SHIPPING.

»ORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Hswea, 8.8., from-Port Chalmers. Wairarapa, s.s., from Sydney,, via Auckland and way porta. Sailed. Tester* at. Kawatiri, s.s., for We«tporl. Hawea,for Wellington. Wairarapa, s,s., for Melbonrne, via South..,

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Thursday, July 5, H. Davies and 00., at South Rakaia — Stock, a quantity of harness and sun dries ; also, 1,000 Fruit trees ; 1 p m. Friday, June 6. Mr T. Bullock, on the farm of Mr J. L. Christiansen —Horses, Farming Plant, etc. ; 1 p.m. 1 übsdat, July 10. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yards —Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o Monday, July 9. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, Judy 11. Ashburton County Council —at Council Chambers; 11 a.m. Friday, Auoutt 3 Ashburton Pourlty, Pigeon and Canary Association — : Third Annual Show, Town Hall First day.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Plains Lxatb Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stationsat7.lo a.m., 10.55 a.m., and (Express) 5.37 p.m. Trains Lsavb Ashburton fob Timaru and South, at 6.60 a.m., 10.26 a.m. .(Express), and 4.45 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from tOhmstchuecu at' 10 15a.m. (Express), 4.36 p.m., and 7.15 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.40 a. m., 5.27 p.m. (Express), and 8 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1883.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Quadrille Assembly takes place this evening, at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The VVanaka with the Southern portion of the ’Frisco mail sailed for Lyttelton at 11.30 this morning. We may therefore expect the mail in Ashburton by the express to-morrow. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Wellington at ten minutes to one yes terday morning. The direction was from east to west. It was accompanied by a low rumbling sound. In the case of William Logge, com mitted from Ashburton for sheep stealing, the grand jury at Christchurch yesterday returned true bills on three charges, and ignored the bill in the one other charge brought against him. The Otago Rugby Union have decided that, having made arrangements to play the Christchurch match on the 21st July, it would be impossible for Otago to meet Auckland in Wellington early in August, but are willing to meet Auckland during the week ending the 28th July. The first annual Conference in connec tion with the Southland Educational In stitute opened at Invercargill yesterday. There was a good attendance. The pro ceedings will last three days, during which a number of interesting papers on educa tional subjects ate to be read. A public meeting held at Orepuki passed resolutions strongly urging on the Government the necessity of completing the railway between that place and River ton. The road is so bad that it is ex pected that provisions will have to be taken by pack horses. Home letters received in Auckland state that Shaw, Saville and the Albion Com panies have withdrawn thtir order for building steamers for direct service to New Zealand. The reasons are not known, but it is believed they intend to work only on chartered vessels. A meeting of officers and men resident in Auckland who took part in the Rus sian war of 1854-5 was held yesterday. Capt. Handly, who led the right troop of Scots Greys in the heavy cavalry charge at Balaclava, and was wounded, presided. It was decided to hold an annual dinner and re-union on the anniversary of the fall of Sebastopol. A meeting of gentlemen favorable to a visit from the Otago hounds was held yesterday afternoon, in the Racing Club’s room at Quill’s Hotel. It was resolved that the hounds should come up to Ash burton on Monday next, for two days’ hunting, and that Messrs Friealander, Saunders, Hutchison and Cargill be ap pointed a committee to make all the necessary arrangements. It is probable that Tuesday and Thursday, the 10th and 12th hist., will be the days selected for the runs, of which notice as to time and place will be given. , The meeting of the Coursing Club, which is to come off next Wednesday, promises to be the most successful that has ever been held in this district. The wisdom of raising the entrance fee, so that the stakes might be really worth competing for, will be clearly shown, as we hear that a good many dogs will come not only from Christchurch but also from the South, several owners in Timaru and Oamaru having expressed their intention of entering the lists. It is to be hoped that the sportsmen will be favored with good weather, so that climatic influences will not mar the success of the final meeting of the season. It is on the cards that a dinner may be given after the coursing is concluded. Sour stomach, bad breath, indigestion, and headache easily cured by Hop Bitters.— [Advt.] Kidney and urinary troubles are universal, and the only safe and sure cure is Hop Bitters. Rely on it. Read.— [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.]

