SHIPPING.

' PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. v . . YKSTKRDAY. Napier, s.s., from Kaikoura. Star of the South, s.s., from Dunedin. Saucy Lass, schooner, from Wellington. To-day. Westport, s.s., from Akaroa. Stella, 0.G.5.5., from Wellington. Albion, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Sailed. Yesterday. Omaha, brigantine, for Chatham Islands. . Napier, s.s., for Kaikoura. Star of the South, s.s., for Westport. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Flora, for Raratonga. Wellington, Yesterday, Arrived, Kiwi, from the East Coast; t Star i f the East, barque, from London. Sailed—Stella, for the South. Dunedin, Yesterday. - ‘ : Arrived—Darcy Pratt, from Kaipara ; Wakatipu, from the North, b Sailed —Ringarooma, for Melbourne, via the Bluff and Hobart.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION RALES Saturday, June 24. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Mr. T. Bullock, at his rooms, East street —Landed Property ; 1 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c Monday, June 26. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Tuesday, July 4. ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from G. 30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, July 5. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock. Thursday, July 6. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stat ions at 7.10 a.m., 11a.m., and (Express)s.4o p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at G. 50 a.m., 10.32 a.m. (Ex press),and 4.45 p.m.--the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. rains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 20 a.m. (Express), 4.35p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a.m., 5.2 S p.m. (Express), and S.lOjvm.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1882. The Waknui Election.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.40 p. ru. j

The result of yesterday’s polling is not one of which the Wakanui district may feel proud, for many reasons. A well-known and honorable statesman, one to whom all classes of the com munity should have given their support, if they had the best welfare of the colony at heart, came forward to repre sent their suffrages in the New Zealand Parliament, and has been rejected. Our most inexperienced men in Par liamentary matters will look upon the exclusion of Alfred Saunders from the House of Representatives in the light of a national calamity. We do not care to go into the immediate causes which effected yesterday’s election. They are too transparent. We have fought hard for our candidate, but no one can say that everything tending to fair play was not done by us in the matter of expressing the opinion of our readers and the electors on both sides. Mr Saunders’ supporters can only blame the promoters of that part of the Electoral Act bearing upon the system of qualification, known and practised as the residential qualification for a vote, for the present loss of an excel lent representative like Mr Saunders in our Parliament. We have repeatedly pointed out the glaring injustice, which the present residential clause in the Act does to that particular class of the community which has characterised Mr Saunders supporters in the late election. The very class that should have supported him did the reverse, and, we fear, will have cause to regret it. Mr Saunders’ opponent has been returned, by no small majority, as the representative of Wakanui, and this will be appreciated by Mr Ivess and his supporters to the fullest extent. Still, we feel thankful this contest is over, and after so much party feeling it will be pleasant to find that the proceedings of the two election contests are suffi cient to gratify even the most fastidious elector of Wakanui as regards his duty in hearing, questioning, supporting, or opposing the views of the candidates before him for the past six months or so.

Selling Off. — A business announce ment by Mr E, Gabitea appears in another column. Banquet to Mr Ivess. A banquet is to be given to Mr Ivess on Monday even ing, at Quill’s Hotel, prior to his depart ure for Wellington. Mrs Hampson. This lady has left Christchurch for Auckland on her way to Victoria, where she is engaged to hold a Gospel mission in Melbourne. Police. —At the Court this morning (before his Worship the Mayor) John Gough was charged with drunkenness at Rakaia, and a previous conviction being proved, was fined 10s. Wm. Hill was then charged with the larceny of a L 5 note, the property of George Tilson, farmer near Ealing. It appears Tilson was paying away some money to Hill and dropped the “ fiver ”on the floor. Sub sequently he mentioned the loss to Hill, and the latter went to look for the note, found it, and spent it. The case was ad journed for the attendance of two wit nesses, until the 23rd inst.

Sooth Canterbury Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association. —It is notified elsewhere that the first annual Exhibition of the above Association will take place at Timaru on July 12th and 13th next. Entries close on the 24th iust. Stabbing Affray at Oamaru.— In the course of a drunken row on Thursday night, at Oamarn, a man named Moyna han stabbed a comrade named M’Gaath in the abdomen. The injured man lies be tween life and death. Moynahan has been arrested, and has been remanded for eight days. Swallowing up the Proceeds.— Thos. McFarlane, trustee fot creditors, im pounded the proceeds of Professor Swal low’s concert at Auckland the other night, Swallow being an undischarged bankrupt. The Professor was served with an order to appear for examination at a meeting of creditors.

