COMMERCIAL.

The following is the report for the week ending Friday, May 21, of the Christ church Corn Exchange : The state of the market for all classes of produce has in no way altered during the week that has elapsed. Recent ad vices from Home have not given buyers more exalted views as to the value of wheat. The price is barely so good as before. Good quality, and in large lines, will still command the price ruling a week ago. Inferior parcels do not meet with much attention. Barley buyers are still reticent and fastidious ; nothing but the best samples are meeting with any at tention, and even these are looked for at prices totally incompatible with the pro fitable production of the cereal. Oats are also at such a price that prod veers do not care to send them to market for the money offered, while potatoes are not meeting with the demand that was antici pated, consequently prices are very low. The weather, for the general requirements of the country, continues to be all that can be desired. Threshing operations are being steadily proceeded with, and large quantities of grain continue to be shipped for Great Britain. Wheat—Good, sound milling samples in large lines, fit for shipment, will meet with buyers at 3s. 6d., f. o.b. in Lyttelton. Seed parcels—i.e., true to name—well grown and clean, are worth 4s. to 4s. 3d. per bushel. Chick wheat is still in large supply, with inquiry hardly so good, and is not saleable at over 2s. 2d. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. Oats —Small parcels are looking for buyers at from Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. per bushel, but buyers are not eager. In ferior and feed samples will not command over Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. per bushel. Barley —Barley still continues to bo largely offered, the quality as a rule is in different, and is simply unsaleable, while good samples are going begging at ridicu lously low prices without meeting with purchasers. Little or no business is doing. Fair to good malting samples range from 2s. to 3s. 4d. per bushel. Feed quality has receded to Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. per bushel, with a dull market. Potatoes. —Only small sales are re ported. Buyers appear to be operating with great caution. Producers are in many instances equally unwilling to do business at the prices offered, and are pitting in anticipation of better things to come. Sales have taken place at 255. to 2Gs. per ton (at the Styx and Papanui Railway stations), sacks extra. Grass Seed.—The market for this class of produce has not experienced any change, prices remaining at last week’s quotations —2s. 6d. to 2s. lOd. per bushel; cocks foot, 2d. to 2AI. per lb. Cheese and Butter. —The former is in good supply, with the demand slack, at4d. to 4|d. per lb. The latter, for prime quality, the demand is fair, at BJd. to 9d. per lb., while medium to inferior is un saleable. (by telegraph.) Dunedin, May 21. Prime beef, 225. 6d. to 235. per 1001 b.; mutton, 2d. per lb.; good sample mill wheat, 3s. lOd. to 4s. per bushel ; fowls wheat, 3s. to 3s. 3d.; oats, per bushel, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.; malt barley, 3s. lOd. to 4s. 4d. per bushel.; feed, 2s. Gd. to 3s. per bushel; potatoes, L2 10s.; old hay, L 4 per ton ; new oaten hay, L 3 ; chaff, L 3 per ton ; straw, L2 per ton ; bran, L 3 per ton ; pollard, L 4 per ton ; flour, LlO ss. to LlO 10s. per ton, large sacks ; oatmeal, L 9 10s. per ton ; pearl barley, LlB per ton ; onions, 7s. per cwt.; new cheese, 5d per lb.; bacon, rolled, lOd- per lb.; hams, Is. per lb.; sides bacon, lid. per lb. ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best V? Ib 010 to I o Eggs, 1? dozen - - lio to 20 Cheese, prime quality, t? lb o 6J4 to 09 Bacon, prime smoked, Ulb o o to o o Hams Id cloth, tMb - o o to o o Flour in bags, t? loolb 14 o to 00 Oatmeal, # 251 b - 5 o to o o Lard, t? lb - - - o 9 to o o

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at tlie Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a. m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 9 a. in. and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at G a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. Fr*m Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a.m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.00 p.m. The outward mails for the United Kingdom via San Francisco, will close at the Ashburton Post Office, on Saturday, the 22nd inst., at 9 a.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under;— The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on June 3rd, and will be due in London on July 24th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

AUCTION SALES.

This Day. Alfred Harrison —At liis rooms, Steeple chase privileges. Sale at 2 o’clock. Tuesday', May 25. Mr. J. L. Wilson, near to the Chertsey Railway Station—Sale of stock and im plements. Sale at 12 noon. Wednesday, May' 2G. Alfred Harrison—On the premises, at the corner of Tancred street. Furniture and effects of S. J. Zander. Sale at 12 o’clock. Thursday, Mat 27. Alfred Harrison, at the Winslow Rail way Station—4o,ooo feet of Building Timber. Sale at 11 o’clock sharp. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at their Rooms, East street—62o acres of Land at Seafield. Friday, May 28. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at the home stead of D. Hoare, Esq., Alford Forest —Farm Stock and Implements. Sale at 12 o’clock. Tuesday, June 1. J. E. Buchanan & C 0.—33 building allot ments.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1880.

