MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office for the following places (subject to the neces sary alterations) as under : Wednesday, May 25. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only), Continent of Europe, Point de Galle, India, the East, China, Japan, Aden, Mauritius, Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Suez, the Mediterranean Ports, and Australian Colonies, &c., per express train (to connect with s.B. Rotorua at the Bluff), as follows: —Ordinary letters, at 7 a.m. ; books and newspapers at 6 a. in. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. on Tuesday I2th ; money orders at 4 p.m. on Tuesday 12th. Late lee letters may be posted in the travelling Post-office van attached to the express 'train on Wednesday, May 25th. For Northern Ports, per Hawea, at 1.40 p,m. ; ,late fee letters at 2 p.m.; guards van, 2.30 p.m. train. Mails dose at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timara and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 420 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. ; For Ashton, Water ton and Longbeach, at 430 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 am. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.20 a.m., 435 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. . From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a. m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 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 it 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, May 28.. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his yards— Horses, Farm Implements, &c; 12 o’clock. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street —Valuable Town and Suburban Pro perties. Friday, June 3. Matson, Cox, and Co. —Farms, Live and Dead Stock, &c.; 12 o’clock. Friday, June 10. , J. T. Ford and Co., on the premises of Mr|Earle, Wakanui—Valuable Farm, Live and Dead Stock, &c.; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-night, Tuesday, May 24. Tea and Concert, Templar Hall; tea at 5.30 ; concert at 8 p.m. Farmers’ Ball, at Moffatt’s Mill ; com mence at 8 o’clock. Wednesday, May 25. Lecture on “ Hydropathy,” Town Hall, 7.30 p.m. Friday, May 27. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, at 8 p.m. Monday, May 30. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. _ Upper-Ashburton Road Board —Meeting . to elect five new members, at the Road ' Board Office, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 1. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Monday, June 6. Newland School Committee Monthly . meeting. Meeting to elect Committee for the Waka nui Library, in the Wakanui School room. Tuesday, June 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8. , Masonic Concert, Masonic Hall, 8 p.m. Thursday, June 9. ; Mount Hutt Road Board, Monthly Meet ing. Saturday, June 11. , Ashburton School Teachers’ Association, Borough School, 2 p.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m; Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 am., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the dace of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will bo 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.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5.10 p.m. ’J

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Praevalebit. TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1881.

Tea Meeting and Entertainment. — The anniversary tea meeting in connection with the Star of the East Lodge is to take place this evening. A concert will be held afterwards, and a very attractive programme will be gone through. Accident. —We regret to hear that an accident happened to Mr Dan. Macfar lane, the guard on this morning’s early train to Christchurch. From par ticiilars to hand we hear that whilst Mao farlane was shunting trucks at one of the stations on the line, he was jammed between the buffers and severely hurt. The exact nature of the injuries we are, however, unable to gather, but wo hope that they are not serious, as Mr Macfar lane is one of the most obliging guards in this service, and is greatly eteemed by his fellow-employees,'as well as by the travel ling public.

Crowded Out. —Owing to the pressure on our space, the continuation of the tale, “ A Strange Bed," and other matter,-is unavoidably omitted.

Caledonian Society. —The members of the Caledonian Society will meat to morrow evening, at the Somerset Hotel on important business.

Hydropathy. —lt will be seen from an announcement elsewhere, that Mr Wallis has postponed his lecture on Hydropathy until to morrow evening. Sale of Farm and Stock. —We would call the attention of our readers to Mr Prendergast’s advertised sale of valuable farms and stock, which will take place on Friday, June 3rd. Washed Overboard. —Henry Moore, a seaman on board the ketch Venus, was washed overboard off Portland Island. The sea was too heavy to launch a boat and the man was drowned.

Colonists Honored. —His Excellency has received a despatch announcing that Sir Francis Dillon Hell, Agent-General for New Zealand, has been created a K.C. M. G., and that her Majesty has been pleased to confer the honor of knight hood upon his Honor Chief Justice Prendergast, Wellington. A Mare’s Nest.— Referring to a Press Association telegram which appeared in yesterday’s Guardian, which stated that the Auckland City Council offices had been broken into and robbed of a con tractor’s deposit of L 7, we learn that during an investigation by a detective, it was found in the waste paper basket. Fire. —About 12.20 last night (says the Press) the Lichfield street fire bell rang out a peal followed by the railway station whistle. The locale of the fire was in- a north-easterly direction, and turned out to be an empty house on the North-east belt, close to Mr Sutherland’s bakery. The Fire Brigade were promptly on the spot, but as the house was isolated and no water handy, their services were not put into requisition.

