COMMERCIAL.

[BY TELEGRAPH.] Dunedin, June 25. Prime beef, 275. Cd. per 100 lbs.; mutton, 3£d ; good sample mill wheat, Sa. 6d. to 3s. lOd.; fowl’s wheat, 2s. 6d. to 3a.; oats, Itf. 3d. to Is. 4d.; malt barley, 3s. 6d. to 3s. lOd.; feed, 2s. 6d. to 3a.; potatoes, L2 55.; old hay, L 4 ; new oaten hay, L 3 ; chaff, L 3 ; straw L2 ; bran, L 3 ; pollard L 4 ; flour, L 9 10s. to LlO ; oatmeal, L 9 10s ; pearl barley, L2O ; onions, 75.; cheese, 5d.; bacon rolled, lOd.; hams, Is.; sides bacon, lOd.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE No change for the better is apparent in the grain market during the week that has transpired, the small local trade being at present the only thing which keeps busi ness alive. The depressed state of the market for all kinds of feed produce has to some extent been productive of good, inasmuch as it has compelled growers to look further afield for a market for their produce. Heretofore intercolonial mar kets have been the only ones sought for, this year these, on account of the lowness of price, have been practically closed, and a new field broached. Consignments of oats, barley, and beans have been made to Great Britain. It has already been demonstrated that the first mentioned will answer, and it remains to he seen how the rest will turn out. Wheat.—First-class milling quality in lines suitable for shipment is saleable at from 3s. 6d. to 3s. 7d., f.o.b. ; second class milling, at from 3s. 4d. ; chick wheat, from Is. 9d. to 2s. 4d. per bushel. Oats. —The demand has sensibly in creased, although prices cannot be said to have altered. Good short milling samples are sought after, the price being from Is. 4d. to Is. sd. per bushel. Feed parcels are finding buyers at from Is. Id. to Is. 3d. per bushel; inferior feed samples at from lid. to Is. per bushel. On the whole the demand has improved. Barley.—Really good malting samples are meeting with more attention than formerly, but prices are not affected. The quality varies so much that a good margin must be allowed. Business is being done between 2s. 6d. to 3s. 4d. per bushel. For discoloured and inferior parcels there is no deman i. Prices nominal. Potatoes. —The market has been rather more sluggish during the week, and prices have somewhat receded ; 225. Gd. to 255. per ton are rates ruling. The returns of the yield in Australia show a large in crease, which is of course detrimental to our markets. The only hope of turning the crop to better account is to pit and hold till later in the season. Great care should be taken that the frost does not reach them ; this is the great bugbear to dealers in this tuber. More business would be done could the purchaser be assured that the frost had not touched them. Great loss is sustained by the shipper from this cause, the consequence being he cannot afford to leave a close margin. Grass seed.—A few trifling sales have been made, but not of sufficient impor tance to influence the market. Good, well cleaned, heavy seed is worth from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. Cheese and Butter.—There is no altera tion to note. For the former 4d. to 4id. per lb. 9d to lOd. for the latter.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at tlie Asliburton 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. m. 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 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. Fr»ra 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 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

NOTICE TO FARMERS. rjpHE 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*

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880..

In the House last night, the Premier announced that the Representation Bill, of which the stormy petrels of the Opposi tion said we should see nothing this ses sion, would be introduced at next silting of the House, so that on Tuesday next we shall hear what are the proposals of Ministers in regard to the re-distribution of seats. The no-confidence debate drags its slow length along, and it is difficult to under stand for what purpose it was started. The Opposition, disorganised as it is, are not even hopeful of unseating the Government, and the debate has not thrown any new light on the question of how to extricate the colony from its difficulties in a way that will be less disagreeable than that adopted by the Government. Even the bitterest foes of Ministers—except such as were Ministers themselves in the last Government —-confess that a stringent financial policy is imperative, and that under any circumstances expenditure must be reduced, and taxation increased. All sorts of fanciful schemes are suggested as means of financial salvation for poor New Zealand —but they all have as their foundation a dip into the taxpayer’s pocket. Between the two parties the wordy warfare is carried on; the one side beats the air by finding fault with Ministers for doing their best for the colony, and keeps lengthening out this useless and purposeless debate, in the name of “the colony’s welfare;” while Government and their party are kept listening to the lectures that are read them, and only trouble to reply to keep up a show of fight, for they are satisfied when each windbag has emptied itself that the Government side must win. We are now getting to the end of the debate, however, for the leaders of either party have had their say, and the tag-rag and bob-tail will soon exhaust their echoes of the others, and after this outbreak business will probably proceed. It does seem pre posterous, in the face of each speaker’s declaration of his love for the colony, and how solicitous he is for her good, that her time should be killed by debates of this nature. Yet with Sir George Grey in the House there is little hope of the session passing over without a repetition of this debate, for Sir George cannot re concile himself to opposition, and must be continually making for power. No sooner will this division have taken place than Sir George will be on the alert for some other excuse to raise a no-confidence de bate. ________

THE BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY.