The speech of the Premier at Leeston on Thursday was one of his best efforts ; and in it he has given some hard raps to Sir George Grey, called forth by that orator’s wild gush at Christchurch. But the Premier’s speech is most valuable at the present moment for the statements he makes respecting the colony’s financial position, and for the hints he gives re garding the legislation of the ensuing session. With a constantly receding revenue staring the colony in the face — an income that is falling more and more below the expenditure—it is imperative that economy, and that of the most stringent kind, should be practised. With this in the abstract, as the Premier says, everyone is prepared to agree ; but let Government put forth its hand against the pet public work of any particular district —let it withdraw v.he tenders for this railway that it cannot afford to con struct, or that post office that it cannot afford to build, —and the people are in arms at once. In public meeting assembled they will tell their representa tives that unless Government are prepared to spend money on these promised works —promised at a time when there was money in the chest, and when empty coffers were not anticipated yet awhile— support must be withdrawn and given to the party that is prepared to spend money in the way wanted. Yet those same districts, clamant for public works, are usually the first to cry out against what they are pleased to call extravagance, and the term to them has only one meaning—money spent outside their own boundaries. Cut down your expenditure you must, say they. But you must spend public money in our dis trict. It is against this sort of opposition that any New Zealand Government has to fight, and with clamorous demands for ex penditure meeting them at every step, and threats of withdrawal of support it these demands are not acceded to, there is great temptation to sell promises that Government know they can only fulfil when the colony is wealthy enough to afford the works promised, as a luxury. And we all know that that time is yet in the far distant future. It was, we believe, as a countercheck to this system of ter rorism that the Royal Commissions, that have been so much the causa of wit in Opposition newspapers, were sent fossick ing over the country. The personnel of these Commissions have been decried as the worst that could possibly have been chosen for the work. But we fancy the various deputations who, in the several districts visited by the Railway Commis sion, interviewed the gentlemen compos ing it, will tell a very different tale when they relate how all the weak points of their claims for attention were laid bare— not by sharp and clever argument, not by pointed declamation, but simply by a practical catechism that led up to whether or not a colonial benefit or a remunerative traffic would i-esult from the outlay in volved in the making of a railway. And just as we know what that Commission is made of, so are we able to judge of how de putations have been .analysed and the poor cases they have made out, when we hear the Railway Commission sneered at, taunted with being an evidence of the Hall Government’s extravagance, and its tendency to appoint, to make investiga tions, only its own suborned supporters. This Commission, having practically ex amined the whole new-railway question ; and the Civil Service Commission, having poked its nose into every Government office ; will report to Parliament the state of matters as they found it; and upon the information they supply, trustworthy and accurate, Parliament will be able to pro ceed in the work of economy, both in the direction of cutting down officialdom where the pruning knife will not injure departmental efficiency, and in reducing the crop of railway lines that have threatened to over-run the country', but the money return from which is not so assured, and which until the revenue and expenditure are more equally balanced the colony must do without. Perhaps

the most important feature of the Parliamentary programme for the ensuing session will be the question of redistribu tion, and, as wo have frequently pointed out in these columns, it is one of great moment to this district. Mr. Hall’s indi cation of how Government mean to pro ceed in the matter of redistribution — namely on bases that have population as their chief—is in accordance with what has already been hinted at in more than Ministerial newspaper, and on the basis of population there are few districts in the colony that can make out so good a case as can Coleridge. But though this district has perhaps the best claim of any, it seems to be the least concerned whether that claim is recognised. If it had twenty representatives instead of one, and its interests in retaining them could only bo served by maintaining a discreet silence, so that attention should not be attracted to its over-representation, it could not act with more reticence on the subject of its Parliamentary representa tion than it is now doing. Not a word seems to be to be spoken by any of our public men on the subject, and the matter has not oven been mentioned, that we have heard of, at any of the Road Board, Borough Council, or County Council meetings. Some time ago, a pub lic meeting was held to force on Govern ment the claims of the district to public works. These claims were not ignored, but owing to the want of funds by the Government their recognition will not bring the works any nearer starting. On this subject of increased representation, however, we may agitate with some hope of success; for the giving of another member does not require any pecuniary sacrifice, and the case the district could advance is unassailable. The hint is worth consideration by the Mayor and Council, and the members of the other bodies, and we hope it will not be lost sight of.

