The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER. TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1880.

The Local Industries Association may now be said to be in full swing. The Association has been constituted, its rules adopted, its officers elected, and the time fixed for the first meeting of as powerful a com mittee as ever took charge of any movement in this county. The mem ber for the district Mr; E. G. Wright, has been elected the first President of the Association, and the young Associa tion will enjoy the benefit of his sound advice on all matters of a practical character. The selection was a wise one, as the Association will find as soon as it begins to work in earnest. Equally fortunate was the selection of the Vice- President, who has taken the lead in this movement with praiseworthy alacrity, and brings no small amount of acumen to the Association’s aid. The Mayor is never behind in any progressive movement, and he deserves credit at the hands of the Ashburton citizens, especially for the energy and push he displays in all matters affecting the interests of the community, handi capped as he is with a physical weak ness that would dishearten men of less grit. Much aid can be given by an energetic Secretary to any Society, and such an one lay to the new Association’s hand in Mr. S. E. Poyntz. It is won derful what can be done by determined men when they set about work in earnest, and we are hopeful that, now both town and country are awakened to the truth' of the very, very old saying, “ man cannot live by bread alone” (if we may so make use of a passage from the sacred volume), nor by the wheat from which bread is made, if we may so apply the passage, but that other sources of wealth must be opened up —our eggs will not much longer remain in one basket. If the hopes we are building on this Association are rea lised as soon as we would wish them, the township will soon re-echo with the sound of the engine and the whir of machinery, and become a centre of busy industry. The prospectus of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Com pany (Limited) is published in this issue, proposing to increase their capital from 15,000 to in 4,000 shares of each. It tells its own story, and it is pregnant with lessons of encouragement to Ashburton. There are many who would be proud to see our little township giving such a good account of itself as has plucky Kaiapoi, and we hope the time is not far off when we shall enter into a healthy ri valry with our enterprising sister. Meantime we hope that her enterprise will meet with the success that it merits, and that the Ist of October will see her share list close with every share taken up. ,

Professor Jensen’s Drops. —■ This remedy for all ills was to be expatiated upon on Saturday night by the Professor to a gratis audience in the Town Hall. The drops do not cure that terrible disease called impecuniosity, and as the rent of the hall was not forthcoming there was no lecture. An Unusual Visitor. —On Saturday just after our P.D. had kindled a fire in one of the rooms of the office, a strange and unusual noise was heard proceeding from the chimney. Various surmises were expressed as to what the unearthly sound could be, and it is possible the aforesaid “imp” would not have been much surprised had the form of his proto type, withtheproverbial caudal appendage, emerged from the flames. There was little time, however, for doubt, and as if to allay the anxious fears of all concerned, an innocent pigeon -descended from the aooty regions, and with its plumage con siderably scorched through its contact with the fire, winged its way around the estab lishment putting everything in a state of 4< pye,” an( l every one in a state of excite ment. Ultimately the intruder was cap-: tured, and once more allowed to take its flight a in more cogenial and purer at mosphere. ■

Fencing. —The County Council want 50 chains of fencing done on the south approach to the Rakaia Gorge bridge. Specifications for the job lie at the Council Chambers.

Oases. —At the R. M. Court yes terday, Caroline Parish and John Bourke O’Brien, alias John Bourk, were re spectively fined 20s. or, in default, forty eight hours imprisonment, for being drunk and disorderly. The Library Readings. —The reading in aid of the Ashburton Public Library will be given to-night, in the Town Hall, when a complete relay of per formers will entertain the patrons, the last item of the programme being a sketch, entitled “ Bumble’s Courtship,” by a lady and gentleman already well known on the Ashburton stage. Tattersall’s.— The opening sale at the new Tattersall’s, Christchurch, takes place on Friday, the 20th August, and we would recommend those who intend to be present on the opening sale day at the grandest establishment of the kind south of the Line, to glance down the advertise ment which appears elsewhere.

The “ Wheatsheae” Hotel. —The popular hostelry at "Wheatstone, ©n the road between Ashburton and Waterton, known as the Wheatsheaf Hotel, is about to change hands. Mr. George Willcocks, who built the hotel, and has presided over it over since, is about to transfer his in terest in it to Mr. Escott. Mr. Willcocks will celebrate his leave-taking and the in coming of his successor by giving a dinner in the hotel on Tuesday, April 24, at 7 p.m., to which he .invites all his friends. The festivities will wind up with a dance. Ordination. —On Sunday, at morning service at the Presbyterian Church, the elders recently elected by the congrega tion were ordained in office and inducted. The pastor, the Rev. A. M. Beattie, con ducted the ceremony, and addressed the officers and the congregation on the sub ject of their respective duties. The Kirk- Session now comprises, including the pastor, seven ruling elders, the laymen being Messrs. Henderson (Methven), Moore (Waterton), Pavitt, Gavin, Reid, and Orr (Ashburton). Racing Club. —A meeting of theßacing Club Committee was held in the Com mercial Hotel on Saturday evening, at which tenders were opened for'the fenc ing, ploughing, &c. of the racecourse, and that of P. Clifford accepted. It was re solved to call a public meeting to consider the advisableness of postponing the usual spring meeting in November until the autumn, as it is probable the next Great National Steeplechases will be held in Ashburton. After some discussion on the subject of letting the course for crop ing, and the transaction of some minor business, the meeting adjourned Kyle. —An entertainment is to be given on Friday next, in the Kyle school room, on behalf of the library fund of the district. Looking down the programme we are rather agreeably surprised at the superiority of the pieces to be rendered. There are few country districts indeed that can produce without appealling for aid to the town, a programme replete with musical pieces requiring no small ability in their performance; but the Kyle people have a very enticing programme indeed to offer to any one with a shake of music in him. And we know the performers sufficiently to be able to say of them they will do their work well. Entertainment. —An entertainment was given in the Town Hall last even ing, in aid of the funds of the Primi tive Methodist Church, consisting of a series of views by limelight, and several songs and recitations. The subjects illus trated by the views were “ The Trial of Sir Jasper, and “Robinson Crusoe.” Several songs were sung by Miss Jowsey, and Miss Davis, of Christchurch, in ad mirable style, and descriptive lectures were delivered by the Rev. A. J. Smith and Mr. Puddicombe. The limelight was well managed and the views were shown very distinctly, but despite the trouble that had been taken the attendance was not too large.