It is now about two months since the Ashburton Borough Council accepted Mr. James Wilkie’s tender for the works necessary for carrying out the scheme adopted by them for supplying the town ship with a water supply sufficient for the purposes of fire prevention, and for sluic ing the side channels of the streets. The work is now completed, and the water was turned on yesterday shortly before noon by Mr. C. E. Fooks, the Borough Engineer, and it reached the upper part of the domain shortly before 4 o’clock, thus shewing that the dreaded soakage and leakage about which we have heard so much is not a very serious matter. As the space which will form the reservoir is of considerable extent, covering some acres, and in some places fully seven feet deep, it will take time before the gully is filled up to the overflow pipe, but that is a mere question of a week or more. The water is now in the Domain and that is a satisfaction to all ratepayers, as it cannot do otherwise than contribute totheirhealth, wealth, and comfort —their health, because such filthy receptacles of disease as the Burnett street side channels will be a thing of the past"; their wealth, beciuse the risk of fire will be decreased, and in surance premiums in proportion; and their comfort, since the presence of a large sheet of water in the Domain must be a welcome change from the monotonous appearance of tussocks on all sides, io say nothing of the cooling effect it will have on the atmosphere in a hot nor’-west gale. The works themselves are of the simplest nature, and when one has in spected them, he only wonders why such a simple scheme was not carried out years ago. The natural fall of the country, and the fact that some twelve months ago a portion of the North Ashburton came down from the same starting point to the same outlet, following a natural instead of an artificial course, should have been suf ficient to have shown that the supply of water to the township was no difficult undertaking. The matter, however, was the subject of much cogitation and engineering among our local authorities as well as imported talent, and a large ex penditure was incurred for imported pipes for a highy pressure scheme. But when the Council themselves visited the pro posed works, under the guidance of the promoter of the present idea, Mr. Edward Saunders, (now, we regret to say, no longer a Councillor) they at once saw the folly of committing the Borough to the expenditure of money for a fancy scheme, which would have cost the rate payers an exti’a shilling rate, and they at once adopted the idea, and the work was let. Briefly stated, the works consist of an intake near Mr. Donald Williamson’s re sidence, about miles from town. At this point a portion of Messrs. Saunders mill race is diverted into a new channel, and concrete walls are built, enclosing a slide which, by means of a regulating screw, admits as much or as little water as may be required. Thence the water flows in a channel along Mr. Williamson’s divid ing fences till it reaches Winter’s road, the side of which it keeps for some 76 chains till it readies the north-west Town Belt, the gully being crossed by a sub stantial flume. At the belt a sump is built in to intercept the debris, and the water then crosses the belt in a diagonal direction, through a 9-inch pipe to the Domain. About 10 chains of a race brings it into the gully opposite the Hos pital, and it is then conveyed in this natural course to the embankment in West street, near the railway goods shed, where a most substantial dam has been erected, some 20 feet in width, and faced with large stones as a protection against the wash likely to be caused by N.W. gales. Another con crete structure is erected here from which a nine-inch iron pipe is led to the Post office, where it will be distributed to all parts of the Borough Eastward of the railway line, the overflow being conveyed down West street to the river through a six-inch pipe from the reservoir. Pro vision has been made to take away all surplus water by the excavation of a capacious outfall drain at the East Belt, which not only carries all the water from the side channels, but will also relieve the residents of the east town belt of the'r

troubles in wet weather, they in that region having to assume for the time being an amphibious nature. The outfall will take all the flood-water of the township and carry it direct to the river. At pre sent this big ditch has a rather unsightly appearance in so thickly populated a part of the town, but it is only a temporary measure, and will, as soonas funds permit, bo converted into a brick or concrete sewer. The concrete channelling, under the able management of Mr. James Bradley, is also making rapid progress, although the late hard frosts are rather against the work. We expect in a very short time to chronicle the fact that Ashburton is one of the cleanest and healthiest towns in the colony.

THE BESOM.

The police are to be commended for the raid they are now making on the bad houses that exist in the township. One keeper of a den of this description has already been sent to gaol, and yesterday a second blackguard, who has for some eighteen months lived, so to speak, on the moral offal of this community, has been committed to prison for three months. The decision is to be appealed against, however, and may result in the Court’s judgment being quashed. We hope* it won’t, for the removal of keepers of houses of bad fame is at all times desirable, and a man like Ryal is always in good and safe quarters in prison. We hope the police will not cease their efforts until they have scoured out. every don of ini quity of the “lean-to” class that exists in the township. We are given to under stand that there are more houses of this description in the town than most people believe; but if they are as energetically attacked as those have been that the police have already succeeded in clearing out there is no reason to fear that their lease of life in Ashburton will be long. When the demand exists there will always be a supply, and it is to be regretted that those found frequenting and supporting hells of the lean-to des cription are not exposed. It would be found, wc ai’e sure, that these houses are supported by such scum as gravitate to the township from outside districts, and it is intolarable that a quiet town like Ash burton should bo credited with affording a living to such vermin as Ryal and Bariera, and others of their class. The police have the entire sympathy of the townspeople, and we hope they will not cease their efforts to scour out every don of filth- that they know of.

A FARMER’S NOTES.

