SHIPPING.

*ORT OF LYTTELTON,

Arrived. Yesterday. Manapouri, s.s., from Sydney, via Auckland and way ports. Rotorua, a. a., from Port Chalmers Mary Ellen, schooner, from Welling ten. Mary Bannatyne, brigantine, from Wel lington. Notero, barque, from Newcastle. . Sailed. Yesterday. Manapouri, s.s., for Melbourne, via Hobart and South. Rotorua, s.s., for Manukau and way ports. To-dat. Arrived—Haurote, from Sydney. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed Wanaka, for the Southern ports; Australia, at 6 p.m., for San Fran cisco, Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Wakatipu, from the South. Sailed —Taiaroa, for Auckland, via the East Coast; Wakatipu, for Sydney. Tikaeu, Yesterday. Arrived Norman MacLeod, barque, from London, 91 days out; all well. She had a rather tempestuous voyage. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Tarawera, from Melbourne.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday afternoen.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, (per Mr E. G. Stavely), report of the Tinwald market under date 17th July Sheep ; Very few came to hand, but despite a good average attendance, met with no competition. Most of the pens were withdrawn, a few being cleared at our quotations. Merino wethers in good forward condition, ?s 4d, 7s lid; mixed crossbreds, 13s 6d; crossbred lambs, 9s. —Pigs : A small entry, which realised as follows ;—Porkers, 25s fid ; medium stores, 7 s 3d and 8s 3d. — Cattle; A good number were yarded, and a fair amount of business transacted at prices equal to late rates. Not the slightest anima tion, however, was displayed, an indifferent attitude being throughout maintained by buyers. Beef Was dull of sale, the quantity offered exceeding local requirements. Fat cows made L 4 ss. L 4 12s fid, L 5 17s fid and L 6 12s fid ; steers in forward condition, L 4 7s fid ; good store steer-, L 3 2s ; cows in profit, L 6 10s and L 8; springers, L 4 15s to L 5 7 s fid. Sydney Markets. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, limited, report of the Sydney markets, under date July 5> as follows: —Wool : We have no change to report.— Sheepskins: Continue in active request, and parcels coming to hand are quickly cleared at our last quotations.—Tallow ; Ma ket slightly easier, shippers being unwilling to give the extreme rates that have re ently been tuling ; however, fair business is being done at the undermentioned figures—Fine mutton, L 36 10s to L 37 10s per ton ; best beef, L 34 to L3S per ton; medium and mixed, L3O to L3l los per ton. —Butter : We have had a few inquiries for New Zealand butter from speculators outside the trade, but business has not yet resulted ; however, in view of the diminished supplies of the local product now available, we hope, shortly, to be able to report more favorably. —Potatoes: Continue firm. A fair out let is now offered to New Zealand shippers, the market showing every tendency of hardening. We quote for prime, L 3 7s fid to L3.10S per ton, with good enquiry.—Oats : No improvement is visible in prices, though there is a fair demand for feed qualities. We sold at auction, on Tuesday, a line of this latter description at 2s 2d per bushel (bags in cluded). We quote—Fair to good feed, 2s id to 2s Jd per bushel; seed oats, 2s fid to 2s Bd. -—Bran ; Beyond an appearance of dulness the market shows little variation. We quitted 1,020 sacks at our produce sale at is id per bushel, which is the ruling price at present.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES Thursday, July 19. Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Arcade, at X o’clock—Trees. Saturday, July 21. Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Arcade, at 1 o’clock—Wdeat Land, &c. Tuesday, July 24. Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Tarda—Stock. Saturday, July 28. Mr Thos. Bollock, at the Arcade, at . 1 o’clock —Properties. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o Monday, July 23. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, August 15. Ashburton County Council —at Council Chambers; 11 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, e Praevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1883.

Among the witnesses to be examined before the Dunedin Gaol Commission are the Hons Messrs Dick and Conolly, and Mr Macandrew.