The Christchurch Temperance Hotel. —The contract for the erection of the Temperance Hotel at Christchurch has been let to Messrs. Carmichael and Son, at L 4,000. It will be finished in about eight months. Suicide.— William Henry Langford, a rate collector, at Christchurch, took a dose of strychnine early on Saturday morning, being, as he expressed it to members of his family, “ tired of his life. As soon as it became known, assistance was sent for, and Dr. Townend attended the unfortunate man, who was still con scious, but suffering from spasms. Dr. Townend administered an emetic at once, and then sent him to the hospital, where everything was done that could be to pre serve his life. Langford seemed to im prove as the day advanced, but he after wards suffered a relapse, and died at one o’clock on Sunday morning. It appears that Langford had been in low spirits of late,. caused by bad circumstances, and this, it is supposed, led him to commit the rash act which resulted in his death.— At the inquest a verdict that deceased died from taking strychnia was returned. Matrimonial. Some time ago Mr. Hannaford, of Auckland, advertised for a wife for a gentleman residing on one of the islands in the Pacific. A large num ber of applicants forwarded their photos., letters, <&c., for the coveted boon of wife hood. An advertisement appears in the New Zealand Herald intimating that the gentleman in question has made his se lection, and that the young lady Is now on her way to her future home ; and Mr. Hanniford requests the other applicants to call for their photos, and letters. He has informed the Herald that there are several other unmarried men on the same island in want of wives, but are all holding back until they see the already made for the manager of the station. Someone Had Blundered. The Hawke’s Bay Herald, in the course of an article strongly attacking the Audit Department, tells the following story “ A tradesman in Napier had an account for about L3O against the Government. After waiting some time, as is the usual experience of those who want money from the New Zealand Government, a cheque for the amount came down. It was duly countersigned and paid. The surprise of the tradesman may be conceived when, two or three months afterwards, he received a severe letter from the depart ment concerned saying that on several items of the account there had been an overcharge, and that this excess would be deducted. Enclosed was a second cheque for the amount, less the deductions. He was honest enough to return the cheque at once, pointing out that the account had already been paid in full. He has not since heard any thing about the over charges. ” An amusing- error was recently made by a telegraph operator in England whilst transmitting the report of a speech made by Lord Carnarvon. The noble lord was made to say—“ The worst paid country curate is expected to preach twice on Sun day, with the persuasiveness of a journey man tailor and the eloquence of a barrow.” Jeremy Taylor and Dr. Barrow were, of course, the oratorical divines alluded to.” Snoboceagy. —Here is one of the best of the recent sayings of Dr. Talmage. When we find a man contemptuous of labour, and acting as though he never worked at all, and as though his ancestors had never worked, we make-up our mind that if we go a little further back in that man’s ancestral line, we will run against a scavenger’s cart or upset a soap-boiler’s kettle.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

TYSON HODGSON.

To the Editor.

Sir, — I feel annoyed at a report of a case that appeared in the Mail. A man named Robert Hodgson was sued by Bald win, the publican, for a drink bill of LSO. The Mail had it that the defendant was Tyson Hodgson, My name is Tyson Hodgson, and I am the only man in this district with that Christian appellation. I complained to the Mail people about tbe error, and they corrected it in a short para graph in small type a week afterwards. I find the people in my district only see your paper, so my neighbors know no thing of the error, but some of the towns people who read the Mail seem to think that I was the man after all. I owe Bald win nothing at this moment, but he owes me three bob. Surely when a case like what Baldwin had against Yorkey is tried, the Mail should bo correct about names, and not injure a man’s reputation by blundering. Your report was quite cor rect. —I am, &c., Tyson Hodgson, Cockatoo. Ashburton, August 14.

PLAINS FARMING.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Permit me through the medium of your columns to reply briefly toMrSilcock’s letter, as published in your issue of Tues day, the lOthinst., in which he seems to wish to consign my former letter to the limbo of exploded theories.. In the first place, Mr. Siloock appears to think it presumption on the part of any one to question the reliability and value of those agricultural papers read before the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral As sociation. I have no doubt that the read ing of those papers will be productive of good, to the agricultural portion of the community, but I think that those who read or draw up the papers, should not shrink from criticism, nor can I believe that because a man is a member of such an Association, all his utterances upon agricultural matters must be infallible. I think when a man goes into print he invites criticism and discussion. And as there are differences of opinion on most sub jects —agricultural ones not excepted—he should not be surprised if he finds some one who cannot agree with his hypothesis, or coincide with his views. Though Mr. Silcock professes to take my criticism “ all in good part,” yet there is an approach to acidity in the tone of his letter, which is an indication that his favorite corn has been trod on. In alluding to my letter, Mr. Silcock commences by misrepresent ing its purport. He characterises it as an attempt to patch an unworkable scheme. F ow, sir, I will leave those of the public who have read my former letter, to judge whether that letter was not more likely to pull to pieces than to patch up Mr. Silcock’s scheme. Pro ceeding, he says, “ I can scarcely be lieve he is in earnest, for he commences by saying my scheme will be found some what expensive, and at once goes on to add more expense to it.” Now, sir, this also is a misstatement. What I said was that “ his system of working his 1,000 acre farm will be found —if anyone adopts it—to be somewhat expensive.” Does not Mr. Silcock perceive the difference between working the land and working on the land. What I meant was that his system of rotation of crops would be found expensive inasmuch as he proposes taking only one grain crop in five years, which would necessitate a large annual outlay in clover and grass seeds. He admits that he was wrong in his estimate of expenditure for this article, viz., ss. per acre. Mr. Silcock states that his estimate for rent or interest was based on Mr. Grigg’s figures, but I do not think Mr. Grigg’s figures were reliable either. If Mr. Grigg proposes to sell his produce at “present prices,” why not levy interest at current rates—namely, eight per cent. If Mr. Grigg or Mr. Silcock can obtain money at five per cent, interest, I believe they might make a very good living by doing so, for there are a great many farmers who would gladly give them two per cent procuration money if they could obtain a thousand or two at that rate of interest for a term of years. Then Mr. Silcock admits the rent is low, but thinks it will “ be more than I will be able to pay if he requires three men besides himself and seven horses to crop 250 acres. I did not say that it would require three men men besides myself, but tivo men or one man and a good strong lad. And then with regard to croping 250 acres, has Mr. Silcock forgotten his turnips, rape, and grass sowing, and the cultivation necessary for it, if he grows 250 acres of crop ? I suppose he would have the same number of acres in turnips previously, and that after the grain was taken off he purposes to put the land in rape and grass, and consequently the 250 acres would require to be ploughed three times, which would be equivalent to the ploughing of 750 acres every year. Mr. Silcockgoeson tosayhehas “carefully reckoned the time it would take four horses to do all the work required in ploughing, sowing, harrowing, rolling, and harvesting, and makes it 226 actual work ing days.” Mr. Silcock should have told us how much per day he intends doing of each of these operations. I, too, have carefully gone over each particular item or part of the above works, and I came to a different conclusion. And Ido not speak from hearsay or distant observation, but from actual practical experience, having worked at each of these jobs in its particular season for the last fourteen years, and in that time have done hundreds, and I may safely say thousands, of acres of “ploughing, harrowing, sow ing, rolling, and harvesting. ” The acre age per day given below most practical men will see to be, above the average quantity done in the colony. I estimate as follows :

