COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST,

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE,

The following is the report of the Christ church Corn Exchange for the week ending Friday, the 6th inst.: There is no change to report in the state of the grain market during the past week. Yalues are unchanged. The wea ther continues most favorable for farming operations. Already a large area of ground has been sown with wheat. Wheat—The demand continues good. Fine milling quality commands 3s. lOd. to 3s. Hd. per bushel. Large lines of similar description are worth a shade over these quotations—viz., 3s. lljd. to 4s. (Hd.; seed wheats, 4s. 3d. to 4s. fid. per bushel; second-class milling samples, 3s. to 3s. 2d.; chickwheat, Is. 9d. to 2s. fid. per bushel. Oats—Good sound bright milling par cels are being inquired for ; the business done however has not been on an ex tensive sale, as holders appear to think that an advance on present prices is inevitable. Market rates at present are Is. (Hd. to Is. Bd., f.0.b.; good feed quality is moving off at from Is. 4d. to Is. sd. per bushel; inferior feed samples, la. Id. to la. 2d. per bushel. Barley—The demand . for first-class malting quality continues good, and will find buyers from 3s. to 3s. 3d. per bushel; second class malting samples, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. per bushel ; feed samples. Is. fid. to la. Bd. per bushel. Potatoes are being inquired for, and business can be transacted from 245. to 255. per ton at country stations within a radius of eight miles from Christchui’ch, sacks extra. Holders are unwilling to do business at these quotations, consequently business in the tuber is rather at a stand still. Many holders are asking 30s. per ton, hut this price is prohibitory in the state of foreign markets at present. Cheese and Butter —The market is well supplied, with rather a sluggish demand ; the former is rather slow of sale at from 4d. to 4kl. per lb. The same may be said of the latter, at from 9d. to 94-d per

lb. Hay—sos. to 555. per ton, delivered in town.

Messrs. H. Matson and Co. report for the week ending Thursday, August 5 '• Yesterday’s weekly markets at Addington presented an aveiage supply of all classes of stock. The sheep-yards were filled, chiefly with prime mutton, including one or two lines of the best merinos that have been sent to hand this season. Owing to the large entry, the tone of the market was quieter, and prices ruled very irregularly. In some cases last week’s rates were fully maintained, whilst in others there was a drop of 6d. to is. per head. Taken as whole, the sheep sale must be con sidered very satisfactory, as out of our total entry, only one line was turned out unsold, prices generally averaging about the same as last week. The great scarcity of beef at last week’s markets, and consequent “jump’ in prices, had the effect of filling the yards yesterday, and as we predicted, a drop of from as. to 4s. per loolbs, was the result. The market, however, was firm throughout, and most of the lots were cleared at rates equal to the decline above quoted. Of the store cattle there was a larger number penned than for some weeks past. Prices for good useful lines are improving, steers being particularly in request. Weaners, which six weeks ago were unsaleable, are now enquired after at from ss. to 425. per head, whilst in eighteen months cattle, etc., there is an advance in price of fully 10s. to 15s. per bead. The totals yarded for the day comprised 451 head of cattle, 5,950 sheep, and 206 pigs, of which our entry in cluded 235 head of cattle, 4,313 sheep, and So pigs. In sheep our principal sales were—147 mixed cross-breds at 15s. 3d., 6at 15s. gd. 52 at 15s. 3d., 52 at 165., 106 at 15s. 6d., 26 at 165., 58 wethers at 17s. 6d., 62 at 165., 40 mixed at 145., 64 merino wethers at 13s. 6d. s 30 at 145., 54 at 133. 6d., 121 ditto at - Bs. 3d. to Qs., 190 cross-breds at 15s. 6d., 138 ditto at 15s. 6d., 41 st 145., 41 at 14s. 6d., 39 at 15s. 3d., 72 at 15s. gd., 27 at 165., 47 at 15s. gd., 65 at 17s. Stores—643 cross-bred ewes, in lamb to Lincoln rams, at 15s. 837 hoggets at 9s. 3d., 119 hoggets at 10s., 58 do. at 9s. 3d., 82 four and six-tooth ewes at 10s. gd., 94 at 9s. 3d., 96 at 10s. gd„ 54 cull merinos at 4s. id., 159 cross-bred ewes at 13s. 6d., 51 mixed half-breds at Bs. gd., etc. Fat cattle—3 at Lli, lat Lit 10s., lat Ll 3 10s., 2 at L 9 7s. 6d., 7 at L 5 55., 7 at L 6, 2 at L 9 12s. 6d., 3at L 7 155., 2 at L 7 17s. 6d., 3 at L 7 15s , 2 at LB 55., 2 at L 7 17s. 6d., 3 at L 7, 2at LB, 5 at L 7 10s., 2 at L 6 155., 2 at L 9 55., 2at L 7 2s. 6d., 2 at L 7 2s. 6d., 2 at L 7 10s., 3at L7,oxat Ls >55. Stores—s at L 3 45., 8 at La 175., 6 at I 4 12s. 6d., 7 at L 4 10s., 5 at L 4 23. 6d., 7 at L 3 ios., etc. Springers and milch cows, from L 6 to Ll 3. In pigs, we cleared our entry as under : —4 at 265. 13 at 275., 7at 195., 3 at 345., 9 at 245., 4at 265., 6at 19s. 6d., 2at 395. 6d., 4at 405., 5 at 405., 2 at 265., etc. At Ashburton, on Tuesday, we held our usual fortnightly sale of live stock, etc. There was a large number of stock forward, most of which were disposed of at satisfactory prices. We sold 126 hoggets at 12s. gd., 49 ewes at 13s. 3d., 200 store ewes at 12s. id., about 60 head of cattle and 94 pigs. The audience was limited, notwithstanding which values in most cases were higher than those ruling at Adding ton, the only exception, perhaps, being young store cattle. [by telegraph.] Dunedin, Aug. 6. Prime beef, 255. to 275. 6d. per loolb.; mutton, per .lb.; good sample milling wheat, 3s. gd. to 4s. id.; fowl wheat, 2s. 6d. to 35.; feed oats, is. 4d. to is. Sd,; milling, is. 7d.; malt barley, 2s. gd. to 3s. 3d.; feed, is. gd. to 2s. 6d.; potatoes, L2 ss. to L2 7s. 6d.; grass hay, L2 10s.; oaten hay, L 3 ; chaff, L 3 ; straw, L2 ; bran, L 3 Ss.; pollard, L 4 ; flour, L 9 ios. to Lxo; oatmeal, Lg ios.; pearl barley, LlB ; onions, 75.; cheese, 4d,; bacon, rolled, gd.; hams, iod.; sides bacon, B)4d.

