COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE

The following is the Christchurch Corn Exchange report for the week ending Fridav “Anvil 30th The market for all classes of gram is extremely heavy. The most recent ad vices from Home report a still further de cline in the value of wheat. Shippers are very chary of buying, and in the of latest intelligence from Home are offering quite 3d. per bushel less for wheat. Large quantities continue to come forward. Growers appear unwilling to accept cur rent rates. This has been the case since the market opened; each week, as it shows a decline in rates, determines the growers to ship on their own account, provided they cannot get an advance on current values. The marvellously pro pitious weather which has characterised this season from its very commencement still continues, and threshing operations are steadily proceeding. Large quantities of wheat continue to arrive in Lyttelton, and are being shipped. The tonnage ac commodation is fairly commensurate with the requirement. Wheat.—Good quality fit for shipment is not saleable at over 3s. Cd. to 3s. 7d. f.o.b. per bushel. Prime samples of par ticular kinds tit for seed will command 3s. 9d. to 4s. per bushel. Small parcels of prime milling quality will find purchasers at 3s. 6d. to 3s. 7d. ; the demand, how ever, being somewhat heavy. Chick wheat continues in good supply, with the demand hardly so good ; good quality will command 2s. Gel. to 2s. lOd. per bushel, inferior to medium, 2s. to 2s. 4d. Oats. —The market for this class of produce remains very inactive ; in view of the large quantities to arrive purchas ers arc indifferent. . Small parcels of good milling quality change hands at Is. Gd. per bushel. Large lines for immediate delivery are not saleable at over Is 4d. per bushel. Feed samples, in large lines, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. per bushel. Barley.—The state of the market for this cereal is precisely in the same con dition, large quantities offering, with but few buyers. Maltsters and brewers, being supplied, are not eager purchasers. Really prime samples are saleable at 3s. od. to 3s. lOd. per bushel; good malting, 3s. 4d. to 3s. 64d. per bushel ; feed sorts, 2s. 3d. to 2s“ Gd. per bushel. Grass Seed. —A few sales are taking place at the market quotations, viz., 2a. Gd. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. The demand, however, is slack. Potatoes.—The demand continues slug gish, and the market cannot be said to have improved since last week. Sales are taking place at from 275. 6d. to 30s. per ton, at Christchurch railway station, sacks extra.

Cheese and Butter. —The former 4d. to 4|d.; the latter, Sid. to 9d. per lb.

[by telegraph.] Dunedin, April 30.

Prime beef, 225. Gd. per lOOlbs.; mutton, 2d. per lb. Good samples wheat, 4s. to 4s. 3d.; fowls’ wheat, 3s. to 3s. 3d.; oats, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.; malt barley, 3s. lOd. to 4s. 3d.; feed, 2s. Gd. to 35.; potatoes, L2 10s. ; old hay, L 4 ; new oaten hay, L 3 35.; chaff, L 3 ; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 ; pollard, L 5 ; flour, LlO 10s. to LlO 15s, large sacks ; oatmeal, LlO ; pearl barley, L 22 ; onions, 7s. ; new cheese, sd. : bacon, rolled, lOd. ; hams, Is. ; sides bacon, lid. Wellington, April 30. The Loan and Mercantile Agency re port, under date Loudon, 27th April Wool sales progress firmly; medium and inferior greasy, markets firmer ; medium and inferior combing, washed, and combing-washed, markets firmer; scoured has advanced 2d. since the close of last sale ; clothing washed, market un changed ; cross-bred, market easier. Up to date 61,000 bales have been sold. Tallow. —Stocks heavy ; best mutton being worth L 33 10s.; best beef, L 32. Wheat.—Foreign arrivals heavy ; the market is quiet. Adelaide is worth 535. per 40Glbs.; New Zealand, 51s. per 406 lbs. Leather.—-9,600 best sides, Australasia, sold since last report; best sides fetched one farthing in advance on previous rates. Other qualities unchanged.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES,

Monday, May 3.

J. E. Buchanan and Co., at the yards, close to Mr. John Hood’s, Mount Somers—Horses, Cattle, Pigs, and Sun dries. Sale at 1 o’clock shtiri.). Tuesday, May 4.

Messrs. Hdmislon, Gun dry, and Co., at the Ashburton Saleyards—Great Clearing Sale of Farming Implements, Horses, Farm, etc., in the estates of Edwin Watkins, Risely Bros., and others. Sale at 12 o’clock. Wednesday, May 5. Alfred Harrison, at bis rooms, Havelock street. —The Farm at Seafield, now in the occupation of Mrs. Dannihy. Sale at 2 o’clock. Also, at the same time and place, 14 Suburban Sections. Saturday, May 8. J. E. Buchanan and Co., at their rooms, Havelock street.—lG Splendid Suburban Sections. Sale at 2 o’clock. Wednesday, May 12. Alfred Harrison, on the premises of the late Mr. James Cairns, Waterton.— Compact little Farm of 100 Acres. Sale at 12 sharp. Thursday, May 13. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at their rooms, East street. —35 Sections in the Township of Tinwald. Sale at 2 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1880.

