SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON.

Arrived. Yesterday.

.. Alice Jane, ketch, from Akaroa. Sailed. ■ .. Yester* at. -Examiner, barque, for Qreymouth. .. Antelope, cutter, for Akaroa. • Prince Alfred, barquentine, for Hoki* anga. . SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. ! Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed—Manapouri, for Sydney ; Pen guin for Fiji » Transit, for Lyttelton ; for London. . ■ \ \ ” . ‘ Wellington, Yesterday. —Arrived Hawea, from Picton, and roa, from Auckland, via the East Coast. | Sailed— Taiaroa, * for Port Chalmers; Hawea, lor the South ; Wakatu, for Kai J koura and Lyttelton. Dunedin, Yesterday. , Arrived—Taiawera, from the North; Dunedin, from Kaipara. Sailed—Eliza Firth, for Wellington Mahinapna, for the West Coast; Wai* honr; for the North.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Saturday, Junk 30. Mr Alfred Harrison, at his Booms— . -Hondroh Drill in-. u.‘>t Tuesday, July 3. fTafauin, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald . ; Yssia—Stock.

MEETINGS. AMUSEMENTS, &o Wednesday, July 4.

Ashburton A., and P. Association—An nual General Meeting, at the Arcade Chambers,' at 3 p. m. Monday, July 9. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. ' Wednesday, July 11. Aihhnrton County Ooupoil —at Council ~Cbam|bera; 11 a.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

fßAnia Lkatb Ashburton fob Ohbist- OHtTBOHand intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.37 , ,p.m. : TBXrhB IiaATE ASHBtTRTON FOB TIMABU Sl-iin) South, at 6.60 a. m., 10.25 a.m. (Expreas), and 4.45 p. m.—the latter pro „.J coedifig no farther than Timaru. Trains Abbivx at Ashbubton fbom at 10 15a.m. (Express), - »*4M»p.ni., and 7.15 p,m. Trains Akbitb at Ashbuetob fbom Tiuasf asd South at 10.40 a.m., 6.27 imp. (Express), and 8 p. m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1883. A Legislative Larrikin.

Sir George Grey is a man of whom one would wish to write and speak with respect. His past career, his abilities, his age, unite to induce us to treat his foibles lightly, and put the best con struction upon his Parliamentary acts. We never felt the faintest sympathy with the insulting language which his opponents were formerly accustomed to use towards him, and whose violence defeated its own purpose. We cordially acknowledge that he has done good service in the General Assembly by his bold and, to a certain extent, success ful attacks upon Northern land specula tors, and trust that in the future he will not abandon this good cause which he has always professed to have so deeply at heart. But if we review his actions in the General Assembly during the past two or three sessions, we shall find them to bear all the marks of proceed ing rather from a spirit of mischief than from any desire to propose measures for the good of the country. Sir George’s aim seems to be to create a new sensa tion every session—to set Ministerialists and members of the Opposition by the ears, to awaken discord, and shock the proprieties generally. If we may be pardoned the simile, he is like a mischievous schoolboy trying to bring about a disturbance by some means or another, and when that end is achieved he feels happy, whatever other people may tKink about the matter. A fresh illustration of this love of sensationalism —this desire to breed mischief—has been given during the ’present session. The “ striking novelty ” just produced is a Bill to abolish the Legislative Council, and since the Constitution Act stands in the way of effecting his ob ject, Sir George Grey proposes to re peal that Act in so far as it relates to the colony. Now, as to the Bill to abolish the Legislative Council, pro bably not a single human being in New Zealand, from one end of the colony to the other, imagines that it has the re motest chance of passing in the present temper of the public mind. Extremists may here and there be met with who hold the opinion that the Legislature should consist of one Chamber only; but the immense bulk of the electors have always manifested a desire to retain the two Chambers. For the House of Representatives to occupy itself in discussing such a mea sure is just as great a waste of time as though it were to debate over the quar rel between France and Tonquin. This Bill is, however, but a minor sensation compared with the Bill to amend the Constitution Act. This Act is an Im perial one, and the Colonial Legislature has no more power to repeal it, either wholly or partially, than it has to repeal any other Act passed by the Imperial Parliament. The Speaker of the House of Representatives drew the attention of the House to the fact, and further pointed out, in becoming lan guage, that it would be undignified for the House to attempt to usurp legisla tive powers which it did not possess. The majority of the House shut their ears to Sir Maurice O’Rorke’s wise words, but the country will cordially approve of them; When the Borough Council of Ashburton, in the exuberance of youth, proceeded to make by-laws, not only for this rising town, but also for the rest of the colony, people laughed a good deal, and the by-laws had to be remodelled ; but it would be just as ridiculous for the General As sembly to claim the right to repeal Imperial Acts ot Parliament as it was for the Borough Council of Ashburton to attempt to make by-laws for places beyond its jurisdiction. Sir George Grey’s Bill, if passed, would, as the Speaker remarked, be simply null and void. It will further be noticed that the Bill is absolutely need less except for the purpose of mischief making. Supposing the General Assem bly really wished to abolish the Legis lative Council, that end could doubtless be attained by going the right way to work about it. As the Colonial Trea surer argued, the proper course for the House to pursue in such a case would be to adopt an address to Her Majesty, indicating its views on the subject, and then the Imperial Parliament could be asked to amend the Constitution Act in the direction desired. Nor is there the least reason to suppose that the Im perial Parliament would refuse its con sent to such a radical change in our Constitution as the abolition of the Legislative Council if it were made clear that the colonists really wanted it. Our Constitution Act has already been amended more than once by the Imperial Parliament for the purpose of meeting the views of the Colony : other colonies have been assisted in like manner; and it is many years since the Home Government laid down the principle that the colonies under re presentative institutions should be allowed to mould their Constitutions as they please, provided they did so in accordance with the laws of the Empire. Such a prosaic course of proceeding, however, would never suit Sir George Grey’s book. He wants “ a lark,” and he is haying it. '

