SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. ARRIVALS. Oct. 24—Prosperity, brigantine, from Kaipara, with 90,000 feet of timber. Oct. 25 —Penguin, s.s., from Port Chalmers. . Oct. 25 —Hawea, from Auckland, via East Coast. Oct. 25—Maud Graham, schooner, from Picton, with 60,000 feet of timber. Oct. 25 —Huia, s.s., from Wellington and Kaikoura. . Oct.'*26—Sarah and Mary, brigantine, Lorn Bluff. Oct. 27—Rotorua, from Port Chalmers. OtaL.JJ7 .Mary Blair, barque, from Hobart Town. SAILED. Oct. 25—Hawea, s.s , for Akaroa and Port Chalmers. Oct. 25—Penguin, s.s,, for Welling ton and Auckland. . Oct. 25—Torea, schooner, for Kaipara. Oct. 25—Onward, schooner, for Picton. Oct. 25 —Fawn, brig, for Newcastle. Oct. 25—Especulador, barque, for New castle. Oct. 25—Sunbeam, barque, for New- Oct. 27—Rotorua, for Sydney. Oct. 27—Seabird, for Hokianga. Oct. 28—Huia, for Kaikoura and Wei lington. Serious apprehensions are entertained regarding the safety of the ship Knowslej Hall, now 142 days out from the Start. EXPECTED ARRIVALS. From Louden —Lady Jocelyn, Euterpe, Knowsley Hall (M.K. J. R.), Hurunui, Hereford. Southesk. and Waitara. From Newcastle —Surprise, Australian Sovereign, and Tasso. From New York via Wellington—Her mes.

From New York—Annabel. From Mauritius —Jasper. From Wellington —Albion, This Day ; Taiaroa, Oct. 30 ; Rotomahana, Nov. 1 ; Wanaka, Nov. 3. From Port Chalmers Waitaki, Oct. 29 ; Hawea, Nov. 1. From Oct. 30. From New York, via Port Chalmers —Elmeranda. From Melbourne —Ringarooma, Oct. 27 ; Tarania, Nov. 6. From the Sounds—Esther. From Sydney —Rotomahana, Nov. 1. From Glasgow—Remonstrant. From Calcutta —Bruce.

STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. For Wellington— Waitaki, on Wednes day, 29th Oct. For Napier and Auckland —Hawea, on Saturday, Ist Nov., calling at Gxs , home and Tauranga. For Port Chalmers— Albion, This Day. Passengers from Christchurch to Port by the 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by the Wellington on - Thursday, 30th October. For Melbourne, via Bluff Albion, This Day (Tuesday), transhipping to Ringarooma, at Port Chalmers. Passengers from Christchurch to Port leave by the 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by the Albion from Port Chalmers, on 6th Nov. Passengers by Wakatipu, on Wednesday, sth Nov. For Sydney —Rotomahana, 7th Nov. ForAkaroa— Penguin, Saturday, Nov. 8. For Hobart Town —Albion, This Day. For Picton, Nelson, &c. —Waitaki, on Wednesday, Oct. 29th. Passengers by the 2.40 p.m. train from Christ church to Port. Cargo till noon. All berths to be secured at the Shipping Office.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday evening. Messrs Saunders Bros, report sales of wheat in London as follows ;—Ex Mara val, 47s 6d, 48s 9d, and 49s 6d per 4901b5; and ex City of Quebec, 47s 6d and 48s per 4961b5. Messrs Eriedlander Bros, have received advices by the San Francisco mail of the sale of their consignments of wheat per Piako, City of Quebec, and Maraval, at 43s and 49s per quarter. ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (Limited) under date 11th September, 1879, report as follows on Epglish trade : ' Jn the Home industries the feature of the month is the demand which has sprung up in'the iron trade. Large orders have been received from America, Russia, and in spite of the new protective tariff, from GfeSajiy. Prices have not yet been much affected, the limits being doubtless low, and the requirements restricted chiefly to bars, pig and railway iron. There are no indications of improvement in the cotton trade, and efforts are still being made to reduce the rates of wages. The wool trade i 3 dull, but the recent fine weather has imparted an improved tone to the Brad ford market, which, for the lack of busi ness, can only be regarded as temporary. fiThe, Customs’ returns for August were published on the Bth instant, and annexed wid be found our usual extracts there from. The total imports for the month amounted to £28,335,009, as £29 106 823 last year, showing a tailing on of about 2i per cent. The exports aggre gated £17,327,308, as compared with £17,303,538 for August 1878, the figures being practically identical. The most noteworthy feature of the imports is the large increase in the receipts of bread stuffs. The quantity of wheat is 116 per