I am perhaps the last person in the world to set up as an instructor of my fel low-farmers, and 1 do not do so. But some time ago you said in your paper that if, we men who could speak on farming matters from practical experience sent our experience to you, no matter how roughly we put it down you would put it in shape and publish it. I can’t write papers for the Agricultural and Pastoi’al Association, though I would like to. I am no speaker, so I cannot take part in the discussions, and must remain a listener. Your offer to do up our rough letters gives us a chance to have a say even if we are not speakers or writers. Mr. Guinness de livered a very sensible address to the As sociation a month ago. I quite agree with all he said, and perhaps, 1 like his off hand speaking better than I would have liked a prepared paper. Things come natural like to a man when he speaks straight out to his. hearers without writ ing. He spoke of seed, and the kind we should plant. Most of us, I think, are not careful enough in choosing seed wheat. Wheat is a thing that will degenerate very quickly. Every farmer should make it his study to choose the very best seed he can get, and that kind that has grown the greatest number of bushels to the acre, with a good sample. I have been used to both light and heavy soils, and my father before mo. We always changed our seed every year if possible. For light land we took the corn from heavy soil, and for heavy land from light soil, paying great attention to cleanliness and class cf seed. Fanners here, I think, do not pay enough attention to this, but look more to price than to quality. I would not sow a single seed that had been grown on land where the slightest touch cf rust or blight had been apparent in the crop. I am afraid, considering that there was a bit of rust about last year, that some tainted seed will be got into the ground this year. That shouldn’t bo. The farmer should study what corns will best suit his land. Now, about the weather. Mr. Guin ness was very nice on that subject. A farmer ought to get at the rainfall and moisture on his farm. I am sorry that no practical farmer has as yet set about col lecting figures as to the quantity of rain that falls in the district. I believe some careful man would undertake the duty of “ clerk of Ihe weather ” if the Association found the appliances. Then, the time of planting ought to bo seen to and studied. I find by experience that the best months for sowing are Juno and July. Wheat sown in last May gave no returns—about 4 bushels —and was blighty ; that planted in August had the rust, but June sown gave on the plains about 22 bushels, clean, and a good sample for the mill, and July sown gave as good wheat and 20 bushels. These are “facts” I have witnessed myself, and the conditions were in each case the same—light land, good ploughing, and general tillage by practical men, only the different dates of sowing, but the same seed* Then as to ploughing—l find too many farmers give more value to quantity than to quality. Every ploughman should look to his plough, for the sake of his horses as well as for the land. The land should be well ploughed—well turned and packed, with a fair depth, say to 41r to 5 inches deep, and 10 inches wide—not turned too fiat. Many plough too wide, and do not move all the land under the furrow. The land is not pulverised, and the root has a hard bed to grow in. I am sorry that the- ploughing match seems to have gone out of date, as it had its advantages in making Tom, Dick, and Harry try to keep up in good ploughing with Harry, Dick, and Tom. I see lots of land very far from being properly harrowed. New land should be harrowed twice with the furrow, and once across, Mr. Guinness must have had his eyes open when he said that all the tillage round about was not of the best. I harrowed a piece of land when the corn was in the blade. It was thin, but the harrowing improved it very much, and the growth thickened and came away very well. My experience of light land is that if it is pressed with a Cambridge roller before sowing, and when in the blade harrowed instead of rolled, the crop would be bene fited. The soil would be loosened at the root of the blade (I am speaking of wheat) by the harrowing, and the rolling would close the soil for the corn to root in, and keep in the moisture. When the soil is rolled in dry weather it bakes, no damp can enter, and if any does it is soon drawn awaj by the sun. I do not set myself up as an authority, but I daresay there is something in what I have written that farmers will agree with, and something that they won’t. If you publish this, farmers will see that your columns are free to them to express their opinions, and they ought to write. They cannot do it any more roughly than I have done this, I am sure, but I know you will make it readable. I would like if of some of my fellow-farmers would give a few “facts” —say as to their experience about the depth and width they plough, and the re

suits —what returns they get. There are many that such information would benefit. I will not say thank you for the space until I see what like a job you have made of my epistle. Swingle-True. [We have seen many with greater pre tensions make a worse appearance than “ Swingle-Tree. ” His letter wanted some “ doing up,” as he calls it in his “ letter of instruction,” but we are very to do that for him, as far as our ability allows us. The sentence marked with a* ■& however, we will not stand sponsor for, but it is the best we can make of it. — Ed. ]