The master of the Ashburton Home desires to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of a box (14 lbs) of tobacco for the inmates, from Mr F. Clark, tobacco nist, East street.

A proclamation in the Supplementary Gazette, issued last night, declares Fiji to be an infected place under the Public Health Act. The diseases it is infected with are mentioned as small pox, cholera, and measles.

A private cablegram received in Timaru from London states that the Privy Council has given judgment for the plaintiffs in the appeal case of the National Bank of New Zealand v. C. D. R. Ward, a claim of LI,OOO.

It may interest our local coursing men to learn that although the important stake at their recent meeting fell to an outsider, Mr B. Thompson, the winning dog “ Duchess of Connaught ” was bred in Ashburton by Messrs Saunders and Walker.

For the benefit of those who have not been able to solve the conundrum asked in our issue of Monday, we have been requested to publish the following answer. —Because the Tennants in that street are governed by a Pope, ministered to by a priest, and watched over by a Saint.

The Committee of the Ashburton County Hunt Club met at Quill’s Hotel yesterday afternoon. Present Messrs M. Stitt (in the chair). Crisp, Cargill, Hutchison, Martin, Hunt and Saunders. After considering ways and means, it was resolved to accept Mr J. Smith’s offer to hunt the hounds twice a week during August, and if sufficient inducement offers, once a week during September, At the meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union Football Association last night, it was resolved that the Auckland team pro ceed South on the 16th August, playing Christchurch on the 25th August, Dun edin on the Ist September, Wellington on the Bth September. The dates are sub ject to alteration, but those proposed are most suitable. The men go into training at once for the selection of a team. Owing to the Christchurch insurance Association having given instructions to the Companies at Timaru to charge 80s per ca.it on the grain per ship Rangitikei, now loading inside the breakwater there, merchants and o hers are combining to guarantee the risk themselves, and not to insure the cargo at all in insurance offices. L 4,000 has already been guaranteed by ten persons, and the balance was expected to be made up to-day. A very pleasant quarter’s instruction in the Tinwald singing class was brought to a close on Monday evening, after which a meeting of the class was held. The con ductor, Mr J. S. Savage of Ashburton, complimented the members present upon the progress made, and encouraged them to proceed with their studies in a few well chosen remarks. Mr Wallace then read the balance-sheet, which was satisfactory. Messrs Shearer, Weir and others strongly recommended that the Tinwald singing class should be continued, and it was unanimously agreed to continue same at the former subscription. The members appeared to take a lively Interest in the affair, and after a Committee had been elected and also a treasurer, the meeting separated, votes of thanks being accorded to the promoters of the class. Our local correspondent writes : —At a meeting of the Mount Somers Mutual Improvement Class, held in the Library on Saturday night, a very interesting sub ject was discussed, viz., Wool-growing v Grain-growing. Mr Williams advocated the former, and Mr Hood the latter. Each party was to start with LI,OOO capital, and try which could realise the largest annual income. Mr Hood had rather a difficult task as ha was not allowed to grow anything but grain—and he confined himself to the subj ct, show ing to his thinking and according to his figures he had the best of it; but Mr Williams had a good array of figures to show he could realise a nice little main tenance from sheep without so much risk; When put to the meeting the votes were epial, so it was left an open question. The subject for the next meeting (on the 28th July) is to be a debate on the Legis lative Council—whether it should be elected or nominated. Mr Williams is to advocate election, and Mr Easton nomi nation.