Pedestrianism. —A match is on the tapis between O’Connor, of Timaru, and a Christchurch man for LIOO a side over a ten mile course. The RM. Court, Eakaia.— The Resi dent Magistrate’s Court sittings at South Rakaia will, in future, be held an the second Thursday in each month at 11 a. m. The National Steeplechases. —No work of importance was done on the course to-day. “ Voltigeur” at present tips —Royalty, 1 ; Agent, 2 ; Baron, 3, for the Grand National. Unregistered Dogs. —George Jameson and Andre iv Orr, for having each an un registered dog in their possession, forfeited LI each to the Clerk of the Court yesterday morning for their neglect. In Bankruptcy. —Mr. George Rickard has filed a statement of inability to meet the demands of his creditors. The first meeting of creditors is announced to take place next Thursday, at the District Court house, Ashburton. Queen’s Birthday. —All branches of the Post Office will be closed on Monday next. Mails will, however, be despatched per express trains north and south. Sunday hours will be observed by the Telegraph Department. Application for Re-hearing. —Mr. O’Reilly applied to his Worship yesterday for a re-hearing of the case Meehan v. Friedlander. Mr. Purnell opposed the ap plication, and after hearing arguments on both sides, Mr. Guinness dismissed the application, but without costs. Fatal Gun Accident - —At Oamaru, on Sunday, a lad named Charles Haggle, aged 10, lost his life. He was out shoot ing with a companion and was in the act of putting on an overcoat when ins gun exploded and the charge entering his side he was killed on the spot. The Outgoing Mail. —We are in debted to the Postmaster for the following information :—Mails for the United King dom, &c., via San Francisco, close at the Ashburton Post Office this (Saturday) morning, at nine o’clock, but a supplemen tary mail, closing at five p. in., will be made up for despatch per express train. Late foe letters may be posted in the mail van as usual. A Blackguard. —Cornelius Game ap peared before his Worship yesterday, charged, on the information of Constable Warring, with using obscene language in the public street. The constable stated that Came had used the language stated while two respectably-dressed females were passing. His Worship gave the accused a severe reprimand, and sent him to gaol for eight days, without the alternative of a fine. Collision. —On Thursday afternoon there was a slight collision on the Ash burton bridge. On its way over, Mr. John Grigg’s dog-cart had to pass a grain laden dray 7 , from the frame of which the bags were projecting considerably, and narrow ing down the space on the bridge to almost impossible passing room. The con sequence was a collision, the bursting of two bags, and the sowing of seed on any thing but a kindly soil. Meat. —Mr. R. Lancaster announces his intention of sending round bis meat carts to the houses of the residents, and of selling meat at a considerable reduction for cash. We have on several occasions heard complaints that this course was not followed before by the butchers, as many cash buyers would prefer to make a choice at their own doors to going to the shop or trusting to the selection made there to order. Coursing. —The Canterbury Coursing Club held their first meeting for the season at Sheffield on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. The Derby was won by Yaldhurst, and Reaconsficld was runner up. Encore secured the Oaks with Wheel of Fortune as runner up. Both Beaconsfiekl and Wheel of Fortune were bred by Mr. S. Saunders of this town, two other dogs bred by the same g3ntle man, Seafield and Ma Belle, dividing fourth money in Derby and Oaks re spectively. Presbyterian Church At Wheat stone. —The Rev. Mr. Beattie submitted to the Presbytery of Cbirstchurch at its last meeting plans of the proposed new church at Wheatstone, a site which has been chosen because of the central ad vantage it will give to tlie Waterton and Ashton residents and to those living higher up towards the railway, but nearer to Wheatstone than to Tinwald. The Presbytevial sanction was given to the plans, with one or two trifling suggested amendments. At the same meeting the Rev. H. B. Bnniett, late of Ashburton, applied for the appointment of an in terim session at his charge at Ealkett, which was granted. Mr. Burnett’s friends will bo glad to learn that his new charge is prospering. Thl Cattle Disease. —A supplement to the Gazette has been issued, dated May IS, containing a proclamation dividing the South Island into the Marlborough, Nel son, Canterbury, Westland, Otago, and Southland cattle districts, for the pur poses of the Diseased Cattle Act, and an Order-in-Couucil of the same date makes a special regulation to prohibit the re moval or driving of cattle out of the South Auckland District into any other district southward of the district. Appointments are also made to the South Island Cattle Boards and the Sheep Inspectors are gazetted Cattle Inspectors for their re spective districts. Veterinary Surgeons Mr. Thomas Michie in Wellington, and Mr. Thomas Hill in Christchmch, are gazetted Deputy Inspectors, being hono rary appointments. Notice is also issued directing Cattle Inspectors to keep each other informed as to cattle tr.--. veiling through the districts where pleuro-pneu monia is known to exist.