AUCTION SALES.

This Day. Alfred Harrison, at his Saleyards, under Bill of Sale—A quantity of Stock and Plant. H. Matson and Co., at Tattersall’s — Horses, Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 1 o’clock sharp.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1880.

The Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill is one of those measures which the Legislature of the colony has to consider every session, and like its fellow annual, the Permissive or Local Option Bill, the majority in its favor is increasing every year. In f a vor of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill there is quite a strong majority in the House this session, and when we find forty-six ranged against fourteen there does not seem to be much hope for the minority offering a very successful opposition. Yet those fourteen oppositionists were equal to the task of obstructing business till half past two in the morning of Friday. All sorts of silly amendments were proposed, and all the around that has already been gone over a hundred times was re-covered by the opponents without throwing any new light on the right or wrong of tire principle of marrying the sister of one s deceased wife. But the Maori members who op posed the measure had something to say as an argument against the Bill that was rather fresh. Tamoana said that before the missionaries came to New Zealand it was perfectly legitimate for a M.aori to ;

take unto himself to wife the sister of his departed better' half. Now, however, those barbai’ous times had gone, and mar riages were contracted on a different basis. Those Maoris who were so conservative of the barbarous customs of the past as to take to their bosom the sister of their de ceased wife were those who ignored the Church, and refused to be. civilised. He would oppose the Bill because it seemed to him that the Europeans were making a retrograde movement in the direction of the habits and customs that the mis sionariea had taught the natives to aban don. Te Where, again, rejoiced in this Bill, for just the same reason that Tomo ana deplored it. He was overjoyed at the notion of the white men relap sing to the state from which the noble savages had recently emerged. He had pleasing recollections of the Maori customs of the olden time, and he was much pleased w’ith the notion that his white brethren were to copy at least one of those customs that came so happily to his recollection. But the wily aboriginal would oppose the Bill notwithstanding. Tawhai said that to him, as a Maori, the Bill said—return, go back to your old customs, and this he was not prepared to do. These dark-skinned men and brethren seem to think they have found a flaw in the teaching of the missionaries, and though Sir George Grey has taught them the art of politics—viz., to do what your party find to bo expedient irrespective of right or conscience—and they oppose the Bill because their leaders have taught them to, they evidently think that white civilisation is ad vancing back to that of the dark-skin. It is palpable that the natives have got the religious and social aspect of the ques tion somewhat mixed ; but from the tele graphic summary of the sitting that has reached us it is difficult to discover any real objectiou that the white opponents of the measure have to it. To our mind there seems to be none, beyond a pre judice, and this prejudice is being gradu ally broken down. As the Hon. John Hall says, the only places where the measure is not law are New Zealand and Great Britain. In nearly all other Eng lish speaking communities the prejudice against these marriages has been overcome, and sooner or later Great Britain must follow in the track of her children, the colonies, who hive, in very many instances, been her pioneers in advanced measures of freedom.

Metalling. —The Clerk of the South Rakaia Road Board invites tenders for metalling. Resignation. Mr. _ Guinney, the schoolmaster at Wakanui, has sent in his resignation to the Chairman of the local School Committee. Transfer of License. —A transfer of the license of the Waterton Hotel, from Mr. E. Doherty, to Mr. P. O’Shanassy, was granted at the Court yesterday. The Borough By-laws. —The Town Council had their first nibble under the by-laws yesterday, when a man was fined ss. for allowing a horse to remain unattended. The Licensing Court. —The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Commissioners for the districts of Ashburton, Rakaia, and Mount Somers is announced to take place on Tuesday, the 7th September. The Racecourse. —Mr. Wilkie, the Secretary to the Ashburton Racing Club invites tenders for burning tussocks, ploughing, harrowing, Ac., on the race course. Particulars will bo found in the usual column. Methven. —A meeting of ratepayers is convened by the chairman of the Mount Hutt Road Board for Thursday next, at 4 p.m., to consider correspondence re ceived from the chairman of the County Council re the water supply. Alleged Sheep Stealing. — George Pike, who had been apprehended on a charge of sheepstealing, was brought before Mr. Guinness on Thursdaj 7 . On application of the police, the accused was remanded until Tuesday next, but was let out on bail. The Ashburton Infant School. — A tender was accepted on Thursday by the Board of Education for the building of an infant school at Ashburton. The success ful contractors are Messrs. Williams and Hoskins, of this town, and the amount of their tender is L 573. Change of Proprietorship. —Mr. F. Clark, of Christchurch, has purchased the business hitherto carried on by Mr. A. E. Garnett, East street, and has now com menced work as hairdresser, &c., retain ing, also, the tobacconist and fancy goods trade. Tradesmen’s Quadrille Assembly.— On Wednesday last the Tradesmen’s Quadrille Assembly had a very successful night, and dancing was kept up to a late hour. We understand the season will close at the end of this month, and the closing will be celebrated by an invitation ball, to be held on the last Wednesday in August. Accident. —On Wednesday afternoon, a son of Mr. George Kidd, while playing by himself with a saucer in the garden, fell, breaking the saucer as he came down. A corner of one of the pieces punctured the eye of the child, causing a nasty wound, which, it is feared, will cause the boy to lose the sight of the organ. The injuries were attended to bp Dr Ross, but restoration of the sight is considered to be hopeless. 1.0. G. T. —Tinwald. —On Wednesday the following were elected officers of the “Will and the Way” Lodge, 1.0.G.T., Tinwald ;—W.C.T., Bro. D. Teppett ; W.Y.T., Bro. F. Shearer ; W.S. Bro. J. Gudsell ; W.F.S., Bro. C. Hawkins; W.T., Bro. H. J. Jones ; W.C., Bro. R. Reeves; W.M., Bro. H. Bradshaw; W.1.G., Bro. J. Smith ; W.0.G., Bro. J. Corrigan, jun.; W.D.M., Sister Teppett ; W.R.H.S., Sister Mary Sanderson ; W.L.H.S., Bro. Fred. Bradshaw; W.A.S., Bro. W. Hawkins; P.W.C.T., Bro. R. Galloway. The installation takes place next Wednesday.

