THE FARMER.

A Large American Dairy.

At the Lebanon creamery, Madison Co., the Dairy Company comprises 24 factories or creameries and some 10,000 to 11,000 cows. The creamery at Lebanon Hollow is managed by Captain Hatch, who over sees twelve of the twenty-four factories above named. This factory has the milk from about 500 cows, but has the cream from from several other factories, as this is a churning and butter as well as a cheese factory. They churn from 800 to 1,2001 b of butter daily, and make 20 and 21 cheeses of 40lb each. Their help is five clean men, quick and handy—three for he cheese and. two for the butter—with the help of a patient, strong home at the treadmill. Four band churns with dashers work like a pair of scales, churning about 501 b each at a time. When the butter comes it is rolled out, and the butter taken out with a ladle. The churn is then emptied of buttermilk, filled again, and put back, the horse not stopping but going a little faster, as there are only three churns till the other is replaced. A young man, dressed for the work, with arms bare to the shoulders, as arc all the inen ■when at work, puts this butter with a ladle upon a flat, inclined table with narrow sides, and runs a fluted roller with a crank over it and under it, pouring on water and working lightly, quickly, and with skill. He salts it and rolls it in, in masses of 35 to 401 b at a time, and with a gma.ll ladle tosses it into a large tub, with scarce a touch of the hand. It waits there till the day after, when it goes to the packing room, is put upon a triangular shaped inclined table, with a roller fast at one end, and working sideways, where it is worked and finished for packing, when it is placed in firkins and tubs, in beautiful golden masses, all exactly alike and of the same flavor —10001 b of blitter all alike, and all just right; and the day after the same, and so on through the whole Season. Be fore these crearaeams were used you would hardly find ten packages of butter, the best that was made, but what there would be ten different flavors, if not half as many different qualities. The cheeses are worked up by hand mostly, and when pressed are about 14in. across and 7in. thick, and as nearly alike as two or more things can be, every one perfect. To the consumers, who have an opinion that butter and cheese made in factories, and particularly by men, is not clean, I want to say—Go and see. I think the butter and cheese made in this factory are cleaner than the neatest woman in Lebanon can possibly make it. —Dem. Republican, Hamilton, Madison Co., New York. A New Use for Red Cabbage. MM. Savigny and Colineau have just made an original discovery of considerable practical importance. They have suc ceeded in extracting from red cabbage or broooli a coloring matter which is abso lutely inoffensive, and capable of applica tion in all the ordinary operations of painting, printing, and dyeing. To this they have given the name “ Cauline,” from the Latin “ Caulis,” a cabbage. The leaves of the plant are cut into small pieces, thrown into boiling water in the proportion of 31bs. of the leaf to three litres of water, and there left to macerate for twenty-four hours ; at the end of this time, they are withdrawn and subjected to strong pressure, and the juices thus expressed are added to the liquor of infusion. As thus obtained the “ cauline ” is of a blue-violet colour, and forms the base of a series of derivatives constituting precipitate of various colors. For exam ple, Baracauline, obtained by introducing two grammes of baryta into 500 grammes of cauline, affords a light green dye. A fine blue green, “ chlorocalcicauline,” may be obtained by mixing 100 grammes of anhydrous chloride of lime with 500 grammes of cauline ; or an artificial bronze by adding 100 grains of chloride of manga nese and 5 grammes of baryta to 500 grammes of cauline, the resulting coloring matter being called “ mango-cauline. ” Lastly, an ultramarine blue, “ zincocarbo canline,” is obtained by mixing forty grammes of chloride of zinc and twenty five grammes of carbonate of soda with 500 grammes of the infusion liquid. Gravel Drains. Stone and tile are mostly-timed m under draining, but when neither can he obtained without considerable trouble and we should not hesitate to use lo3tW§W«PBr for short or lateral drains, if it could be readily obtained. Gravel should only be used in clay or tenacious soils, for reasons that are obvious. The drain is made of the usual or re quired depth, and not over eight inches wide at the bottom—six inches would bo preferable; then fill up with from five to seven inches of coarse gravel; by coarse, is meant small, round stones from three quarters down to an eighth of an inch in diameter. The small, flat, oblong, and rounded gravel, usually found upon the beds of our rivers, lakes etc., will answer equally as well as all rounded specimens. It is always best to scatter straw, sod, leaves, or ever green boughs over the gravel ere the dirt is thrown back, to pre vent a possibility of the earth settling in the graveL For an out-let, take a box with both ends open, six inches square, and four to six feet in length ; and before the top is nailed on, nail a piece of coarse mesh sieve across the trough upon its in side, which -will keep the gravel from work ing out by action of water. To prove the water-carrying capacity of gravel you have but to throw a few quarts of water into a. pail or box of gravel, and notice that it instantly filters tlirough.

