AUCTION SALES.

Friday, June 11. Messrs. Acl and. Campbell, and Co., at Westerfield station—Horses, Cattle, Implements, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock. Saturday, June 12. Alfred Harrison, at his yards—Horses, Implemenis, Harness, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock. Tuesday, June 15. Matson, Cox, and Co., at the Tinwald Yards Horses, Cattle, Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock sharp. Saturday, June 19. Jameson and Roberts, at Messrs. Robert Wilkin and Co.’, New Zealand Wool Stores, Hereford street, Christchurch— Farm at Dromore, containing 1,050 Acres. Sale at 12 o’clock sharp.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1880.

The Financial Statement delivered by the Colonial Treasurer on Tuesday night was one of the most comprehensive we have ever perused, and will, we are con fident, convince politicians of all shades of opinion that the gentleman at the head of our Treasury is thoroughly con versant even with the minutiae of his department. Assuming charge of our finance at a most critical period, Major Atkinson at once applied himself to the onerous duties of his office with an energy and ability which enabled him to produce from the disorganisation of his predeces sors a tolerably clear Statement for pre sentatian to the last session of Parliament. At that time he promised that a clearer and more comprehensive Statement should be placed before the House, and the fulfil ment of this promise is ably accomplished in the Budget now under consideration. The Treasurer, after briefly referring to the preceding Financial Statement, ex pressed confidence that the present check to our prosperity is only temporary, but at the same time dealt strongly on the absolute necessity of rigorous economy and the determination of Government to bring the annual expenditure within the the annual revenue by reducing the former and, if necessary, increasing the latter by additional taxation. It will be remem bered that when the Financial Statement of last session was presented, it was im puted by the Opposition that the Minister in charge of this department had exagger ated the difficulties of the position by greatly under-estimating the revenue, and many friends of the Government regarded the views of the Colonial Treasurer as too gloomy, but it will be seen from the State ment which we publish elsewhere, that the result of the financial year has been even worse than Major Atkinson’s anticipations, a deficiency of £133,790 occurring instead of £131,824 as estimated, and this not withstanding the fact that large savings have been accomplished in almost every branch of expenditure. The revenue fell short of anticipations by £261,441, a large deficiency occurring in both Customs and stamp duties, but in reference to the former the Treasurer remarks it is rather a matter for congratulation, assuming it to be an indication of more thrifty habits and greater self denial on the part of our population. We fear that stern necessity has had more to do with this result han any permanent reform in the domestic habits of the taxpayers, but wo earnestly hope, notwithstanding the temporary in convenience it may cause so far as the revenue is concerned, that the assumption of the Minister is a correct one. The receipts from railways felljshort of the esti mate by £113,072, but this is in some way counterbalanced by a saving in expendi ture of this department of £43,242. The total expenditure appears to have exceeded the total receipts by £91)0,081, aod the total debt of the colony has now reached £27,409,113, subject to an actual charge of about £1,535,000 per annum. Of the £5,000,000 loan £3,000,000 has been used, and it is easy to ap preciate the anxiety of Government last session with a prospect of only £300,000 of the proposed loan being floated. The discontinuance of subsidies was fore shadowed last session, and it is honestly announced now as a necessary step. At the same time a scheme is propounded which, we think, will he a convenient and efficient substitute. Local bodies will be entitled to collect rates from General Government on Grown property and Maori country lands, and native owners of property within boroughs will directly contribute. The Government hope by reductions in several branches of expenditure, inclu ling their own salaries, to effect a saving of £523,000 on the year’s expenditure. It is intimated that there will be a slight in crease on the rate of freight on the rail way, and that personal effects, furniture, and books will be exempt from the opera tion of the Property Tax. This exemp tion means a loss of £40,000 a year to the revenue, and we -are disappointed that the Government made the concession, although we do not see our way to disap prove of the tax they have substituted, viz.—a beer tax of Cd. per gallon. It is expected that this tax will produce £IOO,OOO per annum, and, with an in crease on the succession duties will leave the Government with a surplus of £41,291 with which to end the financial year. We shall return to the consideration of this Statement in detail when space and oppor tunity offer.

Dentistry. —Our Rakaia friends will observe that Mr Armstrong, dentist, will be in Rakaia on Saturday, on which day he may be consulted. He intends to make a short stay in the Rakaia district, so that those requiring his services had better delay as little as possible.

Entertainment at Kyle.— The good folks in the Kyle district have not forgot ten the widow and family of the poor man, Alexander Gordon, who died in the snow storm last winter while on his way home to Seafield from Ashburton, and arrangements have boon made for a con cert to come off in the Kyle schoolroom on the 18th inst., the proceeds of which will be handed over to Mrs Gordon.

Matson, Cox, and Co.—Mr 0. Percy Cox having become a partner in the busi ness of Matson & Co., whose connections are now ramified over Canterbury, the style of the firm for its operations in this district will be Matson, Cox, & Co. As wegannounced some weeks ago, the firm will shortly erect large premises in West Street, at the corner of Burnet Street, The amount of business transacted being anything but an “ airy nothing,” the firm having already acquired a local name, re quired only a local habitation to complete their position, and this “ habitation” when erected will do honor to the firm, the township, and the district.

“ Misfortunes Come not in Single Spies, but in whole Battalions.”— On Tuesday afternoon a cow, belonging to Mrs. Gordon, the widow of the late Alex ander Gordon, who perished in the snow on his way home from Ashburton last winter, fell down a well seventy feet deep. Immediately on hearing of the occurrence, Mr. John Lambie proceeded, with all the neighbors, to extricate the animal. A lantern was lowered into the well, but, owing to the accumulation of carbonic acid gas, the light immediately went out. A billy was then procured and filled with fat, making what is commonly known as a “ slush light.” This was lowered into the well, but immediately went out. A larger billy was then filled with fat and set on fire, making a large blaze. This was gradually let down until all the gas had dispersed, when a man was lowered into the well, who fastened a strong rope around the head of the cow, and after some difficulty the dead animal was drawn out. This accident will be a great loss to the poor widow, for whose benefit it has been arranged to give a concert at Kyle on the 18th inst.

