MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.ra. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsoy Rakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Tor Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Tivnaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a. m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster

COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST,

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE The following is the Corn Exchange re port for the week ending Thursday, the 22nd instant : There is no change to report in the state of the market during the week that has elapsed. Feeding grains continue to he in good request, and a small advance in values may 7 bo said to liavo been estab lished. Large quantities are passing into consumption solcdy on account of the cheapness of the article. The weather for some time past has been all that the farmers could desire.

Wheat.—Good sound milling quality continues to be inquired for, but holders appear to be supine. For this class 3s. 9d. to 3s. lOd. per bushel is the market rate. For large lines suitable for shipment a shade over these quotations is obtainable. Second class wheat, 3s. to 3s. 2d.; chick wheat, Is. 9d. to 2s. 4d. ; seed samples, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. per bushel. Oats. —The state of the market this week in no way differs from its predeces sor. The demand continues good, but holders are still unwilling to do business at the money offered. For good plump milling samples Is. sd. to Is. Gd. is ob tainable. Feed parcels Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. Discolored and inferior, Is. to Is. 2d. per bushel. Barley.—The demand for really prime malting has not been abated. This quality is readily saleable at 3s. to 3s. 3d. per bushel. Second rate quality is plenti ful, and docs not command much atten tion. 2s. 3d. to 2s. Cd. per bushel is asked, but is not readily saleable at those quotations. Feed samples, Is. Gd. to Is. Bd. per bushel. Potatoes.—Some large shipments to the Sydney market have taken place during the week, in the aggregate 1,370 tons. This large quantity, coupled with the supplies from other producing districts, will undoubtedly lower values. As this market is one of our principal customers for the tuber, prices there may be said to regulate those here. In view of these facts, it is not likely values will improve ; on the other hand, they are likely to recede, as the farmers here will not move them for less money ; 225. Gd. to 255. per ton are the prices of the day, sacks extra.

Cheese and Butter—4d. to 4id. for the former, 9d. to Old for the latter. Hay.—sos. t0~555. per ton, delivered in town. Carrots.—2os. per ton.

[by telegraph.]

July 2

Crime beef, -os. per Jn(l H>».; unit ton, 3d. ner Jb. ; '.mod sample milling wheat, 3s. !)d. to 4s. Id. ; fowls wheat 2s. 6d. to 35.; feed oats, Is. 4d. to Is. 5d.; milling, Is. 6d.; malting barley, 2s. 9d. to 3s. 3d.; feed, Is. 9d. to 2s. 6d.; potatoes, L2 ss. to L2 7s. 6d,; old hay, L 4 ; new oaten hay, L 3 ; chafi, L 3 ; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 os ; pollard L 4 ; flour, L 9 10s to LlO ; oatmeal, L 9 10s.; pearl barley, L 18; onions, |d.; cheese, 5d.; bacon, rolled, 91d.; hams, lOd.; sides bacon, 9ld.

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1880.

The Bankruptcy Law Committee have at length reported to the House, and in another column we give the teleg raphed summary of their recommenda tions. Tho Committee have been at some pains to collect a variety of views on the important subject they have had to deal with, and although they have not embodied in their report all the valuable suggestions made at their invitation by the judges, Chambers of Commerce, and other competent authorities, [several of the amendments they propose will, if effected, much improve tho existing Debtors and Creditors A.ct. The open ing recommendation in their report, viz, that meetings of creditors should be held in the town in which the bankrupt carried on business, or the town nearest his place of residence, if the place of resi dence is not in the town, is one of which we cordially approve, and meets one of the most vexatious features of tho present measure. The 23rd clause of the Act of 1876 provides that the debtor shall file his declaration of insolvency in a Court for the district in which he has carried on business or resided for the longest period during the preceding six months. Doubtless the intention of the Legislature in framing this section was to locate the proceedings, in the manner recommended by the Committee, but it is defeated by the 7th clause of the same Act, which endows the Supreme Court with jurisdiction throughout New Zealand. The common misuse of this is that debtors who for some discreditable reason wish to avoid contact with their creditors, file in the Supreme Court rather than the Dis trict Court, although the higher tribunal may sit at an inconvenient distance from their place of business and the residences of their creditors. It may appear that those interested could readily attend meetings at any reasonable distance, or appoint proxies, but it frequently occurs that cir cumstances make it highly inconvenient for a business man to devote a whole day to these meetings, and although he may delegate his powers to a proxy, he cannot completely delegate his conception of the particular case, and, as a matter of fact, the affairs of debtors who have adopted the course we have indicated, have raora than once escaped the scrutiny they would have been subjected to if the proceedings had been conducted in the manner now recommended by the Committee.