More Gold. - From Greymouth conies the cheering news that quite a rush has set in to Slatey Creek, which is almost due west of the Ahaura and Blackball, in the Moonlight ranges. About thirty men are on gold, and have settled down for the winter, building good huts. A good track to the locality is much wanted, as all provisions have to be packed on men’s backs, the last four miles of country being broken and difficult. Several quartz claims have been recently taken up in the Black ball district. The Albion quartz claim (formerly the Bonanza), on the Paparoa range, struck a reef of line looking stone yesterday. The adjoining claim is on golden stone.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter's agency.] Money and the Markets. London, Juno 15. Consols remain at ex div. ; and New Zealand securities at the fol lowing quotations ; —Five per Cent. 10.40 Loan 106JZ ; Five per Cent. 1889 Loan 1063 Four and a Half per Cent. 1879-1904 Loan, 103. The Bank rate of discount is unchanged at 3 per cent., and the market at The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is being an increase of L 750,000 com pared with the reserve last week. The market for Colonial produce is un changed. At to-day’s wool sales a firm demand was experienced for lots of fered. The catalogue comprised 7,800 bales. Since the opening of the series 14,500 bales have been withdrawn from sale. Fully Confirmed. The statement contained in the tele gram published on Tuesday morning that the Khedive and Dervish Pasha have requested the Sultan to despatch 18.000 Turkish troops to Egypt is now fully confirmed. The Min-y-don. The ship Min-y-don, which left New castle on nth Feb. last for Lyttelton with a cargo of coal, and which has not since been heard of, has been “posted” at Lloyds. The State of Ireland. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr George Otto Trevelyan, Chief Secretary for Ireland, replying to a question, admitted that there was an appalling increase in the number of evictions now taking place in Ireland. The Egyptian Mess. The London Times this morning published a telegram from Egypt, stat ing that the Khedive and Dervish Pasha, chief Turkish Commissioner, have sent a request to the Sultan that 18.000 Turkish troops should be de spatched without delay to Alexandria. A Conference. A proposition to hold a conference for the settlement of the Egyptian ques tion is now gaining fresh prominence in Egyptian political circles. Sir Henry. Berlin, June 15. Sir Henry Parkes has arrived here. An Exodus. Cairo, June 15. A general exodus of Europeans from this city to Alexandria is taking place. The offices of the English and the French Controllers-General have been closed. Precautionary. The British, German, French, and Greek vessels now in port have been ordered to take on board any subjects of their respective countries who may desire to embark. Two hundred Natives have in all been arrested in connection with the recent outbreak. To be Enquired Into: A commission has been appointed to enquire into the cause of the recent Native riots and attacks upon Euro peans. Latest From Egypt. Alexandria, Juno 16. A commission has been appointed to enquire into the recent native out break, and has commenced its sittings. The working of the Egyplion telegraph lines is partialiy interrupted, owing to the exodus of Europeans from Cairo and other places, several telegraph officials being among those who have left.

AUSTRALIAN.

[PKK UKUTEII's AIIENCV.] Coursing. Melbourne, Yesterday. The concluding course for the Au stralian Cup was run to-day, and was won by Proserpine. The Political Crisis. Melbourne, To-day. Great uncertainty prevails as to the final issue of the present political crisis. Rumors of a coalition are being in creasingly circulated, but at the same time it is, in well-informed quarters, deemed possible that a compromise will be effected between the Govern ment and France. The s.s. Ranelagh. Brisbane, Yesterday. The steamship Ranelagh, which went ashore at King’s Reef, near Cardwell, on the 12th ult., arrived in harbor to day. A Marine Board enquiry into the cause of the wreck will be held on Monday next.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Nautical Inquiry. Wanganui, To-day. An inquiry is being held into the col lision of the schooner E. and U. Cameron, of Lyttelton, and the s.s. Clyde, trading to Patea, on June 7, at Wanganui heads. The Publicans and the Good Templars. The publicans on the West Coast are preparing a petition to Parliament for the amendment of the Licensing Act, and a public meeting is called by the Good Tem plar to consider a counter petition.

Isabella. Wellington, To-day. The Isabella, brigantine, which was wrecked recently at Poverty Bay has been sold, and realised LIGS. She was insured in the South British Company for L 525, and in the National for Ll5O. The Maoris and the Native Reserves Bill. Christchurch, To-day. Last night the Maoris at the Kaiapoi pah held a meeting in the runanga, for the purpose of taking into consideration the Natives Reserves Bill now before Parliament. Mr Tainui was present, and explained to the Maoris the provisions of the Bill, which met with the entire disap proval of the whole of the assemblage, and strictures were freely passed upon it. The Westport. Lyttelton, To-Day. The s.s. Westport arrived here at 11.30 a.m., having left Akaroa at 6 a.m. No difficulty was experienced in keeping the vessel clear of water on the trip. Another leak in the main hold was discovered last evening and temporarily stopped ; there is no indication of any damage to the steamer aft of the bulk-head dividing the main hold from the engine room. The future movements of the Westport are as yet undecided. Succumbed at Last. Oamaru, To-day. M'Phee, who was injured at the Kartigi railway accident, died this morning, after lingering in the hospital for twenty-four days. The Bible in Schools. Dunedin, To-day. The Bible in Schools Association peti tions the House to authorise the taking of a plebiscite on the question of the in troduction of the Bible into the State schools. Immigrants. Tho Immigration Officer here has been advised of the sailing of the ship Timaru, from Plymouth for Port Chalmers, on April 20, with 141 nominated immigrants.

WAKANUI ELECTION.

