NbwlandS.— On Sunday next, the Anni versary services of the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge, will be preached by the Rev. W. Keall, at 11 a. in. ami 6. 50 ; and a tea meeting will take place or. the following day, to commence at 6.30 p. in.

A Collector Wanted. —The Wakanni Hoad Board invite applications for a rate collector! who must find sureties for 1 the sum of £2OO. All particulars cpn be ob tained from.the Surveyors, Messrs Foots and Son.

A Correction. —Mr. H. Milner’s mare Miss ridden, Miss Jameson, took second pr&w’fn the Ladies Hack Class, and not B|ack Bess as stated in' OUr prize list; and, Messrs. Saunders Bros, chg Why Not was awarded Mr. Scott’s special prize for best hackney or roadster..

WnanyvAN Anniversary Services and Soiree. —Active preparations are being made to ,{neke the. soiree, in connection, with the sixth anniversary, a great success,. .The anniversary, services will be held, .on the 14th December, when the Rev* Mr. Baumbqrj of Christchurch, will preach, . Public Analysts.—Mr. Wright is pre eminently. practical, i In the House recently he was-at Government to ihake • public ■jpalysts more: {frantically useful to the' colony, and the reply 1 given to him was that- m: the recess careful ■ consideration' would be given to the Subject. :

SaWOiJs AcqiDBNT. — Shortly before four while Mr. ; Thomas prbmqre, was Tay lor’sAmSpipt a supply of bread,, his team ofPnrßtfnbrscsstaham g'OOtaidOtook fright at a bucking horse ridden’ by a’ boy. The dray drawn by the team was heavily laden, and when Mr Wublley bolted but to secure his horseshel Was' knocked down,; the heavy dray passmjfbverhim. He was at once earned * Into l Q,uill’s Hotel; where a doctbfc "attended- ; Mm.' : He.is badly cut aljbnf •; tile : head; His. fthoulder was diri(teated, and he has suffered, other injuries; ' ' The ; runaway horse fetched up on the road after a good long Tun; Local Wheat in-London .Market. — Messrs. ' Saunders Bros, are advised of sales of wheat m.Lpudon epc Atethusa at gss 6d per 4961b5. This shipment com prised I samples ", grown at Seafield, by Messrs! ) Ledley, Lawry, and others. Messrsi) -Friedlander “Bros, report as follows. ir-nOur wheat Ox: Arethnsa sold for 66s 6d,per qqarter; ond.’ex Maraval Bos and 56s 6d, bothilois having been disposed of at the Octoberisales; iii.-London.. . CaxjsOOnian SciriemPf-A' meeting of' the CatOdonioriSoolety was held at Quill’s Hotel jbn’ • 1 Skttfrify ■ ‘ night J : Present: "Gfetit iChairtrian), Crawley, W. AndertOh, G.’ Heidy T. : Qtull, Wilkie, and Ward.’' ■' It was - resolved that aii offer of £lO lO& be maide tor thb Pacing Club Com mittee foT the use of the groiind on Boxing Day, and ’Messie Anderabnv Reid, and Crawl6y-WOTe ; appqinteda Committee to wait Club 'With a View to arranging the’ matter ‘ Subsequently a warm dis- astotheadvisableness of ■ iiiiilLiymitfnWllii i/nji Societies with the of devoting ; the profits of both toVards tnbking permanent improvements on the ground; : and it was’ finally resolved that a'cOmbinWMeeiuigbeheld todiscuss terms etc.

hare been fe mve the childreh attending the Schools at Ash burton W&awiiJ and thfe Preshy tenart at Watorton aird district*,a treat on NflS? chosen. for the the manaCj Aiia th<s arrangements , will be under thn of the ’Hev. Mr.,. jind a 'committee Of. the t^her^ PowriojJaj WTOftw:,of -the, Ashburton Brass'Oßahdj WerA camed to the grave w% w r Joead.,March m, comrades m tlio -Twn-tOwa-MpN.’a jHo,MB. r r;Thia even ing the Gof>d Templars; give an enter tamment aLithftiQld .Men’s Home,, ; for which;a.yery superior programme has beep prepared -; <i;‘ .1; >:•'>.•■■ ■;• - r Nautk Goai.—-Inthe House a few days ago, the vHbn. iMft >« Oliver said * Govern-: ment word-giving a bonus of sixpence a day to ehgme.-driverß, with the object of inducing them -to use' native coal, and the * residtwaathafc>native fuel was now very -