Telegraph Station. —A telegraph station is now open at Kirwee and Spring field, in the County of Selwyn. Property Tax.— A public meeting is to be held in Christchurch next Thursday evening to discuss the Property Tax. New Carrier. —Mr. H. Hooper an] nounces having commenced business as general carrier, having taken over the ‘ ‘ tools ” of Mr. R. Cullen. Wakanui Library.— A public meeting is called for the evening of 9th July, to be held in the Wakanui school-room, for the purpose of electing a Library Com mittee to act during the ensuing year. The Civilised Maori. —The Maori in tellect does not appear to take kindly to classic education. The Maori class at the Auckland Grammar School has been aban doned. The fees received were only L2lO, and the master’s salary was LSOO a year. The Dunedin Carnival. —The Carrrijpd held in Dunedin in aid of the BenevrfcJfint Institute has netted and paid over L 2,000, and L2OO more are expected when the ends are all gathered up, and the fragments disposed of. Fires in Christchurch.— Two fires broke out in Christchurch last night—one in Tuam street, and the other in Chester street West. The fires occurred between 6.30 and 7.30, but they were speedily put out as the houses were only shanties. Enlargement of St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia.— The Church Property Trustees have granted a sum of LSO, and a loan of L2OO, for the enlargement of St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia, which will be carried out as soon as the necessary plans have been prepat ed. The Band Uniforms. —The tender of Messrs. Craighead and Co., tailors, has been accepted by the Committee of the Volunteer Company for making uniforms for the Volunteer Band. The price is L 3 9s. Gd. per suit. The shakos are to bo made by Messrs. C. P. Hulbert and Co., of Christchurch. The Log Pois.oning. —Several more dogs, of greater or less value, have met their fate in the baits that have been laid wholesale about the streels, but from the ease with which poison can be obtained on the out stations it is a matter of great difficulty to find out the guilty party. Amateurs Beware.—ln the Magis trate’s Court at Wellington on Thursday, judgment was given under the Copyright Act for L 8 and coats against the manager of the Alliance Amateur Dramatic Club of Dunedin for an unlicensed representation of certain plays. “ Wicked Marks.”— “ Wicked ” Marks, the fruit seller, whose trial for Sunday trading was to have come off in Christ church yesterday, has to suffer such gnaw ings of remorse as he may be subject to for a few more days, as his trial has been postponed till the 30th. Pawned Blankets. —lt was reported that a pair of blankets, the charitable gift of the Christchurch Benevolent As sociation to a poor family had been pawned by the recipients. An officer of the As sociation went to see if the report were true, and denies it, as he found the blankets in use by the poor people. Such reports as these are cruel indeed. Retrenchment. — Only one train will in future run daily on the Waikato railway between Te Awamutu and Auckland. In another column Fred. Back, Esq., gene ral manager on the Middle Island rail ways announces the withdrawal of the officers from Aylesbury station on the Malvern line, and Ashley station on the North line, and that these stations will in future be flag stations only. Tenders. —Tenders are wanted by the Longbeach Ruad Board for—Two culverts with concrete abutments ; an outfall drain from boundary road, and the deepening of aide ditches; side ditches on Ford’s road and on Iselworth road—a mile arid a half in all ; thirty-five chains of shingling on the Isleworth road ; and for cutting into Rangilata river. The Old Men’s Home,— The Master of the Old Men’s Home, begs to acknow ledge with thanks the receipt of two sacks of vegetables from Mr. W. Gimblett, Christchurch. The Master of the In dustrial School acknowledges the receipt of two sacks of carrots, two do cabbage, one do turnips from “ Wicked Marks ” ; one box of vegetables from W. Strays. C.Y.C. —Owing to the illness of the Drill-instructor for the district, Sergeant G. F. Scott, the Ashburton instructor, is now doing double duty, and has to pay occasional visits to Temuka to discharge instruction duties for the troop there. A good drill instructor is indispensable, and the Ashburton Contingent are exceedingly fortunate in having an officer of Sergeant Scott’s ability resident among them. Oddfellows. —The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Ledge, 1.0.0. F., M. U., was held in the Templar Hall last night, when a very large number of mem bers attended, showing that interest in this very sucessful Lodge is increasing. After the usual Lodge routine the election of officers took place with the following result: —G.M., Bro. J. C. Dolman ; N.G., Bro. G. F. Scott ;. V. G., Bro. Joshua Tucker; E. S.. Bro. James Tait ; L. M., Past Grand Bro. Cullen; W., Bro. Thomas Gibson ; LG., Bro. Baylis ; R.S. to N. G., Bro. R. Anderson; L. S. to N. G., Bro. R. Macfarlane ; Permanent Secre tary, Bro. Minni?. Auditors—Bros. Scott and C. Reid. The other vacant offices were suitably filled.* The sick visitors re ported no sickness whatever in the Lodge, and the Ball Committee reported the pro gress made with arrangements for the forthcoming anniversary celebration. During the half-year twenty-five new members have been added to the roll, and a number of old members who had become bad on the books have paid up, so that the membership now shows the healthy number of G2 good members. A past officer’s Certificate of Merit was presented to . Bro. Dolman on vacating the chair of Noble Grand, usual votes of thanks were passed to the,, retiring officers, and the customary knowledgments were made by the newly-elected officers. Before the election three new members were initiated, and three others will be initiated at next meeting. It is a fact perhaps worthy of note that last night about L2O more money was taken than on any other night during the Lodge’s history. There are L 175 of Lodge funds out on mortgage, and about L7O in the hank. One very hot day a case was being’tried in a court of law in one of the Western States. The counsel for the plaintiff had been speaking at great length, and, after referring to numerous authorities, vp.3, about to produce another imposing* volume, when the judge inquired what was the amount in dispute. On being told that it was two dollars, “ Well,” said he, “ the weather is very hot, I am very old, and also feeble—l’ll pay the amount myself.” A Negro was put upon the stand as a witness, and the judge inquired if he understood the nature of an oath. “ For certing, boss,” said the citizen; “if I swears to a lie I must stick to him ! ”