cent higher and the value 105 i per cent ; and wheat Hour is 123 per cent greater in quantity, and nearly 105 per cent in value. This is to be accounted for by the recent enormous arrivals from the United States, which have, however, reduced the visible supply in that quarter from seventeen to sixteen millions of bushels. On the other hand the importation of barley has de clined about 40 per cent in quantity and 34 per cent in value. Indian corn has also fallen off to the extent of 3G per cent in quantity and 35 per cent in value. Of other articles for food consumption, coffee, bacon, currants, and tea have been imported in larger quantities, but prices are lower. Potatoes, raisins, rice, and wine, show a decline in quantities more or less, values in most instances still having a downward tendency. Dutiable goods mark a decline and goods in bond are beginning to accumulate ; it is evident that the pur chasing power of the community for articles of luxury has received a check as a consequence of the continued depression in trade. Of raw produce for manufactur ing purposes cotton shows an increase of 15 per cent in quantity, but a decrease of 14 per cent in value. Flax, hemp, and jute have been received in larger quanti ties, but prices are still drooping. Wool has declined 33J per cent in quantity, and 35 per cent in value ; while woollen yarn shows a falling off of 29 per cent in quantity and 25 per cent in value. Turning to the exports, iron and steel have increased 21 per cent in quantity, but the relative advance is only a trifle above 7 per cent in value. The demand which has led to this increased export has been almost entirely from America and Russia. Whether the enquiry be only of a temporary character has yet to be deter mined. The quantity of copper shipped during the month is greater by 15 per cent, but the relative advance in price is barely 1 per cent. Cotton yarn and twist show a diminution of 9 per cent in quantity, and Hi per cent in value, while cotton piece goods show an advance of 7 per cent, but in value the increase is not appreciable. Jute yam is 1 per cent less in quantity, but the value has increased as much as 134 per cent. Jute piece goods appear to be in demand, the quantity showing an increase of 18 per cent, the relative value being 10 per cent higher. Linen yarn and piece goods show com paratively little alteration in prices. Spirits have been taken off 40 per cent more in quantity, and 22J per cent in value, while refined sugar has”advanced 12J per cent in quantity, with a diminished value to the extent of 4£ per cent. The other articles call for no comment.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Cheistchurch, for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) as under : Tuesday, October 28. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Albion, at 1.50 p. m. For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, • Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Gera'dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.20 sum and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at .15 p.ni. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster. UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

The following ietteis from places beyond the colony were received at the Ashburtcn Post Office during the month of August, and temamed unclaimed on ist October, 1879' — Allinham, J. Charles, Richard Critchley, W. S. Deacon, William Devane, Patrick Fraher, John Criffin, Morgan Maclean (or Maclear) John Kennedy, William Kissane, Michael Larkin, Andrew Morrison, James Moriarty. Michael Quinlan. Mary Ryan, Thomas B. Sharp, Sames Valpy, John N. Vincent, J. Walker, Archibald Woodman, W. D. Young, Lewis P. McAllister, Mrs Black, Tohn Twiss, Michael W. St, G. Douglas, Postmaster.

On the first da; j( each month a list is ex hibited at each Pt .t Office in the Colony of the addresses of all letters received from places be yond the Colony that have remaind unclaimed for one month at such Post Office; and such of these letters as remain unclaimed at the end of a further period of two months are then for warded to the Dead Letter Office, to be return ed unopened to the countries where they origi nated. Unclaimed letters originating in the Colony are not advertised, but at the end of two months are forwarded to the Dead Letter Office, Wellington, there to be opened and re turned to the writers.