Ploughing 750 acres at 5 acres per day -ISO Days Harrowing 730 acres twice, IS acres per day ... ••• ••• 5° » Sowing or drilling, 20 acres per day ... ••• ••• Rolling do. at 18 acres per day ... 41 ~ Rraping 250 acres of crop at iS acres per day ... » Stacking do. at 25 acres per day 10 „

Total 303 Days 303 days’ labor to get in bis turnips, rape, and grass, and grain crop, and harvest the latter ; and then there is the threshing and delivering of the grain to come yet; and with the fetching and removing of threshing machine, and the carting away of 4,000 bushels of grain or thereabouts (to say nothing of time consumed in cut ting chaff for horsefeed ; wet days, &c.), would take at least 30 days more, which would bring it up to the sum total of 333. Add to that at least 52 Sundays,_ and you have 385. So you see the year isn't long enough by 20 days. We shall have to get “ an extention of time ” Mr. Silcock, and have the year elongated. Then with reference to the horse-feed. Mr. Silcock admits being a “ little undgr the mark but thinks I have erred much further on the other side,” and then he immediately adds “ I did not say that the quantities of oats per horse allowed by him is too much.” Will I call that “confusion worse confounded?” My estimate was half-a-bushel of crushed oats per horse daily (my own teams are eating much more than that at this present time), and Mr. Silcock admits that half a bushel per day is not too much feed for a working horse. Well, then, let us take his own figures, and see how they stand—4 horses at half j|a bushel pep horse a day would be 2 bushels per day ; 2 bushels per day for 225 days, would be 450 bushels, 450

bushels at Is. Gd. per bushel would be L 33 15s. Whereas Mr. Silcock only makes it L 25 12a. Wrong again, Mr. Silcock.

Mr. Silcock says, moreover, that if I reckon up my oats and my acres, I shall find it will cost me nearly three shillings per acre for oats. I can’t help what it costa per acre for oats, that never enters into my calculations in my way of managing. My theory is that a working horse has as much right to bellyful of good food as a working man has, and I have always acted- on that theory, and am not “ on my last legs yet.” I cannot understand Mr, Silcock’s sys tem of reckoning the wages and keep of the ploughmen at per acre, so I will pass over it.

He admits having made a mistake in his estimate for clover and grass seed. His “reply to my query re gorse fences is, if I can’t trim them "myself, I am to pay for them out of the annual returns.” Quite so, I suppose most of the expenses would have to be paid out of the annual re turns, unless some other fund was started. The error over which I waxed poetic was the printers’, not his. All right, I accept that explanation, I thought “ someone had blundered.”

With reference to the questions with which Mr. Silcock concludes his letter.

1. With respect to the well* I forgot that. But if Mr, Silcock is only content to “ Bide a wee ” until the water supply scheme is an accomplished fact, he can have a supply for Gd. per acre, which would only add L 25 to allowance for rates and taxes. 2, I do not think it would be cheaper to buy or rent rams every year, than have the trouble and risk of keeping them'.

3. You might not require a paddock for the calf of one cow, but if you “ kept on keepin’ on” breeding a calf every year, you would want some, place for them, as I see there are no account sales of any cattle in the annual returns ; and, more over, you might want a small paddock to run your sheep in which you want to kill and use on the farm, unless you run theta in a one hundred-acre paddock alone, which would scarcely pay, or run them with the mob, and when you wanted one get the whole mob up, which wouldn’t be a good practice. 4. “Won’t working horses be more profitable on the plains than brood mares ?” Answer—l hope all the plains farmers will think so, and then horses will go up in price. 5. “ Are two wires a good and suffi cient fence enough to keep out cross bred sheep?” To this I answer -No ; but I think if there was a sod wall about two feet, or two feet six inches high, and then two wires on the top of it, perhaps it might do, and that was the kind of fence I meant; and I suppose that Mr. Silcock knew that two wires and a stake every five yards wouldn’t cost seven, or even six shillings per chain. 6. “If you break up your 1,000 acres all at once, where will you keep your 1,000 sheep while the grass grows ?” My object was to show what it would cost to place the farm in working order, or to re claim it and place it in a state in which it could be worked in the way Mr. Silcock suggested. I may have “ made a mistake,” but I don’t know. I think I’m in the right, and I’m very stupid when I think I’m in the right. “ I am not , bound to please thee with my answer.”—Merchant of Venice, Act. iv., Sc, I. I am, &c., Yorkshxrebitk.

DISTRICT COURT.