The financial circumstances of the co lony, thanks to reckless government in the not very far past, require the imposi tion of direct taxation, and with a view to retrieving the ground the colony has lost, Parliament last year im posed a direct property tax, which they hoped would materially help to bring our income up to, at least, very nearly the level of our expenditure. Wo all know why this tax was imposed. We were all aware that had no financial difficulty existed, had the public exchequer been as healthy as could have been wished, we would never have heard of a property tax. But there was a certain deficiency staring the Treasurer in the face, a deficiency that was bound to become greater instead of decreasing ; and Parliament, however un willing to add to the already heavy taxa tion, was forced, in the pressing circum stances, to accept the measure submitted to theni. The Property Tax Act has been received with much opposition by some portions of the press, especially those who supported the Grey Government, while the moderate journals, after having con sidered it calmly and dispassionately, have been forced to the conclusion that it was about the only course left open to Parliament if they wished to raise revenue, and at the same time make all directly contribute who were able from their means to do so. The Opposition have done their best to condemn the measure, some even going the length of denouncing it as an attack on the sacredness of home, and a violation of the domestic privacy of every man in the colony. But no one who reads the Act as it stands will entertain that opinion of it for a moment. True, it will require careful working, for it ini tiates a mode of taxation in these colonies that has never been previously tried here ; but when it comes fairly into operation, and the tax has been collected, it will be .found that it is neither so inquisitorial nor so harassing as it has been made out to be, while it will reach the pockta of many wealthy men whom the Land Tax could not approach. We give below an extract from the Wellington Fast, which we think gives as lucid an explanation of the points that have been purposely hazed by Op positionists as we have seen in any of our contemporaries There is not a single word in the Act empowering an assessor to enter a man’s house and value his personal property. The power of entry given to assessors is precisely the same as was conferred by the Land Tax Act introduced by the Grey Government, and simply enables them to enter on land and premises, and put questions to the owner or occupier re garding his real estate. There is nothing whatever in the Act by which the domes tic privacy of the ratepayer can be invaded in the slightest degree. It is not probable that the first instalment of the tax will be collected before September next, but the assessors arc now entering on their duties, and a slight sketch of the modus operandi of the tax may not be uninteresting to our readers. First of all, then, the Commis sioner will give one month’s public notice of the time and place at which all persons shall be required to furnish statements of their real and personal property. It is the duty of every man owning property to procure the necessary forms, if they are not supplied to him, as any person liable to taxation under the Act incurs a heavy penalty by wilfully refusing or neglecting to furnish a statement of his property. It should be borne in mind that the tax payer has to value his personal property himself- —the Act gives no power whatever to the assessors to value it. If a Deputy Commissioner is dissatisfied with a man’s return he may demand a fuller return, and if he is still dissatisfied with it he may object to it. The objection would then go before a Board of Reviewers, sworn to secrecy, with power to call for persons and papers. The taxpayer has also power to object to an assessment, and the objection, if not allowed by the Commis sioners, will go before the Board. This is almost precisely the same practice as that adopted in reference to the collection of the Income Tax at Home, and every care is taken in the Act to hedge round all the proceedings with the strictest secrecy. Borne difficulty will no doubt be ex perienced at first in giving correct re turns, although it is reduced as far as possible to a minimum by the instructions on the forms which are issued to the ratepayers. There are a few leading points which it is useful to remember, and which we shall endeavor, as concisely as possible, to lay before our readers. First, and most important all, it should be borne in mind that every man is entitled to deduct all his debts and an exemption to the amount of £SOO. If, after paying all ho owes, he would be left with pro perty to the value of £5lO, he' will have to pay the tax on £lO, which at Id. in the £ would amount to lOd. If the balance only represented £490, or even £SOO, he would escape the tax altogether. It will thus be seen that the tax will be of com paratively limited application. The work ing man, except in rare instances, will escape scot free. Hot so the propertied classes, and no doubt the burden of the tax will fall very heavily on the trading community who have to pay on their stock-in-trade, as well as on any other property they may possess. Property of every description, both real and personal, in fact, has to pay the tax, provided it does not come within the £SOO limit. The only exception is made in favor of certain public institutions, agricultural imple ments, life insurance policies, vessels of every kind, and property held in rever sion in which the owner has no present beneficial interest. Every firm, partner ship, or association is entitled to one de duction of £SOO, even if each member has received that allowance in the assess ment of his individual property ; but only one deduction will be allowed to a firm, no matter how many members there may be. An error, which has gained considerable currency is that a person must specify his

debts ; but, ns a matter of fact, all that lie lias to do is to state the gross amount of debts for which he claims a deduction.

Reports from the North still record the spreading among the cattle of pleuro pneumonia, and settlers are gradually be coming alive to its dangers, and the need of battling with it while it is yet compara tively young. At one meeting on the subject at Auckland it was resolved to ask Government to introduce a Bill next ses sion to legalise the imposition of a local rate to provide funds for the indemnifica tion of settlers whose cattle had been slaughtered to stay the progress of dis ease. Yesterday the Geraldine County Council passed a resolution requesting the Governor to issue an Order in Council prohibiting the importation of cattle by sea to the South Island, whether from the North Island or the Australian colonies.

Horticultural Society. —The annual meeting of the Horticultural Society will he held at Mr. Ansteo’s, Tancred street, on Tuesday evening next.

The Raphael Company. —We are in formed that Signor Raphael and his talented family intend giving an enter tainment in the Town Hall at an early date.

‘ ‘ Walking Extraordinary. ” —Young Glceson, a ped. of some note, is to essay the task ot walking 13 miles in two hours in the Town Hall, Ashburton, this evening. He commences his “jour ney ” at eight sharp. O.Y.G.—The following appointments in the O.Y.C. arc gazetted James Wilkin, to be lieutenant; and E. W Millet, and J. Stanley Bruce to be sub-lieutenants.' A contingent at Mount Somers and Alford Forest is spoken of.

A New Headpiece.— The C.Y.O. mem bers are no longer to put up with the simple forage cap they wear as a part of their uniform. At a meeting in Christ church on Thursday it was decided to obtain helmets, of a design to be obtained

by a Committee. Fire. —The weatherboard building used by Mr. Lancaster, for smoking meat, was burned down to-day, destroying .about 3001 b. weight of pork, the property of Air. T. Quill, which had been sent there for curing purposes. It is supposed that the heat was too intense, and that through this cause the woodwork had become ignited.

Reduction of Coursing Licenses. — After a discussion on a letter received from the Hon. Secretary to the Canter bury Coursing Club, asking that the license fee for coursing should lie reduced this season to 55., the Acclimatisation Council at Thursday’s meeting decided to charge a fee of 10s. for the first dog, and ss. for every other dog the bona fide pro perty of one owner.

