MAIL NOTICES.

Mails dose at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at C a. in. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tiuwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Tirnaru, 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, Watorton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p. m. daily. For Wakanui, and Scafield, 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. daily. 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 Scafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1880.

It is a co-incidence that a really Liberal Government has just assumed the reins in England, and, to redeem the ground lost by really Conservative predecessors, has found it necessary to add a penny to the most inquisitorial of all taxes—that on income ; while in New Zealand a really Liberal Government —that succeeded a Ministry whose only claim to be called Liberal was that they made use of a great amount of Liberal “cant,” but when put to the test were found sadly wanting— have found the creation of new taxes imperative to the colony’s position, lost by those in power before them. We have often heard it claimed for a general property tax in England that its opera tions would be far more equitable than an income tax, inasmuch as such a tax would cover all forms of realised property, and form a far better basis for ecpiality of direct taxation than any other that could be devised. It was urged—is urged now— that - the income tax is the reverse of equitable in its incidence, and is not infrequently especially heavy on uncertain incomes. For instance, the income of a lawyer, or a doctor is not always to be accurately reckoned, and there are other professions that are even still more precarious. The professional men, merchants, and men generally whose in comes depend on their own abilities have ever grumbled at this tax, holding out against its irregularity, and asserting that it hampered their energies ; and the only plea that can be urged in its favor is its elasticity—the addition of a penny to the British income tax means an addition of two millions to the British revenue. In no way does it touch the working man, and it balances in some degree, by its direct action, upon the wealthy, with the indirect contribution which working men make to the public revenue. Thus we never hear of working men opposing an income tax, they are always loud in its support, because they look upon it in the light of a duty that wealth has to dis charge to the country. The elasticity of this tax, is, we have said, the only point in its favor, and we in New Zealand have no tax at all equivalent to it, except the property tax, which is so much impugned, and which has been denounced as so inquisitorial. We are rather surprised to hear an income tax asked for instead of this property tax —as wc feel assured that, once fairly at work the income tax would be found to be far more obnoxious because not nearly so equal in its incidence as is the property tax now in operation. It has been pointed out by some politicians that had a property tax been the better and more satis factory of the two, it would have adopted ere now. This does not follow. To change the income for a property tax in England now would entail a huge amount of trouble, for England is not the cake of a country for population that New Zealand is, and a change in the system of taxation at Home would cause much trouble in mercantile circles, and for a time disorganise financial arrangements to an extent that would affect every part of the world where Britain spreads the webs of her commerce. Far rather would the taxpayers of England retain the income tax than submit to a change that, though it would alter the incidence of direct taxa tion, would altogether relieve no one who has to pay, and constant changes are in finitely more objectionable than paying somewhat unequally under a permanent tax. Why working men should cry out against a property tax that can never reach them we fail to see, and it is equally inapparent to us that a system of taxation that touches only realised wealth should be condemned as inquisitorial, and a system equally inquisitorial in the income tax should be preferred.

Notice to Correspondents. —“ Country Subscriber’s” letter will appear in full on Saturday. Elgin School. —The opening of the Elgin School is to be celebrated by an en tertainment to be given in the school building on Monday, July 19, and very thorough preparations are being made by the Committee for the occasion. Mr. Jqhn Grigg’s Paper. —As several misprints occurred in our report of Mr. Grigg’s paper, read before the Agricul tural and Pastoral Association, we give a corrected reprint of the paper with this issue. Drunk. —At the R.ivl. Court on Tues day, a first offender was filled the usual ss. Constable Rouse also brought up a man from Rakaia who had been drunk in a railway carriage, and this individual, being also before his ’Worship for the first time° escaped with the light penalty of 10s. New Drapery Firm. —We learn that Messrs. Smith and Black, a firm from Wellington, are to open the largo pre mises "recently occupied by Mr. F. Doherty. Their opening announcement will appear in our next issue, and should I lie support they receive be solid enough, their establishment will doubtless be per manent. The Christys’ Entertainment. —The very wet night interfered with the attend ance at the Christys’ entertainment on Tuesday, and though the porforrnar.ee was given it was only with a view to keep faith with the audience, which numbered nearly a hundred. The programme will bo very materially altered and improved, and another entertainment will be given on Saturday night. The Vacancy in the Council. —We understand that Messrs. Alfred Harrison and Thomas Quill have been asked by different parties to stand for the vacancy in the Council, caused by the resignation of Mr. Edward Saunders, and have con sented, so that there will be no lack of interest if they should go to the poll. Other names mentioned as those of suitable gentlemen are Messrs. Ward, Poyntz, Boyle, and Compton. The Weather. —Ours has not been the only district that has been visited with a heavy shower this week, for we find that up at the Waimato Junction the railway yard was under water, which had also extended to the covered portion of the main line. No damage of_ importance was done, and the running of the trains was not materially interfered with. The Brindisi Mail. —Mails for the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, will close at Ashburton this (Thursday) morning, at 10.15 for despatch per express train, to connect with the Ringarooma, at the Bluff. Late fee letters may be posted in the mail van up to the time of its depar ture for the South. Correspondence for this route must be so addressed, and must bear the Brindisi rate of postage —Bd. per half-ounce. Custom. —In the case of Poyntz and Co., v. Brankin, heard at the Court on Tuesday, evidence was brought by the plaintiffs, for the purpose of proving their case, as to what were the usages of trade circles in the matter. Mr. Branson ridi culed this evidence as being inadmissible, stating that the colony was not old enough yet for actions in Courts of law to be decided by custom. The people of the colony recognized no customs, beyond “customs duties!” His Worship in giving judgment coincided with the learned gentleman, remarking that the way in which business was carried on in the colony was certainly ruled by no ro covnized usages, a stats of things which lie had- very good grounds for knowing, much' to Lis regret. " Evidently his Wor ship at some time or another hits been victimised.