Cambridge School Committee. —The Cambridge School Committee held their usual monthly meeting last Monday night. Present—Messrs. Megson (in the chair), Lill, Watkins, Grayburn, and Lloyd. The Chairman read correspondence from the Board rc salaries and gymnastic apparatus applied for by the Committee. The master reported that, owing to the wet weather, there was a reduction in the numbers and attendances during July, as compared with the previous month—only 61 per cent, in daily average attendance. This was not considered so satisfactory as the last report. It was evidently owing to the wet weather, but the Committee feel it their duty to urge upon the parents the necessity of sending their children regularly to school. The master in his report intimated that he intended sending a monthly circular to parents, showing the number of attendances of their child ren and the number of times -the school had been opened. The master having complained that the school chimney smoked to such an extent as to compel the fire to be raked out and to drive them all out of doors, it was resolved that the Chairman write to the Board on the matter. On the motion of Mr. Lill, seconded by Mr. Grayburn, it was decided that the school books ar.d materials pur chased by the master from Mr. D. Wil liamson, to the order of the Committee, at the opening of the school, become school property, and that the master render a monthly account of cash re ceived. Several small accounts were passed for payment, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman being accorded, the meeting adjourned to the first Monday in September.

South Rakaia Domain- Board. —The meeting of this Board, which was to have been held on Thursday, lapsed for want of a quorum of members.

Se afield.' —Divine service null be held in the Seafield Schoolroom to-morrow afternoon, at 3 p.m., by either the Epis copal clergyman at Ashburton or a lay reader.

Our Post Office. —During the year 1879 there were issued from the Ashbur ton Post Office 1,C19 money orders, the total value of which was L 5,754 9s. 6d., yielding a commission to Government of L 94 12s. fid. There were paid at the office during the same year 598 money orders, representing a total value of L 2,179 17s. Bd. This amount of business is not equalled by any other office in the Christchurch district, and Lyttelton is considerably under. In fact Ashburton is one of the few country offices in the colony the number of whose money orders runs into four figures. The Ash burton Post Office also makes a very good appearance in the matter of savings bank business. There were 137 accounts opened, and 404 deposits made, amounting in all to L 4,752 2s. 3d., as against 94 accounts closed, 282 withdrawals of money amounting to L 3,471 7s. 3d. In telegraph business there were 8,132 messages of all codes dispatched, representing L 598 14s. fid. Of these 7,373 were private and press messages, and 759 Government tele grams. The value of the Government messages was L 57 7s. 9d., leaving a net yield of L 541 fid. 9d. from the pub lic. There has been a considerable falling off in the telegraphic business and a corresponding increase in the postal work, owing, we presume, to the ideas of economy that the depression in trade has enforced, and which promote the using of a post card for a penny instead of a telegram for a shilling. Things are not driven at high pressure in these days, as they were some months ago, when trade was brisk and money plentiful.

A Waif. — A black flat-bottomed dingy, containing a quantity of provisions and stores, also a pair of boots, has been picked up between Wangaparoa and Tiri tiri.

Destructive Hares. —A nurseryman at Remuera, Auckland province, had 5,000 trees barked this week by two hares. The damage done amounted to L6B. He watched the animals and destroyed them.

A Sketching Club. —The people in Auckland city possessing artistic leanings are forming a Sketching Club, and the Press Association agent in that aristocratic city considers the fact worth telegraphing we don’t.

An Inducement. —A wedding bonnet, to the competing bachelor ploughman who is first married after the match is among the inducements offered to those who com pete at the Winton Ploughing Match. A pair of blankets and a pair of sheets are also among the prizes. Sporting. —We are glad to hear of the Middle Park having been able to replace the loss sustained by them lately by the death of the champion sire of the colonies, Traducer. The company have succeeded in buying King of Clubs in Melbourne, a horse whose breeding and performances are second to none in the colonies. With their new purchase, and the English crack Leolinus, the Middle Park Stud ought to be able to keep a good record up in time to come, and we hope to see that with the assistance of Musket in Auckland, the New Zealand sportsmen will take front rank in racing matters in the colonies.

The Native Prisoners. —The Hinc moa arrived in the roadstead at New Ply mouth on Thursday, shortly after daylight. At 8 a.m. forty-four prisoners were marched down to the beach, and on their ■way became very demonstrative, and in dulged in weird cries and gestures. After they were settled in the boats they bid adieu to their’native shore with loud cries. The usual daily arrest of four Natives took place that morning at the camp. The Natives are fully determined to con tinue fencing, and openly admit that the fencing is not for the purpose of protect ing their crops, but simply for the jun-pose of thwarting the constabulary in taking possession of the confiscated land.

The New West Coast Rush. — A pri vate letter received at Hokitika from Okarito says :—“ The Okarito rush is likely to be all right. Two young fellows named Meares and Fleming, belonging to Ross, struck good gold last Friday, on a low terrace running as straight as an arrow for about five miles alongside the Forks river. Where the road crosses the river there are four parties on payable gold, and about four miles up the creek is where Cunningham and party are work ing. The Chickens party have got gold intermediate between Cunningham’s and the road, which proves that gold has been traced for fully three miles. There is room for hundreds of miners. A steady rush is setting in, and miners are arriving daily overland. Those on the ground seem satisfied with the appearances of the country.”

THE REPRESENTATION BILL.

The Representation Bill has at last been circulated amongst the members of the House of Representatives, and from the summary sent to the newspapers we gather that only nine of the existing districts remain unaltered. These are all North Island districts with the excep tion of the Avon and Totara (Westland) districts. Only one district in the whole eighty-nine, which is the number of electorates proposed under the new Bill, will return two members, and that is the Wanganui district. The existing Coleridge district is proposed to be divided, and the second will be called the Ashburton dis trict. The following are the boundaries of the two :