The Raphael Troupe. —Those who at tended the Town Hall on Tuesday had a treat; the Raphael family giving an en tertainment which was appreciated by the audience immensely, if we may judge by the applause awarded to the talented juvenile performers. The youthful Blon din showed that he was a worthy type of the great original, his feat of walking on a thin wire with a sack over his head, being unequalled fora lad of his age. Miss Selina Raphael on the trapeze was loudly ap plauded for her performance, and the small boy who did the tumbling, fairly took the audience by storm. The only part Signor Raphael took himself in the play was holding up a long pole, with Master Burnett on the top of it, who per formed a number of miraculous acts which fairly brought down the house. The ter psicorean part of the business was appre ciated, and the performer encored. The only drawback to a complete success was the want of an orchesti-a, in which Signor Raphael was disappointed at the last moment.

Ashburton Cricket Clue. —A meet ing of the Ashburton cricketers was held onTuesdayinlheCouncilChambers. Thei-e was perhaps the most satisfactory atten dance of players and friends of the Club that has yet gratified enthusiasts in the game, about twenty being present ; and the spirit of lovers of the game in Ashbur ton have suffered a fresh revival in con sequence. Amongst those present were Messrs. Guinness (President), Douglas, Branson, Poyntz, Fooks, Ireland (2), Eyton, Shiny jun., Curtis, Meech, Nel son, Amos, Ferriman, Price, sen., Price, jun., Strangman, G. and A. Andrews, Hill, Hodder, Martin, Mainwaring, Grant, Groves, &c. After the president had addressed the meeting, counselling the cricketer’s to stick together, and to know no feeling whatever in the affairs of the Club, but the promotion of cricket, he stated that the Club business of the evening would be to recommend to the Domain Board the direction in which to spend the recent grant they had received from the County Council. Previous to the discussion of the question, a resolu tion moved by Mr. G. Andrews, and seconded'by Mr. Poyntz, was put to the effect that members of the Club who wish to remain members be requested to pay their subscriptions of ss. An amendment by Mr. Branson was proposed—“ That a new Club .be formed irrespective of any existing Club, the subscription to be a guinea.” This was seconded by Mr. Nelson, and being put as against the motion, was carried. Messrs Fooks and Douglas were appointed a committee to collect outstanding subscriptions. The primary business of the evening was then proceeded with, and a discussion on the subject of the Domain then took place, on the suggestion of Mr. Price, to form a working committee consisting of Messrs. Amos, Grant, Strangman, Nelson, Marsh, Andrews, Mainwairing, and the mover, to recommend to the Domain Board the best method of improving the ground. It was resolved that a meeting of the Ashburton Cricket Club be held on the 22nd instant for the purpose of recei ring the report of the treasurer, &c.

Temperance Lecture. —We extremely regret that, through the demands made on our space by the Financial Statement and other matter, we are unable to do more than congratulate our temperance friends on the very satisfactory atten dance at the Templar Hall last evening, and for their being able to obtain the services of the Rev. A. J. Smith to lecture on such an interesting theme as that of “John B. Gough.” Although the hall was not uncomfortably crowded, the whole of the sitting accommodation was taken up, and a few had to stand. The lecture was listened to with much in terest, and at intervals the audience burst out into merry peals of laughter and ’ applause at the many humorous anecdotes related by the rev. lecturer, and in the more pathetic portions, not a few felt in clined to give vent to their emotions in a very different manner. Mr. Smith said that J. B. Gough had been designated the “ prince of orators,” it might not be out of place to characterise the rev. genth - man as “an encyclopedia of anecdote,” for from beginning to end, Mr. Smith kept the attention of the audience fixed by interspersing his remarks with these essential auxiliaries to successful lecturing. Mr. Gough’s childhood and youth were briefly referred to, his mother being a schoolmistress and his father a soldier, the latter having been at the battle of Corunna. After alluding to the fondness of Gough for bis parents, and his natural abilities, which were even utilised more than once in his boyhood to swell the almost empty purse of his mother, the speaker dwelt at length on Gough as a drunkard, as reformed, and as a temper ance lecturer. At the conclusion of the lecture, a vote of thanks was proposed by the Rev. B. J. Westbrooke, seconded by Mr. Craighead, and carried by acclama tion. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr. Isaac Scott, terminated the proceed ings.—After the meeting was over a number of gentlemen remained behind, at the invitation of the Chairman, to take into consideration the advisableness of in stituting a total abstinence society es pecially for the friends of temperance wlio might not feel disposed to join the Tem plar Order. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee for the pur pose of carrying out the proposal: —Revs. Hands, Keall, Smith, and Westbrooke, with Messrs. Olsen, Craighead, Sando, I. Scott, Stokes, Thos. Scott, and G, W. Andrews.

The Volunteers. — On Tuesday the Committee of the local rifle company held a meeting, when Captain Bullock stated that he had received a cheque from Govern ment for. L 93, being capitation grant for the past year. Several members having paid the cost of their uniforms, it was re solved that 10s. out of every LI capita tion grant qualified for, should be re funded to such members. Arrangements were also initiated for procuring a uniform for the band. It was further stated that the Volunteer year had now been altered, and that there was just time for members by very regular attendance to qualify for next year’s grant. It will, therefore, be imperative that no company drill nor inspection parade be missed by members until they have six of each. Capt. Bullock was elected Treasurer, and Color-Sergeant Dolman and Corporal Vaughan appointed as a Finance Com mittee.

Farewell. —On Tuesday the Presby terian Sunday School Teachers’ Associa tion, of which Mr. W. Ennes has been an enthusiastic member, entertained that gentleman to tea in the church, previous to his removal to Invercargill. The table was very tastefully laid out, and was pre sided over by Misses Henderson and Guviu. After tea, the President, Rev. A. M. Beattie, delivered a short address, expressive of his regret at losing so valu able a member of the Association. He also had another reason for regretting Mr. Ennis’ departure : lie had a large number of votes for the eldership of the Church, to which Mr. Beattie had hoped he would attain. After each of the speake’.s had spoken in turn, Mr. Ennis rcpl'ed, ex pressing his gratitude for the kindly feel ing shown by his fellow teachers, and his regret at leaving them. The ordinary business of the Association was then pro ceeded with, an item of which was the ap pointment of Messrs. Orr and Gavin as representatives to the Sunday School Con ference in Christchurch.