The Oddfellows’ Ball, —The Ball Committee held a meeting on Monday evening and-appointed their sub-commit tees for the night of the 'pall, every man having his post of duty allotted to him, so as to have no hitch or clash of any kind after the ball commences. Bro. G. F. Scott will be master of ceremonies, the oilier members taking charge of the refreshment-room, card-room, retiring room, doors, &c., so that no part of the building will be without an attendant. The members of the Committee will be distinguished by a blue and white rosette worn on the right breast. It was also decided to open the ball with the beautiful and imposing opening ceremony of the Order —viz., marching beneath a canopy composed of the dispensation of the Lodge, cross swords, cross wands, etc. Members of the Order are particularly requested to bo present at 9 o’clock sharp, to take part in this ceremony, and non-members may also witness what is not often seen out side the Lodge Room. The Committee seem determined to make the forthcoming ball a success. Science. —The Auckland Board of Education have established a science class for teachers. The Unemployed.— One hundred and fifty unemployed men in Wellington are tc petition Parliament for work. The San Francisco Mail. —The mail steamer Zeahxndia arrived at Auckland on Monday, and sailed for Sydney at six in the evening. In coming alongside she bumped, but did little damage. The Waimatb Plains. —In the House of Representatives last night, Govern ment said that land was being surveyed on the Waimato Plains, and it was hoped that it would be ready for sale on an early date. Stayed off. — When the question of voting L4OO as a salary to the Mayor of Dunedin came on for discussion on Tues day, by the City Council, an adjournment for ten minutes took place. When the meeting re-assembled there was not a quorum. Licensing. —The brewers and mer chants of Auckland are sending a delegate to Wellington to protest against the re fusal by the Thames Licensing Bench of certain licenses. The delegate carries with him a petition to Parliament on the subject. The Badly-made Waggons. —ln the House last night, the Minister for Public Works read a memorandum absolutely contradicting the statement in the report of the Civil Service Commission about the faulty construction of the railway waggons in Dunedin. The Census. —lt may not bo generally known, says the Southland Times, that the Census Bill, introduced by the Hon. Mr. Dick, will provide for the census of New Zealand being taken on April 3, 1881, in consequence of an arrangement between the colonies and other possessions of Great Britain and the Home authorities to take on the same day a census of the entire population of the British Empire. The Oamaru Waterworks. —The Oamaru waterworks are a great success. Mr. Burt’s patent water engine was driven with 801bs pressure to the square inch at a rate of 100 revolutions per minute. The pipes in the street were charged with a pressure sufficient to send water over the highest building in the town, although the reservoir was not nearly full. The works are of the most substantial kind, but the first estimate of the cost is somewhat exceeded. A Hint to Speculators in Hotel Property. —At an adjourned meeting of the Oamaru Licensing Bench held on Tuesday, four of the local clergymen handed in a protest against granting any fresh publicans’ licenses in the town. One of the clergymen also read a memorial from the Good Templars on the same subject and to the same effect. The Chair man of the Licensing Court said that because handsome edifices were erected, it should not be taken for granted that licenses would be issued ; the public interest had to be served, and speculators must take the consequence of a license being refused. The Com t would be guided by what it considered the best for the public welfare. The Right Direction. - From a Dun edin telegram we learn that a most exten sive gathering of gentlemen connected with mercantile and agricultural pursuits took place on Tuesday, at the homestead of Mr. James Shaud, West Taieri, for the purpose of inaugurating the opening of an extensive live stock trade with Dun edin. Mr. Donald Reid occupied the chair, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the enterprise shown by Mr. Shaud. Exten sive abattoirs of concrete have been built, and there was a splendid show of stall fed cattle. In the course of some of the more important speeches indications were given that the Bcll-Coleman process of freezing meat would in all probability be shortly taken up in Otago with energy. Murder. —The New York Herald re marks that, “The spring opening in the murder line is decidedly lively,” and nobody would (says Truth ) bo disposed to cavil at the statement after reading a single day’s tragedies. In a southern town several rowdies entered a bar and assaulted a policeman, who shot one dead and wounded another. At St. Nicholas a waiter shot dead a commercial traveller who found fault with the quality of the eggs supplied for bis breakfast. At S! aughtcrvillc, Kentucky, the marshal having been threatened with death by a citizen, who considered himself wronged by that official, went to the house of his enemy and shot him dead ; and the same fate befel a man engaged in a strike ; while a colored boy of fourteen cut the throat of a colored girl because she refused to get up to find him a pen. Pretty well, this for one day ! The Tay Bridge. —Contrary to ex pectation, several more bodies of the Tay Bridge disaster have been discovered since I last wrote. Two of them were found floating near the scene of the accident, a third was arrested by a salmon net near St. Andrews, while a fourth was picked up as far away as Ulbster, in Caithness. In every case identification of the remains, which had been three months and a half in the water, was effected by means of the clothing of the deceased, and the contents of their Dockets. More of the wreck, both of the bridge and the train, has been recovered, including the engine andtender. The latter was quite uninjured, and the former, but for some slight damage it received in the operation of lifting it and conveying it to the shore, is said to have been in good enough order to travel back by itself to Cowlairs, whither it was sent to be completely re-habilitated. The inquiry into the accident has been going on since April 19, but as it is being held in London, it is beyond my province to write further regarding it. Suffice it to say, that in Scotland the evidence given from day to day is being read with close interest, in spite of its very technical character. It is felt that upon the result of this inquiry depends the future of the restored Tay Bridge, as well as that of the Forth Bridge, now being slowly pro ceeded with ; while upon the satisfactory completion of those two structures there depends to a great extent the industrial prosperity of the most important districts in the east of Scotland. —Edinburgh Cor respondent. “ What made you quit the East ? ” said a man in Nevada to a new comer. “ I got into trouble by marrying two wives,” was the response. ‘ ‘ Well,” said the oilier, “'I came out here because I got into trouble by marrying only one wire.” “ And I,” added a bystander, “ came here because I got into trouble simply by pro mising to marry one.”