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The Minister for Public Works in delivering his Statement in the House last evening said:—Mr Speaker—When in last session I had the honor of submitting a Statement to this House, my brief experience as Minister of Public Works led me to consider favorably the suggestions of the Railway Commissioners of 1880, that the adminis tration of constructed railways should be handed over to a Board of Management, but, J consider the outlay which it has been requisite to make in further improv ing the opened lines, and the large orders which I have found it necessary to give for additional rolling stock, necessitated by growth of traffic, in short, the large expenditure out of loan (in addition to the expenditure for maintenance, which is de frayed by revenue), which must bo con tinued for some time before railways can be said to be really completed and equip ped, inclines me to the belief that only a Minister directly responsible to the House would be entrusted with work of making the oxpenditure. The power to make alteration in fares and freight, which I have used to some es tent during the recess, should also, I think, remain in the hands of a Minister responsible to this House. The Government purpose during this session to ask the Legislature to sanction the appointment of another Minister, and this will enable such an ar rangement to be made as will permit of their Minister of Railways devoting his whole attention to this branch of the ad ministration. The business of the rail ways has become quite large enough to . ecessitate its severance from the Public Works. Parliamentary control will be much more perfect when the Minister of Railways brings down separate estimates of what moneys are required from loan, for further improvements to, and the further equipment of the opened lines, and when the estimates submitted by them for Public Works will be estimates foroonstruc tion solely. I trust this proposal will commend itself to the approval of the House. In his Financial Statement, the Treasurer informed hon. members that the balance of the Public Works Fund in hand on 31st March, 1882, in New Zea land was L 924,866. There has been added the sum of £ for £ L 989,897, being the proceeds of debentures for H,000,u00 which we sold in January last, thus mak ing a total of L 1,914,762. Out of this fund there had been spent during the year a sum of L 897,037, and that in con sequence the Public Works Fund amounted at the close of the last financial year to L 1,017,725. It is, 1 think, con venient and desirable to remind hon. members that of the total annual expen diture from this fund, the Minis ter for Public Works has no con trol over the expenditure upon immigration, purchase of native lands