There was a good attendance of num bers of the Rinking Club at the Town Hall last evening, and a number of danoes were gracefully executed.

With this evening’s paper we issue a supplement containingt he full text of the Financial Statement, which was delivered in the House by. the Colonial ; Treasurer last evening. The Statement was sent through last night, and the local telegraph operators are to be congratulated on the manner in which they did their work. In the Supreme Court at Dunedin yes terday Judge Williams gave a decision on an important point in regard to deferred payment selectors. The case was an ap peal by a man named Heffran ■ against the decision of the Land Board. He was a deferred payment holder, and surren dered his license under the Relief Act passed by Parliament. His section was put up in te|ms of that Act for sale by cash, and he bought it. Then he applied for another deferred payment section, but the Board refused it on the ground that he was already a deferred payment licensee. Judge Williams, however, sus- 1 tained his appeal, and determined that Heffran could ..elect again. Sydney Tawhainga, who is collecting money from the natives for another mis sion to England, held a public meeting at Napier yesterday for the avowed object of replying to an article in the Hawke's Bay Herald, consisting largely of quota tions from Government papers, giving a not very flattering account of Sydney’s antecedents. There was a large attend ance of both Europeans and Maoris, Mr Locke, E.M., and others being prepared to bear out the account, of Tawhainga’s delinquencies, but for over an hour he talked on other matters, and refused to say anything definite about the charges brought against him. The meeting de generated into an exchange of “ chaff,” and ended in confusion.

The official declaration of the poll for the South Rakaia Road Board election was given at noon yesterday at the Road Board office, when a considerable num ber of ratepayers assembled to hear the result. Mr Mann, the only candidate present, in a short speech, thanked those who bad voted for him and placed him third on the list. He thought the mem bers elected the best of the seven, and was pleased to see the old members re turned, and promised to do all he could for the township which he now repre sented. Had he been at the top of the poll, he would have addressed the elec tors for three-quarters of an hour, but as he was only third he could say no more. The excitement which has prevailed in the quiet little township for the past few days is over. A few ot the sporting resi dents have lost or won hats and small amounts of money on the result of the polling. The first meeting of the new Board will be held on the sth July. An ordinary general meeting of thd Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway ' Company was held yesterday afternoon in the rooms of the Union Insurance Oom -1 pany. There was a good attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr George Hart, Chairman of Directors. The Direc tors’ report was read as follows :—By the balance-sheet annexed, the shareholders will see that the traffic return i of the railway are slightly in excess of last year, and as 4 the Directors have recently in i creased the rates of carriage on the line, they have reason to believe that the re ! turns for the coming year will be of a more satisfactory character. The Direc tors regret that the hopes expressed in their last report that the Ashburton County Council would fulfil its obliga tions to the Company without compulsion, have been disappointed. The Directors, ; therefore, are preparing to levy a rate for . the year 1881-82. In the meantime, to provide funds for the half-yearly payment of the interest on the debentures, the Directors were compelled to make a call 1 on the capital of the Company, and un less the amounts due by the Government and district are promptly paid, they i will be obliged to make further calls on the shareholders to keep faith with the debenture holders. There being no ’ legal means of collecting the amount due for the financial period 1880-81, it Will be 1 necessary to apply to the General Assembly for redress, and the Directors have had a ; petition prepared for the signature of the . shareholders. The adoption of the report was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr John Anderson, and carried without discussion. On the motion of Mr Packer, 1 Messrs J. Gould and. E. S. Coster were re-elected Directors of the Company. Mr i John .Ollivier was then re-elected Auditor of the Company. Mr Gresson then read the draft of a petition proposed to be for warded to the House of Representatives for the payment of arrears due to the Company, or for the Government to take over the railway. On the motion of Mr E. S. Coster, seconded by Mr J. Gould, it was resolved that the 'shareholders be requested to sign the petition to Parlia ment as furnished to this meeting. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr J. Anderson, seconded by Mr D. Craig— “ That the sum of LSO be presented to the Diieotors as a recompense for their services during the past year,” A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting. An inquest on the body of Henry Fleetwood Tonge, which was found in Hagley Park on Tuesday afternoon, was held before Dr Coward, District Coroner, in the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, yesterday, and the following evidence was taken; —William Clark Miller, a laborer residing at Bligh’s boarding-house, gave evidence as to the finding of the body, also to the fact of his attention having been drawn to the spot by a dog.—Detec tive M. O’Connor said: From informa tion received, 1 proceeded to Hagley Park. I found deceased lying dead, in a hollow place in the plantation between the Carlton road and the river. His coat was opened and his waistcoat buttoned up. About one foot from deceased’s feet Mr Beale picked up the revolver pro duced. I examined the revolver. It is of six chambers, two of which were loaded, and there was a discharged cart ridge in the chamber under the nipple. Found a box of cartridges in a pocket of deceased’s ; also LI 18a 2£d in a purse, a silver watch and chain, and two letters. One letter, dated June 21, was an applica tion for employment as canvasser, and the other, a private letter, stated that de ceased had not been very well lately, and intended to go to Ashburton. There was no appearance of anyone else having been on the spot where I found the body, nor any signs of a struggle. It appeared from some hairs on breast as if i he dog had been lying there,—William Gar rard, gunsmith, deposed to the de ceased haying purchased the revol ver and cartri Iges at his shop. Jane White : I knew the deceased for two years. He had boarded with me off and on during that time, going up country occasionally. 1 should not have thought that he had anything on his mind. He was rather low-spiiited, and seemed troubled because he could not gain em ployment. He had been down from the country for a fortnight, and seemed during that time to be very low spirited. Deceased had been a cadet on a farm, and was trying to obtain a situation in an office. Ha was not in want of money, but wanted employment to occupy his mind. He had a sister—Lady Sefton— residing near Nelson. He used to corres pond with her.—H.| P. Murray-Ay naky ; I have known the deceased since Sep tember, 18i0. He was very eccentric, and of a flighty and nervous disposition— not staying long in one situation. He was about 22 years of age. His father lived in England, near Newbury, and was a captain in the Royal] Navy. I saw de ceased about a fortnight ago. He appeared then to be the same as usual. He had plenty of money here. —Dr W. G. M'Clure gave medical evidence as to the ■ cause of death, and the jury returned a i verdict to the effect that deceased shot himself during a fit of temporary insanity.

