COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday Evening. Mr. K F. Gray, of Temuka, sends us the following report on his sales m the live stock market ; On Tuesday, June Bth, I held a clearing sale at Mr. Brogden’s farm, Milford, of live and dead stock. There was a good attendance, and all lots submitted were keenly contested. Fat sheep brought 9s. 6d,; pigs, good bacon, from c|d. to 6d. per lb., according to the weight; one sow with eleven pigs, L 8; two ditto with small litters, L2 155.; store pigs, from 255. to 375. 6d.; six dairy cows, in profit, from L 5 ss. to LlO 55., supply not being equal to demand ; stores, a little over eighteen months, from L 3 15s. to L 4 10s.; yearling calves brought 355.; implements realised satisfactory prices. On Tuesday, June 15th, I held a sale of stock on Mr. P. Wareing’s farm at Mil ford. The sale was one of the most satis factory held in the district for some time ; in fact, the largest attendance of buyers 1 have ever seen at any country sale was present, and all lots submitted to the hammer (with the exception of the fat bul locks) brought most satisfactory prices. About 200 pigs brought from sjd, to 7d. per lb.; sows, in pig, from L 3 ss. to L 5. The sheep were a very superior lot all through, and brought the following satis factory prices :—Fat ewes and wethers, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; 1,350 merino ewes, in lamb, from ss. 7d. to Gs.; 1,020 hoggets from 6s. 9d. to 7s. 9d.; seventeen store bullocks, in forward condition, LG ; the horses not realising reserves, were with drawn. My Saturday sales are very fairly at tended. Potatoes bring from S2s. Gd. to L 3 ss. per tun ; carrots, 2Gs. per ton ; parsnips, 325, Gd.; fowls’ feed, from ss. to Gs. per four bushels ; onions, from to 2d. per lb.; cheese, from 4id. to Gd.; furniture and other articles bring good prices'.

MAIL NOTICES

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ; For Christchurch and North at 0 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p. m. daily. For Wakaaui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, Ac. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. dail_y. Fr*m Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1880.

A telegram informs us that the “ Commis sion of Inquiry re the Volunteer affair at Ashburton states that the evidence is in sufficient to convict anyone concerned either of misconduct or of theft. The whole affair was exaggerated by the press and public.” Five men have men re commended for dismissal. With the first sentence of this quotation, wo have no fault to find; it may be perfectly true th it sufficient evidence to convict any one concerned of misconduct or of theft, does not lie convenient to the hands of the Commission, but the fact remains that the shop of Mrs. Furness was rushed by a great crowd of Volunteers of all uniforms, and her little stock of goods ruthlessly carried off without being paid for. This is all that ever was said against the Volun teers by either the public or the press, and it uno exaggeration. Had any individual been guilty of shoplifting of this descrip tion, and been apprehended by the police and convicted by the Magistrate, the epithet “ thief” would have been ap plied to that individual. The fact that it is impossible to bring home the charge of theft to any individual, because no single individual can be identified out of so great a crowd clad so much alike, does not alter the fact that the outrage charged against a number of the Volunteers was committed. And the Commissioners take high ground indeed when, without any inquiry worthy of the name made on the scene of the action, or only a very happy.go-lucky visit paid by two officers who seem to have been at no pains whatever to make a searching inquix-y, they assert that the “ affair was exaggerated.” There was no exaggeration about it. Mrs. Furness’ goods were stolen—there is no other name for taking away a person’s property with out paying for it, and without that person’s liberty—and these goods have not been paid for. The actual men who did appropriate the articles may not be singled out of the crowd who visited Mr. Furness’ shop, and thus the matter may be left—but we repeat there was no exaggeration. The shop where the out rage was committed adjoins the office of this journal, and we know that all that was said at the time by the Ashburton press was strictly true, and will he substantiated should a proper inquiry be made in Ash burton, even at this late date. We are perfectly willing to make allowance for a lot of young fellows out on a holliday ; they may have fancied that a certain license was allowed them ; but no circum stances can give a license to rob. They knew they had not paid for what they took, and they had ample time axxd oppor tunity on their return to pay for what they carried off if they had had a mind to deal honestly by the poor wowan. No, no, Commissioners, there was no exagger tion.