Coleridge—Bounded on the north-cast by the dividing range between Canterbury and Westland from the source of the River Kakaia to the Teremakau saddle, on the east and north-east by the Cheviot, Ashley, and Avon districts, on the south-east by the Lincoln and Ellesmere districts, on the south-west and south by the right bank of the Kakaia River to the starting point. Ashburton —Bounded on the north-west by the Southern Alps, on the north and north cast by the Coleridge and Ellesmere districts, on the south-east by the sen, on the south-west by the Rangitata and Clyde River to its source n the Southern Alps. The Maori representation is not in tended to be interfered with, and it is provided that if necessary the Governor may issue writs for a new Parliament without reference to this Act, if the new rolls have not yet been formed, and in such case the election is to be held under the rolls then in force. The following are new or altered districts as per schedule : Rodney, Waitemata, Auckland North, Auckland South, Parnell, Grafton, New ton, Onehunga, Franklin North, Frank lin South, Thames, Coromandel, Waikato, Waipa, Eal Coast, Napier, Hawkes’ Bay, Waipawa, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Mana watu, Wellington Country, Wairarapa North, Wairarapa South, Thorndon, Te Aro, Wellington South, Picton, Nelson East, Nelson West, Motueka, Waimea, Wairau, Buller, Reefton, Greymouth, Cheviot, Kuniara, Hokitika, Ashley, Kaiapoi, Christchurch Suburbs, Syden ham, Christchurch North, Christchurch South, Heathcote, Lyttelton * Akaroa, Lincoln, Ellesmere, Coleridge, Ashburton, Geraldine, Timaru, Seadown, Gladstone, Waitaki, Oamaru, Moeraki, Waikouaiti, Port Chalmers, Roslyn, Dunedin West, Dunedin East, Dunedin Central, Dunedin South, Oaversham North, Taieri, South Taieri, Mount Ida, Bruce, Tuapeka, Vin cent, Wakatipu, Clutha, Mataura, Awa rua, Invercargill, Riverton, Wallace.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Before the Resident Magistrate yester day, Isabella Craig Perry was accused of attempting to commit suicide by taking chlorodyne. Thomas Stephens, sworn, said —I am a cab driver, residing in Ashburton. Re-

member last Tuesday. Know the accused by the name of “ Bella.” Know a house called the “lean-to it is a house of ill fame. Brought the accused from the lean-to between six and seven to Mrs. Harper’s ; thence to the Royal hotel; and then to Mr. Neate’s. the chemist. She asked mo to get her two bottles of chlorodyne as she was sick. She gave me money to give to Mi’. Noate. Mr. Neate gave mo a parcel containing two bottles. Mr. Neate asked me what it was for. I told him it was for my brother, who was not well. I gave the bottles to accused. I then drove her back to the lean-to, and left her there. I. believe accused was sober. Did not see accused after.

By accused—You were quite sober when you were in my cab. While in the cab you had one glass of porter. Charles Neate, sworn—l am a chemist, residing in Ashburton. Remember last Tuesday evening. On that occasion, the last witness came to my shop about six o’clock, and purchased two small! bottles of chlorodyne, the size of those produced. He said they were for his brother. Chlorodyne is a sedative ; ten to thirty minims is a dose. Thirty minims is a full dose. Chlorodyne contains ether, prussic acid, chloroform, morphia, Indian hemp, and treacle. The two bottles would con tain about 240 minims. Being a power ful sedative, taking the two bottles, I should think, would cause death. Chloro dyne is largely used in the colony, and there is nothing unusual in selling two bottles at a time. Death has resulted, from my own knowledge, from overdoses of chlorodyne. When last witness came for the chlorodyne he had no paper. Did not know there was a cab outside my shop, and did not see the accused. William Graham Ross, sworn, said —I am a medical practitioner, residing in Ashburton. Remember a young woman coming for me about seven o’clock on the evening of the 3rd August. At her re quest, 1 went to the house known as,the “lean-to.” It was about quarter-past seven when I got there. Saw the accused there in bed. She was very drowsy, and her breath had the odour of cliloi’odyne. Her pulse was slow, and the pupils of her eye were contracted. From what I had been told, and from the symptoms, I judged she had taken chlorodyne. Accused admitted taking chlorodyne. I gave her an emetic, which operated in a very short time. I kept her walking about for some time as she was very drowsy, and as she continued so, I had her removed to the Hospital. Gave instructions there that she should be kept awake for the night. Saw accused yesterday, and gave her her discharge cured. Previous to going up to see the accused, I sent the young woman to the chemist to procure an emetic which she was to give to the accused. When I arrived, I found that the emetic had not been taken. I had some difficulty in get ting her to take the emetic, but on threatening to use the stomach pump if she still refused, she took the emetic. 1 gave it several times, and she did not re fuse again. When I arrived, accused had not taken the chlorodyne sufficiently long to produce dangerous symptoms. Ad ministration of the emetics was in suffi cient time to prevent fatal results. Taking two bottles of chlorodyne is certainly dangerous to life. Accused was not under the influence of drink.

Ellen Moore, sworn—l reside at the house called the “lean-to,” with the ac cused. On Tuesday evening remember accused going away in a cab, and i’eturn ing between seven and eight o’clock. She was nearly an hour away. When she came back she asked me to take her things off and put her to bed. I did so. There was a tumbler on the table in the bed room, and on going out I was about to take it with me, but she asked me to leave it. I then went into the kitchen, and in about ten minutes she called me back. Accused told me she had taken the “stuff, and that it was poison. ” She told me at the hospital yesterday that she had taken the chlorodyne in water. On returning to the bedroom, the tumbler was on the table, and it smelt of chlorodyne. When I went into the kitchen I left Polly Wady in the bedroom. Polly came into the kitchen afterwards, and left the accused alone. When accused told mo she had taken the poison I went for Dr. Ross. He gave me a prescription to get an emetic. 1 got two from Mr. Neate, the chemist. Tried to give Bella one of them, hut she upset it, and said she did not want to take it, as she would soon be all right. About five minutes afterwards Dr. Ross came. He tried to give her the emetic, but she re fused, saying there was nothing the matter with her. Dr. Ross told her if she refused to take the emetic, he had some men there who would help hun to use the stomach pump. When she first saw the doctor, accused said I ought not to have gone for him, as there was nothing the matter with her. Yvffien accused asked me to undress her she was a little tipsy. Don’t know that there was anything the matter with her. We were in Christchurch together on Monday. Saw two little empty bottles on Bella’s dressing-table. Gave them to Constable Neill yesterday. Have known the accused for twelve months. Don’t know that she has had any trouble, or anything that would induce her to take her life. We are good friends. Do not know that accused was taking chlorodyne before. By accused—When I offered you the emetic you said you was all right, not that you would soon be all right. Mary Wadey corroborated the evidence of last witness.