The draw for the Waterloo Cup took place at the Shades hotel last evening, an extraordinary amount of interest in the event being manifested. The running commenced to-day at 11 o’clock on the Plumpton Ground, and the meeting is expected to be concluded on Friday. For the Cup there were 54 dogs to run, the favorite last night being Mr Boyd Thom son’s bitch Queen o’ Scots, who was quoted at 100 to 6. The following report of the Pacific Islands Annexation Committee was read in the House yesterday :—The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the question of the Pacific Islands annexation have the honor to recommend the House to approve the steps taken up to this time by the Government, in con junction with other of the Australian colonies, to promote the establishment, of British rule in certain Islands in the Pacific, and consider that it is the duty of the British Government, existing circumstances, to take steps for the estab lishment of its rule over all the Islands in the Pacific which are not already occupied or under the protectorate of foreign power, and that on annexation of any islands taking place, care should be taken that provision be made for preserving the undisputable rights of the inhabitants ; also that in the event of the British Go vernment making it one of their condi tions of establishing its authority over any islands in the Pacific, it is hereby recommended that New Zealand, jointly with the colonies of Australia, [should contribute its fair proportion of the necessary expense, calculated on the basis of the European populations of the British colonies now comprised in Austra lasia, provided that the amount of such proportionate expenditure when ascer tained dees not exceed the means at the disposal of New Zealand. The Committee have also the honor to recommend that the Confederation and Annexation Bill, with the amendment proposed by the Committee, be passed by the House, and that the papers named in the schedule laid by the Colonial Treasurer before the Committee relating to the annexation of lands in the Pacific, together with such other papers relating to the subject as the Government can supply, be printed for the information of Parliament. More health, sunshine, and joy in Hop Bit ters than in all other remedies. Observe. — [Advt.] 4 “ Rough on Rats.* —Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack-rabbits, gophers. Drug gists. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. 2 Wanted Known —That J. Mejch 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.] ____________

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, July 12.

The Assembly has carried resolutions in favor of the annexation of New Guinea and the Pacific Islands adjacent. The resolutions have been transmitted to the Agent General.

There is every reason to believe that Victoria will be well represented at the Calcutta Exhibition.

The Secular Association have engaged the services of Mr Joseph Sims, one of the lecturers of the English Association. He was selected by Mr Bradlaugh. The Bishop of Melbourne, in giving evidence before the Education Commis sioner, strongly advocated religious in struction being given by the masters in scheols. Sydney, July 12. Mr E. A. Rennie has been appointed Auditor-General vice Mr Rolleston, re signed. There appears to be some foundation for the statement that the French had taken possession of the New Hebrides, but the actual fact has been emphatically denied by the French Consul here. It appears from a private source to the Sydney Morning Herald that the inhabit ants of Noumea went to the Governor in a body to request him to take steps to annex the New Hebrides. The Govern ment steamer Lertees, waiting to departure for the Loyalty Group, was at once dispatched under sealed orders to the New Hebrides, and Bruat under sealed orders to Brisbane, it is said, to wire Home for instructions. Bruat, after leaving Brisbane, returned to New Cale donia.

Government intend at once carrying out extensive alterations at the quaran tine station.

The Crown Lands officers intend ap pealing to the Privy Council re Tooheys v. Comm ssioner of Railways, the great railway case. The Engineering Exhibition has been singularly successful, and leaves a large surplus. It is expected that the announcament as to the appointment of the Bishop of Sydney will be made at the end of the month.

Archibald Forbes, at his closing lecture yesternight, said, so long as he had a tongue to wag and a hand to hold a pen, Australia would not lack a loyal cham pion. Telletnby is scratched for the Hawkes bury Handicap. The Sheep Show commencing on Satur day is likely to be the finest ever held in Australia. The weather has been very fine and bracing, Brisbane, July 12. It is expected that Parliament will be dissolved in a few days, and meet after the general elections about October.

