MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Eakaia, &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Eangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily. For Tcmuka, Timaru, and South at 6 a.xn. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, oh Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.xn. 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, Eakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. -From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.m. daily. . / From 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.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1880.

It perhaps the most disagreeable posi tion in the bestowal of the New Zealand Government—that of a Eoyal Commis sioner-. After pouring out a number of very unpalateable truths, and making a number of suggestions just as disagreeable for those concerned, the Civil Service Commissioners handed over their Com missions, and were discharged, but while their report was before the public they were the best abused men in the colony : Why ? Just because they said things that were very unpleasant. The Railway Commissioners are likly to enjoy the same experience. In the abstract, every dis trict and township in New Zealand is going to be, in the very near future, the hub of the Colony. It is going to be at some time the centre of a great agricul tural country ; the centre of a great mining industry, or the home of manufacturing emprise. And it only wants a railway to do the job for it. The railway line is the great means by which the springs of in dustry will be loosened ; by which the land will wave with golden grain, and flow with milk and honey ; which will impel the sinking of the shaft and the raising of the minerals; build the great factory, raise the tall stalk, and spin the busy wheel and run the dexterous loom. When the Railway Commissioners came to analyse the claims of the various dis tricts to be suppliers of traffic to proposed railways they found many of their claims as hollow as could be, and if they have not as mercilessly exposed their hollowness as the Civil Service Commissioners did the sore points of the departments they were appointed to probe, they have . effectually enough hinted where Government will make mistakes if they go on with their railway making policy, and have given a pretty safe guide to what lines will be re munerative if constructed. But the Com missioners have not yet reached the thickest of the mud that will be showered upon them. When the Public Works State ment comes to be discussed, and it should be found that Government have adopted the recommendations of the Commission then will be the opening of the vials of wrath. Dozens of districts Fondly believ ing themselves to be undeniably places through which railways ought to pass, have found themselves left out in the cold, and the lines they trusted to see made at some time or other, if not removed from the map of probable railways, at least so coldly treated by the Commission that the hearts of the trustful ones will be sick indeed with deferred hope before the hope they once held so lively can become lively again. The representatives of these districts will not be slow to cast stones at the Commis sioners. These representatives will never admit that their pet lines could ever turn out losing concerns, and even if that fact should be proved to them to a demonstra tion they will still fall back on the old and fusty argument of “justice.” It is from the representatives of such districts that the Commissioners will receive the most abuse ; but doubtless they will be able to survive it.

It is to be hoped, however, that the storm raised by.selfish districts will affect the Ministry as little as it will the Com missioners. If Government should be swayed—though we have no fear that they will—by the throats of interested members, and should neglect the advice given by the Commission, then the labors of the latter body will be valueless ; and the least con cession to log-rolling will be a mistake. Public works are undoubtedly a good in the main, but public works that do not pay intrrest on the cost of construction, J.ejmrn in the fewer of such works wa have the better.

For a very long time past the term “ unemployed ” has been quite a house hold word throughout New Zealand. The story of their wrongs, real and imaginary, and accounts of the distress and want which exist among some of them, have occupied a deal of the space in most of the journals of the colony. Meetings have been held in the principal centres of popu lation, and the most eloquent of the un employed’s number have been selected to interview Government and lay before the Ministry their grievances. Recently arrived immigrants, who, before leaving their native land, were led to believe they were emigrating to a country that was speedily to lift them from poverty to a competence, but whose hopes vanished like the dew before the rising sun, have aired their complaints in the newspapers of the Old Country, warning their friends not to be led away by the miraje which has been so destructive to their happiness, and in the endeavor to realise which the ties of home and friendship were severed. Kind-hearted and sympathetic colonists have, both as individuals and as members of public bodies, put forth a hand to alleviate genuine distress whenever ithas cropped up. There is little doubt but that, as a whole, the unemployed of the colony are a class who are deserving of the warmest sympathy and kindest consideration of their fellow citizens. Coming, as many of them did, from England at a time when the colony was not ripe to receive them, casting their lot. amongst us as strangers in a strange land, and whoso efforts to obtain employ ment have been a continued round of non-success, it is no wonder that many of them curse the day when they fist lent an ear to the silvery notes which chimed the praises of this fair land. But while many of these men are worthy of our pity and assistance, there are some of them— and we trust and believe they are few— whom we can only characterise as most inveterate “loafers.” This latter class are oftentimes the loudest in their execrations of the Government of the day in not supply ing them with work, but are generally con spicuous by their absence if there is any immediate likelihood of employment for them being found in the neighborhood where they are located. Others there are who, because the rate of wages is not so high as it once was, scorn to accept em ployment at those rates which at present rule the labor market. It is to this class that we venture to offer friendly counsel ; to such men we are inclined to think a word of advice will not be without effect. The ‘‘ loafer” class is one upon which we feel advice would be lost, and from that body, it is to be feared, our gaols will be con stantly filled. But to those men who, while they may he willing to work if they can only obtain a high price fer, the value of their labor, we offer a “ word in season.” Work of any descrip tion, and at any reasonable price, should in the present state of the colony, be a* once accepted. There is no one who will admit that New Zealand has seen her best days, and when a few years have rolled over our heads there is a bright prospect of, as it were, the phoenix rising from its ashes. If our recently-arrived fellow colonists will only be willing to accept the low wages now ruling, even though it be but a bare livelihood, it will neverthet less, to speak vulgarly, “ keep the po boiling” until a brighter day dawns, and the colony become, what eventually will bo the case, a prosperous and happy country. All that is needed now is patience, and a willingness to plod on, and the time will come when the glowing pictures which have been painted of New Zealand, and the golden anticipations of its wildest dreamer will become a solid reality.