As Others see Us. Major Smith, Minister of Education in Victoria, who, it will be remembered, was recently on a visit to the colony, speaks in very favor able terms of the educational system of Now Zealand, especially of Dunedin, where its success, he says, was most marked. He was much struck with the high average of attendance in the primary schools, which was much in excess of that of Victoria. He suggested the adoption of the system of endowments by grants of land in the latter colony.

The Cerberus Torfedo Accident.— Mr Berry has sent to Captain Mandeville, the Torpedo Board’s report on the recent disaster, so as to give the latter an oppor tunity of replying. The Premier disap proves of certain points in the report, notably the statement that the late voyage of experiment was a more pleasure trip. He intends providing, in the next Esti mates, a sum for new boilers, and the Cerberus will also fill up her complete ment of crew from the naval reserve. When Captain Mandeville returns the report, with his comments, Mr Berry may likely refer it to the captain of the Finisterre, who recently gave evidence. The Tararua Disaster. —At the Wes leyan Conference at Sydney, on the 3 2th inst., the Rev Mr Watsford, the retiring president, in his address referred to the Tararna catastrophe in touching words. Steps are being taken to open subscrip tion lists on behalf of the families of Revs. Armitage and Richardson, lost in her. —A coaster which arrived at Dun edin on Sunday, from Waikawa, was found to have aboard some ladies’ cloaks, etc., valued at L(3O, which had been a portion of the cargo of the Tararua. The police searched the vessel, and took pos session of the goods, The captain said he intended to report when he got to Dun edin.

The Reform Question. —Although the Victorian Assembly has yet to consider the amendments introduced by thd Coun cil, little doubt now exists that '&• com promise will be effected. Mr Berry, speaking at a complimentary dinner to Mr Munro at North Melbourne, 'said that the time had come when the country ex-* pected'a termination to the struggle, and he would, therefore, accept substantially the Council’s amendment, hut was satisfied the country would not regard as a final settlement, and that within a brief period the struggle would be recommenced with renewed vigor. He was personally opposed to the acceptance of the Coun cil’s amendments, but desired to procee with other important measures, such as the abolition of plural voting and the in crease of tho land tax. The Aye, how ever, in a leader, says that it regards the question as practically settled for a generation.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE [per reuter’s agency.] England Protests. London, May 21. It has transpired that the Right Hon. Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has referred to the Tunisian treaty in recent despatches to the French Government, emphatically protesting that France will be expected to fulfil the existing treaty obligations, and to respect privileges that England has hitherto enjoyed in connection with the government of the Tunisian principality. The Wool Sales. At the wool auction to-day, 3,200 bales were offered. The bidding, was excited. Australian tallow has fisen 6d per cwt. ; best beef is quoted at 35s ; best mutton, 365. Affairs in Ireland. London, May 22. The condition of Ireland continues fo cause grave anxiety to the Govern ment. Six flying columns of troops have been organised to assist in en forcing the service of writs in the dis affected districts.

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

[Per s s. Te Anau, at the Bluff.] London, April 8. The Government obtained a majority of 120 on tho division on the Candahar question submitted in the House of Com mons by Lord Stanhope. The prosecution of Johann Most, edi tor of the Loudon Socialist paper, Die Freiheit, is disapproved of by The Times and several other papers as injurious and unnecessary. London, April. 22. The Malcolmsou Court-martial ended on the IDth inst., in a complete acquittal of the prisoner, as it was made perfectly clear not tho slightest blame attached to him in connection with the Maiwand dis aster. The defence seriously reflected on the conduct of Generals Burrows and Nuttall. London, May 4. The severe floods in the United States, caused by the overflow of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, are now subsiding. The damage done, however, has been enormous. In Scotland a strong agitation has been set on foot among the farming population with the object of having the principles of the land legislation embodied in the Irish Land Bill extended to Scotland. The movement is regarded as one likely to have important rc.sujts affecting changes of tenure throughout Great Britain. The stream of emigration to the United States from Great Britain, Germany, and other European countries continues un