the expenditure by the Minister of < Lands in making roads to open up Crown , „< lands, the expenditure by the Minister of i Mines upon roads and water-races, that of i the Minister of Education upon school i buildings, and the expenditure upon tele graph extension, public buildings, and lighthouses. For railways, roads, and harbor works under the control of the Minister for Public Works there was voted L 1,251,830, of which L 574.935 has been spent, and there were liabilities out standing on 31st March last amounting to L 439.593, and in addition to these lia bilities for works there had been trans mitted to the Agent- 1 Jeneral for the pur chase of stock and permanent way autho rities to contract to the amount of L 210,205. As a detailed statement of the progress of the woiks is contained in the reports of the Engineers of both Islands, which as usual accompanies this State ment, I will not trespass upon the atten tion of hon members further than by a very brief reference to them. Owing to the determination of the Government not to anticipate the proceeds of the loan which was not raised until January, the entering into contracts was postponed, with the result that the expenditure was somewhat less, and the outstanding lia bilities more than will probably be the case generally. RAILWAYS. About 50 miles of railway were opened for traffic during the year. These con sisted of 13£ miles of the Wangarei-Kamo line, and 38£ miles of the Hurunui-Bluff section in the following localities :—Wai para to Waikari, 9 miles ; Lincoln to Birdling’a Flat, 17 miles ; Ashburton branch extension, 8£ miles ; Edendale to Wyndham, 4 miles—thus making a total length opened for traffio of 1363 miles. The section between Waverley and Manutahi, 16 miles ; from Oxford to Malvern, 11-Jr miles ; and from Albury to Fairlie Creek, 10£ miles, are on tho point of completion. I am glad to say that the Wangarei-Kamo line was opened for traffio in October. The Kawakawa line is nearly completed. The Directors of the Coal Company have been applied ’ to in accordance with the Act of 1880, to ascertain if they are pre pared to take a lease of the line upon cer tain terms. At Auckland a contract had been entered into for the reclamation of a site for a suitable station. The contract has been taken over by the Harbor Board, , and is expected to be finished about the end of the year. The construction of the ■ station will be a great convenience i both to tho public and the De partment. The other improvements in the Auckland section, including a large [ engine shed at Auckland, will be men ; tioned in more detail in the report of the General Manager. On the Waikato lines section the Hamilton railway Bridge will, i it is expected, be finished this month. The contract for the erection of a bridge at ' To Aroha, and for the formation between ( Morrinsville and Te Aroha, have been let, ( and it is intended shortly to invite ten- ders for platelaying between Hamilton and . Morrinsville and between Hamilton and - Cambridge. Work upon the Nap>er ;e i<> i has been slower than was anticipated, and the works which, when the statement was 1 made last year, it was thought could be ; finished by last month will not be com ' pleted until September. Further forma -1 tion to Tahonite will be completed by the 1 end of December, when platelaying and 1 other necessary works will be proceeded 1 with to complete this portion for traffic. 1 This will make an additional length open J of 11£ miles. On the Wellington-Wood ville line an extension of line from Mas -1 terton to Opihi has been let by contract, ' to be finished in December, and a contract 1 has been let for a railway bridge near | Woodville. Foxton to New Plymouth.— It was expected last year that the section 1 between Waverley and Manutahi would 1 have been completed by December last, but unusual difficulties had been exper ienced in the Whenuakara contract and have prevented this. It is hoped that this section will be ready this month. A portion of the gap described in last year’s Statement as lying between Manutahi and Hawerahasbeen made the subject of a con tract, and it is hoped to call for tenders at an early date for this. This will complete the main line between Foxton and New Plymouth, and its completion will be, no doubt, a source of satisfaction to hon members. Nelaon-Roundell.—A tender has been accepted for the formation of the extension of this lino up the Wai-iti Valley, somewhat over 2£ miles. Coming to the Picton line, the formation of tho first section of miles south of Blenheim towards Awatere, is finished, and a work ing survey made of the Dashwood Pass, 6 miles further. Hurunui-Bluff section. —The formation of Horsley Down section is nearly completed, and tenders for platelaying are about to be called for. The b idge over the Hurunui is in pro gress and surveys have been made for the extension of the line to near the Red Posts, The other principal works in pro gress on the main line consist of extensive addition to the workshops at Addington and Hillside, an entirely new station at Dunedin, what are practically new sta tions at Timaru and Invercargill, and considerable improvements at the Bluff. Extensions have been made or are in progress on the following branches : Little River, Ashburton, Albury, Living stone, Palmerston, Gatlin’s River, Tapa nui, Toi Tois, and Seaward Bush. A contract has been taken for a section of the Switzers branch, and a number in preparation for a section of the Kelso- Gore line. Sections Jhavo been opened during the financial year on the Little River, Ashburton, and Toi-Tois branches, and miles on the Albury branches were ready for opening, when the late floods occurred and caused damages which it will take a few weeks to repair. The Oxford and Malvern railway is the only line in /Canterbury not included in the Hurunui-Bluff section. The last sec tion of it is expected to be finished in August, thus completing direct communi cation between Malvern district and North Canterbury. Otago Central.—A contract has been entered into for the formation of 4£ miles onward from the Deep Stream, one of the heaviest pieces in Taieri Gorge. The detailed survey of the whole line is finished. It is proposed to undertake more extensive works during the present year. Invercargill-Kingston and Western railways.—A considerable number of various improvements have been made on the ojjen lines, and a plate laying contract has bean let. Lumsden Branch.—The works on the Orepuki line have been somewhat retarded through a change in contractors ; but they are not progressing favorably. Surveys in accord ance with a promise last year have been taken to explore the North Island, for the purpose of determiring the future route of the main trunk line of railway. Four survey parties are now engaged in the work, vi*., one party on the line recom mended as being suitable, from Hastings to Taupo, and thence to Awamutu ; one party on the inland line, starting from near Marton and Feilding/and proceeding north ; and two on the line between Taranaki and Te Awamutu. With respect to the public works in the North Island for the current year, with the Kamo and Kawakawa lines finished, the Foxton-New Plymouth lines nearly finished, the un finished portion of the Waikato-Thames line in progress, and the gaps separating Napier and Wellington sensibly reduced, the colony will recognise with satisfaction that the great efforts it has made during eleven years for railway construction in this island, that we have achieved a large part of the results striven for, and that the necessary annual disbursements will have become much leas. So far as re gards the continuation of the main trunk line, the Government is pressing forward the necessary steps to obtain as soon as possible the information necessary to 1