Lecture. —The Rev. A. J. Smith, of Ashburton, lectured on Monday in the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace, on “J. B. Gough.” The attend ance was fail’. The chair was taken by the pastor of the church, who, after sing ing and prayer, introduced the reverend lecturer to the audience. The reverend gentleman was attentively listened to, and requested to give his lecture again at some future time, to which he readily assented. After the usual vote of thanks, Doxology, and Benediction, a very en joyable evening was brought to a close.— Times. The Oddfellows’ Ball. —At a meeting of the Ball Committee on Tuesday, it was decided to engage Gardiner’s Quadrille Band from Christchurch, so that the ex cellence of the dance music is vouched for. The Town Hall on the night of the ball will be grandly decorated with em blamatic devises, representing each of the Oddfellows’ degrees, and banners, bannerets, &c. , emblazoned with ensignia of the order will bo made use of. The indispensable evergreens will be aided in their effect by a large number of pot plants obtained from brother nursery men. The Eclipse. —The night of Tuesday was clear and the sky almost cloudless, so that a fine opportunity was given to watch the eclipse of the moon. To the ordinary observer nothing out of the way was apparent until nearly midnight, when the moon’s edge became slightly obscured, and the obscuration gradually increased till the total phase was reached, and then as gradually passed away, until a little before three o’clock old Luna was herself again. The disc of the moon was never wholly lost sight of, but throughout the whole phenomenon shone through the obscuration with a reddish brown light. A good many people were about during the night watching the unwonted event and many sat up at comfortable fires,) paying occasional visits to the window. One wag paid a hurried and excited visit to a genial and unsuspecting neighbor, and, wakening him up with a great row, asked him to come and see an old ac quaintance stealing his green cheese ! The sleepy one got up to see what it was all about, but found the frost most power ful upon him than the attractions of the eclipse. Ashburton Cricket Club. —A well-at tended meeting of the members of this club was held on Tuesday, in the County Council Chambers, Mr. Grant in the chair. The treasurer, Mr. St. G. Doug las, read the balance-sheet for the season, which showed liabilities to the extent of L 8 17s. Gd., with IA 4s. 9d. in hand. At a later stage of the meeting the members present augmented the balance in band to tlio extent of 305., so as to clear off some accounts which have been due for a long time. A draft of the rules of the Canter bury Midland Club were read seriatim, and with a few alterations and additions were adopted as the rules of the Ashburton Club, and ordered to be printed. The election of officers was then proceeded with, resulting as follows : —President, Frank Guinness, Esq. ; Vice-Presi dent, Dr. Trevor ; Treasurer, Mr. St. G. Douglas ; Secretary, Mr. A. Fooks ; Captain, Mr. G. A. Andrews ; Vice-Captain, Mr. Grant ; Committee of Management, Amos, Denshire, Mainwar ing, Marsh, Price, Strangman, and Westenra. A very animated conversation took place with i eference to the necessity existing for the appointment of a Custodian, it being universally admitted that the property of the Club had received severe handling, and had deteriorated very much in value through the want of such an officer. Mr. Poyntz subsequently consented to act as Custodian. Now that only one cricket club is in existence for the district, it is to be hoped that a feeling of unity will prevail amongst our cricket ing friends. By pulling together and sinking every feeling of jealousy, which has existed more or less in the past, com bined with losing no opportunity which presents itself for practising the noble and healthful game, there is no reason why Ashburton should not in the future produce a cricketing team that will prove a determined and difficult foe to all opponents. Non-players who admire the game are invited to help the Club by an occasional donation to its funds. The Volunteer Outrage. —ln the Legislative Council on Tuesday evening the report of the inquiry into the Volun teer misconduct at the Christchurch re view was laid on the table. Colonel Whitmore withdrew his motion for an inquiry, but will re-introduce it if neces sary after reading its papers. Colonel Brett said he had important letters on the subject, which he would place in members’ hands.