The only business at the Court this morning was the fining of John Thatcher the sum of 20s, with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness. Mr R. Alcorn was on the Bench.

At a meeting of the shareholders of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company held at Auckland on Monday, the question of whether the conditional sale of the busi ness which the Directors had made to the Union Company should be ratified was discussed. According to the Chair man’s speech the terms agreed upon 'with the Union Company were these : The Union Company becomes responsible for all Mutual outstanding risks, the Mutual; paying a proportion of the premiums for the unexpired term, less 29 per cent. The Mutual mortgages are taken at par, inte rest to accrue to the Union Company from June Ist. The Directors endeavored to, arranged with the Onion Company with the object of offering the Mutual shares in that Company, but this was found; impracticable. The Directors were unani mously of opinion that Mr Dobson’s, report was that of an honest, honorable man, and an experienced under- 1 writer. Mr D. H. McKenzie seconded the adoption of the report. Several questions were asked, in the course of which it was elicited that all the Directors have paid up their calls. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried. An extraordinary meeting was then held, and the Chairman moved “ That it is desirable that the Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company be now wound up.” This motion was carried, and Mr R. H. Stevenson, the Auckland Manager of the Union Insurance Com pany, appointed liquidator. Some very startling statements as to the great and growing increase of illi teracy in the American Republic have (says the Pall MdU Gazette) been made by the Rev Joseph Cook, of Boston, in a prelude to one of his Monday lectures. The following are some extracts from his remarkable presentation of the facts : “First, notice the illiteracy of the United States as a whole. Five millious of the fifty millions of the population of the United States over ten years of age can not read ; six and a quarter cannot write. Of the ten millions of voters of the United States one in five cannot write his name. The nation is now charged with the edu cation of eighteen millions of children and youth. Of these ten and one-half millions are enrolled in public and private schools; but the average attendance is only six millions. Seven and a-half millions, or five-twelfths of the whole, are growing-'up in absolute ignorance of the English alphabet. At the present rate of the increase of the number of children not attending school there will be in ten years more children in the United States out of the schools than in them. In all but five of the States there were enough illiterate voters to have reversed the result of the last Presidential election in each of these States. It was estimated by the statisticians of the Go vernment that the total annual profit to the country by the conversion of illiterate into educated labor could not be less than L 80,000,000 a year.” We know that there is nothing on earth equal to Hop Bitters as a family medicine. Look for.— [Advt.] Take Hop Bitters three times a day, and you will have no doctors’ bills to pay. See.— [Advt.] Wanted Known —That J. Meech is im porting all his own goods, which enables him to sell cheaper than any other furnishing house in Ashburton. He has every class of furniture to suit all parties, from the kitchen to the drawing-room. All kinds of cutlery, crockery ware, fenders and fire-irons, iron beadsteads, carpets, table cloths, matting, and druggetting. A variety of tinware and other cooking uten sils, etc. A splendid lot of Vienna chairs in walnut and maple. Feathers, flock, horsehair, and wool for furniture and mattrasses—in fact every article for house furnishing. Owing to facilities afforded to him, enables him to sell cheaper than if in East street. Furniture ex changed, and parties selling out will find that he gives the highest price for furniture. All kinds of furniture repaired;, practical workmen kept. Agent for the celebrated Dunedin blind-maker. Spring window rollers kept in stock. Carvings and turnery sold to the trade. —J. Meech, Note the address, next Bullock’s Arcade.-- [Advt.]