Personal.— -Mr. Watkin Williams, Q.C., the new Solicitor-General under Mr. Gladstone’s Government, is the brother of Mr. Wynn Williams, of Christ church . — Press. Diphtheria. —The Dunedin Times reports the cases of alleged diphtheria there to be merely a bad description of sore throat, attended with ulceration. The outbreak is attributable to the change able weather experienced of late. An Old Offender. —An old man named John Sutherland appeared before the Bench yesterday, charged with being drunk and disorderly. Sergeant Felton gave the accused a bad character, stating that he had just been released from the Timaru gaol. The delinquent stated he had friends in Victoria, and if his Worship would look over his offence he would clear out for that country at once. His Worship evidently being of opinion that this colony would benefit by the old man’s absence, fined him ss. or twenty-four hours in the lock-up. A Business Minded Architect —The following paragraph appears- in the latest issue of the Hawera Star, furnished by its Wanganui correspondent : —Rather a good thing occurred, not a hundred miles from here, a few days ago. An architect, noted for his anxiety to do business of any kind, in the course of ordinary conversation with a widow lady, was asked what he thought of her house, and its value. He replied, “ Well, 1 don’t know ; about L 750.” A few days afterwards, the lady was surprised beyond measure at receiving an account from the architect for LlB 15s. —2-|d per cent, commission on L 750 ! Mixed Scripture. —The Chairman of the Dunedin School Committee, Mr. Robins, came to grief at the last meeting through trying to quote scripture. He was comparing the case of some pupil teachers to that of “ the poor and them that need help, who ” ; but here his memory failed him, and he had to finish with “ were generally shoved to the wall.” One of the members made an inquiry as to the portion of Scripture where this might be found, but was not enlightened. Mr. Robins is said to be one of the shining lights of the Otago Bible-in-Schools Asso ciation, and a strong admirer of Colonial Secretary Dick. Wandering Cattle. —George Eagle and Thomas Chambers, charged before his Worship yesterday morning with allowing their horses to wander at large, were fined ss. each. Mrs. Hepburn appeared, in the absence of her husband, in answer to a summons for allowing two cows to wander in a public place. Mrs. Hepburn admitted that the cows were in the locality stated, but said that her Title boy was in charge of them, but on the appearance of the “ bobby ” on the scene, had left his charge, being under the impression that the man in blue was about to take both the cows and himself into custody. Mr. Guinness inflicted a fine of ss. Accident to the Express Train. —An awkward accidontoccurred on Monday to the Express Train from the South. It appears that the oil-box of one of the wheels got out of gear on the journey up, and the oil ceased to flow, the consequence being that on the arrival of the train at Waimate, where the wheels were examined as usual, this particular wheel was found to bo nearly red hot with the friction. The carriage was therefore detached and the train came on without it, and as it was crowded with passengers some inconveni ence was caused. A second-class carriage was converted, to meet the emergency, into a first-class one by the aid of cushions, but even then there was considerable grumbling amongst the passengers, who could barely find standing room. The “Froliques.” —Mr. Martin Simon sen, who conducted an opera company through New Zealand a few years ago, will appear at the Town Hall, Ash burton, on Wednesday evening next, with a troupe which goes by the taking title of the “ Froliques.” Speaking of the com pany, a Dunedin paper of a late date says that “ the comedians of the company are most amusing, and introduce a lot of new ‘ business ’ in their songs, dances and farces. The most pleasing feature of the performance, however, was Mr. Sinion sen’s excellent violin playing, which was listened to most attentively and drew from the audience well merited applause. Mr. Simonson is certainly one of the most finished instrumentalists we have had here, and it is at all times a pleasure to listen to him.” Assaulting a Constable. —Nicholas Duncan appeared before Mr. Guinness yesterday, and pleaded guilty to the two charges of being drunk and disorderly and’assaulting a constable in the execu tion of his duty. Constable Rouse gave evidence to seeing the accused at an auction sale at Rakaia on Thursday, and while various parties were bidding, Duncan made use of some very disgusting lan guage. On remonstrating with him, prisoner struck him, and after a struggle, in which the assistance of bystanders bad to be obtained, the culprit was taken to the lock up. A witness from Rakaia cor roborated the constable’s evidence. Mr. Guinness inflicted a penalty of 20s. for being drunk, or forty-eight hours’ im prisonment, and for assaulting the con stable a fine of L2, or ninety-six hours im prisonment, with the addition of the wit ness’ expenses, 12a. Civil Cases. —There were only two civil cases disposed of at the Court yesterday. In the action Britain and another v. Times, claim L 3 7s. Gd., in which Mr. Ireland appeared for the plaintiffs, judgment was given by default for the amount and L2 17s. costs. Mr. Ireland appeared for the defendant in the case of Armstrong v. Smith, in which the defendant sought to recover the sum of Ll 5 12s. Gd. balance of an account for cattle bought. . The de fence was that Smith had not purchased the cattle from Armstrong but from a man named Dan McKellar. Armstrong stated that McKellar was only an agent in the transaction, and as Smith had paid LlO to Armstrong in part payment of the account, his Worship decided that Smith had by this action acknowledged that Armstrong was the principal in the affair, and gave judgment for the amount claimed, and LI IGs. costs. Walking Match fob LIOO a Side. — InHagley Park, Christchurch,on Thursday, fully 3000 people assembled to witness a walking match for LIOO botween'two of the best pedestrians in the colony—viz., Bowley, of Christchurch, and O’Connor, of Timaru. The betting was even, and a large amount of money was staked, it being said that to Timaru alone, O’Connor, who won, brings his supporters LIOOO. The event is thus described by a Christ church contemporary ; —Both men had plenty of supporters on stripping, and it was the opinion of many good judges that, although both had evidently had a good preparation, O’Connor was, if anything, a bit light. Even betting was the order cf the day, Bowley having slightly the call. Precisely at 3h. 58imiu. the men started themselves, Bowley going off with a lead. For the first half-mile he maintained a slight advantage, but the Timaru champion then supplanted him. The first mile was completed in 7min. olsec. Soon after the following lap Bow ley put on a spurt and again headed O’Connor, but on passing the judge O’Connor was again in front. The second mile was accomplished in 7min. 49secs. On passing the starling post at the end of the third mile O’Connor had a long lead, which he thenceforth maintained and was never again caught. The third mile was done in 7min the fourth in Bmin. 7sec., the fifth in Bmin. 3sec., the sixth in Sinin 20sec., and the seventh in Bmin. 39sec. The total time occupied it travel ling the seven miles was therefore 56min, 44jjsec,

The Refrigerator. —The Orient steamer Cotopaxi, .now en route to Aus tralia, is fitted with refrigerating machinery. An Example for New Zealand.— Engineering in these colonies has (says the Melbourne Daily Telegraph) of late years become a choice profession for our intellectual young men, and to enable them to go through a course of training, there has been established for the past two years, in the lecture-hall at the Pub lic 'Library, civil and mechanical engi neering and architectural classes, under an experienced instructor from England, conducted on the same system as the engineering colleges there. The Kelly Victims. —The murdered victims of the Kelly gang have just been covered by a monument, the other day unveiled, at which the Chief Commissioner of Police made an eloquent speech. If he couldhave persuaded the Kellys to assist at the ceremony the tribute would have been complete. The latest proposition to cap ture the Kellys is to invest the Strathbogie ranges with a force of 180,000 men, so as to intercept supplies. This suggestion has the merit of being largo, at any rate. The question of expense, of coarse, is of minor consequence, even if it should be dis covered after all that the Kellys had left the country long ago. For it is something Sometimes to get at negative results. The Government have not yet said if they approve of this proposition, but as the proposer quotes a classical precedent they may haply think about it—when the deficit has been met. An Aboriginal Giant. —The Woolgar correspondent of the Townsville Herald writes :—“Here is something remarkable. When passing through Chedley Park Station,one of the Messrs Annings related thefollovving :—Between Cambridge Creek and the tableland an aboriginal has been repeatedly seen among the ridges abound ing in this country who measures in statue about|Bft Gin. He is a well-made and a powerful-looking giant, stout in propor tion. His foot-track measures about IGin to 17in from toe to heel, and his single stride is over sft. This monster black fellow is always well armed, and carries an enormous shield and spear, nullah nullahs, &c. He is invariably accompanied by three white gins, who carry most of his tremendous weapons and procure his food. This story is partly confirmed by a digger who, being in search of his missing horse, happened by accident to stumble across this giants great tracks. These are the facts as I got them. Whether they re quire to be taken cum gram sails I leave others to judge.”

