SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Tui, s.a., from Wellington. Croydon Lass, schooner, from Waitapu. To-day. Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Tui, S.S., for Wellington, SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Dunedin, To-day. Sailed —Auckland, for London, with four passengers and a, full carg o.

COMMERCIAL.

London Seed Market.—Messrs John Shaw and Sons, of 37 Mark Lane, London, report through their agent, Mr Leonard W. Blake, of Christchurch, that during the fortnight ending November 2nd, there had been rather more disposition to purchase clover seeds, and values generally had exhibited a hardening tendency. In red clover seed a considerable speculative activity had set in, and a most substantial advance in prices had been estab lished. The new American crop was proving disappointing in quality, and recent cable ad vices reported enhanced quotations. The re ports of the English, Canadian, and Conti- Dental crops were equally unsatisfactory. Alsyke, white clover, trefoil, and foreign Italian rye grass were one and all hardening in value. For mustard and rape seed the ten dency was upwards, whilst canary and hemp were both cheape: and dull of sale. Linseed was keeping steady. __

DAILY MEMORANDA

AUCTION SALES Tuesday, December 19. J. T. Ford & Co., at Messrs Biggs and Reid’s Store, Tinwald Grocery, Drapery, Clothing, Book Debts, &c.; 11 a. m. Mr Alfred Harrison, at his rooms— Pianos, Organs, and Harmoniums ; 2 p.m. Staitionery, &c.; 3 p.m. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Stock. JR. Wilkin and Co., at the New Zealand Wool Stores, Christchurch —Wool ; 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 20. N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., at the Christchurch Wool and Grain Ware house—W 001. Friday, December 22. Matson, Cox, and Co., at Tinwald—Tim ber, Ironmongery, &c,; 11 a.m. Saturday, December 23. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their Bazaar — Landed Property ; 11.30 a.m. Mi '£ Bullock, at the Bazaar —Horses ; 1 p.m. Mr Alfred Harrison, at the yards— Horses, Pigs, Produce, &c.; 12 noon. | Mr W. F. Allen, at his rooms, Burnett street—Horses, Pigs, Poult) General Produce, &o.; 11.30 a.m. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-Night, Saturday, December 16. Grand Temperance Demonstration —Tea Meeting and Concert, Town Hall. Tuesday, December 19- Meeting re Wakanui Library—Wakanui Schoolroom, 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 20. Fancy Fair and Tea Meeting, in aid of St Stephen’s Church—Dr Trevor’s grounds

The Ashburton Grardian Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1882. Amalgamation of Local Public Bodies.

When the nine provinces into which New Zealand had been parcelled out were abolished in 1876 there were numerous residents possessed of fos silized minds who were almost as much alarmed as if the earth was coming to an end Like old owls, who blink and stare when the ivy in which they

have built their nests is cut down, and are dazzled by the newly-formed light, these worthy people asked in despair— “ And what are we to have in place of the provinces ? We are not going to Wellington for everyting we want.” The Vogel Ministry had anticipated the want, and the Counties Act was passed in the same year, giving full adminis trative powers to all the various large districts in the colony, but retaining legislative functions in the hands of the General Government. The scheme embodied in the Counties Act was not a new one. It had been tried in Vic toria and had answered well ; so well indeed that, although the Victorian Shires Act was passed more than twenty years ago, there is no one part of the colony, no mat ter what the politics of the dis trict, from ultra-Berryism to ultra- Conservatism, where there has ever been the slightest wish to abolish it. Petitions indeed have often been sent in for alterations of the boundary lines of various counties, but any attempt to abolish one single county would occa sion a general howl of indignation. Now any Act, which has lasted in the Australasian colonies, above all in Vic toria, for more than twenty years, and so as to give universal satisfaction all the time, furnishes about the strongest possible presumptive evidence that the Act is a good one. And that impres sion would be confirmed by a careful examination of the results in either Victoria or New Zealand. Though our own Act is not as well drawn as that of the sister colony, it has worked remark ably well, wherever competent and up right men have been selected as coun cillors, as has been the case with the Ashburton County Council, and with some other similar bodies which we could mention. One of the chief de fects in our counties system, and one in which it is inferior to that of Victoria, is in the want of complete provision for the merging of Road Boards intoXounty Councils, It is, on the face of it, palpably absurd that two or more local bodies, having administrative powers for the same purposes and over the same area, should be co-existent. Sometimes there are four or five road districts in the same county, each raising its separate rate, apart from and in addition to that of the county, and each saddled with the expense of its own special clerk, trea surer, rate collector, valuator, dog offi cer, inspector of nuisances, suite of offices, sets of books, auditors, etc., the unlucky ratepayers having to pay the piper of course, and wondering where their money goe» to. It is clear that here there is a large waste of time, trouble, and money. For nothing would be easier than for the county to do all the work, and save a great deal of the expense. Substitute one set of officials for four or five, and it is clear that a good deal of money would be saved, available either for additional works or for a reduction of the rates, as might be most advisable. In many cases, also, the work would be much better done. Without at all disparaging the officials or our various road boards, who do their duty, on the whole, very well, we cannot expect the same quality of ser vices from or a-year official which we should insist upon with a person receiving a salary of -£250 or gineering work. There is not such an enormous amount of real engineering skill in the colony that each little Road Board can afford to pay the services of a competent professional person; and so very often the work is badly done, and has to be done over again. And lest it should be argued that if the various Road Boards were merged in the County Councils, there would often be no really local representation, we may remind the objectors that that would not at all necessarily follow. No thing would be easier than to proclaim the road districts ridings of the county comprising them, and give the latter one, two, or three more members, these being chosen by the ratepayers from the particular ridings just added. This is part of the Victorian system, and wherever there is a competent clerk of a Victorian county he always keeps a strict debit and credit account in his ledger of the receipts and expen ses of each particular riding, and has it ready at each meeting for the guidance of the members. Indeed, all the fuss and agitation about the alleged want of local government in this colony is unmitigated rubbish. The cry comes almost always from one of two classes of people— those desirous of some of the salaried offices which abounded in profusion under the old provincial governments ; or from scheming politicians hard up for a good c r y, or good appeal to vulgar prejudice. Such a cry, however, is not likely to exercise any lasting influence. The counties of New Zealand, sus pected almost everywhere ’at first, have done good work already, and are quite capable of doing any quantity more. If the business of the General Govern ment in Parliament were only got through in one half as sensible and business-like a manner, as is customary with the better County Councils in New Zealand, it would be well for the colony.