County Council. —The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashburton Council will be held to-morrow. In Bankruptcy. — A meeting of credi tors in the bankrupt estate of H. J. Edwards is called for to-day, at the offices of Messrs. Orr and Co.

The Rangitata Ferry. —Applications for the post of ferryman at the Lower Rangitata, for one year, are invited in the present issue.

Methven Pound. —Applications are invited by the Mount Hutt Road Board from persons willing to undertake the duties of pound-keeper at the Methven Pound.

Police Changes. —We learn that, fol lowing out the reduction policy, Constable Farmer leaves the police force, Trooper Gaffney removes, to Kaiapoi, while Con stable Waring undertakes mounted duty. The district will thus be reduced by two men—one in each department. That Cab. —C. Ryle writes to deny J. W. M'Rae’s statement; to denyever having been accused of brothel keeping ; to accuse M‘R-xc of being spiteful ; and to say further that, after hiring the cab to John Newman, his own connection with or control over it ceased for the time. Acts of Parliament. —The Govern ment Printer informs us by circular, that, with a view to suit the convenience of the public desirous of procuring copies of the Acts of Parliament as passed, without waiting for the completion of the volume, on payment of a subscription of 255. they will be posted by every mail as printed. Erratum.— “ Yorkshirebite,” in criti cising Mr. Silcock’s paper, refers to the quantity of grain taken off the farm. The error was not Mr. Silcock’s, but was a misprint. The items should have been “ 200 acres wheat, at 15 bushels, per acre, 3000 bushels at 35., L 450 ; 50 acres bar ley, at 25 bushels per acre, 1250 bushels, at 2s. Cd., L 156 ss. ” Farmers’ Corn Exchanges. —We have received a reprint in pamphlet form of a paper on methods of utilising Farmers’ Corn Exchanges, read on the 15th May last by Mr. William Bateman, at the Can terbury Corn Exchange. The pamphlet, which has been printed at the Waimate Times office, is dedicated to Mr. Thomas Bruce, of .Christchurch.

The Pruning Knife. —The Board of Education gives notice to School Com mittees, teachers and others, that Go vernment having intimated that the ap propriations for educational purposes, under Section 8 of the Education Act, 1877, have been reduced, a corresponding reduction will be made in salaries and allowances in every department of the Board’s service. The reduction tabes effect from the first inst. Unclaimed Letters. —We are in debted to the Postmaster for the follow ing list of letters from places beyond the colony, received at the Ashburton Post office during the month of June, and re maining unclaimed on Ist August, 1880 ; —Benham, W.; Brosnahan, James ; Buckley, Joseph; Daniel, Patrick Hayes; Devine, W.; Droney, M.; Hewitt, John A.; Kelly, Terence ; O’Connell, John ; Riky, B. P.; Sturgeon, Joseph; Tum belty, M. E.; Williams, Edward.

Whales. —The New Zealand Herald says : —“ On the last trip of the schooner Medora from Whangaroa, the captain sighted no fewer than eight whales off that port. Some of them swam alongside the vessel, and kept it company, coming so close that they could have been struck with an oar. Whales have been very numerous on the coast this season, and stray ones have found their way into this harbor, and into the Firth of the Thames. The American whalers might do worse than cruise off the New Zealand coast, as our own people do not seem to have sufficient energy left to “ strike oil.”

The Maori Prisoners. —The number of Maori prisoners now in custody over the recent fencing disturbances amounts to fifty,—twelve more having been brought to New Plymouth from the Camp on Saturday.

Death in the Street. The dead body of a woman has been found in the street at Otahuhu, near Auckland. Her name was Rose Ann Stone, and she was forty-six years of age. She had been in delicate health for some time, and was seen intoxicated on Saturday evening.

An Old Settler.— Mr. John Cowell died at Auckland on Saturday, aged 60. He was one of the oldest settlors in New Zealand. He accompanied Mr. Houghton on his southern expedition, and Potatau on his expedition to Taranaki. He was obliged to leave Kawhai with other Europeans during the first Taranaki war.

Frightened to Death. —A lad in Wel lington named Smith was concerned recently in an affair that ended in the police laying an information against four or five lads for using profane and obscene language on the street. Smith was so much afraid of being mixed up in the afiair that it brought on a severe attack of palnitation of the heart, from which he died. New Zealand Ploughs at Mel bourne. —Messrs. Reid and Gray, of Dun edin, intend to exhibit in Melbourne at the coming Exhibition a beautifully made and finished double-furrow plough and a complete set of four-leaf harrows. Every part of the ironwork of the plough is care fully and highly polished, and the swingle trees and woodwork of botli plough and harrows are as carefully dressed and finished as coachmakors’ work. We ven ture (says a Dunedin paper) to predict there will not be a more creditable work in the Exhibition.

Malvern Coal. — The following informa tion shows the rapid increase of the consumption of Malvern coal. Mr. Joseph B. Sheath, agent for a coalpit at the Malvern Hills, states that the pit he acts for sent away per rail in July, 1870, 345 tons, and this year for the same month 000 tons were sent away, showing the output to have nearly trebled itself. The sale of coals at the pit, for country and local consumption, is of course not included in the above. Thirty miners are em ployed in the mines.

New Zealand Woods at Home.— There is now on view at the offices of the Emigrants and Colonists’ Aid Corpora tion, at Westminster (says the European Mail), a table-top made from different kinds of New Zealand woods, which was brought over to this country by Mr. Haicorabe. We understand that one of the objects of the visit of this gentleman to London is to endeavor to open up a trade with Groat Britain for the export of some of the valuable timber of New Zealand, chiefly that used in the manufacture of furniture. Certainly there is a good opening for such a trade ; and from what we have seen of Mr. Halcombe, he is not likely to return to the colony unsuccessful.