Holloways Ointment and Pills.— Diseases of the Bowels.—A remedy, which has been tested and proved in a thousand dif ferent ways, capable of eradicting poisonous taints from ulcers and healing them up, merits a trial of its capacity for extracting the internal corruptions from the bowels. On rubbing Holloway’s Ointment repeatedly on the abdo men a rash appears, and as it thickens the alvine irritability subsides. Acting as a deri vative, this unguent draws to the surface,- re leases the tender intestines from all acrid mat ters, and prevents inflammation, dysentery,, and piles, for which blistering was the , old fashioned, though successful treatment, now from its painfulness fallen into disuse, the dis covery of this Ointment having proclaimed a remedy possessing equally derivative, yet. per ectly painless powers,—[Advt.]

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE OOUHOIL. Wednesday, June 27. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. SIB PENROSE JOLYAN. The Hon Mr Holmes gave notice to ask whether the Government were going to continue to employ the services of Sir Penrose Julyan. THE NEW HEBRIDES. On the resumed debate on th& Pre mier's resolution re the New Hebrides, after discussion the resolution was car ried. EXTENSION OT PAYMENTS. The Hon Mr Oliver moved—“ That the Council should concur in the resolu tion passed by the House, extending the period within which the Treasurer could pay money to three months after the end of the financial year.” After a debate the resolution was affirmed. The Council rose at ten minutes to five o’clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, June 27. The House met at 2.30 p.m. AUCKLAND COLLEGE. Mr Hcbsthousb gave notice that he would introduce the Auckland University College Act Repeal Bill. ■> NEW MEMBER. Mr Larnach, the newly-elected member for the Peninsula, was introduced by Mr Hursthbuse and Mr J. B. Brown, and took his seat. QUESTIONS Replying to questions, Ministers said ; —That the viaduct at the Sooth end of Balclutha bridge would shortly be com pleted and brought into use.—That a sum of L 20.000 was proposed to be spent on the erection of a bridge over the railway at Du mdin.—That the trust funds were invested by the public trustee in loans on mortgage, in virtue of the wills of persons leaving the money, and also under the Revenues Act of last session. Every care was taken in making such invest ments. Valuations were required from the applicant, and these were compared with the property tax valuations. If the two agreed the proposal was favorably entertained. The interest charged varied from 7 to 8 per cent., and he had no reason for believing the rate charged was . lower than the current rate. The trustee was primarily, and the colony second arily, liable in the case of loss.—That no i recent application had been made on behalf of the Dunedin Domain Board for I assistance for the Botanical Gardens, but ] a sum of L2OO had been provided last i session for the general purposes of those domains.—That there was no law em- < powering the Government to sell kauri i

timber?' on Crown lands at Hoki r anga, and tlje ; Government was nut aware cf any necessity for the erection of an hospital at that place.— That progress bad been making during the recess for purchasing native rights on the northern goldfields, although groat ad vancement in that direction had not been effected".—That there was no necessity for amending the Counties Act so that the roads ordered to be formed, by County Councils and Road Boards oyer Crown; lands and private pro; o-ly may be sur veyed by licensed surveyors, and registered, in the‘records of the provincial | as a provision for the purpose already; existed.—That an interim report had: been received on the Argyle water race, Charleston, and a road from; Black water Creek to Archer’s Point! would be surveyed. That return! tickets would be issued on the Spring field- Whitecliffs railway for any iiiterrnedi ate station betweenthereandGhristchurch. —That acting on the suggestion of the In spector-General of Lunatic Asylums, the Government would delay giving effect to the suggestions contained in his annual report. —That the widest possible publicity wpuld be given of the sale of the Qtaio reserves!— That the Government had ad vanced no money since August last to the Oama'u Harbor Board. The credit of the Board was so good that itwasenabled to borrow money on more favorable terms from the outside market, Tbat it would be highly inconvenient to have all elec tions under the Lopal flections Apt. on the one day.