CO RESPONDENCE.

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

THE DOMAIN.

To the Editor. Sir, —Would the very felicitous writer on the subject of the Domain just kindly state what was done with the two votes of LIOO and LSO to the Cricket Club? He knows all about the LI 5 for the croquet ground, but what of the cricket sums. — I am, &c., Mallet.

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY. In another column we publish a letter received by his Worship the Mayor from Messrs. Saunders Brothers. It will be remembered that at the last meeting of the Borough Council the attention of members was directed to the subject of this letter by the receipt of a notice from Messrs. Saunders Brothers intimating that the Council,, would be held responsible for any loss or damage arising to the firm through the unauthorised diversion of part of the water from their race. Coun cillors appear on that occasion to have been generally of opinion that Messrs. Saunders Brothers had placed them in a false posi tion, and each had something to say on a subject of which they one and all indicated little knowledge. The facts of the case are briefly stated in Messrs. Saunders Brothers’ letter, and if their explanation remains unrefuted, no doubt can remain that the Council or its officers have been guilty of flagrant negligence. The grantees appear throughout to have been ready and willing to confer the privileges sought by the Council, and with this object in view they submitted a draft deed for the ap proval of the other side. This deed was returned with material alterations to Messrs Saunders Brothers, and they promptly advised that they could not consent to the amendments. At-this stage nogtiations appear to have ceased, and without any further communication with the proprietors the water was taken from the race. Messrs. Saunders Brothers adopted the most temper ate course possible under truly aggra vating circumstances by registering their protest by notice to the Council and interviewing the Borough Solicitor and Borough Engineer. It is alleged that this latter officer assured them that the water could at will be stopped, and the trespass thus remedied as as far as pos sible. This promise was not given etlect to, and Messrs. Saunders Bros, were virtually treated as nonentities, and they asserted their position in a quiet and rea sonable manner. Reviewing these facts we must exone rate Messrs. Saunders -Bros, from any charge of laches in this affair ; they have acted in a prompt and businesslike manner ; but it is desirable that at least two officers of the Council should render an account of their stewardship. The Borough Solicitor has been largely in strumental in causing the present peculiar contingency, not only by his dilatoriness in preparing the required deed, but by adopting an irregular course in sending the document direct to solicitors without reference to Messrs. Saunders Bros. The position of the title should have been familiar to him without advice from Messrs. Garrick and Cowlishaw, and courtesy would have suggested leaving any necessary arrangement in respect to this with the proprietors ; the difficulty he conceives in this direction can only be a poor excuse for very reprehensible delay. The Borough Engineer has evidently missed Messrs. Saunders Bros., inadver tently, we have no doubt, but the neces sary intercourse between those gentlemen and the Council will be of a somewhat distrustful character in consequence of his action.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, June 29. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) CIVIL CASES. Saunders Bros. v. Murphy.—Claim, LSO 17s. Id. Mr. Branson for defendant ; no appearance for plaint ills. Case struck out; plaintiffs to pay costs, LI 11s. Gd. Branson and Purnell v. Taylor.—Claim, Ll 11s. 6cl. Judgment by default for amount and costs, Gs. Immediate execu tion granted. Poyntz and Co. v. Brankin.—Claim, L 5. Mr. Branson for defendant ; no ap pearance for plaintiff. Case struck out ; plaintiffs to pay costs, Ll Is. Subse quently Mr. O’Reilly appeared in Court, and after consenting to pay the Ll Is., his Worship granted Mr. O’Reilly’s applica tion to have the case reinstated, and it proceeded. Mr. Ferriraan, representing Poyntz and Co., had been commissioned by one George Cox to purchase a farm, and knowing that defendant bad a suitable one, interviewed him. Through the ne gotious brought about by plaintiffs, the farm was disposed of. The plaintiffs always looked to the lessors for payment of commission. W. H. Gundry deponed to having been managing clerk for several years in Messrs. Wilkin and Co.’s office in Christ church, also, in Messrs. Twentyman and Cousins’ store, in the same city. It was always the custom to collect commission from the lessor in such cases as the one now before the Court. After counsel had addressed the Bench, his Worship said that the person who ap plied to the agent was certainly the party liable, and therefore, on the evidence given, which was to the effect that Bran kin had not sought the agent, but vice versa, judgment would be given for the defendant, with costs, Ll Is. Ivess v. Martin.—Claim, L 27 13s. Gd. Mr. Branson for defendant. Both the plaintiff and Mr. Branson addressed the Bench at length on a technical point raised by the former ; after which, his Worship nonsuited the plaintiff, with costs, Ll Is. Jones and Bradshaw v. O'Neill.— Claim, L 5 15s. lOd. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiffs ; Mr. Branson for defendant. The plaintiffs were nonsuited, with costs, Ll is., on the ground that there was no date to the bill of particulars, and the in dividual names of the firm were not given. O’Neill v. Jones and Bradshaw.— Claim, Ll 5, damages through alleged negligence of defendants. Mr. Branson for plaintiff; Mr. O’Reilly for de fendants. Arthur O’Neill, sworn, said he engaged defendants to cut chaff for him. They used a steam-engine in the work, and the men they employed did their own cooking, using an apparatus manufactured from a nail-can, and utilising also for fuel the straw amongst which they were working. A fire occurred which destroyed a quantity of chaff, and the evidence of witness went to show that the origin of the fire was traceable to the cooking operations of these. There were 209 bags of chaff des troyed, and eighty-one bags damaged. Fifty-six bags went to the ton, and plain tiff had two contracts on hand for the supply of chaff—one at L2 10a. and the other at L2 15s. These prices did not in clude the cost of bags, which were valued at 4d. each. There was no ashpan used at the engine, and plaintiff had cautioned the driver about this, and asked him to keep the ashes wet. Once saw a live coal fall from the furnace on the straw. Brad shaw trod out the cinder. The engine was being moved at the time on Brad shaw’s authority. This was on the 10th of June, and the Sunday previously saw the men burning staw in the nail-can. Witness warned them that they would