The Mirage.

According to a paragraph in the “ Lan cet,” a singular example of the optical illusion known as the mirage recently oc curred at Tenby. A photographer hap pened to take a photograph of the church spire of that town ; whilst doing so he observed nothing extraordinary, but on the development of the plate there ap peared across the spire the distinct out line of a boat with colors flying fore and aft. It was ascertained that exactly at the time the photograph was being taken, a gunboat was launched from the Pem broke Dock, exactly answering in appear ance to the outline which so mysteriously appeared on the photographer’s plate. It is an undoubted scientific fact that where ' there happens, from any meteorological cause, to be a stratum of atmosphere of considerably higher power than that im mediately below it, the upper stratum acts as a kind of mirror, and may reflect objects at a very considerable distance. The extraordinary instance of this pheno menon is the well-known case of Captain I Bcorcsby, who, whilst engaged in the whale fishery, obtained the distinct effigy of his father’s ship suspended in the air, and thus ascertained the fact, of which he had been previously unaware, that his father was in the same quarter of the globe as himself. The vessel in question turned out to have been 150 miles distant when its refracted imago was seen. In the hot countries of the south and east the mirage is frequently seen, and in the Straits of Messina it has acquired the name of the “ Fata Morgana,” from the ancient superstition of its fairy origin. It is, perhaps, a little doubtful whether, if we accept the apparently truthful account of travellers, the phenomenon of the mir age is entirely explained by the theory of refraction. Very frequently the incor poral but realistic visions of the air are evidently exact images of objects at a dis tance. But on the coast if Sicily, we are told, the phantoms often take the form of magnificent palaces, stupendous castles, and vast armies of men on foot or on hoiseback, objects which can scarcely be supposed to have their counterpart on the adjoining shores. Again, in the Afri can desert, when the mirage appears in its most cruel form, and the exhausted traveller is cheated by the delicious image of distant groves and fountains, it seems at least likely that the illusion arises from a morbid and feverish condition of the retina of the observer, such as that which produces, for example, the frightful spec tres of “ delirium tremens,” rather than from the refraction in the atmosphere of some actual oasis. In some cases, indeed, in which the mirage has been observed in the desert, the distance from any real oasis must have been immense.—“ Globe.”

The Earth’s Heat.

Those who believe that the centre of the earth is exceedingly hot, so that all the substances composing it are molten, if not even vaporised by intensity of heat, may find their faith in some degree shaken by the results of deep-mining at Stawell, in Victoria. According to the rate at which the temperature has been observed to inorease with depth in Euro pean mines, the lower part of the shaft sunk by the Magdala Quartz Company to a depth of 2100 ft ought to be so hot that the miners would barely be able to work. But the manager reports tliat when the thernometer was close to the bottom the mercury stood only at 82deg Fahrenheit, when suspended 17ft from the bottom at 80deg, and in the chamber at 84deg ; in the western drive, 82deg in the face : in the rise, where no air pipes carry air, at 83deg, and on the same afternoon the same glass showed the temperature inside the office, on the surface of the ground, to be 80deg. Science will have considerably to modify her interpretation of the great heat at the bottom of many European mines of no greater depth. If the whole central mass of the earth were hot, an approach to wards the centre by so many feet would produce about as much effect in one region as in another (excepting, of course, certain volcanic districts). The theory of local subterranean fires, other than those finding visible outlets, may remove this special difficulty, but introduces others scarcely less serious. If the increase of heat in European mines were limited to coal mines, the difficulty might perhaps be removed in another way, but this is not the case. In two shafts in coal mines in England, each about 2000 ft deep, the temperature was found to increae by Ideg Fsduienheit for every increase of depth 'ufum 65ft to 70ft, and about exactly the same increase has been noticed in the principal lead and silver mines of iSaxouy. A thermometer fixed in the rock of the Dalcoath mine in Cornwall, at a depth of 1308 ft, showed a mean tempera ture for the year 18deg below that of the surface. Some observers estimate the rate of increase at Ideg for 45ft (M. Cordier’s estimate) and others at so much as Ideg in 39ft. But taking only Ideg in 70ft, the temperature at the bottom of the Stawell shaft should be 30deg hotter than at the surface, whereas the difference is but a small fraction of this amount. Probably the true explanation of the matter is that, as Charles Lyell long since suggested, 1 ‘ vast reservoirs of molten matter exist beneath the surface, but such, nevertheless, as may hold a very subordinate place in the earth's crust.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

