SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON, Arrived. Yesterday. Kangaroo, a s., from Weafcport. Prfnce Alfred, barqucntino, from Hoki anga. Hero, cutter, for Pelorus Sound (put tack}; < Sailed. Yesterday. Penguin, s.s., for Port Gbalmera. Rotomaliana, s.s., f<>r Wellington and Horthem Porta. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Mary King, from Lyttelton. Sailed —Ringarooma, for Melbourne via the Bluff. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Murray, from Piet in and Kelsbn' ; Ladybird, from Westport; Hnia, from Wanganui. Sailed —Wanaka, for the North- Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived—The Saxon, from Auckland. Sailed—Enterprise, for Greymouth. Dunedin, Yesterday. Sailed—Te Anau, for Melbourne, via the Bluff and Hobart

COMMERCIAL.

«■ Com Exchange report for the week ending Thursday'evening. May 4th: —Business during the week in the grain trade is much upon a par 'with its predecessor, and no material change > has taken place in values. Wheat— Tuscan of good quality in shipping lines is worth from 4s gd to 4s rod per bushel f.0.b.; other wheats from 4s yd to 4s gd per bushel; second quality wheat, 4s 3d to 4s sd; chick and broken wheat. 3s 6d to 3s gd per bushel. Oats—Although the market may he said to_ be a shade easier, it is more in name than reality. The exceedingly mild weather which has hith erto prevailed has to some extent had an influ ence on ; values, inasmuch as the consumption is very considerably lessened. Holders are in no way disposed to accept lower rates. Mil ling quality is worth from 3s 4d to 3s 6d per bushel; feed samples, 3s 2d to 3s 3d per bushel delivered in Christchurch. Barley—Brewers ; nd maltsters are well supplied; this cereal is consequently lower than was anticipated. Prime malting quality may be quoted at from 4s 3d to 4s yd per bushel; second-rate samples from 3s 6d to 3s gd per bushel. Of feed qua lity there is little or none oflering. Beans — The market is a shade easier, on account of unusually large supplies oflering at the moment. Value, 4s to 4s id per bushel, delivered in Chnstchuich. Potatoes—Values during the week Have improved 32s 6d to 33 s 6d per ton, being the rates at which business has been ef fected. Cheese and Butter -The former is worth from to di the latter gd to lod per lb. Demand good.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES To-morrow, Saturday, May 6. Mr. 1 T. Bullock, at his rooms, East street —Landed Property ; 1 o’clock. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1,30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Y^rcfa —Stock. Friday, May 12. H. Matson and Co, at the Canterbury Wool Stores— Landed Propery ; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c Monday, May 15. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Rangitat?. Road Board —Monthly Meet ing, Road Board Office, Hinds, 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6. nshburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, J unb 7. Cctmty Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Thursday, June 8. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Taints Leave Ashburton fob Christ church and intermediat e stations at 7.10 a.m., 11a.m., and (Express)s.4o p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton foe Timaru and South, at 6.50 a.m., 10.32 a.m. (Express), and 4.45 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Chbistohuboh at 10 20 a. m. (Express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.60 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.45 a. m., 6.28 p.m. (Express), and 8.10 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guaudian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of insertions written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices cn be received up to 3.30 p.m. for insertion over the Leader, but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1882.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5.40 p. ■»*. j

Inquest. —At the inquest on T. Dodson, at Nelson, the verdict was, “ Shot himself while laboring under a fit of temporary insanity.”

To Excursionists. — A train is to leave Ashburton for Christchurch to-morrow morning at 9.20, and returns from that place at 8.30 p-m., arriving here at half past ton.

The Wreck of the Duke op Suther land. —The wreck, with the boats, etc. was submitted to the hammer yesterday, and realised LB4. A court of inquiry in ti the wreck was commenced at Timaru yes terday.

A Pleasant Spot. Lumaden (near Invercargill) appears to be infested just now by a band of ruffians. They have inflicted injuries upon two or three well known residents, and in their drunken orgies use open knives and the most dis gusting language. Apparently they have for tho present possession of the town.

Hubbard’s Newspaper and Bank Directory of the World. —We are in receipt per the last mail of this work compiled by H. P. Hubbard. Among the dense matter which the work contains, it is impossible to give our readers anything like a fair description in this issue, but we will do so on the first opportunity. To be Wound up. —lt is understood that steps will be taken privately to wind up the Southland Jockey Club, a meeting of members called for the purpose having lapsed. The public have been very chary in giving support to the club, because the stakes offered being high, brought superior horses from the Northern districts which carried off the money. Newlands School. — At yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Education, at Christchurch, a letter was read from the Newlands School Committee, stating that the master, Mr E. J. Collins, had sent in his resignation, and applying for leave to advertise for a successor. It appeared that the attendance was below that re quired for the appointment of a certifi cated master, and action was deferred in the matter, pending further enquiries.