The second recommendation treats of a more important subject—the appoint ment of trustee : and here we are not entirely in accord with the Committee. The paragraph, as telegraphed, is difficult to follow, but we gather that it is proposed to appoint an official assignee, who shall act with one or more trustees appointed by the body of creditors, and this is a course of which the evils were made clearly apparent by the Act which preceded the one now in operation. An official trustee appointed by the Government mayor may not be a callable man, but in any case he has not the stimulus of a direct monetary interest in the realisation of the assets, nor has he the technical acquaintance with the class of trade carried on by the debtor, which would probably particularly qualify some one at least of the creditors to con duct the liquidation. The salary and expenses of the official assignee would have to be provided out of the assets, in addition to the other trustee’s commis sion ; and in estates —which are all too numerous—where the assets are nil, the assignee’s charges would be an additional loss to the suffering creditors. The conditions proposed as to order of discharge are more stringent than those set out in the existing Act, in that a majo rity in numbers equal to three-fourths in value is suggested, in substitution for a mere majority in number. We do not wholly favor the proposed amendment, even provided some addition is made to guard against dead-locks, which might occur where one creditor, representing three-fourths of the value, was opposed to the remaining creditors. We are of opinion that, .v* far as practical, power should be proportionate to value in treat ing with the assets, but on questions affecting the debtor personally it would be dangerous to adopt this system, and we think it difficult to make any favorable alteration here, bearing in mind that a decision of the creditors, either for or against the discharge, is subject to revision by the Court. If a majority of creditors vindictively opposed the dis charge of any debtor, he should have the right of appeal to the Court, and, on the other hand, a creditor in the minority should enjoy the same same safeguard against a fraudulent or too friendly majo rity. The abolition of arrangement by deed under the present system we think de sirable, and as it is proposed to allow this mode of procedure when determined on by the creditors, we see that no benefits will be lost by the amendment. Of the suggestions made to the Com mittee, and which are not noticed in the report now before us, those emanating from Judge Ward .and the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce are among tha most valuable. In reference to prefer ential claims for rent, the Judge of our District Court suggests that where rent is payable quarterly, monthly, or weekly, the landlord should not he allowed the right of distress for more than three pay ments of rent due. The adoption of this suggestion would have a beneficial effect both on landlord and tenant, and would secure estates from the overwhelming claims so frequently advanced by the former.

The 106th clause of the present Act entitles a clerk to six months’ salary as a preferential claim, and a workman to only one month. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce suggested that this should be amended to make each three months, but we would go even further, and advocate six months in each case. This extention would create a feeling of greater security amongst em ployees, which is most desirable, and which does not now exist when the stability of an employer is shaken by critical limes. Mr. Wright has already brought this matter under the attention of the House, and we trust that he will not allow it to rest until the reform he desires is effected. In allowing six months’ salary, it would of course be necessary to limit the amount to say £IOO, as, without this provision, it would be open to serious abuse. The bankruptcy laws of the colony have long called for revision, and we hope that the present Ministry will succeed in framing a measure which will fully meet the require ments of both debtors and creditors for many years hence.

Tenders.— The works, for which the Mount Somers Road Board require ten ders are published in our advertising columns.

The Eechabites.— A meeting of the local Tent will be held in the Secretary's office, Saunders’ Buildings, this after noon at live o’clock. The Brindisi Mail. —The outward mails for Great Britain, etc., via Brindisi, will close at the Ashburton post-office on Tuesday next, at 5 p.m. Correspondence intended to go by this route must bo specially addressed, and must bear the Brindisi rate of postage, viz., Bd. per loz.

Mount Somers Road District.—A meeting of ratepayers in the Mount Somers Road district will be hold in the Road Board office, Mount Somers, on the the Bth of August, to consider the pro posed change of a road on Messrs. Gould and Cameron’s property near Methven. Rakaia.— Last Sunday a little surprise was in store fur the Rev. Mr. Westbrooke, Presbyterian minister at Rakaia when he entered the Town Hall, which is used by the Presbyterians there as a Church. A fine harmonium had been provided, for which subscriptions bad been collected amongst the residents in the township by Messrs. Black and Gaarder, and the intro duction of the instrument to the service was a decided improvement. Mr. Gaarder has kindly consented to act as organist until permanent arrangements have been made.

The Rifle Corps. —The members of the local Rifle corps intend making a recogni tion of Color-Sergeant Dolman’s invaluable services as drill instructor, and are raising subscriptions for that purpose. General Davidson, in his report on the corps of the colony, has the following to say of the Ashburton Rifles :—“ These are notin a fit state for inspection. I understand they 7 had only been lately formed. The officers had no uniforms, being recently appointed, and had not received commis sions. Absentees were very numerous, and only a squad of seven or eight files of privates assembled, the rest being made up of band, etc. For the short time they had been at work they did creditably.”

The Courthouse. —The contractors for the erection of the Asdiburton Courthouse have got well on with their work, which steadily approaches - completion. In a short time the carpenters will have' finished and already the painters have commenced. Not long ago we gave a description of the plans which we need not now repeat, but we may state that the hall in the centre of the building in which the Courts will hold their sittings is a good deal larger than the room at present used for the R.M. Court, and in it proper accommodation will be provided for all who have attend. The needful offices adjoining this hall —and these are numerous—though not large rooms, will be very comfortable for the officers and those who will have to use them, while the whole building will be a set-off to the part of the town in which it stands.

South Rakaia Domain Board. —The adjourned meeting of the South Rakaia Domain Board was held in the Road Board office on Present — Messrs. C. N, Mackio, chairman, G. Robinson, W. Hartnall, A. Makeig. (Secretary), J. N. Sharp, J. Bruce, and C. Hardy. The chairman stated that he had applied to the Ashburton County Council for the Ll5O granted to the Board by the Council. There were twenty tenders re ceived for fencing the Domain, ranging from 4s. lOd. to Ss. per chain, when after much consideration, the tender of Hector Maclean, at ss. per chain was accepted, seven tenders were received for ploughing, ranging from Gs. to 10s. per acre. The Board accepted the tender of John George Cox. On the motion of Mr. Robinson it was resolved that the Chairman apply to the Christchurch Domain Board for trees for planting. It was resolved that Messrs. Makeig, Sharp, Robinson, and Hardy be a planting Committee and that Messrs. Robinson and Makeig be appointed to look after the fencing. The Board then adjourned to Thursday, sth August.