A travelling Post Office having been estab lished on the Southern line of railway, letters bearing a late fee of 2d. may be posted at any station in the mail carriage attached to the express train, and they will be included in the mails made up in transit for offices on the main line and branches. NOTICE. NEW POSTAL REGULATION. Letters posted within the eolony having the names and addresses of the senders printed on the address side of the envelopes, accompanied by a request that the letters be returned if not claimed within a stated period, will he return ed unopened. Provided, however, such letters shall have remained in the post office to which they may be addressed, at least ten days E

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-Morrow. J. E. Buchanan and Co., at their Yards, Havelock Street, 12.30—Horses, Etc.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1879.

The political situation in Wellington has taken an unexpectedly favorable turn for the Ministry, who now find themselves as much in the majority as but a short time ago the Opposition held them in the minority. It was scarcely to be expected that sensible men in the House would long tolerate the dead-lock that prevented the progress of business, and wasted valuable time at a critical period in the colony’s history. And though we were fully pre pared for some change in the state of affairs, we judged, from the jubilant and even defiant tone of the Opposition leaders aud the Opposition press, that the change was to be brought about by defections not

from the Opposition to the Ministerial j side, but from the Ministerial side to the i Opposition. Our calculations were wrong, ) and the star of Mr Hill's Government is ] in the ascendent. Four of the Opposi tion side, and from Auckland, too, be it remembered, have that it was to the advantage of the districts they represented to “ pass over,” and they have done so. The Premier has, they affirm, assured them of the passage through Parliament of Liberal measures, that the education system non - existing will not be disturbed, and that Auckland will obtain her just share of public works. They are there fore prepared to leave the ranks of Sir Geerge Grey and vote with Government. The Northern men who have thus cast off their never very strong allegiance to the “ pro consul ” are Mr Reader Wood, Mr Colbcck, Mr Hurst, and Mr Swanson. These recruits, much to the disgust of the Opposition, have taken with them the necessary ma jority to enable the Hall Ministry to face the hitherto chuckling Opposition when their threatened no-confidence vote comes, and to do so with the same defiance if need be, that characterised Sir George Grey, at whose “ chariot wheels,” but a week ago, the Ministerialists were to be “dragged.” Sir George, too, helj)s to swell the Go vernment’s majority ; for by his unseating for the City of Christchurch, and the appointing of Mr Richardson in his stead, Ministers recruit another seat. It is to be hoped, now that something approaching to a working majority has been secured, business will proceed, and that the work of legislation will go on in real earnest.

Parliament lias now under its consider ation two measures dealing with the licensing question in the colony, the Local Option Bill of Mr Saunders, which has already appeared pretty fully in these columns, and a later Bill, introduced by Mr Acton Adams, one of the Nelson members, which is shortly entitled The Licensing Acts Amendment Bill. It re peals all the Acts which are inconsistent with the new Bill, particularly the pro visions relating to the fees payable for licenses. In fact the Bill seems to have been introduced mainly with a view to equalise the license fees throughout the colony. Clause 4 of Mr Adams’ Bill classifies the licenses as follows :

“ There shall be four classes of pub licans’ licenses, namely—(l) Town license, meaning a license applied for within any city or borough incorporated under the Municipal Corporations Act. (2) County license, meaning a license applied for outside of any city or borough, and not being an accommodation or ferry license. (3) Accommodation license, meaning a license applied for outside of any city or borough, and where the business to be done under such license shall principally consist of accommodation to travellers. (4) Ferry license, meaning a license ap plied for on the terms of keeping a ferry, or keeping in repair any roads or bridges adjacent to such house. Clause 5 fixes the fees payable under the Bill for the various licenses thus— For a wholesale- license £lO For a bottle license 25