Waterton Assessment Court. —There was only one objector to the Longbeach toll on Monday, Mr. John Grigg, one of whose objections was sustained. Mokmonism.— A detatchmcnt of Mor mon converts from the southern parts of New Zealand and from Australia, sailed in the mail steamer from Auckland for Utah. A Thirsty Thief. —A burglar broke into a shop in Oamnru, by cutting out a pane of glass. Ho found no money, but stole two dozen of porter. Temperance Column. The Christ church Globe has made arrangements with the Good Templars of that city, for the publication once a week of a column of temperance paragraphs. The Smuggled Report. —The Times' correspondent says a searching inquiry will be made into the circumstances at tending the publication of the Civil Ser vice Commission report before it was laid on the table of the House. Broaching Cargo. —Some seamen of the ship Chile are under remand till the 30th June, by the Auckland R.M., on a charge of broaching cargo on the voyage out. They stole whisky,' &c., and left burning candles about in all sorts of places in a ship with 200 barrels of gunpowder on board. A Fortunate Borough.— The stoppage of the subsidies, so far as concerns the Borough of Napier (says the Daily Tele graph), will make very little difference to the revenue of the Corporation, if the Ministerial proposals are carried out by which Government property shall be liable for rates. The house and land property belonging to Sl thc r Governmcnt in Napier, exclusive of railway buildings, at the last valuation was estimated at over L 37,000, upon which a shilling rate would return LI,BGO. This is a larger sum than what the borough received as a subsidy last year, but fails short of what it would have obtained this year if the subsidies had been continued. Vacancy in the Town Council.— Mr. Edward Saunders, who is removing per manently to Courtenay, has placed his re signation in the hands of the Town Clerk, and his seat at the Borough Council will now he vacant. Recently Mr. Saunders has been unable to devote as much time to the Borough’s business as he would have liked, his residence at Scafield interfering with the regularity of his attendance, but during the time ho lived within the town ship there was not a more regularly at tending councillor, nor one more atten tive to its business. His removal is cer tainly a loss. The Civil Service Commission. —The Civil Service Commissioners have returned their Commissions to the Governor. They think that before proceeding further with their investigations Parliament ought to say whether or not it is desirable that the woi-k, involving as it does a heavy expen diture, should be proceeded with. They believe they can do good service in the work, and are willing to proceed if backed by Parliament, but it is not an advantage to work with the Royal Commission system generally disapproved of by the country. They also think the work is an urgent necessity. Parliament should have the option of saying who shall carry that work on—whether the old Commsssion or one formed of other gentlemen. Wesleyan.— The usual quarterly meet ing of office-bearers of the Wesleyan con nection in Ashburton was held last night in the Cameron street Church. There was only a moderate attendance, the Rev. W. Keall, superintendent of the circuit presiding. The statistics read showed that there were forty-seven fully accre dited members, with five on trial. The balance-sheet for past quarter was not very encouraging, the total receipts being L 52 2s. 7d., with an expenditure of L 66 12s. Bd., the deficit with the debt held over from last quarter, leaving a balance on the wrong side of L 47 19s. with which to start the incoming quarter. A lengthy conversation took place on the unsatisfac tory state of the finances of the church, which brought cut two very feasible schemes for the more satisfactory carrying on of that indespeusabie department of the church’s affairs. A meeting of members of the congregation will he held this even ing, when these schemes will be laid before them, along with other matters pertaining to church work. Several other items were considered by the meeting, amongst which it was decided to hold services at Tinwald for the future. Jenny Lind —Jenny Lind, the Swedish songstress, who twenty or thirty years ago enjoyed a popularity that has rarely been equalled, and whose name was on everybody’s lips, is now residing with her husband (Mr. Goldsmidt) in an obscure English village, and on fine Sundays is a prominent member of the Church choir. The famous vocalist is said to have grown ex ceedingly touchy her in her old age, and she loves to “rule the roast” in the choir. How strange a change must it seem for a celebrity who has travelled the world over in her day and delighted thousands by her singing to have settled down at last, her life of hurry and excite ment over, to the quiet hum-drum exist ence of an English village ! Marble in Japan. —Signor Gagliard', Italian Professor at the Polytechnic Insti tute in Tokio, who was lately commis sioned by the Japanese Government to explore the Ibaraki mountain range, re ports that lie lias found several veins of marble of different colors. One mountain, Suvoyama, seemed to him to be a mass of white statuary marble, and he also declares that he came upon some black marble equal to the finest in Europe. He antici pates that if care he taken in quarrying, and facilities of transport be provided, Japan will become the great marble mar ket for the world. Marble has been known in Japan for centuries, but it was not much prized, being considered too difficult to polish. The World’s Wheat Crop. —lnforma-, tion to hand by last English mail shows in the wheat crop of the whole world for 1879, there was a deficiency of over 375,000,000 bushels, nearly 200,000,000 bushels of the deficiency falling in Europe. The Bulletin des Halles et Marches pub lishes an interesting table showing the yield in bushels for each large wheat raising country in 1879 : —United States, 337,500,000; France, 172,125,000 ; Russia, 157,500,000; Germany, 90,000,00; Spain, 78,750,000 ; Italy, 67,500,000; Austria-Hungary, G 3,000,000 ; Great Brilain, 47,500,000 ; Turkey, 27,500,000; Roumania, 22,500,000 ; Belgium, 14,050,000; Portugal, 5,075,000; Algeria, 10,875,000 ; Canada, 13,500,000 ; Aus tralia, 14,050,000 ; Egypt, 11,500,000 ; Netherlands, 3,375,000 ; Denmark, 2,250,000; Greece, 3,375,000; Servia, 2,812,500. A Costly Leg.— The Massachusetts Courts have ordered the payment of pro bably the largest price ever given for a human leg, except, perhaps where it was lost on the field of battle and the owner took the question into politics. A Chicago travelling salesman was so injured by a railroad accident that his leg was am putated, and he obtained a judgment against the Company for 18,000 dollars. The Company naturally appealed, and the second verdict was for 26,000 dollars; another appeal resulted in the new verdict, which is for L 45,000 dollars. And still the Company is not satisfied. A motion is to be made to set aside the damages on the ground that they are excessive, and there is a possibility that the Court may so decide. The power to do so has been exercised in some cases, though it is diffi cult to see why this is one. The fact that no such damages have been given bcfoie in a case of the kind is not a proof tha uch damages should not be given, to each railroads economy in accidents.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) civil cases. Orr and Co. v. Bullen.—Application granted for reinstatement—case to be heard in a fortnight. Weeks and Dixon v. Harris.— Adjourned till Friday. A. Orr, trustee in James Stephens’ estate v. A. M'Neil.—Claim LG ss. Gd.; same v. Clark.—Claim LlO 3s. lid.; same v. Charters. —L 3 19s. 3d. —In each case Mr. Branson for plaintiff, and judgment was given for amounts by default, with costs. Stephens v. Hardley.—Claim for damages for non-fulfilment of agreement. For plaintiff, Mr. Crisp; for defendant Mr. O’Reilly. Plaintiff nonsuited, with costs LI Is. A. Orr (trustee in estate of James Stephens) v. Burgess—Claim, LlO 12s. For plaintiff, Mr. Branson ; for defend ant, Mr. O’Reilly. Judgment, after hearing evidence, for plaintiff, with costs. Orr and Co. v. Todd.—Set-off of L 22 entered. Case withdrawn, with costs. For plaintiff, Mr. Branson ; for defend ant, Mr. Crisp. Orr v. McLymont.— Claim, LIG 7s. 2d. Judgment for L 8 125., with L2lls. costs. Orr and Co. v. William son.—Claim L 42 2s. Judgment by default for amount, and costs. Stephens v. George. —Claim 9s. which had been over charged in an account.. Mr. Crisp for plaintiff; Mr. Izard for defendant. Judgment for defendant, with costs 10s. Gd. LAND TAX. Land Tax Commissioner v. McKenzie —Claim, 4s 4d.; v. Lawnie, L 4 10s. 9c1.; v. Kelly and Co., LI 17s. 9d.; v. Cald well, 15s. 3d.; v. Clark and Beswick, 3s. 9d.; v. J. Clark, L 9 16s. Bd.—in each case judgment for Commissioner, with costs. Mr. Izard for plaintiff. Land Tax Commissioner v. G. Kidd. —Claim 4s. 7d. Mr. Kidd objected to pay on the ground that he owned no land in the Waimate, and it was for tax on property alleged to be owned by him'in that district that he was sued. Case withdrawn. Same v. M‘Langhlin.—Claim L2 16s. 4d. Judg ment for amount claimed, and costs. De fendant being insolvent, proceedings would issue against the trustee in the estate. Same v. Crowe.—Claim L 4 7s. 3d. Judgment for L 3 10s. 9d., and costs ss. Same v. W. Leslie. —Claim L2 4s. Gd. Defendant stated that the land he was rated for he had not been in possession of for the last eighteen months. He had sent an objection to Wellington on a printed form which had been supplied him, but he had heard nothing further until receiving the summons. His Wor ship said defendant should have appeared at the Assessment Court and objected to the rating. Defendant said ho thought that in following the instructions on the printed form, ho w’ould be doing what was correct. Mr. Latter said that no such form (to be sent to Wellington) as that referred to by defendant existed, but as the present owner offered to pay for one year, he would he quite satisfied if judg ment were entered up for the balance, which his Worship accordingly did. Mr. Izard appeared for the Commissioner in all the above cases.