(Before His Honor Judge Ward.) Monday, Aog. 16. Fergus v. Peter, and Wright v. Fletcher were adjourned till next Court day. Wood, Shand, and Co. v. M‘KorroW and Co.—Claim L 156 13s. 4d. Mr. Garrick applied for an adjourn ment, as his client had not come up with the train, which was granted, with the usual costs. Ivess v. Martin.—Claim L 27 Is. Bd. Mr. Branson appeared for defendant, and Mr. Ivess conducted his own case. Mr. Ivess said that under an agreement with defendant the moneys sued for had been collected by Mr. Martin. He was sorry to bring the case into this Court, as it more properly belonged to the Court below, but owing to a frivolous techni cality he had been nonsuited, with costs. On or about the 12th February Mr. Martin had been engaged to collect ac counts at ten per cent, commission on the first L 250 collected, twelve and a half per cent on the second L 250, and fifteen per cent on the balance. On the 12th of March Mr. Martin entered upon his duties, and received certain accounts to start with, the balance not being ready. Contra accounts and accounts accruing from public bodies prior to the Ist March were exempted. Defendant was to give bis whole time and attention to the col lection of the accounts, and was requested not to threaten any debtor in Mr. Ivess’ name. The balance of the accounts were given to Martin on the Ist of April, and it was stipulated that no contra-accounts were to be settled without first referring to Mr. Ivess. It was also stipulated that on all accounts sent per post addressed to Mr. Ivess, or paid into Jameson’s store, commission would be allowed. Had occasion to com plain of the unsatisfactory way in which the accounts were being collected. On his return from the North Island, about the 15th of June, Ivess asked for a state ment of accounts, which Martin rendered. From moneys received on Mr. Ivess’ be half he withheld commission which Mr. Ivess disputed his title to. Owing to this dispute Martin was dismissed, but he still kept on collecting accounts in Mr. Ivess’ name—to wit, James Brown’s, Wakanui, and the Templar Hall Company. In the set-off put in by Mr. Martin a sum of L9l is debited as having been paid into the Mail office. The set-off was a very crude document, giving no particulars, but only a lump sum. Disputed the amount of L9l being paid into the Mail office. Only sued Mr. Martin for the amount he collected on my behalf. There were neither dates nor amounts of the items given in the set-off, and it would take too much of the time of the Court to amend the particulars. Would apply for an adjournment to allow the other side to amend particulars of their set-off. Mr. Branson had no objection. It was only necessary to show what sums were paid into Mr. Ivess’ office and what went to Mr. Jameson’s. His Honor granted Mr. Ivess’ applica tion, and the case was adjourned till next Court day. Megson v. Stalker. —Mr. Hammeraley appeared for plaintiff and Mr. Branson for defendant. This action was brought to re cover Ll3O in name of damages and loss sustained by plaintiff through the failure of defendant to fulfil an agreement to thresh plaintiff’s grain at a given time. During the time defendant neglected to go on with the threshing the markets had fallen in price, and plaintiff had there fore been compelled to sell at a lower figure than he would have secured had the grain been threshed at the time agreed on. Joseph Megson said that early in March he went to Stalker and asked him what threshing he had undertaken. He said he had undertaken none but Gardiner’s and Buckley’s. This, he said, would take nine or twelve days, Stalker said he would come direct from Buckley’s to thresh witness’ grain. Witness said the market was going down, and it was im perative the grain should be threshed. This promise by Stalker was made about the 2nd of April. He finished at Buckley’s on the Ist April, Buckley’s is about a mile

from my place. Stalker, when he had finished at Buckley’s went direct to Hard wick’s. W r ent to Stalker and mentioned to him that he heard Stalker was going to Hardwick’s, and asked if it was true. Stalker said Hardwick had been bothering him to go, and he was going. Witness then said if he did go to Hardwick’s and broke his agreement witness would sue him for damages. Stalker then said, “Oh, then, Hardwick can sweat.” Did not se Stalker till the 19th April, when Stalker fetched the machine. Could have got a machine at the time the agreement was made,, but not at the time Stalker did come. Had 4,000 bushels of wheat threshed besides the tailings, and 1,612 of barley, Showed Mr. Pavitt a sample of the barley from the stack in the early part of April. I went three times to Christ church after the grain, was threshed, but could not sell it—everybody was full up, and 1 had to send it to Auckland through Orr and Co., and Mr. George Roberts. That sent through Mr. Robert's was sold at 3s. Gd., but I have not got the account sales.

His Honor failed to see how damages could be assessed without the account sales, as ■'hey were the only data upon, which it could be ascertained whether' necessary or unnecessary expense had been incurred in finding a market. Mr. Hammersly applied for an adjourn ment to produce the account sales/ which'' were expected every day. His Honor granted the adjournment. in bankruptcy. Re Timothy Hircock. Application for order of discharge. ' Granted.—Mr. O’Reilly for bankrupt. Re James Porter.—Mr.; O’Reilly ap plied for an order of discharge, which was granted. , Re J. R. Aitken.—Mr. Crisp applied for, bankrupt’s discharge, which was granted. Re Thomas Clark.—Mr. Crisp applied to have the deed of assignment declared com pletely executed; ■ Granted. Re Samuel Corrigan.—Application for order of discharge refused, the notice not having been published in two newspapers. Application to be renewed next Court day. Re Robert Powrie.—Mr. Purnell ap plied for an order for payment of costs. Granted.

Re John Stevens. —Application by Mr. Crisp for order for bankrupt’s discharge. Granted.

Re Risely Brothers.—Application for order of discharge. Adjourned till next Court day. Re H. J. Edwards.—Also adjourned. ..