For a packet license ... ... ... 10 For a town license ... ... ... 25 For a country license ... ... ... 20 For an accommodation license ... 10 For a ferry license ... ... ... 1 The above figures show a very material reduction upon the licenses now paid in many parts of the colony, and it yet re mains to be seen to what extent these reductions will be sanctioned. The Bill has passed the second reading but we are very much afraid Mr Adams fee table will be considerably disturbed m Com mittee of the whole House. Clause 6 of the Bill fixes the business hours of licensed houses, and these are between six in the morning and eleven at night, two hours earlier in commencing than is allowed by the Forbes Mackenzie Act, but the same limit at night. The Sunday hours seem to have been fixed with a view to legalising Sunday drinking. It is notorious that a large amount of trade is carried on in the colony on Sunday, not withstanding that provision is made to prevent it. The police seem powerless to deal with the matter ; at any rate the trade goes on, and it is probable the framer of the new Bill fancied that if the present legal machinery could not stop the Sunday traffic, it would be as well to make it a legitimate trade at once. He, however, has only given two hours during which liquor can be sold, and con sumed on licensed premises by other than boarders or bona fide travellers, and these hours are between one and two in the afternoon and eight and nine in the evening. The Sunday hours also hold for Christmas Day and Good Friday. Ex tension of licenses till twelve o’clock could be obtained under this clause for an extra fee of twelve pounds. Clause 7 dispenses with the customary door lamp in cities and towns lighted at the expense of the ratepayers, except in such streets as do not enjoy the luxury of a public lamp. Clause 8 defines the ex pression “bona fide traveller” to mean any person travelling for business, pleasure, health, recreation, or any other lawful purpose to which the obtaining of liquor is merely ancillary ; and it throws the onus of proof that a man is not a bona fide traveller upon the prosecutor in any action under the Licensing Act.

Messrs Aoland, Campbell and Co.— This fiim announce that for the future their business in Ashburton will be carried on through the agency of Mr George Jameson, and for the future the auction sales of horses, &c., at the Bazaar will be held fortnightly, commencing on Saturday next, November 1. The stock sales at Tinwald and Ashburton will be carried on every fortnight as usual.

Timaku Show. —The Timaru Agricul tural and Pastoral Show will be held to day and to-morrow. The entries .are not so numerous as last year, and a summary of these will be found on reference to our telegraphic columns.

Fast Travelling.— The Union Com pany’s new steamer Rotomahana is keeping up her reputation of being the fastest boat in the colonies. Our telegraph advices state that she has arrived at Russel, north of Auckland, after a speedy passage of 3 days 11 hours. This is the quickest on record : the nearest we can recollect being made by the s.s. Otago some 13 years ago, when new, from Sydney to Nelson in 4 days 4 hours, with fair winds all the way.

The Or.n Men’s Home.—We under stand it is the intention of a party of ladies and gentlemen to visit the Home, at an early date, for the purpose of providing an entertainment of a varied character for the old men. The appreciative manner in which the efforts of the same party were received on a former occasion leads us to infer that this visit will be anxiously looked for by the inmates. I. O. G. T.—At the weekly meeting of the Star of the East Lodge on Saturday even ing in the Templar Hall, there was an unusually large attendance. There were no initiations, but several propositions for membership were made. The chief busi ness of the evening was the election of officers for the quarter ensuing. Bro. St. Hill was elected to the Chief’s chair, and Bro. B. C. Smith to that of Vice Templar. The installation ceremony will be per formed next Saturday evening, by Deputy Galloway, of the Tinwald Lodge. Amongst other items of business, a committee was appointed to aid in getting up an enter tainment for the inmates of the Old Men’s Home on an early date.

Taranaki Iron.— We notice with pleasure that the Taranaki iron sand is at last likely to become of practical value. In our telegraphic columns will be found an account of the successful smelting of the sand and the casting of a superior quality of various articles, prominent amongst which are some bogie wheels for the railways. The numerous attempts which have been made to successfully work the iron sand have up till now been dis astrous failures, and large sums of money have been sunk in endevoring to perfect some process by which the crude sand could be converted into pig iron. As the supply is unlimited there ought now to be a great future before Taranaki.

The Subscription Season. —The period of the year for shelling out has apparently arrived, judging by the number of sub scription lists at present on the move, and a great .amount of firmness is required to say “no” to the numerous applications for half-crowns and guineas ; but the crop shows signs of increasing. There is the usual Ashburton Racing Club subscription, the Winslow Sports, the Ashburton Annual Sports, the Waterton Sports, all time honored and legitimate; and then come tea fights and subscriptions to various church funds ; demands for de serving charitable objects ; art unions, and a host of other deserving but expensive objects, which we would all like to help, but they seem to come in rather too com pact a mass all at once.