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, June 25. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M., and Dr. Trevor and 0. P. Cox, JJ.P ) ' ; 8 ' : ' ' VAGRANCY. Charles Rj'al was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. Mr. Branson appeared for accused. • Constable Neill deponed—l remember the 18th June, and on that date went ■ Ygijth Constable Wan ing to a place called tile “ lean-to.*’ I saw the prisoner there with two prostitutes. It was at half-past ten-at night. There were two cabs in front of the house. I heard voices of a number of people in a room inside the house. I arrested the prisoner, and charged him with. -having no lawful visible means of support. Prisoner seemed quite surprised, to leave the brothel. I told him jf he did not come quietly I should use rough means. He then came awaylfcith me. On the way to the watch house he took a book [produced] from his had the names of the girls insidM/and accused commenced to tear leavcafrora it. The leaves fell out, and I picked them up. He also took a pack of cards from his pocket and a set of dice. Mr. Branson here entered the Court, and objected to the case going on, as he understood it was to come on at eleven o’clock. His Worship said that the case had been adjourned until to-day from last Saturday, and the time for criminal cases coming on was at 10 o’clock. The proceed. of the girls who were at the lean-to at another brothel. On the 16th inst. I went to the lean-to for the purpose of serving a summons on two girls. Went I went to the front door, prisoner left by the back door, and went in the direction of a house in which he says he lives. On the 22ud May I saw the accused at the brothel, washing dishes, and “ slushing ” about the place. James W. Mcllae, sworn—l am a cab ownei’j and sometimes drive. I have known accused over twelve months. About last August he was working in the bush ford Mr. Bossenburg. Accused has been living at the lean-to lately, but has a private pottage close by. I have driven people to the former place, and have seen prisoner there. Have seen persons there whom I understood to be prostitutes. The lean-to is a house of ill-fame. It has been such for about eighteen months. Mr. Bramson —Accused has a cot tage. He is a bushman by trade, and I have heard ho owns a cab, but ho has denied the ownership to me. I do not know where he lives. ~ Edward Oughton, sworn—l am a cab driver residing in Ashburton. Know the accused. He lives at a brothel. I have known prisoner for the last twelve months. About twelve month ago, he was working at fencing, but have not known do any work since, except about the bpothel. Have taken men to the house oh many occasions, and nearly every time I have been there I have seen accused. Edward Ede, sworn—l am a cabman, and know accused, and have seen him at the lean-to, which is a house of ill-fame. For the last three mouths I know he has lived there. By Mr. Branson—l have heard ac cused owns a cab. It. W. Shearman, deponed—l have seen accused before. He was formerly a laborer, but I do not know what lie is doingatpresent. He once askedmefor work, but 1 refused to give him any ; since then have never seen him do any work. I have turned accused out of my hotel, because he was loafing on men for drinks. James Corrie, sworn—l know accused. Have seen accused at the lean-to. There were about fourteen other men there, when I was there on one occasion, and two or three girls. I broke a pane of glass in the window, and prisoner asked me to pay for it. I refused to do so. On mysolf and others trying to get into a room, ac cused tried to put us out. James Dalton and James Forman gave evidence corroborative of that of previous witnesses. Constable Warring, sworn Accom panied by Constable Neill I went on the 18th inst. to a brothel on the Alford Forest road. By instructions from Ser geant Felton I have frequently visited the house. The report [produced] is mine. On the 15th May I went to the house. Saw accused there with a number of men and several women. About 11 p.m. on the 23rd May, I visited the house, and again saw accused, there playing cards . with three..other men in a room. I saw accused push a man out of the house. On sth June, at 11 p.m , I again visited the house, when prisoner was also there with a number of men. At the time I went with Constable Neill I saw prostitutes there who had at one time been in another brothel. This concluded the evidence for the prosecution. Mr. Branson said that all the evidence given did not tend to show that the accused had no lawful visible means of support. He would be able to show that he had money to his credit, in the bank, he was the owner of a hansom cab, and had done work for which he was paid. Mr. Branson said he would call J. H. Guy, who deponed that he was ledger-keeper at the Bank of New Zealand. 'Accused had a running account at the bank, and had money there to his credit. The account had been running for three months. John Newman deponed—l am a cab driver. The cab belongs to accused. I rent the cab from prisoner. I give’ him LI per week for the use of the cab. By Sergeant Felton—l believe accused lives at a cottage on the Alford Forest road. Have driven men to a place called the lean-to. Have also driven prostitutes in the cab. Have seen prisoner in the house called the lean-to: Never had any verbal agreement with accused. Don’t think I was prssent when accused bullied the prostitutes for not riding in the cab. Accused told me if any men wanted to go to the lean-to to drive them there. Caroline M‘Cann, sworn—-The accused lias done work for me, for which I have paid him. The receipts [produced] are signed by accused. By Sergeant Felton —I live on the Alford Forest road. I was on one occasion brought before the Court for being an idle and disorderly person, and discharged, with a caution. I am living in the same uhouse as I was then. When I first came to Ashburton I lived in a tent in the river bed. I am always working at house-work. I keep a boarding-house. S Mr. Branson addressed the Bench on .behalf of accused, arguing that it did not matter from what source the money was obtained, so long as that money was a lawful means of support, and it had been proved from the evidence that Eyal had a credit balance in the bank, he received rent for a cab, and had got money for work done. He submitted the accused must be discharged. u After consultation, Mr. Guinness stated that the Bench considered that the amount in the bank might have been placed there for the purpose of misleading the Court, and as regards the receipts produced they considered they had been concocted. Ac cused would be sentenced to three months’ ■imprisonment. Mr. Branson said that he should give notice of appeal, and asked his Worship to state a case. Bail allowed —accused in a bond of L2OO, and two sureties of LIOO each. Pending the decision of the appeal, a further charge against Ryal was postponed, on the application of Sergeant Felton. OBSTRUCTING THE THOROUGHFARE. Henry Beckett was charged on the in formation of Chas. 0. Fooks, that he did on the 12th June last obstruct the