LIVELY SCENE IN THE R.M. COURT.

The somewhat dry and dreary civil cases heard at the hall of justice on Tues day, wore somewhat varied by a pasiage-at arms, between his Worship, Mr. Branson and the Clerk of the Court. Mr. Branson had asked for an explanation why a summons taken out on the 14th inst. had not yet been served. The bailiff, being questioned by his Worship, replied that the de fendant lived at a considerable distance away, and he had visited the house twice, on both of which occasions the man was not at home. His Worship expressed himself as satisfied with the explanation, upon which Mr. Branson remarked “ that considerable blame ' had been attached to a former bailiff for not finding persons at home, and he had been dismissed 'on a moment’s notice.” His Worship replied that such a case had not come under his notice. A term having been fixed for the hearing of the case ih question, the Clerk of the Court suggested to Mr. Guinness that, as the bailiff had a deal of work to perform, it would he advisable to extend the time, as otherwise it would bo an impossibility for the bailiff to serve the summons. Mr. Branson objected strongly to Mr. Hurrell interfering with such matters and dic tating to his Worship what he should do. Mr. Hurrell claimed that he had a per fect right to make such a suggestion, his Worship coinciding with the Clerk, and characterising Mr. Branson’s conduct as impertinent. The storm seemed to calm down, hut the Clerk of the Court, evi dently overcome, and not able to control his wounded feelings, muttered something to the effect that Mr. Branson was always trying to bully everybody about the Court. The gentleman referred to heard the un complimentary reference to himself, and called upon his Worship to reprimand his subordinate. His Worship said he had not heard the words alleged to have been used. Mr. Branson—-Everyone else in Court heard them. His Worship said that such remarks were not proper. Mr. Branson—Then, will your Worship reprimand him. His Worship —I have done so, already. After this piece of diversion, the pro ceedings of the Court went on with their usual smoothness.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

CAUGHT NAPPING.

To the Editor. Sir,— l notice a paragraph in your issue of the 17th inst. under the above heading. You will oblige by allowing me a small space to say a few words on the matter referred to. The case to a creditor is like all others with assets nil— not worth a straw. But, there seems to me a principle involved, which is of a serious nature. This case shows the utter worthlessness of the bankruptcy laws, and how roguery may be carried out under their cover. The facts of the case remain the same, in spite of Sullivan’s statement in Court to the contrary, and they are as follow : —Sullivan takes a contract, and takes two men in with him as mates in the job. The work finished, Sullivan, as hea’d of the trio, receives the cheque—(perhaps at this moment his mates are “ napping”)—gets the cash, and immediately files. Doubtless he has seen the slippery nature of the bankruptcy laws, and how men glide out of their debt and difficulties with ease. A better oppor tunity could not present itself, so ho fell into the quagmire of bankruptcy . . . . . Aow, Sir, I have known Sulli van for the last three or four years, have had transactions with him regularly, and have always found him honest and straightforward. This is only one in stance where honest men are lured into evil .... by the laxity of the laws. If some of the leading business men of the County were to get together and discuss the matter, and point out to the Government the faulty places in the Bankruptcy Act, I have no doubt some thing would be done this session. Surely the business men of Ashburton have had sufficient experience to enable them to do something in that direction. —I am, &c., John Williams. Winslow.

TEA MEETING AND ENTERTAIN MENT AT WATERTON.

Last night was quite an event in the Waterton district, and no little stir was caused by, and much preparation made for a tea meeting and entertainment, fol lowed by a ball, that came off in the main school. The preparations and arrange ments were as complete as they were ex tensive, and their consummation was as complete a success as tlie most sanguine could have wished. The affair was got up by those in the district, who wish the local library to make progress, and with a view to increasing its not too plethoric treasury. The result is eminently satis factory, and over L2O a-re expected to he handed over to the treasury. Not only had the committee having charge of the entertainment worked hard in their own district, but they had also cast their lines in Ashburton and the neighboring town ships and villages, and a large number of visitors from these places attended. The tea tables, which were furnished in the very liberal style which usually character ises the Waterton ladies, were tastefully laid cut, and were taxed to the hearts content of their, fair attendants. The tea over, Mr. Joseph Clark took the chair, and the entertainment began. It com prised songs, recitations, &c. by local and imported talent, and not for many a day has anything of so superior a character as this entertainment was, hern given in the main school. Amongst the contributions to the programme by the local talent were a recitation by Mr. W. S. Taylor, and a stump speech by a young gentleman from Longbeach, while the imported talent was represented by Messrs. Harrison, who sang three songs in his usual tasteful and happy manner, being exceedingly effec tive .in the pathetic song “Strangers Yet Mr. G. M. Robinson, who took im mensely with Scotch readings : Mr. H. A. Gates, a favorite at Waterton, and who did not last night in anyway lose caste by the comic songs he sings ; Mr. Jacob son, whose recitations always “ fetch,” found the Waterton folks equally ap preciative with the other audiences who have had the pleasure of listening to him —he was also very effective in the sweet song “ See that my grave’s kept green ;” Mr. K. F. Robinson, who sang a comic song; Mr. Everett, who sang “ Nancy Lee,” and afforded a nice opportunity for those who knew the song to join in its rousing chorus. Nor must we forget to mention the happy efforts of genial Mr. Thomas, whose voice seemed to have suffered nothing by his auctioneering work during the day—in fact, Mr. Thomas has reason to congratu late himself on being the only recipient of a hoquet from the ladies. Those pre sent will not readily forget the humor of his “ Cork Leg,” and other trifles of fun. Mr. Doherty proposed a vote of thanks to the performers, expressing a hope that the next time an entertainment was given in Waterton it would be in a “Library Hall.” Mr. Thomas Taylor proposed a vote of thanks to the urbane chairman, Mr. Joseph Taylor, which was given with “musical honors, ”in universal chorus. The others deserving of thanks also received their due compliments, and the hall was cleared for dancing, at which the youth and beauty mustered in great force, and all “ went merry as a marriage hell ” as the merry makers “chased the glowing hours with flying feet,” till the hours became small and began again to grow largo. Fully two hundred people must have attended the entertainment, and when the first batch of Ashburtonians left for home at half-past ten, there seemed to be as many preparing for the dance.