checked. On Monday last';'Bp less than (i,500 people landed at NewV3|prk. The French Customs Tariff®!!!, amended by the Senate, has occasioned considerable dissatisfaction, and is bitterly criticised, owing to, the protective nature of its pro visions. The ; Island of Cyprus has been over run by a plague of locusts, which have devastated the country, destroying the crops and all vegetation in their flight. The Committee of Divines and Scholars who have been for some time engaged upon the revised translation of the Scrip tures, have completed the revision of the New Testament, which has just been issued. Adelina Patti has announced her inten tion of taking leave of the operatic stage. Her farewell performances will take place next year, after which she will retire into private life. Edwd. Trickett, the well-known Sydney oarsman, will not return to Australia. He has decided to remain' in England, having become landlord of a sporting tavern in the village. of Barnes, on the Thames. London, May 9. In the House of Commons, Mr Grant Duff, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, in replying to a question put by Mr Summers, member for Staleybridge, said that when the attention of the Colonial Office had been directed to the outrages on whites in the South Pacific, the Secre tary of State for the Colonies had asked for information from the Missionary So cieties, and added that the missionaries should report all ‘ outrages within their knowledge to the naval authorities on the A ustralian station, or the High Commis sioner of the Pacific. The Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State (or India, will probably accept a suggestion, providing the Victorian Go vernment agrees to it. that the Melbourne mails should close cjft Monday night, and the steamers start at daybreak on Tuesday, although the Indian mails will thereby he thrown back twelve hours. Her Majesty has held a review of the troops at the camp, Aldershot. There was a large muster. Her Majesty was re ceived by Sir Daniel Lysous, the General in command at the camp, who was at tended by a brilliant staff. An election has taken place for Knares borough, Yorkshire, the seat which has been vacant since July, 1880, when Sir, Hcnrj’ Thompson, who was elected in the Liberal interest, was unseated on petition. The election has resulted in favor of the Conservative candidate. Hefferman, a prominent member of the Land League at Cork, and four others have been arrested and lodged in gaol. Farther agrarian outrages are reported in Ireland, and Lord Dunolley’s bailiff has been shot.

WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

AVbllington, Yesterday. The Industrial Exhibition was opened by His Excellency this afternoon. In reply to the address of the president, His Excellency said : —Gentlemen —I am far from thinking any apology necessary for your request that I should be present at the opening of this Exhibition. On the contrary, I am grateful to you for the wish that I should take part in the pro ceedings and be associated with you in your , undertaking. .Such exhibitions must always, in a new and rising country, be attended with peculiar interest, not attaching to more dazzling displays of longer established communities. We see ■in them the first tentative steps taken to ascertain what are indeed industries for which the locality is really suited, and which will eventually augment in a con siderable degree the wealth of the colony, and give employment to those of its popu lation who are not engaged in agricul tural or pastoral occupations. Before this can be effectually done, however,, feelers will no doubt be thrown out irt many’ directions'without success. It is'inevit able, and it is important to remember, that probably no industry can obtain, and that certainly none deserve, success unless able to command it without permanent reliance or artificial aids to existence. ■ A manu facture which can only be secured by the exclusion of all foreign competition with Hie articles produced is a direct injury to the people at large, and a questionable benefit to the producer himself. Young, however, as New Zealand is she already possesses industries which need fear nothing from external rivalry, and I have it on good authority that her woollen manufactures very closely contested with the vineyards of Australia for the Impe rial prize awarded at the Melbourne Ex hibition for the most successful enterprise of colonial industry'. The articles here collected will no doubt afford material for thought and enquiry, and I trust that their exhibition may tend to promote the development of the vast resources of the colony. -

THE IRISH LAND BILL.

[Per s.s. Te Anau at the Bluff.] London, May 8. Yesterday evening, in the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone introduced the Irish Land Bill in a speech of two hours and a half. It is considered as ranking among one of his great oratorical achieve ments. The cardinal point of the plan is tho establishment of a Land Commis sion, having partly administrative and partly judicial duties, which will super vise and carry out provisions for the pur chase of estates and re-sell to occupying tenants, also to advance public money for reclamation of waste lands, also for emi gration from ever populated districts. The Commission will consist of three mem bers, one being always judge or ex-judge of the Supreme Court ; a Commission to regulate proceedings in all local Courts, and have power to appoint assistant com missioners or sub-commissioners. Under provisions of the Bill, increased rent is to be restrained by certain rules, and com pensation for disturbance is to, he regu lated according to different rates. The right to sell tenants’ interest is to be universally established, and eviction only permissible for default. ' The resumption by the landlord to be impossible, except on reasonable grave cause. Mr Gladstone dwelt upon the political and social advan tages to a peasant proprietory. The Land Commission would have power to assist tenants to purchase holdings, and to purchase estates from willing land lords for the purpose of re-selling them where three-fourths of the tenants were willing to buy. Advances to he three fourths of the purchase money. Ad vances are also to be made <jn agricultural improvements, including reclamation of waste lands, to tenants or companies for the purpose of emigration, and no limit to .be placed on the gross sum to he ad vanced. Every Irish tenant to have the right to go before the Land Commission or Court and have the judicial rent fixed fop holdings, which would endure for fifteen years, during which time there should be no eviction of the tenant, except for breach of cerfcajo covenants or non-payment of rent, mad.o. Tenant right recognised as a saleable interest. The Bill is warmly and hopefully received by the Liberal party, although it provoked the Duke of Argyle’s resignation of office of Lord Privy Seal, as his Grace’s econo mical principles prevent him from ap proving of the main provisions of the measures. Mr Parnell reserved his judgment, but the prevailing impression is that the Irish members are favorable to it. Lord Elcho gave notice to-day of, an amendment condemning' the mpin prin ciples of the Bill, as economically un sound, unjust, and impolitic.

HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

This being the sixty-second anni versary of the birth of Her Majesty the Queen, a slight sketch of her life may not prove uninteresting to our readers; —

Victoria Alexandria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India, was born at Kensington Palace on May 24, 1819. She was the only child of Edward Duke of Kent, George lll.’s only son, and of the Princess Luise Yictorie of Sachsen-Kohurg, widow of the Prince of Leiningen, and sister to Leopold, King of the Belgians. The death of her father, a year later, left her heiress to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland ; but of this fact she was kept in ignorance until 13 years of age. Until within a few weeks of her elevation to the throne, her life was spend in comparative retirement, the supervision of her educa tion being entrusted to the Duchess of Northumberland. She ascended the English throne on June, 1837, and her coronation was celebrated on the 28th of the same month in the year following, in Westminster Abbey. On February 10, 1840, Her Majesty was married to Prince Albert of Saxo-Cobnrg Gotha, their wedded life extending over a period of 21 years 10 months, in which five daughters and four sons were born. On December 14, 1801,, occurred the death of the Prince Consort, to the great grief of the entire kingdom. Her Majesty’s intense sorrow for her irreparable loss, although it has in a great degree dis qualified her from appearing in public and at Court ceremonials, and has im posed on her habits of a life of compara tive seclusion, has, however, never been allowed by her to interfere with the per formance of her duties as a sovereign Regarding the political phases of Her Majesty’s reign: Oh her accession, the Whigs occupied the Ministerial benches, "but were displaced by the Ministry of Sir Robert Peel in 1841. In 1846 the Corn Laws were repealed, and two years later England was brought to the verge of revolution by the Chartist /agitations, but these were fortunately suppressed. The Tories regained office in 1852, but had to retire the year following, being succeeded by Lord Aberdeen’s Ministry, which held office till 1855. In 1854 the alliance of France in defence of Turkey against Russian encroachments was entered into and was followed by the Crimean war, which ended in the taking of Sebastapool in 1855. Lord Palmerston’s Ministry then took office and held the same, with the exception of a short interval in 1858, during which Lord Derby was Prime Minister, till 1805, his policy being inaction at home, and non intervention abroad. During this period the Indian Mutiny broke out (1857), but was stringently and heroically suppressed. Lord Russell held office for only twelve months, he resigning, following the negativing by the House of his. Reform Bill, Lord Derby re-assuming »the reins and passing a more sweeping measure. The new constituencies returned a Liberal majority of over 100, and Mr Gladstone became the Liberal leader, and as such has since continued. He retained office till 1874, when the Tories obtained a Majority of 50, and the late Mr Disraeli took the Premiership, and remained in Power till the elections last year, when the Liberals were returned to power and Mr Gladstone was again called on to fill the office of Prime Minister, which he now occupies.

Locally the anniversary has been observed as a strict holiday. Nothing of importance in the way of fetes , etc., has taken place, pleasure seekers being confined, for fields, to the ordinary pjcnicing excursions, or football playing on the* Domain ‘ Reserve, etc/ In Timaru the annual meeting of the New ''Zealand Steeplechase Club has taken place. In Dunedin there have also been held Birthday races, but the telegraph offices being closed, we arc unable to furnish our readers with details thereof’. Regarding local amusements for this evening, pleasure hunters should find no difficulty in obtaining enjoyment. At the Templar Hall an anniversary tea meeting will beheld by the Star of the East Good Templar Lodge, whilst at the Wakanui mill a farmer’s ball will take place. In conclusion, we wish Her Majesty many happy returns and a long and peaceful reign, and in so doing merely echo the sentiments existing in every true Briton’s heart.

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Mr E. G. Wright and the Ashburton Electors. Mr Wright, member for the Coleridge electoral district, addressed a meeting of the Ashburton electors last evening in the Town Hall. There were present at the commencement only about 100 persons, but this number afterwards increased to about 250, and Mr Bullock occu pied the chair in the absence of his Worship the Mayor, and briefly opened the proceedings. Mr E. G. Wright, in opening his re marks, said ho hardly knew whether to interpret the small attendance as a token pf perfect contempt on the part of the electors regarding himself, or as one of contempt as to the conduct of public affairs. He hoped it was not the latter reason. He appeared before them in observance of a custom by which every member of the House of Representatives is expected to meet his constituents yearlj, and to give an account of his stewardship. This was a duty which he thought might be very judiciously dis pensed with, and be was aware that his feeling on the subject was one shared in by several other in embers of the House. Of course he excepted the case of mem bers of the Ministry or the leaders of the Opposition. It had been abandoned in England, and surely if they could do without it there, those in the colony, who received far lengthier accounts of the sayings and doings of their representatives in the House, could also dispense there with. He would ask them to imagine the manner in which the English press would be burdened in this direction did such a custom exist in that country with its 680 members. With these opinions of his on the subject they would not naturally expect a very lengthy address at his bands A charge had been made against the ppegeijt (government that the session of 1880 was' one barren pf result*. He did not thjnlf, however, .’they would entertain this opinion when he informed them that during the session fifty-seven Bills were passed through the House, including the Prevention for Cruelty to Animals Act, the measure dealing with the importation and sale of arms, the prevention of adulteration of food, regulations ra branding of stocu, destruction of rabbits, the Deceased Wife's' Sister’s Marriage Bill, etc., 23 local Acts, and (three private Bijls, inclusive of there own dealing with the waterworks, in fact, 83 Bills in all were passed through* the House. The protracted length of the session was not attributable to any fault of the Government but to the disorganised state of the Opposition, which was in such a delightful state that it possessed six leaders! instead of one. The Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Bill happily dis posed of the question fer the dealing with