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

C. F. I.

To the Editor.

Sir, —In connection with the London quotations for wheat in yours and other journals, I notice the letters c.f.i., the sig nification of which is unknown to me and several from whom I have hcenjidesiring information. Be good enough to give their meaningful your next issue and oblige Agbxcola.

Waterton. Cost, freight, and insurance. — Ed. A. G-.

ASHBURTON STEEPLECHASES.

The following entries were received by the Committee on Thursday night : ASHBURTON HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE. Mr. R. Mclvor’s Grey Momus Mr. R. Mclvor’s Loch Lomond Mr. W. H. Hankin’s Magic Mr. A. W. Dillon’s Micky Free Mr- G. Dancell’s The Lad Mr. P. Butler’s Stella Mr. P. Husband’s Raven Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Fakir. DISTRICT HANDICiP. Mr. J. Holmes’ Sir George Mr. G. Dancell’s The Lad Mr. H. Primmer’s Jack (late Spider) Mr. George Willoock’s Deceiver Mr. P. Husband’s Raven Mr. H. Muir’s Tam o’Shanter. WAKANUI STAKES.

Mr. R. Mclvor’s Grey Momus Mr. P. Butler’s Stella Mr. J. H. Lunn’s Fakir. FARMERS’ STEEPLECHASE.

Mr. J. Holmes’ Sir George Mr. H. Priinmer’s Jack Mr. G. Wilcock’s Deceiver Mi\ H. Muir’s Tam o’Shanter

It was resolved to accept Mr. F. LeSeur’s offer to work the totalisator on the ground for half the commission.

ASHBURTON CRICKET CLUB.

Notwithstanding a large increase in the number of playing members, the season 1879-80 has not been the most successful enjoyed by the Ashburton Cricket Club. This is probably partially attributable to the inferiority of the ground, and the fact of several prominent members having recently gi.cn up the game ; but we hope that there will be an active interest next season, and that Ashburton players will acquire the leading reputation they are certainly capable of earning. We give the batting averages for the season, from which it will be seen that Denshire takes first honors, with a well-deserved 14 T ; S. Saunders and Amos follow, having had a good deal of luck, and G. Andrews has played well throughout the season. Wo are unable to give the bowling averages, the records having been imper fectly kept ; but this department has much deteriorated. 6. Andrews has done best, and Ashwood and Westenra have occasionally trundled with some effect, but S. Saunders and Field, the mainstays of last season, have been all abroad. The fielding of A. Hooks, Hodder, Buchanan,