Police Court. —At the Court this morning, Richard Chuclley was charged, on remand from Dunedin, with abscond ing from his bail, and there being no evi dence against him was discharged. Ohnd ley, as probably our readers will remem ber, was bound over in the sum of L 25 to prosecute P. O’Shannasay at the Christ church Supreme Court for assaulting him, but failed to appear. Christmas Trek.— On Monday and Tuesday next a Christmas tree, with all the usual attractive surrounding o , will ho on view at the Primitive Methodist Church, and quite a bevy of the fair sox will bo present to dispose of articles, both useful and ornamental, to intending visitors. The “ tree ” seems to be getting quite an annual institution, and as the proceeds are to be devoted to a good cause, a fair amount of patronage may be anticipated.

Auction Sales. —Our readers are re ferred to the various auctioneers’ an nouncements which appear to-day on our fourth page. The various sales comprise fancy goods, books, and musical instru ments, by Mr Alfred Harrison; landed property, coal, timber, firewood, iron mongery, etc., by Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. ; groceries, clothing, etc., by Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., and wool by Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co. and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. The sales take place on va rious days next week, and the particulars thereof will well repay perusal.

RoMAif Catholic. —lt is anhbhnced that Mass will be celebrated at Rakaia to morrow. ‘

The Summer Flower Show. —A list special private prizes to be offered at the Flower Show next Saturday appears in this issue. Emigration and Immigration.—A re turn just prepared, showing the immigra tion and emigration for November, 1382, and for the eleven months of the current year, contains some interesting features. The total arrivals for the month were 1,488, as against only 420 departures. In the respective ports the arrivals were— Russell, 4; Auckland, 527 ; Wellington, 102 ; Greymouth, 13 ; Timaru, 6 ; Oa maru, 1 ; Dunedin, 171 ; Invercargill, 521. Departures—Russell, 3 ; Auckland, 204 ; Wellington, 8 ; Lyttelton, 2 ; Ti maru, 2 ; Dunedin, 8 ; Invercargill, 184 Taking the results for the eleven months, the net balance is 2,896 in favor of the colony. Wesleyan. —The monthly meeting of the Wesleyan Temperance Society was held on Thursday evening last in the Cameron street Church, when Mr W. Gavin read an able paper on the progress of the Temperance Reformation. The history of the temperance cause for the last fifty years was reviewed, and special reference was made t > the organisation bearing the name of the Blue Ribbon Army, which affords a common platform for all temperance bodies. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Gavin for his interesting paper. Mr Bowron is *t pected to give a lecture at the next monthly meeting of the Society.—On the same evening a meeting of the Wesleyan Band of Hope was held, and at its close five or six new members were enrolled.

Sad News. —A melancholy announce ment reaches us from America. The Albony mastodon has been discovered to be a fraud. A gentleman who in early life was much attached to menageries, has sworn on his death-bed that he helped to bury the pseudo “mastodon,” in 1829, at tho very spot where it was discovered; and that it is none other than an African elephant, belonging to a well-known travelling show. Ha has protested ever since 1866 that the “ mastodon” was only an elephant, but the geologists of Albany have gravely shown him his error, and snubbed his indiscreet revelations. It is It is naturally not very easy to convince a man who believes that he has found a “mastodon.” How many of the river drift man’s implements, we wonder, are as spurious as the Albany mastodon 1

Curiosities of Divorce. —An Ameri can journalist has been carefully collecting curiosities of divorce, some of which are highly amusing. At Los Angelos a di vorced couple married again within 24 hours. At a town called Berlin a wife ap plied for a divorce because her husband had become blind ; her application was refused. At Cleveland a male and fe male doctor resolved to en'-er into a me d cal and matrimonial partnership, the husband to attend the male and the wife the females. The lady was indiscreet enough to write to one of the male'patients whom she was about to hand over to her intended husband that, although she could no longer doctor him, she could never cease to love him, where upon the intended bridegroom cried off the bargain, and was sued for breioh of promise and breach of contract by the lady.

