly furnished, and amongst its furniture will be found a fine American organ. The cost of the undertaking will be £6OO, and will be found by Free masons only, in £1 shares, 400 of which are already taken up. The builders will also be “free masons,” indas we have already stated, the work will begin at once. The builders names we have not yet learnt.

Water Power for Organs. The churches in Wellington are to have their organs blown on Sund lys by water power

Special Train on Show Day. —On Wednesday, 12th November, to allow the residents along the line of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks an opportunity of spend ing a day at Christchurch Show, the directors of the railway have decided to run a special train from the furthest point of their line completed to the Rakaia junction. The train will start at an early hour in the morning and reach Rakaia in time to catch the first morning train north ; and will return again after the ar rival of the last train in the evening. The thoughtfulness of the directors in the mat ter will not be without its due value in the eyes of those whom it is intended to benefit.

Cricket. —The match arranged for Monday next between the Ashburton Countj' and Mount Somers Cricket Cl id 's has been abandoned. A challenge was received to-day by the Honorary Secretary of the Ashburton Cricket Association from the Timaru Cricket Club, and a match will probably take place on the Domain ground on Wednesday next. Players selected to take part in the match New Zealand v. The World on, Saturday afternoon, are requested to be on punctually at 1.30 p.m.

Church Anniversaries in connec tion with the Cameron street and Se:.- field Wesleyan ; i. ."civs are to be hold next iimiu'n, tin l le- ’.er about the Kith, and the latter <,n ( h,i ismias Lay.

Comedy ami T?un j.Ksqus Company. On Thursday night the Comedy Company gave the first of their two entertainments in the Town 11 dl to a full audience. Tlic company appeared again last night with like success.

Dromore Goods Shed. —The following telegram addressed by Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.K. to Messrs Saunders Brothers, lias been handed to us for publication “ Wellington, Nov. (s.—Amount for Dro inore goods shed included in Conyers’ revised estimates ; therefore do not think further petition requisite. ” Fire Brigade. Lieutenant Joseph Dolman, of the Ashburton Fire Brigade, is determined not to be beaten by any difficulties he meets in making the best use of the means at the command of the corps. On Thursday afternoon, assisted by two or three other enthusiastic members, he again tackled the pipe well in front of Saunders’ Buildings, and being a practical man at work of that description, he suc ceeded in overcoming all difficulties, and a gang of men being put on to the engine they succeeded in throwing a jet over the buildings. It is a matter for congratula tion that the perseverance of the Brigade has met with the revav.! it merits.

The Totalisator. The betting ma chine which caused so much anxiety to that speculative class of the community— the bookmakers —appears to have come to an untimely end at the Melbourne races. The bookmakers have all along claimed that the machine, instead of being a fair and square method <<f netting, was a huge swindle, and could, if licensed on race courses, be, in the bauds of a clever and unscrupulous operator, a most successful means of fleecing the public. Telegrams from Melbourne -air that several of the licensees of the pa • have been arrested. Only a week or r the A Jelaido Go vernment actu.ab . -t d a ; Jill through Parliament legalising the instrument. We imagine they will feel pretty small over their “ Totalisator Act.”

Cricket. —A meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Cricket Association was held at Messrs Saunders Bros.’ office on Thursday evening. Present—Messrs S. Saunders (in the chair), Amos, Poyntz, and Main waring. Mr Poyntz reported that with Mr Wilkie he had waited upon the Domain Board, and had received a promise from the members that they would protect the interests of the Association as far as possible, but could not accede to the re quest for a lease of the ground, or the erection of gates applied for. Mr Main waring proposed and Mr Poyntz seconded, and it was carried—“ That the Secretary be instructed to request the Domain Board to move the present gate from Peters street to West street, about two chains north of junction of Peter and West streets. ” Mr Poyntz moved and Mr Amos seconded, and it was carried—“ That the Chairman be authorised to procure a grass-mower for the Association ; cost not to exceed £10.” It was decided to postpone the match against Timaru, on account of the Christchurch show taking place on the same day as that selected by the visiting team.