Declaration of the Poll. This morning the formal declaration of the Poll, following the recent election, took place at the County Saleyards booth. There were about 250 persons present, including a large number of farmers. We noticed also a good few rial way employees, and that a locomotive was engaged to bring down a few “ free and independent’’ to see the fun. Shortly after twelve o’clock Mr George Jameson, the Return ing Officer, read out the list of votes re corded as follows : County Salbyauds. Mr Ivess ... ... ... ... 287 Mr Saunders 198 Rakaia. Mr Saunders ... ... ... ... 171 Mr Ivess ... ... ... ... 110 Wakanui. Mr Ivess ... ... ... ... 50 Mr Saunders ... ... ... ... 20 Longbeach. Mr Ivess ... ... ... ... 78 Mr Saunders ... ... ... ... 73 Hinds. Mr Ivess ... ... ... ... 30 Mr Saunders ... ... 28 Pendauves. Mr Saunders 49 Mr Ivess 33 Total for Mr Ivess ... ... COO Total for Mr Saunders ... 533 Majority for Mr Ivess... 02 Mr Jameson then declared Mr Ivess duly elected member for Wakanui in the House of Representatives. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) Mr Ivess then ascended the temporary platform amid considerable applause. He said that when he stood in this place on the 9th of December last he told them that “the hour had come but not the man.” Things had changed now, and the man had come instead. (A. voice : “good” and laugh ter.) He had had a most difficult obstacle to encounter in this contest. Interest, capital and prejudice had done their best against him in this fight. He had always striven not to set class against class. (Hear hear.) Had never appeared as a deno minationallist, and nothing would ever cause him to alter his political character in this respect. (Loud Cheers.) He had now the honor of placing his hand on the handles of the Wakanui plough, and he intended to plough deep, and he trusted when the seed came forth the harvest would be a good one. Mr Megson would then be able to see whether his new-chum ploughman would turn out a good representative for the virgin soil of Wakanui. (Laughter.) It was his in tention to proceed to Wellington immedi ately. He would never desert the great Liberal cause (loud cheers from Mr Ivess’s supporters) to go over to the Conservative ranks. (A. voice—“ You will go in next time without any opposition at all.”) He hoped all the bad feeling caused by the late contest would disappear. (Hear, hear.) For his part those who were opposed to him would be forgiven and would be treated just as his friends in future. He could assure them that his principles never would be prostituted, and while he had the honor to represent them he hoped that lie would be always found to do his best for their interests. He de sired to thank Mr St. Hill, who had been most energetic to secure his return, and to those friends who had helped on his behalf. (Cheers) Mr Saunders taid that he tood before them as a defeated candidate. He did not want their pity. He had fought many a poli'ioal struggle in his life, and had often been beaten before this. He stood before them now with more pride than he had done on any occasion in his life. (Uproar, during which one of the audience was silenced by the police.) He was convinced of one thing, and that was that the best portion of the constit uency had given him support on the pre sent occasion. (Cries of “Oh, oh.”) He had never asked a single man for his vote, but he would take the present op portunity to ask those present to remove from their minds any misunderstanding as to what the character of their repre sentative was when he caused so many untruthful slaternents to appear in his paper the day of the election, when he knew that ho (Mr Saunders) could not reply to them. (Uproar, and “ No, no,” from Mr Iveos.) Ho would ask them to look at the paper in his hand, which was not fit to bo hold with a pair of tongs. Mr Saunders here read out certain statements regarding himself and his speeches at the Kaikoura, reported by aMr Raynor. Me was sorry that a majority had been given to one who was untruthful. (Cries of “ Sit down,” and uproar.) Ho thanked the friends who had supported him, and in such an un paralelled and honorable way in working for him as they had, he would never for get them as long as he lived. Perhaps he should leave the political world altogether and retire into private life after this con test. In any case, although he was the defeated candidate, ho flattered himself that ho possessed the confidence and the support of the most enlightened class of the community in Wakanui (hear, hear) , as well as the whole of their votes. ( Mr Saunders proposed a hearty vote of , thanks to the returning officer, which was ( heartily cheered.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. < Friday, June 1G; , The Council sat five minutes; the only i business being the third readings of the Aliens Act Amendment Bill and the Sheriffs Act Amendment Bill. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ! Friday, June 16. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated:— Government would consider the propriety of giving effect to the recommendation of the Railway Commission of a previous session in favor of abolishing free railway passes except to members of Parliament. —The Government was not unfavorable to the introduction of the cental of 1,5001bs as the standard for the sale of grain, but until the population was edu cated thereto it would be injudicious to adopt it. In Soutli Australia it had been adopted, but aftewards abandoned for the reason stated above.—An Order in Council was being prepared, declaring that stoats, polecats, ferrets and weasels, the natural enemies of rabbits, were pro tected under the Rabbit Act. The owners and lessees of land could obtain the ser vices of imported ferrets from the Go vernment on certain conditions. THE CHINESE. Mr Turnbull, on behalf of Mr Daniel, moved for leave to introduce a Bill to dis qualify the Chinese from holding miners’ rights and business licenses on the gold fields. After discussion, the debate was ad journed for a fortnight, to enable the House to ascertain the nature of the Bill. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : Coroner’s Act Amendment, 1867 (Mr Stewart). Mining Companies Validation (Mr Wes ton). THE EXHIBITION. Mr J. E. Brown moved the adjourn ment of the House from Thursday, 29th inst., to the Tuesday following, to enable members to visit the Exhibition. The motion having been seconded by Mr Fish, the Hon Mr Rolleston said the Govern ment would give every facility to the pro posed visit. IN COMMITTEE. The following Bills passed through Committee :—The Waikato Confiscated Lands and Trades Mark Amendment Bill. NATIVE RESERVES BILE. Mr Kelly resumed the debate on the Native Reserves Bill. He objected to the principle of the Bill, and moved, as an amendment—That the Bill be read that day six months,” as it was expedient that native lands should be administered by the Land Department through its Land Boards. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Financial Statement [which will be found elsewhere] was delivered, and was afterwards discussed, the House adjourn ing at 1.20.