which it had been drafted, 'and they! would not be surprised when hadnfonned them that he fully concurred in the same. Possibly the legalising thereof would, not make any '.marked increase in the marriages under such circumstances, but he regarded it expedient to legalise them, and by so doing remove the brand' of illegitimacy which the children up to the present of such marriages bore, and to also remove the bar which formerly stood in the road to their accession to property, in the event of their father’s not having made provisions therefor in the form of wills. There wore, of course, peculiarities in the case, but he regarded it that the good resulting would outweigh the evil, and he felt no hesitation at the time he accorded his support to the measure, which in debate had occupied the atten tion of the House the whole of one even ing and part of a second. Many Bills had been introduced, and some had been approved, some rejected, whilst others had been withdrawn to be advanced on a future opportunity. Many of these he hoped never to see again. The fact was the Government had provided more Par liamentary business than the House could digest in one session.' Whatever the merits of these deferred Bills might be, ho fqlt sure they would coincide in his opinion that they they would be none the worse for bavin,' an additional twelve months wherein to consider them. Among these were the Licensing Bill, Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, Representation Bill, and Local Public Works Administra tion Bill. The last he hoped would never make its appearance again in the same form. He regarded it as a piece of cumbrous machinery, having for its aim the taking from those who were willing to help themselves and the giving to those who were unwilling so to do. It was a measure which appeared very objection-: able, and the Government very wisely dropped it. The Licensing Bill would be re-intrbduced next session, and he was prepared to give it his support in ■ its old form with the exception of the clauses dealing with bottle licenses and work ing mens’ clubs. His reason for disap proving of those was, that in the latter case these clubs soon degenerated into drinking shops, and, as regarded bottle licenses, these had helped many a poor woman on the downward course (applause). It had been urged that by refusing to license working mens’ clubs they would be providing a law for the rich and for the poor, but he would say let them do away with the exception observed to clubs and let every one pay for a license. It would also, he thought, be far better if