(neuter's Tclegnvns.) London, Oct. 14. Australian wheat 58s ; flour, 41s 6d ; host Australian beef tallow, 34s ; do. mut ton, 34 ; tin, 90. A paragraph in the “Standard” states that a defensive aliance between Germany and Austi'ia has been signed. (Argus Special. ) London, Oct. 14. It is believed that England and Russia are effecting an understanding regarding Afghanistan and Central Asia. Midhat Pasha informed Sir A. H. Layard that it was impossible to effect the contemplated reforms in Syria, owing to the want of support from the Government at Stamboul. Numerous meetings have been held in British Columbia against the employment of Chinese on the North Pacific Railway. Prosecutions have been instituted against the Directors of the Consolidated Bank at Montreal, including Sir Francis Hicks. {Special to the Melbourne Age.) London, Oct. 15. News from Afghanistan states that the Ghilzais, and other hostile Afghans, at tempted to break the British communica tion, attacking the Ali Keye fortress, but were repulsed with heavy loss.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter's Telegram.) Adelaide, Get. 10,

The Legislative Assembly has read a second time a Bill for loans. The Trea surer stated that not more than £2,500,000 would be floated next year. Melbourne, Oct. 10. Le Loup is well backed for the Cup.

( Special. ) Sydney, Oct. 10. Since the opening of the Exhibition 110,000 persons have paid for admission. Arrived—Hero from Auckland ; also H.M.S. Emerald.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Oct. 10.

The Licensed Victuallers have resolved to send a delegate to Wellington re the new Licensing Bill to-morrow. The representatives of the hapus of the Ngatirakawa tribe met at Te Papa, SO miles beyond Cambridge, to discuss a proposal made by Government to have the main trunk road continued through the Ngatirapawa lands to the Hot Lakes. At a meeting of the Auckland Waste Lands Board, a resolution was passed, respectfully recommending to Govern ment that such provisions may be in serted in the new Land Act as may be calculated to promote the immigration of a suitable class of farmers to this colony from Great Britain and Ireland. Resolutions were carried at the Waite mata County Council, asking the Minister for Public Works to extend the Kaipara railway north. The Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution, with one dissenting voice, in favor of protection to local industry. The Chamber also requests the Government for a Royal Commission on the tariff, as affecting local industry and revenue. A man named Honey, at Hamilton, Waikato, in a fit of insanity refused all food. He has been missing, and is be lieved to have committed suicide.

A party of Maoris have been put on to clear the line of the Thames railway from Kainereuga to Kirikiri. T. P. Perberton has been committed on three charges of embezzlement of money, the property of Messrs Wilson and Thornton. Bail was allowed, himself in £3OO, and two sureties of £3OO. Gbahamstown, Oct. 16.

A large number of natives are employed clearing bush for the railway which passes near Te Aroha.

Auckland, Oct. 17. The whole of the Te Aroha block has been handed over by Government to the juris diction of the Waste Lands Board. 3,(500 acres have been made over as an endow ment to the Thames High School. A piece has also been reserved as a public domain. The block will be brought into the market very speedily. The licensed victuallers here are strongly opposed to Mr Saunders’ Bill, as putting them in a worse position than ever. Gbahamstown, Oct. IG.

About 30 Ohinemuri Volunteers, placed on pay by the Defence Minister, have re ceived no remuneration as yet, and are grumbling in consequence. They are drilled three times a day, and cannot attend their farms.

Mr Mackay will be here on Saturday. It is rumored that Government do not wish to take steps that will precipitate war until after the floating of the loan of £5,000,000. The Thames hematite paint is a great success. The manufacturer is receiving a number of orders. He is also taking a knife polish from the product.

Gisborne, Oct. 16.

Large numbers of natives are assembled on Arthur’s run at Tokomani, and have gathered 3000 sheep in a small paddock, and threaten to turn the whole on the beach. 300 young lambs have died through losing their mothers. The prin cipal leader in the mischief was Te Mani hera, an assessor from Wairarapa. Mr Rees and Wi Peri indignantly disclaim any connection with the matter. Mr Arthur is taking proceedings to have the offenders brought to justice. Mr Gudgeon, 8.M., has written a strong letter to the Natives, warning them not to do anything foolish. Wellington, Oct. 16.