TAKING TIME BY THE FORE LOOK.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

(From our own Correspondent.)

“Wellington, Juno 23.

Mr. Macandrew was expected to speak this afternoon on the financial debate, but an unexpected discussion on the Civil Service Commission prevented him doing so. Notwithstanding this, the Chronicle came out about 4 p.m. with the following criticism of the speech : “ Mr. Macandrew resumed the no-confidence debate this afternoon. His speech, though by no means brilliant, brisflcd with hard, unassailable facts, which damaged the Government very se riously” ! ! This shows that a stock of cut and dry compliments is kept in the Chronicle office for its own party', as its coarse, indiscriminate abuse is always in readiness for its opponents.

There is a great inclination on the part of all the real Liberals in the House to get rid of Sir George Grey, as there arc few who do not now see that he is the great obstacle to anything really Liberal. His speech in the present no-confidence debate was a lamentable exhibition.

THE MAORI PROPHET.

(per association special wire.) New Plymouth, June 22. From natives returning from Parihaka, the following additional particulars re lative to the late mooting have been gathered. It appears Ciat the origin of the fencing on the road at Ngakumikumi arose from the fact that Te Whiti ordered some followers to plough the land for the purpose of sowing wheat. While the natives were employed in the work they found that the Constabulary road would come right through the land they were ploughing. They at once carried the news to Te Whiti that the Constabulary were advancing and would destroy their work. Te Whiti said, “ Never mind ; go on with the work, and when they get up to you with the road you must contend against them for ten days ; after that the road is to be opened and no more opposition is to be shown to the Constabulary.” Te Whiti now states that he said this merely to test the faith of his followers, and that lie did not mean to urge them to obstruct the constabulary. On Thursday last, Te Whiti alluded to the matter, and said “Seven days of fencing have now passed, and there are still three remaining, after which the road is to be opened. Trust my words, and no harm will befall you. In about eight months hence there will be a groat meeting held here, and at that meeting the dead will rise, and great rejoicings will be made. The dead will then be hero under the Savior of the world, who will come to restore peace and happiness to the inhabi tants of this land. There will bo sweet and uninterrupted intercourse, and all shall ho riel; in the fullness of the bless ings which will be receiyed from the Saviour. Some Europeans say that lam going to bring about war ; ’ that 13 not true. lam the herald of peace and hap piness. My parting words to you are— Let there be no war or disturbance ot any kind with Europeans. If there is any dis turbance, all the good that has been done will be undone. When the prisoners re turn neither they nor their relatives are to seek to avenge themselves for being kept in prison. They have suffered all for my sake. We must not speak of vengeance ; peace must prevail. ” At the conclusion of the speech the natives mani fested in an unmistakable manner that they were well pleased with what they had heard. They stated that, come what will, they will abide by the words of Te Whiti. Tohu also addressed the meeting, but his words were of little import ance. The natives wei’e staying longer at Parihaka than usual for them, having left for their homes yesterday. Mr. Bryce is still at the front, and the Hinemoa is lying in the homestead waiting for him.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