By accused—Do not know whether you upset the glass on purpose. Constable Neill sworn—l arrested the prisoner last night at about ten o’clock in a house known by the name of the “ lean to.” Was told she was in bed. She came out to me, and I read the warrant to her. She asked who laid the informa tion. I told her I did not know. She said she was not fool enough to poison herself , that those who laid the informa tion did not know anything about it, as it was a medicine. She said that at the time she took it she was drunk, and did not know what she was doing ; it was a mistake. We came from the “lean-to” to the station in a cab, and Nelly Moore came along with us. Accused said to Nelly Moore, “The Harper’s should not have known anything about it ; they are sure to make something of it.” Went back to the “lean-to” about midnight, and in a room which I was told was prisoner’s bedroom, the Iwo bottles pro duced were found.

After being duly cautioned, the accused said she had taken chlorodyne as a medi cine before. At the time she took it on Tuesday, she was a little the worse for liquor. She had no wish whatever to poison herself. His Worship committed the prisoner for trial at the next criminal sessions to be held at Christchurch. Bail would be allowed, the accused in a bond of L2OO, and two sureties of LIOO each.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Fail)ay, Aug. 6.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) BREACH OF RAILWAY BY-LAWS. Herman Morris was fined ss. for unlaw fully trespassing on the railway line, con trary to the Railway By-laws. THE BOROUGH BY-LAWS. For leaving a horse and cart unattended, contrary to the provisions of the Borough By-laws, Richard Trigg was fined ss. RESCUING IMPOUNDED CATTLE. Thomas Corbett a lad of ten years old, was charged, on the information of Thomas Wilson, with unlawfully rescuing fifteen head of cattle which had been lawfully seized by the said Thomas Wilson, for the purpose of being impounded. Mr. Pur nell for the prosecution ; Mr. Ireland for the defence. Thomas Wilson, sworn, said he was a farmer at Wakanui. Knew the defen dant’s father, whose property adjoined that of witness. For the last two years had been annoyed by Corbett’s cattle getting on to the public road, and getting into witness’ crops. Corbett has a great number of cattle —more than he has feed for. Have tried on three occasions to im pound the cattle, but have not been able to. On Sunday last tried to impound the cattle. They were about twenty chains from Corbett’s house, on the public road. Took possession of the cattle for the pur pose of impounding them. While driving them along the road, the defendant came up with a dog, and he called out to the dog to bail the cattle up. I told him I was going to pnt them in the pound. The lad used some foul .language in reply. I told him I would get the police to him. Made a rush towards the cattle, and the boy turned round, and said I would catch it for striking him with the stick. I had not struck him. I had not a stick in my hand, but a bit of fencing wire. The dog con tinued to drive the cattle away, and having a slow horse I had to allow the boy to take possession of the cattle. The dog scattered the animals in such a way that it ivould have been impossible for me to get them together. There were about fifteen head of cattle. The lad and his sister are often in charge of the cattle. The lad was about twenty chains away when I com menced to drive the cattle, and then the boy came up. On a former occasion, the defendant and his sister took the cattle from me. When I went to drive the cattle on Sunday last, there were two men apparently ready to assist the boy if he had not been able to take possession of the animals.

By Mr. Ireland —I do not know that these men were coming towards me to prevent me from thrashing the defendant. The cattle were in one mob when I first came across them. They Were going in the opposite direction to Corbett’s house. 1 drove them about four chains before the dog commenced to drive them. Did not gather any more cattle while driving the others along the road. The dog was about a chain in advance of the lad. Do not know that I was being watched. Went after the boy, but did not try to thrash him, nor did I threaten to do so. The boy did not dodge 'me in the flax. Mr. Corbett and I are not on the best of terms, in consequence of his cattle coming on to my land constantly. I have only one cow and two calves, but they have not got on Corbett’s land re cently. James Chambers, sworn, said he re membered the Ist August. Was at Cor bett’s on that day. Saw Mr. Wilson pass going to church. He was riding a horse. There were a few of Mr. Corbett’s calves crossing the road from one paddock to another. There were five in the road and two in a paddock. Wilson commenced to drive the cattle, and turned back and took the two others with him. He also went on Corbett’s ground to try and got other cattle to join the mob, but he could not get thorn, as they were amongst the flax. Corbett has a dog. The lad went down the road to see what Wilson was doing with the cattle, and the dog followed him. Tlio defendant did not set the dog on the cattle. The dog is in the habit of running after the cattle in case they go on to the road. The dog is kept principally on purpose to guard the cattle. When Wilson could not get the cattle, he went after the boy to try and strike him with a piece of wire, and I went towards the lad, as he was crying. By Mr. Purnell—l am in Mr. Corbett’s employ. At the time, I was sitting by a stack. Had no conversation with the boy before he went after the cattle. When he came hack the boy said lie had been down to see what Wilson had been doing, and that Wilson threatened to kill him. Do not know that the boy and his sister had attempted to take the cattle from Wilson before. Have only been in Corbett’s employ for a fortnight. I was about three chains away when Wilson took possession of the cattle. The dog was not there when Wilson took possession of them. Thomas Allison corrobrated the evi dence of the former witness.

Examined by Mr. Purnell—Cannot say why Mr. Wilson abandoned the cattle. Have been in Mr. Corbett’s employ since 2Gth July. Have frequently seen the dog go after the cattle. Could not hear what was said between the boy and Mr. Wil son. Did not know Mr. Wilson, and did not know what he was going to do with the cattle. The boy was a chain or two away when he went to Mr. Wilson. By the Bench—ln taking the cattle to the pound, Mr. Wilson would have to pass the church.

Mr. Ireland wished to put the defend ant in tlie witness-box, but the boy’s father objected. Thomas Corbett, sworn, said that the defendant would bo eleven years of age next September. He had been educated, and at times had been taught the Scrip tures.

It being considered unnecessary to put the defendant in the witness-box, Mr. Ireland addressed the Bench, and argued that the action was merely brought out of illfeeling between the parties. After Mr. Purnell had replied, his Wor ship said that the evidence of the two witnesses for the defence had been very straightforward, and was opposite to that of the complainant. They lad said there were only five cattle, the prosecutor said there were fifteen. The prosecutor had said there were high words used by the lad, the defendant’s witnesses hod said they had heard no words used. Con sidering there was a doubt in the matter, he would give the defendant the benefit of it, and dismiss the case. On the application of Mr. Parnell, his Worship cautioned the lad that he was running a great risk if, at any time, he tried to rescue cattle which any one had in their possession, although he might have an interest in them. CIVIL CASES. Friediander Bros. v. Hamilton. - Claim L 42 135., balance of account. Mr. Pur nell for plaintiffs. Judgment for plaintiffs with costs, L 3 3s.