The Library. —From the number of rer.ders who take advantage of the read ing-room in connection with the Public Library, we should say the institution is a remarkably popular one, and it is a pity that it should be neglected. Wo note that the library is no longer to be left under the reproach of causing no interest amongst the members, but that a meeting subscribers is to be held on the 13th of May next. Doubtless those who have been agitating reform will attend, and aid in the taking of forward steps, so that any little grievances now existing may be put square. Serious Accident. —Yesterday after noon, about three o’clock, the young son of Mr. Clark, storekeeper, East Street, while running across the road opposite his father’s shop, and while looking over his shoulder at something behind, ran right under the feet of a passing horse that was drawing a dog-cart. The poor little fellow was knocked down and trod on by the horse, receiving a deep cut on the back of the head. Sir. T. Quill picked up the child, and had him driven to Dr. Ross’s, where his wounds were dressed. The wounds are severe, the skull being slightly fractured, but the doctor thinks the child will recover.

Powerful Lungs. —During the case of Edmiston, Gundry and Co. v. G. Ireland, at the Court yesterday, all the wit nesses were ordered out of Court at the request of Mr. Branson, counsel for the defence. During the cross-examination of Mr. Bullock, the talk of both wit nesses and counsel grew somewhat ani mated, the voice of Mr. Branson rising above the tumult with its usual clearness, upon which Mr. O’Reilly quietly drew the attention of the Bench to the fact that it was useless to order the witnesses out of hearing, when it was an impossibilty for them to do so ; a graceful compliment to the strength of Mr. Branson’s lungs, and one which ho, with equal grace, acknow ledged.

Charge of Assault. —An old man named Cooper was brought before Mr. Guinness on Thursday afternoon, charged with assaulting his wife and threatening to take her life. The complainant stated she was in bodily fear of her husband, who was frequently intoxicated, and while in that state his conduct to her was very violent. Two witnesses gave evidence to the unsteady habits of the accused, and his Worship fined Cooper 10s. for the assault, or twenty-four hours’ imprison ment, and also bound him over to keep the peace towards his wife for six months, himself in a bond of L3O, and two sure ties of Ll 5 each, or failing to find sure ties, to be sentenced to six month's im prisonment ; the accused to be released if during that term the necessary bonds were entered into. Ashburton County Steeplechases.— A meeting of the committee of the Ash burton Steeplechases was held yesterday afternoon, at Quill’s Hotel. Present — Messrs. C. C. Fooks (Chairman), E. G. Crisp, E. F. Wright, Lawson, Grant, and Wilkie. It was resolved that the rule respecting district horses and owners should bo altered, so as to read as follows: —“ A district horse shall mean a horse commonly resident in the County since March Ist, 1880, and the buna fide pro perty of the owner ; and ‘ owner ’ shall mean a person or persons commonly resi dent in the County of Ashburton not less than six months previous to this meeting. ” A committee was then appointed to in spect a suitable course on which to hold the races. The question of making a per manent steeplechase course on the pre sent racecourse was discussed, and the matter referred to the ground committee to report on Tuesday next.

The “Lean-to” Case Appeal. —At the sitting of the Supremo Court in Christchurch on Thursday the appeal case —Patterson v. Pratt—against the decision of Mr. Guinness in the recent “ lean-to ” affair was heard. It will he remembered that Mr. Guinness sentenced Patterson to three months’ imprisonment on a charge of being illegally on the premisses of Mr. W. H. Barrett. The statement of the counsel for the appellant showed that the latter had gone to Barrett’s house, think ing it to bo another house, and, upon find ing his mistake, had gone hack to his cart in the road, where he was arrested. He had not been further than Barrett’s ver andah. Mr. Harper, instructed by Messrs. Branson and Purnell, appeared for Patterson, and Mr. Joynt appeared for the respondent. Mr. Joynt argued that it would be sufficient to show that a tres passer had no reasonable excuse ; it was not necessary to show that he was there for an illegal purpose. The appellant had not at once gone away, hut persisted for some minutes in remaining. He con fessed that he did not think there was sufficient to warrant imprisonment for three months. His Honor, Judge John ston, said the conviction was, as far as he knew the facts, monstrous, and quashed it.

The State op Life. —Mr. T. Taylor, baker, announces that hia bread is now sold at Cd. per quartern loaf.

The Licensing Court. —The announce ment of the Licensing Court’s sittings for the Ashburton, Rakaia, and Mount Somers district on the Ist of June has been made. Jameson v. Field. —ln the case of Jameson v. Field, (an action to recover the price of some barley supplied by plain tiff to defendant, and which was decided in plaintiff’s favor), heard at the R. M. Court here some time ago, action has been taken in the Supremo Court, and on Thursday, Mr. Harper moved for a rule nisi, calling upon Frank Guinness, Resi dent Magistrate for Ashburton, to show cause why a mandamus should not issue directing him to issue a warrant of distress in the case of Jameson v. Field. Rule granted as prayed. Foreign Missions —On Thursday ovon* ing the annual missionary meeting of the Wesleyan Church was hold. There were about 50 members present, and Mr. J. 10. Buchanan was chairman, and introduced the subject of Foreign Missions. The Rev. Mr. Koall give an interesting sketch of the mission work of the Wesleyan Church. He said the Methodist Church had from its origin been characterised by amissionary spirit, its missions’ exhibited its true life, and it was very interesting to glance at that part of Methodist history. Ho gave a rapid sketch of the introduction of Methodism in various parts of the world, and of the formation of its mis sions, including Ireland, America, the Channel Islands, as the first step on the continent of Europe ; the West Indies, Africa, India, ahd Australasia. JpA Coke (appropriately slyled the father ( of Me thodist Missions), accomplished a wonder ful work. Then the British Conference in the year 1799, began to foster the mis sion cause, appointing a committee, ordering an annual collection for mis sion purposes, forming mission dis tricts and recommending the in auguration of societies, until all pre ceding means culminated in the for mation of the General Wesleyan Mission Society in London in the year 1818. Mr. Keall then gave some statistics of mission work in the South Sea Islands. The Rev. Mr. Richardson, chairman of the district traced the history of missionary enterprise in the South Sea . The Rev. S. Lee, ho said, was the first missionary sent to these parts, but the- main portion of the work had been done by lay agency. .. It bad been carried on with spirit until the re cent depression crippled the means of the Homo Mission Committee, who now sought aid from Methodists in the South. At the close of the meeting a collection was taken up, which, added to.a collec tion made a few Sundays ago, made a total of £5. :

A Find. —A beautiful stone tomahawk has been found near Oeo by the road making party. Good Yield. —Mr. John Findlay, of the North Taieri, has threshed out a small paddock of oats, which yielded at the rate of 100 bushels to the acre, and another twenty acre paddock of Tuscan wheat yielded 08 bushels to the acre.