The Additional Members Bill had to be abandoned, owing to the opposition offered.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July 17. bills. The Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill and the Fugitive Offenders Jurisdic tion Bill were introduced by the Hon Mr Whitaker, and read a first time. COLONEL M'DONNELL’s PETITIO N. The Hon Colonel Bkett, as Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, moved —“ That the petition of Colonel McDon nell for further recognition of his military services bo referred to the Government for their consideration." Sir G. Whitmore moved—“ That the Committee should re-consider the peti tion.” After some discussion the matter was adj urned for a week. tenants’ fixtures. 'Die Hon Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of the Tenants’ Fixtures Bill. After a short debate the Bill was read a second time by 20 votes to 10, and was referred to a Select Committee. The Council adjourned at 4.45.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 17. The House met at 2 30. busden’s libel. The Hon Mr Rkyce made a personal explanation in re the Rusden scandal. He said that this was a matter in which the House had already taken some interest, with the view of clearing his character from the charges made against him. Two courses were open to him—the first was to proceed against, Rusden by way of criminal information, and the second b> way of civil proceedings. He had in tended at first to adopt the first of the courses, but upon enquiry he found that a great deal of time and expense would be involved. Witnesses on both sides would have to be taken Home from this colony, and the process would be otherwise objec tionable ; in fact, it would necessitate his absence from the colony for a lengthened period, besides incurring very serious costs. The second course, viz., the civd procedure, he had determined upon. By that means he would be enabled to have proof taken in this colony by commission; and while the same object would be ob tained as in the criminal proceedings the cost would be much less, for he would not be compelled to take witnesses H* ne. His object in referring to the subject at all was in its relations to a motion on the Order Paper by Mr J. B. Whyte, propos ing that the cost of the criminal proceed ings should be provided for by a sum on the estimates. Having made these ex planations, he would ask that the mover ot that motion should allow it to lapse, as it would be manifestly improper for public money to be given to assist civil proceed ings. NEW ZEALAND LAND COMPANY’S BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of the New Zealand Native Land Company’s Bill, Mr DeLautouk said he had intended, before asking the House to read the Bill a second time, to have proposed the ap pointment of an impartial Committee to consider the Bill, and enquire fully into the object and transactions of the Company. For this purpose all necessary documents had been received in Welling ton, but this Committee was now unneces sary, as the Government had intimated that they objected to the Bill on public grounds, and could not permit private legislation on matters affecting native lands and bearing on the native policy. He quite recognised the right of the Govern ment to take up such a position, and that the good government of the colony would be impossible if Government were denied such a right. He therefore prop sed to abandon the preamble of the Bill and all the clauses relating to general or public matters, leaving the Bill to consist solely of the first four clauses, which dealt with matters, purely personal to (he Company. He would move the postponement of the second reading for a week, that the Go vernment might have time to consider the Bill in this new form. If they still ob jected to it, he would abandon the Bill altogether, as the results sought could be obtained at the expense of a few hundred pounds by re-registration. He concluded by moving the adjournment of the Bill for eight days for the purpose stated and subject to tbe understanding mentiored above.

The Hon Major Atkinson said the posi tion of the Government was that matters of large public interest should not be dealt with by private Bill. On behalf of the Government he would be willing to agree tc the postponement till next week. In the interim, he would inform the mover what view the Government had formed on the Bill in its new shape. In the mean time he guarded himself against any ex pression of assent or dissent. The m< tion for adjournment was then put and carried. QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, Ministers said: That the Government had referred the claims of sufferers by the fire at the Dunedin railway station goods shed to the Law Officers of the Crown, who were now considering it. Mr Wilson, who was acting for the sufferers, had been informed that the Government would accept the notices of their claims already given as sufficient.—That the Govern ment would not, during this session, introduce a measure to endow with waste lands, hospitals and charitable institu ions throughout the colony.—That Southbridge was considered by the Government to be the proper place for holding the sittings of the Resident Magistrate’s Court for the Ellesmere district, and not Leeston. —That the Government would procure all the latest information obtainable with regard to the working of the Contagious Diseases Act in England and on the Con tinent, to be laid before the House next session.—That the Government would not undertake to offer for sale under the pastoral deferred payment conditions, sections already surveyed in the Malvern district, and supposed to contain minerals. PRISONS BILL. The amendments by the Legislative Council on the Prisons Bill were disagreed io, and a Committee appointed to draw up reasons for dissent. CROWN GRANTS BILL. On the motion of the Hon Mr Rolles ton, the Crown Grants Bill was read a second time. He explained it was simply a consolidation of the present law. The House adjourned at 5.25. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. SHERIFFS BILL. The Hon Mr Dick moved the second reading of the Sheriffs Bill.—Agreed to. AUCTIONEERS BILL. The Hon Mr Dick moved the second reading of the Auctioneers Bill. It pro posed making a uniform fee for licenses of L4O throughout the whole colony, with the right to the licensee to conduct sales in any part of the colony. The Bill was read a second time. PREVENTION OF ADULTERATION. The Hon Mr Dick moved the second reading of the Adulteration Prevention Act Amendment Bill. Mr Sutton contended that the Act should be more extendo 1 in its operations, and made to include the analysis of liquor. Toe Hon Mr Dick, in reply, said that he had the suggestion of the previous speaker under consideration, and expected to be able to bring down a clause which would nuot his views. Bill read a second time. bills of exchange.