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

A public meeting was held yesterday in the Town Hall (which was very fairly at tended by the business men and others residing in the township), to receive the report of the sub-committee appointed at a previous meeting to draw up rules for the proposed Local Industries Association. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and Mr. S. E. Poyntz was elected Secretary. The draft rules were submitted and read by the Mayor, and after very little discussion these were approved of by the meeting. The rules were in fact a copy of Christchurch Association rules with such alterations as would adapt them to the circumstances of the district. The first and second give the name and object of the society as follows : (1.) “ The Association to be called * The Ashburton Local Industries Association. ’ ” (2.) “ The object of the Association shall be to promote and aid in the establish ment of Local Industries in the County and town of Ashburton.” The other rules provide the usual machinery for working the Association, forty members forming the committee, the members’ sub scription being ss. , ! ; the adoption of the rules, Mr. E. G. Wright was proposed for the position of President of the Association, and un animously elected. Mr. John Young proposed the Mayor, Mr. Hugo Friedlander for the vice-presi dency, and Dr. Trevor seconded. ; Thq election was unanimous, and in accepting the position, his Worship said he hoped that at next meeting he would be able to lay something definite before the members. Mr. Eyton having been elected Trea surer, the committee were then elected as follows :—Dr. Trevor, Dr. Stewart, Messrs. Donald Williamson, Andrew Orr, Thomas Bullock, J. R. Steele, Mr. Guin ness, T. R. Hodder, G. Jameson, 0. W. Parnell, H. 0. Jameson, S. Revans, A H. Shury, W. H. Zouch, S. Saunders, F. Pavitt, John Grigg, W. 0. Walker, I. E. Taylor, John Mann, John Young, Charles Braddell, E. S. Coster-, Gordon Holmes, Joseph Clark, Alfred Harrison, H. T. Winter, Duncan Cameron, James Scott, F. T. Mayo, C. P. Cox, Joshua Tucker, John Carter, Henry Moffat, Alfred Saun ders, sen., Julian Jackson, Joseph Hunt, A. E. Peache, Joseph Ward, L, S. Oors bie. Mr. Bullock moved that the next meeting of the committee be held on the first Wednesday of September, In the upper room of the Town Hall, at 7 p.m. Mr. Harrison seconded, and the motion was carried. It was decided that 250 copies of.,the rules be printed, and that copies be sold to non-members at Gd. The meeting then adjourned.

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

* (By Telegraph from our own Correspon dent ) Wellington, Aug. 16. The House met at 11 this morning but at once adjourned till 7.30 this evening, in consequence of the death of Mr. Ireland. Mr Rees is already in the field as a candidate for his seal. The report of the Public Accounts Committee will probably come on opportunely this week to show the Waikaia electors what an un selfish representative is now offering them his services. ,It is now quite evident that the Licens ing Bill will not get through this session, It is even doubted if the Property Assess ment Amendment Bill will be pushed on. Indeed members have made, up their minds to go, and they will. Mr. Wright is now the most abused man in Wellington. The Bishop has come out in the papers against him, arid the leading articles describe him as equally weak and wicked. They, as usual, first misreport and misrepresent everything he said, and then find no difficulty in showing that their own reports are untrue.' A' Royal Commissioner, said to be a favorite mark for angry editors, (Mr. Saunders), has discovered that the iron -work in the defective railway wagons, which Mr. Blair says are “at least four years and a half old ” bear the English ■ manufacturer’s brand for 1878, so that even Mr. Hall has not yet been able to establish Mr. Blair’s veracity. WHO IS THE OPPOSITION LEADER? Wellington, Aug. 14, Last night, after Mr. Macandrew’s wild speech on the Public Works Statement, he received a very public dismissal from the leadership of the Opposition. Mr. Hall referred to “ the leader of th.e Oppo sition,” when he was met with cries of “ Name, name” ; and on his saying, “ the hon. member for Port Chalmers;” there was a strong opposition, and cries of “No, no.” Mr. Macandrew’s “railway to the. moon,” and his inability to see why we could not keep on borrowing just as we have done, seem to have been a little too much, even for the most enterprising of his party.

, HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. .Friday, Aug. 13. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. - Mr. Barron quoted from the report of the Select Committee re the Otago Central Railway to show that the report of the Commission was in error. A few weeks ago some of the poorest land in the district, mere hill tops, had been sold at 20s. per acre. Mr. Macandrew said that they had as . much of iheir loans available just now as would enable them to go on with aU the linos undertaken, and, carry... them on to., 1882, He did not consider that theopinion of the Commission was in any respect better thaii that of any other member. His own opinion, as far as Otago was .con cerned, ought to be of more importance than that ;of a gentleman, who simply made a hurried run through the district.: The mistake made'by the Commission was i that-they were ■ guided; by' the .existing' population. His :coatenfiyn was! that!'iff the; country .was fit for. settlomont-it was' 1 fit for a' railway, and population was bound :tb cobie. ; Replying to the charges made against-' himself by Mr. Saunders, he understood the ground of -his offending was that he had left a number of railway carriages (exposed to the weather, and that serious charges had been made against himself for having spent money 'needlesly for the purpose of building sheds for rail way carriages. The evidence of the Civil Service Commission was, when looked into, of very ■ little worth. f lt was given in many instances by discharged servants ■and others, who had personal or perhaps political bias, and be for one was quite prepared to bear such contumely. He agreed with the resolution, and he could, not well see how any 1 fibril 1 member’ could dissent fpom it.. The invidious comparison that had been made between the working of the Dunedin and Christchurch stations were but very snirill affairs. The reference to the, railway, guards he did not quite understand, but he supposed it must have been a mistake on tho part of the officer who furnished the data. ■ f Mr.: Wright explained that the Govern-, ment had furnished the Commission with particulars of all proposals for railways before commencing-its duties. The Hon. R. Oliver explained the ques tion re Christchurch lines guards. Mr. Saunders said that, despite what had been said to the contrary, he did not place implicit confidence in the investiga tions made by Select Committees. Royal Commissions were different. They were carefully selected for their special fitness' for iheir work, and .they were., enabled to. go about and see for .themselves that what was stated was correct. He was much struck by the remark made by the member for Coleridge, when ho stated that the recommendations made by the Commit tees invariably went in the direction of works in which some big man was spe cially interested. He could not imagine how a Commission-could have been se lected with more care than the Railway Commission, and he looked on their re port, as more disinterested than the recom mendations made by any Select Gommit teee, any Civil Servant, or yet any Minis ter of the Crown. ■ Mr. Brandon said that the evidence taken by the Commission was at variance ’ with tlfe judgment given by these gentle men.

. Mr. Johnston spoke in favor of the Wellington-Foxton line. Mr. Lundon would support the report, as from his knowledge of the North he thought the report a - fair and honest one.