Valuable Horse Killed. —Mr Fergus, carrier, of Mount Somers, met with a heavy loss this morning. One of his team of horses being an entire, Mr Fer gus, with a laudable idea of not allowing a horse of this description to have a chance of escaping and running at large, tied him up to the waggon with a heavy chain and left him thus made secure, and retired about midnight. The horse was made only too secure as when Mr Fergus went to look at him at daylight he found that the horse bad strangled him self. Sale of Privileges for the Ashbur ton Show and Races.— Mr Janies Camp bell, of the firm of Aclaud, Campbell, and Co, officiated to-day in the capacity of auctioneer to dispose of the above privi leges, and after informing his audience fhat his sale of similar privileges for the Christchurch events had, notwithstanding the bad times, realised fully £IOO more than on any previous occasion, put up the lots in the following order : —Show privileges—No. I—publican’s booth, Mr Quill, £26 ; No. 2—confectioner’s booth, Mr T. Strutters, £4 ; No. 3—right of sports, passed in. Total realised, £3O. The privileges of the races were then sub mitted by the auctioneer, and the booths elicited some spirited bidding, as will be seen by the following prices. No. I—pub lican's booth under the grand stand, Mr D. M'Kenzic, £27 per day, £54; No. 2 —publican’s booth, to ho erected by the purchaser, Mr T. Quill, £l9 per day, £3B; No. 3—confectioner’s booth, first choice, Mr Davidson, £8 ; No. 4—con fectioner’s booth, second choice, Mr Hicks, £5 ; No. s—right of sports, with drawn ; No. o—right of cards, Mr Wilkie, £6 ; gate money, withdrawn ; No. 8— grand stand and saddling paddock, Mr T. Strcthers, £ls ; No. 9—yards not sold. Total amount realised by the privileges disposed of, £126. The amount realised last year was £207 10s, which amount included £95 10s for gate money, right of sports and horse yards, and the committee having decided to put a reserve equal to about CO per cent on those prices this year, and the bidding not reaching that limit they were withdrawn, and should any speculative individual feel inclined for a profitable investment the secretary is open to deal with him. So far, however, the so-called “ miserable failure” of last year promises to be repeated, and the Racing Club are to be congratulated on their success. Subsequent to the sale the gates were disposed of to Mr Hay T. Smith, for L 55, this bringing up the sales to Llßl, with the right of sports and horse yards still to dispose of.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

(Renter's Telegrams.) London, Nov. 3. Three per cent consols, 97| ; Adelaide wheat, 01s Gd per 49Glbs, ex warehouse. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain, is 1,1000,000 quarters. Adelaide flour commands 4?s per 2801hs, ex warehouse. Best Australian beef tallow, 39s Gd to 41s Gd The total stock of tallow in London on Nov 1, was 9750 casks.

Nov. 4. Bast Australian hoof tallow, 40a per cwt.; ditto mutton tallow, 425. The London press approves of enforcing an Anglo-Turkish Convention. Constantinople, Nov. 4

The Porto has declared its intention to execute all reforms embodied in the Berlin treaty.

There is great excitement in Stamhoul at the action of England regarding Turkish reforms in Asia Minor.

(Argus special.) London, Nov. 3. The Cabinet are discussing the trans fer of Afghanistan to Persia, the Shah ceding Ormuz to England. A Vienna telegram states that it is be lieved that a refusal of the Porte to execute the promised reforms in Asia Minor, would be followed by the deposi tion of the Sultan in favor of his brother, under the control of the great Powers. A financial coup in Turkey is impend ing. The Porte, it is asserted, intends raising a loan on the security of the Customs’ revenue, ignoring previous mort gages. London, Nov. 4. It will probably be arranged that the Australian and Brindisi papers and letters will be carried at Southampton rates. The Austrian Squadron is ordered to Salonica.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Special. ) Melbourne, Nov. G. Government have undertaken the per manent survey of the first 100 miles of the North-western Canal. Government have agreed to reserve 100 square miles of the country on the hanks of the Murray, to enable a private Com pany to form a Temperance Agricultural Settlement. The Government propose to pass Esti mates, deal with the Reform Bill, and then go to the country Sydney, Nov. G. In the Sunday school assault case, the Magistrate stated that since last hearing of the case lie had received letters from a rev. gentleman intended to influence his decision. Adelaide, Nov. G. Red rust is feared if the hot weather continues. Sydney, Nov. 6. The hank at Moo, Gippsland, has been stuck up by two bushrangers who were masked. The manager successfully re sisted them, but he was much knocked about. The robbers wore not captured, and fled to the hush. The Government diver, diving in the river Belfast, 'was grabbed by an octopus. It was fully twenty minutes before he could bo released, and he was then in a much exhausted state. ( Reuter's ) Sydney, Nov. 5. The Cabmen’s strike has terminated by the cabmen agreeing to place satchels, containing fare cards, in their cabs. Sydney', Nov. G. Arrived—Rotorua. Brisbane, Nov. G. Parliament is further prorogued to 23rd December. Melbourne, Nov. 1. The Bank of Australasia at Moe was stuck-up last night by two men masked. They were successfully resisted, and although fired at, escaped to the hush. The police are in active pursuit. In the Assembly last night, the Hon. Graham Berry stated lie desired a dissolu tion, and would appeal to the country im mediately after dealing with the Reform measures now before Parliament.