enable Parliament to come to a decision i .as to which of the routes suggested i should be adopted. In the mean- i time I am not in a position to 1 submit to the House any recommen- i dation on the subject, but of course i provision for the necessary survey will t be asked for. In the Middle Island the i extension of the main trunk lino north ward as far as the Red Post, which exten sion the Government recognises to be de sirable, and without which the extension between Waikari and Hurunui will not render its full service to the colony, is a work intended to be carried on by the schedule t-f the Loan Act. Whether the line from Cook Straits connects with Can terbury at this terminal point of the rail way from the Bluff, or at some other point to the north of Canterbury, as the route ultimately adopted may determine, Government cannot come to a decision upon this question of routes until the Legislature has decided what effect shall be given to the resolution passed by the House last session, namely, that the prin ciple of specially taxing properties in creased in value by the construction of public works with public money is just, and to the recommendation by the Select Committee appointed to consider this sub ject that alljpublic works to be commenced henceforth shall be undertaken on the condition that properties which may be specially benefited by such works shall bo subjected to special charge or treatment as the General Assembly may determine. The Government has carefully considered the subject, and intends in order to deal with it, to submit for the consideration of the House a measure, the outlines of which I will give. The report of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the merits of the route proposed for the railway between Canterbury and Cook Straits, and the report by the East and West Coast Railway Commissioners have both received the most attentive consider ation from Government, and I am sure that I only give utterance to the desire qt the House in thanking the gentlemen who, animated by a desire to be of service to the public, undertook at the wish of Go vernment those laborious duties which the Commissioners have so conscientiously performed. Upon the first of the subject matters reported on I have already said that the action of the Government awaits the determination by the Legisla ture of what shall be the conditions pre cedent to further railway extension ; but the question of committing the colony to an East and West Coast railway, involving, as it does, an expenditure of about L 2,000,000, and probably an annual loss in working, requires that Government shall declare its views without delay. The i Legislature has determined that the rate i of expenditure out of the loan shall not exceed L 1,000,000 per annum, in addition to the sum expended on the North Island main tru k line of railway as it may from i time to time authorise, and in the opinion of Government an expenditure at this rate is as much as we can prudently afford. The Public Works fund is allocated to specified w irks and cannot be diverted, i, and the expenditure upon these works will proceed at this rate. The Government, i having due regard to tho necessity of keeping faith with its public creditor, is ■ of opinion that the immediate commence ment of the construction of the East and > West Coast line is not of such urgency as 1 would justify an attempt to raise a special I loan for the purpose, but the Crown lands within fifteen miles on either side of the i Arthur’s Pass line and the lines leading directly to Brunnerton will be reserved from sale, so that if in the future the Legislature should determine to construct ; this railway no part of the public estate ■ to be benefited will have been .alienated. BOADS. The particulars of the works under taken will be found in the report of the Engineer-in-Charge. Whilst making pro vision for some important colonial roads and placing on the Estimates a portion of the amount allocated to roads north of Auckland, it is not tho intention of the Government to ask the House to make any farther special grants in aid of county roads and bridges. Believing that in future all the assistance afforded to local bodies should be under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, the unex pended balances of the previous year will be placed on the Estimates, as the locali ties interested may consider that they are entitled to ttiem, but for the future the distributing of such funds as the House may set aside for roads and bridges will be made upon a system defined by law, and it will, I think, be most to the public advantage that, with the disappearance of the usage of special voces for specified works which has prevailed, there will also disappear even the pretext for those in sinuations against the motives of hon members who support the Government of the day, which upon one or two occasions have recently been disclosed in the cur rent of debate in the House.

WORKING OP THE RAILWAYS, The receipts from railways during the last year show a very gratifying increase, having risen from L 892,026 in <BBI-82 to L 953.347 in 1832-3, an increase of L 61,321, and this despite the fact that the farmers enjoyed during the year a concession upon rates of freight for grain, the reduction having been made in 1881, amounting to about L 40,000 per annum, which mainly affected last year’s receipts, and over 112,000 tons received the advan tage of a further reduction which I made last year. The use of the railway is steadily growing ; the increase in the number of passengers carried during last year as compared with the previous year being 371,901, and 1,157 season ticket holders. The increase in the tonnage hauled was 127,079 tons, and in the num ber of live stock carried 13,020 Only a small part of the stock and material or dered in England to keep pace with the requirements of a traffic growing so rapidly has yet arrived ; but I may say here that the coat of locomotives and iron work to be imported, together with that of building in the colony the carriages and waggons, will, when all are ready to be placed on the line, exceed L 203.000, and the expenditure of loan upon further im provements to opened lines L145,C00, so that hon. members will, I think, recognise that for their own infotmation and guidance, it will be extremely convenient that a Minister of Railways should bring forward separate estimates of bis require men a out of the loan for further equip ment and improvement, and that the amount, asked for un.ier the head of con struction should, in fact, be for construc tion only. If the railway were paid for performing services for other depart ments, such as the carriage of mails for the Postal Department and the con veyance of Volunteers for the Defence Department, the receipts would be in creased by about LlB 00 *. The increase last year in the expenditure absorbed rather more than the increase in receipts. In 1831-2 the expenditure was L 523.099, and last year it was L592,82i. or Ll 1,525 more than the estimate, the difference be tween the two years being L 69,722. The principal items of the increase are for maintenance of permanent way, L 29,701. Owing to the greater age of the line, and Dartly to increased mileage, to the rise in wages, to renewals upon the Duntroon branch, to heavy repairs of the Uakaia and Gore bridges, to damages from floods on the Napier and Wanganui section, the cost of repair of lines has increased by nearly L 6,000, which is chiefly due to the Department having undertaken the main tenance of the whole length along the line. The repairs and renewals of the rolling stock coat about L 7,000 more than in the preceding year. The increase in the running and traffic expenses, caused mainly by increase of traffic, was L 28,360 of the total increase. In the wages ac