Extensive Property Sale. Atten tion is drawn to the large number of town and other ) r jperties to be submitted to tho hammer to-morrow by Mr Thomas Bullock. Nearly all are either within or just outside the Borough, and a splendid opportunity will be offered to working men or investors to acquire a freehold of bis own. Conspicuous among tlie rest is the well-known residence of Mr Thomas Hunt, on the Wakanui road, and there should be some spirited bidding for this valuable property. Ministerial News. —The Wellington Press correspondent writes : I am in formed there is no truth in the report that the Premier will shortly resign his seat in the Legislative Council in order to obtain a seat in the Lower House, and that Mr Hall will vacate Selwyn for his benefit. It appears certain that the rumors about Mr Whitaker’s resignation, which were circulated at tho time of the recent Ministerial crisis, were based on misapprehension of another story, to the effect that Mr Whitaker, jun., had re signed his seat for Waipa. It is believed that an important Cabinet meeting will be held on Friday to decide generally on tho main points of the programme for the session.

Mrs Hampson’s Mission. —The com mittee formed for carrying out the arrangements connected with Mrs Hamp son’s mission in Ashburton, met in the Wesleyan Church last night, immediately after the service, the Rev 0. U. Standage presiding. Mr T. R. I [odder, the secre tary, reported what had been done since the first meeting, and suggested the ap pointment of gentlemen to fill various offices in connection with the mission. It was resolved that the Ilov C. H. Stand age should bo tho superintendent of the enquiry room, with Mr 11. M. Jones as an auxiliary ; and all members of the committee, not otherwise employed, should act as stewards, for the purpose or attending to tho accommodation and comfort of the audiences ; the stewards to act under Mr J. E. Buchanan’s in structions. Messrs G. Andrews and Olsen were appointed to see to the hall arrangements ; and after a conversation on other matters of detail, it was resolved to ask Mrs Hampson to conduct a united children’s service on the Sunday after noon. Boxes for receiving donations will be put up in the lobby of the hall, and for the information of the curious it may be necessary to state that the money collected at tho various services will bo devoted solely to paying expenses inci dental to the mission ; and if any sur plus should bo in hand after this is done, the money will be disbursed as the com mittee, after consultation, think best. In Christchurch a surplus of about LSO was divided between different charitable in stitutions. Several minor questions having been disposed of, the meeting ter minated by the chairman pronouncing the benediction,

Tally Ho ! —The first meet of the local Hunt Club for this season takes place to mor-ow afternoon, starting from the vicinity of Saunders’ mill, at 2 sharp. Borough Council. — A special meeting of the Borough Council will be held on Tuesday evening next, to receive the an nual balance-sheet and auditors' repor . Mr. E. G. Wright at Alford Forest. —Mr E. G. Wright addressed about 30 of h's Alford Forest constituents at the local school-house last evening. A full report of the proceedings appear else where.

Auckland as an Exporter.—Owing to the drought in Non South Wales, Sydney is drawing on Auckland for supplies. The Albion took 630 sacks of potatoes and 100 kegs of butter. The next steamer takes further supplies of potatoes.

Apathetic Ratepayers. -- A poll for the licensing district of Timaru was held yesterday, when 17 voted for and 34 against an increase of publicans’ licenses, and 22 for and 26 against New Zealand wine licenses. Only 52 ratepayers out of 405 exercised the franchise.

The Pulpit. —The Rev. Archdeacon Harris is expected to Fbe in Ashburton to morrow night, and will preach at Water ton on Sunday morning, at 11; Tinwald, at 3 p. m. ; and St. Stenhen’s, Ashburton, at 6.30 p.m.—At the meeting held last night of Mrs Hampson’s committee, it was decided that on the Sunday evening of the lady’s visit to Ashburton, the usual services would be held in the different churches represented, but it was under stood they would conclude in time for persons desirous of hearing Mrs flampson to do so.

Police Court —This morning at the above Court, before His Worship the Mayor, Thomas Harding, a first offender, was chsrged with being drunk in a public place and using abusive language. Fined IDs and costs. Mclntyre, an old offender, against whom a similar charge was made, was let off by forfeiting 5s and costs. Wm Lawrie, against whom there was a small list of previous convictions, was also charged with being drunk, Lawrie denied all knowledge of having been drunk, and had also to pay 5s and costs.

Interesting. —There are in this colony 185,941 unmarried males of all ages, and 140,184 unmarried females. There are also, according to the last census, 73,261 husbands, and only 72,804 wives; 7,269 widows, and 4,964 widowers. The pro portion of married to unmarried per 100 of the population is as follows;—Males unmarried, 70.39; husbands, 27-73; fe males unmarried, 63.64; wives, 33.05. Exclusive of Maoris and Chinese, there are in New Zealand 344,267 persons, or nearly three-fourths of the entire popula tion, who can both read and write; 27,198 persons are set down as being able to read only, and 11,239 persons cannot write.