A "New Sewing Machine.— Our ren, tiers will probably remember that a short time ago we railed attention In a new .sewing machine (die Davis vert ion 1 final) which, is now being introduced into the colonial market. An agency has lor some time past been established in Christchurch, and •Messrs. H. C. Fiske and Co., the general agents for New Zealand, have appointed Messrs. Orr and Co., the sole agents for Ashburton. To-day the public will have an opportunity of seeing the machine at work in Messrs. Orr’s window, in East street, Mrs. Fiske being the operator. From what we have seen of the work performed by the “Davis Vertical Feed,” we are sure that the amount of information to be gained as to what can be done by means of very simple machinery, will well repay the trouble of a visit. At the Sydney Exhibition this machine took lirst prize above all others, and in making the award the Commissioners made the following comment:—“The new Davis sewing machine, being a com plete departure from the ordinary style of sewing machines, possessing all the advantages of such ordinary sewing machines, and in addition an increased range of work, with the greatest simplicity of construction, and reduction in mumber of working parts, we consider it entitled to first place in awards.” The machine can be seen any time to-day or this even ing. Entertainment at Chertsey. —On Thursday an entertainment, promoted to raise funds for the Chertsey Library, was given in the Chertsey Schoolroom. The Committee had been very energetic in making their arrangements, tickets hav ing be.n very largely sold, and talent im ported from Ashburton, Rakaia, Kyle, and other parts of the district. There were between thirty and forty performers available, of one kind or another, and consequently a most varied programme was produced. We will not attempt to particularise the items of the programme which gave every satisfaction to the audi ence, who were very willing to be enter tained. We mention, however, as worthy of particular notice the solos sung by the two ladies who kindly gave their services, and “ Glorious Apollo,” sung by a glee party from Kyle. The accompaniments were played on the piano (lent by Mr. Wallace, of the Chertsey Hotel) by Messrs. Foster, of Seafield, and Gates, of Ashburton, while Mr. Nettleton aided with the violin. The audience was a very numerous one, crowding the schoolroom to the door, and it was matter for surprise to a stranger where such a number of people could be brought from in a small place like Chertsey. Mr. Childs, Chairman of the School Committee, discharged the duties of Chairman, and kindly entertained the visitors at his house at the close of the entertainment, which took place at about eleven o’clock. After the entertainment was over the younger people engaged in dancing, to the inspiring strains of Mr. Nettleton’s fiddle, and kept up the fun till an early hour. Some Ll 4orLl 5 will be realised for the Library by the enter tainment.

Obituary. Last night’s Globe an nounces the death of Mr. Neck, the well known solicitor. Mr. Neck leaves a wife and family. Death or a Maori Prisoner. —One of the Maori prisoners at Dunedin, brought down from Taranaki, has died in gaol of consumption. He was ailing be fore his admission. Retrenchment. The New Zealand Times asserts that by the closing of the Telegraph Offices from 5 to 7, the services of nearly thirty officers will be dispensed with, and between L 3,000 and L 4,000 per annum will be saved.

Telegraphic. A public telegraph office was opened yesterday at St. Andrews, County Waimato.

Libel. The editor of the Christchurch Star has laid a criminal information for libel against tho four proprietors of the Christchurch Echo. Ned Kelly. —The Bruce Herald is re sponsible for a statement that Ned Kelly was shearing on Sir F. Dillion Bell’s station, near Invercargill, in the season of 1876, and passed by 7 the name of Bill West. He was “ wanted ”in Victoria at that time for sheep stealing.

The Property Tax Returns. —We (Lyttelton Times) were informed, on en quiry at the Government office yesterday 7, that instructions had been received in the morning from Wellington, allowing till August 31 for sending in of the Property Tax returns to the Commissioner here. The Industrial Exhibition Commis sion.—The members of this Commission visited tho Christchurch Industrial Exhi bition on Wednesday, and expressed their approbation of the superior quality 7 of the articles shown. The Commission will hold a meeting on Saturday in order to adopt a report to bo submitted to the Government. Tho Exhibition closed last night.

The Waiiio “ Bushranging ” Case.— The two individuals who formed what a Timaru contemporary calls the Waimato Kelly 7 gang, were before the R. M. at Wai mate on Thursday. They wore the men who presented a revolver at tho head of a man, and vowed to blow his brains out if he did not give them food. The two “ desperate men ” were named Wra. Tal bot and Eugene Ford—tho former was discharged, the latter committed for trial.

CORRESPONDENCE.

■ —❖ —- —■ —• VVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

PLOUGHING MATCHES.

To the Editor.

Sir, —As one who considers that any thing in any way tending to foster im provement in the mode of agriculture is a public good, I sincerely hope that the shelving of Mr. Hunt’s question re “ploughing match” at the A. and P. Association’s meeting yesterday will not result in there being no district match this year. I cannot for a moment agree with Mr. Grigg, that a ploughing match is only an amusement. On the contrary, it excites a spirit of emulation amongst farmers which must of itself be productive of good, and I take it that a yearly match acts as an incentive to onr fanning youth, and stimulates them to improve upon the general slovenly style of ploughing which is now seen in so many paddocks. I en tirely agree with Mr. Walker that fancy ploughing should be discouraged, and can imagine no better plan for doing so than public matches, under strict regulations as regards the same. What is required is good strong ploughing, well and cleanly cut, solidly packed, and leaving a good seed bed —with suilicient comb to form a good cover for the seed. All this can be done without recourse to “false cut,” which should be rnostcertaiuly discouraged, and is so by all good farmers, because it leaves the ground too hollow at the back of the furrows, and tends to materially dry up and wither the roots of the young grain. In England, ploughing matches are and have been for many years an ac knowledged and beneficial institution. Why does not the same apply here ? In conclusion, I hope the farmers themselves will organize a ploughing match this sea son, which I doubt not would eventuate in a great success. —I am, &c., Agricola. . Ashburton, July 22, 1880.

EUROPEAN FLAX.

To the Editor.