“WILL FARMING PAY?” The usual monthly, meeting of the Ash burton Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion was held on Tuesday in the upper room of the Town Hall, at which a very marked increase on the attendance of farmers was apparent, between forty and fifty being present. Previous to the meeting the members dined together in Shearman s Hotel. At the meeting in the upper room, Mr. John Carter, Tinwald, pre sided, in the absence of the President of the Society, Mr. W. C. Walker, and in troduced the essayist of the evening—Mr. John Grigg, Longbeach, who read the following paper, which we reprint from his manuscript : Can Farming be make to pay, at pre sent pricks, in this Provincial Dis trict of New Zealand ? To this, I boldly answer that it can. You will naturally say. —tell us how ; in what manner ; bj what system ? This I will try to do ; but first let me put an other question. Can farming, as now generally practised, be made to pay ? To this I answer emphatically, No ; it is impossible. Before treating of the other question, let us sweep away all cobwebs and veils before pur eyes that are now over the subject. We have the large fact before our eyes that farming does not pay ; that a very large number of farmers are nearly ruined, You will say that it is hard to remove this veil from before our eyes. My reply is that they are not fanners at all. They are simply camp followers who have followed Sir Julius Vogel’s army of railway makers, and they are simply stripping all and every acre of what they can lay their hands on. I ask you not to be angry, but to be cool, and to ask yourselves if it is not literally true. I ask you if, taking np a farm of say 500 acres, putting 400 acres the first year into wheat, 100 in oats, and in the following year ringing the changes—loo wheat and 400 oats—-after that, where are you ? I should say, “ after that the deluge” as the best thing that could happen to your farming ; and if you really don’t know better, go to school and learn your busi ness before you practise it. Now, have I overdrawn the picture, or over-stated the case. 1 submit that I have not done so by one hair’s-broadth. I admit that there are exceptions amongst us, and I say, “ all hail ! ’.’ to them—they are the saviours of their country. One instance occurs to me in this neighborhood. I refer to the farm of Mr. Cochrane, who is a farmer, and proves by the result that he understands his business. You, no doubt, remember a notice of Mr. Coch rane’s crops in the papers, as follows : Serve Him Right. —Mr. John Cochrane, known among his neighbors on the Wakanui Creek to be a farmer who treats his land with a view to making it a home for himself, and to crop it in such a way that the stamina of the land will not be exhausted in a couple of seasons—has met with his due reward. His record from the thrashing machine shows that ' by working his land properly, and keeping it in good heart, he excels any other return yet rec axled. Mis wheat has turned out 52 and 60 busheL per acre respectively for two paddocks. His barley, which by the way, showed the largest return in the agricultural statistics last ye ir, is on this occasion 70 bushels per acre and his oats on the average about 70. We hoye that our readers, who wish to work their farms in a practical manner will take a few lessons from Mr. John Cochrane, and next year we may have to record a large number of instances in which work done will “serve them right.” —Askbmton Guardian, of April 8. This is an admirable instance of the ex ception proving the rule, or rather, two rules in this case—that bad farming will not pay. and that skilful and liberal farm ing will pay. Now, what is to be done ? “ What is the remedy ? ” —I fancy I hear you say, for so many of us are in the position of the man you have alluded to as having his 400 acres of oats. My first reply is, don’t grow oats, at least, in such quantities as to produce the present state of the market. Happily necessity is the mother of invention, and the mother is now amongst us without doubt. You must strike out a new course altogether in the management of your farms. In consider ing the subject this evening, let us divide the land now being farmed into three classes. (1.) I would dispose of that class that every practical farmer knows it will not pay to cultivate. My answer in this case is, abandon them at once—they are only fit for sheep-walks, and must again be used as such only as long as the present price of labor continues. This you will say is a very “ straight tip.” It is, and those who take my advice will live to thank me for it. (2.) There is a class of land better than the former, but such as will not bear more than two grain crops on the same land (profitably) within six or seven years. The first remedy in this case is large farms—to have enough of it, and .to make wool the principal item of income. These farms are altogether un fitted for the poor and struggling settler, and in no case should there be less than 1,000 acres in one holding. By the growth of green crops, with the aid of artificial manure, this kind of farm may be made to pay a fair interest on the intrinsic value of such land, together with a fair return for the farmer’s skill and industry. (3.) The remaining is that class of land which may be farmed in various ways, according to the skill and school of farming of the occupant. There are several schools of farming, and it cannot be determined which is the best for such land ; so much depends on the farmer himself and his circumstances: whether he has a working family or not; whether the farm is large or small; well watered, or otherwise ; and near or at a distance from the market ; whether near the sea, with a good mild temperature, or at a considerable elevation, making grasses very scarce in the winter months It is quite beyond the time at our disposal this evening to go into all these cases. I will, therefore, take instances of this class of land having a mild climate and a plentiful supply of water. First comes the question as to which is the most profitable, a large or a small farm. This is a much-vexed question, and one on which there will, no doubt, be ever a difference of opinion. My own opinion is that it can be proved to a demonstration that large farms are more profitable than small ones, not only to the individual occupier, but also to the nation, i.e., that the amount remaining for export, in exchange for other luxuries, or comforts, after all demands are paid, must be greater from a given area of land when held in large farms, all other things being equal. This last proviso, I admit, upsets the calculation in so many ways by the almost impossibility of obtaining the position, “ all things being equal,” and hence I take it the difference of opinion. For the purposes of the case I will, however, take a farm of 200 acres as being one that is large enough not to make waste or loss of powgr evident and un avoidable I do not propose to take the case of an unreclaimed farm, but of a farm thoroughly appointed in every respect, judiciously subdivided into good and sufficient buildings, and within twelve miles of a railway station or market. This farm given, the question is “Can it be made to pay at present prices ?” I fancy you will say that I have my work cut out to prove that it can, perhaps i have, and I must confess I am now ap proaching it for the first time, not, how ever, without having a clear conviction. I have written thus far without having thought it out in the way that I now pro pose to do. If it cannot be made clear that my position can be maintained, I am sure that the time will not bo lost in con sidering the subject, and that we may help each other to come to some near con clusion each in his own mind. The only absolute proof can be obtained

against all comers —in fact,; to fight them inch by inch. Further, lam sure/ that the position is impregnable.,. If these things be so, when are we, or can we.hope,-. to realise such results generally through-' out this provincial district? Not, until there shall have been a thorough reforma tion of our forces—a re-adjustment of the positions of the capitalist and the pro ducer. First of all, the position of the capitalist must be rendered almost abso lutely safe, and then very advantageous terms will bo made with him. The pro ducers must become practical, skilled men, well educated in their profession, never making the attempt to scale any by .trying the experiments, working it out, not on paper, but on the land itself. Such land as I now refer to should bo worth from 16s. to 255. per acre per annum, according to the situation, and if rented only, without the tenant having a right of purchase or any reversionary interest whatever. In case of a right of purchase being given, I would estimate the annual value to be greater by from 4s. to 6s. per acre per annum for a term of ten years. We may confidently expect that within that period land which is now worth from Ll2 to Ll 5 per acre, will be readily sale able at from Ll 6to L 22 per acre. I believe, however, that excepting where a farmer has ample capital, or some prospect of obtaining money from some other source than from the profits of his farm, he would be much more comfortably situated to be a tenant only. Amongst Englishmen, to be the owner of land is a ruling passion, the result being in older countries than this that the capitalist alone can afford to hold land. And I venture to say that the day is not far distant when the capitalists will, in this country, be content to receive five per cent, on his investments in land. Just how, I believe, every one expects to get from seven to eight per cent., at least. I will now refer to my estimate of what a tenant farmer can really do on a 200-acre farm, and also to an estimate of the capital he will require on such a holding. Plan of 200-Acre Farm.