Hiuoki Sentenced to Death. —ln the Supreme Court the case of Hiroki was continued yesterday morning. There was nothing new in the evidence. Mr Rich mond made an able defence for the prisoner, and the Judge summed up in a very careful manner. The jury retired

at 5.45 p.m., and after an hour’s absence returned into Court with a verdict of “ Guilty.” In reply to the usual question why sentence- should not be passed on him, the prisoner replied that he knew nothing of the murder of M‘Lean. The Judge then passed on the prisoner the usual sentence of death. During the Judge’s summing up, he said he believed that there was no necessity tor a change of venue in the case, as he was perfectly sure the prisoner would receive as fair a trial at the bauds of the jury as if he had been tried in any other place. Employers and Employed. —A ques tion of great importance to largo em ployers of labor was decided at Wakefield (England), on the 10th February. Thirty four men employed at the. West York-

shire Ironworks left their employment without having given the usual fourteen days’ notice required by the rules of the Company, and were subsequently brought up at the Police Court. The manager put in a claim for compensation of L 340, though he said the actual loss to the Com pany was L 453, as in consequence of the men leaving their work sixty others were thrown out of employment. The cause of tho men leaving was the refusal of the

manager to advance their wages 10 per cent., and hence they “struck.” The Magistrate ordered them all to pay a cer tain amount of compensation, which totalled up L 195, and the costs amounted to Ll 5 Gs, or imprisonment in default. Tho manager would not take them on again, as their places had been filled up. The Fatal Pork Chop. — A woman was brought before Sir Robert Carden in Lon don lately on a charge of attempted sui-

cide. She had (says a contemporary) cooked a pork chop for her husband, which did not please him, and because of his displeasure she tried to poison herself by drinking paraffin oil. Paraffin oil can hardly be included among the poisons, for some indeed take it regulaily as a specific against chest affections, but she seems to have taken enough to do her serious harm, and no doubt she intended the dose to be fatal. The case supplies an unplea sant illustration of the readiness with which people nowadays resort to that remedy for human ills from which Ham let recoiled. Is it the weakening of “ the thought of something after death,” or is it only the increased nervousness that comes from civilisation, which makes the veriest trifles seem a burden absolutely intolerable ? Even the children of this generation do not shrink from suicide, and in some parts of Germany there is a distinct approximation to the old Pagan ideas of the lawfulness of self-murder. Whatsoever may be the cause, it is not a pleasant sign <>f the times.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter’.s agency.] The Government Policy in Ireland. London, May 2. In the House of Lords to-day at the opening of the sitting, Earl Granville announced that Mr W. E. Foster had resigned his position in the Cabinet as Chief Secretary for Ireland. The noble Ear! proceeded to slate that the Government did not intend to initiate any new Irish policy, but added that the Irish members of Parliament wbo were now in custody in Ireland would be released forthwith, while the ques tion of the release of the olher “ sus pects’’would be considered without delay. Lord Granville concluded by stating that the Government did not in tend to continue coercive measures for the suppression of the disorder in Ire land in their present form. The Cricketers. London, May 3. The Australian cricketers, who ar rived at Plymouth to-day, are well. McDonnell has completely recovered from his illness. Michael Davitt. Many leading Irish journals are de manding that Michael Davitt, who was re-arrested some time back, and is now confined in Portland prison, should be ,-eleased forthwith. The Irish Secretaryship. It is currently reported in London that Joseph Chamberlain, President of the Board of Trade, has been (offered, but declined, the Chief Secretaryship

for Ireland, and that the position has 1 since been accepted by Mr G. J. Shaw < Lefion, First Commissioner of Build ings, but the report requires confirma tion. Money and the Markets. Consols are unchanged at New Zealand Five per Cent. 10 40 Loan, has advanced Cent. 1889 Loan, is quoted at 103, ex div ; Four-and-Half per Cent., 1879 1904 Loan, at 1033 Z. The Bank rate of discount is 3 per cent. The market rate is Adelaide wheat, ex store, unchanged, 55s ; New Zealand wheat, 525. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 375. Australian tallow —Best beef, 41s; best mutton, 425. Scotch pig iron, No. x. f.o.b. in Clyde, 50s. 'What the “Times” Thinks of It London, May 4. _ The Times in a leading article this morning on the release of the Irish members, Messrs Parnell, Dillon, and O’Kelly, expresses a doubt as to the success of tire policy which has been decided upon by the Government, and which the Times is of opinion leaves Parnell practically master of the situa tion. The Conservatives generally con sider the release of the political sus pects a great victory for the Radical section in the House of Commons, and deplore the new departure by the Minis try, as intimated by Earl Granville and Mr Gladstone in their recent speeches. In Ireland the release of Messrs Par nell, Dillon, and O’Kelly has been cele -1 broted with rejoicing throughout the , country. The Grand Vizier. [ Constantinople, May 1.