count the increase, owing simply to alter ation of the scale of pay, which improves with length of service, was L 5,675. For the current year I have made the expen diture at L 634,000. After inquiry, I have not thought it right to ask for less, with the expenditure which must take place up on the Duntroon-Makarewa branches, and with the usual increase of traffic which 1 do not doubt will take place. The receipts I have estimated at L 1,020,000, or L66.G53 more than the amount for last year, being about the averar; • increase for the last three years. The wonting ac counts are made out as usual to show cost of working and revenue due to the year’s transactions, in accordance with the pro visions of the Public Works Act. They differ slightly from the Treasury accounts, but the accounts contain a statement ex planatory of the difference. The total expenditure upon opened lines up to 31st March last was Li 10,478,898 ; the revenue derived therefrom was L 360,526, or at the rate of L 3 8s lOd per cant. During the last year only forty miles ad ditional have been opened for traffic, and not a very large sum thereby added to the coat of the opened lines. The revenue of 1881-82, which amounted to L 369.000, or nearly the same as that of last year, was 1 then declared to be at the rate of L 3 18s 2d per cent, on the capital cost. Hon members may perhaps desire to know where this groat difference in the percen tage arises The reason is, that last year the coat of the lines open for traffic was estimated to be only L 9,443,000, so that in the calculation of to-day LI ,035,000 has been added to the capital cost. The reason why so large a part of the expen diture on open lines was in former years deducted as contributing to revenue, when computing the amount upon which the net revenue paid interest, is that it was thought right that the outlay upon im provements which were incomplete at the end of the financial year, reviewed in the annual Statement, which were utilised to add to the railway receipts, should be deducted when computing the amount of capital employed in earning the net revenue. But now, in accordance with the Public Works Act of la t year, the whole expenditure out of loans upon the opened lines is included in the Statement of their cost, and hence arises the differ ence to which I have drawn the attention of honorable members. The whole ex penditure upon each section of railway, inclusive of the coat of rolling stock, as ascertained at the end of each financial year is now gazetted, together with the four weekly railway returns. Honorable members will no doubt approve of this modification of the previous practice. It is to give a bettor knowledge of the exact position. For the North Island the net revenue was L 71,387, or L2 Is Id per cent, on the capital expenditure on open lines of L 3,474,681. In the Middle Island the capital cost of the opened lines was L 7,004,316. The net revenue was L291,4'i0, or at the rate of L 4 2s fid per cent. Last year the net revenue from the North Island railways was L 68.126, from those in the Middle Island L 300,800. The interest on the gross outlay on railways opened and unopened for 1881-82, was L 3 7s 3d per’ cent ; for the years 1882-83 it is L 3 3s 2d per cent. The report of the General Manager states the condition of the lines and rolling stock, and gives sectional par ticulars. I shall not, therefore, weary | the House by enlarging on these subjects now, but before finishing this branch of 1 my statement 1 will beg the House to glance back three years. In 1879-80, the I receipts were L 762,583, the expenditure L 580,080 Since then we have opened a further length of 186 miles. We are doing over 50 per cent, more work, and our receipts have increased by L 190,774, whilst the increase in our expenditure is only L 12,791 ; and when we also con sider that during this short time we have made large concessions in rates of freight, and have also materially improved the position of our workmen, the result will, I trust, appear to hon gentlemen not un satisfactory. Towards the end of the financial year a considerable reduction was made in single fares. Full information as to the construction of lighthouses, public buildings, harbor works, and water-races, will also be found in the reports attached to this statement.