Wakanui road, contrary to the provision of The Public ‘(Works Act,. 1876. Mr. Purnell for the prosecution, Mr. O’Reilly for the defence. John H. Baker, sworn : I am Chief Surveyor of the Canterbury district. I produce the Government Survey Map of roads in the Wakanui road district. The road running through section 20485 was laid off under my instructions by an assistant named Seaton, on or about August, 1878 ; the section was bought in April, 1874, I believe by the accused. By Mr. O’Reilly—l cannot tell when section 16686 was surveyed—it must have been before January, 1877. It is usual when a section is surveyed to put the numbers on the pegs. Mr. Chalmers re turned his report in 1875 as having surveyed the section in question. Charles C. Fooks deponed—l am clerk and surveyor of the Wakanui Road Board. About the latter end of January I first became acquainted with’the fact that the road was obstructed. Complaints were then made to that effect. I know the road, and had visited it before January. In 1878 there was no building on the place in question. 1 do not know whether the road was marked on the ground in 1878. I first saw' the building on the ground about the end of January. I will swear the building is on the road as inai’ked on the map. Beckett has told me that he owned the building on the road, and did not intend to remove it until compelled. Acting under instructions from the Road’Board, I have written to accused, asking him to remove the build ing. The Board have instructed me to take proceedings. I have been Clerk to the Road Board since its formation— August, 1879. The Board has never given permission to defendant to put an obsti'uction on the ground. Section 16686 belongs to Mr. Earle, who is a mem ber of the Board. I cannot say whether Mr. Earle is the only person who requires die road. For the defence, the accused, Henry Beckett said that when he bought the section there was no road laid off. He saw Mr. Seaton, the surveyor, come there on the 23rd August,. 1878. The road was marked off on the map in 1875. The land was bought in April, 1874, and accused said that the road was not marked off until the year after. Was burnt out last year, and as there had been a deal of dispute about the road, built upon the road to settle the dispute,’ and partly because it was more convenient. Took counsel’s advice on the matter. By Mr. Purnell—At the time I bought I received a right to occupy. 1 did not know at the time of purchase that there was a road marked through the ground. I did not know that when a license to occupy is given, the Crown reserved the right to put a road through the property. I have sunk a well in the road. Mr. O’Reilly submitted that the action of defendant was first caused by the con duct of the Ashburton Road Board, who had told the defendant and his neighbors to fight out the matter amongst themselves, and on taking legal advice he had taken the action. His client purchased the land and had no idea that any one had the right to put a road through the land. After once buying the land, he had no idea of anyone presuming to put a road through it. Mr. Purnell said that the defendant had admitted the offence, and all that had been said only tended to obtain a mitiga tion of it. He w'ould press for the full penalty of LlO. The” Bench inflicted a fine of ss. and costs L 3 3s. in the case. A month would be allowed for accused to remove the build ing, and for every day beyond that, on which the building remained, a penalty of LlO per day would be inflicted. ALLEGED SLEEP STEALING. Benjamin Corrie was charged with having, in the month of May, stolen and driven away from the sheep farm of Frederick Tooth, Alford Forest, managed by Mr. L. E. Oorsbie, three sheep, the property of Frederick Tooth. . Inspector Pender appeared for the prose cution ; Mr. Ireland for accused. L. E. Corsbio deponed—l am manager of the Alfo.d Forest Station. The pro perty belongs to Mr. Frederick Tooth, of New South Wales. 1 know Corrie. He manages a farm belonging to Mr. Denis Hoare. It is a run for sheep. The two properties adjoin one another. Mr. Tooth’s brand is T.O. The earmark is a tip and a slit on the near ear. The slit is down the centre of the ear. A back notch is put on the off ear. Those ear marks are for ewes, the opposite sides of the ear being for wethers. The earmark for Iloare’s sheep is the fore-quarter taken out of each car for all classes of sheep. I mustered the sheep last on the lOthuVlay. I then went through the whole of the sheep and lambs. There were then a good many ewes and lambs missing. The earmark is the only one for cross-breds ; I use another earmark for the merino ewes They are marked similar to the others, but there is no bach notch on the off ear. I had a conversation at one time with the accused about some sheep being missing, in February last, and one also in January. During the conversation I complained that a good many of our sheep had been shorn by Hoare, and that a good many were missing from the run. On the 28th January, I drew Corrie’s atention to the fact that he had neglected to earmark seventeen lambs for Mr. Tooth. The lambs, with the ewes, were in our yard, marked with Hoare’s mark. Corrie was present and saw the seventeen lambs. Corrie knows our brand and earmarks as well as I do. The accused has assisted us in drafting, on which occasions strange sheep are thrown out. On the 23rd January accused was shearing, and I was present. Some of our sheep were among Hoare’s. I knew them by the earmarks. I pointed them out to Mr. Hoare and accused. I pulled out some of them. In February Corrie told me that their losses were heavy too. Corrie has been in charge of Hoare’a run for about twelve months. There is no possibility of our earmark be : ng mistaken for Hoare’s, nor Hoare’s for ours. I have seen two lambs and two two-tooth sheep outside the Court. They are three-quarter bred sheep. One lamb is a nearly pure-bred. Hoare never had the same class of sheep to my know ledge. His sheep are merino ewes and twortooth cross-breds. A person ac quainted with sheep would distinguish the two kinds of sheep easily from the dif ference in the wool. The sheep outside belong to Mr. Frederick Tootji. The three sheep outside the Court originally bore the earmark as described on exhibit A. The fore-quarter has been since taken off each ear, and produced a mark on them similar to Hoare’s. There is suf ficient remaining of the original mark to enable me to swear that Tooth’s mark was there at one time. I should think the alterations were made about the end of April last. My attention was drawn to these sheep on the Ist June, They were then in my stable, in the charge of M‘Konzie, the shepherd. They had then the same earmarks as are on them now, with the exception that they were less healed. One of the three sheep has Hoare’s earmark on it. The mark is quite distinct, but I cannot tell how long it has been put on—not more than two months. I identified the sheep as belonging to Mr. Tooth. Never sold any sheep to Hoare or Corrie, nor have I ever sold any lambs of this kind of sheep to anybody. Cross-examined by Mr. Irelaiid—There is a boundary fence between the two runs. My sheep can get on to Hoare’s|run, and have been impounded off Hoare’s run. Macfarlane, who took them, told me so. My sheep have not been impounded off Hoare’s run more than once. My shepherd M'Kenzie knows the I earmark. Have had no notice of toy sheep trespass ing on Hoare’s ground before I this case