The Hon Mr Conolly moved the second reading of the Bills of Exchange Bill. Bill read a second time. LAND ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

The Hon Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the Land Act Amend ment Bill. It was a continuation of the liberal scheme of land legislation in the colony, initiated by Mr Donald Reid in 1877. The tendency of that and the Amending Acts he had since introduced was to obviate that class conflict against which so much complaint was made. The land laws had a great deal of bearing on the material wellbeing of the community at large. The Acta he had had the honor of introducing had for their object the giving increased facilities for the obtaining of land from the State for bond fide occupa tion. The great object was to prevent the land being acquired in the first instance in large estates, the breaking of which would in after years be a work of great difficulty. The revenue last year had not been as large as it was in the previous years. The reason of this was that several large blocks had been withdrawn for railway purposes, and no effort had been made to force sales. There was also another cause, viz.-, a tight ness in the money m irkot. Taking the opera tions of the last three years they would

compare favorably with preceding periods however, the average being L 197.000 per annum. Although the actual money re turns this year had not reached those of preceding years the general policy of settlement had suffered no abatement. Since 1870 not less than 10,000 people had been settled on 1,000,000 acres of land under the deferred payment system, and many of them had since obtained the freehold. Despite all that had been said about the settlers trying to get out of their payments, there was only at the rate of L 22 per head for 867 settlers in arrear. Upon the whole the system worked well. Perpetual leasing was next referred to, and he had great faith in that system, and it was pleasing to him to find that the recommendation of a Commission appointed by the Legislature of New South Wales was practically in favor of the system which had been adopted here. This system was an effectual check to the accumulation of large estates, and no one person could hold more than the one allotment. Whatever were the effects of ihe deferred payment system in this respect, such was the effect of the leasing system. If he had his own way he would not alienate another acre of pastoral country. The Bill aimed at laying out blocks of land all over the colony as they were now on the goldfields, for perpetual teases, giving the tenant the value of his improvements at the conclusion of the first term. The provision for improve ments had been carefully considered and adjusted so as to suit the circumstances of this class of settlement. It appeared that the deferred payment system was not stringent enough as regards checking speculation, and it was proposed to enforce further restrictions. This provision, he believed, would operate as a check to speculation. By patting in the provision for residence, which was proposed in re gard to the deferred payment pastoral settlement lan s, he was hopeful to be able to check dummyism. He would ask them to affirm the general application of the prinfiple of pastoral leasing, as the more he saw of it the more it recom mended itself to his mind, and so far it had been a success.

Mr Bathgate supported the Bill as a farther step in the right direction initiated last session. He bore testimony to the success of the leasing system. Anything that put a stop to speculation in Crown lands, and to screwing an extra price out of the hand fide settler, ought to recom mend itself to their best attention. He suggested that the residential clausa (clause 16) should be widened so as to make a residence by a member of the selector’s family sufficient. Mr J. P. Thomson supported the Bill, as a measure designed to settle people on the lands.