Sailed—Arawata, yesterday, with the Suez mail.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Nov. G.

Several thousand pounds’ worth of goods have been taken out of bond, in anticipation of the increased duties, prin cipally sugar and tea, hut little spirits. The remains of the supposed officer of the ill-fated H. M.S. Orpheus, were taken to Onehunga .and interred in the St. Peter’s Church Cemetery. Experts state the deceased must have been tall and middle-aged : he had two teeth drawn and back teeth plugged with silver. Another native difficulty has arisen near Cambridge. The natives interested in the Patea block refuse to allow the survey to go on. Winiata has been at Kaipaha, near Alexandra, this week ; and is the nearest to any European settlement he has yet ventured. New Plymouth, Nov. 7- A boat going out of the Waitara river this morning, with gear to launch the Hannah Mokau, capsized, and four out of seven of the crew on board of her were drowned. The casualty occurred on the Waitara bar, and the names of the men drowned are, Hon. Gollop, Harry Tate, Fred. Archer, and George Turneli. The last two wei-e latch’ seamen of the schooner Nelson. The names of those saved are —Charles Somerville, Austin Dugdale, and William Paton. Mr Holmes and son, the head of the party, fortunately went overland j’esterday, and thus had a lucky escape. The boat has been completely destroyed. Wellington, Nov. 7. Further enquiry into the Taratahi out rage points to the belief that the injuries were self-inflicted while the man was suf fering from religious mania. Nelson, Nov. 6. A man named Lawrence attempted suicide hy taking poison. A doctor was immediately called in, who pronounced him to be out of danger. The cause is attributed to frequent quarrels with his wife. Kumara, Nov G. A man named John Bird was killed at Brush Terrace by a tunnel collapsing. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of “ accidental death.” Dunedin, Nov. 0. A Nasehy telegram in the “ Otago Daily Times,” states that Holdei’snn’s claim, at Hyde, resumed washing on Friday, with the result of 120ozs for one day’s work !

Port Chalmers, Nov. 6. The floating dock at Port Chalmers was unmoored to-day and taken to Dunedin, after a ten years’ stay in the Port. It is anticipated that an increase of business will result from the shifty

LATEST

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(S renal to the Melbourne Age.) London, Nov. 5. England’s ultimatum respecting Asialii reforms has completely staggered the Turkish Government, who promise SirH. Layard a strict compliance. Germany, France and Austria have ex pressed approval of England’s firmness. Mr Shaw, M. P., for Cork, has strongly denounced Mr Parnell for his violence in the Irish agitation. (Rente) 's Teleg) a>»s.) London, Nov. 4. Arrived Alexander Duthie, . from Sydney ; Garonne, from Melbourne. Nov. 5. New Zealand 10-40 five per cent loan 101. At a Liberal meeting at Grantham the Right Hon. Robert Lowe condemned the policy of the Government, and stated if the Liberal party returned to power they would resume their former policy. Muaurus Pasha, Tu kish Ambassador, asked Lord Salisbury to explain the presence of the British fleet at Vourla, and the menacing attitude of the British Government Count SchouvalolF, Ambassador at London, has been retailed Nkw York, Nov. 5. The State elections have been gained by the Republicans in the northern States by increased majorities.

Per our Special Wire

INTERPROVINOIAL Auckland, Nov. 7. Considerable feeling is man tested here regarding Mr Macandrew allowing the vote for the New Market railway workshops project to lapse, after inviting tenders for their erection. George James Parker has been com mitted on four charges of larceny. No bail allowed. Grahamstown, Nov. 7. The natives who interfered with the survey party at Hikutai on Ist hist., were summoned before the R. M. to-day, and the ringleader, Tamatariti, was bound over to keep the peace. The natives asserted a claim on the land which was crown granted to Alley’s (the present owner) predecessor 40 years ago. Wellington, Nov. 7. Mr Janies M'Kerrow, Assistant Sur veyor-General, has been appointed Sur veyor-General vice Mr J. T. Thompson resigned. Gamaru, Nov. 7. The number of entries for the Agricul tural Society’s Show, is in exc“ss of those of last year, and the show promises to be in most respects far superior to its prede cessor. A man named Kelly was brought up be fore the R. M. to day, on the thirtieth charge of drunkenness, and was sent to gaol for fourteen days. There is no change to report in the grain and produce market. Business is still very quiet, and money scarce.