At a meeting of C. W. Langstone’s creditors held, it was stated that having investigated several transactions of the bankrupt, it was found the creditors might proceed against him for obtaining goods by false pretences. It was resolved to in struct the trustee to apply to the judge of the Supreme Court for leave to prosecute the bankrupt under the Fraudulent Debtor’s Act. A man named Edward Jones was ar rested at Masterton on Tuesday for forgery at Timaru.

The cable repairing steamer Agnes, ar rived from Sydney tiiis morning. At the Supreme Court yesterday, in the case of Beere v. Corwonga, claiming

£IO3O damages for malicious prosecution, the jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff for £2OO.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Carl Peters was charged under the Law Practitioners Act with executing a bill of sale, not being legally qualified. The in formation was dismissed, as it had not been laid within six months.

Wellixutox, Oct. 17.

At the police court, Honora '.[organ, for larceny from the New L’oaiander Hotel, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court. John Joseph A\ alsh, on two charges of embezzlement, was sen tenced to six months’ imprisonment on each, the sentences to bo concurrent. The Wellington Liberal Association have decided to support the Liberal party under the leadership of Mr Macandrew.

A deputation from the 'Working Men’s Club waited on the Minister for Lands to day, for the purpose of urging the objects of the Small farm Association. Several of the members of the deputation urged the setting aside of a block at Hawora for settlement. Jt would settle the native difficulty. Mr Rollostoii replied Go vernment were framing a Rill which dealt with special settlements and small farms. He said he was anxious to assist the Association, but under the present circumstances could not definitely pledge the Government.

DtnomiN, Oct. IG. The Executive Officers of Friendly Societies of Dunedin, after considering the new railway bye law making it im perative on all employees of the depart ment to join the Railway Benefit Society, resolved to wait upon Mr Conyers, or communicate w r ith him by letter, with a view of having the grievance redressed. The subscriptions already received in aid of the sufferers by the Octagon tire, though the canvass has only been engaged in for three daj s, amount to £149, and a large number of cards arc yet out. The Committee think that a sum of £290 will be sufficient to meet cases of absolute necessity. This morning the Crown entered up a “nolle prosequi ” on eleven inquisitions for murder, and one for arson against William Waters.

At the civil sittings of the Supreme Court to-day, a dressmaker named Mary Cradock David, sued James Hirst of Wel lington, tanner, for the sum of £I,OOO, damages for breach of promise. The defendant did not appear. The plain tiff deposed to having entered the service of the defendant as housekeeper some time since, whereupon he contracted a twelve-months engagement, on the strength of which lie seduced her, and from time to time ho promised to marry her, but he failed to do so. The jury returned a verdict for £4OO, with full costs.

LATEST.

EUROPEAN. (A 'enter's Telegrams.) London, Oct. 15. Shumbert, the Communist, recently elected to the Municipal Council, was re ceived by an enthusiastic deputation on his arrival. At a Cabinet Council held yesterday, the Communist question was discussed, and it was resolved to enforce preventative measures if the present state of matters continued. New York, Oct. 15. The State elections have been canned by the Republicans with an increased majority in Ohio and lowa.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Renter's Telegrams.) Brisbane, Oct. 17. Four miners at Care Creek have been attacked by the blacks. Their tent was ransacked.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Christchurch, Oct. 17.

Dr Hutton, Director of the Dunedin Museum, has been offered the post of Professor of Biology to the Canterbury College at a salary of £‘7oo a year. It is expected that he will accept it. It has been decided to keep the Lyttel ton Regatta going on as usual. In conse quence of the apparent apathy of the Port people in the matter, it was proposed to drop it this year; but the threat revived the energies of the residents, and a pro gramme Iras been drawn up, containing £205 of prizes, besides two cups. More rowing races have been introduced this year than usual. Mr Aliwright, M.HR., requests the “ Star” this evening to give the fullest contradiction to the statement in the Dunedin and Auckland press that he is wavering in his allegiance to the Opposi tion.