Mr Joyce said that if they could have listened to a speech like that delivered by Mr Rolleston twenty years ago it would have been well for the colony. Now it was like locking the stable door after the steed had been stolen. Large portions of the landed estate of the colony had been alienated at nominal prices, and now they proposed to conserve the small remainder. The result of that was to make all future settlers the taxpayers, and let the others comparatively free. His idea was that they should alienate the whole land, and impose such a land tax as could prevent anyone from reiaining the land for specu lative purposes.

Mr Petrie spoke in favor of leasing the land, as compared to the system of selling it out. He would support the BUI. Mr Montgomery said that the leasehold system having been affirmed by Parliament last session, he would say nothing against it now. Mr Holmes considered the Bill one en tirely in the right direction.

Mr Fulton denied that the paHies who opposed the leasing system were mostly land sharks and land speculators. Mr Pearson supported the Bill. The Hon Mr Rolleston replied. His object had been to make a gradual ad vancement in the policy already affirmed. He had brought down proposals that would improve the deferred payment system rather that do away with it alto gether.

The Bill was read a secend time, BANKRUPTCY BILL.

This Bill was further considered in Committee. The remaining clauses were passed; clauses 178 and 183 having techni cal alterations made in them. Schedule 2 was also amended. The Bill as amended was reported and ordered for re-committal on Friday, with the view of considering certain new clauses. The House rose at 12 25.

IN THE LOBBY.

[FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPON DENT.]

Wellington, To-day,

Mr Bathgate intends to move on the Ist prox, the following motion:—That the present commercial depression which prevails in the colony is a matter of grave concern as regards the public interests, and demands the early consideration of the Honse, with a view to provide a remedy ; that it is alleged that it has arisen in part from the undue pressure by the banks, caused by the large propor tion of deposits, both Government and private, which should be used by the banks in promoting the commerce of the colony, being used and invested outside the colony; that it is expedient that note circulation should be protected by deposits of colonial debentures in the treasury, whereby a large amount of gold coin would be liberated in aid of the com merce of the colony ; that all banks should be brought within the operation of the Joint Stock Companies Act, 1882 ; that the present banking arrangements of the Treasury be considered, to determine whether or not it would be advisable to renew the same on its expiry, or to re ceive officera’from other banks—singly or associated—for the management of the banking business rif the colony; that it would facilitate the operations of the banks if two clearing houses were esta blished by law, one for each island, and the necessity for keeping a supply of gold for exchange purposes at the nume rous seaport towns be obviated, and the risk of loss in time of war thereby dimin ished—the whole subjected to be remitted to a Committee to consider and report.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

The Committee of this Club met last evening. Present—Messrs C. W. Purnell (in the chair), W. Saunders, Ttiomas, Hewson, H. Friedlander, Quill, Carter, Drs Russ and Leahy. The Secretary re ported that the stewards had determined not to remove the disqualification from the horse Steel Dust The Improvement Committee was empowered to do all neces sary work required upon the training and running course. A proposal carried by Dr Leahy at last meeting, in respect to a summer meeting, was, on the motion of that gentleman, rescinded, and it was re solved that the consideration of the sub ject be postponed for twelve months. hursday and Friday, November 15th and 16th, were fixed as the days on which to hold the annual Spring r>tce meeting, when a sum of about L6OO will be given in stakes. Drs Ross and Leahy and Mr M. Friedlander were appointed a sub-com mittee to draft programme for the Spring and Autumn meetings, to report to the General Committee in two weeks.

COURSING.

TEE WATERLOO CUP. [by telegraph.] Christchurch, To-day. There was a good attendance at th« Waterloo Cup meeting at the Plumpton ground. The sport was interesting, and many hares were killed. Waterloo Cop. Bannerman beat Z lu. Parmesan beat Vivette. Taraban beat Sir George. Azalea beat Gent. Clio beat Bell Lorimer, Security beat Pixie. Bridegroom beat Belisarius Mistletoe beat Seadrift Wainui beat Maggie Rockwood beat Alchemist Hopbitters beat Solway. Harpsichord beat Spot.