The Hon. Major Atkinson said he had listened with pleasure to the speech of the member for Coleridge. He did seem to impute to the Government blame for enter ing into a contract for the Kawakawa line and reducing the freights on the Waikato line. That statement marred the effect of an otherwise good speech. The Kawa kawa was an agreement with the provincial: Government, and the present Government had to take up the engage ment. Thehon. member was not justified in imputing wrong doing in the matter simply because the Attorney-General had had some: connection with the company years ago. He had no doubt but that the. recommendation was wise, and that neither directly nor indirectly had the Attorney-General anything to do with it. Generally speaking the report was a valu able one. Like others, he was disap pointed that the line between Stratford and Waverley had not been recommended. Still he was not one who would say that the Commission had not given the matter that careful consideration which would ‘Warrant them in setting the report aside. He hoped they would i see i their *way id reject .the‘motion of the member for the Dunstan by a large majority.; The Com mission -was appointed with the full ap proval of the House. There was not a single objection to the Comthission, and yet this, resolution .was condemnatory of the Commission. In that case the House would simply be condemning itself.. The Commission had only done the duty they were appointed to do. If any one was to blame it was the Government, by whom they were appointed, and the resolutions ought properly speaking to. be directed against the Government, and not against the Commission.

Mr. Montgomery said that the meinbers of the Commission were, most respectable gentlemen Of experience, who worked hard in the works devolving upon them. The member for Coleridge was an expert, and from him, above all other men, a reliable report was to be looked for. He could not. understand 'how' the' House should think of passing a vote of censure upon such men. If there was anything wrong it was not the Commission that was to blame but the Government' by whom they were appointed. He expected a different Public Works ’Statement from’ the one they had got. They knew that money was scarce, but still they expected something more than a mere string of memoranda. Regarding the sum oh hand

for native land purchases he ventured to say that there was no such intention on the part of the part of the Government to spend that money on native lands. What was intended was to keep it over, and next session, when they were about to go to the country; that money would be a very neat sum to have at their backs. The Hon. J. Hall moved that the debate be adjourned. The motion for the adjournment of the debate was carried on a division by 34 to 21. ' '

After some snarling on a motion to adjourn, the House went into Committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Institu tions Bill. , i

After reading the first two clauses, the Hon. J. Hall moved that, progress be reported, and at 12.20 the House ad journed.

Monday, August 16. The House met’this morning at 11 a.m. After prayers, the Hon. J. Hall sajd honorable gentlemen were no doubt aware that since they met on the last occasion, death had removed from their midst one of their number, in the person of tho honorable member for Waikari, Mr. Ireland. • Of the deceased, he felt himself in many respects incompetent to do' his many virtues justice on that occasion ; they all knew the quiet, un assuming, conscientious manner in which he discharged his duty. Government understood it was the desire of his friends that his remains should be interred amongst them. Under the peculiar cir cumstances of the case, Government thought it would be giving effect to the

wishes of the House, as well as the wishes of the country at large, by facilitating that desire to the best of their ability.; They had therefore made arrangements for the remains to be forwarded; by a Government steamer direct to, Lyttelton,' from whence they would be conyeyed'by rail to the part of the country to which the deceased belonged. The remains would leave the lodging occupied by de ceased at 2 o’clock, so that after embarka tion, the steamer might take its departure at 2.30, to enable horn gentlemen to pay, the last tribute to the memory of the deceased gentlemen. He would move the adjournment of the House till 7.30 p.m. Mr. Macandrew- secon de d ~ the f motion l for adjournment in a fejv f . remarks,- com plimenting the character and’ conduct of the deceased.

' Sir ,George Grey said members on his side of the House felt very grateful to the Government for the prompt arrangements made for giving effect to the wishes of de- friends, and he quite agreed in what had fallen from the Hon. the Pre mier’with regard to the deceased.* The circumstances of his death were such as to inspire them with feelings of the utmost .respect for his memory. His career had been brought to a close while he was en gaged in the public duty of his country, and in! the Legislature of his country his name would be held in, remembrance as that ®f a-good man—a man who had done his duty : conscientiously and well. Mr. J.! C. Brown also made a few re -1 marks in:praise of the deceosed member. * * Mr. aPultpu said,,.he ..was. an intimate friend of the deceased, and spoke of .the high estimat'o ri'iri which ‘he was "h’eid' amongst ithe constituents he' ‘represented. They had elected him mot for his, peculiar talents or ability, but because ho .was an, honest upright -man*/-who- riever' did' 'any thing against his . convictions. : They had taken him from.his claim as a.; working, man, and paid the 1 ' 1 expenses' cf hisyelec -5 tipri. He ■ was.a irian ' who -was 'conscien tious to a fault, ; and..in ; that House, he had ■gained the respect of everyone with whom he was brought into contact; " He was an honor to thprcpnstituericy bjn whom liefwstss elected, he.was an honor to, the; House j and an honor to all ’ those who cpuld call him their friend. 1 . -He’felt v he’ Should ribt say less, land. it ;was.not;forrhim.ito Spy more. ' . ( , . .J. , • The motion was theii - put, and' carried without dissent, and the House adjourned.:

TELEGRAPHIC.

• ’ LATEST FROM EUROPE. , {Per Reuter’s Agency,) London, Aug. 12. 1 An -1 uneasy feeling exists in Ireland. Six boats, containing- Feniansy boarded a vessel at Cork. They overcame the captain and crew, stole three cases of rifles,; which have not yet been recovered, and the culprits still remain at large. In the House of Commons, Sir Charles Dilke, Under-Secretary for the Foreign Department, stated - various Great Powers had suggested the advisable ness of guaranteeing the . Sultan the remainder of his territory, provided that he consented to the conditions of the late conference, --d h-jr-I- 1 - od The .total reserve:in notes , and bulliohr in'the Bank of England is L16,250,0(16.; , IA : match 5 between the'Australians and Eighteen lofySand^fiandy. at; Suriderlandy was commenced to-day. The Home team.- went in first, and were all out for 79 runs. The Australians went in for their first innings, and when the stumps were drawn for the; day had lost five wickets for 91 runs. 15 In the House of Commons, the Burials Bill has been read a second time. .. Mr. Gladstone attends a Cabinet Coun cil to-morrow, as the prorogation takes place in aifew days. London, Aug. 13. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,820,000 quarters. Adelaide wheat,-per 49,ffibs.yexiwarehouse, 48s. Gd.; ;ex. warehouse, 365.; New Zealand wheat, ex ship, 475.; best Sydney copra, Ll 9. , General Lefroy will be appointed pro visionally ■ to administer the Government of Tasmania^-.pending, the arrival;.of Sir; George Strahan, the, newly-appointed Governor,- who gOverris af the Cape until the arrival of Sir Hercules RobinsoA'i - : - The i cricket i match, Australians, versus Eighteen of Sunderland, s . was resumed to-day. . The Australians coritiriiied theiri first innings, and put together 171 runs before the: last wicket fell. Bonner made top score with 52, and was caught out. The , Homo team then went in for their second “ innings, but only succeeded in scoring 54, and the Australians thus won the match;in one innirigsVuth'3B rWs To" spare. 1 The sculling match which has been arranged between Laycock, of Sydney, and Blackham, for LIOO a side, will be rowed,on the Thames on October sth.