The Volunteers. — When the item “ Volunteers—L42,G4o 3s. 9d.” came up in Committee of Supply on Wednesday evening, the vote was reduced by L 10,500 - L 9,000 from capitation, and L 1,500 from the Now Zealand Rifle Association. This means that only six months’ _ capita tion will be paid to volunteers this year, and afterwards it will be discontinued. Tim annual prize-firing meeting will also have to ho discontinued, or else the amount of money required for its purposes must be contributed by the public or by the volunteers themselves. It is only proposed to give a capitation allowance to those volunteer companies which exist in the vicinity of disaffected districts. For some time, at least, there is a ju’ohahility that volunteers will have a rather expensive part to perform, but jthp stoppage of the capitation will probably iiqt impair the efficiency of the force.

Honey. —The production of honey is an important and lucrative industry too little attended to in the colonies. The Ameri can Government think so much of it that they allow queen bees to be sent by post in paper boxes, with aperatures for the admission of air. The holes are, however, not to be so large as to make it lively for the clerks.

The Unemployed. —Yesterday a meet ing of the unemployed at which 300 attended, was held in Cathedral Square, Christchurch. A petition to the President of the United States was read, praying for assistance to emigrate, denouncing the Go vernment of this country as one of misrule, and severely blaming the immigration agency at Homo. A petition to the Governor of New Zealand was also read, in which relief was supplicated, and a threat made of a serious disturbance if relief were not speedy and substantial.

The Loch Awe. —The New Zealand Shipping Company’s chartered ship Loch Awe arrived at Lyttelton yesterday from London, after a passage of ninety days. She brings thirty-six passengers, all of whom are reported as well. One of the Clydesdale entires coming for Messrs. Wilkin and Co., named Lucsall, died on June 30 ; the other, Chancellor, is in splendid condition. The West Coast Rush. —The Mayor of Ross thus advises His Worship of Christchurch :—“ Seeing by Christchurch papers that some persons have advised a trial shipment of the unemployed to this district, I beg to advise you that nothing could happen that would be more to be deplored. While not under-rating the value of the discovery at Mapourika, a large influx of people at present, without capital, would be disastrous both to the district and, more particularly, to the people coming here.” The New Generation. —The Bangitikei Advocate has the following :—For the multiplicity of his resources in a time of trouble a Colonial schoolboy cannot be excelled. Illustrative of this fact, we give the following conversation, as it occurred in one of our schools the other day. Master—“ Why did you not come to school yesterday ?” Boy—“ S’pose I must do what father tells me. ” Master— “ You must obey my orders, sir.” Boy— “ Then I must play truant from homo next time they want to keep me V’ Master —“ No, you must bring a note in explana tion next day. Boy—(gleefully)—“ Then I must write it myself, ’cos father and mother can’t write a word.

Local Rope Making. —Mr. Seed, of- Rangiora, has prepared a number of ex cellent exhibits of rope from phormium for the Melbourne Exhibition. The larger kinds are particularly well laid up, and the manufacturer is prepared to nave the same tested against the best Manilla. He also forwards twine of the kind which was so admirably adapted to the Deerihg reaping machine last year. This latter is sub jected to a special process, which Mr. Seed is now applying for letters patent to protect. He further expects an importa tion of machinery, which will greatly facilitate him in the work of making ropes and twine of the better class from phor mium. At the works, near Rangiora, about SOcwt. of prepared flax is turned out every week, a large proportion being used by the upholsterers.

Comparative Statistics. —ln a recent lecture on his visit to Australia, Dr. Roseby, of Dunedin, quoted statistics to show the condition of the people of New Zealand as compared with the other colonies: —“Just note, in passing,” ob served Dr. Roseby, “ how high New Zea land stands. In Queensland and Few Zealand more people get married; in Queensland and New Zealand more chil dren are born ; in ‘Victoria and New Zealand fewer people sign the marriage iv;tli a , rnarlc : in New Zealand public morality—in the particular above indicated—is higher ; and in New Zealand fewer people die, in proportion to the population, than in any of the Australasian colonies. ”

A Brave Priest. —Father Tierney, who acted so bravely at the burning of the Glenrowan Hotel, is the parish priest of Beechworth—a man (says the Mana watu Times ) who cannot be far from seventy years of age. The spectacle of a patriarch of three score and ten under taking a perilous task while a posse of policemen stood around, and an enthusi astic crowd cheered the hero, must cer tainly have been a strange one ; and, although we believe a few of the constables were shamed into action, that they should require to be stimulated by such an ex ample is by no means flattering to their courage or manhood. Father Tierney has been located in the Ovens district for the last quarter of a century, and, although now a weak and delicate old man, it. would appear he is a true soldier of the Gross in the strongest meaning of the term.