MASONIC CONCERT.

A moat enjoyable concert took place at the Masonic Hall last evening. The at tendance was very satisfactory, and the arrangements being very complete, the affair passed off with the utmost success. Bro. W. H. Gundry occupied the chair. The programme opened with the “ Grand Procession March ” (silver trumpets, piano, organ, and flute), performed by Miss Kidd, Bro. Weeks, and Messrs H. Morris and D. Zander. The Misses Fish (Geraldine) then performed the well known overture to “ Zampa ” in a very pleasing manner, and were succeeded by the Misses Gates and Sinclair, Mesdames Penlington and Vaughan, and Bros. Gundry, Pickford, Gates, and Zouch, who rendered Mendelssohn’s beautiful part song “ Morning Prayer” in a manner that elicited deserved applause. Bro. Law rence Davies then sang “ Dear England,” and was succeeded by Miss llodgers, who played the solo “ Last rose of summer ” on the piano. Miss Shappere (Timarn) scored a decided hit in Mattel's song of “Non-e-Vor.” Mr David Zander made a decidedly favorable first appearance “on any stage,” and rendered Meyerbeer’s “ Robert Toi Que j’Aime” very nicely as a flute solo. Bro. Cuthbert followed with the song of “ Tubal Cain,” after which Miss and Bro. Gates sang a pretty duett, “ Oak and Violet.” The first part of the programme was brought to a conclusion by the singing of “I dream’t that I dwelt in Marble Ho.ll ” by Mrs Crisp, who also made a first appearance in public, and who sang very sweetly. Mrs Crisp sang in Miss Kidd’s place, the latter young lady being unable to sing in consequence of a bad cold. Miss Kidd assisted in some of the instrumental items, but her sing ing was much missed. An interval of ten minutes then occurred, after which the Misses Fish played the overture, “Barber of Seville,” and in response to an impera tive encore gave the lively “ Qui vive ” galop. The Misses Gates and Sinclair, Mesdames Penlington and Vaughan, and Bros. Gundry, Pickford, Gates, and Zouch then rendered another of Mendelssohn’s part songs, “ The May song,” and were once more very successful in pleasing their audience. Mr H. Morris then played a pianoforte solo, “ Musical box,” and rendered it so well that ho was compelled to repeat it. Harry Clifton’s funny duett, “Very suspicious, or family jars,” received full justice at the hands of Mrs and Bro. Cuthbert, when Bro. W. de B. Wilson played a violin solo, “ Ade laide,” very well indeed. Miss Shappere then sang “ Tit-for-tat,” and, as an encore gave “Truth in absence.” The Misses Gates and Sinclair and Mesdames Penlington and Vaughan, and Bros. Gun dry, Pickford, Gates, and Zouch then sang the part song “ Rainy day,” after which Bro. H. Gates gave “ He’s always at home when he’s wanted,” and, as an encore, “Never give in.” Miss Kidd, Bros. Weeks and D. Zan der (piano, organ, violin, and flute) then played “ See the conquering hero comes.” “ God save the Queen ” brought the con cert to an end. The conductor was Bro. Horace Gates, who acquitted himself most creditably. Bro, Weeks lent the two pianos and the organ used on the occa sion. The amount realised is about LlB, which is to be devoted to a charitable object. The chairman (Mr Gundry) said a few words at the close of the entertain ment in which he thanked those present for their attendance, and took occasion to point out that the wives and daughters of Masons wore too frequently precluded from joining their male relatives in their visits to that hall, but that these balls and entertainments afforded them a pleasant opportunity of doing so. The speaker was loudly applauded, and the audience dis persed.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The following is an epitome of the Financial Statement delivered last even ing by the Colonial Treasurer : 1 am presenting the Budget thus early because the Government are anxious that the House should have ample opportunity of carefully considering and discussing the financial position and requirements of the colony. In furtherance of this object, which I feel sure will meet with the ap proval of the committee, I hope to place the estimates in the hands of lion, mem bers not later than to-morrow, and I ven ture to express the hope that the House