G. Andrews, Curtis, and some others has been exceptionally good.

BATTING AVEI AGES,

THE PREMIER BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

The Hon. John Hall, Premier of the New Zealand Government, addressed his constituents on Thursday night, at Leeston, in the Public Hall, Mr. Bluett presiding. The Premier, after tendering his recent illness as an apology for not addressing the electors at an earlier date, and plead ing want of time for omitting to speak in other parts of the electoral district, went on to deal with such questions as were of local importance. He complimented his constituents, on their considerate absten tion from clamour for public works ; in this they had shown a good example to other districts in these times of financial difficulty, when the public exchequer was so exceedingly low. This want of funds interfered to such a great extent with the carrying on of public works that his Go vernment would find it impossible to con struct a bridge over the Rakaia at Bob bie's Ford, however much it was his wish and the wish of the district that such a structure should be ei'ected. The under taking may, however, be provided for if the Selwyn and Ashburton Councils ob tain liberty to lease the tolls for a given number of years. In that case some en terprising person may be found to build the bridge. If that were desired he would do his best to aid the Councils in obtain ing the necessary authority. THE RAKAIA BRIDGE AMD PROTECTIVE WORKS. The next question, gentlemen, is one which very seriously affects the occupiers and cultivators of land in the southern parts of the district, namely, the extent to which the present railway works at the south side of the Rakaia bridge are said to be endangering the protective works put up on the north bank of that river. A strong opinion is entertained that the partial embankment across the river does great mischief to the works you have erected to protect the district from on c; oachment. I have examined the place, and, as far as I can judge, being a layman, that opinion is a correct one ; but the railway engineers, having been asked to consider the matter, gave it as their opinion that this work does not interfere with the protective works on this side. I found the best that can be done for your interests was this : To induce the Govern ment to agree that they shall appoint one engineer, that the North Rakaia Board of Conservators appoint another engineer, and that these two appoint a third, to re port together upon the work and say whether any wrong is being done to the district or not. 1 am glad to be able to say that the Minister for Public Works has agreed to the course I proposed, and proceedings to that end will be taken •without the least possible delay. We shall then ascertain, from an independent and impartial [tribunal, -whether some altera tion of the present work is necessary or whether it is not. And I hope, gentle men, you will admit that, under all the circumstances, I have done my best for you in that respect. THE THAMES CONSTITUENCY. Sir George Grey called the Selwyn a rotten borough. Sir George represents the Thames district. Comparisons are odious, but they are sometimes useful. It was my duty in the House of Representa tives to throw some light on the electoral roll for the Thames, and this is the result of the analysis I obtained, which has never been contradicted, and cannot be : —The electoral roll of the Thames at the time I speak of comprised 4,446 electors, being more than the whole of the male population of the district. But, of these people who were on that roll, 52 were dead, 262 were twice on the roll, 118 were three times on the roll, 609 were absent, 400 could not be found out by the gentle man who sent me this, and who knows the place thoroughly—(laughter), not properly qualified, 56 had no qualifi cation at all, 16 natives were twice on the roll, and 12 natives whose names appeared on the roll were dead. Now, I think if one of us represents a rotten borough it is _ not myself. sir George’s log-rolling. The constituents composing a rotten borough always expect certain benefits. If you look at the address of Sir George Grey to the electors of the Thames, you will find a column and a half devoted to a statement of what he had obtained for the district—such as harbor works, the high school, the railway, and other things. I have not found it necessary to speak to you in this way. I have told you candidly that some of your wants under more favorable circumstances might be con sidered, but under existing circumstances they could not be entertained. I do not think it was wise for Sir G. Grey to pro voke a comparison between the two con stituences. UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. Sir George said at Christchurch that you are a few farmers in an obscure country village. That is the way he has of speaking of anybody who crosses his path at all, and you have so far done this as to have elected a man to represent you who has been instrumental in turning him out of office. That is why he speaks of you in that contemptuous manner. His tune would have been widely different had you elected a supporter of Sir G. Grey. This would then have been the finest dis trict in the whole of New Zealand—you would have been the most enlightened and intelligent body of electors he had over met with —and Leeston, instead of being an obscure country village, would have been a great centre of political in telligence, from which benefits without number would have flowed throughout the whole of New Zealand. Ho would not even stop there. The interest which Sir George Grey would have taken in your children would have been perfectly mar vellous. He would tell you that he never had observed such interesting children before ; that your sons would ho elected Governors of the colony in the future, and that your daughters were the most perfect ladies he had ever met with. That is what Sir George Grey would have said if you had elected—well, Mr. Gainmack, for instance. the colony’s finance. Speaking of the ordinary revenue and expenditure, we found a deficiency on the Ist of July last of LIOO,OOO ; but for the subsequent financial period in which we then were the revenue of New Zealand, fairly estimated, fell short of the necessary expenditure by a sum of not less than LBOO,OOO ; that is to say, nearly at the rate of L2 per head for every man, woman, and child in New Zealand. Members of the late Government said that the present Treasurer took an unnecessarily gloomy view of our position, and that in point of fact the revenue would bo much larger than estimated, and the expenditure much less. But at the end of the nine months for which the accounts are made up, signed, and printed, it appears that the deficiency is greater by L 280,000 than was originally estimated by Major Atkinson. redistribution. We hope to introduce at an early period of the session a Bill for the Redistribution of Seats. (Applause.) The existing dis tribution has become unfair, through the growth of population being greater in some parts of the colony than in others. This unfairness is especially felt in the Canterbury district and in Otago. The first consideration in the allotment of representatives will be population, but it will not be by any means the only con sideration. (Applause.) We think that other tilings should be taken into con sideration also; for instance, the per manency of the population—whether it is of a really settled character or not. The question of contribution to the re venue should have something to do with the matter, and the facilities any particu lar district may have for making its in fluence felt in Parliament and by the Go

vernment, should also be taken into con sideration. After carefully weighing all these points we shall lay before Parliament proposals for redistributing the represen tation in a manner which, while doing justice to those districts that are now in sufficiently represented, will. I trust, not do injustice to any part of the colony. LICENSING. We have a Bill prepared, which, while dealing very strictly with evei’ything of the nature of abuse, will not treat respectable licensed publicans as if they were neces sarily criminals. (Applause.) As to local option, what we believe, is a fair proposal is this—that with respect to all new licenses, residents or ratepayers in the dis trict shall be at liberty to give a veto ; but we do not think it reasonable that such a principle should apply to licenses that have been continued for any amount of time, and with respect to houses well managed, and in the hands of respectable persons. At any rate we do not think the application of the principle would be reasonable unless there was compensation, which we do not see our way to provide. The Premier was accorded with cheers, a vote of confidence.

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

INTERPRETATIONS OF TE WHITTS SPEECH.

[BY TELEGRAM!.] Haweka, May 21.

The meanings given by the' natives of Te Whiti’s statements at the Parihaka meeting are conflicting. Some say he refers to swamps as the impediments to the roads meeting. Those more in the prophet’s confidence say his words have no reference to the actual road now being made, the word road being only used on a metaphor to signify the paths of the two races, the policy or interests of ihs races being two ends that cannot meet at the same time. Te Whiti strictly enjoins peace and good-will to all men and no in terference with road parties, nor other works in progress It is also said by some of the natives that he forbids any more whares being erected to seaward of the reserves.

TELEGRAPHIC.

■— LATEST FROM EUROPE,

{[Per Rente/ ’s Agency.) London, May 19,

Three per cent, consols 99$ ; Adelaide wheat per 4961 b., ex warehouse, 535. Gd ; flour per 2801 b., ex warehouse, 38s. ; pig iron, 51s. ; leather lljcl. At the wool sales to-day 10,200 bales were offered, making a total of 235,700 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was dull.