The Distress in Christchurch. —Two hundred and seventy persons were sup plied 'at the Christchurch Soup' Kitchen yesterday morning. The Compulsory Clauses. —Owing to the already overcrowded state of the Timaru schools, the committee there have decided not to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Education Act. The Reported Coal Mine Accident. —ln reference to the telegram regarding a colliery accident at Westport, the follow ing Westport message is authoritative'; — “ The report that the colliery had received serious injury is incorrect. The only foundation for the report is that a truck broke away and displaced some sleepers.”

The Waitaki Election. —The Minis terialist candidate, Mr. Reid, has evi dently the best chance for the Waitaki scat. The Opposition interest has been divided by the vanity of the one canditate, and the stubbornness of the other, and the result is that between Messrs. Jones and Roberts, the Ministerialists will gain the seat.

Forgery. —Two cases of forgery are be fore the Auckland Police Court—one, a man named Worms, who is accused of having forged the name of Messrs. Hod man, of that city, to a receipt of L 3 ; and the other that of Lawrence Jellings who is alleged to have forged the name of J. Abbot to a cheque for LGS on the Colonial Bank. The alleged offenders .are under remand.

Fire at Lonobeach.— The boiling down shed at Longbeach station w T as de stroyed by fire on Saturday evening. The fire was discovered at eight o’clock, and it was not till past ten that the flames w r ere got under, then only after the shed had been burned to the ground. Some 500 pigs were saved with great difficulty, and some other property was rescued. The accident represents considerable loss, and we have not yet learned what insurance, if any, was on the building.

The Timaru Breakwater Question. —At a committee meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board on Tuesday, Mr. Woolcombe Captain Cain, and other old and influen tial residents, testified to the utter inac curacy of the statements contained in Mr. Blackett’s report to Parliament as to the damage done to the railway works through the erection of the breakwater. The mem bers of The Levels Road Board passed resolutions affirming that Mr. Blackett’s representations in reference to the en croachment of the sea at Caroline Bay were contrary to local knowledge and export enco. The same body resolved to prosecute further their action to have The Levels district constituted a county.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE IRISH RELIEF FUND—A LIVELY REPLY.

To the Editor.

Sik, —I have read in your recent issues your correspondents’ letters concerning the Irish Relief Fund, in which my con duct is characterised as “ inhuman and disgraceful.” Isay “ my conduct ” be cause I am one of the Commitee, and charges made promiscuously against that body generally must refer to individual members particularly. I cannot allow such to pass without making a few remarks thereon ; therefore I wish your readers to remember that when the Ashburton Relief Committee were appointed it was about the beginning of harvest, and nearly every person knows—although the Ashburton people did not seem to know—that a farmer’s duties at that time are most arduous. I was appointed one of the Committee to canvass for subscriptions, without ever having been asked whether I was willing to undertake such a duty. That duty meant riding forty or fifty miles at a most unfavorable time. The sympathy of the meeting was very strong, as far as words went ; but there it seems to have ended. But the laziness of the Ashburton portion since that time seems to have come out much stonger, except where self interest is concerned, for not one amongst thorn could hud time (of course, that is how they put it) to solicit subscriptions within the narrow bounds of the Borough ; but they must appoint someone for that pur pose and pay him for it—out of the sub scriptions, I presume. Their unreason ablones to expect a farmer to canvass, as I have said, and at such a time, while the promoters wore lounging in their easy chairs and issuing their orders, must be apparent to anyone. Their indolence, I think, in that matter became infectious. I showed my paper to many. They pitied the poor Irish, but they gave me nothing— “ A man may hae an hon-j-t he-rt. Though pooriuh hourly stare h : m ; A man may tak a neibor’s part, Yet hae na cash to spare him.” I then paid my subscription to Fried lander Bros , and told them how matters stood, which I thought would be sufficient. But a short time ago I received a letter, very much to my surprise, from the Borough clerk, asking for my subscrip tions. As I had no money to give, 1 did not think it worth while to send back their piece of paper. I am neither a Oon naughtman nor an Irishman, and may be somewhat destitute of the ‘ ‘ sympathetic glow.” But so far, no call upon me for aid, even for the relief of the heathen, as clergymen call them—not for their conver sion, but for providing the necessaries of life—has ever been made to me in vain. But Mr. Flagherty Pat O’Reilly, the gnarled limb of the law, says my conduct is “ inhuman,” and “ Subscriber ” says that I am a “ disgrace to humanity.” But hold—l wonder if there is libel in

that? That brings me in mind of Mr. Branson and his preference the other day for an ugly black dog heft re a strapping servant girl, He must lea cold son of clay. His mother “ honest woman, may think shame. That he’s connected with her.” Had lie been- bred to the plough, I h .ve no doubt but ho would have sung “ The gust of joy, the balm c f y.’cc, The oOul of life, the Heaven below, Is rapture giving woman.” I deny that my conduct has been disgraceful., and as “Subscriber” wants my name published, I give it here in full. For some time back, I have been under the delusion that my contribution had assisted to feed and clothe some poor family. But where is it ?In the bank. Think of that, you subscribers. It is many a day since I saw the London Punch, and I was not aware that “ the starving Irish are deemed fit subjects for a joke.” I cannot join in it. If they are so, I th’nk it is most likely to be among the members of Mr. O’Reilly’s profession. It the people of Ireland arc allowed to die of starvation it is a disgrace to the English Government, and shows the necessity of reform, towards which lam willing to give another pound for that purpose. As a finish, I will venture to say that if Mr. Ivess had been in Ashburton, with his warm love for his countrymen and his enthusiasm in this cause, the Irish Relief Committee would not have gone to sleep as they have done, nor I been under such a delusion as I have been, and the disgrace would have been at tached to the proper persons, and Mr. O’Reilly and “Subscriber” saved the trouble of trying to saddle it upon such as your humble servant James Brown. Wakanui.