Roads and Bridges Construction.— The Press special at Wellington, wiring last night, nays :—Applications under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act are now beginning to come in a little faster, and it is probable a considerable batch may arrive by the end of the month. The total amount applied for up to this even is L 48,681. The amounts are not classified among the provincial districts. The com plete list is as follows ; —Main roads, Coromandel County, L 6,000 ; Bay of Is lands, L 2,000 ; Taranaki, LfiOO ; Hutt, L 2,750 ; Taieri, 7,500 ; Waitaki, L 5,826 ; Hawke’s Bay, L 11.586 ; Rangitikei, L 3,000; Whangarei, L 2,625. District roads, Waiareka Road Board, L 4,000 ; Wairoa, LBOO ; Cambridge, LI,OOO ; Wai takeri, LI,OOO. From this it will be seen that Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, and Otago, are at present going in for the lion’s share of the funds, Canterbury, Nelson, Westland, and Marlborough are conspicuous for theii absence ; but the Selwyn County gives notice that it intends to unite with Ashburton in applying jointly for a grant towards a bridge over the ttakaia.

Information Wanted. —We have been requested to publish the enclosed para graph, which has been taken from the Sunderland Herald and Daily Post, with a view of obtaining some information re lative to the whereabouts of a Mrs T. H. Cockerill, who is supposed to be residing somewhere in New Z ;aland. Mr G. T. Cockerill, the uncle of the lost man is a resident of Ashburton, and will be glad if any of our readers can give the informa tion required. The extract runs —“ In telligence has been received in Sunder land of the loss at sea, on a voyage from Hong Kong to India, of Mr Thomas Harrison Cockerill, son of the late Mr William M. Cockarill, who for many years was the Master of the South Dock. Only very meagre particulars of the occur rence have as yet come ( to hand, but it is said to have happened on the 1 0th Febru ary. The deceased, who was 3G years of age, left Sunderland some years ago, and fur the last five years has been trading about Australia. His mother loft this country about the same time, and is at present residing in New Zealand. The family of the deceased is a very old one in Sunderland. His grandfather was one of its leading citizens, and ‘ Cockorill’a Ropewalk ’ was a familiar institution in the time of woolen ships. As already stated the father of the deceased was dock-master for a considerable period, and by marriages the family are connected with several of the present principal resi dents in Sunderland.”

An Eccentric. —The Paris police have just unearthed an individual of a most ex traordinary type. A few days ago, in the course of certain investigations regard ing an odious criminal offence, the police found an old man, calling himself M. Lebiond, was implicated in it, upon whom, with some trouble, they succeed ed in laying their hands. His miserable dress and generally wretched appearance induced the belief that he was a home less vagabond. The police were, however, much puzzled by the fact that he was in possession of a number important-looking keys. Having extracted from Lebiond his address, M. Mace, the Chief of Police, accompanied him to the house indicated. To M. Mace’s astonishment he found that this was one of the largest mansions in the quarter of the Champs Elysees. In reply to inquiries, Lebiond stated that it had belonged to hjs family for over a century, and that he himself had lived there witlu out any servant, male or female, for the past fifteen j ears, his explanation being that hp was a misanthrope. On enter ing the house and opening the shutters M. Mace found it full of most costly furniture, with a collection of old pic tures, clocks, and other objects of art. In the principal bedroom was an antique rosewood bedstead, the bed of which was covered with books and engravings. Upon the floor was a mattress with dirty linen, the nightly resting place of this modern Diogenes. Everything was cov ered with dust and dirt. On proceeding into another part of the mansion M. Mace found a small theatre, with scenery and costumes. M. Lebiond states himself to be entitled to a revenue of L 4,000 a year. Ho is to be subjected by the authorities to an examination in lunacy. Whether Lebiond is his true name remains to be seen.

VExtraordinary elec tion is to take place on Monday, Bth Jan uary, for the purpose of electing a mem ber for the Mount Somers Road Board, vice Mr I. E. Taylor, resigned. Nomina tions must be sent in to the Board’s office by noon of Saturday next.

Dynamite as a Stump Extractor.—A farmer residing near Indianapolis gave a novel entertainment the other day. He had been wrestling for a few weeks with the stumps on a newly-cleared farm. Be coming tired of the work, ha conceived the idea of dynamite on a large scale. A few days ago he invited his neighbors to witness the simultaneous blowing out of forty acres of stumps. Holes had been drilled and cartridges inserted in every stump, and the cartridges conne ted by wire with an electric battery. On the word being given, the elect"' - '’ current was put on. The work of explosion was satis factory, every stump being blown to atoms. Some of the fragments wore driven throe hundred feet. This simul taneous process might be of great advan tage in such work as the running of a rail road through a new country, or in any other work in which time is of great con sequence. The liability to accident would be leas if the cartridges were used in this way than if many small explosives were used. —Toronto Globe. Holloways Ointment and Pills.— Notable Pacts.—lntense heat augments the annoyances of skin disease and encourages the development of febrile disorders; therefore they should, as they can, be remove by these detergent and purifying preparations. In stomach complaints, liver affections, pains, and spasms of the bowels, Holloway’s ungent well rubbed over the affected part immediately gives the greatest ease, prevents congestion and in flammation, checks the threatening diarrhoea and averts incipient cholna. The poorer inhabitants in large cities will find these remedies to be their best friends when any pestilence rages, or when from unknown causes eruptions, boils, abscesses, or ulcerations point out the presence of taints or impurities within the system, and call for instant and effective curative medicines.— [Advt. ]

THE SUSPECTED MURDER AT AUCKLAND.