commenced. The police got the sheep now outside the Court from me. I brought them from Alford Forest homestead. I suspect that accused took the sheep. The sheep were cut and tailed by me, and my shepherd, and the shepherd found them in Corrie’s yard with the earmarks altered. There was a sale at Hoarc’s on the 20th of May, I knew of the sale by advertise ment in the public, papers. I attended the sale. Ido not know that M‘Kenzie got notice of the sale. I went to the sale to buy. No sheep were offered to sale.

By Inspector Pender—Hoare resides at Tirnaru, and is not frequently at the run. By the Bench —I did not get notice from Hoare, nor from any one that Hoare was to muster ids sheep—not within three months of this date. I got no notice from Hoare to attend the sale and pick out any sheep belonging to me. John M'Kenzic, shepherd in Mr. Cors bie’s employ at Alford run, sworn, said he had been on the run for three years, and knew all the earmarks in use, and all the boundaries of the estate. Knew Hoare’s run thoroughly, and all his earmarks. The exhibit marked A is a fair representa tion of the earmark used by Tooth for crosl-bred owes. Exhibit B is the ear mark used by Tooth for all his sheep. I have mustered Hoare’s sheep twice with Corrie, the last time on the 27th of May, the first time three weeks previously. Corrie knew the earmarks used by Tooth. I was at Hoare’s on the 29th May ; both Hoare and Corrie were there. The sheep were being drafted, and the strange sheep picked out. We picked out 77 strangers —mixed sheep—by their earmarks. Sixty of them were Mr. Tooth’s. Three of the sheep in the cart outside the Court were amongst the sixty. I claimed them as Tooth’s from Hoare. Some was there at the time. I claimed them by the earmark which was Tooth’s, but they have now both ours and Hoare’s oh them. The ex hibit G shows the way the sheep were ear marked when I found them in Hoare’s yard. Our earmark is the older. I have no doubt in my own mind about that. I should say Hoare’seannarkonthose sheep was not above ten days old on the 29th May. I took the sheep to Alford station, and they were sent on here. I have no doubt about these lambs being the same. The two earmarks are not a bit like each other, and could not be mistaken by any one -who knew about sheep. Corrie has been shep herding to my knowledge for eighteen months, andhe ought to know about sheep. Corrie has been managing for Hoare, who was not frequently on the run. By Mr. Ireland—A few days before 27th May last, I met Corrie, who told me. he was to muster on that date. I at tended the muster, and the sheep outside were amongst the mob—three of them. I picked them up on Hoare’s run, on which Tooth’s sheep could easily get. Olissold left a few merino ewes, Hoare brought some more merinos, and Clissold left some cross-breds. Ido not know where Clissold’s sheep came from. He was the proprietor previous to Hoare. The sheep outside are cross-breds and one merino. Hoare might have a few sheep ot the same kind as those outside. Neither Hoare nor Corrie refused to allowed me to take away the sheep when I claimed them on the 29th at the drafting. I never saw any of the second cross among Hoare’s sheep belonging to Hoare. I could not distinguish between a half-bred and threer quarter bred sheep. Mr. Tooth’s sheep stray upon other runs besides Hoare’s. Andrew M’Farlane, farmer, Alford Forest, sworn—l keep some sheep, and I know the Alford run sheepand Hoare’s, and know their different earmarks. They are totally dissimilar. I - know Corrie inti mately, and he knows Tooth’s brand and earmark as well as I do. He has been often about the yards. I was at Hoare’s on the 29th of May, when M‘Kenzie claimed some sheep. He claimed three, but took away four—one he wasn’t sure about. Of the four outside, three came from the yard, taken away that day by M'Kenzie. 1 have seen the sheep—they have had a new earmark put on, which was quite fresh. There was an old one on too which was Tooth’s. The new ear mark represented Hoare’s. It was quite recent, and tho blood was quite fresh. Corrie said he knew nothing about these sheep. He said this in answer to both myself and M'Kenzie, and I replied that it looked very suspicious. I have known these runs twenty years. The sheep out side are two lambs and a hogget, which are three-quarter bred. All Tooth’s sheep are similar to these, and Hoare has none except what have been wrongly marked by Hoare and belong to Tooth. I have no doubt, whatever, about this. Tooth’s sheep stray on my place and on other places. All sheep-owners and shepherds up in the Alford district know Mr. Tooth’s brand. Accused on being cautioned, declined to make any statement. Mr. Ireland addressed the Bench for the defence, stating that the charge was a serious one, but one that could be very easily made. He contended, however j that there was not any evidence agaiusj; the accused. The ghpep in question belonged to a flock that coijld stray at their will over all the neighboring runs, and every piece of evidence brought before the Court had been only presumptive, and it was quite probable that these earmarks had been tampered with by others who might have a spite or grudge either against Hoare or Corrie, He asked that the gase be dismissed- Dennis Hoare, stationowner, Alford Forest, sworn, said—l know accused who has-been manager of my run. I have seen the sheep outside the Court. I have sheep like them. I have merinos and cross-breds. I was not oh the run at the last muster, but I know when the sale took place. M'Kenzie and M‘Far lane both went through the sheep on the day of the sale at my request, and took the sheep that belonged to them. I can’t say that I noticed the sheep nowin the cart on the day of the sale. lam not on good terms with my neighbors, and I have lost 1,300 sheep since I went up there. I be lieve Con ie to be honest anttTumorable, and I don’t think he would put my earmark on sheep that were not mine. By Inspector Pender—l had three-quar ter-breds on the run, which I bought off Olissold, and I swear that I have had a similar class, of lambs to these on my runs. I do not know sheep so thoroughly that I cpuld distinguish different classes of sheep, but I feel assured I have had the class of sheep. I never told Corrie I would hold him responsible for the sheep he lost. The earmark on the merino out side js miqe, arid I think the shegp is mine—the others are similar. I do not know Tooth’s earmark. My earmark on the sheep outside is more recent than the others that are on. Corrie was acting without my authority when he earmarked sheep that did not belong to me. His Worship said there appeared to him to be aprimafacie case against accused, and it was a case which he would not undertake to decide, therefore he would refer it to a jury, and committed prisoner to trial, bail being allowed in L2OO, and two sureties of LIOO each.

The Court then adjoux'ned till this morning.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, June 23.

THE RABBIT PEST. The Hon; Mr. Menzies presented a Southland petition asking for a Special Committee to inquire into the rabbit pest. IMPOUNDING BILL. On the motion for the third reading of the Impounding Bill, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore moved its recommittal to in- , sert a clause for half trespass rates on un fenced land. After some discussion this proposition was rejected, and the Bill was read a third time. MOORHOUSE RECOGNITION BILL. The Hon Col. Whitmore moved the second reading of the Moorhouse Services Recognition Bill. The Hon. Col. Brett seconded. Both gentlemen . eulogised Mr, Moorhouse’s services and character. A long discussion ensued, in which, tlie Hons. Oapt. Fraser, Mr. Mantell, Dr. Pollen, Dr. Grace, Mr. Buckley, Sir F. D. Bell, Mr. Chamberlin, Mr. Scotland, and others, ridiculed the paltriness of the proposed recognition, while speaking highly of Mr. Moorhouse. The*Hon. Mr. Buckley said that the framer of the Bill must have meant it as a practical joke. The Hon. Mr. Chamberlin said that Mr. Moorhouse said in his hearing that the Bill proposed to give him a State pauper’s ticket. All spoke against giving tlie testimonial system the dignity of Parliamentary recog nition, and several characterised the measure as an insult to Mr. Moorhouse. The Hon Captain Fraser said that Mr. Moorhouse should be given 5000 acres of land. The Hon. N. Wilson spoke in favor of the Bill, and the Hon. Mr. Mancell moved that it be thrown out, which was done by 19 to 9. On the motion to go into Committee on the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill, the op ponents of the measure obstructed its pro gress by various means, asserting that it was attempted to be hurried through while those most opposed to it were away, not knowing that it would be brought on. Ultimately, after much discussion, and half-a-dozen divisions, in two of which the Speaker was obliged to give- a casting vote, the committal of the measure was post poned to July Ist, for which date the Hon. Mr. Menzies gave notice for a “ call ” of the Council. The Council rose at 5.15 p.m.

Thursday, June 24.