A Provident Landlord. —An hotel keeper has the following placard in a con spicuous part of his house, up North : “I may entertain angels unawares, but they must have baggage, or pay in advance, to meet the rules of the house.” Sea Coast Light. —The Government have recently imported from Messrs. Chance, Bros, and Co., lighthouse engineers, Birmingham, a number of lamps intended for sea coast lights in positions which do not warrantsthe erection of light houses. Torpedoes for New Zealand. —The European Mail understands that the Agent-General of New Zealand has been directed to make arrangements for the despatch of torpedo boats to the colony, for the service of a torpedo corps which is being added to the colonial defence forces. A Civilised Maori.— Yet another in stance of the advancing civilisation of the Maori! From the Marunvatn Herald we learn that Hakaraia te Whenua (Bevan) has filed his schedule. Pie estimates his debts at LSOO, and his assets at L 0 Os. Od. Hakaraia has been working as a contractor for the County Council on the Otaki-Fox ton road.

Serve The:,i Right. —The Brace Herald hears that notice has been received from head quarters to the effect that an amount of ss. sd. will be deducted from the capit ation allowance of all volunteer companies who last year went to take part in the Invercargill review, for damage done to railway carriage windows during the trip. Peculiar Accident.— A young lady re siding in Arthur street, Wellington, was working a sewing machine, when the needle snapped and the point penetrated the lower eyelid, rendering her for a time insensible. A 'doctor was sent for, but was unable at the time to discover the steel, which had been deeply buried in the flesh.

Mr. Joseph Maliks, the j English Templar. —At the annual session of the Grand Lodge of South Australia, I. O.G.T. (English order), held at Adelaide on the 9th March last, a sum of LBO was voted towards paying the expenses of Mr. Joseph Matins, the celebrated secession ist, to enable him to visit the colonies. Mr. Matins is an able lecturer, and was one of the many enlightened representa tives, who left the American order in con sequence of their declining to recognise the equal rights of the negro as members of the order.

A Curositv. —The Wellington Post say’s :—We were y r estcrday shown a curiosity in the way of penmanship, the work of William Richard Holmes, son of Mr. Holmes, of the Terrace School. What we refer to is the Lord’s Prayer written in ten languages within as many circles, each the size of a threepenny piece. The writing is very clear, and can be read without difficulty by tho naked eye. The languages are English, Latin, Portuguese, Belgian, Swedish, Italian, Maltese, Spanish, and Maori.

A New Bishopric for North China.— An anonymous donor has offered the sum of LIO,OOO as the nucleus of an endow ment fund for a new bishopric in North China. The Archbishop of Canterbury has accepted the offer and approved the proposed new see, which is to be regarded as a missionary, and not a territorial one. In consequence of the expense of the necessaries of life and travelling, it has been decided that the minimum capital for endowment shall be L 13,000, and to the offer of LIO,OOO the Society for Promo ting Christian Knowledge and the Colo nial Bishoprics Fund will each probably add LIOOO. The Primate will have the selection of the first Bishop, and it is anti cipated that an appointment will soon be made. A Maori Present.— A considerable number of natives and a few Europeans were present on Monday at Putiki at the opening out of the parcels containing the two hundred Maori mats which the Wan ga’nui tribe are about to give to the East Coast Chief Renata, as an acknowledg ment of his liberality in sending them a flock of two thousand sheep. Near the Runanga house a long row of light rails had been erected, and at about two o’clock in the afternoon the Maoris commenced the work of unpacking, each mat as it was taken out being opened and thrown across the rail. It took some time before the whole -were displayed. The mats are of all sorts and sizes, of excellent workman ship, and many of them very beautiful. The material employed is flax, except some of the fringes and other ornamenta tions, in which wool is rather extensively used,

Hawks’ and Shags’ Heads.— ln con sequence of the increasing number of hawks in the district, the Council of the Acclimatisation Society have determined again to offer Gd. each for hawks’ heads and Is. per head for black shags, delivered at the gardens.

Aniseed Valley Copper Mine. —The Nelson Colonist says :—Notwithstanding the fact that operations at this mine dur ing the past week have not been progress ing so rapidly as the shareholders could have desired, the work done shows the lode to be widening and the prospects con tinue of the brightest. At a meeting of tie directors held last evening tenders were accepted for sinking a further dis tance of 20ft., and when this work is done the mine will be thoroughly proved. Cetewayo on his Knees. — Cetewayo, in a message to the Queen, dated Oct. 28, wrote :—“ Cetewayo bogs permission to be allowed to send his humble respects to the Queen. He is staying here awaiting the Queen’s pleasure, and will willingly and cheerfully live wherever the Quern decides. At the same time he is living in hopes that at some future time he may bo pardoned. Ho feels greatly honore’d that his portrait is going to the Queen, whom he has always looked upon as a mother, and still regards in that light.” Stack Fire.— On Thursday morning early six stacks of wheat, belonging to the Bank of New South Wales, were totally destroyed by fire. The wheat was grown in one of the paddocks lately occupied by Mr. J. J. Loe, at Lecston, but now held by the Bank of New South Wales, and was the product of 42 acres, estimated to yield 40 bushels to the acre. The fire was diseovei’ed shortly after 4a. in. The whole six stacks were then in flames, and there is no doubt must have been the act of an incendiary. The stacks were insured in the Norwich Union for L 250, but this will not cover the loss.