will Consent to tlio appointment of an early day for going into supply, and not permit the postponement of so vital a question as Ways and Means until the end of the session, when hon. members arc often unable, from mere physical exhaus tion, to give the subject that attention which its importance demands. The com mittee will be glad to learn that the re ports which have been in circulation for some time past to the effect that there is considerable surplus standing to our credit upon the transactions of the year are sub stantially correct. I shall not therefore trespass to-night to so large an extent upon the patience of hon. members as I have been compelled to do so on some former occasions. My statement will be short, but I must still ask for the indul gence of the committee while submitting for its information the somewhat dry de tails of the financial results of the last annual period and the proposals of the Government for the present year. The expenditure for the year under permanent Acts of the General Assembly was esti mated at L 1,570,919, including L 1,499,318 for interest and sinking fund, while the amount voted for departmental services was L 1,757,060. The total estimated ex penditure sanctioned by Parliament was, theref0re,L3,328,579. The actual expen diture was L 3,278,820, being L 49,759 leas than the estimated amount. There are no items of this expenditure which appear to call for special remark. The estimated revenue of the year, ex clusive of revenue derived from the sales of land, was L 3,297,650, and the actual amount paid into the public account was L 3,488,170, being L 190,520 in excess of estimate. Following the course approved by Parliament in the session of 1880-81, a separate account of the land sales has been kept. Adding to the receipts of the year the balance at credit of land fund ac count on 31st March, 1881, amounting to L 32,373, and deducting the expenditure, we have a balance of this account of L 11,360 at credit on 31st March, 1882. The appropriations on the Public Works Fund account for the year ended 31st March last amounted to L 1,892,554. The actual expenditure, however, was only L 977.886, including 1454,224 for railways. Included in the liabilities of the Public Works Fund at the end of the year is the sum of L 338,876 for the purchase of native lands, particulars of which will shortly be placed before the House by my colleague the Na tive Minister, who will also state the pro posals of the Government with reference to our future policy in the purchase of native lands. In the meantime I may inform the committee the amount which will be required this year to complete the purchase of those blocks which the Government have decided to ac quire will probably not exceed L 109,000. The gross public debt of the colony on the 31st March, 1881, amounted to L29,1C5,511, subject to a deduction of L 2,057,242 for accrued sinking funds. On the 31st March, 1882, the debt was L 29,946,711, and the sinking funds had increased to LL2,266,418, the net debt being thus L 27,680,203, or L 572,024 more than it was the previous year. This increase of debt is thus explained. Of the Treasury Bills, which on 31st March, 1881, formed a portion of the public works tund, sales to the amount of L 431.000 have taked place. These bills had been taken up in 1880, with money standing to the credit of that fund, as there was then a large balance not wanted for immediate expenditure requiring temporary investment. They have now been sold, and the proceeds paid into the public works fund, as money was required for the works authorised by Parliament. The debt has also been increased during the year by further advances, amounting to L3C4.700, obtained in London on the security of the debentures of the loan of 1870, guaranteed by the Imperial Govern ment. With reference to the LBOO,OOO Imperial guaranted debentures, I may, perhaps, remind the committee that although in speaking of the amount of public works fund they are always treated as cash, as a matter of fact they never have been sold, but are used to provide a working balance to save interest, by bor rowing upon them from time to time only such sums as are required, according to the stale of the public works fund. I may mention on the other hand that the debt has practically been reduced during the year by an addition of L 209,176 to the accumulated sinking fund, to which has to be added L 14,800 for debentures of the North Otago District Public Works Loan of 1872 redeemed. The net increase in the total amount of debt being thus, as I have said, L 572,024. Before [ proceed to sum up the financial results of the year 1881-2, it may be not be out of place for me to state a few facts in connection with the Government Savings Bank and the Life Insurance Department by way of illustrating the steady progress of the colony, and the rapid advance of these institutions, and the growth of habits of prudence amongst the people during the last ten years. In 1871, with a population of 266,986, the amount standing at the credit of the open accounts in the Government Savings Bank was L 357,654. These accounts were 10,549 in number, and the average amount at the credit of each was L 33 18s Id. In the Savings Banks established under the Savings Bank Act, 1858, the total amount at the credit of depositors on the 31st De cember, 1871, was L 97,312, distributed over 3,726 accounts, the average amount at their credit being L 26 2s 4d. There was thus a total sum of L 454,967 in the Savings Banks in 1871 at the credit of 14,275 persons, the average amount for each being L3l 17s SJ. On the 31st De cember, 1831, the population of the colony was 500,910 ; there were 51,008 open ac counts in the Government Savings Banks, aggregating the amount of L 1,232,788, or an average of L 24 3s 4d at the credit of each. In other Savings Banks there were on the same date, 10,046 open accounts, the totalamountat credit being L 316,727, or an average of L3l 17s Id for each account. The total amount of deposits in the Savings Banka in the colony at the end of the year 1881 was, therefore, L 1,549,513, belong ing to 61,055 depositors, with an average of L 25 7s 7d at the credit of each, as ! against L 454,966 in 1871, and 14,275 de positors, with an average of L3l 17s sd, the population during the ten years inter vening having increased from 266,936 to 500,910. These figures are well worth the careful consideration of hon. members. Tiiey show the remarkable extent to which tho advantage of the Savings Banks is being taken by the people for whose benefit they were 'established. The population having barely doubled itself since 1871, while the number of depositors has increased nearly fivefold. Going on to speak of the growth of the Government Assurance Department, the Hon. Trea surer said the business of the department in the first ten years of its existence pro duced a profit of L 77.000, as shown by the valuation report of the London actu aries, which was laid before Parlameut last session. The business done has in creased from 460 policies issued up to June, 1871. insuring L206,0J0, to a total of 16,900 policies, issued during the eleven years ending June, 1831, insuring up wards of L 5,800,000, being equal to an annual average of 1,500 policies, insuring fully half a million each year during the period. Tho business of the year now approaching its close will, I am informed, considerably exceed that average, and pro bably reach L 600,000. The growth of the assurance fund is not less satisfactory than has been the progress of the annual busi ness, From a sum of L 5,000 in hand in Juno, 1871, the accumulated fund by June 1881, had expanded to over L 557,000, and now it has reached neaily L 650,000. Agreeably to the wishes of Parliament, as expressed last session, an industrial branch enabling persona to insure their