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

(paittPs. j ) ■ ' ■„ v. The total reserve in notes and bullion in theEjaiflc of: Ihigland.is £i6,625,000. , At jthe.y(ool ,'to-day,; : .8000 . bales were cayoguecL QJ..A|ieJrtarket'. is active‘for all descriptions. Foreign purchases continue: :- limited,: - Scoured wools ore a halfpenny higher. An ex-Fenjbw jeo-jtviirt, auclproprietor of a National newspaper, has heen arrested MlDabUn, I :.’j ••• Therd is gfeat excitement throughout Ireland in! coUsequeqce t of .the.actiojaof the authorities. ' Further, warrants are issued lor. the arrestpfprominent agitatota. ’ . iI Calcutta, Nov. 20,, General Roberts is taking precautionary steps to prevent an outbreak of Afghans- Five regiments' which.arrived from Turke stan were ) disbanded at Cabul. It is expected .that; uthem will. follow. .uni : ! Sar. Francisco, Nby. 20 There, has been.a tembluexploaion of petroleufQi.. in ;• a., tqnnel .atCalifornia. Twenty-Ave persons Were filled, and many othersinjured*; . -/..L .. n BOMB, Nov. 20. A new Ministry has been;, formed under,the; presidency.of Cardinal Caeroli.

f Argus Sperial.) . .London, Nov. 20. : The Cabinet directed the arrests in Ire land." .■ .. - Dewitt, Feniiui, has killed a barrittev and-daily newspaper proprietor.. . The Momi Rulers have convened meet infs m lreland; to denounce .Government and nrisedefence funds.. ■ SchtarnddfiT * resigned, disgusted at theduplicity of Gortachakolf in the Afghan ■ dbe|eM*afcmnd..(* ks ■ Tlie Pope; condemns the Ultramontane . doings --o£. tha .Belgium. Bishops, anc. ~ eo'unaele 'amderation, and' aubmisaion to the lawsofAhaoountty. i; ' escape i of' petroleum in a tunnel caused an explosionm Californio. ■ lEfty • Chinamen were killed.

(Age Special.) London, Nov. 22.

Government hesitate to arrest Mr. Par nell f or sedition, as the House of Com mons will deal with the case. 'Garrisons in tUe principal Irish towns have .boon augmented, and the dragoons ouU red to Ireland.

The “Times” expresses astonishment at Mr. Berry, who stated that the leading Home politicians in England generally, would not object to the plebiscite. The Duke of Argyle charges Lord Salisbury with making an untruthful ex planation in a newspaper.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) Sydney, Nov. 22.

The Intercolonial Cricket Match was continued to-day. Victoria in the first innings made IGB ; New South Wales in the second innings got 113. Victoria in the second innings has three wickets down for three runs.

The bushrangers have been further com mitted for trial on the charge of robbing under arms. Other charges are pending. Nov. 23. The Zealandia has arrived from Now Zealand.

Constable Bowen died from the effects of the wounds, received in the encounter with the bushrangers. . Cookiown, Nov. 23. Arrived—Brisbane. The Eastern news is unimportant.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

' AyjmhASJl, Nov. 22 - John Powi?, formerly officer in charge of the ComffuSsirat Department, died in the ProvinciahHoSpital, after a chequered career.

Ah alarm of fire yesterday is believed to have been made by a toper going home. THe water pressure was turned on from 'the reservoir, and it burst a main and lore up the roadway. The charges of forgery and perjury against Oliver Macey Quintal, solicitor, have been withdrawn by the prosecutor. On the arrival of the barque Anazi from London last night five of the seamen were landed, and given into custody by the captain for broaching cargo. It seems thitt, during the voyage they made their way, over the powder magazine with a naked light to the cargo, and broached several cases of champagne, brandy, and French wines, returning in the same manner. It was providential that the yessel was not blown up. The men were charged to day at the Police Court and re manded. The upper sawmill at Whangapoura has been destroyed by fire. It was the pro perty of C. A. Harris. The mill was a large one, fitted with machinery, and capable of cutting one hundred thousand feet weekly. The loss is a serious one. The Mary Mildred, barque, from New castle, struck orithe bank at Kohitnarama. She; is expected to be got off next high tide. : The damage will be very slight. ,At the Cambridge Races, the Trades men’s Plate was won by Magician, Tin second. The Maiden Cavalry race was won by Dick, Kaiwaka second. Auckland, Nov. 24.