The Sand-Blast Novelty. —Among the wonderful and useful inventions of the times is the common sand blast. If raised letters, a flower or other em blem, are required on stone, cut the letters, flowers, &c. in wax, and stick them upon the stone ; then pass the stone under the blast, and the sand will cut it atvay. Remove the wax, and you have the raised letters. Take a piece of French plate glass, say two feet by six, and cover it with fine lace, pass it under the blast, and not a thread of lace will be injured, but the sand will cut deep into the glass wherever it js not covered by the lace. Now remove the lace, and you have every delicate and beautiful figure raised upon the glass. In this way beautiful figures of all kinds are cut in glass, and at a small expense. The workmen can hold their hands under the blast without harm, even when it is rapidly cutting away the hardest glass, iron, or stone ; but they •must look out for finger nails, for they will be cut off right hastily. If they put on steel thimbles to protect the nails, it will do little good, for the sand will soon cut them away ; but if they wrap a piece of soft cotton around them they are safe. The philosophy of this is that the sand cuts away and destroys any hard substance, even glass, but does not affect substances that are soft and yielding, like the head, the hand, wax, cotton, or fine laces. '

Irish Pharmacy. —The Medical Times prints the following as a copy of a label taken off a bottle of medicine supplied by a firm of druggists of Cork ;—“ Caution. —To all medicines for outward applica tion this label is attached to the bottles, in order to distinguish it from others for internal use, but persons unablo to read should not be allowed to administer medi cines, and never give or take a dose with out first perusing the label.—Signed,

Preservation op a Favorite Minister. —’A minister was called in to. see a man who was very ill. After finishing his visit, as he was leaving the house, he said to the man’s wife, “ My good woman, do you not go to any church at all 1” “ Oh yes, sir, we gang to the Barony Kirk.” “Then why in the world did you send for me ? Why didn’t you send for Dr. Macleod ?” “ Na, na, sir, deed no ; we wadna risk him. Do ye no ken it’s a dangerous case o’ typhus V’ Out of the Pale. People’s ideas differ as to what constitutes “society.” For instance, the editor and proprietor of a newspaper in Tasmania was recently remonstrated with by a young clergyman, who pointed out to him that his organ of public opinion was chi oily made up of scurrility, blasphemy, and indecency. In the full fury of his zeal, the young ecclesiastic wound up by saying “In Eng land man a who edited such a paper would be considered outside the social pale.” The editor calmly replied, “In Tasmania, sir, no man is considered outside the social pale until he’s hanged. ”

UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

This Board having resolved at its last sitting to meet on the last Monday in the month, the ordinary monthly meeting took place on Monday, the 2Gth July. Present—Messrs D. M £ Lean (Chair man), Stitt and Sargent. The Overseer’s report was read. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Ashburton County Council, acknowledging receipt of Board’s cheque for L 2,000, as its share towards the con struction of Digby’s bridge and protective works, and requesting a tracing of pro posed road into the Forks. From the same, stating that LI 15s. expended on the' Rangitata traffic bridge ford had been placed to the Board’s credit. From the same, asking cheque for L 29 2s. 9d., being the Board’s share of cost of valuation roll. The Clerk was requested to see Mr. Guinness, and, if possible, Mr. W. O. Walker, relative to the matter. From Mr. Leach re valuation list. From Messrs. Harper, Harper, and Scott, asking payment of an account of LI Is., due in the estate of Mr. S. W. Brown, deceased. The clerk stated that probably the Ashburton Road Board was meant, as this Board had never anything to do with the late Mr. Brown. From the Mount Somers Road Board re boundary road to Lyndhurst Railway Station. FINANCES. The, Clerk was instructed to make out a statement of all rents due by tenants of Road Board cottages, with a view to re covery, and also to write to ratepayers in arrears. TENDERS AND. ACCOUNTS. The Overseer was directed to call for tenders for several works to be opened next Board day. Accounts were then passed and the Board adjourned.

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

(From the Wellington Evening Post.) The Ashburton “ contempt of Court” case was brought under the notice of the Minister of Justice last Wednesday by Mr. Stewart, in the form of a question put in the House of Representatives. The Minister’s answer to the query was per haps what might have been expected under the circumstances ; but as the matter will probably be'heard of again, ■we shall for the present refrain from com menting upon its details. It may, how ever, be observed that there appears to be a “ screw loose ” in the administration of the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Ash burton. During the last twelve months frequent complaints about it have been published in the local newspapers, and but a short time ago we reported the case of a laboring man, of respectable character, who was sentenced by Mx\ Guinness, the Ashburton Resident Magistrate, to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor because at about 11 o’clock one night he knocked at the door of the wrong house by mistake, going away as soon as he discovered his error. Fortunately, he had friends, who enabled him to appeal from the conviction, winch was promptly quashed by Judge John ston, who pronounced it to be a “ monstrous” one. As to Mr. Purnell’s case,, it has, like all cases of the kind, wider bearings than any wrong which the individual may have suffered. It is evi dent that if, whenever a dispute occurs between a Resident Magistrate and one of the counsel pleading before him, the Magistrate is to enforce his opinion by summarily sending the counsel off to prison, our gaols -will speedily be filled, and the few- counsel left to plead in the Magistrates’ Courts will certainly not be the most high-minded of the profession. Nor does (t muck mend the matter if the counsel has indulged in indiscreet' doiq ness of speech. The most brilliant mem bers of the bar occasionally use language in Court which, strictly speaking, cannot be defended ; but the paramount import ance of keeping the bar independent of the Bench, so that it may enforce the rights of suitors to the utmost limits which the law allows, outweighs the comparatively petty considerations of wounded feelings on the part of Magis trates and Judges. Wise Magistrates and Judges do not regard as a personal affront every bold expression which may be used in the heat of forensic con troversy ; and they take care not to place themselves and the bar in such a position that neither can retreat without loss of dignity. Our Supreme Court Judges, as a rule, have shown no lack of discretion in this respect; but “ scenes ” are unhappily not infrequent in the courts of our country Magistrates. The cause, we ap prehend, is to be found in the fact that but few of these gentlemen have received a legal education. The late Attorney- General went so far as to say that “ when a man is not fit for anything else they make him a Resdent Magistrate.” This is a great truth, clothed in the Eastern language. The natural result of such appointments is that the appointees enter upon their duties with, at the best, an imperfect knowledge of the practice of their own Courts, and are pretty sure, sooner or later, to come into collision with the lawyers, who can scarcely be expected to feel the same respect for such Magistrates as they do for competent Judges. “ Scenes in Court.” are doubtless interesting from one point of view, but they do not enhance public respect for the administration of justice; still less do committments for contempt. A. Magistrate, of course, has very limited powersof committmentforthis offence, unlike the Supreme Court Judges, whose powers of punishing for contempt are inherent and virtually unlimited ; but still he has powers of this kind. The right to use them freely, however, is not a logical consequence of their exis tence. In any Court, they should be used only as a last resort, and with the utmost care. It may indeed fairly be questioned whether such arbitrary powers should be vested at all in the presiding officers of our inferior Courts. It is a violent inroad upon the ordinary principles which guide the administration of justice' that even a Supreme Court Judge should possess both the right to decide whether he has beeix insulted or not, and also to award the punishment to be inflicted for the offence ; but it becomes simply outi’ageous when such a formidable weapon of arbitrary power is put into the hand of a Resident Magistrate, whose sole qualification for office is, possibly, the fact that ho has en joyed sufficient political influence to get the appointment.