Sir —Few subjects can engage the at tention of a country more than that agriculture, and the importance of that industry increases the more any of its branches. can he brought to bo tho source of giving skilled labor to any people, and j lie>n.i especially to that of our own colony 1 ai. the present time. J. allude to the growth of European flax. Having read with pleasure Mr. Murphy’s lecture on that subject, I can fully endorse his state ments, as I am thoroughly acquainted with every branch of that subject, from the seed till we reach the snow-white linen ready for use. I have often wondered why farmers don’t try tho growth of this flax, when it can he made the source of such an income. We have everything in its favor—climate not too hot nor too cold, land and water suitable, all ready but energy and organisation to bring it to a success. It is astonishing the amount of money sent out of England, Ireland, and Scotland for flax and flax seed annually to France, Belgium, Holland, and Russia ; and New Zealand is content to stick to the shilling-a-bushel oats. My purpose is to suggest the idea of a society such as the Agricultural and Pastoral taking the matter up, to provide suitable seed, instruct the farmer here to grow it, purchase the produce, and the result is certain to be a paying one to the grower and the company, and a profit could be had in all its stages. A society such as this was starred a few years ago, in the North of Ireland with great success, and is still being carried on. Mr. Murphy’s comparison between North and South of Ireland is not overdrawn, and it is just the extension of this branch of industry that makes the difference.

Could not the people of New Zealand have a finger in “ the pie I” If so, I be lieve the colony’s' 1 borrowing days” would be over. Nor should we be content with mere growing of flax and crushing of seed for oil, but should go in for manufactur ing of linen from the raw matertal. Had we once a beginning made, 1 firmly be lieve the day would not be far distant when the hum of the spinning mill, the dim of the weaving factory mingled with the happy voices of the now unemployed would be heard like music on the plains of Canterbury. —I am, &c.,

W. Alderdice Ashburton, July 23, 1880.

THE PLAINS FARMER ON MR, GRIGG’S PAPER.

TO THE EdITOK.

Sin, —Having read Mr. Grigg’s paper on the question whether farming can be made to pay at present prices, I have thought the subject over, and compared his imagin ary scheme with my own' experience of nearly twenty years in New Zealand, and about ns many years in England. I cannot reconcile the two together in that com parison. Air. Grigg says the only abso lute proof can be obtained by trying the experiment, and it is very evident Mr. Grigg has not done so yet—only in imagination. But he wants the large number of nearly ruined farmers to try it as a forlorn hope. 1 think it would be much better if Mr. Grigg or some other large farmer were to lay out 200 acres and go on cropping it for seven years in the manner proposed by him, and then bring the result before the public. This result of actual practical experiment would be something reliable ; but Air. Grigg’s figures are to my seeming Utopian, and not to be found worked out in actual experience anywhere in New Zealand. I will venture to assert that there is no such system carried out— not even by his pet farmer, Air. Cochrane, who, I have no doubt, would condemn it as being likely to impoverish his land instead of keeping it in good heart. To prove that it would not be beneficial, I will refer to my own experience partly, having farmed just such land as Mr. Grigg ,

refers to—good heavy wheat soil—which produced from <lO to 50 bushels of wheat to the acre, and from 60 to 70 bushels of oats, and was then laid down in grass two years, and stocked only with mil;h cows and their young cattle. When I broke it up again the crops were fair, but the land became overrun with sorrel. I then sold off the cows, and stocked with sheep, when the sorrel gradually disappeared. Now, 1 conclude that a farm cropped as proposed in Mr. Grigg’s paper, and stocked only with milking cows would shave tho same fate. It is well known that one milch cow will take as much from tho land as two grazing cattle. The milk and butter drawn from the land every day by ten cows are far more exhausting than most fanners are aware. This, with the sorrel which cattle propagate so largely, will soon exhaust the land if kept in a succession of crops. lam quite aware it is done in England ; but there is some thing else done there—manure is applied freely, so much so that many farmers calculate the manure bill to be equal to the rent. Mine was for yeai's. Every 7 acre of green crops would cost from L2 to L 3 in artificial manure, and the wheat crop L 3 per acre. Although turnips can be grown hero, and good crops, without manure, you cannot continue to do so on the land for many 7 years without manure —nor with grass or clover either. I fancy the next generation will have to farm differently from the present one, and if Mr. Grigg s proposed system were earned out, it would soon require a large outlay in manure for which he has made no provision. Then he has omitted the coat of the second twenty-five sheep re quired for the year, and allowed nothing for the interest on capital or the work of the farmer and his wife. He say 7 s nothing about children, or the expense of provid ing for them, and I cannot see how so much work can be done as 100 acres of crop (Mr. Grigg told “ Country Subscri ber” it was 75 acres, but 50 wheat, 25 peas, and 25 barley are 100) and 55 acres of green crop, potatoes, etc., would re quire, together with 10 cows to be milked, pigs and cal ves to be fed, and I fail to see how so much stock can be kept on 15 acres grass and 25 of clover, with only one man and L 5 exti'a labor at harvest. If it is supposed there are some children grown up to help, then these have to be provided for ; and then there are inci dental expenses which will always occur, for which nothing is allowed. Now, the conclusion I come to is, when all these things I have referred to are valued and added to the expenses, the balance will be on the other side.

My own opinion is that the most profit able way to farm such land as Mr. Grigg supposes, is the five course system—two grain crops and three years to grass and clover or turnips between, and two years to grass, then keep a good flock of sheep, which, with the aid of as much manure as can be gol, properly applied to the land, will keep it in as good heart or better than when it was first taken in hand. — Yours, Ac., A Plains Farmer.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, July 23.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY.

Matthew Spencer, Robert Todd, and James Todd were brought up on a charge of malicious injury to property, valued at L2 17s. Mr. O’Reilly appeared for the accused.