TBEATMBNTOF L INDS SPECIALLY BENEFITED. Now comes the consideration of the manner in which land specially benefited by the construction of railways should be dealt with. Vith reference to the advan tages which have accrued in the past, the Government do not intend to make any proposals ; for it is not practicable to sud denly seize from the estate a share of these advantages without inflicting num berless wrongs. But with regard to the future the case is different, and we are free to consider, unembarrassed by any apprehension of common injustice, what share the community may be entitled to of the wealth created by the construction of railways with public money. In seek ing the simplest and fairest way to adopt, the first suggestion which will have pro bably occurred to the minds of hon members is, that the State should re purchase all the land f>r a certain distance on either side of the proposed line, at a certain increase upon the pro perty tax valuation. Valuations for taxation are usually low ; on the other hand, compensation for expulsion should be liberally given. Perhaps compensation to the dispossessed landholders of 25 per cent more than the valuation for the pro perty tax would not be inequitable j and when railways are extended through country suitable for subdivision, there can be no doubt that the sale in moderate sized farms of the land so taken would produce a profit sufficient to make a con siderable contribution towards the cost of the railway, and moreover would bring into existence a traffic large enough to cause the railway to be a source of con siderable revenue. Great collateral ad- I vantages would accrue to the colony from the increase in our total productions and from the revenue contributed by an additional population. No new prin ciple is involved in this proposal. Already under the Public Works Act, and under the resumption of land for mining purposes, we have determined that for several public purposes land may bo resumed by the State, and no more important or desirable purpose can be imagined than the proper settlement of the land by a numerous population. But to carry out this process would mean raising a considerable loan to be applied to tuis special purpose ; for if the land were sold by the Government under deferred payments or leased, which would probably bo the case, in order to insure rapid settlement, then for some time the colony would have to lie out of a large sum. This drawback brings us to the consideration of the alternative uhich has been suggested, viz., that of having the land valued after the railway is made, and charging it with a share, say, one-half of the increment of value, the land owner to be at liberty to redeem his charge when he may please, and in the meantime to pay interest upon it at the rate of 5 par cenl. per annum. Tuis would no doubt give the State a good return for the cost of the railways, but it would not secure the settlement of the land with the same certainty as the former method. It has, however, the advantage of requiring no money to carry it out. The Government have determined to submit a Bill empow ering it to adopt both plans, with the in troduction (?) of generally acting on the second, and at the same time proposing to confine the operation of the first plan to situations favorable to settlement, whilst using it so as not to deprive any one of his residence or of the land attached to an extent not exceeding an average to be determined by the Legia- 1 lature ; the act of resumption in each case | '

not to be deemed to be finally completed until after the particulars are laid before Parliament, and appropriation granted for the amount of compensation to be paid. With either plan the gain to the commun ity is great, and no injustice done to the individual. The Government has also considered the question whether rating shall be levied upon laud in districts through State railways run to make up any deficiency between the earnings of those railways and in the interest paid by the State upon the money used in their construction. It seems to me that only one answer is possible to this ques tion, and that one a decided negative. The very idea of a system of State rail ways in a new country must imply, I think, the construction of many lines which would not pay for some years much more than their working ex penses. The object of the State in mak ing railways is not to obtain an immedi ate dividend upon the cost of construction, but to open up communication and to encourage the settlement of the country by making it possible over large areas to cultivate small holdings at a profit, which it would have been impossible so to cultivate without a ready and cheap means of communication with a market. Parlia ment has been striving for years to settle the unoccupied and sparsely-peopled dis tricts of the colony with a thriving popu lation, and yet it is upon the pioneers in such districts, when struggling to get a foothold, that this proposal, if given effect to, would impose special taxation, and for what purpose? To provide the means for doing that which should be done at the expense of the community as a whole. The Treasurer told us a few days ago that whereas wa have added but comparatively little to our imports, we have found that at the present moment between one-third and one-half of what we export does not belong to us. And what is the lesson to be drawn from this statement—that the settlement of the country must be has tened; that capital must be attracted, and the productions of the country developed in every legitimate way. Since 1880 the! Government has made concessions in the freight of agricultural produce, amoiint to LIOO,OOO oer annum. The justifica tion is that hereby the area of cultivation is extended for the benefit of the colony as a whole. The contrary system of im posing special disabilities upon settlers who have located themselves near a railway which did not pay 5 per cent on its cost could not but have a retarding effect upon our progress. Such, then, are the inten tions of the Government, which it is ray privilege to announce to-night. They are only further stops in a policy con sistently adhered to. We have inaugur ated the system of perpetual leases of State lands. We have announced our in tentioc of introducing a Bill for the aboli tion of all restrictions upon the alienation of land, the far reaching effects of which in the bringing to pass of the subdivision of land it is difficult to adequately appre ciate; and in now submitting proposals to give to the country a right to share in the wealth immediately created by public ex penditure, and to enable it to resume, 1 upon fair terms, land required for settle ' meat, I trust they will recognise that these proposals have for their aim not i only the promotion of the general advan i tage by an act of justice to the country, but also the establishment of a numerous body of independent. ettlers.

IN THE LOBBY.