Rowdy Maoris. — A new and very expeditions way of solving a native diffi culty is reported from Manawatu. It appears that some strangers came to the Groua River, over which they wished to cross, but found their passages barred by the Maoris, who prevented them from doing so. Some altercation ensued, but as the natives would not give way, the travellers determined to force their pas sage, and for that purpose freely used their stockwhips, the result being that they accomplished their end. The Maua icatu Times highly approves the remedy, and adds that if the habit of dealing satis faction out to the natives, when such occurrences take place, were more com mon, there would be a considerable fall ing-off of that obstructivencss now so rampant with the Maoris.

Pb.bsbsc.l3 oe Mind. ■ —■ Presence of mind had its reward on Saturday in saving a woman from being severely, if not fatally, burned. The News says : “ The wife of a resident in Invercargill was pursuing the ordinary avocations in the way of cooking, when her outer dress caught fire, and from the nature of the material, she was rapidly enveloped in flames. Quick as 1 bought another woman who was fortunately present threw tier arms ’round the burning female, while her sister, with equal rapidity, snatched up a blanket and enveloped her in it. This quickly extinguished the flames, and, on the covering being removed, it was found that, though the dress was completely destroyed, no injury whatever had been sustained. To this the habit of wearing flannel underclothing no doubt also con tributed.” The Biter Bit. —The biter is some times bit, as the following true story will prove : A lady with more beauty than morals was allowed by a notorious West end dressmaker to run up a bill to the tune of LllOO. One fine day the beauty was offered a present of LSOO by one of the numerous greenhorns who have existed from time immemorial. A mode of settl ing her long standing account at once suggested itself to the fert'le mind of the lady. Hurrying off to the module, she informed her that a gentleman was com ing that day to pay LSOO on account, but that she must write on the receipt ‘ ‘ Paid in full,” as the gentleman thought ho was paying the whole bill, and might other wise refuse to pay anything. The bait took, and a receipt was duly given as re quested. The following day the dress maker received a polite message from the lady to say she intended to transfer her patronage to another shop.

Bad Maori. —The Waimata Times re marks ; —ln the interests of philology we protest against the wholesale corruption of Maori nomenclature which is perpetrated add perpetuated in the naming of railway stations by the use of pseudo-Maori words, which are as offensive to the eye and car of all lovers of the native race as is pigeon-English or modern slang to a cul tured Englishman. The latest instance is a section of the Otautau-Nightcaps rail way, which is dubbed the “ Waicola. ” Now, as there is neither “c ” nor “I” in the Maori alphabet, the word is manifestly an outrage. Curiously enough, in the similarity of the error, the railway station of Waihola, as also the lake, is incorrectly named ; so also is “ Kartigi ” (there is no “g” as an undivided letter in Maori), and we could give hosts of other instances of incorrect orthography. It is surely a pity that some one in authority docs not see to it that this vandalism is put a stop to.

A Mixed Marriage. —The following paragraph may interest some of our lady readers. An English paper says that Lady Granard and Lady Adelaide Forbes went over from Dublin to England to purchase Lady Adelaide’s trousseau, preparatory to her marriage to Lord Maurice Fitzgerald, second son of the Duke of LoinsteiC The wedding was fixed to take place on April sth, but in consequence of Puncliestown Races, which came off that week, lias been postponed till the 13th. Lady Adelaide Forbes inherits a large fortune in right of -her mother, who died some years ago. This is one of the mixed marriages which cause so much discussion and difference of opinion in families, Lady Adelaide Forbes being a Roman Catholic, and Lord Maurice Fitzgerald belonging to a strict Protestant family. The Duke and Duchess of Leinster have expressed their resolution not to attend the marriage cere mony, as the priests have refused to allow any Protestant prayers to be introduced into the service. All the children who may be born of this marriage will be brought up Roman Catholics—this being now the strict rule of that Church. New Zealand Emigration to the Transvaal.— On the subject of the inclin ation of many New Zealand residents at the present moment to look towards the Transvaal as a field for their enterprise, the North■ Otago Times say s :—A few days ago it was telegraphed that about UO able bodied men had applied for passages in a vessel leaving Timaru for Cape Town. This is only a slight indication of -the attention which the Transvaal has been absorbing since the British Government annexed it. We believe that a gentleman in Oamaru has written for full information concerning the Transvaal as a suitable field for persons of small means, and this information has been asked at the request of several who desire to change their abode to a portion of the earth where there is a greater scope for enterprise than exists in New Zealand at the present time. Of course a new country is sure to offer this, at least for a while ; but it remains to be seen whether the Transvaal is such a country. The accounts from it are cer tainly glowing —that is, in regard to its climate and resources, but the Boer popula tion is not yet inclined to accept peacefully the conditions imposed on them by the annexation. It is said that the Transvaal is as large as France, and at the present time the white population is extremely sparse—in fact, it comprises only a hand ful of people.

Volcanic. —The “eruption” at the Sugar Loaves has not in any way abated. Steam is still emitted from the fissure and other places, and the smell of sulphur is perceived. Sin Henry Havelock. —Sir Henry Havelock has been left half a million by his father’s cousin, on condition of chang ing his name to Allen. Sir Henry, having accepted the bequest, is obtaining a royal licence to assume the name of Bavelock- Allcn. Sir Henry Havelock served for sometime in New Zealand under General Sir Duncan Cameron, who commanded tiro Imperial and Colonial forces in one of the Maori wars.

The Berlin of To-Day. —A recently written description of Berlin presents an appalling picture of the state of •; morality in that city*. The population is 1,000,000, and there is church accommodation for 7000 only. It often happens that preacher and organist depart because there is not a soul in the church to preach or play to. The Sunday is paid less attention to than in Paris. As to the morals of the people, they arc something incredibly lax, and in one chapter on the subject the author proves that the German capital is fast be coming a most depraved city. Drink is also a very prevalent vice, and almost every fourth house in the more populous districts either dispenses’ spirits or beer : and on Sundays the number of beer gardens and places of resort in which drink can he obtained is prodigious. If the churches are empty these places are not. On the contrary, they are thronged to suf focation with men, women, and children.