Further particulars to hand respecting the death of the man Hugh Aitken Ham ilton point strongly in the direction of foul play. Priestly, when arrested, made so many contradictory statements, how ever, that the police’s suspicions were strengthened against him, and when Mrs Hamilton was seen, and also gave contradictory information, it was resolved to lose no further time in proceeding to action. The dwelling places of both prisoners were visited, and sufficient evidence was obtained to justify superin tendent Thompson to issue a warrant for the arrest of both Mrs Hamilton and Priestly. Priestly was found at his lodgings in the dwelling of Mr A. Neilson, Mount Eden, at which house Mrs Hamil ton also resides. When the officers made known their business, ha made no state ment, being apparently fully prepared. Mrs Hamilton was taken into custody later It would be idle and unfair to recite all the reported incidents alleged against the accused as bona fide, for many of them have yet to be tested. Two, how ever, which are vouched for on good authority, may be rightly mentioned. One is that Mr Richardson, deputy super intendent of the Sunday school, met Priestly about 7.30 o’clock on the night of the 28*11 ultimo going into Gorrie’s house in Pitt street, and in conversing with him Priestly mentioned that he in tended to walk to Onehunga that night. Richardson remarked upon the singularity of such an undertaking, but got no ex planation of it. They then parted, and on the following morning, when Hamil ton’s death was reported, Priestly came to him and reminded him that ho had said on the previous night that ha was going out to Onehunga. Another circum stance is that Priestly purchased strych nine on two occassions prior to Ham ilton’s death, but it cannot be found out that he made any use of it. Of course the news caused great sensation in town, both on account of Priestly’s character and repute as a Sunday school teacher and theological student, and Mrs Hamilton’s relationship to the alleged victim, as well as her supposed connection with the other prisoner. The case is one of the most sensational character, and so far it is built upon almost entirely circum stantial evidence. Thomas Priestly is by no means a stranger in Auckland, for being of a religious turn of mind and con sidered a most upright young man, he made numerous acquaintances, especially among tho<e of the Presbyterian persua sion. He conducted a Sunday morning Bible class, and when it happened, as it did upon one or two occasions, that the minister of the church could not attend the weekly prayer meeting, Priestly came to the front and proved a very able sub stitute. He generally appeared greatly affected by religious services, and, to a listener, had the appearance of a very pious young man. Indeed, he spoke slowly, deliberately, and impressively, and his discourses were usually much ap preciated. In fact he was looked forward to as a most promising student. About a year si-ice he ceased manual labor alto gether and devoted himself solely to study. He became connected with the Rev. P. Mason’s advanced class, and from that time until tho present has been a student there. Priestly’s labors in the cause of religion also extended rapidly, and while ho still remained a member of St. John’s Church he undertook to con duct worship in country churches, and on various occasions preached from the pul pits at Onehunga, Otahuhu, Epsom, and other places. He looks between 21 and 26 years of age. and is rather above the medium height. In short, Priestly is about the last man suspicions would connect with the crime with which he is now charged, without some evidence of a very impiicatory character was forthcoming. Hu ;h Aitken Hamilton, the deceased, was a till, powerfully-built man of thirty one years of age, of florid complexion and mild temper. For many years he worked with Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen, wa-ehousemen, but for s ime short time prior to his d ath was in the employ of Archibald Clark and Sons, Shortland street. He took great interest in the New ton Orange Society, and held the respon iblo position of secretary to the Lodge. Ho also was a regular church goer, and at tended St. James’ with great regularity, and sometimes in company with his wife or mother, but oftener alone. Tho Sab bath school also occupied a good deal of his time, and he for many years taught a class of boys. For some time ho was very zealous in the work, but for the last few months of his lifo he appear 'd less in clined for it, and was very irregular in attendance. It has been stated he was inclined towards intemperance, hut few persons can be found to assort ho was un able to take care of himself. That his death should be caused therefore in any way by excessive drinking was difficult fpr many to believe, and great surprise was experienced by his friends when disclo sures on this head were made at the in quest. Mrs Miriam Hamilton, wife of the deceased, who is also suspected to be implicated in this strange and reefon* choly case, is a woman of thirty-five years of age, somewhat tall, spare, and possess ing rather hard features. So far as can bo learned she lived with her husband on good terms since their marriage up till a short time ago, when her husband’s j -alousy led to occasion d words. They had two or three children, of whom Hamilton was excessively fond, and they were one of the greatest attractions of his home. Mrs Hamilton’s mother, sisters and brothers are at present in town, and

she lived with them until within a few days ago, and then she removed to Eden terrace district. She has throughout the enquiry exhibited but little emotion, and when spoken to on the subject of her hus band’s death, has answered all questions, ami given voluntary statements rn;r • - ling the circumstances clearly and with no ap parent reserve. ■'dj A telegram from Auckland to-day states that Priestly and Mrs Hamilton were charged at the Police Court this morning with wilful murder, and remanded till Friday next. Priestly was represented by MrTyler, and Mrs Hamilton by Mr T. Cooper. The male prisoner was calm, but Mrs Hamilton was much agitated. Priestly has made three statements, each contra dicting the other re his whereabouts on the night of the supposed murder.

“MODERATION.”