SPORTING

Y.R.C. SPRING MEETING,

(By Cable.)

Melbourne, Nov. 6.

There was a very good attendance at the above races to-day. The following is the result of the different events :

The Oaks Stakes, a sweepstakes of 25 sovs each, h ft, with 300 added. For three year-old fillies, Bst 101 b. The second horse to receive 50 sovs out of the stake. One mile and a halff Petrea... ... ... ... 1 Rivalry 2 Nolly 3

Time—2m'ms 42i-sec. Sprinc. Handicap, a sweepstake of 7 sovs each, h ft, with 150 added. For three year olds and upwards. One mile and a quarter.

Levant ... ... ... 1 The Flyino Stakes, a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each, with 100 added. For two year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. Three quarters of a mile. Remembrance ... ... 1 Royal Park Stakes, a sweepstakes of G sovs each, h ft, 150 added- For three-year-olds and upwards. Weight for ago. Two miles. First King ... ... ... 1

THE WELLINGTON CUP. [by telegraph.] Wellington, Nov. 7. The following entries were received last night for the Wellington Cup ; —Balmoral (late Standard Bearer), Loch Lomond, Natator, Chancellor, York, Hippocampus, Grand Duchess, Libeller, Otavva, Leif a, King Quail, Resolution, Foulplay, On Dit, Hailstorm, Wilberforcc, Foam, Comus, Pinfire, Camballo, Lara, Teira, Merlin, Sinking Fund, Volunteer, Riga, Vampire, Betrayer, Rata, Repudiator, Magnolia, Maid of Honor, Templeton, Mari tana, Titania, Lima, Fishhook, Hornby, Mata, Laertes, Soukar, Norseman, and Grip.

Dressmaking. —Our lady readers are referred to an advertisement appearing in another column to the effect that Miss Hodder, recently arrived from England, has commenced the dressmaking business in Moore street. Native Coat..— The Rotomahana uses Bay of Islands’ coal, and steam was got up and maintained with that fuel, in both of the fast Sydney trips made by the steamer. Hou.oway's Pills. Pure Blood. — As the vital fluid, when in a healthy state, sustaint and renovates every part of the living system, so, when it becomes impoverished or impure it exerts a precisely contrary effect. It is abundantly manifest that any medicine which does not reach the circulation can never exter minate the disease ; but any preparation capa ble of exercising a salutary influence over the blood, must with it be carried to every living fibre of the frame. The lungs, heart, livei, kidneys, and skin, all receive benefits from its more wholesome condition. Holloway’s puri fying Pills operate directly, powerfully, and beneficially, upon the whole mass of blood, whether venous or arterial. They strengthen the stomach, excite the liver and kidneys, disease, and prolong existence.

PARLIAMENT.

!• - * ; *■ • : NNi'ATI .'NS. ‘‘-.iv- V. V..\ (J, ‘■PTENN lON SITTING. Till. i1....60 l:u;i at 2.30. FEMALE FRANCHISE. Colonel Trimble gave notice that he would move—“ That women of the age of 21, whose names are entered on the Rate payers’ Roll should be placed on the Electoral Roll.” QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, it was stated that aportion of the first instalment of the Land Tax only had been collected, and as the time had expired, fresh legislation would be necessary for enabling the collection of the remainder. Five hundred acres of reserves had been gazetted as an endow ment of the Borough of Kumara, and no further reservation could be made under the Act. Government would consider means for providing townships, with less householders than required by the Muni cipal Act, with governing bodies. Govern ment did not intend to give effect to the recommendations made by the Agent- General for altering his designation to that of Resident -Minister. Government had under consideration a proposal to place a a ini on the Estimates for police station j and ;;.M. Court at Lyttelton. Govern ment lid not. propos to app nut a Minister of Mines with an independent portfolio. T.IE PRISONEK WORHAN, The adjourned debate was resumed on the fjuos ion that the Speaker issue his warrhut for the production before the Native Affairs Committee, of Worgan, a prisoner in the Wanganui Gaol. The lion J. Hall said that Government still i uainiained to,at further infora afion I shoub! have beer, given before the motion was made. Mr Moss said it would be the duty of the Committee to resign if interfered with by the Government or the House. Mr Speight thought Government should have been prepared to make the question a Ministerial one. Mr Hamlin, Chairman of the Commit tee, gave particulars of the action taken by the Committee and other information relative thei eto. Mr Moorhouse understood that the Speaker’s warrant would be worthless under the cl’vumstancos.