It has transpired that the seamen con cerned in the recent broaching cargo case, carried a lighted candle from the forward part of the vessel right across the powder magazine, in order to get at the spirits. ; Ann T>ixon has been arrested for utter ing false florins. There were others found in her possession. A number of false half ; crowns and shillings are in circula tion.: ■

T.ie Mary Mildred, from Newcastle, .with 277 head of cattle, still lies aground pif the Bastian rock. She is not expected to be got off till the spring tide. , The remains of the officer found at the wreck of the Orpheus were brought into town and buried to-day in the next grave to. Commodore Burnett.. The crew of H.M.S. Boomerang landed, and followed the. remains to the cemetery, headed by :th© band of the Volunteer Engineers. ; ; Gbahamstown, Nov. 23.

The Alburnia retorting yielded 6170z5. since Tuesday. The’mine looks as well as ever. Three hundredweight of picked stone was broken down last night. Nkw Plymouth, Nov. 22.

The steamer Rangatira broke down off the Sugar Loaves on the voyage from this port to Wanganui to-day. The Waitaki went to her assistance..

Wellington, Nov. 23.

The Tui, steamer, left this morning about. eleven. The weather was very dirty, aUd she got ashore on the outer rock of ,the; Chafer’s. Passage, at. the Heads. She then landed her passengers, with the assistance of the pilot boat. Some of the passengers walked in,, others were brought in by the Hinemoa, which Went out soon after the accident was heard of. She is insured lor £4OOO in the National, the hulk: of which is reinsured in other offices. At high water the Tui got off, and is now on the patent, slip. The cost of the last general election, as far as the colony was concerned, was about £4OOO. The expenses of last session, aboqt a month long, was nearly £25,000. . The Masonic brotherhood have arranged .’to'give.a.ball.on>the evening of St. And rew’s day, when the fouildation stone of the new Courts of Justice will be laid. This will be the first ball ever given by the Masons of Wellington. Wellington, Nov. 24.

At the Police Court, this morning, John Frapcis Willhoft, for stealing £29 and varipus goods from John Pearson, Pebbles town, near. Oamaru, was remanded to Oaiqaru. Nelson, Nov. 24 Early yesterday morning a case of drowning occurred off Motueka wharf. The' steamer Lady Barkly, with about 75 excursionists for Chiarini’s circus, had re turned to the wharf at Motueka, when Edward Goffe Thomson, in the darkness, fell from the wharf. At daybreak his body-was found. An inquest will be held. Reefton, Nov. 22. - A fire broke out this morning at three o’clock, in a. detached cottage at the rear of Dawson’s Hotel. In a few minutes, ■and before the brigade could gat to work, the building was enveloped in flames and Completely destroyed. The cottage was owned by Mr. John Dawson, and was oc cupied by Louis Davies. It was insured for £2OO, and the furniture for £2OO ; both in the New Zealand office. Davies was out at the time of the fire, and the origin is a mystery. An enquiry will be held. Timahu, Nov. 22. The John Watson sank off shore to the south, it is supposed near the Waxtaki. All hands were saved.

The sea has r,ono down a good deal. The permanent wharf, and breakwater, has not been effected, Some of the blocks temporarily laid on the shingle have sub sided, the shingle having been washed out from under them.

O AMARU, Nov. 22. At the inquest to-day on the body of W. M‘Konzie, killed on the show ground yesterday by ahorse trampling on him, an open verdict was returned. A rider was added as fellows :—“ That the committee be recommended to make a rule that all racing and jumping be strictly prohibited in future, except for the purpose of ex hibition, and in the enclosed ring set apart'for that purpose.” Dunedin, Nov. 22.

The Chamber of Commerce will be called together on Monday to consider the tariff. An intensely painful feeling was created in town last night by the circulation of a report that the ship Dunedin from Glas gow with immigrants had been wrecked at the Snares, and that six passengers were drowned. This was simply an absurd canard.

The New Zealand Temperance Alliance, started some months ago by Sir W. Fox and others, will hold a meeting here on Menday. A conference of suburban municipali ties will be held in Dunedin on Monday to consider the advisability of trying for a big loan. The Dunedin Mayoral election is being fought on the “ No Popeiy ” ticket.

LATEST

LATEST FROM EUROPE

f Renter’s ) London, Nov. 21. Best Australian beef tallow, 40s; best Australian mutton tallow, 425. Od.

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Nov. 24. Colonel Scratchley is a passenger per the Aconcagua. The postal dispute between Victoria and South Australians adjusted. Sydney, Nov. 24.

The Intercolonial Cricket Match is finished, New South Wales won by 32 runs. Victoria made 117 in the second innings.

Per our Special Wire.

INTERPROVI N Ol AL;

Wellington, Nov. 24. Sailed—The Bingarooma, for Mel bourne via Hobartown and the south.