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held on Thurs day, at the Board’s office. Present— Messrs. Brown, Hunt, Friediander, and Earle. In the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Winter, Mr. Brown was voted to the chair. THE ILLEGAL BOLL. Mr. E. G. Wright wrote, forwarding the following memorandum from the Solicitor-General : “ I think the making of the declaration of the valuer under Section 5 of the Rating Act, 1876, entirely a matter of form, so much so, indeed, that I do not think that, even if the question were raised, its absence would be held fatal to the recovery of the rate. The taking of this declaration is especially a matter of direction only, and in a like case in England the Court of Queen’s Bench held that the omission of certain statements and particulais relating to the persons and property rated would not affect the validity of the rate (see Regina v, Fordham, n, A. and E., 73)- but, while this is my opinion, I doubt very much if Section 63 of the Rating Act allows this pro ceeding to be cured. in that section per mission is made that if the local body or the Assessment Court fails to do anything in the prescribed time, the Governor may, by Order in-Counci], extend the time, and may, by any such Order-in-Council, validate anything irregularly done in the matter of form. Clearly this latter pait of the clause refers to irregu larities by the local body or Court. 1 he valuer does not come within the sweep of this section, and his acts or defaults cannot be affected or cured under this section. Probably the local body would have been better advised to let things alone, and keep the know ledge of the omission to itself. This rather illustrates some remarks I made lately in another matter as to the carelessness of local bodies generally. Here, in the most important matter affecting the Io;al revenue of this Road Board, it is stated by the Chairman of the Board that the valuation list was “exe cuted in a careless and irregular manner, .and unfit for the purpose it is intended for,” and then the Governor is expected, by some magical process, to put all these irregularities into proper shape ! “W. S. Reid.” Mr. Friediander thought that the stric tures of the Solicitor-General were un called for, as he should have put the blame on the proper parties. He was of opinion, however, that, considering the satisfac tory position of the Board, and as it was doubtful whether the money would be required during the next year, they should not strike any rate. He felt that if there was any blame necessary it was on the County Council for appointing an in efficient valuer. He would move that the discussion of the matter he deferred. Mr. Earle said that the gentleman who had undertaken the duties of valuer had twice valued the City of Christchurch. Mr. Friediander—lf he made such a job of it as he has done with this district, it was not much to his credit. Mr. Earle said there had been no complaints of his work in Christchurch. It was resolved that the matter stand over. A BRIDGE W ANTED. Mr. Butterick wrote, asking the Board to supply him with timber necessary for the erection of a bridge across the drain which prevents access to section 14941. Mr. Friediander thought that if, in cut ting drains, the Board interfered with the traffic of x’atepayers by such works they should certainly give them access to their property. Mr. Earle submitted that if they com menced to grant such requests, they would have endless applications. The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer. GRAVEL RESERVES. Mr. Marsh man wrote, informing the Board that the gravel reserves in the County of Ashburton were vested in the County Council. Mr. Winter hero took the chair. FOR VALUE NOT RECEIVED. Mr. F. Mainwaring, Clerk to the County Council, wrote asking for a cheque forL2o Bs. 7d., being the Board’s share of cost of compiling the valuation roll. Mr. Friediander moved—“ That, con sidering the careless and irregular way the rate roll has been prepared, and further, that in consequence of the Judge of the Assessment Court having neglected to inquire if the valuator has complied with the most important clause of the Rating Act, namely, if the valuer has made the necessary declaration, and in consequence of which neglect the Wakanui Road Board is prevented from striking a rate during the current year, this Board begs to ask the Council not to make the charge against them for their share of the cost of the Countv’s liability to the contractor.” In moving the resolution, he said he thought the Board should express its opinion of the way the rate roll had been prepared, and the action of the Judge of the Assessment Court. He also considered Government should be requested to appoint a gentleman as Judge of the Assessment Court who was somewhat acquainted with the district. With refer ence to the memo, of the Solicitor-General ho felt the irregularity was not so much that of the valuer as that of the Judge in not asking whether the declaration had been made. Mr. Hunt seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. THE WAKANUI . ROAD. Mr. Moffatt interviewed the Board, re questing that the Wakanui road be formed the whole width. He had a deal of traffic on it, and the work was absolutely neces sary. ft was resolved to repair the present road, and the matter of the entire forma tion to he held over for the present. AN OBSTRUCTED WATERCOURSE. Mr. Leadhy waited on the Board to complain that his property was frequently Hooded through the fence of a neighbor obstructing the watercourse. It was resolved that a letter be sent to Mr. Fitzgerald, asking him to remove the obstruction. DEFAULTING RATEPAYERS. Mr. Wilkie, the rate-collector, inter viewed the Board for instructions regard ing the liability of the owners of property in case of the default of the occupier. A letter was read from Messrs. Branson and Parnell, in which they advised the Board as to the liability of the owner to pay the rates after default by the occupier, and, after a long discussion, it was re solved to at once sue the owners for rates due. surveyor’s report. The Surveyor’s report was read as fol lows : —We have the honor to report on the following works in progress, &c. ; Scofield road, part formation, etc.—The contractor for this work has satisfactorily completed his contract. Beach road. —The contract for metal ling from the finger-post to the Wakanui school has been completed. Maintenance of roads. —The contractor for this work has been engaged in repair ing, filling in ruts, etc., on roads requir ing attention. Corbett’s road. —Acting under instruc tions given at last meeting we have let a contract for making small drain along por tion'of Corbett’s road ; also, putting in cul vert, and making outfall for drain. There is a place opposite Mr, Corbeti’s house where water stands on the road after heavy rainfalls. Mr. Corbett agrees to put a culvert in, 011 the Board finding the timber, etc. Pipes in Suburban road. —About 300 pipes, seventy per cent, of which are in order, have been taken out and stacked in the yard, at a cost of L 3 os. Suburban roads. —We have employed a man to rake in ruts on these roads. Timber. —We have procured timber for making five bridges over Loadley’s and Butterick’s drain. Concrete falls, Leadloy’s and Butterick’s drain.—The contractor is making progress with this work. During the last heavy

rain a portion of one of the falls got con siderably damaged before completion. : Bridge over Mill road. —One or two planks on this bridge having been broken, we have had new ones put in. The bridge will before long require redecking. Culvert in Cochrane’s road. —Some pipes in the culvert have been smashed, and we have had new ones put in their place. Certificates for -work done will be laid before you. Fooks & Son, Surveyors to the Board. Corbett’s road. It was resolved to leave the matter of a culvert on Corbett’s road in the hands of Mr. Brown and the surveyor. ACCOUNTS were then passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

SOUTH RAKAIA ROAD BOARD.