Philip Tisch deponed—l am the pro prietor of the Spread Eagle Hotel. On the 21st inst. I came home at half-past one o’clock in the morning, and found the ac cused and James File in the hotel. When I went in the men were sitting quietly by the fire. They asked for a drink. At first I refused, and then one of them said, “ We’ll throw, old man, as to who pays for them.” We threw for four drinks ; I lost, and then served them with the drinks. I then told them it was time for them to leave, as I was tired and wanted to go to bed. James File tried to per suade the others to leave, and he then i left. I then asked Robert Todd to leave, ! and lie also went. Asked James Todd I and Matthew Spence to leave, but they declined to go. I said, “ I’m going to bed, and wish you good night.” I then left them in the tap-room. James Todd then went through the house with a candle, looking for mo, and saying lie wanted a drink. He found me in the dining-room, when I told him to clear out, and I then went into my private room, taking the candle with me. James Todd then struck a match, and went through the rooms, looking for me. Spencer was all the while in the tap-room, sitting quiet, but calling to Todd not to go into the private rooms. I then told Todd if he did not leave I would give him in charge to the police. I put my hand on his shoulder, and persuaded him to leave. He said, “ Don’t push a fellow.” He then went into the tap-room. In a few minutes I heard a scuffle, and on going to the porch, saw Harry Cross on the floor, with James Todd on the top of him, hammering him. Spencer was present. I put Todd and Spencer outside. I then locked the door. The}' both stripped, and hung their clothes on a post, and challenged anyone in the hotel to come and fight, and used bad language. When no one went out, and they wore not allowed to come in, James Todd tried to push the door open, and being un able to do so, broke the glass of the door. Matthew Spencer then put his hand through the broken pane of glass to un lock the door ; I hit him on the hand, and took the key out of the door. Spencer asked me for his hat. I did not know Spencer’s hat, hut on looking, found Harry Cross’ hat and threw it out through the broken pane of glass. Todd used some bad language about the way I threw the hat out, and said it was not the hat he wanted. On further search, I found an other hat and threw it out also. They then asked for a drink ; I made no re ply, and then Spencer threw a stone through the bar room window with great violence. Both the men then came hack to the tap-room window, and called me foul names. Spencer left Todd, and I then heard two more panes of glass being broken. A form was outside, with a case, which the two men took up and threw down violently. Two more panes of glass were tl :n broken. They then ran away. I should have mentioned that James Todd broke in a panel of the bar-room door. Six panes of glass altogether were broken, and the upper glass panel of a door. Three panes were broken by James Todd, one by Spencer, and I believe Spencer broke the others. Todd broke the glass and wood panels of the door. On the night in question it was very bright. When the men went away it was about three o’clock in tho morning. None of the men were drunk. I estimate the damage at L2 17s. The row originated through my refusing to give them drink. I believe that James Todd has been try ing to pick a quarrel with me ever since harvest. He owes me some money, and lam afraid to ask him for it. Did not see Robert Todd break any window. Robert Todd was then discharged, there being no evidence against‘him. By Mr. O’Reilly—l was not drunk when I got home that night. I commenced playing Yankee grab with the men, but only bad one glass. I lost in the Yankee grab, but did not lose my temper. I did not find out that the men had no money. I could see from the tap-room window all that was taking place outside. It was not cloudy, but was sufficiently light for me to find the hats in the room without a candle.

Henry Cross corroborated the greater part of the last witness’s evidence, and produced several very ugly-looking missiles

which lie affirmed had been thrown through the windows of the hotel. Both witness and Tisch were sober, and the accused were sober enough to know what they were about. By Mr. O’Reilly—l had some whisky, but was not drunk. William File, sworn, said he was a

carrier, and was at the Spread Eagle Hotel on the night of the 21st, in company with the brothers Todd and Matthew Spencer. When Mr. Tisch came home he was not drunk, but, like the rest of them, another nip would have made him so. By Mr. O’Reilly—When Mr. Tisch came home ho used abusive language to Spencer, but afterwards the whole of them were very merry together.

Witness volunteered a statement to the Bench that Cross was very drunk on the night of the 21st. If he drank one glass he had ton—in fact, he put away the greater part of a bottle of whisky. After Mr. O’Reilly had addressed the Bench, His Worship said the charge of injury to property had been fully sustained, but, taking certain facts of the case into con sideration, he thought there was no neces sity for a heavy penalty. A fine of ss. would be inflicted on the accused, who would also have to make good the damage which had been sustained by their mis conduct, namely L2 17s. His Worship said he could not allow the case te pass without cautioning Mr. Tisch that he had rendered himself liable to an action for a breach of the Fubhc House Ordinance, for allowing gambling in his licensed house. REMANDED. The charge against William Madden, for obtaining money under false pretences, was further remanded, on the application of Sergeant Felton, inconsequence of the continued illness of the accused. HAUNTED BY CATS. Daniel Ready was charged with the larceny of a spade, valued at 65., the property of Richard Taylor. Daniel made a statement to the Bench, in which he con fessed to taking the implement, but had appropriated it for one night only, and intended to return it on the following morning. He was very drunk at the time, and thought that all the cats in the country were attacking him. Not having that sense of security which his scriptural name sake possessed while in company with more dangerous foes, Daniel whipped up the spade, which he saw lying on a bank, and told his feline .adversaries if they did not make tracks he would give them “ the contents of it, your Worship.” He had since returned the defensive weapon. After hearing the evidence, which mainly bore out the statement of the accused, his Worship discharged Daniel, with a re minder that drink was the cause of his being before the Court, and advised him to be more abstemious in future. CIVIL CASES. Grigg v. Forman.—Claim Ll 5. Judg ment confessed. Mr. Branson applied for costs, as judgment had only been con fessed that morning. Costs allowed, L 3 17s. Baldwin v. Hodgson.-—Claim L3l. Mr. Ireland for plaintiff. Judgment by de fault for amount and costs, L 3 12s. The Court then arose.

THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL.

This Bill has in effect passed the House, subject to the adoption or rejection by hon. members of such suggestions by cor porations as these bodies may see fit to supply. The House has been graciously pleased to allow corporations an opportu nity to criticise the Bill in its amended form, and for this purpose has virtually hung Rup for a month. It is noticeable, however, that the House has rejected the abolition of plurality of votes to property by 37 to 8.

THE BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

The Borough Council are working very energetically in the matter of the water supply. Not from any want of faith in the extent of the works to fill the gully with water, but .to expedite the filling of the re servoir, they have cut a deep trench across the road at the upper corner of the Domain, and have laid down sufficient culverting to give a strong additional flood of. water. This additional flood is now flowing, and with that from the nine inch pipe that forms the link of the permanent supply, has largely increased the volume of water now running into the gully. The result is that quite a broad sheet of water has accumulated behind the cricket ground. This sheet has also greatly in creased in length, and fuliy six chains have been added to it since Saturday. To show'the value of the addition made at the upper corner of the Domain, we may add that the water has travelled quite three chains since the new stream was turned on, and the absorption bugbear, of which some of the doubtful ones were so much afraid, has quite exploded. We have no fear whatever that the expectations of those promoting the scheme will fail to be fulfilled in every particular.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, July 22. In the Legislative Council, On the motion of the Hon. Captain Fraser all papers re the Ratere Block were ordered to be laid on the table. On the motion of the Hon. D. Menzies a return was ordered of the number of petitions presented, with the total number of signatures, during last two years, ask ing that tho Bible may be read in schools. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore gave notice to ask what the Government intend to do re the native disturbance at Napier.

The Hon. Colonel Brett rose to make an apology with reference to some remarks he had made when speaking on the Welling ton Racing Club Bill. He made a state ment reflecting on a member of the Council, and now' stated that he made a misstatement under a wrong impression, for which he made the fullest apology.

The Maori Prisoners Bill was read a second time after a short debate, in which the Hons. Whitaker, Waterhouse, .and Whitmoi'e spoke, but advanced no new r arguments. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 21, EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30. THIRD BEADING. The Dentists Bill was read a third time and passed. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. In committee the Municipal Corpora tions Act Amendment Bill was further considered, and the following addition mado to clause 21, subsection B, for regu lating and making provision for the con struction of chimnies to carry away smoke from engines, and protection from sparks therefrom, and for the prevention of nuis ances from smoke. Clause 24 was struck out.

Clause 29, burgesses to have only one vote, was struck out on a division by. 37 to 8.

Clause 30, gasworks, was struck out. Mr. Aloss proposed as a new clause that instead of printing the proposed by-laws in extenso in a newspaper it shall be sufficient if an abstract be published together with a notice that the by-laws or laws in extenso are posted ina conspicuous place within the' borough. The House divided on the motion— Ayes, 14 ; Noes, 19.

A number of new clauses were added to tho Bill, which vas then reported with amendments, and the report ordered to be considered a month hence, so as to give the municipalities opportunity to consider the measure as amended, The House adjourned at 1.45 a.m. Thursday, July 22. The House met at 2.30 p. m. PETITIONS. The Hon E. Richardson presented a petition, signed by 627 employes of the JSfew Zealand Railways, praying that the proposed reduction of wages may be recon sidered. QUESTIONS. Replying to the Hon E. Richardson, The Hon. R. Oliver said that the Rail way Commissioners of the North and 'South Island had communicated their views on the proposal for reducing the wages of the railway employees. They recommended than the reductions should he made in certain directions, and the Government would use their best en deavors to have these reductions made so as not to cause the wages to be lower than those paid for similar labor outside the Government service. Replying to Mr. Pitt, The Hon. T. Dick said that Govern ment proposed taking steps to equalise .he salaries of the attendants in lunatic asylums by making reductions in those which are overpaid.

Mr. M'Donald asked if the Government were aware that the natives have erected a fence across the main road to Foxton, and what steps they intend taking, also if it was true that Government have agreed to pay the coach proprietor the various sums paid to the natives by him, for allowing the coach and passengers to pass along the main road between Foxton and W ellington. The Hon. J. Bryce said that the road in question was not a main line of road, but passed over sandhills claimed to be the property of tho Maoris. Government had undertaken to refund to the coach driver the amounts levied by the Maoris, and in the meantime steps were being taken to lay off a permanent line of road in another direction.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. Mr. Stewart asked leave to introduce the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill. Exception was taken to the application on the ground that the order paper was already overburdened with private Bills, and that this was a Bill which there was not the remotest probability of getting passed. The Hon. Major Atkinson while agree ing that there was little probability of the Bill passing this session, thought that it would be unfair to prevent the Bill being introduced.

Sir George Grey said that the member for Dunedin was most careful in these matters, and was not at all likely to in troduce a measure needlessly. The Bill, moreover, was very short, and lie thought it should be allowed to see the light of day. The Bill was introduced and read a first time. FIRST READINGS. The following were introduced, and read a first time :—St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Christchurch) Trustees Incorpora tion Bill (Mr. Stevens), Public Entertain ments Prohibition Hill, Town Districts Bill (Hon. T. Dick.) The Hon. T. Dick said that the object of the latter was to give certain simple powers of local government to towns if of not sufficient populotion to become muni cipalities. BILLS PASSED. In Committee, the Port Molyneux Re serves Leasing Act, 1876, Amendment, and the Public Health Act, 1876, Amend ment Bill were passed, with amendments. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. FIRE BRIGADES BILL. The House went into Committee on the Eire Brigades Bill. Mr. Speight said he would object to the Bill if it gave power to corporations to strike a separate rate without being em powered to do so hy the ratepayers. Far too much rating power was proposed to be given to local. bodies in the Bills before the House,- anil on danse 16 he moved an amendment in accordance with these remarks.