Doctor for Rakaia. — A fairly attended meeting of residents in the town was held at the offices of Messrs R. McKerrow and Co., Rakaia, on Saturday evening, for the purpose of considering the course to be adopted to induce a properly qualified medical practitioner to reside in the dis trict. Mr C. H. McLean was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated the object of the meeting, and spoke at some length on the absolute necessity existing, owing to the increase of population, for the residence at Rakaia of a properly qualified docto The delay in obtaining medical attendance from Ashburton—a distance of eighteen miles—is so great, particularly during the night and on Sun days, when no trains run, as in many in stances to cause the friends of sufferers to run great risk. On the motion of Mr John Mann, seconded by Mr W. Hart nail, it was resolved —“ That the follow ing gentlemen be written to, asking them to canvass their respective portions of the South Rakaia and Mount Hutt districts, to ascertain what amount could be guaran teed to a medical man for one j r ear, and that they be requested to communicate the result of their efforts by the 20th November next: —Messrs E S. Coster, D. G. Holmes, John Lambie, L. Lang ham, C. N. Mackie, C. T. Mackie, C. T. Allington, W. Hartnall, E. Chapman, C. A. Hardy, W. Saunders, and John Mann. ” Mr McLean was unanimously elected to act as secretary.

Trout for Ashburton. —About a fort night ago 500 young trout were sent to Ash burton by the Acclimatisation Society, and liberated near Ashburton, and to-day another 1000 will arrive to stock some of the small creeks which empty into the river above Mount Somers. W. C. Walker, Esq., the County Chairman, has under taken the transit of the young fish to their future home. The trout turned out at Westerfield some five years ago have thriven very well, and we have heard of fish upwards of 121 b in weight having been caught in that neighborhood. Wesleyan Home Mission. —On Sunday last the Rev. J. H, Sirnmonds, from Timaru, conducted the services in the Wesleyan Church, Cameron street, morn ing and evening. At both services there were large congregations, after which collections were made for the Wesleyan Home Mission Fund. On Monday next, it was announced, the Rev. A. Reid, Chairman of the district, will hold a public meeting in the church for the pur pose of speaking on the mission work in New Zealand.

Borough Rates. —We arc informed that the Rate Collector has commenced a crusade against those ratepayers who have as yet neglected to pay their dues, and it would be advisable for them to interview the officer at once, and settle with him, to avoid another interview of a more expen sive nature. As the summonses are to be issued alphabetically, those having an A or Bin front of their names would do well to hurry up, whilst the W’s can take things a little more leisurely. The Wakanui Road Board is following the same course with regard to unpaid rates, and fix the last day of grace on the Gth of November.

The Hot Springs.— A correspondent of a Sydney paper thus refers to the Bay of Plenty Hot Springs : —ln your paper of the 27th September, in answers to cor respondents, I see inquiries made by a young man under the name of Sufferer (Nadjingoma) asking for a remedy for rheumatism. I have suffered very much in the way he describes for over 20 years, with the difference that the pains moved to nearly every part of the body ; and the only real relief I ever experienced, although I have tried numerous remedies, was at the Hot Springs in New Zealand ; I do not mean the Waiwera Hot Springs, which I have tried, and consider to be of no value for that complaint, but the Hot Springs, near the Bay of Plenty, about 50 miles from Tauranga, at a place called Ohinemutu. If Sufferer would write to me I would be happy to give him all the information necessary, as it is very difficult for a stranger to find out the