these clubs were obliged to close at 11 o’clock. He voted for the imposition of an additional tax of 3d per gallon on beer, not because he liked the measure, but because he regarded it as necessitated by the exigencies of the position. He did not think the tax would maternally affect the public, for they would get just as much beer and as good as before. In fact they would get better beer for their money, for the Act necessitates the brewers giving an accurate account of what was put in it. Losses on bad beer would come out of the pockets of the ■brewer, and adulterations were easily sheeted home. The colony would benefit in this matter of revenue to the extent of LOO,OOO per annum, whilst the public would suffer no loss whatever. As an instance of the immense profits derivable from the branch of trade affected by the Act, brewing inferior beer, he might relate that one brewer in Christchurch, after carrying on a trade for a moderate number of years, and who had started on a very limited capital, had recently sold out for the modest sum of LBO,OOO. The tendency of the 4ct would be to improve the quality of the beer brewed. The Representation Bill was brought down last session in fulfilment of a pledge given by the Government in 1879, but as it was manifestly the wish of the majority of the House that it should not be brought into force during the last session, the Govern ment very wisely decided to postpone it intead of wasting valuable time over its consideration. The reason for this op position to the passing of the Bill was that the members felt that taking into consideration the fact of Parliament becoming moribund following the coming session, it would only be a waste of the public funds were they to pass the Bill, and by so doing necessitate an election during the recess for the additional seats. That measure affected the Coleridge dis trict more than any other in the colony, but he did not think they would blatpe him for his advocacy of a postponement of the consideration of it. The census just completed would also form a good basis whereon the working of the electoral districts could be regulated. In the Bill brought up last session the population formed the basis, and this required that the number of electors for a town repre sentation should pro rata be five to four as regarded the country representations. The exact number for the Coleridge dis trict was 4,152, and for Ashburton 6,142. He felt that these numbers were scarcely sufficient to carry two members. The distinction required between town and country constituencies was a very proper one, although he hardly expected his hearers to agree with him, being nearly all townspeople. If, however, the popula tion was to be taken as the basis, this was but fair, but if they confined it to the adult ntale population, the men to whom the franchise was given, the breadwinners of the colony, fie would be still more willing to give it big support. If they were to count every member of the community, from the fiaby in arms to the octagenarian, the prisoners in gaol and the orphans in the asylums, some difference must be made in the numbers requisite to form a constituency. They must bear in mind that in tae towns the population was swollen by the prisoners in the gaols, patients in the hospitals, children in orphanages, and by the loafing element of all classes of society. These in particular always gravitate to large towns, and in order to afford due weight to those who by their industry maintain the Govern ment and discharged the burdens of the colony, it was necessary to constitute a wide difference in the matter of town and country constituencies, making the former far in excess of the latter. Otherwise, let them only count the male adult popula tion. That of the colony in 1878 was 116,000, of which total Canterbury had 25,004 to her credit, and Coleridge 3,500. Under the proposed readjustment this gives Canterbury 18 members, instead of 14 as at present, whilst Coleridge would have 2|- members instead of only 1. In 1878, the population of the district was 9,220, whilst under the last census they had 12,420, or an increase of 34 per cent in three years. The total population of the country had only increased at one-half that rate. This gave the district a fair right to a claim for three members, whether on the basis of the adult male population, or by the Bill in troduce,4 last gessipn. His remarks I on this subject had been ratfier prolonged, but ho felt certain they would excuse this, as they materially aifected the interests of his hearers. Regarding the Public Works administration, there was nq doubt that the cplony had progressed in this matter too rapidly in tfie past, and would have to proceed at a more cautious rate in the future, but whilst avoiding precipitation they must also avoid anything approaching stagnation. They had imbibed top deeply of the Public Works pplicy of 1870, and fiad consequently suffered severely from the accompanying headaches s a,n4 following curtailing of expenditure, The colony, however, would reap a benefit therefiom, in that they would not be willing to again repose trust in the Ministry which held office in 1879. That Ministry had over-estimated the land revenue to. the extent of some L‘359,947, and had ex-