Up to this morning 64 licenses had been taken out for trout fishing. The total number taken out during the whole of last season was 81. During the present hatching season the council of the Accli matisation Society have distributed 14,625 young trout, and there yet remains about 15,000 for distribution. A meeting of the unemployed was held in Cathedral Square at ten o'clock this morning. Of the legitimately unem ployed there was a very thin attendance, and the speakers devoted themselves almost exclusively to the political situa tion—John Leo asking for, and obtaining, three cheers for* the Liberals.

Yesterday was the opening day of the present trout-lishing season. There was no large Ash caught during the day, and the heaviest fish killed was 311>. The fish up to vlb. are in fair condition, but the larger ones are rather poor. A great number of anglers visited the Gust, but as that river was in flood, the sport was very tame. The most successful flies during the day were the black hackle and grey fly-

A petition from the coachbuilders and wheelwrights of Christchurch, entreating for an increase of duty on articles of their trade, was forwarded to-day to Sir Geo. Grey, as senior member for Christchurch, by Mr \V. W. Charters, Iron. secretary to the association for upholding and en couraging native industries. The letter from the association which accompanies the petition thanks tSir George Grey, as Premier of the late Government, lor his promptitude in bringing the object advo cated by them before tiio House, as laid down in the Governor’s speech. The committee of the association observed that it was proposed therein to appoiant

select committee to enquire into the above matter, but they were of opinion that a Royal Commission would attain more useful results, as that body would visit all parts of the colony and examine the various manufactories and their capabili ties.

Greyhouth, Oct 17.

An indignation meeting was held at Rrunnerton yesterday, to protest against the reduction of wages from 10s to 0s per day, on the Stillwater contract, Amborley and Brnnnei'ton Railway. The meeting was unanimous against the reduction. The coal miners joined in the verdict, as it affected them. The meeting declared there were plenty idle men in the district, and cautioned any one agreeing to the reduction.

Timaru, Oct. 17.

An attempt to upset the evening pas senger train from the South was made at Normanby Station on Wednesday even ing, by placing a heavy log, backed np with stones, across the line. The ob struction, fortunately, was discovered by a waiting passenger before the train arrived. A man has been arrested on suspicion. Arrived—Maori, s.s., from Dunedin.

Sailed—Oreti, s.s., for Lyttelton, and Wellington ; Maori, s.s. for Dunedin. Cleared Renfrewshire, barque, for London, with 13,590 sacks wheat. She is the tenth direct vessel this season. Later.

An inquest was held to-day on the body of a child named John Symonds, about 10years of ago. The jury found that the boy’s death was caused by interna! disease, accelaratcd by cruelty, exposure, and neglect on the part of his father, Frederick Symonds. To the verdict was added the following rider The jury desire to bring under the notice of the Minister of Justice the necessity for more strict supervision by the police of children ill-treated and neglected by their parents and guardians. The coroner undertook to forward the rider to the Minister, and committed deceased’s father to take his trial for manslaughter at the next sit ting of the Supreme Court at Timaru. Sailed—Clematis.

Arrived—s. s. Murray from northern ports. Captain Conway reports Hokitika Bar has not been in such good working condition for the past seven years as at present

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

FROM OUR OWN GOKRESI’ONDENT

Wellington, Oct. 17.

Nearly the Whole of the afternoon was taken up debating the legality of the petition against the two members for Auckland City West, in which, of course, the lawyers of the House must each dis play his knowledge. Mr Gisborne made it still more dreary by a long oration on his own account, and the Premier and Colonial Treasurer rather injudiciously interfered. It was evident that the petitioners were mistaken in including two members in one petition, as no law provides for it ; besides which, there is a strong case against Dr. Wallis, and very little or none against Mr Hurst. The result is pretty sure to be that the petition will be disallowed. The petition against Sir G. Grey was sent to a Committee to be chosen by the Election Committee.

Mr Bryce’s Native Statement will pro bably be the only business this evening. The no-confidence motion is still expected on Tuesday, and there will probably be a long and stormy debate.

Antiquity of Gloves.