Dunedin, Nov. 24

The foreman smith, of the Govern ment workshop at Port Chalmers, met with a serious accident on Saturday morn ing. A. milk boy passing along by the tunnel at Mansford Bay, saw a man lying across the railway line; on going up re cognised him to be Mr Dunsrauir, to all appearances, dead. Dunsmuir muse have fallen over the face of the tunnel, a distance of at least sixty feet from the ground. The 3rd Annual Show of the Otago A. and P. Association will be held at For bury Park on Thursday and Friday next. The total number of exhibits this year is 760, being an increase of about 50 over the last show. Compared with last year, the entries in the principal classes are as follows Sheep, 1878, 191; 1879, 198. Cattle, 1878, 91; 1879, 137. Horses, 1878,104 ; 1879,117.

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph.)

(from our special correspondent. ) Wellington, Nov. 24

The Property Assessment Bill was in troduced and read a first time this after noon. Under it a person not possessing more than £3OO worth of property pays no tax, and same sum is deducted from the total property held by any one person in calculating his liability to taxation. Public reserves, places of worship, and Maori property are exempted ; but after that, every kind of property is included, whether a lady’s wardrobe, a farmer’s nag, or a merchant’s balance in his bank, or money lent on mortgage. It is a fear fully crushing tax, but has been more carefully prepared than the present Land Tax, and avoids all the most glaringly un just provisions u of that measure. For instance, lessees from the Crown do not pay as if they were freeholders, and the tenants of public reserves are not called on to pay the owner’s tax as well as their own—i. e., the tenant of Maori lands, or of public reserves, is called on to pay the same tax as if rented from any ordinary landlord. A person whose property is mortgaged only pays the difference be tween the value of his property and the sum for which it is mortgaged. The as sessment roll is to be kept secret, and the Commissioner is not to answer any ques tion as to the contents, except from persons assessed, and in reference to their own assessments.

THE MAYORALTY.

Last night Mr. Joseph Ivess, one of the candidates for the Mayoralty of Ashbur ton, addressed the electors. Despite a very wet evening, a large audience as sembled.

The Mayor, Mr. Bullock, introduced Mr. Ivess, bespeaking for him a fair hear ing.

Mr. Ivess, said that in aspiring to fill the seat Mr. Bullock now vacated, and had so worthily filled, he did so with a full knowledge of his many shortcomings. He came before what, however, he be lieved an indulgent audience. He had not much material to bring before them as there were but few questions agitating the public mind. When the municipal form of Government was introduced things had a far more prosperous aspect than they had now, and perhaps at this moment it would have been better for the borough if she had not sought the inter vention of the Colonial Secretary to divorce her from the old Road Board. They would, however have to be content with and make the best of their situation. The funds of the borough had run very low and one of the first questions the Council would have to face would be a reduction in departmental expenditure. It was always a disagreeable duty to discharge gentlemen who honestly perform their duties, but circumstances demanded it. The first office it ought to be the duty of the Council to dispense with oramalgamate

with some other would he the Town Clerk. The Road Board in this district and else where passed a far greater amount of money through their hands; and they did so with only one officer, who united in his person the clerical office and that of Engineer. Auothei officer who ought to be dispensed with was the Borough Solicitor. Mr. Ivess then summed up the probable annual income, of the Borough as follows ; —Rates, £1,155 ; licenses, £385 ; dogs, £SB ; cottage rents, £52. The masts of a ship were very use ful, but when a vessel was on her beam ends it was necessary to cut them away to save the ship. The Council was in that position, and their officers were the masts they would require to cut away. He then referred to the reserves belonging to the Borough, suggesting that in letting them a clause should be introduced demanding a certain extent of improvements. This would prevent the locking up of the land. ’He had never known any town in which the reserves were scattered over it, and left open, but which was retarded, and he advocated letting them for building pur poses. He fancied an error, —a want of judgment—had been committed in the recent appointment of a valuator. He considered that the tender of Mr. Ansteo for £ls, being passed over, and also an intermediate one for £27 ; and the accep tance of one for £4O: was an injustice. Mr. Anstee was just as competent—just as intelligent—and from his building knowledge better qualified to be the borough’s valuator than the one who got the appointmont. No section of the Council had any right to set themselves up as the judges of any tenderer. The speaker then referred to the vJater supply. It would be impossible to carry out the water scheme the Council had in view, and for which two shipments of pipes were on the way—without the floating of the loan of £15,000 recentlypassed by the rate payers. Pessimists may growl about it, but it would have to be raised, if the water scheme was to bo carried out. He had no doubt this could be done as some other small loans had been raised by the Union Bank —the loan for Hawkes Bay, and the Christchurch Cathedral loan. He then referred to the drainage question, which he held was one that ought to be grappled with, seing that there were several hot beds of disease here .and there throughout the borough. After a further reference to the loan the speaker said lie favored Mr Hutchison’s Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill ; a clause of which provided for the abolition of Assessment Courts and the substitution of the Town Council as the sole valuing authority. On the subject of tree planting, Mr. Iveas acknowledged the aid he had received while he was in the Council from Mr. E. Saunders, and he hoped that advantage would be taken of the provisions or any Act that would enable' them to turn their belts into shady avenues. The footpaths in the town were then criticised, and Mr. Ivess said that the gravel should bo screened before it was put upon the paths. He had heard that it was said ttie present Councillors had expressed themselves as opposed to his election. He had never been on any other than courteous terms with his fellow Councillors, and he had no doubt if lie were returned as Mayor he would be able to secure the courtesy and good feciing of the Council, as he would be able also to guide their deliberations. He was quite sure this rumor was an invention of the enemy. The election up to that time had been conducted with good feelmg, and he hoped it would be continued throughout. He asked any ratepayer to question him on subjects of interest to the borough. The speaker was occasionally applauded during the delivery of his speech. Mr. Joseph Leggat wished to know if it was Mr. Ivess’ opinion that the Council would be a more impartial judge than the R.M.