A SERIOUS BLUNDER.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day.

The steamer Penguin came into port last evening at half-past nine o’clock from Fiji. Her master brought the vessel alongside the wharf to enable the passen gers to get ashore without delay. Within half an hour of the time of her mooring to the wharf there was hardly a passenger on the deck. Whilst the Penguin was coming into port, the following telegram, dated from Wellington, at twenty-five minutes to nine p.m., on the 17th, was being flashed along the wire to the health officer :—“ To Dr Philson —Fiji declared infected place. (Signed) G. S. Cooper.” The telegram reached the hands of Dr Philson about 10 o’clock, and, in the meantime, the Penguin had reached the wharf. Dr Philson hurried to the wharf and found the vessel alongside. Captain Cromarty assured Dr Philson that he was in ignorance of the fact that Fiji had been declared an infected place by the New Zealand Government, but all the passengers were by this time gone away, and he could not see how the mat ter was to be remedied. Dr Philson ordered the mails to be fumigated before being sent ashore, and then agreed to give Cap tain Cromarty a clean bill of health Captain Cromarty assured Dr Philson that there was no sickness at Lenika, his last port of departure on the 13th, but that cholera, small pox, and measles were pre valent at Suva, which port he left on the 4th. The Herald blames the Government for the delay in issuing the notice after it was known a week ago that the other colonies had declared Fiji infected. The following from the Suva Times of the 23rd of J une explains the action of the authorities at Sydney and Melbourne in declaring Fijian ports infected places:—“The ship Poonah arrived on Monday last from Calcutta with 495 souls on board, exclusive of the captain, officers, and crew. There had been twenty six deaths from the time of departure until her arrival. The majority died from cholera. Five cases of small pox were reported but no deaths occurred from that disease. The engineer died from cholera. The vessel is quarantined, and the present pro posal of the Government is t >at fhe will proceed to Mekalau, there discharge the passengers and stores, leaving the colony without having obtained pratique. There will be no difficulty in placing the men under proper authorities, and exercising due vigilance over the cargo, which will also have to be landed. A fresh outbreak has been reported since the arrival of the ves el, and the Government have issued posters printed in the Fijian language, notifying to the natives that infected Coolie immigrants have been placed in quarantine in tue island of Mekalau, warning them not to approach it or fish on the reef near it, under the usual penalties. ”

FIJI NEWS.

[Per s.s. Penguin at Auckland.]

H.M.S. Nelson arrived at Levuka from Suva on July 9. Information is to hand from Naturi, the chief town on the Makuata coast, that that place was the scene of a murder. The victim was the husband of a woman who is said to have formed improper connexion with another man, and her paramour is accused of the murder. He was arrested by a native officer.

The N.Z.L. and M.A. Co. have ac cepted tenders for the erection of receiv ing stores at Levuka. The big sugar mill at Eewa has began work again. There is sufficient cane ready and ripening to keep it steady at work night and day up to the end of the year, an output being maintained of from 40 to 50 tons daily. The brigantine Meg Merriliesreturned to Suva from New Britain and New Ireland> obtaining 109 recruits at the former island, four at the latter and two at the Solomons.

A STEAMER IN PERIL.

[by telegraph.] New Plymouth, To-day The steamer McGregor, which has been detained in the Waitara river eight days, owing to a sand-bank which had formed and prevented her getting out, attempted to leave this morning, and grounded on the South Spit, where she now lies. An attempt was made to lighten her, but without effect, and she now lies on the spot where the s.s. Kowena grounded years ago, and where she was two months before she was again floated. There is a lumpy sea on, aud her position is critical. The New Plymouth Harbor tug is lending her every assistance. The steamer Rowena, not being able to enter Waitara, came on to New Plymouth to discharge her. cargo this morning.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