. : ~, BILLS. , ; The following Bills were introduced and read a first time -For the Repeal of Compulsory Vaccination in New Zealand; Westland High School Inspection,; Reli gious, Charitable, and Educational Trusts Boards Incorporation. f; SKILLED LABOR IN GAOLS. r Mr Hutchison moved “That the teaching of trades and employment of skilled labor in gaols arc, regarded as inimical to ati enlightened system of prison discipline, and prejudicial to the interests of free skilled labor in the country, and that it is desirable that fetich teaching of trades and employment of skilled labor should be discontinued as soon as. pos-, sible.” He contended that th 6 teaching of trades in prisons tended to increase the competition unfairly,, as also to reduce the' rate of wages; and he instanced the bookbinding trade carried on in Lyttelton gaol, which had been a, means of reducing the number of hands employed in the Government printing office. In the debate which followed, seyeral members spoke against the motion, Messrs Bracken and Joyce alone supporting it. The debate was ultimately adjourned. BANKRUPTCY. On the motion of Mr Joyce, a return was ordered of all bankruptcies and assignments since the coming into opera tion of the Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act, 1878, Such return to show the names of the debtors, amount of indebtedness, the estimated and realised value of the assets, dividends paid, and to indicate estates not yet wound up; also, the names of the trustees or as signees. TELEPHONE SYSTEM. On the motion of Mr Hurst, it was agreed that Messrs Dick, Pyke, Green, H. Thomson, Barron, C. Johnston, Pea cock, Hurst and Fish be appointed a Committee for the purpose of enquiring into the telephonic system now in opera tion in New Zealand, with the view of increasing its advantages to the public! The House adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7-30. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The House went into Committee of Supply, and, after the delivery of the Financial Statement, The Hon Major Atkinson moved “ That the period of two months provided for in the Public Revenues' Act is her’eby extended for a period of one month. ” Sir George Grby said that they had heard nothing about the finances of the country and its prospects. First of all the Treasurer told them there, was to be a deficit. He told them we had ah immense interest to pay annually. How many men had to work every day to pay that in terest ? From 15,000 to 16,000 men must so none to pay the public debt, let alone the private debt, that they labored to give a great value tb properties that onght to be their own, and yet the Treasurer proposed no change. Again, .the Treasurer went tb the South and told the people that the Government hold it true that the Grown lands belong to every man in equal proportion, and he would propose that every child born in New Zealand should receive L 5 as its share, and that at compound interest would provide for all the widows and fatherless children. If he was right in that he should have ap plied the principle throughout, and paid, a fair proportion to every one. If he had done that he would have included all in the,, public lands., What would become of that property 1 He showed to'the people in the South that at least thirty millions of acres had gone. How many had got their share of that, or was it not rather true, that it had gone to a few 1 Again,, he stated that thirty-four bullion acres still remained. Why did he not state to-night that he would give us a land and income tax, and do away with the property tax 1 While losses are bringing so many to poverty, why did he not tell them of some scheme to do away with the injuries already done ? The dry details of his speech could ! have been read , from statistics. He told nothing of the kind' required, but, on : the contrary, he pro posed laying them the great cure he talked about in the South. He proposed a scheme should be adapted here for’ which the country was naturally unauited. Where was the principle of the greatest happiness to the greatest number ? Was it the addition proposed to be made to the property tax ? man could look 'at the state into which New Zealand was getting without taking a disparaging view of things. He believed that it would be found that a majority of the House would be de:ermined that a land tax should be imposed, gradually increasing as the ex tent increased, and, if necessary, an in come tax. He believed that these taxes would produce the results he hoped for. He recommended a debate in Committee on the Statement, believing that it would be better than to delay the debate until its chief intent had died out.

The Hon Major Atkinson said that ha was quite prepared to face a debate on the land against the property tax, and would fix any day for the purpose that might suit Sir George Grey. He deprecated a discussion of the question in Committee. It would only be a waste of time to at tempt such a debate to night. Sir George Grey asked would the Go vernment allow its followers to vote ac cording to their consciences ? The hlon Major Atkinson 1 replied his party always voted according to their con sciences, but if aland tax was to be in* ■ posed, it would have to be imposed by the hon gentleman. The present Govern ment would not do it. Sir George Grey said he would 'liot commit a discussion of this importance to a party discussion. He would take his own time to bring on such a discussion, and if possible to carry his point. The Hon Mqjpr Atkinson said that he. was only too anxious to give an opportun ity for having the point discussed, and was quite prepared to face the responsi bilities of his position. He wa< disap pointed that Sir George Grey had not the courage of his.opinions. . , Sir G. Grey challenged Major Atkin-, son to show the courage of • his opinions and go the, country.-. - (

Mr Montgomery said there' was' "no want: of courage on Sir George Grey’s part. When they had'down the Pfiblfc" Works Estimates they would be better able to judge of the whole question. They/ had had a long string of figures, and if mem bers understood them at the first grasp they had much clearer heads than he had. He hoped to see a land tax replace the property tax. . c . Mr Fish gave it as his opinion that there were a great deal too many words in the Statement. Evidently Major At kinson hoped by tbat'means to escape the crrticism that 'would otherwise have arisen. It was unfortunate that increased taxation was proposed. - Tho ooldfiy was already over-burdened with taxation, and he judged from the proposal to increase fit that the.aflairs of the oountryihadmit been economically administered. That they took a farthing off the property tax and to have to put it on again so early was, to his ifiind, evidence of bad admin istration. , ' - !

Mr Turnbull said the) Statement.sug gested to his mind a most unsatisfactory result. The Statement had not revealed the- exact state of the country. — The country, he contended, was on the 'brjjok r»iih. 1 Their indebtedness, to • the/ Sav ings Bank. Inijurarice Fuudsuwas a most alarming fact.■■ Any; accident ;in connection therewith' might place the country in a most embarrassing state. Till, the land tax was re-imposed 'he was sure there would be no , return . .of■ sperity, but the Government dawy impose such a tax, or face the people . Mf HupsTKOusß spoke yi favor ; vflfru progressive income tax instead of a pro-, gressive land tax. He, thought ,thatiit would be fairer to all concerned! ,!,. JS j Sir George Grey said that.-he-, thought the Treasurer after his challenge!, (Sir George Grey) should dissolve,iJ&e House. _ i, n „. Captain Mackenzie denied the imputa tions made that 0 Government supporters gave theiC stipp rt in ftnnwiiawtinn nf what they got He. attributed the de pression to the number,: of towns, which monopolised money oggi|| spent in opening out the pountry. v,|Je regarded the hind tax as a gross,.piece iOfi repudiation. The colony never could .have been settled but for the land, baying been purchased, abd now to coinn and tell them they had not paid enough was - nothing short ,pl confiscation./

The resold tion .was vtbeniijiutui and carried, and n the HomeTeaammg the adopted. v .v.i«u

BAST AND WEST COAST" RAILWAY.. 11 hr.' The report ol tie Commission was free ceived by message from the The House rose at.lo.3fi. , '■ V

IN THE LOBBY.