The following is the text of a paper read by Mr S. E. Poyntz at the Olmrch of England Temperance Society meeting held last Tuesday night : “ The subject of this paper—viz., Mo derate Drinking—is one which no doubt you have often individually argued, though still retaining diversified opinions regarding it. Nevertheless you will agree that it is one which will bear a large amount of future argument, affecting as it does and being as it undoubtedly is the mainspring from which emanate that dreadful curse of our social system, viz., drunkenness. Although some of the arguments I may use to-night may bo deemed extreme, yet I do not think I can be classed as a bigot, inasmuch as I hold that our cure for drunkenness, as a nation, must be effected by force of example and sound reasoning—more than by rabid de nunciations (as is too often the case) of th se who have chosen to engage in the traffic, however pernicious, which is nevertheless a legalised trade. I shall now cursorily discuss this question of moderate drinking : first in its hereditary, then its medicinal aspect, and lastlyasto its example on the minds of others. The saying that ‘no man was ever born a drunkard’ has generally been accepted as as true ; but, my friends, the testimony of medical men goes far to prove the inac curacy of its correctness. Dr Norman Kerr, a physician of eminence, in a paper on “ The Influence of Alcoholism of Parents on the Constitution and Health of their Children,” read before a meeting of the B itish Medical Association at Cambridge in 1880, fully illustrated the law of heredity in alcohol and its opera tion in the person of every member of certain families. He explained the pro bable manner in which the alcoholism of one or both parents affected the unborn child ; that the infusion of alcohol into the system, its effect on the blood, and the constant strain on the nervous system also affected the brain—assorting that the system of moderate drinking had a greater tendency to foster this law than would be the case with those who indulged in periodical fits of drunkenness. The only conclusion he could arrive at was to secure safety for the subjects of this dread law. All alcoholic beverages should be excluded from the sacred ordinances of re ligion as well as from the family hearth and social circle ; or, in other words, that total abstinence was the only remedy. This gentleman’s viev.s were supported by Dr Lunier and others. Now sir, thip seems to be a very .startling phase of the question, and one which those who pride themselves as moderate drinkers would do well to consider. How often are the well meant expostulations of abstainers met by such an ans wer as this: “Oh ! [’in all right ; I kaow when I’ve had enough ; you never saw me drunk, did you ? A glass or two will never hurt me or anyone else in moderation.” My •friends, with the awful possibility (remote as it may seem to you now) of your chil dren inheriting your desire for indulgence, inherited perhaps to such a degree that though the parent might have lived a moderate man the child may become from the very law of heredity a drunkard —ls it not, I say ? Would it not be wise to for ever put from you what can only at the best give you momentary enjoy ment, as it were ; whilst on the other hand it may leave you (unwittingly I grant) to consign another to a life of misery and ruin. But before I go any further, I would seri ously :isk you to consider the question— Is there, or can there be such a thing as moderate drinking ? Putting on one side all sentimentalism, and, though unwilling to offend or wound the feelings of those who would indignantly repudiate the idea of being classed as drunkards, I must distinctly say a man must be either a total abstainer or a drunkard. There can be no middle course in the matter ; granted there are degrees of drunkenness as there are degrees of all other things in the world ; but where can you define the line of moderation ?it is simply an un known quantity. Would you call a man a moderate drinker who could take two or three pints of alcohol of an evening and still have possession of his right senses, because he had attained this probably by years of incessant tippling ? Yet you daily see men of this class who boast they have never been drunk in their lives, and society calls them moderate men ; on the ether hand it brands, a man a drunkard who, through constitutional weakness or some other natural cause, loses his senses over a tithe of what the former can com fortably carry. Where then, I say, is the line ! It is, I think, open to question whether there is really such a thing as a moderate Irinker. In answer to those who object to the axiom that a man must be either a drunkard or a total abstainer, and that a line cannot be drawn at which excess begins between one glass and a dozen, and "who give as a contrary proof that neither can a line be drawn at which excess begins between one mutton chop and a dozen, or that because a man would be guilty of a disgusting vice if he ate a dozen chops at a sitting he should be koked upon witfi suspicion because he takes one—this seems to be a comparison that gives them no assistance whatever. If the question of alcohol is on all fours with the question of mutton chops, then the controversy is at an end. But there is no more common way of evading con clusions to which men .are being driven con ;erning one thing, than by making a forced analogy between it and something different. I ask is tsere anything in the effect of the few glasses of alcohol which carry a man to the limit of sober indul gence that at all answers to the unmis takable satiety which follows a hearty meal of chops and vegetables. It is only ask ing in another way whether the effect of a narcotic drug can correspond to that of food.* The usual criterion of sufficiency of food is <ha disappearance of the grati fication of appetite. By a merciful ordin ance proper indulgence is pleasure, and excess is pain. But can we say that the criterion of sufficiency and of sobriety in alcoholics is satiety and loss of pleasure ? The fact seems to bo that the bounds of sobriety are reached long before those of satiety would be reached under the ordin ary laws of food and diink. But that is only one element of the peril. Alcohol, like opium, is not only capable in small quantities of disturbing the brain, but it possesses the fatal property of planting a fierce craving for itself in these who take it. Not in all who take it in moderation. We do not wait until a lion at large has killed everybody, or even a large majority of the population before we shoot it. Common sense will tell ns that what has bean frequently said of alcohol could not bo said, save in ludicrous exaggeration, of mutton chops. When it can be stated that ‘ abstainers from mutton chops have rescued innumerable men and women who had sunk into the vice of eating mutton and have saved a still larger number from that degredation when we can apos-