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the School Committee was held at the School house on Tuesday. Present—Dr. Mcßean Stewart (Chairman), Messrs. Beau, Boyle, Andrews, St. Hill, Jacobson, and Orr. COKIIBSPONDENCE. The Secretary to the Board of Educa tion wrote, intimating that LG2 13s. 4d. had been paid in to the credit of the Com mittee for payment of salaries. The Board also informed the Committee that Bertie Stewart was beyond the regulation age, and that, unless it was absolutely neces sary, ho could not bo appointed to the position of pupil teacher. The Secretary of the Board of Education wished to know whether Reginald Hodder would avail himself of the provisions made by the Board to receive and entertain candidates for scholarships. The Committee were informed by the Board that in future the latter would not allow payment to any master or mistress for instruction given to pupil teachers who have completed their term of service. Miss Gooden, pupil teacher, wrote, asking to be relieved of her duties, as she wished to join her mother, who was residing in Christchurch. Considerable discussion ensued on this application being read, members of the Committee being generally of opinion that it was undesirable to engage any pupil teacher’s who were not likely to remain in the district. There is a regulation which binds the pupil teachers to remain for four years in the school, but it was agreed that the rule was honored more in the breach than the ob servance. Mr. St. Hill moved, and Mr. Bean seconded —“That the Board of Education be requested to accept the resignation of Miss Jane Gooden.” Carried. Miss Constance Andrews wrote, making application for the position of pupil teacher, and on the proposition of Mr. Boyle, seconded by Mr. St. Hill, it was resolved that Miss Andrews be recom mended to the Board of Education. THE BLOGGING CASE. The sub-Committee appointed to enquire into the charges made by Mr. Underill against the master of the school for un duly punishing children when they were late, reported that, after having made, en quiries, they were of opinion that Mr. Underill had no good ground for com plaint, and that the master’s action in the matter was perfectly justifiable. . The Secretary was instructed to advise Mr. Underill of the Committee’s decision. master’s report. Attendance. —The average attendance for the past week has been 177 boys ; 171 girls; total, 348. Number present to day, 184 boj's; 183 girls; total, 367. Number on the roll, 251 boys ; 258 girls ; total, 509. So far as punctuality is con cerned, the attendance is good, but there are several cases of great irregularity. Pupil Teachers. —You -will have before you the resignation of Miss Gooden, and the application of Miss Constance Andrews. I trust you will endavor to re lieve the former lady of her duties, as her attainments are beneath the standard required, X have pleasure in asking you to consider favorably the application of Miss 0. Andrews. The addition of Master B. Stewart to the staff would be a great advantage if we are only to get pupil teachers of the first year ; because (1), his attainments are good ; (2), he has a good show of physical strength ; (3), he is" of a kindly disposition, and good at gymnastics. Desks. —In my last report I laid before you the recommendation of the Inspector on this matter. There are nearly 100 pupils in Mr. Mayo’s room, and only desks for 84, so that great inconvenience is caused to teachers and pupils. Miss Stewart also requires additional desks. As the Board has always a supply on hand, I hope you will secure our share. Mounted Blackboards. Those were strongly recommended by the Inspector. Other schools of less importance in the district have them. Holidays. —The pi’esent quarter ends on Friday, 25th inst.; the midwinter holidays are then usually given. With your per mission I shall close the school on the 25th, and re-open on the 12th July. ’ RECOMMENDATION. Mr. Jacobson moved that Bertie Stewart be recommended to the Board of Education as a pupil teacher for the school. The speaker thought that the Board should be informed that the cir cumstances under which the recommenda tion was made were exceptional, but no other boy with the qualifications requisite for the position could be obtained. Mr. Andrews seconded the motion, apd it vyas carried unanimously. RESIGNATION. The Chairman stated that he had ceived a letter trom Mr. Wake, tendering his resignation as a pupil teacher of the school, but be did not have it with him at the time. Several members of the Com mittee thought that the letter should have been before the meeting, so as to be placed on the minutes. MISCELLANEOUS. The Chairman, referring to the alleged severe hogging case, said he was pleased to see that the report of the Committee was so satisfactory. He also read extracts from the Inspector’s report for the district of North Canterbury, in which the In spector took occasion to compare very favorably the efficiency attained by scholars in the Ashburton schools with the standards attained by other schools. With reference to gymnastics, Mr. Walker had reported that the acquirements of the Ashburton scholai’s were far in advance of any other school in the district, one of the scholars, F. Mayo, gaining seventy four marks out of a possible eighty-four. In answer to Mr. St. Hill, as to whether the order in the school was any better, it was thought by several members of the Committee that in this respect also the school was improving.

The recommendation of tl.e master with reference to the midwinter holidays was adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