[FROM OCTR PARLIAMENTARY dO&BEaPON DEN*]' ,l ( " ■ Writitod^WtTo^day. The report, of theOpramissiohara j,oa the Canterbury and West Coast iiciea was sent to the House at alate hoar last night by the Governor.' The Com* miasioners decided against the. construc tion of a line, as it would, be maptfestly unfair to provide the ’ community settled round Christchurch with cheap coal and timber at the cost of ithe.. taxpayers living elsewhere. The report, poacludaa : —“ After considering the whple .of the foregoing conclusions and: opinipns, we must respectfully recommend the route by Arthur’s Pass as moat suitable, but the most sanguine view r the Commia sioners can take is that there is no' pros pect of traffic paying, more than working expenses on hny of the alternative .lines, no commenaura e indirect results can be anticipated from the expenditure of so large a sum as would be necessary for its construction, and not for as many as ten years or more can full interest on the cost be hoped for.”

SPORTING.

HAWKE’S BAY STEEPLECHASES.

[by TELEGRAPH.} i ,/ 'iNiAEiBBi To-day. , The weather is splendid, andfchere is a large attendance. . The following ; .are the results :

MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE. Fashion ... j ,., , . Dhudeen ... . '.V.' .. . Diomedes ... .1. ' .

..."-S'"

Eight started. Pear Not and. Opine Again were scratched A. G. lead* folio tved ' closely by Calamity. S h >J.TO time rpnnd this position, was. mamtsnwCl Diomedes and Dayrell leading th'e ais&p, chasers. All the jumps were, safely negotiated till 11 it the back bf‘jhq'cpiirse there was some baulking, which brought Fashion, Diomedes/and DhudSen to the front. At the turn ■ into thp i straight Heretauhga joined the leaden, and a splendid struggle , ensued, the four;t*|rigg[ the last hurdle together,-when. Heretaqhga fell. The dividend in the totalisatoc vaa L 6 12s, 45 being on, thp { winnert, L£ ladies’ bracelet. '-*•

Frederica ’ ... ... ... 1 Buttercup. ... . ~ ... 2 Quamby ... ..." ... 3 , Handicap ;. - Clarence ... ... l,t ' Q „- Quamby ... ... 2 Lomond’ ’ ... ‘ i.. 3

CABLE NEWS.

I.ATtST FROM tUROPE

f [reuter’s telegrams—copyright.] 1 A Gun Boat Launched. I . . London, Jane 26. The largest of the gunboats which-. 3 1 are being built for the Victorian lGb * vernment was launched yesterday in r the presence of Mr Murray Smith, [ Agent-General for Victoria, and ,C6L' I Scratchley. Miss Smith christened Hgi; > > Victoria.” J Gxeatjlro. 1 London, June : 26u ; r ! The warehouses and wharves at St' > Petersburg have been destroyed by fire. ■” The damage is estimated at two million 1 roubles. Serious Affray. An affray between the-Dublin and* Mayo militia stationed at the CurraghT; has taken place, resulting in forty being,' wounded. , [Received June 28, 12.45 p.m.] Obituary. London, June 27. I The death is announced of General' Sir Edward Sabine, K.C.8., aged 95. The French Ministry. / 1 Paris, June 27. It is stated that certain changes; may be shortly expected to take phtce in the French Cabinet, owing to the illness of M. Challemel Lacour, Minis ter of Foreign Affairs, who, it- is, be lieved, will resign his portfolio. ; Cholera in Egypt. Alexandria, June 27. Cholera has now broken .put ,a£., Mansalh, a town 34 miles' soiith-we&t of Damietta, where the disease firkt appeared. Much alarm prevails owing to the spread of the epidemic, and,an ■ exodus of Europeans and others from Egypt has already commenced. - AU S TR/VL I AM. ( liT [REUTER’S TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] ' The Markets. ; ' Melbourne,. Yesterday. Shipping wheat has advanced'ad,p£r bushel' during the week, am},, wjlflpjir quoted at ss id. The market isun-

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1888.