trophise vegetarians, as total abstainers are apostrophised, and tell persons who coniine themselves to garden produce that * they have achieved a great redemption for their fellow countrymen,’ it will be time enough to found important conclu sions as to our duty upon the common re lationship of brandy and mutton cutlets to the human frame. This is only another ‘ plausible lie of the devil,’ which has destroyed thousands of those who ac cepted it from the social opinion of their day the notion lhat alcohol can claim fel lowship and analogy with simple natural food ; that the intoxication of alcohol is the same thing as gluttony in meat; that the ;vp oetite for the one is as natural and controllable as that for the other. This is the fatal error which underlies the dangerous serial drinking of these days, and to which I invite the earnest atten tion of all moderate drinkers. If alcohol possessed the character and exerted only the effect of ordinary food, the temper ance reformation would be an impertin ence and a superstition. But before the temperance movement achieved the great moral results with which it is credited, and before it could show any reason for its existence at all, it had been discovered . . that alcohol has specific relations to the j mental and moral nature of man, which' causes its use to be attended with serious peril. I now come to the medicinal phase. How often do you hear this—“Oh! the doctor ordered me a glass of brandy every day now and again to keep up my strength.” Now, sir, I would just ask the question—Did the doctor guarantee the purity, or even the ingredients comprising the prescription ? You will say—Does he do so in any prescription ? There is not so much need, for it is acknowledged'on all sides that no medicinal drugs are adul terated in the same manner as alcohol. You take the prescription with the idea that it is going to do you good. You ob tain it of course where you expect to get the best, yet neither yourself nor the doctor knows what it is made ot, or, in fact, anything but that it bears the name. Can * any reasonable man expect that that he ! knows nothing of can do him good. Never- • tholes*, you daily hear such as this, * If it h d not been for that brandy I should have been a dead man.’ Is it not more reasonable to attribute the cure to some natural cause or other, than so readily to give the praise to an article you know Only by .name? But the worst feature of the . medicinal phase is the after effects. Too frequently it leads to continued drunken ness, .with all its attendant evils, fou all know that alcohol is a compound which, by its composition, of necessity creates an appetite or a desire for more. Moderate drinking, as it is called, is a standing testimony to this desire; but even the most moderate drinker will say, ‘I only taste when lam thirsty.’ The social customs of society, of which the moderate are the daily exponents, would i give the lie direct. You meet a friend you perhaps have not seen for years. Custom says*—‘You must drink.’ Half an hour j after you make a good business bargain, you must bind it with another drink. A short time elapses: something else turns up; another drink. And so the day rolls on. That little word Ifo is easily said, yet it is not thirst restrains you from say ing it. The craving created drives you on (and strong indeed will bo the man who does not succumb sooner or later). A few days ago a surgeon in this . town, , when talking on the question of prescrib- •' ir.g alcohol, said, *ltis a decided mistake ; to prescribe alcohol. You recollect Mr So-and-So 1 You knew him some years ago. You recollect he was a great drunk- , ard, but has abstained for some years. ‘ He was lately ordered to take a little brandy by his medical adviser, and he is • now fast drifting into his old habits again.’ 5 This is no isolated instance. Many of you here may know similar ones. It is becoming an admitted fact among medical men that the prescription of alcohol as a medicine is wrong. As far back as 1830 the leading doctors of Manchester and Bradford called the use of intoxicating , liquors ‘ not only unnecessary but abao- ■ lately pernicious’ In 1839 a large body of physicians and surgeons signed the fol- ■, lowing declaration, namely, ‘ That wine, beer, or spirits are in no way beneficial to health; and we declare such stimulants • unnecessary and useless either in large or small quantities, while large doses (such as many would think moderate) are injuri- . . ous to every one.’ Later still, at a modi- ,■ cal gathering of the most learned physl- ; cians and surgeons at Cambridge in 1881, various doctors produced statistics, within . their own knowledge, regarding insanity ' ‘ caused by intemperance, many of the ~ victims having been known for years aa moderate drinkers at the outset. Dr Sutherland attributed 11 per cent, of these , cases to drink; Dr Hack Luke 12 to 13 per cent. Dr Fletcher Beach found pa re ital intemperance caused insanity among patients under his care to the ex tent of 31 - 6 percent. Dr Eastwood at- ~ tributed 25 per cent, Dr Oreignton Browne, F.RS., out of 500 cases within his personal knowledge, he attributed 15 per cent, to drink. I now come to the question of Example, and although a mo- . derate man mav within himself feel secure ■ aud possibly live all hi* days a sober man, in what relation does he stand to those around him? Putting on one side the features of heredity, what must be the outcome of such an example to children, .: as seeing their parents taking daily beer to meals, or a social glass in the evening. Surely they would be devoid of reason if r they were to expect the young with such an example daily before them to loathe and detest it as they should. How often does an indulgent parent alio v his chil a taste of ‘ papa’s glass,’ 1 tele heeding that they are laying the foundation for that craving which is the first step in the drunkard’s downward path. Yet there are your every day moderate drinkers. How many a drunkard who might have been holding a good position ■ to-day if asked could trace his present shameful position to the after dinner taste ; in fact, it seems almost a miracle if children so brought up do not become confirmed drunkards, more especially here in the colonies where youths Just verging into manhood are thrown so much more on their own resources than' at

Home. This possibility of ruining your children—not by being yourself a drunk ard, mark you ; for in that case the pos- . sibility is lessened, the sight of a drunkard being in itself generally a sufji cient deterrent for any child —this, I say, should make any man calling himself a moderate drinker for ever give it up, and range himself on the side of total abstin ence, if only to feel within himself thqt no act of his could in any way be con strued as liable to lead the child to drink.