pended L 504.732 of the last loan before the same had been raised, and had entered into engagements involving the country in debt to the extent of L 1,715,377, from which there was no drawing back. They estimated the land revenue at L 1,229,500, and it actually did produce L 869,729, of which sum Canterbury contributed L 545,007. Their story of the falling off of the land fund, however, was not enter tainable, for it was only subsequently, March 1880 and 1881, that this occurred. The Grey Ministry had cherished Utopian schemes of affording railway communica tion to holders of rabbit warrens in Otago, and therefore could not be supposed to be capable therefrom of a prorate system of public expenditure and how to meet their engagements. Subsequent events prove they never troubled to estimate their ways and means, and their view was of a bank of issue with unlimited' greenbacks. Having failed to assure themselves, they proceeded to lay rough hands on the native lands on the Waimate Plains, and this before they had settled the claims of the natives thereto, to which fact he had called attention at the time of his election, some twenty-one months back. He, at that time, was satisfied they had grounds for complaint, and this has been proven by the report of the Commission, showing that the Grey Government had made promise after promise to the natives. In this respect they were no worse than the preceding Government, but when it became a ques tion of dealing with the native lands it devolved upon them to ascertain the justice of the native claims, and their failing to pay attention to this nearly plunged the country into war. He would not allude to the blunders of the Grey Government had not their friends tried to prove, and were still endeavoring to prove them heaven-born statesmen, bound - on retrenchment, which they would have effected had they been permitted to retain office longer; but, had this been per mitted, the result would have been un pleasant to contemplate. It should be born in memory that the present Ministry took office at a most critical moment, and that, by so doing, they had placed them selves in an unpopular position. The task they undertook required whole hearted men, willing to sacrifice their popularity for the public welfare, and they had carried out the task faithfully. The question of retrenchment was beset with great difficulties, for, notwithstanding that everybody assented, in the abstract; with retrenchment, the personal application met with strenuous opposition from one and all. The Ministry were but flesh and blood, and it was no easy task they had in the face of appeals against dismissal from servants, who retired with noother reward than a consciousness of having per formed a hard duty. The Government had done much in the way of amalgama tion and retrenchment, and deserved the thanks of the people for the resolute way in which they had performed this most un thankful task. Much had been done by them in this direction, but much still re mained to be done therein. As an instance, he would point to the Waste Land Boards of the colony, and to the Property -Tax Department. It was known that these Boards had in the present but little to do in comparison to the work devolving on them a few years back, yet their staffs were just as numerous. When the Land Tax and Property Jfax, were levied, it was found necessary to^ appoint men for this, whilst he though this duty might justas well have devolved upon some of these highly-paid members of the Land Boards, and if they found this' dual task too much for them to ' discharge, he thought they ought to be made to give place to persons competent of discharging the same. It was noticeable that the Minister for Public Works had, during the past year, paid off 80 of the salaried officers in his department. The expenses of the department since the time of Mr Carruthers had been increased from llper cent on the outlay to 3 per cent. For merly there was great difficulty in obtain ing engineers to carry out the work of the department ; now there was a.difficulty to obtain work for the engineers, and these gentlemen were positively obliged to have recourse to inventing work to give them employment, ri e considered the office of an Engineer -in-Chief in both Islands a mistake. This was all well and -good under Mr Macandrew’s proposal to cover the Islands with nef-works of railways, half a century in advance of the population of the country, but now one Engineer-in-chief should be appointed, having his head quarters at Wellington, and he thought this would have been done long since had Mr Oliver represented other than a Dunedin con stituency. He was still, however, satis fied that, notwithstanding the difference of opinion existing, the Government had done good service to the colony in the way of cutting down expenditure. JBe the railway tariff, the general working had been far more effective than in past years. One of the evils of triennial Parliaments would be that they would no sooner have obtained a Minister of Public Works whose knowledge of the department would guarantee the repose in him of confidence than he would have to give way to a novice who, in his turn, after serving an apprenticeship, would have to fall out for a new hand, and thus the colony would suffer, for the under-secretaries and com missioners, having to deal with new chums at the business, would be enabled to pull the strings more than would be good for the country; in fact the control of the department would really be in their hands, The October tariff was not founded on principles of justice, but on that of exact ing all thg,t was possible, in virtue of the monopoly possessed by the Govern ment, and although this would have been yx ’pected under a company, it was not to be borne under present circumstances. It could not be supposed that they would be permitted to exact the last shilling from one portion of the community to pay the taxation of the whole. He was adverse to this view of the subject. His opinion was that so long as debts have to be defrayed let them be borne by the whole community, and not by any particular section thereof. The tariff, as drawn up in October, was most unjust on those who contributed the major part of the revenue. No doubt taxation was a serious subject, but he looked forward to the increase of population to considerably lighten the same. The colony was not doomed to stagnation: the resources were unlimited ; in fact, no father country could boast of equal blessings, and each new local industry inaugurated would add both to the wealth of the colony and also to the population. He was of a similar opinion to Sir Julius Vogel, who said in 1876, — “I have desired to make it clear to honorable members that a leading feature of the present budget is the putting upon a simple footing the finance of the colony; relieving the consolidated revenue of various contingent charges; giving to the colony its finance, and to the different local bodies theirs; preventing, in the future the clashing of claims, if not of interests, which has caused so much mis chief in the past” This placed the finances on a very simple footing : in facj, the colqny topk all ‘and' tip Ipou bpdto nothing. (Laughter.) In spite of all this simplicity he considered it a mistekp tfl remove the 20 per cent, land fapd. Op this subject there had bepn a long di§pps r sion in committee, and the romovalwais only carried by the casting vote of the chairman. He had always considered that gentleman’s vpting was in very question? able taste, and contrary to all Parliamen. tary usage. As he himself had experi enced them on previous occasions, in such a case it was the duty of the Chairman of Committees to vote in such a manner as to leave things exactly as they were, yet that gentleman in this instance voted in such a way as to entirely reverse matters. It was unfair to impute motiyes, blit be

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY MAY 24, 1881.



W. Jd. SPACEMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a A LL work and no play makes Jack J\ a dull boy,” consequently, bear ing the truth of this adage in mind, Frederick Clark, OF EAST STREET, hairdres SER, Has just imported a quantity of NOVEL AND AMUSING GAMES wherewith to while away the dragging hours of winter nights. They meet the requirements of both old and young, and include playing cards, “ squeezero,” &c.; chess and draught men and boards, back gammon, dominoes, go-bang, race game, lotto, &C., &C. ! Those having favorite Authors should, to prevent disappointment, make their ■elections from his large stock of NEWEST i* NOVELS at their earliest convenience. h THE SMOKER’S FRIEND is F.C., . sqd to preserve the right to this title he '/ has just imported the following Brands of TOBACCO : —Nail Rod, Vanity Fair, Ruby Twist, Twist, &&, &c. CIGARS and CIGARETTES: Havanna and Cuban, ,'Yanity Fair Cigarettes, Ac., &c.,anda large selection of novelties in PIPE WAB& FLOODED OUT. 1 F.O. was floooded out by the heavy > sains on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and ■ the damage done is irreparable. - What is he to do ? Sue the Council for > damages ? No ! no S Sell the damaged - (mods at the best prices obtainable, mid JatANOTHER NEW STOCK This is whtt he will do. Those who COME i EARLY wULtherefore secure; the BEST BARGAINS; Hsffloutting, Shaving, and Shampooing Saloon, Montgomery’s Buildings. 72Qa