The John Elder lias arrived with the mails via Brindisi, which were delivered in London to-day. It is announced from Washington that President Hayes, of the United States, has invited Congress to consider what course of action Government should pur sue in regard to the outrages which took place some time since on American fisher men as Fortune Bay, Newfoundland, and especially in view of the refusal of the Marquis of Salisbury, as Foreign Secre tary in the last Administration, to accede to the demand of the Ameri can Secretary of State for com pensation from England for loss of boats and nets belonging to the fishermen. The matter in dispute between England and America is seriously occupying public attention in both countries. The cricket match between the Aus tralians and Eleven of Derbyshire was re sumed to-day, when the latter, in their second innings, made 125. The Austra lians played well, and won the match by eight wickets. The Right Hon. William Watson, Lord Advocate of Scotland, failed to obtain re election as a representative in Parliament for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities. Several war vessels have been ordered to the Pacific, and have received instruc tions to cruise off China, owing to the Kuldaja difficulty being still unadjusted, and Russia having resolved upon the strict execution of the Treaty. London, May 20. A meeting of the Conservative party was held to-day, at which Ea?‘l Beacons field made a speech. Hs Lordship referred to the result of the elections, and said he could only attribute the defeat of Conservatism to a desire felt by the electors for a change of Ministry. He stated he would retain the leadership of his party, and advocated a dignified oppo sition to the Liberals and the formation of proper local Conservative organisations throughout the country. Earl Carnavon, who resigned his position in the late Ministry in 1878 in consequence of its Eartern policy, was present at the meet ing. Pauls, May 20. The w y ar ship Finisterre has sailed for Melbourne with French exhibits for the forthcoming exhibition. Valparaiso, May 19. The ship Antipodes has put in here in a leaky state, and has had to discharge cargo. Repairs are being effected. AUSTRALIAN. (Renter's Telegrams.) Sydney, May 20. Another discovery of tin has been made near Thornborough, in Queensland, but the exact locality is at present kept secret. Sailed—The City of Sydney, for Auck land. Sydney, May 21. Disturbances are reported from the Newcastle district, owing to the strike. Two hundred women and crowds of children mobbed some of the miners at the Australian Agricultural Company’s mine. The police were powerless to sup press the outbreaks. Nobody was seri ously injured during the disturbance, but a repetition of the mobbing is threatened. A clause has been introduced into the Electoral Bill now before the Assembly, which requires candidates for election to deposit L4O. Melbourne, May 19. The sale of brandy previously reported was on account of New Zealand. May 20. In the Legislative Assembly last night, a motion in favor of the payment of mem bers was carried on a division by 42 to 28. Messrs Duffy and Gillies, both members of the Ministry, voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Cooper has been elected Chairman of Committees. Mr Service introduces his Reform Bill to-night. The Argus, in discussing the present state of political affairs, admits that Mr. Service must experience great difficulty in carrying on the Government with the present Assembly, owing to the defections from his party. Mr. Service, on introducing his Bill for the reform of the Constitution, entered into an exhaustive history of colonial re forms, and expressed his approval of the 60th clause of the Constitution Act being excised. The speech made a most favor able impression. Melbourne, May 21. Mr. Service’s Reform Bill was read a first time in the Assembly last night, with out a division. The debate on the second reading will commence on Tuesday. Adelaide, May 19. Betting on the Birthday Cup—3 to 1 against Savanaka; 4 to 1 against Lord Harry. Brisbane, May 20. The steamer Leichardt has rescued all the Europeans and 93 Islanders who were on board the labor schooner from Noumea, wrecked on Saumarex reef. Seven Island ers were drowned while attempting to I