The House divided—ayes 32, noes 23, and the clause as printed was passed. Mr. Reid proposed a new clause, exempt ing members of volunteer fire brigades from serving on juries. The Speaker ruled that the proposal could not be entertained in connection with the Bill. It was strictly a question to be dealt with in the Juries Act.

The Bill was reported with amend ments. CHARITABLE AID BILL. The House went into Committee on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Endowment Bill. A motion that the words “million acres ” be struck out as the endowment was lost on a division of 24 to 23, and words as printed were carried. Mr. Murray moved that the word “ pastoral ” be inserted to describe the character of the endowment.

The House divided —Ayes, 8 ; noes, 37. The Bill was reported with amend ments, and at 1.10 the House rose.

Friday, July 23,

The House met at 2.30

Mr. Richardson presented a petition against the retention of the bottle license system. Mr. J. B. Fisher gave notice that he would ask, If the Alexander McDonald appointed a native land purchase agent, had been convicted of shooting two mail coach horses at Palmerston. Mr. Lundon gave notice that he would ask, If Government had considered the policy of imposing a tax on coals. Replying to ■. questions, it was stated that the case of M'Minn and Kirkbride, tried in the Court at Marton, had not been taken notice of by Government, as no formal report had been received on the subject. Government recognised the sacrifice made by miners employed in re covering the bodies of the miners acciden tally killed in the Government sludge channel at Kumara, but thought it would be an insult to offer them payment for their services.—Government was not dis posed to reduce the fee charged for the naturalisation of foreigners.—Government would oppose any proposal to print a supplementary Hansard of speeches de livered by the native members in the Maori language. Mr. Moorhouse gave notice that he would bring on, at the earliest possible date, a motion for the second reading of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill, transmitted from the Upper House. The'treasury Bills Bill was read a second time.

On the motion for going into Commit tee of Supply, Mr. Seymour said the pro posal to add L2OO to the salary of the Chairman of Committees had been made without his consent, and, not only was he prepared to forego it, but also to have the regular salary reduced, in accordance with the general policy of reduction. In Committee of Supply, the debate was resumed on the item, L 450, miscellaneous vote for compilation of Maori history. After discussion, Government agreed to the vote being reduced to L3OO, on the understanding that a bonus would bo granted at the discretion of the House for the early completion of the work. Class 1, Legislative Department, was considered.

The Hon. John Hall said that, in view of the 20 per cent, reductions to be made in Ministerial salaries, Government pro posed a similar reduction in members’ honorarium,

Mr. O’Rorke said he would justify the proposed increase to the Chairman of Committees. The two sessions held last year gave members, in the shape of hono rarium, considerably more than had been paid to the Chairman of Committees. His salary this year was not a fair considera tion for tho work he had to do, and the increase was proposed to recoup, him for that loss. He dissented from the Pre mier’s proposal to reduce the amount of the honararium, stating that he believed in their case and that of the Civil Service there was no comparison.

Mr. Sutton said it would be establishing a bad precedent for the House to'reduce the civil servants' salaries and not reduce the honorarium. At the proper time, he would move that the amount bo reduced to LI4O. Vote—Legislative Council LIC2O. Item—Chairman of Committes (addi tion to permanent salary, L 300), LIOO. Struck out on the understanding that the amount would be placed on the Supple mentary Estimates as a bonus to make last year’s salary equal to the honorarium. Item —L3SO, Chairman of Public Petitions Committee.—Struck out.

Item—Lloo, Clerk (addition to per manent salary, L 400) was ‘debated at length, and struck out, on a division of 39 to 30.

The House adjourned 5‘30.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Wellington, J uly 22. Tho Hinemoa leaves this evening for New Plymouth, taking twenty constabu lary, under the command of Sub-Inspector Coleman. The Hinemoa is under orders to bring down the newly-arrested Maori prisoners and convey them to Lyttelton, to he lodged in the gaol at that place. No later intelligence has been received from opposite Parihaka since the last arrests were made. No information has been re ceived by the Government regarding the reported attempt to convey ammunition to Parihaka from the East Coast. It is not probable that any steps will be taken at present in regard to the Mount Vernon affair.

New Plymouth, July 22. Ten more natives have been arrested and sent into town from the camp. The natives about Parilmka say that they in tend to continue fencing for ten days, and fully expect to be arrested. On Tuesday, many natives were seen on hillocks over looking the road near the camp, evidently on the look-out to see if the prisoners were taken to town. The natives about Pari haka are continuing their planting, fencing, etc., as usual, and argument is w'asted on them, as they say that Christ was crucified and the prophet persecuted, and so it is with them.

The Urenui correspondent of the Herald says that the natives in that district are not cropping so much this season, as they are unsettled, and likely to be so long as Te Whiti exists.

THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS.