best baths, the country about there being mostly in the hands of the natives. If he could go over next month, and stay till March or April, taking the baths two or three times a day, I am confident he would get great relief. I was at the baths for about two months, and found great relief. The American Palace Railway Cars. —The first of the new American Palace Railway carriages made its appearance at Ashburton yesterday. There are ten of them altogether in the possession of the Govern ment, and the balance will be put on the line as soon as fitted up. The first feature of the new carriage that strikes the eye is its great length, and this is borne out on measuring, as we find it is 44ft. in length as against the 32ft. E.iglish bogie carriages measure. Yankee ingenuity and lightness are visible everywhere, as are gaudiness and flimsiness throughout. The carriage runs on four pairs of wheels placed in couples at what looks a very great distance apart, an iron truss carrying the centre of the car riage. The axles are on the bogie prin ciple so as to permit of the carriage run ning on the sharpest curves, and the ar rangement of the springs is very ingenious, almost neutralising the vibration and oscillation of the carriage. A powerful brake is also fitted. The iron work con nected with the under structure is very different to the English wheels, Ac., and in some points superior. On deck, the reverse is the case, for gingerbread archi tecture is at once apparent. The inside of the carriage at first sight certainly looks palatial, but on examination there are some things in connection with it which we do not consider improvements on our present cars. Although 12ft. longer than the others, the new cars cannot seat so many passengers, nor can a passenger spread himself out at full length for a snooze, unless hj takes to the floor, the seats being arranged so that the passen gers may sit face to face or back to back at choice, according to the terms of friend ship or otherwise they may be on with the passengers on the next seat. There is accommodation for 34 passengers only. Lavatories, Ac., at either end occupy more room than their utility justifies on a line like the Great South Railway, where a quarter of an hour’s stoppage is made every two hours or so. The arrangements for ventilation and lighting are very good, two handsome kerosene lamps being pro vided, in place of the dim abominations heretofore used, which only tended to make darkness visible. The walls are tastefully veneered with panels in maple, mahogany, and teak, and the ceiling has a flashy looking painted calico tacked to it, of the Chinese lantern pattern. The de signer of the cars dses not seem to have been aware of the dimensions of the tunnels in New Zealand, and as the car riages are higher than the excavations, Oamaru is the last point on this lino they will ever reach. We suppose some one has made a blunder, and the only way out of the mess is to razee the top story, which will, perhaps, curtail their beauty, but make them more useful. One point must, however, be conceded to the new carriage. A clear passage-way runs down the centre, so that the guard can collect tickets with out inconvenience to himself or to any one else, and any passenger can enter the carriage without troubling every fellow passeuger he lias to pass to jam himself to one side to make room. The new seats, too, are so arranged that a little family party can make a journey almost wholly partitioned off from their fellow-travellers.

An Extraordinary Yacht.—A blind boy and a cripple, residents of Baltimore, United States, have just built a splendid little j r acht, about 20ft in length, and s|ft beam. The boys—one sixteen and the other seventeen —begged the timber, nails, and other material,.and worked early and late to finish their difficult task. A kind hearted police sergeant bought paint for them. The boat is well built, and shows to as good advantage as any craft of her size and description over constructed, and the young builders are to make money by hiring her out.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[by telegraph.] FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Wellington, Oct. 24. Sir George Grey, Mr Lundon, and a ew other virtuous members of the House having expressed their views as to the conduct of Messrs Wood, Swanson, Hurst, and Colbeck, Mr Wood was provoked into a retort, in which ho showed that whilst nothing whatever had been offered to him by the Government, Sir George Grey had offered him the office of Colonial Treasurer, and Mr Macau drew had offered him the position of Premier. Supply was granted this morning, and the Opposition declined to take any steps towards a vote of censure.

Wellington, Oct. 25. Mr Richardson is seated for Christ church, instead of Sir George Grey. The Grcyites have served Mr Colbeck with a writ for £I,OOO, for sitting in the House while having some contract with the Government, which they had told him did not affect his seat at all when he was supposed to vote with them. The railing against the Auckland mem bers last night was someething worthy of Billingsgate.

PARLIAMENT.

The following items of Friday night’s Parliamentary sitting appeared in Satur day’s “Press”:— Wellington, Oct. 24. Mr Hall this afternoon moved that the House go into Committee of Supply, and invited Mr Macau drew to ventilate his grievance. Mr Macandrcw asked that the no confidence motion might be placed first on the order paper after supply. Mr Hall then promised to postpone all busi ness till the no confidence question was settled.