The Board held its usual monthly meet ing on Thursday, sth instant. Present — Messrs. C. N. Mackie (Chairman), D. G. Holmes, E. S- Coster, and W. Allan. The Clerk’s report was read and re ceived.

The Chairman stated that ho had re ceived the following tenders, which had been recommended by the township Works Committee:—Wm. Doherty—form ing part of Bowen street, 12s. per chain ; Charles Lake—metalling part of Bowen and Chapman streets, Is. 9d. per yard ; J. Leask —sinking a well, 3s. per foot; and that all the works have been com pleted. The Chairman’s action was ap proved. A petition was received from twenty four residents in the township and neigh borhood, asking the Board to put in hand some work for their employment during the winter, as they have been a long time out of employment.

It was resolved that the Clerk write to Mr. Shannon, whose name appears at the head of the list of signatures, informing him that the Board will put in hand the following works for the benefit of the local unemployed :— Forming Jones’ road, breaking stones on River Road and Thompson’s Track, and thinning the plan tation. The different works to be let in sections.

It was resolved that the Chairman and Messrs. Costur, Holmes, aud Allan be ap pointed a Committee to visit the localities and fix the price to be given for the work, the Committee to meet on Thursday, 12th inst. It was resolved to invite tenders for metalling about twenty chains of the road from South road to Thomson’s track, the tenders to be considered on the 12th inst.

A letter was read from the Mount Hutt Road Board enclosing a resolution passed at a meeting held there on the 15th ultimo, re the Ashburton Waterworks Bill. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Bill having passed the House, no action could be taken in the matter. A circular was received from the Colonial Secretary at Wellington, asking the Board to proceed with such local works as the Board may be able to put in hand, with a view to relieving the ex isting depression in the labor market. It was resolved to reply to the Colonial Secretary that the Board is doing all it can to find work for the local unemployed. A letter was received from Harper, Harper, and Scott, informing the Board that Mr. John Maclean has executed the transfer of one acre of land for a gravel pit. J. Beard wrote to the Board with refer ence to an account due by the Board to Lake and Beard. It was resolved to let the account stand over till next meeting.

Accounts to the amount of L 244 3s. Bd. were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

THE KYEBURN TRAGEDY.

further details. Dunedin, Aug. 5. Further particulars with regard to the Kyeburn murder state that the outrage seems to have been committed early on Wednesday morning. The door of the house was burst open by large stones and knocked off its hinges. Three stones found inside the house are from 301bs to 501bs in weight. Two of them are; covered with blood. A Chinaman, who was occasionally employed by the de ceased, was the first to give the alarm. Deceased appears to have been able to speak at this time, and asked him to go for assistance. On the neighbors arriving she was asked who did it, whether a Chinaman or European, and she led them to understand that it was a Chinaman, but at this time it is uncertain whether she was unconscious or not. A messenger was sent to Naseby for medical aid, and Sergeant Morton, accompanied by a con stable and Dr. Whitton, immediately left for the scene. The house was found to have been ransacked, and the deceased in her night dress was lying on a mattress on the floor. She had been lifted from her bed. A serious wound was discovered on the left aide of her head, several of her ribs were smashed in and her collar bone was broken. A hay fork was found near the house. No money or valuables appear to have been taken away. Over LIOOO in deposit receipts and L4O in cash •were discovered. The object of the murderer was evidently to plunder, and although all likely places were turned out the murderer missed it, as it was kept in a place in the kitchen known to de ceased alone. Mrs. Young died from the injuries received at about 1.30 p.m. yesterday. She was universally respected, was kind and obliging, and she contemp lated returning to Scotland very soon.

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(By Telegraph from our own Correspon dent.) Wellington, Aug. 6. The House sat until 3 o’clock this morning. There was a scene of undigni fied disorder, and a waste of public time and money. At an early part of the evening the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill passed its second reading by a majority of 44 to 14 ; but in Committee it was stonewalled by a few choice spirits, who, professing the most fastidious sanctimony on the subject enter tained the House with ribald jokes, and imputations of foul motives for more than six hours. The chief performers were Messrs. Wallis, Seddon, Lundon, and Turnbull. This morning’s sitting was again very successful, and a good deal of progress was made with business, in the absence of the usual gallery audience. The Crown Grants Act Amendment Bill was passed, and the Counties Act Amendment Bill received a good many amendments and additions, which are to be again considered on Monday. The House was very thin, but there is no doubt that the morning sitting is favorable to the progress of busi ness.

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Last night the Hon. Richard Oliver, the Minister for Public Works, delivered

the usual Public Works Statement to the House of Representatives. After stating his intention of being as concise as pos sible, and in view of full reports by the various heads of departments being printed along with his statement, as well as copious tables and maps, the hon. gentleman said he would refrain from wearying the House with details while he showed what progress had been made in railway construction during the seven months that had elapsed since the delivery of his last Statement. Beginning then at : / the moat northerly point in the North Island where railway works are in pro- .... gres, he gave a clear account of the state of advancement of each work in the North Island. Coming on to the Middle Island he commenced with the Nelson-Greymouth line. Nelson City had been connected during the year with the port by a short line, and three miles had been added to the Nelson-Foxhill line. At the Grey mouth end, the Stillwater creek contract, an extension of the Brunnerton railway, had been found to be very costly the con tract price of only sixty-three chains having been L 12,234 for formation only. The Grey mouth harbor work had been delayed awaiting the report of Sir John Goode, which arrived in March. That report ap proved of the work which had already been done, which was intended to aid the development of the Grey coal industry. Some small contracts on the Greymouth- Hokitika line were either completed or nearly so, and no new works there would be begun this year. After stating that the last mile-and-a-quarternf the line re quired to connect Picton with Blenheim had been completed, and the Blenheim station buildings put in hand, the hon.-- gentleman went on to refer as follows to the Hurunui-Waitaki railway, with branches, “The new works on the main line from Hurunui to Waitaki are the Waipara con tract, extending from Amberley to the Waipara river, and the Weka Pass section, nine miles long—a continuation of the line through the Pass to the Wai kari and Hurunui Plains. The latter section was reserved from contract in order to provide work for the unemployed, of Christchurch.” After referring to the completion of the Springfield cutting in February last, and the formation contract on the Little River and Akaroa branch, he noticed the open ing of the Ashburton branch, on the 7th : of April last, when the first ten and three quarter miles became available. The bridge on the Gpawa branch had been completed by contract, and the remainder ' of the work on the line had been reserved for giving work to the unemployed in the neighborhood. THE UNEMPLOYED, After a short reference to lines further south, Mr. Oliver reverts to the question of the unemployed :—“ The great depression from which nearly all our industries have suffered lately has thrown many workmen out' of employment, and the Govern ment have been called on to alleviate the consequent distress by finding work for them on the railways and roads which ' are in course of construction. We have thought it our duty to comply with these requests, and I am sorry to say that n 0.,, less a number than 1674 of these men are