burn him out in the end, but they said there was no danger.

Mr. O’Reilly cross-examined witness with a view to prove that there was a possibility of a spark from the engine firing the chaff. It came out in this cross examination that plaintiff had ordered his sons to burn some straw in a paddock at a distance from the stacks. The stacks were not insured. James O’Neill, son of plaintiff, deponed to having been working at the scene of the fire on the day it happened—filling chaff Neither witness nor his brother had any matches with them, nor did they fire the stack nor the straw adjoining. The nail can had been about a couple of yards from the stack and about a yard from where the fire commenced. Mr. Branson then called Arthur O’Neil, another son of the plaintiff On the lad entering the Court, his Worship, address ing Mr. Branson, said he doubted whether he could take the evidence of so young a child. It was, however, ascertained that thelad, although apparently much younger, was in reality eleven years old. His Worship (addressing witness) —Do you know what it is to tell a lie ? Witness—Yes. His Worship—What will happen to you if you tell a lie ? Witness—l shall never see heaven. The intelligence and straightforward manner of the witness being satisfactory, both to the Bench and counsel, the examin ation was gone on with. Witness —On the day when the fire took place I and my brother wore filling chaff in a hole which was used for that purpose. Wo saw the fire and then left the hole. The straw was on fire near the nail-can. My brother sent mo up to tell my father. Never set fire to the straw, and had no matches. Octavius Digby, sworn—When I went up the fire was burning. After the fire was put out, while talking about what had caused the fire, I remarked that the cin ders which had fallen from the nail-can were too near the straw. The cinders were then warm. My experience is that a fire will work up against the wind and on each side. Henry Jones, one of the defendants, sworn—The men in our employ were cautioned to use the utmost care with the engine, as it was not provided with an ash-pan. A hole had been cut in the ground under the furnace where the cinders dropped, and this hole was con stantly kept full of water. Four or five days previous to the fire I saw the nail can about fifty feet away from the stack When I was there I saw Mr. O’Neill take a match and strike it on the wheel of a dray close to where the chaff was. I con sidered it very careless conduct. Two other witnesses, in the employ of defendants, having given evidence of an U'limpi r.ant character, Alexander McKenzie was examined, who stated that when the nail-can had been removed he poured water on the cinders, but 'would not swear to whether the fire was entirely put out. After Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Branson had addressed he Bench, his Worship said he would defer judgment until next sitting day.