These paddocks to be kept almost always under crop—potatoes, vetches, mangolds, carrots, with an occasional crop of spring wheat or barley. Rotation of Crops. Ist year 2nd 3 d 4th sth 6th 7111 25 Acres 1 ... W P W GC 11 C W 25 Acres 2 ... P W GC B C W P 25 Acres 3 ... W GC B C W P W 25. Acres 4 ... GC B C W P W GC 25 Ades 5 ... B C W P W GC B 25 Acres 6 ... C W P W GC B C 150 Acres The letters used above mean as follows : W wheat, B barley, P peas, C clover, GC green crop. Capital. £ s. d. 3 hoises 90 o o 1 horse ... ... ... ... 20 o o 2 young horses, I yearling, I two-year ... ... ... 25 o o Harness ... ... 20 o O Ploughs—l double-furrow, £l% ; 1 single-furrow, £4, £22 ; Harrows, £10; scarifier and horse hoe, .£l3; roller, £2O; dray, £2O; chaff cu:ter, £7 ; pea rake, £2 10s ; drill, ; small tools, &c., ,£5 ... ... 129 10 o 10 cows at £7 each ... ... 70 o o 5 two-year-olds at ... ... 25 o O $ yearlings at £2 ... ... 10 o o 1 bull 10 o o 25 sheep ... ... ... ... 7 10 o 2 sows at ... ... ... 800 Dairy utensils ... ... ... 5 0 0 Seed—Wheat, 50 bushels at 3s. 6d., say £g ; barley, £7 I os.; potatoes, £7 103. ; peas, mangolds, turnips, carrots, and vetches 34 o o Poultry ... ... ... ... 200 Horse feed, 300 bushels oats ... 15 o o Annual Return, Wheat—so acres at 40 bushels per acie, 2000 bushels at 35.... 300 o O Peas—2s acres at 25 bushels pet acre, 625 bushels at 2s. ... 62 o o Turnips—2s acres (any profit to be spent in manure)... Barley— 25 acres at 40 bushels per acre—looo bushels, at 2s. 6d 125 o o Clover—s head of cattle fed each year ... ... ... 40 o o From Homestead, and small paddocks 50 acres— -10 cows’ butter ... ... ... 40 o o 5 calves to be sold at 10s. ... 2 10 o 1 three-year old cok ... ... 25 o o Pigs—Produce of two sows, 28 farrows '.. 56 O o Potatoes, carrots, vetches, seed 75 0 0 Poultry and eggs ... ... 10 O 6 50 sheepskins, 3s. ... ... 7 16 0 £745 S j\nnua Expenses. ' ' J f Ploughman ... ... ... £6O g o Food (or c}o ... ... ... 20 Q o Ejftra labor at harvest 300 Threshing, 3625 bushels, 46. per bushel .., ... ... 60 8 4 All seed as in capital account ... 34 o o Oats, horse-feed, 300 bushels ... 15 o o Blacksmith and wear and tear of harness... ... ... ... 20 o O Loan of reaper and binder and wire, Ss. peracre, 75 acres ... 18 15 O Road rates ... ... ... 500. Clover and grass seed, 25 acres... 12 10 o ,£2s° IS 4 Gross annual return 743 10 o Less outlay 250 13 Showing more than cent, per cent, on capital in slock, out of which deduct rent of land, say 20s. peracre ... ... 200 o O Net profit to farmer, including his Qwn and his wife’s labor ... 296 16 4