Mr. Ivess thought they would not be more impartial, but they sat all the year round, while the R.M. Assessment Court sat only once a year.

Mr. Leggat—Were they not interested parties ? Mr. Tvess thought the burgesses would be safe in the hands of ten men.

Mr. Leggat—lf that is your opinion why could you not trust them with the election of a valuator. —(Loud laughter).

Mr. Ivess said he had attributed their error to one of judgment—(Renewed laughter). Mr. Bradley—Why did Mr. Ivess leave the Council when he was a member 1

Mr Tvess explained that the exigencies of his business arrangements at the time necessitated his withdrawal. Mr. Bradley wanted to know how many streets the £15,000 loan would drain, &c. Mr. Ivess said he had not the Engineer’s report by him, but it had been widely circulated. He thought it included all the streets.

Mr. Bradley said the nuisances were caused mostly by hotels. Was it fair that we should expend £SOOO for the benefit of five or six people ? . Mr Tvess said it was a matter that in terested every man who cared for cleanli ness and health.

Mr. Cates—Why did Mr. Ivess desert the unemployed t —(Laughter.) Mr. Ivess had advocated the raising of a loan to take in hand the making of the outfall drain, and that would have found them work to a great extent and kept many good men in the district. He did not desert the unemployed, for he was not in the Council when they made their demonstration, and their interest was necessarily his interest. Mr. W. Leggatt asked if Mr. Ivess was in favor of taking the hanking account of the borough by contract. Mr. Ivess went over his well known ground re the New Zealand Bank, stating his opinion that better terms could have been made with the other institution.

Mr. Cates wanted to know if Mr. Ivess favored a measure to prevent a recurrence of such a calamity as that of the Glasgow Bank.—(lmmense laughter). Mr. Ivess replied.

Mr. Joseph Leggatt desired Mr Ivess to state the difference between the financial statement he gave when he first asked their votes and that he gave that night. He had stated on a former occasion that £2OO would be obtained for dog tax. Mr. Ivess said the information then available was very meagre, and he did not know the individual residences of the dogs. Mr. Quill proposed and Mr. St. Hill seconded a resolution to the effect that Mr. Ivess was a fit and proper person to fill the Mayoral Chair for the eusuin«- year. Mr. Leggatt supported the resolution in a short speech.

The resolution was then put, and carried.

Ivlr. Ivess then thanked the meeting for their expression of confidence, hoping that if ever he did anything deserving their reprehension, they would ask him to resign, as he had no wish to .hold an office in which lie did not have the confidence of his fellow citizens.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor closed the meetin '-.

INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of James and Arthur Penny, infant twin sons of James D. Penny, waiter, Somerset Hole l ,

was held yesterday, in Baldwin’s Hotel, before Dr. Trevor, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr W. T. Davison was chosen fore-

man. After viewing the bodies, the coroner said it was impossible to finish the inquest to-day, as there was a certain amount of mystery about the case that could only be cleared up by professional evidence, which was not yet at hand. It would therefore be necessary to take what evidence was available, and adjourn the inquest to some day this week. Mrs Margaret Penny, wife of James Downey Penny,'the mother of the children, said the children were three months old on the day they died. The biggest boy, James Downey, had always been healthy from his birth ; the other one, Arthur Henry, was not healthy at his birth, but became stronger. Put the children to bed on the night of Friday, the 21st, at half past 10. Both seemed to be in their usual state of good health. At eleven o’clock, when going to bed, saw the children again, and they were then all right. At three o’clock in the morning I again saw the childrens’ faces. They ap peared to he quite well—they were sleeping soundly, and I could hear them breathe. Did not feed them at that time, as the biggest, James, had been a little cross during the day. It was my custom to feed them in the early morning. I next saw them at six o’clock, a.m., when I rose to dross. They were then both foaming at the month, and a little blood was exuding from the nose of the biggest one. Called my neighbor Mrs. Cullen, who came in. She lifted the biggest boy and I lifted the smallest. James only breathed once or twice after Mrs. Cullen lifted him, and I think Arthur was dead when I first saw him. Sent for Dr. Ross, who arrived twenty minutes afterwards. I gave the boy James a little aniseed mixture, but not any to Arthur. I had often given them the same mixture. I did not give James any more than one drop of the mixture on the night in question, and that was the qnantitj 7 I always gave. Am quite certain only one child got the mixture. The children slept in a good sized cot by themselves, and not with me, I covered the children myself, and they were only covered up to their shoulders. I could see their mouths from my own bed, —they -were not overlaid at any time during the night. My husband was the only other person in the room, and ho went to bed at half-past eleven. Ho went for the doctor in the morning, without waiting to lift any of the children. There are no animals kept about the house, and I connot account in any way for the death of the children. They had never had convulsions before to my knowledge. By the police—Their food has always been the bottle, and lately bread and milk in addition. The children were horn somewhat prematurely—some two or three weeks. The usual milkman supplied milk that day, but I do not know his name. My husband does. Mr Neate supplied the aniseed. The aniseed had been in the house since about three weeks after the children were horn. I was in the habit of giving the milkman a bottle to get the milk in. On Friday he brought my milk in a bottle different from the one I gave him. He usually got an empty bottle from me in the early part of the day, which he returned later on full.

James Downey Penny, father of the children, sworn, said he was a waiter at the Somerset Hotel. His evidence was mainly corroborative of that given by the previous witness. At six in the morning of Satur day, his wife remarked that the children had been uncommonly good all night. Turning round she looked at them, and suddenly said, “Jim’s face is black, I believe he is dead.” Seeing the children both looking black, I went for Dr. Ross. Believed they were both dead before wit ness left the house. Could not account in any way for the children’s death. The children’s milk was supplied by a man named Rattray. Mrs. Penny had often complained of the milkman changing the bottles.

Mrs. Penny, recalled—The body of the little child was quite limp, and not rigid, when I lifted it.

Eliza Cullen, wife of Robert Cullen, carrier, said she resided in the same house with the Penny’s. About half-past six on Saturday morning went into Mrs Penny’s room, in answer to her call, that her children were dying. Picked up the biggest boy, the little one being already in Mrs Penny’s lap. The child in Mrs Penny’s lap was beginning to get black in the face. The other child, which I took up,was dead. Both Mr and Mrs Penny were much distressed over the death of their children. They have been in my house a month, and have been very attentive parents. There was no extreme rigidity of the limbs apparent to me, but the one I took up seemed to be a li+tlo stiff. The children were quite warm when I saw them. Cannot in any way account for the children’s death.

By juror Ben. Smith : There is no fire place in the room.

The Coroner here announced that lie had not called any professional evidence seeing that as yet the needful analysis was not complete of the contents of the stomach, food, &o. He considered it ad visable to hold over the medical evidence until the full analysis was before they jury. Nothing had transpired in the evidence to remove the mystery at pre sent surrounding the death of the children and he would therefore adjourn the in quest till Thursday, at 10 o’clock.

UNKNOWN

What between the .action taken by the Wellington I.deal Industries Association as a body, and Mr. Vincent Dyke as an in quisitive member of Parliament, the public are now made aware by tbo Pail way De partment; <>f some particulars regarding the A nrev:can locomotives and railway carri.i-.tLM imported ior use on the Sonth Is land ibdhva s. And from an official memorandum drawn up by Mr. Maxwell, District Engineer, to whom the matter was referred, it appears that a superior article in locomotives could have been supplied at a lower price by a Glasgow firm, Messrs Neilson and Co., who have already built a large number of engines for the colony. The carriages supplied by American builders, and which are so greatly admired for their comfort and fittings, but which cannot get past Oamaru on account of their size, were, it is stated, not built ac cording to specifications, as they have a larger sectional area than that described in the order sent to America for them, and what is worse, it appears uncertain if a penalty can now be inflicted for non eonipletiou of the contract. In the face of all this, further orders have been sent to America for a large class of goods en gine. We are of opinion that English capitalists may well look upon New Zea land loans with some suspicion when they see the proceeds of these loans spent in the United States for more costly and less suitable articles than can be produced by our mother country, and in the face of great stagnation in the iron market, when every order for such articles would be welcome. As for the carriages, the wood work and fittings could be done in the colony fi r more substantially and cheaply, and we tiiink the Wellington Association deserves the thanks of artizans over all parts of the colony for ventilating the sub ject.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE.