CIVIL SERVANTS.

It has been said of the Australian and New Zealand Colonies that their aristocracy is one of bank clerks and Go vernment officials. Every member of that aristocracy is qualified to ride a horse, play billiards, make a bet, drink colonial beer, whisper nonsense to a barmaid, but of real work he is as ignorant as a mule. The members of the Government, aristo cracy are said to look to Government as $o a loving father—their salaries are their birthright, and a pension their inheritance. The man who said all this about the Australasian Civil Services was careful to say it in a Home paper, otherwise he might unexpectedly have got his head in his hand, if he had dared to utter language of that kind in any of these colonies. Yet the feeling he entertained regarding the civil service is gradually getting worked into some of the members of the'House of .Representatives, and some very treasonable doctrines regarding super annuation allowance, etc., are being pro mulgated. Onemember will have it that the

Government service is not different from the service of a private employer, and that it should be conducted accordingly. That is, that as soon as a servant’s ser vices are no longer required they should be dispensed with, in the same way that a master builder would pay off just as many carpenters as he had no more work for. As regards superannuation, another member points to life assurance, and bolds that if Civil Servants, and, in fact, ser vants who are not in Government employ, would take advantage of it, superannua tion would be as little required as it is incumbent on Government to bestow it. There are thousands of men who have grown grey in the service of private em ployers who are very soon relegated to the ranks of the unemployed when they reach that point of their career at which they “ lag, superfluous on the stage.” Their wages paid at the end of, the week, they have no further claim upon their employ ers, so that superannuation in private life is a thing almost unknown—unknown certainly as the right of the recipient. It has been urged that Civil Servants enter the service at an early age, in the hope and belief that they will end their days in it; and, therefore, such qualifications as they possess are acquired while in the service, and these are comparatively valueless when they leave. In these cir cumstances, a special claim is made out that they ought never to be discharged, but that room should be made for them at something else when their own par ticular occupation is found to be gone. Only as Civil Servants are they useful, and as such must they be employed. It is, apparently, with a view to remedy this state of helplessness, that Mr. Seddon has given notice of a motion. Perhaps, too, he means to find work of some kind or other for every man iii the future whom the exigencies of any particular depart ment may require to remove. His motion is —“ That in future no male person under twenty-one years of age be appointed to the Civil Service of the colony who has not learned some trade, profession, or business.” If it passes, farewell the aristocracy of officialism—farewell for ever the prestige of the Civil Service ! Reduced to the level of common trades men or shopkeepers, or even lawyers, or doctors, or parsons, or editors —oh, horror!

THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COM MITTEE.

(By Telegraph from our own Correspon dent. )

Wellington, August 2,

In the House this afternoon it was agreed to reject an amendment in the Election Petitions Bill, proposed by the Legislative Council, referring the petition to one judge instead of two. It was also decided to insist upon the question being tried either in or adjacent to the electoral district. The rest of the afternoon was spent in talking over native questions. For the last ten days things must have been going on in the Public Accounts Committee greatly to Sir George Grey’s satisfaction. His tormentor George McLean has been away on a trip to the South. Mr. Wood has also been away, and the three Government members have been too busy to atteixd often and long. This has left a Committee entirely after Sir George Grey’s own heart. Sir George Grey, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Moss, and Mr. Montgomery, with only the slight interference of Mr. Saunders and Mr. Johnston, were called on to pronounce judgment on all the irregular payments of the late Government and no doubt they pronounced them to be all very right and proper, and instructed the Chairman, Mr. Stevens, to report to the House accord ingly. The LBOO lawyers’ item ; the L 2,000 spent enhancing girls, champagne, imd gthor lw»wvi* W a fl.f. f,}q 0 .Maori rov«la ; the L3OO paid by Sir George to his worthy friend Mr. Rees ; and the LSOO paid by Mr. Macandrew to his useful friend Mr. Conyers, in addition to his L 1,200 salary, were all likely to pass such a tribunal, not only with censui’e, but absolutely with commendation. But this evening a change came over the scene. Instead of eight members in attendance there were twelve, and to judge from Sir George Grey’s long face as he left the committee, and the very audible denunciations of “Sir George, a packed Committee ” from his faithful attendant Mr. Moss, there is every reason to believe that the satisfactory work of the last fortnight has been revised, and the Chairman instructed to report that public money should not be devoted to such pur poses. Why these members of the late Government should sit in judgment on their own actions, and attend the Public Accounts Committees with a punctuality and zeal that less interested members do not gexierally display is certainly a pro ceeding that a common understanding can hardly comprehend.