■Queen Victoria. —Very remarkable changes have taken place during the forty-two years’ reign of Queen Victoria. She has outlived by several years every bishop and judge whom she found seated on the benches in England, Scotland, and Ireland when she ascended the throne. She has witnessed the' funeral of every Premier under her, except Lord Bcacons field and Mr. Gladstone. Not a single Cabinet member of her uncle and pre decessor’s day now survives. Of the mem bers of the Privy Council who sat in June, 1837, to administer to her the oath, only four survive. She has received the homage of four Archbishops of Canter bury, four Archbishops of York, and five Bishops—Chichester, Litchfield, and Dur ham successively. She has filled each of the Chief Justiceships twice at least; she has received the addresses of four Speakers of the House of Commons. She has en trusted tire Groat Seal of the Kingdom to no less than nine Lord Chancellors. Religious Denominations in the British Army. —The following statistics, showing the religious persuasions of non commissioned officers and men in the British army, will doubtless be of interest to many at the present time. Allowing for defects in returns, there are, as nearly as can be ascertained, 100,000 men in the army who have declared themselves as belonging to one or other of the groat religious denominations. Of these 02,809 are returned as belonging to the Church of England, 7195 are Presby terians, 3985 Wesleyans and other Pro testants, and 20,872 arc returned as Roman Catholics. Thus, out of a total of 94,812 more than two-thirds claim to be adherents of the Established Church of the country. It will be seen that, taking the entire army, the Church of England element strongly prepon derates. The Law of Murder. —A late number of the Solicitors’ Journal states that a quaint piece of criminal law was disin terred at the recent Maidstone Assizes. A man and his wife, after drinking heavily for eight days, throw themselves into a river, no doubt intending, as far as they wore capable of forming an intention, to commit suicide together. The husband, was drowned, but the wife escaped, and she was thereupon charged with the mur der of her husband. Following authori ties in the recent case, the Lord Chief Justice, in summing up, told the jury that they must take the law to be that if two persons agreed to commit self-murder and one of them survived, the survivor was guilty of murder. Happily, however, it was not necessary to put this doctrine into practical application, as the jury seem to have thought that the parties were not in a condition to form a definite intention to commit suicide, and consequently found tho woman not guilty. How Prizes are Given.— Writing of tho awards at the Sydney Exhibition, tho “ Vagabond,” in a letter to the Orens and Murray Advertiser , says : —ln real truth, this system of awards at the International Shows is a great farce. Take, for in stance, an article we will call a toothpick. Tills is a necessary of civilisation, and the display of toothpicks .at the Exhibition has been a grand one. Hundreds of bundles by different manufacturers of different countries were sent in to that department of applied science to which toothpicks are said to belong. What would they do ? Try each pick I Select at random ? —to go through which would take a year. Be sides, what suits one man’s teeth will not another’s. So, to solve the difficulty (the judges in this instance being honorable men, unamenable to palm-oil, an applica tion of which has in many instances decided equally knotty points) each tooth pick exhibitor received a “first prize.” This is a perfectly true tale.

NEIGHBOR JONES.

I’m thinking, wife, of neighbor Jones, the man with the stalwart arm He lives in peace and plenty on a forty acre farm ; When men are all around us with hearts and hands a-scro, Who own two hundred acres, and still are wanting more.

He has a pretty little farm, a pretty little house : He has a loving wife within, as quiet as a mouse ; His children play around the door, their father’s heart to charm, Looking just as neat and tidy as the tidy little farm.

No weeds are in the cornfield, no thistles in the oats ; The hoi-ses show good keeping by their fine and glossy coats ; Tho cows within the meadow, resting ’noath the bccchen shade, Learn all their gentle manners from a gentle milking maid. Within the field on Saturday ho leaves no cradled grain To be gathered on the morrow for fear of coming rain ; He lives in joy and gladness, and happy are his days ; He keeps the Sabbath holy ; his children learn his ways. He never had a lawsuit to take him to the town, For the very simple reason that there are no fences down ; The bar-room in the village for him has not a charm ; I can always find my neighbor on his forty-acre farm.

His acres are so few that he ploughs them very deep ; ’Tis his own hands that turn the sod, ’tis his own hands that reap ; He has a place for everything, and every thing in its place ; The sunshine smiles upon his fields, con tentment on his face.

May we not learn a lesson, wife, from prudent neighbor Jones, And not sigh for what we haven’t got— give vent to sighs and groans ? The rich arn’t always happy, nor free from life’s alarms, But blest be those who live content, though small may be their farms. —Atalanta Constitution,

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COUTR.

Friday, April 23.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DRUNKS. Two first offenders were fined 10s. each for drunkenness. THE ASHBURTON BRIDQE. Henry Moffat was charged with allowing a traction engine, his property, to be driven over the Ashburton bridge, con trary to the provisions of the Bridge By laws. The accused pleaded guilty. Mr. Crisp, for the prosecution, said he was instructed by the Crown to plead for a heavy penalty. George Moore, bridge-keeper at the north end, said that on the 18th March, about nine o’clock at night, he saw Mr. Moffat coming up the approach with a traction engine. Immediately closed the gate, and told Mr. Moffat lie could not cross with the engine, and that a heavy line would follow if he did so. Mr. Moffat opened the gate, and went over with Ills engine, notwithstanding the caution. The traffic was done for the day. Ho damage was done to the bridge. His Worship fined the defendant L 5, but disallowed costs, as Mr. Crisp appeared for the Crown Prosecutor, who was a salaried officer. CIVIL CASES. Quill v. Welsh.—Claim, L 5 17s. 6d., amount of a dishonored cheque. Judgment for amount and costs. Branson and Purnell v. Arthur.— Claim, L2 7s. Gd., balance of account duo. Judgment for amount and costs. Hardley v, Redfern.—Claim, L 5 3s. for goods supplied. Mr. O’Reilly for plain tiff ; Mr. Crisp for defendant. Judg ment for amount and costs. A DOG CASE. Edmiston, Gundry and Co. v. Ireland. —Claim, L 3 10s., for a dog sold at an auction sale at the Hinds by order of the bailiff of the Court. Thomas Bullock, sworn—l am an auc tioneer, and remember asalo at the Hinds in March last. I was auctioneer on the occasion, acting for Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., and sold the dog to the defen dant for L 3 10s. He bid that amount. The sale was being conducted in the usual way. There were only two bids, one by the defendant and one by Mr. Crawley. The dog was sold to the defendant by his being the last bidder. The bid was given*by a nod. At the fall of the hammer I called out the name of Mr. Ireland as the purchaser, with the amount of the bid. The conditions of sale were given verbally before the sale commenced. The conditions were that the dog should go to the highest bidder. By Mr. Branson—lt would surprise me if I were to find out that it was not the defendant who gave the bid. I know there were a number of persons present. Would swear that Crawley and Ireland were the only bidders. I swear I did not say, when the bid was given, “ Mr. Ire land, I presume.” Will contradict Mr. James Ireland if he swears that I did make use of these words. I was in structed by Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. to sell the dog, and presume the sale was advertised by order of the bailiff of the court.