now being employed at low wages in various parts of the colony. Although it is to be deplored that in a country of such great natural resources as New Zealand, this state of things should exist, yet it is by no means a new experience in the his tory of the colony. At various times dur ing the last twenty years the authorities

have found it necessary to afford similar temporary employment; but, fortunately the need for the interference of the Government has in every case soon passed away, and has been succeeded by a large demand for labor in the ordinary industries of the country at the highest rate of wages known in any, part of the world. I believe, Sir, that hon. members will agree with me in thinking that this season of depression wiU alao pass away, and give place to a period of prosperity not inferior to that which we have until lately enjoyed. The disorgan isation of the labor market is already ' -beginning to find its own remedy by bring in to existence new industries in the chief centres of population, and developing the self-reliant spirit of our working classes. There are also the most encouraging in* dications of a revival of the goldfields industry which may be of the greatest value to the colony at large. Meantime, it is satisfactory to find that though many of the men thus employed by us are-'- engaged in work to which they are unac customed, yet, from their labor, the colony has obtained a fair equivalent for the but* lay. . . ' GENERAL PROGRESS IN RAILWAY CONSTHUO ■ TXON. ■ .1 “The sums voted by Parliament for ad ditional railway works in the last session, exclusive of preliminary surveys for lines >, not yet authorised, amounted L 2,308,700. On the 31st March L 856,550 of this sum - - had been expended, and liabilities in curred amounting to L 910,506 —making a total of L 2,767,056, leaving, an unexpended balance on last year’s votes of L 541,644. - Recognising the necessity’for spreading the • expenditure of the remaining public works fund over a period of at least the next three years, and believing that, . as some of the railway works had been adopted in times of great prosperity, Par liament would not disapprove,: in our changed circumstances, of having an •; opportunity afforded of reconsidering them, I have not been in haste to press on the construction of new works. In fact, only one new section of railway has j been commenced since the end of last session. Many new sections were ; got >, ready for contract, and in some instances ’; * tenders were invited and received, but the grave considerations connected with a failing revenue, and an increased deficit from our finished railways, could not he • evaded, and obliged us to defer the ac ceptance of some of these tenders so that , time might be given for re-examining pur, future railway policy. ” ROADS. The Statement then goes on to deal with tlfe expenditure of the. votes for roads. In the North Island this has been mainly left to the local bodies, while the mainlines of road under the charge fthe Government have been maintained as usual. “ The road works instituted on the West Coast, between Waingongora and Stoney rivers, crossing the Waimate Plains, have been carried on very satis- f factorily, and the two sections of the | roads will probably meet in a few days. ' The character of the country is, very favorable, no natural obstacles -, having , . been met. The cross road from Stratford . to Opunake through the bush is also being. made. The amount expended on roadsT and bridges in the South Island during * the past year is very small, and no new works of importance have been under taken. ” : . A COLONIST OF THE EIGHT SORT. Mr. Oliver apologised for noticing the work of snagging the Thames river by saying—“ Although not such a public work as is usually referred to in a State ment of this kind, I cannot refrain from mentioning the self-reliant and public- , spirited efforts made by Mr. Birth, Mata mata, to remove the snags from the River Thames' at his own cost; In these days, when colonists are too much in the habit of looking to the Government for almost everything, it is refreshing to see a public work useful to the community -begun, *. carried oil, and finished by a private person, without application having been . made to the Government for- aid from the funds of the colony.”

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1880.



■T. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best f lb I 0 to I 3 Eggs, f dozen I 0 to I 2 Cheese, prime quality, f lb O 6 to 0 8 Bacon, prime smoked, lb O 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, lb 1 2 to 0 0 Flour in bags, xoolb 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal, f 25® 4 6 to . 0 0 Lard, f ib - 0 7 to 0 0



The Prince Imperial’s Monument. The proposal to erect the memorial to the Prince Imperial at Westminster Abbey has been abandoned consequent upon the pronounced disapproval of the House of Commons. Her Majesty the Queen, how ever, has sanctioned the establishment of the memorial at Windsor, her consent being given on the ground that the Prince was killed whilst fighting under the Eng lish flag, and also as a token of personal esteem, and friendship for the afflicted mother, the Empress Eugenie.



Teachers’ Salaries. — At a meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education on Wednesday, the following schedule of reductions in teachers’ salaries, etc., was agreed to, in consequence of the reducj tion in the education vote. Salaries under LOO to be exempted from reduction ; over LSO and under LIOO reduced 7 per cent. ; over LIOO and under Ll5O, 8 per cent. ; Ll5O to L2OO, 9 per cent. ; L2OO to L 250, 10 per cent. ; L 250 to L3OO, 11 per cent. ; L3OO to L 350 12 per cent. The bonus to masters for successfully passing pupil teachers is to be reduced 50 per cent. ; payment for instruction of single pupil teachers to be reduced 25 per cent. ; inspector’s salary to be reduced 12 per cent. ; incidental grants to school com mittees to be reduced by 33 per cent.



Bauoness Btjrdett Coutts. The Baroness Burdett Coutts has published a denial of the statement made in the press of her intended marriage with Ashmed Bartlett, the member for Eye, which is considered a hoax. Rebellion at the Cate.— -Intelligence has been received from the Cape that the disaffection caused amongst the Basuto tribes by the determination of the Cape Government to enforce the surrender of arms has resulted in an open rebellion of the natives. Letsie one of the principal chiefs, has advised his people to give up their guns, but his example has not been generally followed. Prompt measures have been taken for the suppression of the'outbreak.