OIiTIbNEEY OF EVERY DE* ipr ' l j SORIPTION. sn Account Books t; . Ink—-from small to largest jars School Books—School Committees sup -7 ’ '- ’ plied at lowest rates _ in all kinds of Fancy •h*ss Goods, Toys, &c. yi; All theNemo Journals, Magazines, and ~ [,, Papers by every mail. Subscribers • ' wanted for any Magazine or Paper published. it'. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &c., East stkbbt South Ashburton. n!5 H. M. Jones ’AS NOW ON VIEW A FINE STOCK OF P I A N O S, FROM £2O AND UPWARDS. ■-A Mkgnificent Instrument by Lipp and Sohn, in walnut: also one by Schwarch ton with TRANSPOSING KEY BOARD, And 'Others iby English, German and French Manufacturers. ORGANS.”ORGANS. : A good selection of these Instruments oh 2 hand from £1212s upwards. if " INSTRUMENTS TO ‘ SELECT FROM. .HARMONIUMS i: 1 HARMONIUMS. Acoordians, Violins, Banjos, Cornets, and all kiuda of Brass and Stringed Instru ments. 25 25 PH 0 o. on .i. 0 T most won l i derful instru- N E ments of the day. Music by the yard. A child XLI Mean play it. Very cheap. Just the O thing for those who cannot have a IO . fi*7 - piano.



Pianos an hire and for sale at the lowest cash prices, and on TERMS to SUIT PURCHASERS. ;b'!.. r Agent for MILNER & THOMPSON. A Large STATIONERY, 'BOOKS, TOYS, & FANCY GOODS. etefcia.-io .... ■ H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING SQUARE. . A sliKiinf/kn ;A M CASH PURCHASER 0? BRIGHT MILLING IN ANY QUANTITY. ALBERT ROBERTS, ■ ; West street. a n t b d. to OUR CIRGULATIN G LIBRARY , Ashburton. Oats SUBSCRIBERS AJlvncnuo onvo., Booksellers and Stationers, East street .. , i South, Ashburton. 77 ANDREWES BROS.



"F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS'S CHEAP,, FURNITURE AND BED din’s manufactory, ■ a'bt street south, ASHBURTON. dTOBBT Sold at Christchurch F-i, Pexobs and guaranteed bes. of and workwaoahip. FUN BRADS fnralPT.rA ODHHUSTE.T VCBHIBHBD r , si



Wanted T O PRINTERS. Wanted a good JOBBING hand. Ap ply at the Office of this Paper. WANTED, by a respectable young person, an ENGAGEMENT as Useful Help or Companion ; country pre ferred. Apply, by letter, Office of this Paper, to A.B. 1468 WANTED Known—Two or three Gentlemen will [meet with a com fortable home ; terms moderate. Mrs G. H. Thompson, Trevorton. 1443 WANTED Known—A. Oer is selling all shades Berlin Wool, 6d ; Finger ing ; 2s 6d per hank ; Crewel Embroidery Silk, all shades, 2d per skein ; Stays, Is lid 1417 WANTED Known Ashburton, will hold a Fortnight’s CLEARING SALE of BOOTS and SHOES, commencing on SATURDAY next, at extremely low prices, to clear out his present Stock. 1442 XT^TANTED KNOWN-That Robert Vf Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low tales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 7600 WANTED Known Women’s Stock ings at 6d per pair; Children's Socks, 2d ; Gloves at 6d ; Wool Jackets at Is 6d.—A. Orb’s Cheap Sale. 1416 WANTED Known —That Mr Dan Lea has Opened his Gymnasium next to Harrison’s Auction Rooms. An inspection of his calisthenics of every description is invited. 1344 ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., an be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills. WANTED Known —A. Obr is now holding an extraordinary Cheap Sale to clear out all surplus stock previous to stock taking. Goods greatly reduced. 1413 Special Advertisements. THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAY E spared no effort to place before the public a MOST COMPLETE ASSORTMENT •r NEW WINTER MANUFACTURES Comprising all the latest styles in MEN’S & BOY’S CLOTHING Manufactured from the best qualities and newest Designs in . COLONIAL, SCOTCH, BRITISH, AND CONTINENTAL TWEEDS. The large and increased trade has en abled the Proprietary to offer their cus tomers still further advantages than hitherto, and THIS SEASON’S GOODS, upon inspection, will be found CHEAPER THAN EVER. A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. ” SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, and every requisite at Wholesale Prices. Nineteen Branches now open in New Zealand. Agents for the Unrivalled WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINES Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET.



Cers Sacks, lowestfmarket sates. J AM A CASH PUR CHASER, AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES, of WHEAT OATS GRASS SEED BARLEY Farmers wishing to SHIP ON THEO OWN AC COUNT can get information as to Cost, Freight, etc., by applying to JOSEPH CLARK, 267 Ashburton & Tinwald. Cora Sacks, lowest market rates.



FOR SALE The UNDERSIGNED have received instructions from the Owner to SELL BY PRIVATE TREATY, All that COMPACT BLOCK OF LAND on the Acton Station ESTATE, SOUTH RAKAIA, Being SECTIONS 31757, 31758, and 31759, Containing 1099 ACRES. The block has been SPECIALLY SELECTED by . the Proprietor, and is thoroughly adapted for farming purposes, the adjoin ing sectioca having this season grown aon}et)f the HEAVIEST CROPS ON THE PLAINS. Only a small instalment on the pur chase is required to be paid, the balance to remain on mortgage at per cent, for a term of years as may be agreed on. We have also FOR SALE an Improved Farm Containing 1026 acres. Situated close tor Ealing Rilaray Station, and well watered. For further particulars apply to 1 THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED. Christchurch or Ashburton. lsau BARGAINS ! Bargains! —6 doz But ton* for Is ; Calico, 2s yd per doz ; Ribbons, 3d per yard; Splash-mats, 6d each; Apron Handkerchiefs, 6d each. — A. Out’s Cheap Sale. 1414