Win. Smith deponed that he was clerk to Edniiston, Gundry and Co. Remem ber the sale at the Hinds, and was acting as Clerk at the sale. I took down the sale of the dog in my book. Took the name of the purchaser from Mr. Bullock. He sung out the name “Ireland,” and I put it down as C. W. Ireland. Next day I went to Mr. Ireland for the money, and he refused to give it to me, but did not question the sale. By Mr. Branson—The dog was knocked down to 0. W. Ireland. I saw that gentle man bidding, but would not swear to his being the last bid. When I went to Mr. Ireland for the money the next day he did not deny buying the dog. It would astonish me if the defendant were to get in the box and swear he did not say so. By the Bench—There were only three persons bidding—namely, Messrs. Gun dry, Crawley, and C. W. Ireland. I did not receive cash before delivery, nor authorise any one to receive the dog.

0. 13. M. Branson sworn—l am ‘bailifi of fclie Court, and remember giving in structions in March last to Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., to sell the dog in question. I was present at the sale, and the dog was purchased by James Ireland. It was knocked down to that gentleman on his nodding his head. Immediately after his bid the hammer fell.

Mr. G. D. Branson pointed out that the counsel (Mr. O’Reilly) was cross-examin ing his own witness, which was contrary to rule.

His Worship said that it was always understood that any evidence which would tend to elucidate a case could be taken, ard the Court would always feel that there were suspicious circumstances when ob jections were raised against such evidence being taken. Mr. Branson concluded from the re marks of his Worship that there must be some “ suspicious circumstances ’’ in con nection with his client’s case.

Witness—l w'as standing close to the auctioneer’s box. James Ireland was by my side ; C. W. Ireland and Mr. Crawley were standing near by. I did not see who were bidding besides Charles Ireland, Crawley, and James Ireland. By Mr. Branson—l saw Mr. Gundry last night. He said that Mr. Guinness had been up to the firm’s place of business to make enquiries about the case. His remark was that the “old man” had been to see him. I am the principal in this affair, and recog nise James Ireland as the purchaser. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. have sent me a bill for commission on the sale, for which lam liable. A certain amount of money lias been paid into court. I con sented to allow James Ireland to take possession of the dog, and never told Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. to take pro ceedings against C. W. Ireland. I look to James Ireland for the amount due.

W. H. Gundry deponed—l am one of the plaintiffs in this case. I got instruc tions in March last from Mr. C. Branson to sell a dog at the Hinds. The dog was sold. I bid twice for it myself. I went up to L2 17s. Gd., at which figure I stopped. After that I watched the bidding closely, and saw the dog knocked down to C. W. Ireland. Mr.. Crawley and defendant wore very animated in their bidding, but at the figure sued for Crawley hesitated, and the dog was knocked down to Ireland. I went to see Charles Branson at his house last night, to see if the money had been paid into court, and mentioned that I had asked Mr. Guinness if the money had been paid in, and ho told me that it had been done. Mr. Branson said he did not know that it had been paid into court, and I then stated that in that case we should go on with the action, and he said “All right.” . By Mr. Branson —Mr. Guinness came into my office on private business, and he being an officer of the Court, I asked him about the money being paid in, as I knew he would be able to supply that informa tion. I do not think there was anything extraordinary in my having a conversa tion with the Magistrate about : a case which was coming before him next day. Mr. Branson said at the close of the case he should ask his Worship not to ad judicate on the matter, but let it_ be brought before two independent justices for hearing. Mr. Gundry, on being further ex amined, said that the bailiff had told him several times that he looked to Charles Ireland for payment for the dog. John Lloyd Crawley, sworn—l am an auctioneer, and remember being at the sale at the Hinds in March last. I was bidding for a dog along with C. W. Ire

land and Mr. Gundry. I was under the impression at the time that the dog was sold to Mr. C. Ireland, but was aftor warda told that it was not Jfie, but his brother, James who was the purchaser. I w<S^H^<fjous to get the dog myself, taking any notice of tho^^ofners present. Afterwards I saw C. W. Ireland, and told him I wondered at him bidding against me, as he would not want a dog ; but he did not tell me he was not the pur chaser. Three weeks afterwards James Ireland told me he was the purchaser. Mr. Branson applied for a non-suit,. The bailiff, who was really the principal in the matter, recognised James Ireland as the purchaser. Ho would move for a non suit or judgment for the defendant. Mr. O’Reilly claimed that 0. W. Ire land was the purchaser, the fact being attested to by the gen.tleman who was most likely to know—namely, Mr. Bullock, the auctioneer.

His Worship said the plaintiff had no cause of action, seeing that the matter had boon settled by the buyer and seller —the bailiff and Mr. James Ireland, and non suited the plaintiffs.- In costs being applied for, Mr. Guin ness said that there had not been suf ficient explanation given before the mat ter had been brought into Court. If such explanation had been afforded, it was very possible the case could have been settled out of Court.