From the Boot and Shoe Afakcr. As Xenophon, in his “ Cyropmdia,” nientionsthat on onooccasion Cyprus went without his gloves, there arc good grounds for believing that the ancient Persians were not ignorant of their use, and it is known that both Greeks and Romans sometimes wore them. The period when gloves were first used in England, how ever, is likely to be of more interest to our readers, and this could not have been much before the time of Ethelred 11., when five pairs made a considerable part of the duty paid by some German mer chants to that king for the protection of their trade. In the reign of Richard and John gloves were worn by the higher classes, sometimes short and sometimes to the elbow, jewelled on the backs and embroidered at the tops. Our ancestors closely connected gloves with chivalry, both in love and war ; and the custom of throwing down the glove was equiva lent to a challenge, the person defied signifying his acceptance of it by taking up his opponent’s glove and throwing down his own. Biting the gloves meant, on the Border, a pledge of mortal revnege, and a story is told of a gentleman of Teviotdale who, after a hard drinking bout, observing in the morning that he had bitten his glove, inquired with whom he had quarrelled, amt finding that he had had words with one of his companions, insisted on satisfaction, saying that al though he remembered nothing of the dispute, he would never have bitten his glove unless he had received unpardonable insult. He fell in the duel, which was fought near Selkirk. The following lines from “ Marmiou” show that the sending of a glove by a lady to her knight was a token of love, and a command to do her bidding— For the fair Queen of Fiance Sent him a turquoise ring and glove. And charged him, as her knight and love, For her to break a lance. In these practical days our chivalry has quite died out, and gloves are now for the most part merely regarded as a covering for the hands. One important use made of them in modern society is in the form of bets between the two sexes on such occasions as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, Royal Ascot, and other races. There is yet one old custom connected with gloves which has lived down to our times, but is seldom called into practice. I allude to “gloves in law.” At an assize, when no prisoners are to bo tried, the sheriff presents the judge with a pair of white gloves, and this custom is also r observed in Scotland.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10.

The Council met at 7.30.

Mr Miller gave notice of motion for a select mniitteo to enquire into the native department and native land expen diture for the past year. Mr Whitaker said, as the Imprest Bill had not passed the Lower House there was no business for the Council. He there fore moved the adjournment till Tuesday, which was agreed to, and the Council rose at 7.40.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

W;;i »■ nsDAY, October 15.

The delate on the adjournment was continue ! till 11. K), when it was agreed to on (he voices. Messrs Reid, Trimble, and flursrliouss, were the speakers, the first against, and the latter two in favor of the Government. Thursday, October lb. CORRECTION. Mr Hall corrected a statement in the morning paper, which omitted to state ho had told the late Premier that one month before resigning his seat in (.ho Upper House lie had addressed his con stituents with a view to lua nomination for a scat in the Lower House. JOSHUA JoNEri, OF JIOKAU. Mr Hall, in reply to Col. Trimble, said, that Joshua Jones of New Plymouth or Mokau, was some kind of agent for the late Government, Payments had been made to him for special services, amount ing to £’3oo. He also had free use of the telegraph wires. Those was nothing to show the specific nature of his engage ment, but he had received sums of £l2O, £2O, and £250. On the question that the paper be printed, Mr Mieehau said he hoped no obstruc tion would be offered to the printing of tire same, and the matter could lie debated hereafter.

Mr Moss objected to such papers being printed for insidious motives. Col. Trimble objected to the use of the word “ insidious” in connection with any paper lie asked for. Major Atkinson said this person had been promised a block of land, and Go vernment survey had been made for him. The value of his services could be discussed when fuller information was furnished.

Mr Sheehan said all surveys were no w made by the Government, the persons for whom they were made giving a bond fur repayment of the costs of same. The paper was ordered to be printed. THE STEAMER HANNAH MOKAU.

Mr Bryce, in reply to Mr Turnbull, said the Government had an interest in the steamer Hannah Mokau, but bad re coiv ed no dividend or interest upon the share, or the mortgage advanced on the said steamer. The Government had paid for the share or interest in the name of Rewi and To Wetere. A sum of £8(1 had been advanced by the Government. A subsidy of £3OO a year was promised, but eight months’ subsidy had been withheld. The steamer was seized at one time, and Government ordered the money to be paid and an assignment made to them. £IOO had boon paid on account of Rewi and To Wotore's share.

The paper was ordered to bo printed, RKOPOKEU TIAIARU COUNTY.

Mr Hall, in reply to Mr W.kGiel J, said they had received a petition from electors within the propose:! > ’minty of Tiinaru, praying that the county may not bo constituted, and would lay a copy be fore the House. They had also received a counter petition.