lives for sums ranging from L 3 and up wards by means of weekly payments, was opened in the early part of March last. During the thirteen weeks which have since elapsed, 2,100 industrial policies have been issued. The avarage amount insured for all ages is about L 25 per policy ; for adult lives about L 55. As in the ordinary branch of the department* so ol’o in the industrial branch, any profits which may arise will be divided amongst the assured, a provision which is quite a novel feature in what is termed industrial insurance. To facilitate the payment of small quarterly premiums, there will be provided cards on which postage stamps can bo affixed until the amount of the quarterly premium is reached, and the cards can then be de posited in the post office, where credit will be given for the premium they repre sen*. Arrangements are also being com pleted by which Post Office Savings Bank depositors may make payment of pre miums out of their deposits by means of an instruction to post masters for that purpose, thus saving trouble and securing the maintenance of the policy. These facts and statistics show the remarkable growth and still increasing progress of the department, which is evidently supplying a great public want, and is now so far ad vanced that the Government, as I have on former occasions mentioned to the House, have decided to ask Parliament to place it under the control of a Board. A Bill to carry this object has been prepared and placed before members. Before leaving the subject of life insurance, I may offer a few additional figures, showing further the remarkable stimulus given to that form of family provision since the estab lishment of the Government' scheme .jn 1870. The number of life policies in force in New Zealand in that year has been estimated at 2,000 insuring LI ,000,000. Last year there were in force in round numbers 24,000 policies, insuring L 8,300,000, of which more than one half is insured in the Goverement de partment. This gives an increase foi the period of 22,000 policies, and L 7,300,000 in tho amount insured, or eleven* times the number of persons, and more than seven times the sum in sured in the colony eleven years ago. The total moneys received and paid into the public account during the year, in cluding land sales, was L3,£05,233; and the total expenditure, including charges on the Land Sales Act, L 3,616,895. The receipts were thus L 188,338 in excess of the expenditure, and, adding to this sum the surplus at the close of the year 1880- 81, L 26.706, we find that we have a credit balance on the 31st March, 1882, of L 215,044, This result is one upon which I hope I may be allowed to congratulate the committee. It fully bears out the opinion expressed by the Government in 1879 that the grave depression and deficit then existing were temporary and reme diable, and shows us that the course then determined upon by Parliament of a rigid economy and sufficient taxation has re stored the finances of the colony in a re markably short time to a thoroughly sound condition. We may well be proud of belonging to a people and a country which can in such circumstances produce such results as these in a period of two years. The question of local finance has been again carefully considered during the recess, and the Government have thought it advisable to issue a circular to local bodies asking for their opinion upon the subject, and also upon some important questions relating to the constitution of the county councils and road boards. I shall shortly ask leave to introduce Bills to give effect to such alterations as the Government think necessary in the consti tution of these highly useful local bodies, and also to make sufficient provision for their financial requirements. Ido not propose to trouble the committee with any particulars of the proposed Bills, as it will be more convenient to do so when the Bills themselves are under considera tion. I might, however, say that the principles which tho Government have taken for their guidance in preparing these measures are:—(l) That tho local bodies should be left as free as possible from central control; (2) that they should have conferred upon them all powers which can be advantageously exercised by such bodies; (3) that their finances should be as distinct as possible from the colonial finances, and that their revenues should be sufficient. The necessity of dealing with this subject during the present ses sion is admitted upon all sides. The ques tion is not one which should be treated as a party question, and I venture to hope that the Government will receive the hearty support of both sides of the House in providing the country districts with means of performing the . important, duties which have been imposed upon them of making and maintaining a large proportion of the roads of the colony. The estimated annual appropriation for this year amounts to L 1,851,127,. This shows an apparent increase upon last year’s votes of L 93,468. I say apparent, because the services for which a largepbr tion of the extra L 93,468 is required were paid for last year out of loan. I anticipate, 1 - if taxation is to remain unaltered, with the property tax at one halfpenny in the pound, that we shall receive a total ordi-,. nary revenue of L 3,393,500, exclusive of. land sales. To this must be added the balance of L 203.683, which stood to our credit on 31st March, and we then get the sum of L 3,597,183 as the total amount available for the services of the year.- Now, if from this we take L 3,478,639, the estimated expenditure to which I have already referred, there will remain a ba lance of L 118,544 at the end of the cur rent financial year. The Treasurer then • went into the subject of charitable aid, which, ha said, must be considered before ! the questions of what should be done with the surplus, aud what relief, if any, I could be given to the taxpayers of the colony, could be dealt with. It may be taken for granted (the Treasurer proceeded) that the indigent and the sick poor must be fed and clothed and pro perly looked after by the community. Should private charity fail to make pro per provision—and that private charity will fail to make a sufficient provision, I fear, is only too evident—the State then, as the State, will have to undertake this business in some form. It may be im possible to deal with this large question during the present session ; but as there is a great, and I believe a very general, repugnance to a poor rate, in which I strongly sympathise, and as grants from the consolidated revenue are, to say the least, very undesirable, I propose to submit a scheme of national assurance for the consideration of the House, which I believe to be thoroughly practicable, within the means of our people, and which would make necessary provision for the sick, the widow and the orphan, and the aged. It is possible that my enthu siasim has carried me too far upon this subject; his made me too hopeful. But i havo given the question much thought, and I am convinced that the scheme which I shall, at an early day, submit to the House is within the bounds of practical politics for us in this colony. Major At kinson went on to point out that sufficient provision must in any case be made for charitable aid for the year. He would have to ask for a grant of L 50,000 for Hospital maintenance The continued as sistance of local Boards or local com mittes would have to be asked in managing the Hospitals. W ith re gard to charitable aid now coating L 40,000 a year, he would have to ask for L 20,000. The relief to be given as far as practicable through local institutions, the Government granting £ for £. If this proposal (the speaker continued) should meet with the approval of the committee, I shall have to increase the L40,000:for ; hospitals and charitable aid, which I; men-., i icned as included in my estimated ezseh*