A STARTLING PETITION.

At a meeting of the Christchurch un employed yesterday the following petition was read and signed, as also one to the Governor of New Zealand, praying for a Royal Commission to be appointed to en quire into the petitioners’ grievances :

“ To the President of the United States of America.

“Honored Sir, —It has been conceived by a Committee of the unemployed of this city and suburbs to approach you and your people by humble petition. Our hope by doing so is through lively souvenirs of your history, and every day records of thousands flocking to your shores, thereby impressing us with a knowledge of an in controvertible fact—viz., that immense fields must be opened to absorb population, that beneficient concessions are made to immigrants, and that fraternal links cement the inhabitants of your country together, the unparalleled increase of that portion of the human family of which you have the honor to preside over abundantly shows. Our warrants and excuses for so doing are manifold—viz., parallel motives to those which actuated the founders of your noble flag and institutions : abuse of power in this portion of her Majesty’s dependency ; legislators, wealth, ministers of the gospel, judges, unscrupulous char latans, have been fit tools of leverage to disseminate in a false light the capabilities and resources of this colony ; by such acts alluring thousands to its shores, who have been enterprising enough as to forsake relics of forefathers in a land where they are so numerous. Again we repeat so enterprising, seeking after good virtuous reward in exchange for their industry. Now the veil is lifted. Nothing save indigence and poverty haunt them day by day, entailing un ceasing degradation. As a final remedy, we appeal to you, Sir, and your people, asking in the name of Providence for an extension of mighty generous sympathy, for by so doing once more you will chronicle in your archives a magnanimous renown. Enclosed is a list of trades and callings, with dates of arrival in the colony, number of days employed by ordinary avenues of supply and demand, amount of wages paid by Government, quality of work performed ; also the ages and numbers in each family, by way of justifiable guarantee to the action here initiated by the committee of the unem ployed. Honored, Sir, knowing how im perative it is that exhaustive information was necessary to guide you in any resolu tion you may arrive at, we further beg to enclose for your perusal the enclosed ex tracts from the local press of the last two years, likewise the assurance in all good faith that any disbursement of your Go vernment will be repaid by yoqr suppli cants, should you accede to sia, our peti tion.”

PARLIMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. EVENING SITTING.; The House resumed at 7.30.‘ On the motion of Mr. Swanson, the petition of Michael Hoyle was referred back to the Waste Lands Committee. An Imprest Supply Bill for L 250,000 was introduced and passed through all its stages. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Sir G. Grey moved the appointment of the following as a committee to inquire into the Patetere block transaction— Messrs Bryce, Jones, Kenny, Shephard, Thompson, Wood, and the mover. The Hon. J. Bryce demurred to the proposal, and suggested that the first committee should lie named with Messrs Pitt and Sutton in place of the two gentlemen who declined to act —Sir W. Fox and Mr. Stevens. After some discussion, the motion as amended by the suggestion of the Hon. J. Bryce, was put and carried. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, f?gMr, Moss said he wished to move the following resolution : —“ That a Royal Commission should be appointed to con sider the most suitable form of local Government for this colony, such Com mission to consist of nine members, to be elected by the registered electors of the several provincial districts.” He felt strongly the importance of this question. If they could, separate local from general finance, a very great work would be achieved. They would get rid of much of the log roiling and other difficulties they had at present.to contend with. He would say let those local bodies be so constituted that they would not be re sponsible to the House, but to the people amongst whom they resided. It was one of the most' important questions to which their attention could possibly be directed. He hoped the House would view it as such. The Hon. J. Hall said that Govern ment should have had intimation that a question of so much importance was to be introduced, so that they could have come down prepared to say what they thought of the proposal. Speaking on the spur of the moment, he would say that if such an: inquiry was to be made the House of Representatives was the best body that could be got to make it, therefore the pro posal of a Royal Commission was not one that recommended itself at first sight. They had been taunted with Government by Commission, and this was a proposal to perpetuate that system. Mr. Macandrew said he was favorably impressed with the general idea, but was not prepared to discuss the question at present. He would suggest its postpone ment. The motion was withdrawn, on the understanding that it would be brought on again. The House then went into Committee of Supply. Government ' Insurance Department, L 26,925. On the motion of Major Atkinson, the vote was reduced by L 5,000, and the House rose at 12.45, Monday, August 2. The House met at 2.30 o’clock. Mr. Reid presented a petition-from the brewers and publicans of Westland against the imposition of the Beer Tax. Mr. Wood gave notice that he would on going into Committee, on the Native Land Sale Bill, move a resolution affirm ing that native owners should be enabled to dispose of their lands without Govern ment interference, after receiving a certifi cate from the Lands Committee., It was agreed, on the motion of the Hon. John Hall, that the House to-mor row resolve itself into a Committee to consider the following resolution : “ That the House approves of the arrange ment made (telegram dated May 31st, 1879), for Government joining in the scheme for a duplicate telegraph cable from Port Darwin, upon the conditions set forth in the memo of agreement be tween the Governments of New South Wales and Yictoria, and Colonel Glover on behalf of the Eastern Extension and Australasian and China Telegraph Com pany, 4th December, 1879.”

The Bill to amend the Property Assess ment Act, .1879, was introduced, and read a first time. . The House considered the amendments made by the Legislative Council on the Elections Petitions Bill, and after debate disagreed with them, and a Committee was appointed to draw up and sustain the reasons for dissent.