Sir George Grey moved for correspon dence between the Government and the seceding Auckland members. This was negatived, Mr Wood said he was not ashamed of Iris action. He had promised his consti tuents to support Liberalism, with Sir George Grey as leader. Sir George Grey having resigned his leadership, he felt free to vote as he liked. The Opposition offered him the Trcasurcrship in a con tingent Ministry. Mr Macandrcw had even offered him the Premiership, but he felt that any Ministry from the Opposi

1 tion would be unable to comraaßddpfMi . fidence. He denied that any t promises had been made to the Auckland members. Nothing more had been promised than that, if it was found that Auckland had not received her fair pro portion of works the balance would be made up. A supply of £300,000 was granted. The other business was unimportant. It is expected that the want of confi dence will be discussed on Tuesday. In the House in the evening, Major Atkinson asked for supply at once. Sir George claimed the right to continue the debate, though not opposing supplies. The Supply Bill was then passed. Sir George Grey continued, referring to to the desertions from his party, and blaming three gentlemen for hiding the thing. The member for Marsden cer- tainly had the courage to tell him. Still he (Sir George Grey) was sanguine that right would triumph, and the majority in favor of the Liberal party . would .bo-. -» largely augmented. ■ . . Mr Reid followed, condemning the members who had abandoned the party. , ; . Mr Macandrew referred to Mr Wood’s statement regarding the Premiership, stating it was an after dinner affair, and that he said to Mr Wood that the Go vernor would not sene for him (Mr Macandrew), and that Mr Wood was better fitted for it, but that they should' first catch their hare. Mr Moss denounced the actoin taken by the Auckland members, and condemned the member for Waitomata especially.

Mr DeLautour accused the member for Waitomata of acting from a feeling of dis appointment, because he went Home to get the Agent-Generalship and returned without it. He said that Mr Wood was the loudest in urging that Mr Macandrew should retain his leadership to the end of the session. He considered the whole thing pitiable, especially the way in which it had been kept secret. He considered Auckland was committing suicide, and hoped the party would stand firm and have nothing to do with men who acted falsely. “ . The Council met at 8.30, and passed the Imprest Bill through all stages. It then adjourned till Tuesday. It is tolerably certain that Mr Reader Wood was sworn in as a member of the Ministry to-day. Messrs Swanson, Hurst, and Colbeck agree to vote with the Go vernment. Tonioana also votes with the Government. Mr Lundon and another member will walk out of the House when the division is called. The Committee on Dr. Wallis and Mr. Hurst’s election report against the peti tioner, on the ground that the forms ef the House were not complied with, and the Elections Petitions Act does not make atay provision for a single petition against two - members.

The Heathcote Bridges Bill, introduced by Mr Fisher, contains four clauses. The preamble sets out the necessity of, em- ; powering the Hoad Board of Heathcote, district to construct and maintain a bridge, over the Heathcote River at the end of Cemetry road and such other places above the said road as may be necessary. ' Sub ject to the provisions of the Public Works Act, 1876, the Board is struct and maintain such bridgcHn 'free public bridges, and may interrupt the navigation of the river Heathcote. 1 Sir George Grey’s Bill to make grants of Grown lands as sites for working-men’s clubs contains four clauses. It empowers . the Governor to set apart Grown lands for this purpose irk cities, towns, or places where such clubs are established. Grants of land so set apart to be made to trustees without power to sell, lease, or charge upon such lands. Mr Brandon’s Land Transfer Bill con- T tains three clauses. It repeals the proviso. 5« to section 97 of the Land Transfer Act, 1870, and substitutes another. Before re gistering a transfer or other dealing, the District Land Registrar will require the transferee or other party dealing with the land comprised in the certificate of title, lease, or other instrument, to make affi- davit that he has not transferred or other wise dealt with the land comprised there in ; that he has not deposited such lease, certificates, or other documents m security for any loan ; and the reoistrar must give fourteen days’ notice in a newpspaper and in the “ Gazette ” of the intention, of gister. Section 4 of the Land Transfer 1 ' Act, 1870, Amendment Act, 1876, is re- , pealed.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. ( Special.) London, Oct. 25. In addressing a political meeting at Manchester the Marquis of Hartington denounced the Home and Foreign policy of the British Government as immoral and wanting political sagacity. (Reuter's Telegram .) London, Oct. 23. Three per cent, consols, 97|. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £18,750,000. Calcutta, Oct. 25. The Ghilzais assembled at Kushi have assumed a threatening aspect, and Gene ral Roberts has taken precautionary measures. Paris, Oct. 23. The Bank of France’s rate of discount i» three per cent. Constantinople, Oct. 23. } Midhat Pasha has resigned. ‘ ' {Argus special. )