Presuming I am addressing a body of, Christian men and women, who by their lives and actions are looked up tp by others, what is the effect of moderate drinking peon society at large ? Does it not terfd to conffrra drinking habits amongst the people to many of

whom those habits are fraught with ter? rible danger ? It therefore necptnes im portant for the Christian to exarpine his nioderate drinking from an objective as well as from a subjective point of view. The subject is not disposed of if hep sjrp come to the cpnclusion that pur ffigffep

nature is pot impaired by such drinking, or, in other words, that it is not a sin to be a moderate drinker. Another question

remains; Is our higher influence im paired 1 Are we not becoming the un willing auxiliaries of customs, the re-

spectability of which depends upon virtu ous example, but the fatality of which for thousands cannot be averted by- such exaraph* I have heard it asserted by

many that alcoholic beverages are nutri tious and strengthening ; and moderate drinkers look upon such as stimulants for bracing up the system against the constant

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 4882.



CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CARDS —tA Large and Splendid Assortment, comprising all the Newest Designs in Great Variety.— Andkewes Bros., Book sellers, Stationers, etc., East street south, Ashburton 0 d 6 The Smith Organ, Made expressly for churches, very strong and plain case, twenty .stop*, octave couplers, grand swell, twenty-nine pedal notes of two registers (equal to fifty-eight notes), double exhausting bellows (to blow by hand for full power, but a toot lever can be used for the s ft organ ■ Altogether a complete powerfu cn'irch organ at a comoa rati s - |! 1 cost, and combinin'.- -thi stops ,md swells of th pipe organ costing four i-nea the amount Any ordinary player can use this org n. Guaranteed for five y> ars. These organs are impor ed at spec al low prices for churches, and sol t on terms to suit customers. Organs exchanged if not satisfactory. Further particulars from H. J. WEEKS, MUSIC SELLER, ASHBURTON. Agent for C. Begg & Co. Importers,



GiREAT SALE Jr OKA LARGE SALVAGE STOCK OF FURNITURE! FURNITURE! Furniture ! Also, a large quantity of NEW and SECOND-HAND FURNI TURE-CHFAP. All kinds of Turnery, Carving, &c. Bedroom and Drawing-room Suites. John Meech, BURNETT STREET, Ashbokxon. Showrooms—Next Bullock’s Arcade Workshop—Next Mail )ffice.



F TOCT WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS'S CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. jjIYBRY article Sold at Christchurch Xli Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. P UNE EA L S CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED



Wanted WANTED, at once—Three DRESS MAKERS. Apply to FeIEDLANDER Bros. dl4 WANTED, immediately, for Wester field, a MAN understands Gardening. D. Olives, Westerfield. 14d WANTED, by a competent hand, a SITUATION as driver of any kind of Reaper and Binder. Address, T. Buckens, Rangitata. d!6 TT7" ANTED—TENDERS for about VV five miles of FENCING. Ten ders te be sent in by WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20th. For particulars apply to d!2 MATSON, COX & CO. WANTED KNOWN—That E. Ling is not out of the market yet, and GREEN PEAS can be had at his Shop at Ninepence per Peck. d!5 WANTED KNOWN— Wo have just Opened a splendid assortment of Ladies’ and Children’s Boots and Shoes, in the latest shapes and styles. Fried lander Bros. 6d WANTED KNOWN Fribdlander Bros. are Selling Crewdson’s Calicoes at 3s lid per dozen ; Colored Dress Lustres, 7s 3d ; Black do, 7s lid per dozen, for cash—Bargains. fid WANTED EVERYBODY to know that Hayes and Co.’s is the Cheapest House in Town for CLOTHING and DRAPERY. an 12 WANTED KNOWN Friedlander Bros.’ is the cheapest house in town for first-class Drapery. 10 per cent, discount, or 2s off every £ for cash. d 5 KNOWN— That Robert V\ Elston, , , Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 760 c ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., can be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. WANTED KNOWN—It is Mr Lan caster’s intention to extend his Bread Business, and he wishes his cus tomers to know he has secured Mr Thomas Hicks to manage that branch. A Cart will be run with Broad alone, independent of the other Two Carts, which will con tinue to run as before. The name of Mr Hicks will be a sufficient guarantee that, under his management, Bread of unex ceptionable quality will be turned out of the FREETRADE BAKERY, East street—R. Lancaster, Proprietor. 240