Said Pasha, Grand Vizier and Presi dent of the Council of Ministers, has been dismissed by the Sultan, and that Abdurahman Pasha has been sum moned as Grand Vizier.

TELEGRAMS.

[pun press association.] Prospects for the King Country. Alexandra, To-day. It is still wet, and there will be no torero to-day. There is, I believe, no doubt that whatever announcement Taw haio may consider it policy to make at the meeting, the road now formed down to the new bridge will be allowed to go on right through the country, and probably a railway also. Supreme Court. New Plymouth, To-day. At the Supreme Court this morning, the Judge asked the Crown Prosecutor what he intended to do with regard to the in dictment preferred against Hiroki for breaking and entering. The Crown Pro secutor asked leave to enter a nolle prose qui, which was allowed. Young Henry is now being tried for cutting and wounding. Fire. Kaikoura, To-day. Edwards’ fellmongery was destroyed by fire last night. There was a large quan tity of wool in the shed at the time, and nearly everything was destroyed. _ The premises and wool were insured in the New Zealand Company, but the amount is not yet known. A Sad Picture. Dunedin, To-day. At the City Court to-day Elizabeth Moore, aged fourteen, was committed to the Industrial School. The police said her father died recently, and her mother was now in gaol. The girl was found lying drunk in a brothel. An Earthquake. Early this morning a smart shock of earthquake was felt in the direction of the North Ward, accompanied by a dis tinct rambling noise.

THE NATIONAL SONG.

The following is a copy of the new Na tional Son", by Alfred Tennyson, men tioned in our telegraphic columns yes terday : First pledge our Queen, this solemn night. Then drink lo England, every guest, That man’s the best cosmopolite Who loves his native country best ! May Freedom’s oak for ever live, With larger life from day lo day; That man’s the true conservative Who lops the mouldering branch away. Hands all round ! God the traitor’s hope confound ! To the gre t cause of Freedom drink, my friend, And the great name of England round and round. To all the loyal hearts who long To keep our English Empire whole ! To all our noble sons, the strong Few England of the Southern Pole ! To England under Indian skies, To those dark millions o* her realm ! To Canada whom we love and prize. Whatever statesman holds the helm. Hands all round ! God the traitor’s hope confound ! To the great name of England drink, my friends. And all her glorious colonies round and round. To all our statesmen so they be True leaders of the land’s desire ! To both our Houses, may they see Beyond the borough and the shire ! We sailed wherever ship could tail, We founded many a mighty State, Pray God our greatness may not fail Through craven fears of being great. Hands all round ! God the traitor’s hope confound 1 To the great cause of Freedom drink, my friends, And the great name of England round and round.

DISTRICT COURT.

ASHBURTON— To-day. (Before His Honor Judge Ward.) Moran and others v. Patton. Claim, L 134 7s. Mr Wilding appeared for the plaintiffs, Mr Garrick (in the absence of Mr Holmes) for the defendant. The claim was made for the balance of a con tract entered into between the parties for stocking, stacking, and carting certain grain grown on 1140 acres of land belong ing to the defendant. Air Wilding applied to have the plaint amended in cer tain particulars.—His Honor allowed the corrections, Mr Garrick consenting.—Mr Wilding said the claim was made for 4s 6d per acre for all the grain, whether stacked or carted to the threshing machine. There was a set-off filed allowed, amounting to L2B Its 6d, which reduced the claim to LlO5 11s Gd. He claimed the amount on quantum merrAL —Mr Garrick said that his learned friend should bo admitted to amend his claim as he wanted to plead to a claim on the whole amount of contract whether performed or not—His Honor said that Mr Wilding should state the particulars of each claim, whether for stacking, carting, or stocking. Was it possible for him (His Honor) to de fine the quantities if they were not stated in the plaint '1 The question would bo to fix the amount quantum meruit as to carting, and on the contract for tho stack ing. Mr Wilding at this stage asked to ho allowed to hare the case stand over to amend the plaint as suggested by His Honor. Nelson and Coutts v. W. B, Compton. Claim, L6lB IGs lid. Air Branson for plaintiffs, Mr Garrick for the defendant This was a claim for building a horse b zaar at Methven for the defendant. The (Viewing evidence was adduced.—S. B Nelson deposed to being one of the pla n