* The proposals which. have. been r ma(Je to the .various Powers ihdt the’S’riltari bf Turkey; should be guaranteed the re mainder of his territory provided he con sents to'the ebriditioris 1 of The Berlin Con ference, it is now announced, emanated from Germany and Austria, and is believed to be the outcome of a recent’ interview between! the Emperors William and Francis Joseph. ’ /..'i ■ i f-August -jt-iJ '

'•lt is'currently reported at St. Peters burg that Ayoub Khan and Abdur Rah man are Noting in collusion? ' 1 ■ - ! 1 : Latest intelligence from Oandahar is disquieting, owing to various tribes flock ing to join; Ayoub Khan’s forces. Hostile attitude continues on the increase, and active warlike preparations are being made by Ayoub Khan for the purpose of making ■an assault on Oandahar.

A large number of supposed Fenian emissaries have arrived in Ireland. Four hundred rifles have been purchased in Dublin and taken to Cork. It is suspected .that a complete Fenian organisation now ■exists in Ireland. .io j . .An enquiry has been held into' the cause of the collision which took place on the 18th ,of last month between the steamer Centurian and sailing ship Hydaspes, off Dungeness, by which the latter vessel was sunk. The Court finds that both vessel*} were, collision. A largo meeting of Home Rulers has been held jat Glasgow. Thirty thousand ; Irishmen attended the meeting. ■ 7 1. , ; ■ Washington, Aug. 14 A railway collision has taken place at New Jersey, when, collided," resulting in forty-seven, being killed and wounded. Berlin, Aug. 12. A meeting has taken place at Ischl between the Emperors of Germany and Austria, when their Majesties discussed the, present aspect of affairs in/Eastern Europe. It is understood that their in terview gives hope of the peaceful settle ment of the questions now requiring ad justment. Calcutta, Aug. 12. Hews cornea to hand from Candahar which shows that garrison, iw the citadel is not altogether inactive. General Primrose lately sent out several parties, of l skirmishers, who have made ■successful attacks on the villages of hos tile tribes in the district around Canda har. Cabul has been evacuated, and every thing was quiet on the departure of the troops. TJie relieving force is now ad vancing towards Candahar .unpposed.

AUSTRALIAN. (Renter's Telegrams.) i. • Melbourne. August 13, Ned Kelly has been brought back to Melbourne, the inquiry at B.eechworth being finished,

i | . * Sydney, Aug 13. Hews comes to hand : via Noumea that the Native King of Tahiti has abdicated, and Tahiti has been proclaimed a French, colony. ' Brisbane, Aug. 13. V The Treasurer introduced his Financial Statement in the Legislative Assembly last night. He estimates the revenue for the present year at L 1,633,500, and the expenditure at L 1,690,000. In order to cover the deficit, he proposes to increase the quantity of land to be sold and increase the export duty on cider and,the import duty bn tallow and stearine and the excise duty on “rum to 10s. Various articles in the tarriff will, moreover, be altered fro.mrfixed tpr&d mlm'em duties. : He anticipates a surplus of L 32,500. The sum of L 317,000 will be transferred from the loan account to the cpnsolidated revenue, i- leaving' the latter in credit. The Treasurer’s proposals are generally approved. . , INTERPROYINCIAL. i Auckland, Aug. 14. In the; seven mile walking match; be- - tween A.| Hendry and Thomas Fernandez for Lloo‘, the latter won by one hundred yards in j sixty-six minutes twenty > one seconds. ■ The match - excited, great in terest. The betting was 3tc 1 on Hen- , f . dry up tb'the fourth' mile, and a large amount of money changed hands. In the mile handicap there, were eight competi-, . tors, andi;it was'w6h- ; by Forside; ..’i'-' Negotiations are said to be on the eve of.completion for the purchase of Newton kirk and ,the manse, adjoining Dr. Wallis’, M.H.R.,1 for LIS,(MM), by the Roman, Catholics, for. Father Sullivan and ,other , Benedictine priests expected to arrive I shortly. • • - -'' ■• - !;: Aug. ‘ 15. ! ' • ’ ‘ATthe -inquest on Duncan Livingstone, • who- died, frbm the effects of an accident .at station, : Papakurri, l aver .dict of “"accidental- death”-was retumedy and iTrideT that nd ! blame was attachable to ■’ the -railway officials. The evidence r showed .that deceased had been drinking, and being prevented oh -that account by the station master from boarding-the up epuntry train for his home at Pukekoe, he had . after dark laid ,down .between ' the ; ) station platfonn and rails'to bleep. Hb : was awoke by the passing of' the down. ‘ goods, train. \ which: did not : stop At the I , 1 station, and had instinctively put put his • legs I bn the rails when the last carriage went ovei; them.-r a-. : - , v.-/ ]5 r-;. 1 The, s.s. Southern Cross has. arrived • frorir Levuka,. bringing dates 'to the ,Bth. H.M.S. Wolverine arrived in Levuka on . the sth from Tadwini. She struck on a - reef at the NvE.’ end of Garb. She is said to be considerably damaged and had 6ft. of water in her hold, and was reported to be making 3ft. per hour. j -r ■ | Auckland August 16;; t Delaney, the carter, who was kicked by his horse; on the head,' lies at the hob-' pital in a dangerous condition. A portion of the bone of the, skull has been; driven ; into the brain, and a portion of brain ex posed. j 1 j Gisborne,--Aug.;-14.,.- Nahoware,- a Maori, whb L was committed for trial time ago;, ’ escaped;. yerter day morning by scaling the walls of the prison. He left word 'with- sbine'of his re datives | that the reason . for his running away -wasj that the gaol accommodation, insufficient, and so soon as alterations ■ '• take plade „■ in ; the. supply of food and • "blanket's, !he promised to' -write to the Magistrate, 'arid ’return to gaol. The • prisoner bjas not yet been captured. It is stated that a.great public meeting will be held next week to protest against • the action of Government in ignoring the Wellington and Foxton Railway. - , . . . Mr. C.' Malirig, late : Telegraph Sur-' veyor, whpse services hare been dispensed with in consequence of the late reduc tions haslbeen presented.; by his Friends t with a purse of sovereigns. Mr. Maling left to-day, eu route for England. -. New Plymouth, Aug. 16. Further particulars re the stranding of ; th,o steamer Rbwena state that she left ■ ; , the Waitara whaif on. Saturday at .two' -■ ; o’clock, with, ten passengers and a cargo of . sheep for; Manukau, having in tow the ketch Forest Queen, for Wellington. Aa ’ she was crossing the bar a heavy sea. struck the steamer, washing ‘away one of . : the 'boats,,which.is, lost, and causing her . : tow-line to get * foul of the propeller.' The q steamer Vlbejng i helpless, cast ’the ’ ketch adrift, and was driven. to thei North Spit, the ketch grounding on-.the north side of the Waitara River.’ The captain of the Forest - Queen let go - her anchor, which’ kept her in position, but the tide was put, and each wave caused her to bump oil the beach;. .. An-effort was made to get,the .steamer afloat, but - was. fruitless, as'thetide was running out. The sheep and passengers were landed. Just after the Rowena went ashore, a, fireman on board hei'was taken suddenly: illy and : , before he could‘be 1 brought ashore died: Hia name; is Billy,-and he belongs to Auckland,’; having a wife and;two childreti ’ living there:' £ An attempt was to be made 'to get both lyesselb off this morning. An ■ inquest on the body -of the fireman is to be held to-dayl " IS 1-1 - ~h ■ !!!-: 'Wellington, Aug.'ls.' Mr. Ireland,. M.H.R. for Waikaia, died at seven this morning. 'He had been. : ailing for some ; tirae, but was in the House on Thursday. The same night he • consulted his medical adviser, and on ,the ' following day was taken seriously- illj and /; has been confined 1 to his bed since.-’ The ' supposed cause of death was heart disease ~ and congestibri'of the lungs. ; ’ ; Wellington, Aug ’l6. It is stated that several parties are gold . ; digging near Terawhitiy about ten miles ' from here] arid: allthbugh .without proper 1 sluicing appliances, are making from five' to six shillings per day.