To the Editor.

Sie, —In your last issue you state that had it not been for the Waterton pigs the pens would have been empty, on Tuesday last. Permit me to inform you that the north side of the river filled one pen, at least, with a sow and 10 pigs, gaining first honours ; the same sow gaining second honours last show as a breeding sow. She was pro nounced to be too fine for breeding, but since that time she has had three litters of pigs, 35 in all, and rearing 31 pigs, pre vious to that time she has had 19 pigs at a single litter. 1 Moreover, the said sow was bred by Mr. Saunders, of the north side of the river, and from a sow that would have been hard to beat. Therefore, Mr. Editor, in justice you ought to give the northerners a leaf of the laurel, if not the wreath. —I am, Ac., G.T.S. WIRE WORMS. To THE EdITOK. Sik—Just now a grub or wire worm is making sad havoc with my cabbage and cauliflower plants, and in fact, with every kind of young plant I have, and it seems to me, unless I can exterminate the ver min I will be a very' serious loser. Can any of your readers supply me with a means to rid my garden of this pest 1 The insect is about 1£ inches long, is black in color, and evidently buries itself in the day coming out at night to eat off the plant*. Amongst your many agricultural readers, perhaps one may be found able and willing to supply me with informa tion as to how I ought to proceed. Should any of them do so I shall certainly feel greatly obliged.—l am, &c., Ed. Ling.

Ashburton, Nov. 24, 1879.

[We shall be happy to insert any reply forwarded to us by any of our readers, and will be glad at all times to open our columns to an interchange of useful knowledge between farmers and gardeners —Ed., “ A.G.”]

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Monday, November 24.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.20 p. in. THE NOTORIOUS WORGAN. In reply to Mr, Hamlin, The Premier said that until all the facts were before the House it was not advisable to introduce and pass a Bill to indemnify Worgan for any evidence he may give be fore the Native Affairs Committee tend ing to criminate himself. HIGHER EDUCATION. In reply to Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Oliver said that inquiries would be made as to the necessity for placing a sum upon the Estimates for the Thames High School in the same manner as provision is being made for Auckland Girls’ High School, Wellington College, New Ply mouth High School, and other smaller institutions. RAILWAY MATTERS. In reply to Mr. Bowen, Mr. Oliver said that inquiries would be made as to the necessity for a platform to be erected at Rangiora and Oxford Rail wa., at the West Town Belt of the Borough of Rangiora. In reply to Mr. J. B. Fisher, Mr. Oliver said Government would make inquiries during the recess as to the desirability of acquiring the Wellington and Westport Colliery Company’s exten sion of the Westport and Ngakawan rail >vay. A BURNING COAL MINE. In rebly to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Oliver said that inquiries would bo made, and steps taken, if necessary, to have the fire extinguished winch has been burning for some years past in a coal seam near Port Elizabeth on the west coast of the Middle Island. MINING REGISTRATION. In reply to Mr. Bain, The Premier said steps would be taken to introduce a clause into the Mining Company’s registration Bill, enabling mining companies to be registered at Invercargill. NEW BILLS. FIRST WD SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time : —To amend the Appeals from Justices Act, ISC7, Womens’ Property (Mr Finn); to amend the Inch Clutha

Act, 1878 (Mr. Thomson). The follow ing were read a second time : —The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, Amend ment Bill, and the members of General Assembly Expenses Bill. RKOOTATTON OF ELECTIONS BILL. The Megnlation of Elections BiU was further considered in Committee. A division took place on clause 28 so as to malm r.he sub-socf ion road—“ Have you already v Cod at tlie present election in more than.” In the division the ayes were 20, and the noes 21. The clause as printed was put and carried. A further amendment to the clause was moved, so as not to give more than two votes, was put, and on a division the ayes were 29 and the noes 31. The clause as printed was put and carried. In clause 33, Mr. Hislup moved an addition, that electors be allowed to vote in more than three electoral districts.