Mr. Bryce moved the second reading of the Native Land Bill. It proposed to render the proceedings less costly and cumbersome than under the existing Act. The object was to return as much as possible to the proceedings of the Act in force prior to the Act of 1873. Tamoana, Tawhia, and Te Wheoro supported the Bill, expressing, at the same time, an opinion that it should in Committee bo amended so as to provide that, natives should have more to do in conducting the business of these Courts. Sir William Fox supported the Bill, but suggested it did not go far enough in the way of making provision for taxing the costs of agents and lawyers employed by the natives. . •. ; Mr. Reader Wood also supported the Bill, but would oppose the Native Lands Sale Bill.

Sir George Grey and Mr. De Lautour opposed the Bill Mr. Thomson objected to the Bill, and charged one of the members of the Go vernment with having been mixed up in these land transactions.

Mr. Rolleston denied the imputation, and on its being repeated by Mr, Thom son, he (Mr. Rolleston) rose to a point of order, -which the Speaker disallowed. Mr. Thomson concluded by repeating the ob jections to the bill.

Mr. Bryce replied, after which the Bill was read a second time.

The Houe adjourned at 5.30 p.m,

A CURIOUS STORY.

(From the Daily Telegraph,) In his eminently interesting work, en titled, “ Jungle Life in India,” Mr. Ball has adduced good reasons for believing that the old classical story of the rearing of Romulus and Remus by the she-wolf may be founded on fact. This author cites the case of two lads in an orphanage at Sekandra, near Agru, who had been discovered among wolves, and in many ways shared the habits of these animals. One of his stories is supported by a letter from Professor Max Muller. It says : “ A trooper, sent by the Governor of Chandaur to demand payment of some revenue, was passing along the banka of the river, about noon, when he saw a large female wolf leave her den, followed by three whelps and a little boy. The boy went on all-fours, and when he tried to .catch him he ran as fast as the whelps, and kept up with the old one. They all entered the den, but were dug out by the people with pickaxes, and the boy was secured. He struggled hard to rush into every hole and den they came near. He became alarmed when he saw a grown-up person, but tried to fly at children and bite them. He rejected cooked meat with disgust, but delighted, in raw flesh and bones, putting them under his paws like a dog. They tried to make him speak, but CAuM get nothing from him but. an angry growl ox snarl.” Another instance is, quoted as having occurred at Clmpra. A Hindoo father and mother went out to cut their crop in March, 1843. The woman had with her a little boy, who

lately had;, been severely burned on the left knee.'. While the parents were-at work the child was carried off by a wolf. Some years afterwards a wolf with three cubs was seen about ten miles from Chudra, followed by a boy. The boy, after much resistance, was caught, and recognised by the mark of the burn on the left knee. He could eat nothing but raw flesh, and could never be brought to speak. He used to mutter and snarl, but never articulated distinctly. The pans of his knees and points of his elbows had become homey from going on all fours with the wolves. In November, 1850, this boy escaped again, and disap peared into the jungle. Thus the “ she wolf’s litter” of Macaulay’s “ Lays of Ancient Rome,” may have been, after all, no myth. '