Wellington, July 21. The Bankruptcy Law Committee have reported to the House to the following effect The Committee resolved that an amendment was required in the direction hereinafter indicated, and that the Go-. vernment be requested to bring in a Bill i during the present session embodying the amendments proposed. The Committee further resolved that an amendment of the law of bankruptcy should form the subject of a final report. The Committee recommend that the present Debtors and Creditors Act be amended in the following respect 1, That meetings .of creditors should 'be held in the town in which the bankrupt carried On business, or the town nearest his place of residence if the place - of resi dence is not in the town. 2. That an official assignee be appointed by the Government for each Court having juris diction in bankruptcy, and that the credi-. tors shall have power to appoint one or . more trustees in each estate to act with' the official assignee, and to find security bi the satisfaction of the Judge to meet : the salaries and expenses of the official assignees. The committee recommend hat the minimum charge of —per cent, bet paid upon all assets that are brought under the jurisdiction of any Court. 3. Any person shall not be en titled to his discharge unless and until a resolution shall have been passed by a majority in number equal to three-fourths in value of the creditors, and at a meeting convened for the purpose of considering such resolutions. The majority shall not be a mere majority of those at the meet ing, but of the whole body of creditors, so that it will be necessary for the debtor to secure a sufficient attendance of 'creditors, either in person or by proxy, for the, pur pose of this provision. A person who has been scheduled by the debtor as a creditor, but who did not prove, shall be con sidered as one of the body of creditors, although of course he cannot vote till, he has proved. The object will be v to make assent to the right of dis- , charge, so that there shall be an actual consent to the discharge by a majority in number equal to three-fourths in value of those persons who are in effect creditors. The decision of the creditors in refusing to give or grant a discharge shall be sub ject to revision by the Court. 4. That the present mode of arrangement by deed . be repealed, and that any debtor unable to meet his engagements be compelled to sign a declaration to that effect. That the filing of such a declaration shall ope rate to stay all hostile proceedings against the estate until the creditors have deter mined whether the estate shall be wound up by a trustee or in bankruptcy, and that the assent required to the release of the debtor be three-fourths in number and value of all creditors, Whether present or not. 5. That no bankrupt shall obtain his discharge except by order of the Judges of the Supreme Court or District Court, in open court. ;

HOAXING THE ROYAL FAMILY.

He must be a bold man who would play a, joke upon the members of the Royal Family. Yet the young men of the Windsor and Albert Institute seem to have been bold enough to undertake the task. Prince and Princess Christian Princess Beatrice, and the Grand Duke of Hesse attended the opening of a bazaar at the institute named. After walking through' the “fancy fair,” and making' sundry purchases, the Royal party were invited to inspect a room devoted osten sibly to a fine art exhibition. The visitors ■ were each presented with a catalogue to guide them in the tour ground the apart-, ment. The recipients, however, must

have been considerably surprised on com paring the catalogues with the exhibits. For-instance, the first item, “Lynx in repose,” by A Constable, was represented : by a pair of handcuffs, whilst answering the description of “The Babes in the Wood” were a couple of dolls wrapped up in shavings. A Yarmouth bloater was described in the catalogue as “ Caught in a Squall off Yarmouth.” On searching for “ The Day before the Twelfth on the Perthshire Moors,” the party found simply the letters “the eleventh,” and in the place of “A statuette in bronze of Her. Majesty, (kindly lent for the occasion),' they found a penny fixed to the wall. A. Wellington and a Blucherboot did service for “ Heroes of Waterloo,” while a match with the head off answered for “ The Powers of Lucifer defeated.” It is gratifying to learn that the Prince and Princess seemed thoroughly to- enjoy the' joke, and that none of the institute authorities were beheaded on the spot.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1880.



s. d, JP, d. Butter, inferior to best 1? lb 0 10 to 1 1 Eggs, t? dozen I 0 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, li? lb 0 6 to 0 S Bacon, prime smoked, 1? lb 0 10 to 1 0 Hams in cloth, lb I 2 to 0 0 Flour in bags, xoolb 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal, $ 251b 4 6 to 0 0 Lard, 1? Ib - 0 7 to 0 0



AUCTION SALES. This Day. Alfred Harrison, at his Saleyards—Horses Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 12 o’clock. Monday', July 2G. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at Mr. Geo. Harris’ Farm, Ashburton Forks —Furni- ture, Horses, Cattle, Implements, Hay, Harness, &c. Wednesday', August 4. Alfred Harrison, at Ashburton Forks — Horses, Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 12.30. TO CONTRACT PLOUGHMEN. WANTED, Immediately, several TEAMS for Stubble and other Ploughing. For particulars, apply to GOULD & CAMERON. Springfield, 16th July. G7oc-52g MISSING FRIENDS. IF this should reach the eye of THOMAS ROACH, who left Nelson about six years ago, last heard of at R. Mcßae’s, Richmond, he will hear of some thing to his advantage by sending his address *o the Office of this Paper. 24g CHRISTCHURCH AGENCY. MR. GEORGE MAULE, is authorised to receive orders and accounts for the Ashburton Guardian and Evening Herald. All orders fir Advertisements eft at his office, near Tattemail's, will eceive prompt attention. 55u* WEEKS & DIXON. METHYEN AGENCY. MORGAN and HIRES, General Store keepers, Methven, are authorised agents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention. WEEKS AND DIXON, 30g* Proprietors. NOTICE TO B ÜBBQRIBEIIS. Subscriptions for the Quarter ending June are now due, payable at the office, East street, near Railway Station. A Discount of Is. will be aHowed on the Quarter’s Subscription, and 4s. on the year’s subscription, if paid in advance. New subscribers are requested to send in their names and addresses as early as possible, to the Publisher, this being the irst month in the Quarter. The Farmers’ Supplement will be pub ished every Month. WEEKS and DIXON, 56a* Publishers.®



St. Stephen’s Church. —Tlio institu tion of the Eev. A. W. Hands by the Bishop’s Commissioner, is announced to take place to-morrow morning, at St. Stephen’s Church, and the Bov. W. C. Harris will preach at the evening service. The Oriental Exhibiton.— The Orien tal Exhibition has lost nothing of its at tractiveness, and visitors are as numerous as ever to inspect the wonderful things Messrs. Kaurt and Ali have to show. On Thursday there was cpiite a crowd in the upper room of the Town Hall, who were much interested in the exhibition. The collection of stereoscopic views that stands in the middle of the room forms no small attraction, and the urbane orientals are happy to explain them to their guests. This will be the last day of Messrs. Kaurt and Ali’s stay, and the school children will be admitted to-day for sixpence each.