The Deceased Husband’s Brother Mar riage Bill was read a first time after a short discussion, in wh'ch the J±on. Col. Brett termed the measure obscene. The Hon. Mr. Menzies moved for a call of the Council on July 16th, to consider the D eceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill. * On this there was a long, disorderly, and irregular discussion, during which several members were called to order. Some em phatic expressions were used concerning members (of whom there are now twelve) habitually absent. Ultimately after two divisions, the call was rejected by 22 votes to 8. All the papers relating to the Volunteer misconduct were laid- on the table. The Deaths by Accident Com pensation Bill, the Adulteration Bill (Statute revision Bills) were passed through Committee and read a third time. The Council adjourned at 6 p.m. ■

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, June 23,

EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30. no-confidence debate.

Mr. Thomson resumed the debate. He deprecated the proposal to knock off borrowing altogether ; the reaction would be too great. They should borrow, say half a million a year, and that would pre vent the reaction from the late borrowing system being felt so severely. That would be enough to enable them to go on with really judicious works without tempting them to embark in reckless undertaking. He had every faith in the future of New Zealand, and if they came to a stand still, an adverse influence would be exercised on their securities. The Hon. F. Whitaker moved that the House adjourn. The importance of the question at issue, coupled with the state of the House, justified the proposal. It was well known that certain festivities were going on, which was the reason that so many were absent. Major Harris opposed the adjourn ment, and Mr. Macandrew supported it. Mr, Turnbull objected to the adjourn ment, and, speaking to it, proceeded to discuss the main question. After speak ing of the unwise conduct of Government ii talking so much abput the difficulties into which the cplpny 'had fallep, instead pf taking active measures to remedy the evil, the speaker said what he proposed doing was to assist the Government in doing that which they }ia4 so long neg lected doing, viz., to rectify the evil ag it existed. If the Government would only bring down bold measures they would, all be prepared to assist them. They should flrgt of ajl. decide upon a per_- ipanent form of taxation, apd for that reason he a land tax in prg ferenoe to a property tax. The former was a more permanent subject for taxation than the other. The property tax itself would be more acceptable to people if its imposition on machinery were not enforced. In the way of retrenchment, he said that Ministers had acted rightly in reducing, or at all events in proposing to reduce, their own salaries. It would have been more graceful had they taken that step month ago. They should, however, com mence at the top of the tree. They should cut down the Governor’s salary, say LSOO or LOGO per annum. If they could not dtf it with this Governor they should make arrangements for the future. He would not be in favor of a single servant being dismissed ; it would be a cruel step. What he would counsel would be to reduce their salaries upon a graduating scale, to commence with LBQO men,' andrciit off IQ per cent., goiqg down to L2QQ salaries, deducting say 2h per cent. He asked the Government not" to add to the general dig tress by dismissing these men.' They all had been equally culpable so far as he could see. *They should give fheni" fojp warning, but should not push filings to ap extreiqe at present, and aggravate thp general distress by throwing them out qf employment altogether. That was Jda opinion, despite all that was suggested by the Civil Service Commission. He had hopes that when the provinces were abolished a national spirit would spring up. Far too much was expected at-the hands of the Government. The children of the colony were nursed in a Govern ment cradle, educated at the expense of the Government schools, supported and fostered in a Government office, and buried in a Government coffin. The motion for adjournment was then put and carried, and at 10.20 the House adjourned. Thursday, June 24. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE “IMAGINARY SWAMP.” Major Harris moved that leave of ab sence be granted for a week to. Mr. Ham lin. Sir W. Fox asked for further informa tion as to the nature of the business for which leave of absence was sought. It had appeared from the public prints that' he had gone away to the West Coast for the purpose of discovering an imaginary

THE ASHBUBTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880.



s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best t? lb 0 10 to I 0 Eggs, 1? dozen I 8 to 0 0 Cheese, prime quality, it? lb 0 6 to 0 8 Bacon, prime smoked, 1? lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, 1? lb 0 0 to 0 0 Flour in bags, b? ioo!b 13 0 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 251b 4 6 to 0 0 Lard, lb - 0 9 to 0 0



AUCTION SALES. This Day. Alfred Harrison, at his saleyards—Draught Horses and Hacks, Fowls, Implements, <£c. Sale at 12 o’clock. Tuesday, June 29. Jameson and Roberts, at Wood’s Farm, Dromore —Horses, Sheep, Pigs, Imple ments, Harness, &c. Sale at 11 sharp. Tuesday, July 6. TT F. Gray, at his salerooms, Temuka — Freehold Town Sections. Sale at 1 o’clock sharp. NOTICE OF PARTNERSHIP. MATSON, COX, & GO. Messrs, h. matson & co. having taken Mr. C. PERCY COX, Who has lately been acting as their agent at Ashburton, into partnership, their business at Ashburton will for the future be conducted under the management of Mr. Cox, under the style of MATSON, COX, & CO., And they hope by erecting large business premises, and thus giving increased facili ties to their clients, to merit and obtain a fair share of the business hitherto so liberally accorded to them by the public. MATSON, COX, & CO., Ashburton. June Ist, 1880. 93G0 MATSON, COX, & CO. will hold Fortnightly Sales of Stock _at Ashburton and Tin wald alternately. Next Sale at ASHBURTON, TUESDAY, JULY 6th. 910 a MATSON, COX, & CO. CHRISTCHURCH AGENCY. MR. GEORGE MAULE, is authorised to receive orders and accounts for the Ashburton Guardian and Evening Herald. All orders fir Advertisements left at his office, near TaltersaU’s, will receive prompt attention. 955g* WEEKS & DIXON.



A Sign of the Times. —“ To be let.” An Accommodating Physician. —There is no worse occupation for an earnest physician than to listen to the complaints of people who pretend to be ill. A well known doctor, who was called upon by one of his patients for nothing about once a week, ended by inquiring—“ Then you eat well ? ” “Yes.” “ You drink well ? ” “Yes.” “You sleep well.” “Cer tainly.” “ Wonderful ! ” said the doctor, as he prepared to write a prescription, “ I am going to give you something that will put a stop to all that.”