tiffs in a contract to build a horse bazaar at Metbven. Met the defendant in Ash burton, who told wit ness that he had LSOO to spend, and wanted a place put up like Mr Bullock’s Bazaar. Witness went up to defendant’s house at Methven on No vember 2nd, to arrange for the particu lars of the building, when they took down the quantities, and witness arranged to build it for LSOO. They went by a photograph of Mr Bullock’s building. There were no specifications. They drew out a plan of the proposed building. Wit ness and defendant had only a verbal agreement. The plaintiffs completed the work. The timber was ordered from Hayes’ yards, the account of wh’oh he produced. The iron and kami timber came from G. Kelsey and Co.’s. Hie account for wrought iron, L 9 3s 9d, was also produced. [Witness here produced a number of other accounts (including freight of - timber, etc., used in ihe building) which amounted altogether 10 L64S 6s lid.] Defendant gave wuness L3OO on account of the building, as pare payment, and no other su <is had been paid.—By Mr Garrick : tiuUocd., Bazaar is in Burnett street, Ashburton. Went to Methven, and arranged to erect a bazaar like Bullock’s for Ijsoo. Agreed to expend the sum as economically as possible, and if .here was to be a profit or loss he was to stand by it. The timber amounting to L 329 was, to the best of witness’s belief, all used in the building. Was competent as a builder to set out and erect such a building in a proper manner. Knew that Mr Stanley Bruce had been asked to inspect the building. The stringers were quite strong enough to carry the floor. Had made some altera tions as suggested by Mr Bruce. The principals do not require more ironwork. The work was strong, but timber may have shrunk. It was put together in a workmanlike manner.—G. Cm'd give evidence on behalf of the plain, iff* as to the work done.—W. H, Collins, manager for A. Hayes, timber merchant, said he supplied Nelson and Coutts with the timber for the bazaar at Methven. The account for same was correct as produced. —By Mr Garrick ; Would swear that the timber sent up was ordinarily good.—A. McTaggart. carpenter, said the bazaar erected at Methven was a similar one to that shown on t.he photograph produced. Was engaged six weeks on the job._ The work was that usually done on a job of that kmd.—This was the case for the plaintiffs.—W. de B. Compton said he agreed with the plaintiffs to erect a build ing like Mr Bullock’s in Ashburton for witness at Methven. The quantities

were taken out in witness’s house at Methven. The agreement was that plaintiff was to be paid L7O, and LI per 100 ft allowed for all the timber used in the building, or carted on the ground, and to all accounts for other ma terial used in the building, to be paid when the building was passed, by the Building Society. The foundations of chimney were built on loose shingle, ce mented only on the top, and the sides boarded up with timber, so that when the boards rotted, the chimney would fall down. Some of the timber ussd was very bad. The rafters were bad and also the weatherboards. The sliding doors were badly fitted, and the wet came through them in some places, witness employed Mr Bruce to pass the building, but the certificate was not given, consequently the Building Society would not give the money. By Mr Branson : Witness made objections in regard to the concrete used. The studs were cut too short and the studs were not fitted properly. Sent for Mr Bruce to give the certificate for another Ll5O on account of the building. Never promised Mr Nelson to give him the Ll5O if Mr Bruce passed the work. —Thomas Searell, architect, Christchurch, said he examined the build ing erected for Mr Compton. Had examined the foundation for the chimney, and there was no concrete used at all.

The result of this would be that the china

noy would come down. The floor was cut through in order to find this out. The wcatherboarding was very badly done. The bracing was only made out of f-inch battens, and the building would most

likely shake backwards and forwards in a nor’-west wind. Never saw a worse

building. [Witness here described at some length the various detects in the building to his opinion.]—By Mr Bran son : The timber and material was badly put together. The concrete may be affected by a certain amount of clay mixed with the shingle. Was certain that the building would not keep up for six months.—Scrimgeur said that the shingle

under the chimney was not concrete but loose, and as soon as its boards decayed the shingle would run out.—Learned counsel addressed the Court.—His Honor said the evidence of Searell was impor tant, but was given with a certain amount of bias. He thought that as the chimney’s foundation was boxed in with boards the rest of the building would, in all proba bility, be of a similar nature. As there hrd been a considerable sum shown to have been expended in the materials used, judgment would be for plaintiffs for Ll5O

without coats. Moran and ethers v. Patton.—This claim having been amended to read L 154 1 7s 6d, that sum being for stocking, cart ing, and stacking wheat and oats, the case came on again. Mr Wilding for plaintiff, in submitting the amended plaint, re marked that they had abandoned their claim of L2O for damages. The defendant had paid into Court LlO5, and they were suing for the balance. He would call James Quinn, who deposed that he was a contractor, and it was on a Monday in January, that he made a contract with de fendant to harvest certain crops at Meth ven for him. Made the arrangement on behalf of himself and others. The agree ment was for stocking and stacking at 4s 6d per acre, 3s 6d being for stacking. Defundant was to cut the crop and they (plaintiffs) were to start their contract as soon as the crops were ready. About 1,140 acres of crop were to be har vested in all. They were “to keep up with the machines. ” They put on six machines at first, and afterwards seven.—Michael Moran, another of the plafntiffs, deposed to hearing the terms of contract trora Patton, and to approving of them. They got to work on the day following their arrival on the scene of action, the day specified. They started at a place called Barker’s, when they were suddenly asked to give up stacking to carry grain to the machines. They afterwards went to Mount Hutt. The defendant afterwards wanted to reduce the price of carting from 3s 6d per acre to 2s. There was a disagreement between them and defendant said that unless they chose to accept his terms ho would not Jet them finish the contract. They did not come to terms, no more work was done, and hence the present action. The work was well done, and no fault was found with it. Several other of the plaintiffs gave evidence, one of whom seated that they were suing for the full amount of the work and not merely that done up to tho time the defendant broke the contract off. —For the defence, Patton, tho defen dant, deposed that he had contracted with tho plaintiffs at 3s Gd an aero for stacking and carting, Is for stocking, and nothing was mentioned about carting grain to tho machine. —Judgment was given for LI4I 10s, in clusive of tho amount paid into Court, and costs. ; lx B vxKaoprcv.—An application of F. P. O’lleilly, solicitor, a bankrupt, fur order of discharge was granted. i The Court then rose. i