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1882.



Is* fn O O 55 55 S g H H | 1882. | WINTER. The First Portion of the New Goods for this Season, comprising over twenty cases are now opened up. The Boys’ and Youths’ Clothing is especially recommended, and Parents and Guardians will find it advantageous to make an early selection. The Stock of Men’s Clothing is simply superb, and the variety of Hats, Hoisery, Blankets, Flannels, and Shirtings second to none in New Zealand.



Agents fob the Celebrated Webtheiii Machines. Ashburton Branch: PIANOS. Great Variety. The Celebiated Brinsmeads, Ibach, Erard, Baucer, Shaller. Boud, Ronisch. ORGANS. Smith, Parlor, and Church, —15ga. to 140 gs, Second-hand Pianos, Organs, harmo niums, —£8 10a to £45. THE MOST MARVELLOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE AGE IS THE Orgninette, By Her Majesty’s Royal Letters Patent. A child can perform on it, either Ope ratic, Dance, or Sacred Music, after one hoar’s instruction. DEFERRED PAYMENTS. Violins, English and German Concer tinas, Accordians, Brass Instruments, &c. ASHBURTON MUSIC SALOON, .Tanobed street. H. J. "WEEKS (Agent for Begg and Co). Herr Otto Schweees (celebrated tuner) will be here shortly. C93d QUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY. S John Ivieech, CABINETMAKER & UPHOLSTERER, Kgs to invito his friends to inspect his large stock of New and Second-hand Fur niture, consisting of , Drawing-room and Bedroom Suites Chiffoniers Book Cases Wardrobes Chests of Drawers Tables Wash Stands Wood and Iron Bedsteads Cots, Cradles Perambulators Ami ..everything required in household urniahing at the very lowest prices. Practical workmen kept for all kinds of repairs. , ~ , furniture bought, and high prices given. furniture lent, on weekly and monthly payments JOHN MEECH, B w b'nett stkbb Opposite the MaH Office. . GUARDIAN is published every -..evening, giving every day I ■ vrs, .opto < the hour of going to press. This Is betteh than ' buying a sixpenny weekly. ,Ji..jlwAk ..c..- ■■ ■■■"■



Wanted WANTED —A GIRL about 12 years, to look after a Baby two years old ; also, a strong LAD as Boots, and to make himself generally useful. Apply to Mrs Beecher, Central Hotel, Ashburton. WANTED KNOWN—Portraits, Por traits, Is per dozen, Is per dozen. Taken and finished iu ten minutes at the American Gem Studio (Opposite Mail Office). Positively the Last Week here. 721 e WANTED KNOWN—That the best place to get Short Firewood and the best Coals (delivered) is from Haves’ Coal and Wood Yard, East street. 6b9e ANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest. Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders loft at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. XTTANTED Known—The late Propric- W tress of the A 1 Restaurant has Removed to those new and commodious premises of Mr Quill’s, Wills street, now called the London Dining Rooms, ad joining Elz Bros., • Coach Builders, and to cope with dull times she is now offering BOARD and LODGING at IBs per week ; BOARD only, 13s. Meals at all hours. 653 e