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. (Per Reuter's Agency.) London, July 30. In accordance with the decision of the Cabinet, 5,000 troops of all arms have been ordered to proceed to India next .month to reinforce the British army in Afghanistan. -• In the House of Lords Earl Granville made a statement concerning the disaster .-, at Candahar. Ho said that, though further details to hand were reassuring, the defeat of the British troops would most probably prolong the war, and it had been decided to send reinforcements. Calcutta, July 30. According to the latest news from Afghanistan, there is great excitement ‘ amongst the tribes in South Candahar at the retreat of the British before Ayqub . Khan. Desultory fighting is proceeding at the British outposts with a detached body of the enemy. The troops under General Phayre, who have reached. Chaman from the Bolari Pass,, on their way to Candahar, are unable to advance until strongly reinforced, owing to the disturbed state of the country. Calcutta, July 29. Further details of the engagement between Yakoub’s army and General Burrows’brigade in Candahar prove that the first accounts of the disaster were greatly exaggerated. General Burrows and the chief officers of his force reached* the citadal at Candahar in safety. No details have yet been received as to _ the extent of the loss sustained by the British troops. July 30. General Phayre’s reinforcements have reached Chaman. London, July 30. Three per cent consols, 98. There is an active demand for most descriptions' of hides. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 16,750,000. ■ Consolf, 98 The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,730,000 quarters. Best Australian mutton tallow is quoted at 355. fid. July 31. The Right Hon. J. G. Dodson, Presi dent of the Local Government Board in the Gladstone Ministry, who was unseated for Chester, owing to corrupt practices of--; his agent at the election, has been elected for Scarborough, Sir H. Johnson having - retired in his favor. In the House of Lords the Irish Relief Bill has passed through Committee., In the House of Commons a Bill has. been read a second time for conferring privileges on Irish tenants, with regard to 1 ’ J shooting hares and rabbits. ’AC. The cricket match, Australians v: Eighteen of the Alexandra Club, played at Crewe, in Cheshire, was resumed to day, the Australians continuing their: ihr-A nings. Having dost on the day' previous-.'; two wickets for 61 runs, they were all dis-. - posed of for 257 runs, Blackham. being ; - caught for 49 runs; In the.; second; in nings of the Home team, eight wickets have been lost for 29 runs.' The attend- . ance at the match was only moderate, and; it was drawn in favor of the Australians. The Great Powers have declined the proposal made by. Turkey to re-open the question of the rectification of the Greek frontier. .... The wool arrivals to date amount to 3,000,000 bales. The probable quantity for sale will be 320,000 bales. The- tone of the market is quiet. Constantinople, July 30. . i The Porte now proposes to cede Dul- ; cigro to Montenegro, so as to avoid action on the part of the European Powers. Ser via is busily engaged making .warlike pre-; . parations and mobilising her army. AUSTRALIAN. {Per Reuter's Agency.) Melbourne, July 30. The negotiations for the formation of a' new Ministry, which have taken place be tween Sir. J. O’Shanassy, Mr. Berry, Mr. Wrixon, the member for Portland, and Sir Bryan O’Loghlen, are noW-d broken off, and Mr. Berry has summoned a meeting of Liberals for Monday. The demand for sugars continues activo at further advances. Melbourne, July 31. Greer, who shot at his wife and a Frenchman named Soundry, and after wards shot himself, at the Opera-house on Saturday, last, has succumbed to ■ his> in juries. Mrs. Greer and Soundry are re covering from their wounds. Melbourne, Aug. 1. Ned Kelly has been sent to Beechwood. Sydney, July 30. Hennessy’s brandy in ; bulk j quarters, 10s. to 10s. 3d.; kerosene, diamond, per gallon, Is, 7d. ; Devoe’s kerosene, Is. Bd. per gallon; candles, D.R.J.’s, per lb., 7d. to 7|d. ; maize, per 601 b., 2s. Id. to 2s. 3d. Adelaide, June 30. Adelaide wheat, 4s. 2d, to 45.. 3d. per ; bushel; market dull. Adelaide flour, <; L 9 15s. to LlO per ton; flat, and little doing. Freights are unchanged. INTERPROYINCIAL. ; (Per Press Association. ) Auckland, August 2. The Auckland Timber Company have declared a dividend of 10 per cent. A ferocious assault was committed - on Constabale Dews at Panmure by a man named Jas. Hogan. A warrant is out for Hogan’s arrest. The cutter Fanny has been wrecked at Kawau. No lives lost. Gisborne, July 31. Mr. W. L. Rees, solicitor, was a pas senger yesterday, per Ringarooma, fot*, ■ Wellington, to attend and give evi- ; oence before the Parliamentary Com-c'; : mittee relative to the LSOOpaid him .as a o retainer for the Waimate inatives" last session. He will also.endeavorito .induce. Government to incorporate in the Native • ■ Land Sales Bill certain provisions con-; tained in his East Coast Land Titles Bill,. , relative to land recently conveyed in trust. The severest shock of earthquake felt ‘ for years was experienced about 1.30 a. m. this morning, lasting for thirty seconds, and travelling from a southerly to north erly direction. . Another shock, less severe, occurred fifteen minutes after wards. No damage was done. An old Wellington resident, on a visit here, says .<■ it!was the severest shock he has felt for twenty years. Just before dusk the pre ceding evening a most brilliant meteor;.;, was observed. Wellington, July 31. At the R.M. Court this morning, Johm Doren was committed for trial on a. charge of stabbing another man, named" Campbell. Three hundred and-twenty-five exhibit* -

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1880.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



AUCTION SALES. Wednesday, August 4. Alfred Harrison, at Ashburton Forks — Horses, Implements, Harness, &c. Sale at 12.30. Thursday, August 5. Edmiston, Gundry, and Co., at Mr. W. C. Morgan’s, Alford Forest— Postponement of Sale. Saturday, August 7. Alfred Harrison, at his Saleyards, under Bill of Sale—A quantity of Stock and Plant. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. Subscriptions for the Quarter ending June are now due, payable at the office, East street, near Railway Station. _ A Discount of Is. will be allowed on the Quarter’s Subscription, and 4s. on the year’s subscription, if paid in advance. New subscribers are requested to - send in their names and addresses as early as possible, to the Publisher, this being the first month in the Quarter. The Farmers’ Supplement will be pub lished every Month. WEEKS and DIXON, 36q* Publishers. MORGAN and BIBBS, General Store keepers, Methven, are authorised agents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention. WEEKS AND DIXON, 30g* Proprietors. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUIs OIL. COUNTY HOSPITAL^ TENDERS are invited for _||ie Supply of Groceries, Bread, milk, Meat, Medical Comforts, Fuel, Dmigs, and to pi'ovide Funerals for a year fpr the County Hospital. i Specifications and conditions can be seen At the Council Chambers. Tenders addressed to the Chairman will be received up tolla.mjfon WEDNES DAY, the 4th day of August, 1880. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. By order, F. MAIN WARING, Clerk. Ashburton, July 22, 1880. 683c-07g To-Night! PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, ASHBURTON. A GRAND OPTICAL Entertainment, Consisting of a large number] of interesting and DISSOLVING VIEWS, BY LIMELIGHT, Both LOCAL and FOREIGN, will be given on . TUESDAY, AUGUST 3 rd, 1880. In aid of the Primitive Methodist Church Funds, Ashburton. For the first time ; The Eastern Spend thrift, Syria, and Palestine, etc., etc. Vocal and Instrumental Music. See Handbills for Programme Prices of Admission— Adults, Is.; Children under 12, 6d, each. Doors open at 7.30 p.m.; commence at 8 prompt. 703 c OATS— Wanted to PURCHASE OATS in any quantity. Send samples to Geo. Maude, Commission Agent, near Tattersall’s, Christchurch. 46g WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, the Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c ANTED KNOWN—That the cheap est and neatest CARDS may br> d at hhe GUARDIAN OFFICE.”



Extensive Sale. —Mr. Aifeod f3#m son holds an extensive sale of stock and implements to-morrow at the farm of Mr. Joseph Good, Ashburton Forks.