reach the boats from the vessel after she struck. At the Supreme Court, _on a verdict being given against Li van wick, barrister, and a member of the Assembly, which is tantamount to an implication of profes sional malpractices, Griffiths, the plain tiffs counsel, complained of the menacing attitude of Livanwick’s brother towards plaintiff. The Judge ordered the arrest of the brother, who was found carrying a revolver and sheath knife. He tos sen tenced to imprisonment during tVWples* sure of the Court. The Judge, in passingP sentence, regretted he was unable to make it imprisonment for twenty years. INTERPROYINCIAL. (Per Press Association.) Gbahamstown, May 21. A whale, 85 feet long, went ashore on Wednesday night at the Piako Bank and died. It was brought to town by steamer. The finders expect to make Ll5O from the oil. Auckland, May 20. There, is to be a grand Volunteer review here on Queen’s Birthday. Several county corps have promised to be present. It will be a preliminary affair to a grand review which is to take place on the Prince of Wales’Birthday, when corps from the Thames, Waikato, Whangarei, and other parts will be present. The Railway Commission held a formal sitting to-day, in consequence of Hamlin and Harris urging the construction of a branch line of railway to Pukekohe and Waiuku. Auckland, May 21. At the Police Court, yesterday, Janies Johnston, for commuting a breach of the railway regulations by getting on a train whilst in motion, was fined ss. and costs. Serious charges are being made against the management of the Industrial Home. Several leading members of the old Com mittee write, charging the master and matron with neglect and irregularity. An inquiry is pending. The Fire Brigade have sent to England for an electric telegraph aparatus. Several fresh cases of forging and utter ing, and salting customs invoices are still under consideration. The Crown Solicitor caused the goods to be seized by the Customs authorities. The Golden Crown shares suddenly rose to 21s. yesterday, in consequence of it being reported that new discoveries had taken place. They fell again to-day to IGs. A fire occurred in Ford’s tailors shop, in Queen street early this morning, caused through ignited cinders failing on the floor. The fire was promptly extinguished, and the damage done was very slight. Messrs. Hamlin and Harris addressed their constituents at Pukekohe last night, when votes of confidence were passed by the meeting. The Railway Commissioners left to-day for Helensville, to inspect the Kaipara Railway and receive evidence. The Auckland City School Committee have requested the Education Board to appoint a default officer to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Act. The barque John Bull has arrived from London. ' She reports one of her seamen, a Swede, named Pite Ledveron, died of heart disease on the Ist inst., while up in the foretop. A seaman, noticing his strange appearance, went up and found him dead. Colonel Pearce, of Wellington, has in spected “A” Battery of the Artillery, and expressed himself highly pleased at its efficiency. Napieb, May 21. A threshing machine, owned by Messrs. Wttford and Hislop, r and six stacks of wheat and oats, belonging to^he,natives, were burned to day at near this town. The total damage is about LBOO. The machine was insured for L2OO with the New Zealand Company. The A. and P. Association’s Ploughing Match and Grain and Foal Show at Hastings yesterday was very successful as far as the ploughing was concerned, but there were few entries for grain or roots. In the double-furrow ploughing class, the first prize was taken by John Ramsay, a youth under 16 years of age, against eight adult competitors. Henry Nicholls, formerly a storekeeper in the country, committed suicide yester day at Waipawa, by shooting himself with a revolver. For some days he has been in a state of delirium tremens, and he had previously made several attempts to kill himself by cutting his throat and jumping down a well. In consequence of these at tempts to kill himself, he was arrested by the police, and was yesterday charged at Waipawa Court with lunacy. Dr. Todd, of Hawera, declared that Nicholls was not insane, but was merely suffering from the effects of drink, and he was accord ingly released. He then went to the post office, and thence home, where he shot himself, within two hours of his dis charge from custody. Another old settler, Henry M'Dougall, is feared to have been drowned. He went out to muster sheep, but after several days his dogs returned. A search party have discovered M‘Dougall s tracks lead ing to the Tutaekuri river. Wellington, May 20. At the Divorce Oonrt, in the case of Munro v. Munro and Clarke, an applica tion for decree nisi was granted. Summonses are being issued against property owners for non payment of the Land Tax. Wellington, May 21. Owing to heavy rains a land slip occurred on the Featherston railway line yesterday, and communication was interrupted till this morning. A telegram has been received by Go vernment to-day from Mr. Parris to the effect that Te Whiti has issued orders that the whare building by natives on disputed territory is to be discontinued forthwith, and and no more xohares undertaken. Some anxiety exists owing to the non arrival of the steamer Patea, which left Patea on Saturday last, and the Mana watu, which left for Wanganui on Mon day. The Harbormaster has telegraphed to the Secretary of the Marine Depart ment, asking that Government steamers be instructed to look out for the missing vessels should they be going to Opunaki. The City of Now York, with the Lon don mails of 22nd April, left San Fran cisco for Auckland on the 10th inst., being two days late. The Zealandia, with the April colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 18th inst., two days in advance of her time. Dunedin, May 20. At the sale of the lease of runs to-day, run 109, 10,400 acres, in the Waihemo District, was sold at L2OO, to A. D. Bell, who also bought 109 b, 6,100 acres, for L2lO. The upset price of the latter was LIOO. All the other runs offered fetched the upset price. Dunedin, May 21. A man named Kybred has been arrested on a charge of impudent robbery. He went on board the steamer Te Anau last evening, representing himself as night watchman, and while the passengere were on deck, stole a quantity of valuable jewellery. The articles were found in his house by the police. At the City Court yesterday, John Sel kirk Caps tick, who had recently been in business as a hotelkeeper, and had filed his schedule, at Wanganui, was charged upon a warrant issued at .that place vHjiU having failed to deliver up to the in his estate his bank book and cash Capstick was remanded, to appear on S 3 29th instant, at Wanganui. In asking for bail, the prisoner mentioned that his books had been destroyed by a fire which had burnt his premises. Bail was allowed in prisoner’s own recognisances of LIOO, and two sureties of LSO each.

1 1 mi AUHmiH'msi HUArMAR SATURDAY, may 22, isso;



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NOTICE TO FARMERS. T|IHE undersigned” will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. 550g* MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &«., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, May 25, 1880. 0. PERCY COX, 27g* Agent, Ashburton. T HE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WEAR. Fit Better Look Better Wear Better Are Better Cut Are Better Made Are Better Shrunk, And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the public. Testified to by their Thousands of Cus tomers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Invercargill Oamaru Timaeu Ashburton Lyttelton Christchurch Wellington Nelson Wanganui New Plymouth Napier Thames Auckland A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.B.— Our New Winter Manufactures are now ready. “ TRY THE N.Z. OYERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, and HOSIERY, of every description at WHOLESALE Prices. ASHBURTON BRANCH— East Street. Wm. SPARROW, 588 g Manager.



Poor Ireland. —Tho Pope has been informed that three-fourths of the agita tion in Ireland is due to the spirit of Socialism, and he has enjoined the Irish bishops to be careful lest, while relieving distress, they should play into the hands of those who are working for political objects.