I can only say that I am most agreeably surprisedj I may say astonished, at the result of my own figures. lam delighted. I can see that there is hope for us yet. 1 am quite prepared to defend these figures position with a ladder several rungs shorter than the height of the wall. The majority of farmers at present are, I fear a forlorn hope ; but one great quality of an English army is that they do not know when they are beaten. Napoleon is said to have asked the question at Waterloo— Why didn’t the English run? And the reply was that they didn’t know when they were beaten. Such pluck deserves, and often obtains, the victory in spite of all appear ances. Let us hope that such fortune will favor the brave; for if ever there were brave and stout hearts fighting the battle of life, such are the farmers in this district. (Applause.) The Chairman said the Association ought to be exceedingly thankful for the paper just read by Mr. Grigg, and he hoped what had been put forth in the ; paper would be made the subject of thorough discussion. He invited any gentleman present to speak. Mr. Thomas pointed out that Mr. Grigg had said there would be cattle to sell from the model 200-acre farm he had sketched, but he .had said nothing of where they were to come from. Mr. Grigg pointed out that the young stock had been provided for by purchase at the same time as the cows. Mr. Thomas took exception to the smallness of the number of sheep allowed for, as he himself belived that without extensive grazing farming in New Zealand would not pay. He feared the time for 3s. a bushel would not often come again, - and grazing must be attended to to make up for what the produce of cultivation . Would not supply. He also took .excep tion to the price allowed for pigs. ’ Mr. Grigg said he had no difficulty in obtaining far higher prices for his pigs than he estimated in his paper, and he perfectly agreed with Mr Thomas’ theoiy that on most of the land cultivation alone would not pay. It was not too much, however, to expect the yields he had given, as he himself from second class land had obtained fifty-five bushels of barley to the acre, —and land adjoining this was now in the market at L 8 per acre. No one, he was sure, would ever think of giving LI an acre rental for the land that produced this crop. In reply to Mr. Thomas also, Mr. Grigg.said that school fees, etc., could easily be provided for out of the sixty per cent, profit that accrued on the farm’s work for the year. He would like to add, that beans ought to alternate with peas where that was at all possible. In reply to Mr. G. M. Robinson, Mr. Grigg said he made no provision for any foolish purchase of land—where the price paid had been exorbitant. A man may struggle with a dead-weight of interest round his neck, if he liked, but it was only of a farm of fairly arable land, fairly rented or bought at a fair value, that he had treated. Still, he knew instances in which farmers paying a very heavy rent had obtained very large returns as the re sult of practical treatment of the soil and business-like management. It was also an old-fashioned theory about wheat taking the l ; me out of the land. He would advo cate the use of leguminous crops, such as peas and beans, that shed a great quantity of leaves, as restorers to the land of the ammoniacal properties. Mr. Bell wanted to know if Mr. Grigg . thought it advisable for.the owner of a 200 acre farm to be a partner in the owner ship of a reaping machine, and what would be the best tvay to divide its use. Mr. Grigg thought it was certainly ex travagant on the part of a small farmer unless he could afford it as a luxury to own wholly an expensive machine like a reaper >•: and binder. If he owned a share of one, the best plan to follow would be to mark on the calender the days he was entitled to use it, and the days his partner ought to have it, and wet or dry, let the machine go to the respective farms on these days. Mr. C«x said that instead of every far mer owning a reaping machine, it would be far better if a class of contractors made it their business to do reaping, as some now did ploughing. It would be a better division of labor. Regarding the purchase cf land, such as the instances mentioned, by Robinson, there were men who had purchased at a high figure, and an exten- L sive area, where they were not in a posi tion to pay for it. That was a greater evil than paying too high a figure for the land. During the last few years. he had changed his views in regard to the plains land, and ho was not astonished at the results he had seen and heard of. He had been told of ten tons of clover hay per acre taken from very ordinary laud, and he had mentioned the fact to another farmer, who was quite ready to believe it, as he had obtained six tons per acre. There may have been mis takes in these estimates, but if only half”' were obtained, he was quite sure no wheat crops could pay like that. Regarding pigs, he knew of a case in which Ll 3 had been refused for 4 pigs that a twelvemonth ago had been bought for 10s. each Many farmers made the mistake of taking their farms on a purchasing clause. It was far better to buy their farms with a long lease and a purchasing clause,’ so that improve ments could be made on the farm with the interest money that would otherwise be paid to the landlord. Many went off with the foolish notion that they could buy land and pay for it out of the crop of the first year. This was a gross mistake, and the result was that when a bad year came, and one bad year followed another, men who had put all their eggs in one basket went to the wall. Mr. Grigg thought contractors for reap ing would not do for the sole supply of reaping to one district. It would be very unsafe, and he would not like to rely upon them. There was a great mistake in buying too much land, as Mr. Oox had said. He (Mr. Grigg) did not think - capital ought to demand more than five -■ per cent, on its land. Ten tons of hay was a result that he would expect from very superior land, and he felt inclined to doubt that result. The land must have been well watered, and heavy to do so. He did not think it would ever be possible to take continuous heavy crops off these light lands of ours; without the use of artificial manures. He hoped he would not be adjudged as throwing cold water on these light lands, he only stated what he believed to be the truth about them, and felt he was doing his duty in so doing. Still, there was a silver lining to the cloud, and if they stuck to their cross-bred stock he believed from .the prospects of the, wool market that these lands would ultimately pay in wool. ' ‘ Mr. Bell thought farmers ought to have an interest in the fafnjs they occupied,’ and it was fetter to make a step tqwafd| buying them. Mr.' Grigg pointed out that hig mgan; ing was this—Take a farm, but give no more than 5 per cent, on the capital it represented as rent—don’t give 8 per cent, put the 3 per cent, in your pocket, and at the end of ten years you will be quite able to talk to the landlord. After some further discussion on Mr. Grigg’s paper, in which some interesting but minor facts were elicited, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Grigg. After a good deal of talk on what was the best day of the week and the best hour for holding the monthly meeting, Mr. Guinness moved that the next meeting bo held this day month, at seven o’clock. Mr. Robinson moved, as an amend ment that the next meeting be held on a convenient Saturday about a month hence, at four o’clock. The motion and amendment being duly seconded, the latter was carried, and the meeting adjourned.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1880.





AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, July 6. K. F. Gray, at his salerooms, Terauka— Freehold Town Sections. Sale at 1 o’clock sharp. Tuesday, July 29. Jameson and Roberts, at Wood’s Farm, Dromore —Horses, Sheep, Pigs, Imple ments, Harness, Ac. Sale at 11 sharp. REWARD. POISONED, on the night,'of .'Tuesday, June 22nd, between Wakanui road and Taucred street, a valuable DOG, brown and white, half-spaniel and re triever. Any person giving such information as will lead to the CONYICTIOPPof the person or persons who laid the poison will receive the above Reward. [H. J. WEEKS. £5 REWARD FOR the conviction of a SKUNK who is loafing round fuel heaps in the township, and to aid his theft is throwing clown poisoned broad and butter for the benefit of watch dogs. Several dogs have been poisoned, mine among the rest, and I will give £5 to any one wlio will give information that will lead to the convic tion of the arrant CUR. 588 c GEORGE COMPTON. ALL CLAIMS against the Estate of Shearer and Galloway, Tinwald, are requested to be sent in to the under signed, duly attested, on or before FRIDAY, 25th inst., otherwise they cannot be recognised. JOHN ORR, 9710 Trustee. NOTICE OF PARTNERSHIP. MATSON, COX, & CO. Messrs, h. matson & co. having taken Mr. C. PERCY COX, who has lately been acting as their agent at Ashburton, into partnership, their business at Ashburton will for the future be conducted under the management of Mr. Cox, under the style of MATSON, COX, & CO,, And they hope by erecting large business premises, and thus giving increased facili ties to their clients, to merit and obtain a fair share of the business hitherto so liberally accorded to them by the public. MATSON, COX, & CO., Ashburton. June Ist, 1880. 93Gg MATSON, COX, & CO. will hold Fortnightly Sales of Stock at Ashburton and Tinwald alternately. Next Sale at TINWALD, TUESDAY, JUNE 22nd. 910 g MATSON, COX, & CO. NOTICE TO FARMERS. fjpJE 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 GROM EES. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. 5500*



A circular advocating a summer resort calls attention to “ numerous cosy seats in forked trees and elsewhere —some of them just large enough for two persons.”



When a man’s temper gets the best of him it is apt to reveal the worst of him.