MR E. G. WRIGHT, M.H.R., AT ALFORD FOREST.

M- E. Q. Wright, M.H.R. for Ash burton, add re sod about ih’rty of his con atiuie ils at tho Alford Forest Schoolroom last evening. M" Caapman occupied the chair, and reniii.i nod, i n introducing the speaker to the meeting, that Mr Wright had come there that night for the purpose of telling them what he had demo in the past and what he intended to do in the future. He asked for him an attentive heaving, and was quite sure that he would only too happy to ans .ec any questions which the meeting mi”hc put to bun. Mr E. G. Wright then came forward and opened his address by remarking that he felt that the meeting was overdue. He li >d had the honor of representing them ,- n Parliament for the past session, and yet this was the first occasion of their I meeting. The old Coleridge district was, in fact, so largo that it was hardly pos sib'e for its reDrcsrntative to addrers the whole of the electors. For private reasons he would rather have been ex cused from being there that night, but he was unwilling to defer his long promised visit. The chairman had said that he (Mr Wright) would speak of the past and the future. He should say, however, but little of the past, because what he bad done in it was well known to them, and he should only be wearying them if he were to recapitulate the events of last ses sion. He proposed rather to say a few words on one or two matters that might be expected to come up during tho ap proach ng session. He would only ad dress them very briefly that evening, but would be very pleased to answer any questions that they might think proper to put to him. One question of great im portance which was sure to be raised in. the approaching session'was that of further borrowing. In private life a man might borrow very properly for the im provement of his estate, or, most im properly to spend the money in riotous living and dissipating his estate. The

money borrowed by the colony had been applied in both directions. A large portion of it had been expended in im proving the public estate by the construc ts m of railways, r>', u ds, and bridges, and 6Mer necessary works, and a much larger potion of the public debt had been ex pended with very unsatisfactory results. Naiive wars, costly public buildings, palatial schools— ;.ot in that district— th.it was a modest exception—harbor senemes out of all propomon to trade re quirements, extravagant salaries in many departments of the ‘civil service, and reckless expenditure all round. The colony had at last woke up to the fact that a more rigid economy must be en forced, but asmany of our railways were still incomplete, and others required ex tension, it would be impossible altogether to avoid further borrowing. To cease absolutely from borrowing and leave im portant works half finished would be a.out equally prejudicial to our national progress as our past extravagance. Since, therefore, it was impossible to avoid fur ther borrowing to a moderate extent, to complete trunk lines of railway, open np fresh lands for settlement, and to develop the abundant resources of this colony, the u most caution was required to limit the expenditure to works which give promise of good results. The colony was not yet populous enough to warrant the draining of every swamp, tunnelling every chain of bills, constructing harbors of refuge where shipping would not go—nor for the spend ing of half a million sterling in dredging a navigable channel with the sole object of securing seven miles of water carriage in substitution for seven miles of railway carriage. They must continue to borrow for some years to come—but to a very moderate extent as compared with the last ten years, and for clearly definei objects. The railway tariff was still a source of discontent, though not to the degree that existed two years back. When the farmer could get 4s per bushel for his wheat he was less critical as to the charges than when the price was down to 3s per bushel. The farmer had innumer able difficulties and vicissitudes to contend with, and the fact that he sometimes makes a good profit was no justification for the Government extracting from his pocket double the profit on the carriage of h's grain compared with the profit which the State realises for the per formance of an equal amount of work for any other class of the community. Dar ing the grain season the Canterbury rail ways were worked at a cost of 40 per cent of the receipts ; that was to say, that after paying working expenses the Government made a profit of 12s in the LI on the work they pei formed for the grain grower. On the other hand, the aggre gate of all the work done by the railways throughout the colony absorbed fully 70 per cent, of the receipts, leaving the Go vernment a profit of of only 6s in the LI over and above working expenses. Now, he failed to see tha justice of ex tracting 12s out of every LI paid by the farmer, whilst the general public were let off with a contribution of 6s at the utmost. Neither did be see the justice of levying high charges in a district where the rail ways all round paid 7 per cent, on their cost, and, on the other hand, carried gravel and road met at gratuitously in a district where the railway did not pay 1 per cent. By referring to the Wairarapa Daily of 22nd August Bst, they would see that the Government Were carrying road metal f:ce in that local i-y. In ordinary mer cantile transactions the largest customers mostly obtained a concession over tha si mil ones, but he a the largest customer of all, the agriculturalist, was charged an extortionate price as compared with the smaller customers, for the service per formed for him. Then, apart from that great wrong, the railway tariff was full of anomalies still. A ton of flour carried ftorn Ashburton to Lyttelton was charged about 20 per cent, more than the same weight of grain, which unfairly handi capped the local mills. Then, again, the administration was guilty of gross blun ders, which would never be permitted if our railways were managed by a board of ordinary men of busi n; In Auckland last year, they positively impounded the wheat belong ing to one settler to cover a debt due by another ; and even went the length of