CURRENT CONTRACTS COR PUBLIC WORKS. The Minister for Public Works, in reply to Mr Macandrew, said lie would lay be fore the Mouse a return showing the whole of the colonial public works under his de partment at present contracted for, and giving all particulars. ashjjurton corin' house. Mr Rollesfcon, in reply to Mr Wright as to whether a sum of money would be placed on the estimates for building a Court House at Ashburton, said a sum would bo placed on the estimates for the purpose. Aims OF TARANAKI VOLUNTEERS. Mr Hall, ill reply to Colonel Trimble, said the bulk of Taranaki volunteers were armed with muzzle-loading rilles, but he would sue that they were exchanged for breech-loading rides. There were 350 stand to be served out. GUTHRIE AND LAUXACU’s CONTRACTS. Mr Oliver, in reply to Mr Sutton, said £1'2,44~) bad been paid to Messrs Guthrie and La much since duly Ist for the supply of railway iron and roiling stock. The amount owing ou same account was shown in a return. The arrangement was fully open to public competition. Tlic return was laid on the table. WAIKATo-TUAMES RAILWAY. Mr Oliver, in reply to Mr McLean, said he would lay before the House a copy of the plan, estimate, and certificate of the Engineer-in-Charge of the North Island in connection with the railway from Waikato to the Thames ; also, a distinctly colored map showing the surveys that I have been made of the country between Grahamstown and Te Aroha, and those j parts which have not been surveyed ; also showing how far surveys of the line between Grahamstown and Te Aroha have been completed, and the places where the Natives stepped in and prevented the surveyors going any further, and the place where the man McWilliams was shot near Ohinemuri. The plan and esti mates were already on the table, but the other information would also be supplied. Mr Sheehan said they must not suppose that tuo surveyor in question was on the railway survey service. A LAND QUESTION! Mr llolleston, in reply to Mr Harris, as to the transfer of lot 7Sf, tjucuu's Re doubt, to the Presbyterian trustee, and construction of the roan cn rough the same by settlors, said the cou.iA.Giieations were so voluminous lie would like the hon. member to call at the •. il.ee cud see them for himself, and sc Lev viu.se ho would like to see. Mr Needham drew the intention of the House, as a privilege, to the allegation contained in the petition of Hirini liawiri

Tawhanga, aiuffhoved the aupnmtmejjjt of a Select Committee to report on samep such Committee to consist of Messrs Brandon, DeLautour, Sir George Grey, Messrs Hislop, Murray, Ormond, Bol leston, and the mover. Mr Sheehan said the object of the petition was to puuish Tawhai for not voting with the lion, gentleman’s, party. He denied that there had been any influ ence exercised in his return, or the return of any other native members. He ob jected to the construction of the Com mittee, and said that unless a more impar tial one was selected by the hon. gentleman his motion would be opposed. The proper tiling under the circumstances was to pass a Qualification Act rather than seek to thrust from the House one who was distinguished for all that was noble amongst his own people, because he was. in receipt of a paltry £SO per annum from the colony as an assessor, and had ne glected to resign the appointment in time.

Mr Wakefield contended that there was no question of a party character involved, and contended that they should act in strict accordance with the law and prece dent in deciding this matter. Mr Hislop moved—“ That the names of Messrs Stewart, Tole, Swanson, and Pitt be added to the committee.” He would propose this as an amendment to the mo tion before the House. T.rinui said he thought it was the duty of the returning officer acquainted with the law to inform his friend of the nature of the Act, so that lie might have sent in his resignation in time. He had only just learned that his return had been petitioned against, and the ground of ob jection. If the Act had been in Maori the mistake would not have been made.

The '■po.'.kcr then replied to Mr Mont gomery that the ground of bribery alleged was sufficient to bring the petition under the Act. Mr Montgomery thought the question of infringement of the provisions of the Disqualification Act, 1878, should.be first proceeded with, and would suggest that the motion be altered to that effect. The suggestion was approved of by the mover. ivi r Hall trusted the House would deal with the matter regardless of any party question. The debate was cut short by the 5.110 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House met at 7.30. ORDER OF BUSINESS. Mr Beetham thought his question of privilege should take precedence of the orders of the day. ft"; The Speaker ruled that it must ewe on its place after the orders of the day to. morrow, and he could not overrule the Standing Orders, which provided that orders of the day should come on at this hour. He called the orders of the day, stating that if members chose to postpone them they could do so. AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION. Mr Hurst moved the second reading of the Auckland Improvement Commission Transfer of Powjrf|Bfcill. He explained that the object oTOie-Bill \vas to transfer the powers held by the Commissioners to to the Auckland City Council. The Bill passed its second reading, and was ordered to be committed on Wednes day week. SUPPLY.