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion Housk, Cashel street, Christchurch. Great success has been achieved in the Old Country by the introduction of the “ Numbered Parcel System,” for the supply ard purchase of useful household drapery, thousands of parcels being for warded to the order of distant customers upon the distinct understanding that any article not proving satisfactory to the pur chaser, the money in all cases to be re turned. This system is now being intro duced by E. 0. Brown & Co., FASHION HOUSE, Christchurch. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by E. C. Brown and Co., from the Trustees in the Estate of the late firm of Craig and Smyth, at a very large discount off cost for cash. Thus articles sold under cost price leave a good margin of profit for the vendor, while giving unsurpassed value to the purchaser. In all parcels we stake our reputation on the values, and, as suggested above, re turn the money in all cases where the article is not satisfactory. Our No. 1,20 s Dress Parcel, contains— Worth | £ s. d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 l£ good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... 0 1 6 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves ... ... ... 0 2 6



£1 9 10 Our No. 2,30 s household parcel, contains— Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets 10 0 1 good honeycomb quilt... ... 0 12 6 8 yds good wincey 0 5 0 1 pair good strong corsets, any size ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 £2 2 6 Our No. 3, dress parcel for £2, contains — Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated Empress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 16 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, paragon frame 0 8 0 1 choice silk chenille scarf ... 0 3 11 £2 12 5 Our No. 4, Ladies’ parcel for £2, contains— Worth 1 dress piece (12 yds) French check costume cloth 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ... 0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress ... 0 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 1 white or colored wool wrap ... 0 5 6 1 pair lisle lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 0 £2 19 6 Our No. 5, household parcel for £2 10s, contains— Worth 1 pair large size good witney blankets 1 10 6 1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt 0 14 6 1 pair good heavy while sheets 0 9 6 6 good value honeycomb towels 0 4 0 6 yds heavy Welsh flannel ... 0 8 0 £3 6 6 Our No. 6, family parcel for £3, contains— Usual price 12 yds super Roslyn flannel (pure wool) ... ... 0 18 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make ... 0 13 0 24 yds good strong brown or grey wincey 0 14 0 6 yds tartan plaid 0 6 6 6 yds good brown holland ... 0 4 6 12 yds hemp carpet, dark stripe 0 7 0 6 pair Girls’ or Women’s warm winter hose ...0 7 6 4 large unbleached Turkish towels ... 0 4 9 £3 15 3 Our No. 7, mourning parcel for £2 10s, contains— Worth 10 yds good black French cash mere 1 2 6 2 yds 4x4 celebrated rainproof crape 0 9 6 1 good black alpaca or sateen skirt 0 14 6 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose ... 0 3 0 1 pair Lidies’ two-button choice black kid gloves 0 4 6 £ doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box 0 5 6



£2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing parcel for £lO, contains— Worth 20 yds nice pattern good tapestry carpet ... ... ... ... 3 5 0 1 nice pattern hearthrug, to match ... 0 16 6 1 pair handsome lace curtains ... 0 14 6 1 pair medium lace curtains ... 010 0 2 pair full size good white sheets 0 18 6 1 pair fall size good witney blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 1 pair medium good wilney blan kets 1 0 0 1 full size white honeycomb er toilet quilt 0 14 0 1 choice pattern wool tablecover 0 16 6 2 white Turkish bath towels ... 0 3 0 6 white or unbleached honey comb towels ... ... ... 0 4 6 2 white antimacassars ... ... 0 2 0 2 white toilet covers ... ... 0 4 0 6 yds linen check glass cloth ... 0 6 0 1 superior white linen tablecloth 011 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £5 5 8 Our No. 2, wedding parcel for £lO, contains— A very complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) parcel for L 5, contains— Usual price 1 Ladies’ handsome mantle ... 2 17 6 1 Ladies’ beautiful real sable muff and collarette 4 10 0 1 Ladies’ quilted satin skirt ... 1 0 0 1 fashionable tweed ulster, in leading shades 1 10 0 £9 17 6 A problem whereby Ladies may stay at hofflie and order their drapery in perfect conddencp. duet try .ope parqel and see what ypp will save. Remember —Ca»b at oijpo fqp .any article returned in good condition. Samples post free on application to apy part ot New .Zealand. In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of parcel only. Jr*. O. Q. made payable to E C. BROWN & CO., Fashion House, Christchurch. 1362



Special Advertisements. Money ! Money!! The equitable investment COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND, mited, are prepared, through their agent, T . C. Dunjan, East street, to LEND MONEY on Ashburton approved free hold or leasehold property, repayable by either monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly instalments, or for a fixed period. The Company are also open to DIS COUNT BILLS. J. C. DUNCAN, 883 Agent, East street. AND TOWNSHEND ABE CASH BUYERS OF WHEAT OATS BARLEY GRASS SEED Agents for A. Moore & Co. ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND, Havelock street. 229