Mr Ormond argued that the matter was one i' hi''ll eight to have been dealt with by a law covrt. He questioned the bona (idea of the case ; the petitioner Davie was a man of indifferent character. He moved as aminiendment- “ That a warrant should not be issued at present, that the Com mittee report on the bona fides of petition, and lie instructed to confine the inquiry so as to ascertain whether the petitioner is or is notin a position to defray the expense of prosecuting his claim in a court of law.’.’ Mr De Lautour said he had investigated the affairs professionally and could satisfy the Hooso of the bona fides of the peti tion. He contended the Speaker had power to issue his warrant for the purpose, and if it could be shown he had not, no time should be lost in getting the power conferred on him.

Mr Adams spoke against the impolicy of summoning witnesses from a distance at the expense of the colony, unless two thirds of the Committee concurred in the proposal. The Hon J. Hall said he looked upon the reasons given as sufficient to warrant Government in acquiescing in the applica tion. The bona tides of the petitioner having beenfqnestioned, it would be neces sary to inquire into that point. If the re sult was satisfactory, he could see no reasons why the application should not be granted. 'Die debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p. m. adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The debate was resumed at 7.30 p.m., by Mi Turnbull, who stated that Govern ment would vote for the motion. Mr M’Lean said this was a case ten years old, and it ought to have been tried by a Special Committee, and not left to the disposal of the Native Affairs Com mitte. He would, however, support the motion.

Mr Macandrew said that if the amend ment were carried, the effect would he to shelve the whole proceeding.

Mr Dick said the action of certain mem bers would have the effect of taking the work off the hands of the Committee, which, considering that the Committee was appointed by the House to do the work, was unfair. He would support the motion.

Mr Sutton said he had no idea until that evening that such a charge could be made against him. The real purpose was to get the balance of a sum of £17,500. He wished the matter to be fairly and fully investigated.

On a division the amendment was lost by 44 to 21. Ayes, 21.—Messrs Atkinson, Bain, Beetham, Driver, Gibbs Hall, Hurst house, Mason, McLean (teller) Oliver, Ormond (teller), Rolleston, Russell, Sey mour, Stevens, Studholme, Trimble, Whitaker, Willis, Wright. Noes, 44—Messrs Adams, Allwright, Andrews, Ballance, Baron, Bryce, De Lautour (teller), Dick, Finn, Fulton, George, Gisborne, Hamlin (teller), Harris, Hislop, Hurst, Hutchison, Ireland, Kelly, London, Macandrew, M'Donald, Montgomery, Moorhouse, Moss, Murray, Pyke, Reeves, Reid, Sodden, Shanks, Sheehan, Sheppard, Speight, Swanson, Tainui, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Thomson, Tole, Tamoana, Turnbull, Wallis. HOLIDAY MAKING. The Hon. John Hall announced that for the convenience of members desirous of visiting the Christchurch Pastoral Show, the Hinemoa would leave Wellington to morrow evening, after the House was over, returning from Lyttelton on Tues day night, but there would be no ad journment of the House. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Manakau Recreation, Christchurch Drill Shed Reserve, and Now River Pilot Station Reserve Bills were read a third time, and passed. The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill was considered in Committee, and progress was reported. The situation of Onehunga Water Re serve Rill was passed. The Licensing Act Further Amend ment Bill was considered in Committee, and progress was reported.