Major Atkinson, at this stage, said he had consulted his hon. friends opposite as to going into Committee of Supply, but had received no assurance that they would not oppose it by introducing some measure which might defeat it and involve many day s’ delay and debate. He trusted hon. gentlemen would give way and refrain from moving any motion which would frustrate the granting of supply, and assure them that they would not take advantage of the necessity of the colony, which required the passing of supply through the House. If they give way tiro responsibility would rest upon them.

Mr Macandrew said he had no intention on his side of the House of opposing the supply required ; but unless an assurance was given that the no-confidence motion would be allowed to come on next day, he should take other steps that evening. Major Atkinson said it was clear the hon. gentleman meant to refuse supply. [“ No, no.”] Mr Hislop suggested that Standing Orders be suspended, to enable the hon. gentleman to make a statement. Mr Macandrew said it was clear the Government did not intend to accede to the request preferred on behalf of a majority of the House, and however much lie regretted it, he should now have to move the adjournment of the House. Major Atkinson repeated that the re sponsibility rested upon those who ob structed the business.

Mr Turnbull did not consider that a majority should be bound by the opinion of a minoritv.

Mr Montgomery said not one member of the Opposition would; refuse to grant supply in consequence of any motion of no-confidence, as they would grant them quite as willingly as any member of the Government, but would state their, grievance first. *4^ Mr M‘Lean said it might take them' weeks to decide that grievance. It was useless to say they were not delaying business in the meantime by blocking the Order Paper and stopping supplies. Mr Pyke said he rose to explain his vote, as he was one who gave a vote to place the present members on the benches, but not under the impression that Mr Hall would be sent for. He did so because he thought a re-construction would follow. He thought the same when Sir W. Fox’s no-confidence motion was brought down, and should vote on the same ground again when an opportunity presented itself. Both lie and the mem ber for Dunedin thought a re-construction would follow, and therefore intended to use their votes to bring this about. He trusted they would have no more spec tacles of heaven-born financiers condemn ing the financial condition of the colony, and injuring it in tho money market. Mr Saunders advocated improved finance if tho colony was to be saved from ruin, and condemned the mismanagement of the late Government in all matters affect ing the welfare of the colony. It was time such matters as those of payment of secret service money to persons named .Tones, as shown that afternoon, were brought to an end, and the House should assist in bringing this about. ± After Messis Moss and Seddon had spoken, the question of adjournment was put and carried on the voices afc10.45.

j October iB, 1879

4

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN



Canterbury Farmers’ Grain and Produce. Store Company. —A meeting of shareholders in the above-named company was held on Thursday, and it was resolved to wind up the company voluntarily, and Mr W. Bateman was appointed liquidator. The directors laid before the shareholders a report detailing the cause which had pre vented the company being a success. A Shake Story. —The latest is told by a man in Delaware. He was attacked by one of those reptiles some time ago in Sussex county, he says, and, in order to escape, he jumped behind a tree. There upon the snake in its rage struck at the tree, and 30 minutes afterwards a dulness in <he leaves was perceptible. In another Lour they began to fall off, and now no thing is left save a naked withered trunk-



Personating a Detective. —A man named Marshall was on Thursday sent to gaol for six weeks by the Christchurch K.M. for personating a detective with a view to intimidating a young girl who had been walking in the Christchurch Domain with her sweetheart. Accused was a married man, but had taken this course with an improper object. The girl, however, though in great fear of the possible consequences to her own character that would ensue were the supposed de tective to charge her and her male friend with immorality in the Domain, rejected the overtures made by Marshall, and succeeded in having him apprehended and brought before the court. The young man had also organised a band of friends to give prisoner “ a hammering ” in the event of no case having been made by the police. Augustus, on reading the account of the murder of a woman, declared that the man who would kill a woman must be a veritable fiend. “ Why, Gas! ’ exclaimed his sister, ‘ ‘ i thought you’d prided your self on being a lady-killer ever since your moustache took root.” Augustus was silent.



Archkhy.— The Christchurch Archcry Club opened its season on Thursday, in Hagloy Park, when about 18 ladies and gentlemen took part. In the ladies handi cap- Miss Pose won the prize with 15)0. “ My dear fellow,” said an old member of the Congress to a new one, “ You work too hard on your speeches ; I often pre pare one in half an hour and think no thing of it.” -“And that’s just hat everybody else thinks of it,” was the reply.