[from our parliamentary correspon dent.] , Wellington, To-day. It is considered almost certain that the portfolio of Minister of Rrilways - will be offered to Mr Wright, member for Ash burton. Mr Shaw gave notice to-day of a Bill to amend the law relating to Gaming and Lotteries. In the House this afternoon Mr Turn bull is to ask the Colonial Secretary what complaints, if any, have been made to him by the sheepfarmers, agriculturists, or residents of South Canterbury, of the manner in which the sheep inspector of the district, Mr Jas. McDonald, has per formed the duties pertaining to his office, an office which he has held for the last twelve years. Mr Holmes is to ask the Minister for Public Works. —(l) What progress has been made with the survey of a line of railway from Hurunui to the West Coast of the Middle Island, and how many survey parties are employed in the work, and what route is being surveyed. ‘ (2) When he expects to receive the final' reports of the surveyors of such line. (3 ) Will he take steps to expedite such survey 1

The Hon. Walter Johnston had the honor of delivering his Public Work* Statement by the aid of the elictric light, which was brought into operation in the Parliamentary bnildings for the first time last night. The experiment was most suc cessful. The light, though rather un steady owing to the irregular working of the machinery, was incomparably more brilliant than that afforded by gas, and Dr Lemon is to be congratulated on the success attending the erection of the apparatus. In the House itself there are altogether 96 lights. Of these 80 are con tained in four separate clusters, hanging from the ceiling, the others are side lights. The light was only used for one hour, and when replaced by the gas the chamber presented a dingy washed-ont appearance. The clusters are fixed too low, dazzling the eyes of the occupants of the gallery, and it is proposed to raise them higher.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July 3. THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE. The Hon. Mr Holmes moved that it is desirable to discontinue the San Fran cisco mail service, and to encourage a fast mail communication by a direct service. After discussion, the motion was with drawn. VALIDATION BILL. The Gisborne Courts Procedure Valida tion Bill was passed through all its stages. BILLS. The Married Women’s Property Bill was recommitted and farther amended. The Bills of Exchange Bill was further considered in Committee. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOUSEiOP REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, July 3. The House met at 2.30. NATIVE LAND COMPANY’S BILL. Mr DeLautour presented a petition for the New Zealand Native Lands Company’s Private Bill. The petition was endorsed by the Examiners on the Standing Orders, that the Standing Orders had not been com* plied with, as the published notices for the Bill did not sufficiently set forth the powers actually sought. The notices stated that the land was to be acquired and held by the company, ‘ ‘ as trustees er agents,” whereas by clause 6 of the pro posed Bill power is to be taken to acquire land by “ way of absolute purchase. ” The declaration accompanying the petition was alo technically wrong. The Bill has also not been deposited in the Colonial Secretary’s office, as required by Standing Order No 32. The petition and report stood referred to the Joint Committee on Standing Orders on Private Hills. QUESTIONS. Ministers answered a number of ques tious, none of which were of public in terest.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1888.



I 287 T AM A CASH PUR CHASER, AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES, of WHEAT OATS GRASS SEED BARLEY Farmers wishing to SHIP Vlff THEi3 OWN AC COUNT can get information aa co Cost, Freight, etc., by applying to JOSEPH CLARK, Ashburton & Tinwald. o H. M. Jones Has now on view a fine STOCK OF PIANOS. FROM £2O AND UPWARDS. A Magnificent Instrument by Lipp and Sohn. in walnut; also one by Schwarch ton with TRANSPOSING KEY BOARD, And others by English, German and French Manufacturers. ORGANS. ORGANS. A good selection of these Instruments on from £l2 12s upwards. O H INSTRUMENTS TO SELECT FROM. /CO HARMONIUMS HARMONIUMS. Aocordians, Violins, Banjos, Cornets, and all kinds of Brass and Stringed Instru ments. PH 0 of°the 0 Lmost won- "VT derful instru- 17 Ements of the day. 7? Music by the yard. A child JCi Mean play it. Very cheap. Just the Q thing for those who cannot have a O piano. Pianos on hire and for sale at the lowest cash prices, and on TERMS to SUIT PURCHASERS. , ... Agent for MILNER & THOMPSON. A Large Assortment of STATIONERY, BOOKS, TOYS, & Fancy GOODS. H. M. JONES, BURNETT ST. & BARING tl. ‘ ; Ashburton. 13d A N t) FOR SALE The UNDERSIGNED have received instructions from the Owner to SELL BY PRIVATE TREATY, All that • COMPACT BLOCK OP LAND on the Acton Station ESTATE. ‘ ' SOUTH RAKAIA, Being SECTIONS 31757, 31758, and 31759, Containing 1099 A. 0 R B S. The block has been SPECIALLY SELECTED by the Proprietor, and is thoroughly adapted for farming purposes, the adjoin ing; sections having this season grown some of the HEAVIEST CROPS ON THE PLAINS. Only a small instalment on the pur chasers required to be paid, the balance to remain on mortgage at 6£ 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 to Ealing Rilway Station, and well watered. For. further particulars apply to THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM ..PANY, LIMITED. Christchurch or Ashburton. 12au R. —Thb Ashbubxon Guardian a Gazette for all notices under the ibtocs ahd O' itorflActs,! . fIOOH V'iJVl >