THE BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY. # AN EXPLANATION. The following letter has been addressed by Messrs. Saunders Bros, to his Worship the Mayor : Sir,—We gather from the report of the proceedings of your last night’s Council meeting that some surprise was expressed by Councillors and yourself at purport of our notice re water supply. To remove any misapprehension, we now have much pleasure in assuring you that not the slightest difficulty need arise in the completion of this matter. Our Mr. Edward Saunders was in a position to promise the supply as reported ; and tlie deputation appointed can servo no useful purpose beyond reassuring the minds of Councillors ; but we must insist upon the observance of the reasonable conditions attached to that promise. On the 30th March last we had the honor to submit for consideration of Councillors a. draft grant of easement, prepared by our solicitors, and it this had been approved of it would immediately have been completed on our side. The Borough Solicitor proposed amendments of which we could not approve; but we now 7 understand that he has since prepared another draft, which, without any reference to us, has been forwarded to Messrs. Garrick and Cowlishaw, and those gentlemen very pr-operly advise that they have received no instructions. We first learnt that the water had been taken from onr race, early on Saturday morning, and after inspection we gave your Council the notice already referred to, which, as Mr. Parkin aptly expresses it, was intended to avoid more serious complica tions. We then waited on the Borough Solicitor, and that gentleman, after exnressing indignant surprise n.t the rashness of his clients, referred us to the Borough Engineer. This officer explained that it was merely a trial of the inlet, and promised to at once stop the water until the necessary deed was completed. This assurance satisfied us until Sunday afternoon, whoa we learnt that a number of men had been employed on Saturday night actually assisting the flow, and on visiting the race we found that the Engineer had utterly ignored our protest and his own promise. In this position we were compelled to assort our ow'ii rights, and, as reported by the Engineer, w r e shut off the water. Owing to our Mr. Edw'ard Saunders’ absence, we wore unable to consult with him throughout this matteig but we are prepared and anxious to give effect to his known wishes. —We have, &c., Saunders Bros. Ashburton, 29th June, 1880.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Defence Minister undertook to enquire into the recentVolnntoer outrages, and Col. Brett withdrew his motion on the subject. With a view to show some interesting facts in connection with the present, depression, the Hon. R. Hart moved for a return of the number of theatres and race courses in the colony, but the motion was ultimately withdrawn. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Hon. R. Oliver said a statement hy Mr. Conyers in reply to the Civil Service Commissioners’ assertions was in the hands of the printer, and would be laid on the table. Several notices of questions to be asked on the subject of the Commission’s report were given, aim ngst which one by Mr. "Wright, the member for this district—whether Govern ment intended to put a stop to the impor tation of foreign timber for railway pur poses. Major Atkinson announced his inten tion of moving for an imprest supply to enable him to provide for public business. The Representation Bill was introduced by the Premier, its second reading being ilxed for Thursday week. The no-confidence debate which has now fallen into the hands of the lesser lights w r as taken up, and continued till midnight. Messrs. Speight, Fulton, Te Wheoro, Gibbs, Tainui, Andrews and M‘Lean spoke. Wednesday, June 30. The House met at 2.30. Mr. Hutchison gave notice he would introduce a Bill to restrict Chinese Immi gration. Replying to questions put, it was stated that the rent payable for Government Houses at Hokitika —Ll5O per annum— went to the Treasury, and not to the County.—The sum of L 204 had been advanced upon Matakaand A.orangi Block at Waiaupu, East Coast, but it was refunded and the proclamation on the land removed. The land was in occupation of Captain Porter. It was not acquired- by a land purchase agent, as stringent rules pro hibited these agents dealing in lands.— Further enquiry showed that LBOO had been paid to plaintiffs solicitor in the iVaka Maori case more than ought to have been paid, and on the authority of the late Native Minister, Mr. Sheehan. The subject would be remitted for enquiry by the Public Accounts Committee. The answer made to this question yesterday was made in error.—Government did not see its way to alter the provision in Licensing Bill abolishing bottle licenses.—The Wai mate Plains were being surveyed, and would be opened before long for sale.— Government would not pay rates to the local bodies on lands situated above the given line.—The recommendation of the Royal Commission to offer Civil Service, appointments as prizes to be competed for by students of the New Zealand Univer sities was being considered, but it had not yet taken a practical shape. Govern ment was desirous of encouraging lie pursuit of technical educa tion, and when the whole question arose Government would endavor to make arrangements accordingly. Government was not disposed to interfere with the ob jections made by Licensing Commissioners of Invercargill to renew licenses unless the premises were rebuilt of brick, stone, or concrete. A Municipal Bye-law to ihe effect had been passed in Invercargill.— The surplus land fund of Otago and Can terbury had been paid over in accordance with the Financial Arrangements Act.— The Middle Island Engineer reported there was no foundation for the statement made in the report of the Royal Civil Service Commission, page 6, that Wvag< ns built by contract in Dunedin were de livered in Christchurch at the end of last year in a state thus described by a wit ness—Some of these wore disgraceful ; bad workmansliip, bad timber. The timber was unseasoned stringy bark, instead of iron bark. The joints were not properly made. Some of them had the bottom frames held up only by the nails in the flooring boards. Some of them we have had almost to rebuild within six weeks.”— A deposit of LIOO, with two bondsmen for LSOO was required from the lessees of rail way refreshment rooms, and L 5 deposit with similar bondsmen for lesees of book stalls.—Government could not say that they would support any measure for the equalisation of taxation for local purposes upon gold miners and gold mining pro perty until they saw the measure. The following Bills were introduced Legalising Payment of Members of Gene ral Assembly (Mr. Sodden) ; to amend Port Molyneux Reserves Leasing Act, 187 G (Mr. Thompson) ; Fire and Marine Insurance Companies (Mr. Dick); Jack son’s Bay Settlement (Mr. Dick). The No-Confidence debate was resumed by Mr. M'Lean, who spoke in favor of Government, and was continued by Mr. Seddon in Disposition to the financial, policy.

THE KELLY GANG.

Melbourne, Jane 28. Government have sent a mortar to Glenrowan to dislodge the outlaws. It is doubtful whether Ned Kelly will recover. He has been mortally wounded in three places. The breast-plates worn by the gang con sist of ploughshares. The man who was murdered by the Kellys at Sebastopol on Saturday was Sherrett, a selector, and a former asso ciate of the gang. Ho was recently em ployed by the police, four of whom were secreted in a house near the scene of the tragedy. Byrne and the Kellys compelled a German acquaintance to call Sherett on one side, when Byrne instantly killed him out of revenge. The police summoned them to surrender, but they refused, and the outlaws then fired a volley and at tempted to burn the house. They re mained outside till the morning, and then disappeared. The police were inactive, and their explanations are unsatisfactory. They rode to Beeohworth in the morning, when the trackers reported that the Kellys had been seen at Mirchison. The police have surrounded the Kellys at Jones’ Hotel, Glenrowan, seventy miles from the scene of the outrage at Sebasto pol. Superintendent Hare is wounded in the arm. The gang tore up the rails near Glenrowan, ahead of the special train, but unsuccessfully. Two children have been shot in one of the encounters with the gang. There is intense excitement over these events in Melbourne. Owing to the outlaws still continuing their resistance the police fired the hotel, which was burned down. The charred remains of Hart and Dan Kelly were found armoured. The bodies of Byrne and a platelayer were also recovered. A reporter belonging to the Benalla paper, two children, and the hotelkeeper were slightly wounded. The civilians were kept prisoners the whole of Sunday, and the platelayers were compelled by the gang to destroy the railway. Ned Kelly has been taken to Benalla. Melbourne, June 29. There ys little fresh regarding yester day’s events at Glenrowan. Ned Kelly has in all thirteen wounds, and eighteen shots struck his armor. Dan Kelly and Hart wore, it is said, burnt after death ; but it is not certain whether they com mitted suicide or were shot by the police.

THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

[by telegraph.] (From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 30. Mr. Seddon has be speaking all the afternoon to an empty house. Mr. Atkin son Trill speak tonight. No interest is taken either in the debate or the division, which is expected to come off to-night.

HOME NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The English strikes cause a great check to the returning prosperity. There are now 25,000 hands out of the Lancashire mills. Owners will only work three days a week till all the men go in. The loss of the steamer American causes almost as much sensation as the loss of the Atlanta. A gunboat sent to search for the missing boat has not yet been heard of. Earl Kimberley, the new Secretary of State for the colonies, in his first speech since his appointment, said that_ there could be no difference of opinion in the Empire as to anything which tended to promote the unity and strength of all its members. The opinion of the English press in dis cussing the landing of the French Com munists in New Zealand is generally adverse to any measure depriving political refugees from other countries of perfect access to British soil and freedom there. The Pall Mall Gazette considers the Communists are an acquisition to the colony Mr. Arthur Claydcn writes to the Daily News, saying thas his opinion about New Zealand for working men has been rather to sanguine. There was still a fine field for capitalists, but working men should look before they leaped. Sir J. Vogel advertises, offering free passages to female domestics. The Bishop Selwyn Memorial fund now amounts to L 21,000 France, which was only represented by sixty exhibitors at Sydney, will have 120 at the Melbourne Exhibition. The ship Finisterre left Toulon on May 10 full, and the balance of the exhibits will be sent by mail steamer. The Liguria sailed for New Zealand on May 13 with Mr. Press and party, forty six in all, third-class passengers for Auck land, besides others in first and second saloons. Messrs. Money Wigram sold their steamer Kent to the Spaniards, leaving the Orient line in undisputed possession of the Australian trade. It is not known what the firm will do with the others. There is much less demand for passages to New Zealand, and it is expected that Mr. Vesey Stewart will experience some difficulty in making up his party, owing to recent depressing accounts from the co lony. A writer in the Times says :— ‘ ‘ The grant of pre-emptive right to Messrs Grant and Forster over land in Auckland is as objectionable as a similar grant to Mr. Broomhall.” Sir Julius Vogel has given orders for torpedoes for colonial harbors. Sailed—British barquentine Ocean Ran ger, April 27, for Lyttelton and Auck land ; German brig, Heding, for Lyttelton an d Wellington. Loading at New York, German barque, Hieronymous, for Dunedin and Lyttel ton ; will clear about May 29. At Boston, Danish barque Michael Sedeachn, for Lyttelton ; clears about May 4. The New Zealand Company’s Scottish Lassie sailed on May 15 with twenty-five passengers ; and the Loch Kree leaves on May 25 with twenty-two passengers for Canterbury. The goods and passenger traffic for all New Zeufand parts is dull in the extreme, and ships are a long time loading. Cleared from New York, Danish barque Bygdo, for Dunedin and Wellington.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN (Per Reuter's Agency.) London, June 28. It is announced that Government will shortly introduce a resolution for per mitting members of the House of Commons to make an affirmation instead of taking the customary oath. St. Petersburg, June 28. Vice-Admiral Lessovski has been ap pointed Commander of the Russian naval squadron in the Pacific. Rangoon, Juno 28. A severe encounter is taking place between the Burmese troops and the in rurgents. The latter suffered a complete defeat, and the leader has been captured. The cricket match between the Aus tralians and Eighteen of Harrogate, at Harrogate, was commenced to-day. The Home team went in first, and were dis posed of for 85 runs. The Australians, when the stumps were drawn for the day, had scored 79 for the loss of five wickets. The Wanganui Harbor Improvement Loan of LCO,OOO has been allotted at 95 to 99. New Zealand wheat, ex ship, 475.: Adelaide flour, per-2801b5., ex warehouse, 365.; best Australian beef tallow, 335.; best mutton tallow, 355.; Adelaide wheat, per 4961b5., ex warehouse, 48s. London, June 29. News has been received that hostilities have broken out between Russian and Chinese troops in Central Asia. The Chinese have twice defeated the Russians, who were advancing on Kuldja- Berlin, June 29. The German Parliament has adopted a Bill, by a small majority, mitigating the Falk laws. Buenos Ayres, June 26. Peace negotiations having completely failed, the rebels have surrounded the city and summoned it to capitulate in 24 hours. Brussels, June 29. In consequence of its having been found impossible to bring about a satisfactory settlement of difficulties which have arisen between the Belgian Government and the Holy See, through the recent enquiry into the education system, exchange of courtesy has been broken off between Belgium and the Vatican.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per Reuto's Agency .) Melbourne, Juno 29. Ned Kelly.has reached Melbourne, and is progressing favorably. Flesh wounds only have been found, which are not likely to prove fatal. A child belonging to Jones, the hotelkeeper at Glenrowan, where the affray took place, is dead. Parliament has been dissolved. The new elections will be held on July 24. The official correspondence between the Governor and Mr. Service has been pub lished. By this it is shown that the for mer unhesitatingly granted a dissolution; as ho considered the settlement of the re form of the Constitution absolutely neces sary. Arrived—P. and O. Company’s steamer Assam, from Galle, with inward Suez mail, ■which left London on May 24. Sailed —Tararua, for Bluff. A caucus of Liberals was held yester day, when a manifesto was adopted, and has to-day been issued by Mr. Berry. It recommends an extension of the franchise for the Council by enlarging the rate payers’ roll; further, that members of the Council should be elected for six years, one-third -retiring every two years, and that the total muubei: of electorates