Official information 1 from Lake Ma pourika diggings recommends that the rush should be discouraged,: as it is being over- : ‘ done, and it is a matter of time to get at' ■ the gold, ; either > deep I 'sinking l or 'long tunnels being necessary. Men' l without-' means will find themselves in difficulties. At -thei RlilA'SOourfe’tb^^ Henderson was charged with : wife deser tion at Christchurch.,: , The,counsel for the defence con tended-that on a charge of this . kind a person could not be arrested on a telegram. His Worship upheld the objec tion, and. discharged the prisoner. This afternoon Hondersdhj was again arrested ■ on two charges, one of larceny as a bailee, and the other on embezzlement. ■ < ■ ; -

■ Timaru, Aug. IK . John Blair, formerly receiving goods clerk at the Railway station, was com mitted for trial ‘this 'morning for em bezzling L 7 7s. During ilia last month of his engagement, he had torn up the way-bills without entering the moneys received. : His defalcations altogether amount to about LIOO.

Dunedin, Aug. 14. At the. City- Court to-day, William Henry ■ Felton wag charged with stealing a cheque for LIOO under peculiar ' circumstances. The prosecutor, George Worsdell, and he, met at the Milton, where they had been gambling together. Worsdell and a young woman to whom Felton was engaged, travelled by train from Milton. At,Dun- " e-dih station they were joined -by Felton. It is alleged Felton got possession of the cheque while prosecutor was - drunk,- aa<4‘ ‘ it was cashed by him. The case ia re manded till Monday, - A charge against George McGusiie an<i ' Thomas Taylor; for, keeping an illicit still at Blueskin, has been remanded till Wed nesday. ( ; ’ ’’

Invercargill, Aug. 14. At a meeting of the Board of Governors . of the High Schools it was shown that the.' cost of the Girls High School during the half year was L 772 and fees L 387 ; average V ; attendance!,-’’43 ;'cost of edch pupil* being ’ nearly L 36 yearly. The Board unani mously resolved to make reductions in the staff.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1880.

PARLIAMENTARY



AUCTION SALES. Fbxday, August 20. Messrs. Matson, Cox, and Co., on the Reserve- opposite Messrs. Priedlander Bros. Store, at 12 o’clock sharp— Horses, Implements, and Contractors Plant. Messrs. Matson and Co., at Tattersall’s —Horses. Carts, Harness, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock.



THE Friends of Mr. E. COOKSON, are respectfully informed that the FUNERAL of his late son Leonard will leave his residence at 2 p.xn. THIS DAY. THOS. A GATES, 125 a ■ Undertaker. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, the Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Bates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c WANTED —A YOUTH for an Office, must write a good hand. Apply in own writing to X., Herald Office. 750c-1260 GRAND ATTRACTION ! ! ! COME ONE!! COME ALL!!! TOWN HALL, Thursday & Eriday, AUGUST 19TH AND 20TH. 1.0 Grp Anniversary of the Dawn •L « of Peace Lodge, No. 164 A Tea & Entertainment Will be held in the TOWN HALL. Tea to commence at 5.30, after which the AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB Will Perform that Grand Moral and Sensational Drama, entitled TEN NIGHTS iha BARROOM To which the curtain will rise at 8. p.m. Prices of Admission—Tea only Is. 6d. Tea and Entertainment (to Body of Hall), 2s. 6d. Entertainment only—Dress Circle 3s. Body of Hall, 2s. and Is. ON FRIDAY, THE 20th. The Brama will be Repeated. 749c-1180