defending their absurd action in a court of law, where, as a matter of course, judgment was given against the Railway Department. Before quitting the subject of the railway tariff and grain charges, he would remind them that when two years back farmers suffered so severely from American competition, he pointed out again and again that competition at the same rate could not last, and advised everyone who spoke to him on the sub ject to sow every acre which they had available with wheat—and the prices during the last two seasons had justified the advice. The great number of vessels chartered this season had materially affected tho priors, quite apart from the value of wheat in America or London, and they would always be subject to con siderable fluctuations in the value of their cereals; but he beUeved the American competition culminated two years ago, and he would ask them to bear in mind that, vast as was the area of the United States, her population was vast also, and that, in addition to tho natural increase of that population, she absorbed annually as immigrants a larger number of people than was contained in the whole colony of New Zealand, all of whom required to be fed. And when they remembered that settlement in the United States had been pushed so far backward and upwards toward the f uot'of the Rocky Mountains,

that villages were occasionally snowed up for a weak, that fact i idicated that the area of laud available for cropp ng without first clearing the for sat, w,is not

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1882.



IST o r i o MOUNT SOMERS AGENCY. Mr W. H. Pcddicombe is authorised to collect money' and transact all business in connection with The Ashburton Guardian in the Mount Somers and Alford Forest districts. £JANTERBURY MUSIC DEPOT. ASHBURTON BRANCH. Milner&Thompson Desire to inform the residents of Ash barton and surrounding districts that they bare appointed Mr H. M. JONES their ■ole .Agent for this district, and invite inspection of the Instruments, Music, &c., now; j displayed in the SHOW ROOM, Mr Jones’ Shop. PIANOS by all the beat makers— Broadwood, Gollard and Collard, Erard, Pleyel, Bord, Challen and Sons, Ascher burg, Lipp and Sohn, Chappell, Roniach, Bechstein, Kapp, and others. Sole Agent for John Brinsmead’s Gold MedalfPianos. Specialities Our Dresden Model which took First Award of Merit »t the Ashburton Exhibition, from £35 to £55. Harmoniums and Organs, from £7 10s to £6O. ' ORGANS. ORGANS. Organs now on Sale at Ll2 12s. A perfect Gem, L 25. PIANOS. PIANOS, New Stock, just opened up. The above Instruments caa be pur - chased on Dbpeubed Payment from 20s per month. Orders for Tuning executed by a first-class professional. Pianos on Hire.^ lOVEENMENT P U PLICATION S. District Oouit Ruh.-s, Rand Transfer y.Bouk and Acts, Joiut Stock Com jisbl« Acts, T dfcc. s on Sale ftt Office of this