.The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held on Monday last, when there were present—Messrs. Grigg (chair man), Chapman, and Dawson. The Surveyor’s report was read and con sidered, and the following works recom mended therein were authorised :—Shing ling of about 40 chains on Islcworth road from the boundary road eastwards. Drain age of the same road for about CO chains from Lowcliff hut road to Dobson’s road. A bridge over the creek, on "ho Lower Beach Road. A concrete culvert, with outfall drain of 20 chains, and re-grading of side ditches on boundary road at Man son’s, on the Great South road, a foot bridge over the creek at Tinwakl; a 15- inch pipe culvert at the next ford south of Tinwakl, and the formation of (lie road to be made up level; also the re-grading of this road from Stalker’s to the Long beach road. A concrete culvert at the junction of Osborne’s with Ford’s road. A double culvert, with outfall drain, at Wil liams’ corner on Lower Beach road, and a fenced siding cutting into the Rangitata river on the same road. A letter was read from the Ashburton County Council, enclosing copies of the Ashburton County Water Supply Bill, for distribution in this district ; and another enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. W. Stoddart to the Council, in which that gentleman complained that the Board would not clear out Ede’s creek for him, and asking the Council to compel the Boai’d to do this work. It was resolved not to clear out the creek, as the Board never interfered with it ; but as Mr. Stoddart founded his claim on the statement that the formation of the Boundary road caused additional water to flow into the creek, and the creek is not actually the outfall for the road drainage, it was resolved to put stanks in the side ditches, and so cut off all water communication between road and creek. A circular from the Registrar-General was read, asking for a return of the re ceipts and expenditure of the Board, during the year ended 31st March, 1880, and some other statistical information re lative to the district. The clerk was de sired to fill up and forward the return. Some other detail correspondence was read and disposed of. THE WAHD SYSTEM. Inaccordance with a former resolution, as publicly notified in the County news papers, the Board proceeded to confirm the resolution of 27th May last “ That this district be legally divided into five wards, the boundaries of which shall bo—■ No. 2 Ward.—Bounded on the north-east by the centre of part of the Ashburton river, on the north-west by part of No. 1 Ward, on the south and south-west by the centres of parts of Chatmoas, McLennon’s, and Longbcach roads, and on the south-east by the centres of Dawson’s, part of Ford’s, and Wheatstone roads. No. 3 Ward,—Bounded on the north-east by the centre of part of the Ashburton river, on the north-west by part of No. 2 Ward, on the west and soufh-west by the centres of part of Longbeach road and creek, and on the south-east by the sea. No 4 Ward.—Bounded on the north and north-west by Nos. 2 and 1 Wards, on die south-west by the centres of part of the Hinds river and the Longbeach boundary drain, on the south-east by the sea, and on the oast by Nos. 3 and 2 Wards. No. 5 Ward.—Bounded on the north-east by Nos. 4 and 1 Wards on the north-west by paid of the Great Southern Railway, on the south-west by the centre of part of the Rangitata river, and on the south-east by the sea. No. 1 Ward. —Bounded on the north-east by the centre of part of the Ashburton river, on the north-west by part of the Great Southern Railway, on the south-west by the centre of part of the Hinds liver, and on the south east by the centre of part of boundary road. The pay-sheet, amounting to L 320 11s. 4d. having been passed, the Board ad journed.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(per press association.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tib -day, Ju: E 8.