Special Advertisements. G. Adams & Co., PRACTICAL ENGLISH WATCH MAKERS. JEWELLERS, AND' IMPORTERS, HIGH STREET (Next W. J. Fisher s), Christchurch. Rotherham’s English Lover Watches, guaranteed genuine, capped and jewelled, £5 10s to £lO 10s. American Waltham Lever Watches, of world-wide celebrity, English Hall-marked cases, £3 10s to £5 10s. N.B.— See that the words “ Wal tham, Mass.” are engraved on the works. None are genuine without. Ladies’ Watches, in gold or silver cases, from 455. Every Watch is Examined, Timed, and Guaranteed for Two Years. A splendid assortment of the Newest Patterns in Gold and Silver Jewellery. Novelties in Greenstone. 471 e AND 11 EWES BROS. (Late L. F. Andrbwes), BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, AND NEWS-AGENTS, East street South, Ashburton. School-books and Stationery of Every Description. School Committees sup plied. Hymn and Prayer-books of Every Kind. Children’s Picture and Story Books. American Novelties, just arrived. Journals, Magazines, and Home Papers every Mail. A large assortment of Maori Photographs, including Te Whiti and other Chiefs. N.B.—All orders attended to without delay. 334 e O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con jertinas. Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHPHRTON. 257 a * LBERT FLOUR STORES. East street. J. QUAIFF E Begs to inform the Residents and Formers of Ashburton and vicinity that he has taken the Premises lately in the occupation of Mr Henry Bowers. Miller, where he intends offering the following goods:— Flour, by the sack „ 501 b Sharps, per bag Bran ~ Oats, per bushel CASH. Ashburton. 732 e



Coals. Coals. Coals. The Undersigned desires to intimate to his Customers and the Public generally that he has OPENED IN THE COAL TRADE, in conjunction with his present TIMBER and FIREWOOD BUSINESS, and has now on Stock and to Arrive, a large supply of the best Newcastle Coals, (From the Old Lambton Mine), which will be delivered to Customers to any part of the Town and Suburbs at the LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber and Coal Merchant, 4680 East street, Ashburton.



THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED. Yit'A AAA TO LEND, in sums of £50,000 £3 OO And upwards, on the security of Freehold Property, at Lowest Current Rates. ADVANCES to FARMERS are also made on Growing CROPS of Grain ; and also on Growing Clips of WOOL. Seed Wheat, Oats, and Barley supplied to fanners on most favorable terms. They have For Sale at Lowest Rates— FEED OATS CHICK WHEAT FLOUR, BRAN. & SHARPS CEMENT. WILLIAM HORNE, 518 e Agent. SCHOOL BOOKS. SCHOOL STATIONERY. SCHOOL COMMITTEES SUPPLIED. Foolscap from 16s per Ream, Cash. Envelopes ~ 6s 6d per 1,000 „ Note Paper, Five Quires, Is „ A GOOD ASSORTMENT of Ledgers, Cash, Day Books, and Ledger Books IN STOCK. Toys Fancy Goods, Crewel Wools, &o. j H. Mr Jones. Stationer and Bookseller, 293 d



Special Advertisements, O T 1 C E. ASHBURTON COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT (Late of Montgomery and Co., Limited), HAS COMMENCED BUSINESS as above, next to Mr Jos. Clark’s OlHce, in WEST STREET, and hopes, by civility and attention, to merit a fair share of public support. Agent for the Springfield Coal Co. Coal,Firewood, Posts, Rails,Stakes, Ac. Orders taken for Bricks, Cement, Lime, Timber, Ac. Oats, Bran, Chaff, Chicken Wheat, &c. E. S. Bean Note the >' ddress— NEXT MR JOSEPH CLARK’S, WEST STREET. 181 e



T 0 FARM K R S. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. ARB CASH PURCHASERS OF WEI EAT BARLEY OATS GRASS SEED AT HIGHEST M VRKRT RATES. ADVANCES ON GROWING CROPS. The Undersigned are prepared to make liberal Cash Advances against Growing Crops during the ensuing Season. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. Offices : Manchester street, Christchurch, two doors south of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co.’s. 30e BOOTS. WINTER BOOTS. C. HAWKINS, Bootmaker, East street, Ashburton, and Tinwald, has just received a large assortment of Strong and Useful Boots for this season of the year, which he is selling at Christchurch prices. 998 e |JI AK E NOTICE. Everett Brothers Are still in Ashburton, and are SELLING AS CHEAP AS EVER. Special ; CALICOES FLANNELS WIFCEYS, and DRESS STUFFS. Bargains in LADIES’ ULSTERS, COSTUMES, and WINTER SKIRTS. We have still a Large Stock of MEN’S SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, &c. Note the address : EVERETT BROS., Havelock street, Next Harrison’s Auction Rooms.



Cheap Deapery. —Mrs Hodge invitee the ladies of Ashburton to her new stock of drapery, etc.— [Advt ]