Wanted WANTED —A good general SER VANT. Wages, 10s per week. Apply, Offace of this Paper. 382 e WANTED —On the Ist of June, first class MILLER. References re quired. None but steady men need apply. Jas. Clark, Weslerfield Mills, Ashburton. 386 e ANTED—A SITUATION, as Clerk or Storeman, by a married man of exnerience. Good references. Apply, “ M,” Oflice of this Paper. 82 Gd ANTED Known—'That Friedlander Bros are opening the best value in Drapery, and as low in price as any house in Christchurch. WANTED TO LET—SHOPS in Havelock street. Low rental — viz.—lss per week. And also to SELL CNE ACRE of LAND, Mayo’s Block. Apply to James Baker, Havelock street. 251 c WANTED Known Josephine Kid Gloves, two-buttons, in black and colored —First Choice, 4s Gi—at Fried lander Bros. VJfTANTED KNOWN—If you want to VV Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Hamstead Mills. 255 d WANTED Known—Just opened, ex Waitangi, a great variety of Dress Material, Trimmings to match, each color, 10 per cent, for cash, at Fxuedlander Bros. WANTED KNOWN. —A Circulat ing Library is now open at L. F. Andrewes’, Bookseller, East street South, Ashburton. A large number of books to choose from. Terms very moderate 745 d t'STANTED Known—A large assort- VV ment of the Louis Velveteen, in black and colored, 2s off the £, at Fried lander Bros. WANTED KNOWN —That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, bavin" procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 7COc Special Advertisements- SCHOOL BOOKS SCHOOL STATIONERY. SCHOOL COMMITTEES SUPPLIED. Foolscap from IGs per Ream, Cash. Envelopes ~ Gs Gd 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, &c. H. M. Jones. Stationer and Bookseller, 293 d OKA AAA TO 011 Freehold X/DU.UUU Property, in sums of £3OO And upwards, at Lowest Current Rates of Interest THE N.Z. GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COMPANY, LIMITED. WILLIAM HORNE, 1 286e* Agent. N OTIOE TO FARMERS. ■ We are CASH PURCHASERS of WHEAT , OATS I BARLEY RYEGRASS SEED COCKSFOOT SEED ’ WANTED—IO,OOO bushels Pearl and 10,000 bushels Velvet CHAFF, 1 For delivery at our Stores, at Addington, or Ricoarton Mills, or any Country Station. ; WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; r Or, ' POYNTZ & CO., Ashburton. a RAIN SHIPMENTS TO THE ENGLISH OR CONTINENTAL - MARKETS. [ t The undersigned are prepared to make liberal * CASH ADVANCES. ON GRAIN AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF PRODUCE * Placed in their hands r FOR SALE IN THE ENGLISH 1 OE CONTINENTAL MARKETS. Having commodious Brick Stores at Addington, we are open to make Special arrangements for the Storage of Grain. Farmers can, therefore, avail them selves of the local as well as export market. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Triangle, Christchurch ; Or, POYNTZ & CO., 764 d Ashburton. Andrewes bro s. (Late L. F. Andrewes), 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 gUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY. John Meech, CABIN ETM AKER & UPHOLSTERER, Begs to invite 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 And everything required in household furnishing 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, Buenbtt street, Opposite the Mail Office. 82e I



Special Advertisements. James Baker HAS OPENED, in Baker’s Buildings, Havelock street, as a GENERAL GROCER. He guarantees that the very best quality and quantity will be procurable for the money. . His motto will be CASH ONLY. The purchaser will thus save at least 25 per cent., for not having to pay for bad book debts. JAMES BAKER, Havelock Stkef.t (Opposite Harrison’s Auction Rooms). 391 e O PA 11 M E R S. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. ARE CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BARLEY OATS GRASS SEED AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES, AND ARE SUPPLYING FARMERS With Liarge and EXTRA QUALITY CORNSACKS At Lowest Current Rates. ROBERTS, PAXTON & CO. Offices : Manchester street, Christchurch, two doors south of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co.’s. 300 UTUMN. | 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 for the Celebrated Wertheim Machines. Ashburton Branch: N OTIOE OP REMOVAL. Wo desire to draw the attention of our customers and the public generally to the fact that we have REMOVED TO OUR NEW OFFICES ON THE RAILWAY RESERVE, Between Burnett and Tancred streets, Lately in the occupation of Messrs W. Montgomery and Co., Limited. TUCKER, BESTELL & CO. 400 e JgARLEY MEAL. BARLEY MEAL. H. BOWERS has FOR SALE Ground Barley Meal. 500 BDSHELS 500 Splendid Pig Feed. ALBERT MILLS. 354 Q' AS H PALACE. This is a very good world that we live in, To lend, or to spend, or to give in ; Isut to beg, or to borrow, or to get back one’s own, It’s the very worst world that ever was known But this does not alter the fact that C. HAWKINS, Boot and Shoemaker, East street, Ashburton, and Archibald street, Tinwald, SELLS, or rather GIVES, away at a nominal rate, Boots and Shoes for CASH ONLY. So roll up and buy your boots where you can get a perfect fit. 998 c OTIC E. ASHBURTON COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT E. S. Bean (Late of Montgomery and Co., Limited), HAS COMMENCED BUSINESS as above, nest to Mr Jos. Clark’s Office, 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, &c. Orders taken for Bricks, Cement, Lime, Timber, &c. Oats, Bran, Chaff, Chicken Wheat, &c. Note the Address— NEXT MR JOSEPH CLARK’S, WEST STREET. 181 e pRINT J N G, Of Every Description, NEATLY AND CHEAPLY EXECUTED, AT fjIHE IT BURTON Q.UARDTAN QPFIOE, WEST STREET



Special Advertisements. 0. Carstens & Co., (Lath Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, TOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS 1. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B. D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASUFORTON. 257 a gTARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT. EVERETT BROS., GENERAL DRAPERS, ARE AGAIN IN ASHBURTON, And have OPENED in their OLD PRE MISES, next Harrison’s, Havelock street, FOR A FEW MONTHS ONLY, With a Large and Well-bought Stock of WINTER DRAPERY AND MERCERY. SEE CIRCULARS.



Boston card sharpers recently victimised Charles Francis Adams, an eminent politi cian; to the tune of L 20,000. The harpers were arrested.