The Council sat only a short time, and the business done was of very slight im portance. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, June 8. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p. m. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. Shrimaki to ask why the privilege of transmitting press telegrams by special coxTespondents to 10 o’clock p. m. was not extended to this session. Sir George Grey to ask leave to introduce a Bill to introduce a Bill to perpetuate the public services rendered by Mr. Moorhouse to Canterbury. Mr. Murray to move—That the honorarium payable to members of the House of Representatives be reduced to LIOO, and that no honorarium be paid to members of the Legislative Council, also that the salaries pa}'able to future Governors, as well as to Ministers of the Crown, be reduced. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr. Stewart, The Hun. W. Rolleston said inquiries would be made regarding the order of some Licensing Courts, that unless certain wooden hotels were pulled down and re built of stone, licenses would be with drawn. In reply to Sir Wm. Fox, The Hon. W. Rolleston said the posi tion of Judge Bathgate as a Director of the Mortgage and Investment Company, recently formed in London, was incom patible with his position as a District Judge in New Zealand, and he would be made aware of the fact. Judge Bathgate went Home on private business, but was allowed half-pay from the judicial vote and the other half for acting as an immir gration agent. NEW BILLS. The following Bills wore introduced and read a first time—To extend the franchise to women (Dr. Wallis). To prohibit party processions (Mr. Pyke). THE LICENSING BILL. The Hqn. T. Dick ipoved the second reading of the Licensing Act. In detailing its provisions he said that it xyaa proposed to introduce what was knmyn as lociil option, also to do away with the bottle licenses at present in force in some parts of the colony. He explained the provisions of the Bill at considerable length, and he asked the House to join with the Govern ment in making it a BUI that would be at once fair to the publican and acceptable to the country, Mr. Barron said that climate influences had a groat deal to do with the necessities that existed for drink, and he thought that in New Zealand that fact would operate against a uniform measure being passed for the whole colony. Mi*. Stewart spoke against the impro priety of the total abolition of the bottle license. He looked upon the Bill as a whole favorably. Mr. Seddon complained that ample pro vision had not been made against the ileicit sale of spirits. He also maintained that some concession should be made for the accommodation houses. He also objected to single women being allowed to hold licenses. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. . Mr. Speight moved an adjournment of the debate on the Licensing Bill. The House then went into Committee of Ways and means, when the Treasurer delivered his THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. In the course of his introductory remarks ho said that his anticipations, said even by friends of the Government to be too gloomy, had; been more than realised, and that the financial results of the past nine months had been less satis factory than he had predicted. He felt, however, that the check to the colony’s prosperity was only temporary ; but, bear ing in mind this check, the duty of economy and retrenchment was all the more pressing. He was glad to know that the public mind was awakened to the colony’s position, and that a desire' was everywhere manifested that the annual expenditure should be brought within the revenue, by the reduction of the one, and the increase of the other. Last session the fiscal system had been considerably modified, but the system of local taxation and subsidies had remained untouched ; but he had then promised to introduce a scheme dealing with that system. It was his intention in this statement to redeem that promise. He then went on to give the FINANCIAL RESULT OF THE TEAR, which, owing to the change in the finan cial year, ended this term on the 30th June, 1879. It will be remembered that I estimated that after the payment of all liabilities outstanding at the close of the year, and taking credit for the assets of the year, there would be a deficit of L 131,842. The actual deficit on the transactions en tered upon up to 31st March last, in respect to the period now referred to, has proved to be L 69,418. There remained unpaid, however, on that date liabilities to the amount of L 70,193, including L 50,000 owing to the Bank of New Zealand, as the balance of the overdraft of the late Provincial Government of Otago, while on the other hand further assets, amount ing to L 5821, have been realised since the 31st of March, so that the total deficit, in cluding assets and liabilities, on June 3 r| th last was L 133,790, instead of L 131.824 as estimated. EXPENDITURE OF THE PERIOD ENDED 31SX MARCH, 1880. In the statement I had the honor to make to the committee last session I estimated that the expenditure would amount to L 3,110,262, but this sum was increased to L 3,139,539 by the passing of supplementary estimates. The actual ex penditure to the 31st March last, including advances in the hands of officers of the Government amounted to L 2,772,276. In accordance with the provisions of the Public Revenues Act, ‘IB7B, Amendment Act, 1879, returns of liabilities outstand ing on 31st March, certified to by several Under-Secretaries, have been laid before Parliament. The liabilities amount to L342,96G, from which, however, I deduct the L 70,193 already referred to as belong ing to the period ending 30th June, 1879, leaving L 272,773 in respect of the period now under review. Adding this sum to actual expenditure on 3ist March, amount ing, as I said, to L 2,772,276 we get a total expenditure of L 3,045,049 as against L 3,139,539, the estimated amount, there being thus an apparent saving of L 93.490 a-ycar. .... I now come to the estimates REVENUE OF THE COLONY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH SIST, 1880. The total revenue received during this period amounted to L 2,133,759 to which add L 50,000 receivable on the Ist April from the Land Tax, which the Committee will remember was includodin the estimate, making together, L 2,183,759, the esti mated amount being L 2,545,200. The revenue,. therefore, fell short of that anticipated by L 261,441. The revenue from the Customs did not reach the esti mated amount by L 47,335. This, although chiefly caused by the general depression throughout the colony, has been partly caused, I believe, by the awak ing of our population to the necessity of cultivating more thrifty habits and prac tising greater self denial. The stamp duties produced L 32,921 less than the estimate. The gross revenue from the stamp duties during the nine months ended ,31st March, amounted to L 111,057, and the refunds to L 18,979, an altogether unusual amount, but an estate which paid L. 18,405 duty in the year 1878-79, was declared by the Supreme Court to be not chargeable and that sum, therefore, had to be refunded in, February last, and is included in the refunds above mentioned. The stamp revenue, but for this unex pected occurrence, would have realised L 14,516 less than the estimate, instead of L 32,921. The receipts from railways fell short of the estimate by L 113,072, but the loss is counterbalanced to some extent by the not inconsiderable saving of L 43,242 effected in the'expenditure by my lion, friend the Minister for Public Works. The land revenue, too, I regret to say, produced only L 155,108 instead of 11246,700. The postal revenue, however, exceeded the estimate by L 12,961, but of this sum LG ; 9S2 was the profit'of the Post Office Savinas Bank account which has heretofore been treated as incidental revenue, FINANCIAL. RESULTS OF THE BEEJQD ENDED 31.ST MARCH, 1880. After stating that Government proposed to deal with L 200,000 deficiency bills issued by Parliament under authority of the Public Revenue Act, 1878, in the way the LBOO,OOO of similar bills issued last session had been dealt with —namely, adding them to the permanent debt, the Treasurer said—ln adding this amount to rhe permanent debt, Parliament will only be carrying out the policy adopted last session for the purpose of enabling the colony to take a new departure financially with the beginning of the current year, by providing for the whole of the floating debt up to that date. I have sum marised the res- It at which I have arrived; —The deficit during 1878-79 has been shown to be L 133.790, the expenditure for the nine months ended 31st March last L 2,772,276 and the liabilities on the same date L 271,774, making a total of L 3,170,840. The receipts for the period ended 31st March were L 2,133,758, land tax due Ist April L 50,000, assets L 5,000, making a total of L 2,188,758. Taking therefore the total revenue from the total expenditure ive arrive at a deficit of L 990,081 for the period ended 31st March, ISBO, to meet which, as I have already stated, Treasury and deficiency bills have been issued to the amount of LI,OQO,QOO, leaving a credit balance of LojOi§ to bp cappied forward to the next financial period. Qn the 30th June, 1879, the gross public debt of the colony amounted to L 23,222,311, on the 31st March, 1880, it wa5L27,422,611; or deduct ing the accrued sinking fund, L 1,805,498, the nett public debt was L 25,617,113. This amount is exclusive of the treasury and deficiency bills for L902,00G, held by the public works fptid, and the LdQO,QOQ unsold debentures of the loan of 1§76 guaranteed by the Imperial Government. Since the 30th June, 1879, the loan of five millions authorised last year has been raised. On the Ist of March last Treasury bills amounting to L 442,000, ajid forming part of the public debt on the §()th ,Junej 1879, matured, and were temporarily re deemed out of the public works fund, pro vision having been made under the Treasury Bills Act, 1870, for renewing them to the 31st of December, 1882, and exchanging them at that date for deben tures, with a currency of three years. During the nine months ended 31st March last, additional Treasury and deficiency bills to the amount of L 1,000,000 have been issued. Bills for L 550,000 have