should he thirty-two, returning one mem ber each. June 30. At a meeting of Ministerialists held yesterday it was resolved to maintain Mr. Service’s reform scheme in its integrity, and to contest every seat in the forthcom ing elections. Sydney, June 30. In the Legislative Assembly last night the new wool and stock taxes were carried by a large majority. INTERPROVINCIAL, (Per Press Association.) Wellington, June 30. Government have determined to close the telegraph offices now open from 8 a.m. to Bp. m. at 5 p. m., re-opening them for one hour at seven o’clock. Messages can thus be sent at as late an hour as at pre sent, but those not despatched by five will have to wait till seven. Timahd, June 29. A general grocery store in the main road belonging to James Martin Shep herd, was totally destroyed by fire at three this morning. The building was of wood, and contained a heavy and valuable stock of merchandise. The insurances are L9OO on the stock in the Union, L2OO of which is reinsured in the New Zealand ; L3OO on the building in the London and Lancashire. Shepherd estimates his loss in stock at between four and five hundred over the insurance. Lunedin, June 29. There are seven cases for trial at the criminal sessions. Except one of man slaughter, the charges are unusually light. Invercargill, June 29. It is rumored that in two cases in South land in which licenses were refused, the houses will be opened as Working Men’s Clubs, the proprietors acting as managers. This evasion it is said is easily practicable in the present state of the law regarding Clubs. In one case, the license lost was the one for the house in which occurred - the notorious case of lambing down. It is reported that the Southland mem bers intend to move for a repeal of the Triennial Parliaments Act. A local author announces the produc tion of an Australian drama “ The Kellys.” Invercargill, June 30. A boy named Asher fell off the Bush tramway engine yesterday, and- was severely injured. , A friend of a Southland M.H.R., ap parently from information received, is giving large odds that a dissolution of Par liament will take place within thirty days. The Borough Council have agreed to raise a loan of L 20,000 for the purpose of street improvements.

MONGOLIAN OATHS.

PROCEDURE IN CHINESE COURTS. In the Flowery Land oaths, as under stood by Englishmen, are unknown in the courts of justice. In a Chinese court, the mandarin sits at the head of a small table, surrounded by soldiers. A double file of soldiers extends a long distance round the hall, and the witness is not allowed to come within 30 feet of the magistrate. The witness is introduced under an armed guard, and immediately, upon entering the temple of justice, is compelled to fall prostrate. With head touching the mat ting, he is compelled to crawl upon his hands and knees to the appointed place. No oath is administered, but the witness gives his evidence without raising his head from the ground or daring to look at the mandarin or anj'one else in the court. The solemnity of the proceedings, and the display of power to punish if perjury is perpetrated, is considered by the man darins sufficient to ensure truthful testi mony. In Australia several methods, of administering oaths have been used. Some time'ago a paragraph went round the papers, showing that the present method of blowing out a match was intro duced from motives of economy. For general information, we publish the words used in the three oaths which it has been customary to administer to Celestials. It may be mentioned that the only oath a Buddhist Chinaman considers binding is CUTTING OFF A COCK'S HEAD. This is only resorted to in China in oases of emergency. When a crime has been committed, the perpetrator of winch the police are unable to discover, anyone who • maybe suspected is brought up before the mandarin of the district. If the accused man persists in his innocence, he is taken ■ to the front of a joss house, and seated in public. Two large tapers are lighted, and three sacred sticks are placed between them crosswise. The suspected individual then kneels down reverently, UNCOILS HIS PIGTAIL, and after muttering a prayer, takes a cock in his left hand and a sharp knife in the other, and repeats the following, of which we give an English translation ;—“ May it please heaven and earth and the gods, and evil spirits, I , this day, swear by my own mouth to tell the truth. If I do not speak truly, may the gods and evil spirits punish me, as the fowl dies under the sword and the body will be divided or : ’ drowned in the high seas, and my soul will be cast down into hell, and likewise ■ the souls of my children will be consigned ' to eternal perdition.” Chinese criminals have been known to confess to committing murder rather than take this oath, which is the most terrible and binding known in the countries where the Buddhist religion prevails. BREAKING A PLATE is an oath peculiar to the Amoy province of China. It is only used in war time, and is practically a sworn declaration of fealty. When soldiers are enlisted they are drawn up on parade, and each man swears as follows, smashing a plate as ho utters the last word :—“ln the face of the enemies of my country I swear to truly obey all orders, to be faithful to my cause, and never to betray my leaders:. If I break my word, I hope to be killed by the first bullet fired by the enemy, or to drop down dead before a shot is fired.’ BLOWING OUT A MATCH is unknown in Chinese courts of justice.' It is used among Celestials in ordinary life nuch as a bullock driver blasphem ously ornaments and emphasises an as sertion. As an oath, blowing out a match . is practically meaningless among China men. The formula runs as follows :—- The witness takes a match in his right hand, and says, “I swear-to tell the truth. If Ido not tell the truth may my . life terminate as soon as this match is : . blown out.” . \.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1880.