Wanted WANTED Known—C. Hawkins hav ■ inn decided to give up the Ashbur ton Branch of his Business, will hold a CLEANING SALE for a FEW DAYS. No reasonable offer refused for CASH. N.B.—All outstanding ACCOUNTS are particularly requested to be settled at WANTED KNOWN— Hayes and Co. have a lot of EMPTY CASES for sale. Arcade Shops. an!2 WANTED, by a respectable young T 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, Trevor on. 1443 WANTED Known C. Hawkins, Ashburton, will hold aFortnight’s CLEARING SALE of BOOTS and SBOES, commencing on SATURDAY next, at extremely low prices, to clear out his present Stock. 1442 -\T7ANTED KNOWN—That Robert V\ Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared te Sweep Chimneys at ▼ery low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 c 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 Special Advertisements. F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DAVIS’S REAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, BAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. IN VERY article Sold at Christchurch Hi Prices and ,;aranteed bea. of material and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED sl THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAVE spared ne, effort to place before the public a MOST COMPLETE ASSORTMENT 07 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 WERTHBIM SEWING MACHINES Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET.



Money ! Money ! ! The equitable investment COMPANY OF N OV ZEALAND, mited, are prepared, through their agent, T. C. Dun'JAN, 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. 0. DUNCAN, 883 Agent, East street.



STATIONERY OF EVERY DE SCRIPTION. Account Books Ink—from small to largest jars School Books —School Committees sup plied at lowest rates Latest Novelties in all kinds of Fancy Goods, Toys, &c. All the Home Journals, Magazines, and Papers by every mail. Subscribers wanted for any Magazine or Paper published. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, &0., East street South Ashburton. n!5 ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND ARE CASH BUYERS OF WHEAT OATS BARLEY GRASS SEED Agents for A. Moore & Co, ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND, Havelock street. 229 ANTED. CIRCULATING LIBRARY ANDREWES BROS., SUBSCRIBERS TO OUR Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. 77 MR LAURENCE OXLEY has been Appointed. Agent for the Ashbur ton Guabwan at South Rakaia.



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL SYSTEM. Fashion House, 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, thou anda 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. (J. 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 coat for cash. Thus articles sold under c n st 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 1 £ a. d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 1J good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silesia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... ... ... _••• 016 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 6



£1 9 10 Our No. 2,30 s household parcel, contains — Worth j 1 pair good medium size blan kets ... ... 10 0 1 good honeycomb quilt... ... 012 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 ... ... ... 02 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 white 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) ... ... ... _ ... 018 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make ... ... ... 013 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 ... ... ... ... 014 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 6 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 full size good witney blan kets ... ... ... ••• 1 10 0 1 pair medium good witney blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 1 full size white honeycomb ©r toilet quilt ... ... ... 014 0 1 choice pattern wool tablecover 015 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 0 11 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £4, contains— Worth 1 dress (12 yds) pretty shade in cashmere ... ... ... 1 17 6 2 yds pretty shade in satin, to match ... ... ... ... 0 13 6 1 dress (12 yds) good costume cloth 110 2 yds rich colored velveteen, to match ... ... 0 7 0 6 yds good silesia 0 6 0 3 doz buttons, to match dresses 0 2 0 8 yds braid, to match dresses ... 0 0 8 1 pair two-button first choice tinted or white kid gloves ... 0 5 0 6 Ladies’ linen collars ... ... 0 3 0 6 Ladies’ linen handkerchiefs ... 0 5 6 3 pairs Ladies’nice hose..'. ... 0 4 6 £5 6 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 home and order their drapery in perfect confidence. Just try one parcel and see what you will save. Remember—Cash returned at once for any article returned in good condition. Samples post free on application to any part of New Zealand. In ordering any of these parcels, it is sufficient to quote number and name of parcel only. JP.C.O. made payable to E C. BROWN & CO., Fashion House, Christchurch. 1992