also been taken up temporarily by the public works fund, so that the actual ad ditional to the public debt by the new loan and these bills amounts at present to L 5,000,000. On the other hand guaran teed debentures amounting to LBOO,OOO have been redeemed, and the debentures of the North Otago District Public Works Loan for L 7700 have been paid off, mak ing together L 807,700, which sum being deducted from L 5,000,000 leaves a net in crease to the public debt of L 4,200,300. When the Imperial guaranteed debentures for LBOO,OOO are sold and the whole of the Treasury and deficiency bills now held by the public works fund, and representing advances to the Consolidated Fund to the extent of L 092,000 are issued to the pub lic, the gross debt will amount to L 29,214,011, or deducting the accumu lated sinking fund of L 1,805,408, the debt will be L 27,400,113, subject to an actual charge of about L 1,535,000. In this statement of the public debt, the last loan of L 5,000,000 is treated as unin scribed. Should the whole of the deben tures be converted on the terras offered, the public debt will be increased by L 1,000,000, but the interest will be re duced by L 10,009 per annum. Parlia ment will be asked during the present session to make provisions for extending to the 31st of December, 1882, the cur rency of certain Treasury bills amounting to L 390,000, partly falling due within the current year, and to grant authority for exchanging them at date for debentures, with a currency of three years, as in the case of bills for L 442,000 provided for by the Treasury Bills Act, 1879. Similar provision, as I have already said, will also be required with respect to the deficiency bills for L 200,000, issued under the Public Re venue Act, 1878, forming part of the bills, amounting to L 1,000,000, issued during the past financial period. After explain ing the difficulty the Loan Agents had encountered in raising a loan last year, and giving the reason why it had been offered at so low a figure, the Treasurer said that the Loan Agents’ accounts were not yet to hand, and he was unable to give the precise net price realised for the loan, but after all allowances, the price would be about 95£ for 5 per cent, deben tures, and 79i for those converted into 4 per cents. At the close of the year 1878-79 the balance to the credit of the Public Works fund amounted to L 506.205, of which L 298,543 represented advances in the hands of the Government,.the cash balance in the public account being L207,C62. During the nine months from 30th June, 1579, to 31st March last we re ceived on account of the proceeds of the five million loan, L 4,249,000, and certain special receipts and recoveries amounting to L 22,849, making, with the balance at the beginning of the period, a total of L 4,778,054. On the 31st of March the cash balance in the public account, after providing for outstanding orders on the bank, was, in the colony and in London together, L8C2,410, and the advances in the hands of officers of the Government amounted to L 315,763, making together L 1,178,173. We had thus issued during the nine months ended 31st March last, L 3,599,881. In the course of further remarks the Trea surer said that there was a balance of L 1,920,410 available for public works and other requirements until the Treasury deficiency bills already referred, to could bo sold. Having stated the amount of ways and means available, I shall now in form the committee what are the liabilities, to meet which funds must be set aside be fore the question of entering upon new works can be entertained. According to the returns certified to by the Under secretaries of the several departments, the liabilities of the Public Works Fund on 31st March last amounted to L 2,455,313, made up as follows :—lmmi gration, LIO,OOO ; Public Works depart ment, L 644 ; railways, L 910,506 ; surveys of new lines, L 1,500 ; roads, L108,69S ; land purchases, L 1,061,486 ; water works on gold fields, L 11,704 ; telegraph ex tension, L 1,034; public buildings, L 205,314 ; lighthouses, Ll2O ; miscel laneous public works, L 73,309. To this this sum I add further liabilities incurred by the Public Works department since 31st March, LIIO,OOO, and a contribution for the current year towards the cost of the Defence Force on the same scale as for the past nine months, L 140,000. These sums amount to L 2,705,313, from which 1 deduct advances in the hands of officers of the Government on 31st March, L 315,763, leaving L 2,389,550 as the sum required to be set aside out of ways and means at the credit of the fund on the 31st March, amounting as I have informed the Committee to L 3,262,410. Hon. mem bers will however bear in mind that of this sum of L 3,202,410, L 1,343,000 is represented by Treasury and deficiency bills issued in aid of the Consolidated Fund. It will be seen that the large amount of liabilities to which I have re ferred will absorb the whole of the cash' at the credit of the public works fund, and will necessitate the sale of L 469,000 of Treasury and deficiency bills hypothecated to that fund. The means available for new works and services will therefore be represented by L 873.000 in Treasury and deficiency bills,' being the balance of L 1,342,000 now held by the Public Works account. >3o much then, sir, for the his tory of the past'. J will’ now submit for the consideration, and Ihqpe tfyg approval, of tlfe Committee, our SCHEME EOK LOCAL FINAKOE and proposals for the ordinary services of the current year. I said last session that the Government would this year rer commend the discontinuance of subsidies, To propose the abolition of grants in aid of local bodies without substituting a workable scheme in their place, would be trifling with the subject in a manner which” I venture to think, would not meet with the approval of Parliament. Our aim is twofold—our duty being first to place our general finance upon a sound footing, and second, to put our local bodies in such a position as will enable them to do the work which rightly de volves upon them, and which must be done by them if the country is to be prosperously settled. I do not think it convenient to trouble the Committee to night with many reasons for discon tinuing the subsidies. That question can be better discussed when considering the Bills which will be introduced to give effect to our proposals. I may, however, point out to lion, members that the system of subsidies has operated unequally. It has largely helped the rich and populous districts, while giving little assistance to those which are poor and thinly peopled. It must also be remembered that they were proposed as part of a scheme to which full effect' has never been given, for tlie hind fund has-been so generalised instead of localised in provincial districts, and tlie expenditure upon public works instead of being limited in account and confined to arteral undertakings, has been lavish and extended tq >vorks of all descriptions. The magnitude of this ex penditure will be 'evident when I say that ive have increased qur debf for’ public wqrkg within'The last three years‘and‘a half (the time during which subsidies have 'been paid) ]}y L 9,000,000, which means an annual iportgage of L450,Q00. Thg circumstances' qf the colony* haying greatly changed since the system of sub sidies was introduced, and it qeiijg evident that the Treasury cannot continue tp pay them without the imposition of fresh taxation, the case for the reconsideration of the whole question is complete, for it is certain that Parliament will never con sent to levy additional taxation for such a purpose without full enquiry and careful deliberation. In the scheme which I am about to submit to the Committee, I must ask lion, members to bear in mind that I take it for granted, first, that sections 5