Special Advertisements. JBL M. Jones' COMPLIMENTS TO ALE; And desires to call special attention to the following items, which have been carefully selected for the coming Festive Season : BOOKS ! BOOKS ! ! REWARD, PKESENTATION, and PRIZE BOOKS. NEW VOLUMES— Boys’ Own Annual Girls’ Own Annual Chatterbox Child’s Companion Infants’ Magazine, Ac., &c. POETS— VARIOUS Authors ; Sir Walter Scott’s Works, new edition, complete. TOYS! TOYS !! TOYS !!! GREAT VARIETY—in Wood, Tin, China, and Indiarubber. DOLLS ! DOLLS !! DOLLS !! ! ALL SIZ S—From one inch to two feet—in Wood, Rag, China, Composition, etc. FANCY GOODS ! FANCY GOODS ! A NICE SELECTION of the above, suitable <or Christmas Presents and New Vi'.-ir ‘ ofis, aLL the above Goods are offered at the LOWEST Possible Prices for GASH. A LIB Erl AL DISCOUNT allowed to schools on parcels of Toys, Books, etc. PIANOS. ORGANS, BRASS, and STRINGED INSTRUMENTS ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. 13d THE MUTUAL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. The undersigned beg to intimate that the above Company has started Business in Ashburton, and that they have been appointed Agents, and are now prepared to receive proposals for INSURANCE. Premiums at a Discount of 25 per cent, off past current rates, o 2 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



QOA L. COAL. COAL. Wo have now IN STOCK, ex Con ference, a large supply of the Old Lambton Coal. This is the BEST HOUSE COAL imported. 18n TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



■VTOTICE TO BLACKSMITHS, BREWERS, AND OTHERS. Just landed, ex Mary Campbell, from Greymouth, a supply of the CELEBRATED Brunner Coal, The. best procurable for blacksmith and steam purposes. n 27 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



We have now IN STOCK and for sale, ex vessels from Kaipara, a large assort ment of DRESSED AND UNDRESSED Kauri Timber, including sizes to suit all requirements of the Building Trade. WELL - SEASONED TIMBER for Joiners and Cabinetmakers. Also, from Foxton, ex Awaroa and Forest Queen, Totaral Black Pine, of the best quality to be obtained. 031 TUCKER, RESTELL & CO.



Special Advertisements. SAMUEL SON’S PRIZE SHEAF TWINE BINDER & HARVESTER THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED, Have landing, ex Marlborough, their first shipment of the bamnelson PRIZE TWINE BINDER AND HARVESTER. The Machines, which are now being fnst sold, have many material imprave ments on the one exhibited by Messrs Samuel-on last season. Among others we may mention especially the NEW AND STRONG MAIN GEAR FRAME CHAIN LIFTING GEAR ON TRA VELLING WHEEL RAISING AND LOWERING GEAR FOR GRAIN WHEEL PATENT OILING ARRANGE MENTS FOR DRIVING-WHEEL IMPROVED SHIFTING REEL. These, combined with the lightness of draught, lowness of cut, simplicity of con struction, and strength of material, render the machine the most complete offered this season. The Binder is simple and easy to oper ate and automatic, making sheaves regular in size and with perfect separation and good shape, with secure knot. Messrs Samuelson, in perfecting this machine, have avoided complication, and have carefully studied extreme simplicity and facility of adjustment. An expert from Messrs Samuelson’s Factory is now on the way out, and will arrive in New Zealand early in December, so as r,o be present to render his services during next harvest. Early application is necessary to avoid disappointment in securing a machine. G. G. STEAD, Managing Director. P. CUNNINGHAM, Consulting Director. W. HORNE, 12au Agent, Ashburton. fJIRY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory For every article of MEN’S, YOUTHS’ AND BOYS’ CLOTHING, SHIPPING AND TRAVELLING OUTFITS ; Also for CHOICE NEW GOODS In HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUX, RUGS, BLANKETS, &c.



HIGHEST AWARD AND SPECIAL HONORARY MENTION At DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHI BITION ; Also, TWO PRIZE MEDALS AND SPECIAL CERTIFICATE Awarded at CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. Seventeen Retail Branches now open in the Colony. A SINGLE ARTICLE AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE, Ashburton Branch: EAST STREET. W. SPARROW, Manager. s!9 THE SCOTTISH IMPERIAL IN SURANCE COMPANY. Head Office: 151, West Geerge street, Glasgow. Capital ... £1,000,000 FIRE RISKS taken at lowest current rates. Claims promptly settled here. W. R. BOYLE, n 7 agent, Ashburton. [With an apology to Green’s Shade.] CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES.—The BIG SHOP in East Street, Ash burton, has just been opened with an entirely NEW STO'K of English, Foreign, and Colonial-mide BOOTS and SHOES, which will be sold at my usual LOW PRICES, which have given such satisfaction in Tinwald and else where. —C. HAWKINS, “Munster” Warehouse, Ashburton ; also at Tin wald.



QHRISTMAS PRESENTS. JUST-OPENED UP, A Large and Choice Selection of FANCY GOODS TOYS PRIZE BOOKS. Ac., Ac., &c. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS. STATIONERY, Ac. East street south, Ashburton. n!6 hummer flower show. o DEC. 30, 1882. The following SPECIAL PRIVATE PRIZES are offered : 6 Apples (last season), 5s Best dish of Raspberries, 5s Best 6 Gladioli (not less than three varieties), 5s Best dish 20 Gooseberries (size and weight), 5s Best collection of Sweet Williams, 5s Best collection of Fruit (fruiterers ex cepted), 5s and 2s Cd, given by Mr Smith Best collection of Out Bloom of Gera niums, 3s 6d, given by Mr Smith Special entries are required in each case, 6d S.E. POTNTZ.



Thomas Taylor, •gAKER AND CONFEUTIONER, East street. WE DDING OAKES To Order. Manufacturer of CIDER AND OTHER CORDIALS,