Friday, Nov. 7. i AFTERNOON SITTING. i { THE PRISONER WORD AN. b V II , :.- t . mat at 2.30. The Speaker reported the arrangements omplyted for hring’ng the prisoner Worgan from Wanganui, to bo examined by the N.it ve Allah's Committee. HABITUAL DRUNKARDS. Replying to a question, it was stated that Government desired further informa tion before introducing a Bill dealing with habitual drunkards. RAILWAY WORKSHOPS. Government had not yet accepted a tender, not having finally decided upon a site, for the railway workshops at New Market. A tender had been provisionally accepted, hut for prudential reasons Go vernment had since abandoned that in tention. RAILWAY BENEFIT SOCIETIES. It was optional on the part of railway servants leaving the service to continue their connection with a Railway Benefit Soc'etv or not. There was a rule which obliged rail wav employees on Si nth Is land lines to belong to the Railway Reno fit Society, but not more than half (ho number been conneate 1 with the society. THE WORKSHOPS AT DUNEDIN. Preparations for erecting railway work shops at Dunedin similar to those at Ad d ugtou we"o ho* ngniahj, and additions tv. the nil wav motion wore in progress. IW AITOV ABA RAILWAY. The contract time ft-r completing the "Vt da-a contract, of the Wanganui-Fatea line expired on Ah December, and the contractor bad been warned that the penalty would be enforced if work the was not completed. No communication had V-en found from T 'owi nr oth"r natives relative to the ex tendon of the main line from Auckland to Lake Tanpo, thence to the West Coast, a 'd the practicability of the route would he tested. A OO.AL TAX. Government had under conside-r.tior: a recommendation to impose a doty on ,vl coal imported into the colony. A TAX ON HOPS. Government had under consideration the propriety of complying with the pr-’ver of a petition from hop growers in Nelson that the dutyon imported hops be increased. NEW RILLS. The following Bills were introduced ; To authorise Governors of High Schools t/> realise on reserves and endowments, and provide for the investment of pro ceeds ; Sheriffs’ Act 185'i, Amendment Bill ; to facilitate and encourage the im nrovement of landby drainage ; the South land High Schoob

TRIF.NKIAT, P* RLTAMTSVTS. The Triennial Parliaments Bill was rea i\ a third time, and passed.

OTJAT.TFTOATION OF RT.FPTOBS 81T.1.. The Qualification of Electors Bill was further considered in Committee.

Mr Montgomery moved that clause 1 bo made to read “ That no person should be ent.itiled to exercise more than one vote.”

Mr Moss made a further amendment— ‘ • That ever yin an of 21 years, being a British subject, residing one year in the colony, or one month ’-i the district, should be , entitled to registration, and 1 hat in the event of an elector leaving home on pleasure or business with the in tention of returning again, his qualifica tion should remain good.” The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. Immediately on resuming progress was was reported on the Qualification of Electors Bill. The Hon. Mr Hall moved the second reading of the Election Validation Bill. It sought to validate the elections <>f Messrs Col beck and Tawhai, doubts having arisen thereon. The motion was carried, and the Bill was considered in Committee.

Mr Andrews complained that in tlui case of Sir George Grey no attempt had been made to validate his election and charged Government with partiality towards Mr Colbeck, one of their sup porters.

Sir George Grey reiterated the charge, adding that if the Bill passed he would move that the finding of the Christchurch Election Committee he quashed. Govern ment had made this a party question which was reprohensive. Mr Hall denied having done so, and referred to Mr Gisborne who had paired on the vote with a Government supporter.

Mr Gisborne stated that Mr Hall had distinctly stated it was not a party ques tion.

The Bill was reported with the addition of Major Te Whero’s name to the sche dule of the Bill, which was read a third time and'passed. The Qualifications of Electors Bill was further considered in committee.

Mr Montgomery’s amendment to con fine each elector to one vote in the Colony, was negatived, on a division of 30 to 25. Ayes—2s ; Ballance, Barron, De Lau tour, Dick, Fisher (Heathcote), Sir G. Grey, Harris, Hutchison, London, Macau ili'ew, Macdonald, Montgomery, Moss, Beid. Seddon, Shanks, Sheehan, Shep herd, Speight, Tainui, Tawhio, Te Where, Tole, Trimide, Turnbull.

Noes, 30.—Adams, Atkinson, Bain, Brandon, Bryce, Colbeck, Diver, Gibbs, Hall, Hamlin, Hursthouse, Johm-t >n, Kelly, Levin, M‘Lean, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Pitt, Rolleston, Saunders, Stevens, Sutton, Swanson, Tomoana, Wallis, Whyte, Willis, Wright, Richard son.

Breach of Promise.

Mr Justice Barry and special jury were occupied for two days at the Cork Assizes in trying a case of breach of promise of marriage, in which the damages were laid at £IOOO. The plaintiff was Miss Julia M’Evers, youngest daughter of the late Dr M'Evers, who practised as a physician at Cork, and the defendant, also a native of Cork, is a London solicitor, and com menced his career as a clerk with the plaintiff’s unde. A number of effusive letters from the defendant to the plaintiff were put in. He had inquired aft> r h.-r fortune, which was stated to b e LI3OO down, with the pro.-pect of more. TV ere was no evidence that there was anything on the part of the plaintiff affording defendant an excuse for breaking off the marriage. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages LJOOO.

Saturday, November B, i 8/9-1

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

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