and 6 of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1877, which authorises the subsidies and grants of 20 per cent, of the land fund to counties, are to be repealed, and, second, that the pro ceeds from land sales are not to be used for the ordinary purposes of Government. The ground being thus cleared I will now endeavor to describe in sufficient detail the scheme we propose to give effect to our proposal. I shall have to ask authority to introduce two Bills. The first will be an amending Bill. It will re move the present restriction upon rating ; that is to say, that it will permit of local, bodies having the right to levy rates to any amount they consider necessary for local requirements, not exceeding 2s. in the pound. If passed as a special rate, it will authorise boroughs and other local bodies to borrow at any rate of in terest the ratepayers may choose to give, and to any amount, subject only to these restrictions—(l) That the principal and interest of all new loans shall be made payable in New Zealand. (2) That any local body desiring to raise a loan shall before doing so levy a special rate suffi cient to cover the interest and sinking fund upon the money proposed to' bo borrowed, such rate to be continuous until the debt has been repaid. The Bill will also require that any local body which has already borrowed upon its general revenue shall, before again entering the money market, levy a special rate to cover the interest and sinking fund upon the exist ing loan or loans as well as providing by special rate for the new loan. This and other powers given by the Bill are ap parently very large, and will, I fear, be considered dangerous by some, but, sir, I would point out that if local bodies are to be really useful, they must be made inde pendent and responsible. The one pre caution to be taken is to see that the rate payers spend their own money, and not the money of other people, and this will be carefully provided for in the Bill. I now, sir, come to a further and still more radical provision in the Bill. It is clear that all who benefit by the expenditure of rates should contribute towards them, and carrying out this principle to its legitimate conclusion, we propose that all Govern ment property (including the waste lands of the Crown) and, subject to an impor tant qualification, native lands, shall be liable to rating, with the exception of the Government Houses in Wellington and Auckland, the Parliament House and grounds, the General Government build ings in Wellington (by which I mean the large building upon the reclaimed land), and the railways and wharves. Whatever may be thought of this proposition at first sight, it will, I am sure, on mature reflec tion, and when it comes to be discussed in all its bearings, commend itself to lion, members as fair and reasonable. I will, sir, first state how we propose to deal with the Maori lands within counties in which the Counties Act is in force. It is a fact which I think should be recorded that some eleven mil lion acres of land in the North Island are still held by less than 41,300 Maoris (men, women, and children), and that not one half-penny in the way of rates has ever been imposed upon the natives by this House for the construction of roads and bridges which are being made throughout the country, and by which their lands are being enormously increased in value, although it is true and ought to be noted to their credit, that many of them have voluntarily paid rates' arid contributed from time to time towards,the cost-of public works. The whole Maori property too is exempt from taxation under the Property Assessment Act. Sir, the Go vernment think that the time has arrived, and we hope and believe that our Maori friends will agree with us in our opinion, that henceforth all Maori property in boroughs shall be subject to taxatiorf to the same extent as the property of their fellow citizens. But, sir, further than chis, we do not propose to go. We think, after careful consideration of all the cir cumstances of the case, that onthe grounds of public policy we may reasonably exempt owners of native country lands from the payment of rates. It is clear, however, if this is done, that some equivalent must be found to enable those counties containing a large area of Maori land to carry out the duties we are im posing upon them. Therefore, we are compelled, by considerations of public policy, to depart in this way from the principle of the Bill. It is clear that the cost of exemption should fall upon the /, colony at large, and not upon the localities on which the burdens are imposed, upon the assumption that all the, land will con tribute its fair share of the local taxation. Is is proposed to limit the amount of ordi nary rates leviable upon Maori country lands to one-half the rate levied on the ordinary land in the district in which they lie, but not exceeding ninepence in the £, and upon waste lands of the Crown one shilling in the £ upon the annual value, these lands being practically unrepre sented in the local governing bodies. This limitation is not, I think, unreasonable. Tlie total estimated value of Maori land is L 6,370,000, but of this, L 5,200,000 is situated in counties in which the Counties Act is in operation. In any satisfactory scheme of local finance, means must be found to construct our main ' road?’ throughout the colony. Some provision must be made to repair darqage ‘done by floods and tempest ’to qur roaejs ~qqd liridgeg.'arid gome help must be' extended, if possible, to qur ’district roads. This, then, brings me to the second Bill tp which I referred as necessary to give effect to our proppsals. The title of the Rill ■will be the Local Public Works Bill, it pro vides for the constitution of an unpaid Board, consisting of the Minister of Pub lic Works, the Epgineer-in-Uhief, the Surveyor-General, and the Publiq Trna tqe. The duties of the Board will b§ to pay the rates on all waste lands of the Crown, to pay the rates on the Maori country lands, to make grants in aid of the construction of main roads, to advance money to construct district roads. This will be done from funds the constitution of which I will now describe. As I have before said, we shall ask Parliament to set apart the proceeds of land sales for. special purposes, not permitting it to bo used for the,ordinary expenses of Govern ment, charging against it only the costs of its administration, including survey. Looking at the fact that our unsold lands are estimated at a low average as worth L 12,500,000, I think we may, therefore, reasonably expect to realise not less than L 300,000 a-year for some time to come. The charges on the land revenue should not exceed L 140,000 a-year, so that should we only get from land sales L 300,000 a-year there will be a balance to credit- of at least LIGO,OOO. The Bill witlf Which am now dealirig' provides * that out of the balance' of the land sales, after paying the expenses' of administration, there shall be paid to the Board each year the sum of ' L 150,000. If,'however, the land sales in any year'should‘not produce a surplus of L 150,000, th.eu' such a less'amount 1 only as the’sales ' may’produce will'be paid Vq-toq Board. "’I Have estirnated ‘the land “ sales this year at‘onTy L2C6,0<36. It is'possible that they may produce more, but 1 have ' • not, after careful consultation with the department, thought it prudent to estimate it’ at more than that amount. The cost of administratiqn and charges is set dqwn atabqutLlso,onQ.'' therefqre ? available this year, 'should riqji esßmateg not be exceeded, wtjuld be pjily L50,Q00. Sir ? it seems to thg Govern ment that in starting such a scheme as we have under consideration, it would be un wise to attempt to launch it without suf ficient funds to enable the Board to make a good beginning. The prospects of The surplus land fund for this year reaching L 150,000 being but small, it ii proposed to ask the House to make a grant to the

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1880.



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. MATSON, COX, & CO. will hold Fortnightly Sales of Stock at Ashburton and Tinwald alternately. Next Sale at TINWALD, TUESDAY, JUNE 22nd. 936 g MATSON, COX, & CO.



NOTICE TO FARMERS. fjp|ELE 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*