The House divided—Ayes, 26 ; Noes, 27. The clause as printed was put and carried.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE KNOWSLEY HALL.

The Hon. E. Richardson asked if Go vernment will ask the House to authorise the sending of a search vessel to look for the Knowsley Hall, now long overdue, and will cause a search to be made at the Crozet Islands for the missing vessel.

The Premier said he would attend to the matter.

Mr. Macandrew said he wanted to move a motion to the effect that the finan cial proposals were unsatisfactory. The expenditure would fall short of the re venue by £BOO,OOO. He was no adept at finance, and lie would leave it to others to supply details. He would only say that when a reckless statement was made, on Cth October last that two millions were pledged, that assertion was radically wrong, and its effects on the Home market was to prejudice the finance of the colony. It might be taken for granted that the proposed expenditure exceeds the revenue. The proposal to equalize the re venue and expenditure had been made by Government, who said all they had got to do was to raise the deficiency by taxa tion. He would have been bettor pleased if the proposals had been to reduce the ex penditure. They would be told the esti mates were those of the late Government. That was not the case. They were esti mates of the departments. Also the Go vernment proposed to do was to increase the taxation. The present taxation was as much as the country could boar, and under no circumstances would it be right to increase the burden. Nothing but a financial reform would meet the require ments of the colony. They would have to rely more upon the piuning knife, and that was the principal instrument they would have to employ. It was an un gracious tax, hut still it would have to be done. In Otago they had got into a similar position, and good resolutions were made, but, they never came to anything. It fell to the Superintendent of that Pro vince to apply the pruning knife, and he cut down tne expenditure by the sum of £150,000. The salaries have been re duced thirty per cent, and the •‘Sees were amalgamated. It was most unpopular, and he had suffered as a public man in consequence. Some years ago he had proposed a similar reduction, and in walking the Wellington beach the finger of scorn was pointed at him What he would say in the way of financial reform was that thev should find money first, and vote salaries afterwards. A prudent man, when he is getting behind, curtails his establishment. That was what New Zealand was called upon to do, and no financial proposal, that ha 1 not that aim, would do for the colony. They were now called to make a choice, and it had to be faced.

The message was not finished when the telegraph closed.

Sir George Grey’s Local Industry.

S.r George Grey was considerably “euchred” in the House last week. The great apostle of Liberalism wished to indoctrinate the Government with one more of those Liberal ideas which are peculiarly his own—viz., the encourage ment of native industry. But ho learned an ugly fact that we are astonished he ap peared to bo ignorant of. Sir George has always shown a tendency to bid for mob popularity; and the encouragement of local industry has been made a mob cry. The man who will humor the public on this question is bound to obtain the sympathies of the mass ; so George is ever willing and ready to catch at any straw that holds out a hope of regaining the ground his insincerity has lost for him. Fancy the man who a few months ago was Premier of the colony allowing himself to ask if Government -were pre pared to accept tenders for the manufac ture of locomotives by New Ze iland firms, if it could be demonstrated that engines as good for the colony’s purposes as those imported can be made on our own ground. Surely, with his two years of power he could have done something in this way himself : he ought to have known, at. least, without requiring to be told by Mr. Oliver that his own Government hail precluded all possibility of anything being done in the matter by his successors, seeing that several years’ stock of locomotives bad been imported from England and America by the “ working man’s Govern ment.”

Tuesday, November 25,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

3



The “Waka Maori.” - The native newspaper is dead. The Maoris wore vet y eager to take the paper ; hut as no jour nal can subsist on hope and suction alone, any more than any other enterprise can live on these not very nourishing foods, te spec collapsed. Tho native mind cherises a fondness for “ long time ” pay ments, and is forgetful of debts.



Telegraphic. —By some excellent management on the part of the operators north, vre received last night a most mixed report of the Parliamentary sittings. It appears the reports of the Press Agency and Press Association were sent by instalments of half-an-hour at a time along one special wire—the only one in use—and the pages were allowed to get into what printers calla ssate of “ pie,” In consequence of this we were supplied with now a part of the one, now a part of the other report in admired confusion. We have selected as much of the chaotic jumble as we were able to wade through, and the incoherent remainder went to the waste basket. Immigration. —The “European Mail’' is of opinion the stoppage of all assisted immigration of male adults from Great Britain to New Zealand will disappoint many at a time when a good selection, could be made for the colony. This is all very well ; but it is just as safe to be un employed at Home where the men are known, as to go on the “ wallaby ” for work in a strange land, without any hopo of finding a hand’s turn to do. f