London, Oct. 23. _ The accident to the steamer Australia occurred off Ushant on. Friday. The steamer Trentham Hall was passing, and in attempting to tow her back broke seve ral hawsers. The high seas finally forced her to desist after two days, and she went to Plymouth for assistance. Afterwards the Australia drifted into a dangerous posi tion near Guernsey, where the Valorous and Trusty, war vessels, followed her with the intention of towing her out. In fbfc they failed, and with difficulty removed the passengers, who were conveyed to Plymouth, where they will await thb Pekin. Powerful tugs brought the Aus tralia to Plymouth to-day. The departure of the Brindisi mail is deferred a week, but the Company expect to deliver the mails in the contract lime. (Age S/>ecial.) London, Oct. 24 The Boers publicly insulted Sir Ganm^^

2

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

| Tuesday, O ctober 28, 1879



s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best b? lb I 2 to I 0 Effers. $ dozen 1 2 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, p 16 o 8 to 0 10 Bacon, prime smoked, b> lb 0 9 to 0 10 Hams in cloth, $ lb 1 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, $ loolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, # 251b 6 0 to 3'A Lard, lb - 0 9 to 0 0





FORMS PRINTED “To Let ” and “ For Sale ’’ —can be obtained at the Hbkald Office.



Public Notices. WAKANUI ROAD BOARD. PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given, that it is the intention of the Waka nui Road Board, at a Meeting to he held on Thursday, November 6th, 1879, to strike a Rate of Ninepence in the Pound on the rateable value of all property in the District, for the year ending the 31st day of March, 1880, payable in one sum, on and after Thursday, the 13th day of November, 1879, and that the Rate Book is open for inspection at the Board’s Office, Moore Street, Ashburton. FOOKS & SON, Surveyors, &c., to the Board. 581a—123 Y. R. mHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN I (County Agricultural and Sporting Recorder) is a GAZETTE for all Notices under The Debtors and Creditors Acts. October G, 1879. Business Notices. PRINCE ALBERT PRIVATE HOTEL undersigned having opened the Prince Albert Boarding House, in Wills Street, near the Railway Station, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, begs to say he is determined to keep GOOD TABLE, and afford Comfortable Accommodation to customers at MODERATE CHARGES. THOMAS CLARK, Proprietor. 333a —27 CENTRAL TEMPERANCE HOTEL, Baring Square (Near Town Hall). RE-OPENING of the above commo dious and centrally situated Pri vate and Commercial Hotel. T. BROADBELT, PROPRIETOR, Is prepared to give Superior Accommoda tion to Boarders and the Travelling Public on REASONABLE TERMS. Weekly Board and Lodging ... £1 Weekly Board ... ... ... 14s. MEALS AT ALL HOURS. Beds (single), Is. 6d. Private Room for Ladies. 334—82 a ECHO DINING ROOMS, EAST STREET SOUTH, Next door to Messrs. Sando& Olsen, Ashburton. A DUPUIS begs to inform the inhabi , tants of the County of Ashburton and visitors that he has opened _ the above. Every attention has been paid to making this establishment all that can be desired. Very Reasonable Charges. Tea and Coffee All Hours. Breakfast for early train ; Table d’Hote from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Tea from sto 8 p.m. A Chef db Cuisine of considerable experi ence has been specially engaged for this establishment, and all that the proprietor asks is one trial. 54 A. DUPUIS, Proprietor.



NE W ZEALAND WESLE VAN , Published Monthly. JUST ARRIVED, the “New Zealand Wesleyan ” for October. Price 6d Sold at the Herald Office, East Street. WEEKS AND DIXON, Agents. SEALY BROS., Seedsmen and nurserymen, East Street, AS HB U RTON. Farm, Garden, and Flower Seeds and Garden Requisites of every descrip tion at Lowest Rates. Nursery —Moore Street. 43