AUCTION SALES. This Day. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co. Section No. 754, Wi Street. Sale at 2 o’clock. Saturday, July 3. Alfred Harrison, at his saleyards—Draught Horses, Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock sharp. Tuesday, July G. 3L F. Gray, at his salerooms, Temuka— Freehold Town Sections. Sale at 1 o’clock sharp. CHRISTCHURCH AGENCY. MR. GEORGE MAULE, is authorised to receive orders and accounts for the Ashburton G'nardian and Evening Herald. All orders fir Advertisements left at liis office, near Tattersall’s, will receive prompt attention. 955g* WEEKS & DIXON. NOTICE TO FARMERS. fJIHE 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* NOTICE OF PARTNERSHIP. MATSON, COX, & CO. 1%/fESSRS. H. MATSON & CO. IVI 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 ASHBURTON, TUESDAY, JULY 6th. 910 g MATSON, COX, & CO. AGENTS FOR THE SALE NEW BILLS, ACTS, fmikmeitfiivjf AND OTHER GOVERN MEN T P U BLIC ATIONS. THE following NEW BILLS intro duced into Parliament can be ob tained at the Ashburton Guardian office ; No. 21 Adulteration Prevention ~ 20 Aliens ~ 22 Animals Protection ~ 30 Bank and Bankers ~ 31 Bills of Exchange Procedure ~ 15 Brands and Branding ~ 23 Building Soci'ties ~ 33 Chattels Securities ~ 35 Corrupt Practices Prevention ~ 24 Cruelty to Animals ~ 25 Deaths by Accidents Compensa tion ~ 1.9 Dog Registration ~ 14 Fencing ~ 4 Fisheries ~ 38 Hospitals and Charitable Insti tutions „ 13 Impounding „ 26 Juries ~ 17 Licensing ~ 27 Marriage „ 28 Married Women’s Property Pro tection ~ 32 Mercantile Law —■ ~ 11 Native Land Court -■l2 Native Land Sales ~ 34 Regulation of Elections ~ 45 Pharmacy ~ 42 Municipal Corporations Acta Amendment Also, Financial Statement, with Tables Estimates for 1880-81, in detail Report of the Civil Service Commission. CROWN LARDS GUIDE, No. 11., With Map of the North Island. WEEKS AND DIXON, Authorised Agents. For Sale. BAR Framed BEE HIVES. T. A. Gates, Saunders’ Buildings. 828 g To Let. STUBBLE LAND TO LET. GOOD STUBBLE LAND, on the Lag mohr estate, within easy distance of a Railway Station, TO LET. Ay-ply for particulars to , „ 977 q D. M‘LEAN, Lagmohr. 'Wanted. ANTED KNOWN—That 0. Haw kins, the Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite tne Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at ms usual Cheap Rates. All kinclsm Boots Made and Repaired. 8050 417 c



Humourists are not encouraged in China. When a paragraphist gets off a joke on a slant-eyed emperor, the alleged humourist has his pig-tail cut off The loss of his hirsute appendage is bad enough, but when they amputate it without remov ing it from his head, it becomes painful, and the paragraphist’s propensity for joking is cured for ever. An Ominous Name. —lt has been pointed out by “a picker-up of unconi sidered trifles,” that all the revolutions in France have occurred during the Pontifi cate of a Pius. Louis XYI. was guil lotioned during the Pontificate of Pius VI., General Bonaparte overturned the Republic during that of Pius VII., that Pontiff witnessing the twice enacted down fall of the first Empire. While Pius YIII. wore the mitre, Charles X. and Louis Philippe were dethroned by successive re volutions ; and the Emperor Napoleon 111. was dethroned during the Pontificate of Pius IX. The lovers of tranquillity may therefore indulge in the wish that the successor to the present incumbent of St. Peter’s may choose some other nsCme than “Pius ” as his Papal cognomen. Worth Knowing. —A French news paper states that if a little chloride of lime be placed on the soil, rats, and we pre sume, rabbits, mice, and insects will at once desert the place. Plants may be easily protected from insect plagues by simply brushing over their stems with a weak solution of chloride of lime, and it has often been noticed that the patch which has been treated in this way re mains free from grubs, while the unpro tected beds around are literally devas tated. Fruit trees may be guarded' from, their attacks by attaching to the stems pieces of tow smeared with a mixture of chloride of lime, and ants and grubs then in possession will rapidly vacate their quarters.



Sweeping Conclusion. —The train of a lady’s dress.



Thin man : “ Boy, what’s that hungry dog following me, fori” Boy: “He thinks you’re a bone, I s’pose.” A negro, after gazing at the - Chinese, exclaimed, “If de white folks is dark as dat out dere, I wonder what’s de colour ob de niggers 1” The Cleveland Herald thinks 4 the marriage service should be changed to read, “Who dares take this woman?” And the groom shall answer, “ I dare” In the report of a “ swell wedding ” it was written, “ Her dainty feet were in cased in shoes that might have been taken for fairy boots,” but the compositor made it read,, “shoes that might have been taken for ferry boats. ” When a Missouri man walked 17 miles to see a man hung, and the prisoner was re-v * spited, the disgusted traveller sat down in a fence corner and hoarsly inquired if the country was drifting back to barbarism. ’