Mr. Branson said that such explana tions had been given. He himself had called on Mr. Gundry and endeavored to have the matter settled amicably, but that gentleman said be would go on with the case.

Professional costs of half a guinea were allowed by the Bench. Mr. Branson asked why costs were not allowed to his witnesses, when his Wor ship stated that he would not allow costs on account of Mr. C. B. M. Branson not supplying the information of all he kilew in the matter. '

Mr. O’JReilly stated his intention of ap pealing against the verdict, but his Wor ship pointed out that such a course could not be taken, seeing the amount in dis pute was under L 5. The Court then adjourned.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUS TICE IN ASHBURTON.

To the Editor.

Sin, —I feel sure that your readers will agree with me that the position taken by our Resident Magistrate in the case of Edniiston and Gundry v. Ireland, heard to-day, should not bo allowed to pass with out some comment. Indeed, I think I am justified in suggesting that the time has arrived when the Mayor of our Borough is in duty bound to call a meet ing, not only of the ratepayers of the Borough, but also of the residents in the county, to thoroughly consider the way in which justice is administered in our local Court.

Mr. Gundry, one of the plaintiffs in the suit mentioned, admitted on oath, and Mr. Guinness, the Magistrate who heard the case, also admitted that a private in terview had taken place betweem-them (Mr. Guinness and Mr. GundryiAv Mr. Gundry’s office relativWlf, True, that both these g<mthin3PK<M.'ted that the conversation took place only bn the subject of money being paid into court. .Nevertheless, the very fact that such an interview did take place, and take place the very day before the case was heard, is, as Judge Johnston stigmatised Mr. Guinness’ judgment in the case of the Police v. Patterson, “ monstrous.” In any case the proper person to go to for information on this subject—payment into Court—was the Clerk and not the Magis trate, who is not supposed to know any thing about the caso till it comes before him in open Court. I assure you, Sir, that when I was informed this interview had taken place, and knowing the terms of intimate friendship existing between Mr. Guinness and Mr. Gundry, I was con vinced that I had an uphill and almost hopeless case to conduct: indeed, had I not had full confidence in my case, both on the merits and on the law points, I should have unhesit itingly objected to Mr. Guinness sitting to decide it. As it was, because I objected to Mr. O’Reilly cross-examining one of his wit nesses, my objection was at once pounced upon by the R.M., and my case was characterised as “ a suspicious one.” I admit that a very suspicious circumstance did during the hearing crop up, and one which requires the strictest investigation. I submit that the public is not to be put off with mere assertions that only this, only that, occurred. A Magistrate who is to decide a case goes the clay before the trial and has a private interview with the plaintiffs, with one of whom he is on the terms of most intimate friendship. At the trial that self-same Magistrate characterises the defendant’s case, as “ suspicious,” because the counsel for the defendant insists upon a well-known prin ciple of law, that a party to a suit cannot treat his witness as hostile and subject him to cross-examination, unless that wit ness is manifestly hostile, which was not the case Fere. After considerable hesita tion he allows the counsel’s fee, but takes the unusual course of disallowing the ex penses of the defendant’s witnesses, only answering, when asked to give his reasons for disallowing these expenses, that he was not “ bound to give any reasons.” I ask • your readers, what are the thoughts suggested to them on reading these facts 1 Does not this case point out the necessity for a strict and thorough investigation ? In the case of Bryant v. Wilcocks, heard not long ago, the whole matter turned upon a receipt, which the defen dant refused to show to the plaintiff or to “ his solicitor. Had this receipt been shown, the case would have been withdrawn, the plaintiff being nonsuited. I submitted that no costs should he allowed to defen dant, for, I argued, if the receipt had been shown to us, we would not have pro ceeded with the case. Still Mr. Guinness ■allowed costs. When I asked for his reasons, the same answer came, he was. not bound to give any reasons. Then why were costs refused in the present case ? Mr. Guinness at first said that he did not think the present ■ case one in which costs should be allowed, because it might have been amicably settled if “ a more accommodating spirit ” had been shown by ray client. I immediately told him that both my client and I had seen Mr. Gundry and told him he was suing the wrong man, and offered to let him withdraw without costs, but that Mr. Gundry had decided on going to trial. Seeing no loophole of escape, Mr. Guinness allowed counsel’s fee. t asked for the expenses of witnesses ; my appli cation was refused. Why ? Because, ferjoth, we had not taken Mr. Charles Branson to Mr. Gundry and explained to him our case? According to Mr. Guin ness’ view, our duty was, without knowing what the case was against us, gone and showd our whole case, our hand, before the other side. I many years at the bar and have never yet heard such a “monstrous ” sugges tion. Again, if our not having done what Mr. Guinness said we should have done was a good reason, for disallowing the costs of witnesses, surely it was an;, - equally good reason for disallowing my fee. No, sir, this was not the real reason. The real reason will be apparent to all who read;tliis letter. ■ .

I again submit, sir, that the Magis trate's conduct, in this “suspicious* case, requires more than cursory comment, and I assert, without fear of contradiction

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1880.



MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, April 27, 18S0. C. PERCY COX, 27g* Agent, Ashburton. NOTICE TO FARMERS. undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK February 28, 1880. 550g* rjIHE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WEAR. Fit Better Look Better Wear Better Are Better Cut Are Better Made Are Bettor Shrunk, And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the public. Testified to by their Thousands of Cus tomers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Invercargill Oamaru Timaru Ashburton Lyttelton Christchurch Wellington Nelson Wanganui New Plymouth Napier Thames Auckland , A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.B.— Our New Winter Manufactures are now ready. “TRY THE N.Z. OVERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, and HOSIERY, of every description at WHOLESALE Prices. ASHBURTON BRANCH— East Street. |War. SPARROW, Manager. Colonial-made Crockery Ware. —The Since Herald says: —“From a compari son we made the other day between two pudding basins, sliown to us by Mr. White —one of them of English manufacture, and the other one made at the Milton pot tery Works—we find that the Colonial article is infinitely superior. At this rate of progress there should be no difficulty in gradually, but surely, shutting out the Importation of English crockery-ware, ”