Wanted. WANTED— General SERVANT, wliore twci children are kept. Ap ply, Office of this Paper. 840 a WANTED KNOWN—In consequence of the refusal of the Consuls of the Great Powers to protect Midhat Pasha, the Good Templars will charge only Is 6d Tea and Concert. 864 a WANTED A PARTNER, with small capital, to farm an unim proved freehold. For particulars apply to W. H, Gundry, or W. 8., Box No. 1, P. 0., Ashburton. 801 a w N T E D TENDERS for PLOUGHING 100 Acres of Land, with the option of taking 200 Acres, within three miles of Ashbur ton ; near the water. Tenders to be sent to the undersigned by SATURDAY, 28th inst. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. For particulars, apply to HAY T. SMITH, 839 a Ashburton Farm. w N T E D TENDERS for PLOUGHING 200 Acres skim-ploughed Land ; to be ploughed six inches deep for wheat. There is a good hut for men, and good stables and paddocks for horseiT on the ground. Tenders to be sent in by THURSDAY, 26th inst., and the work to be completed within one month. Tenders, to be addressed “ Farmer,” Office of this Paper. 484 a WANTED KNOWN—That W. Fekgib’s EXPRESS runs to and from Tinwald Twice Daily. Goods con veyed at most reasonable rates. Orders left at Jephson’s Store, Tinwald, or W. Patching’s, Ashburton, will be promptly attended to. 760 a. XXT'ANTED EVERBODY to know that ▼V HORSE COVERS can be bought for 17s 6d (former price, 255), at S. Stephens’, Saddler, Tinwald. 726 a XXT ANTED KNOWN That W HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a. in. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a and CONCERT, at the Templar Hall, THIS (Tuesday) EVENING. Admission Tea and Concert, Is 6d ; Concert only, Is. Tea on tables at 5.30. 836 a WANTED KNOWN—That Miss Verrall is now showing her Winter Stock of Millinery, Drapery &c. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo street, opposite Cookham House. 630 a WANTED KNOWN—That the “ Crown Lands Guide ” (No. 3), Newj Zealand Gazette, Parliamentary Papers, and all other Government Publi cations can be obtained by applying at Office of this Paper. WANTED KNOWN—That John Moison (late in the employ of Mr Nealas) has opened business in Fowler’s Buildings, Tancred street, where all descriptions of Boots and Shoes can be made to order. Having had large ex perience both at Home and in the colonies, J. M. feels confidence in soliciting a share of public support. 758 a XX 7" ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.—L. F. Andbewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andbewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 208 a Special Advertisements. OTICE TO FARMERS AND OTHERS IN THE DISTRICTS OF ASHBURTON AND RAKAIA .. On and after this date our BUSINESS in the above districts will be under the MANAGEMENT of Mr William Hobne. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., Grain Merchants. Christchurch, May 3, 1881. 71713 0. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a* Encourage local enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED — 10,000 cmd'V’-nrs to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes .md upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Bar in c- Square. 365 a Hayes’ (J| IMB E R YARDS. FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! The undersigned begs to intimate to his customers and others that he has made a very large REDUCTION in the PRICE of Firewood, and is now retailing the same at from Thirty Shillings per Cord, in large or small quantities. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. ' 608 a John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &0., BURNETT STREET, 1 Opposite the Mail Office;* • Cheapest House in Town for New and r Secondhand Furniture. All kinds of Furniture repaired or ex changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN FOR SECOND HAND FURNITURE. 819



Special Advertisements. George St* Hill, jgUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, Burnett street, Ashburton. Plans prepared and Estimates given at the lowest rates. Terms as may be arranged. 409 a BOYS’ AND YOUTHS CLOTHING. WE have, on account of holding too large a Stock, Reduced the Prices of our Boys’ and Youths’ Tweed Suits and Overcoats. Intending pur chasers will save money by giving us a call. EVERETT BRO S.. Havelock street. 822 a rp H E NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— East Street. W. SPARROW, 369a* Branch .Manag OTIC MOUNT SOMERS AGENCY. E . Mr W. H. Puddicombb is authorised to collect money and transact all business in connection with The Ashburton Guardian in the Mount Somers and Alford Forest districts. W. H. ZOUCH, Proprietor. OTI C E TO SUBSCRIBERS Subscribers to this Journal are requested communicate with the Proprietor when y delays or omissions in the Delivery of s Paper occur, W. H. ZOUCH, Proprietor. OTI 0 E TO FARMERS. The Undersigned can SUPPLY Prime Samples of SEED WHEAT on favorable terms. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., 870 a ' Ashburton.