[rEUTEr’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.] The Anglo-French Difficulty. Paris, July 16. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day, M. Challemel - Lacour, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated in reply to a question regarding the Anglo-French difficulty at Tamative, that the French Government would act with justice, and make due reparation if it was found the commander of the French squadron in Madagascar waters had committed an error in dealing with British authorities at Tamative. [Received July 18, 12.30 p.m.] Colonial Loans- London, July 16. Tenders for the New South Wales four per cent, three million loan, with the minimum at par, were opened to day. The total amount offered was found to be Tenders at par will receive 93 per cent, of the allotment, and tenders above par will receive in full. Tenders for the Hob son’s Bay Harbor Trust loan of L 250,000 at 5 per cent, which were opened to-day, amounted to L 334,000. Tenders at par will receive 45 per cent, of ?the allotment, and those above par in full. [Received July 18, 1 p.m.] The Suez Canal- London, July 17, Evening. In the House of Lords to-day Earl Gran ville, in reply to a question, stated that

the Government had found it impo s * sible to make better conditions in the agreement for the construction of a second Suez Canal, owing to the posi tion of Count de Lesseps and the rights of the shareholders in the existing com pany. |Still, his Lordship added, the Government were not prepared to admit that the Count de Lesseps pos sessed a monopoly in connection - with the construction of canals through the Isthmus of Suez.

AUSTRALIAN.

[reutbr’s telegrams—COPYßlGHT.] The Suez Mail. Albany, Yesterday. . The P. and O. steamship Cathay, with the inward Suez mails, dated Lon don, Juije 15th, arrived at King George’s Sound this afternoon. The Timber Trade. Melbourne, Yesterday. Messrs C. S. Ross and Co., of this city, report the sale of kauri timber, ex Grasmere, at the following average prices per 100 ft: —Super hewn logs 12s gd ; sawn flitches, 15s, [Received July 18, 12.30 p.m.] The New Guinea Annexation. Brisbane To-day. The Ministry have adopted a memo randum on the question of the annexa tion of New Guinea to be transmitted to the Secretary of State and all the colonies. The document suggests that in the first place joint representation should be made by all the colonies to the Imperial Government, urging the further consideration of the question and the final decision in regard to New Guinea. It is further proposed that the Home Government should be in vited to move in the direction of pro viding a federal Governor for Austral asia. [Received July 18, 1 p.m.J Commercial Melbourne, To-day. The manager of the National M. and A. Co. of New Zealand, reports of the local grain market as follows Wheat is steady, but not in active demandat 4s nd to ss, for shipping parcels. Malting barley is quiet at 59 to 6s. New Zealand oats are quieter and weaker at 2s gd to 3s ud for feeding qualities, and 3s id to 3s 2d for milling sorts. New Zealand oats, under bond, are slow of sale at 2s id to 2s 4d.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.} A Difficulty Settled- Gisborne, To-day. The Bromley episode has been amicably arranged, and the cases withdrawn from court. The defendant admitted he was lawfully married to the lady who came here from Sydney to see him. It was stated in evidence that Bromley was mar ried to the woman he lived with as his wife in Gisborne, but there appears, to be some difficulty in producing the regis ter of such alleged marriage. Mrs Brom ley, it is understood, accepts LSO and returns to her family in Australia. A Presentation. Napier, To-day. At the Hawke’s Bay County Council yesterday, Mr Sutton, M.H.R. was pre sented with a splendid solid silver centre piece, in token of his services as Chair man for many years. Owing to Mr Sutton’s absence in Wellington, a com plimentary letter was forwarded to him, stating that the presentation had been sent to his residence, and regretting it could not have been made in person. Censured. In the inquiry re the wreck of the Transit, the decision of the Court was that the captain committed an error of judgment in remaining in tberoadatead with the vessel in a disabled condition. The Gaol Enquiry. Wellington, To-day. The Dunedin Gael Commission con tinues the taking of the evidence. The long-sentence prisoner Garrett was ex amined. He deposed to irregularities in the gaol, and to having been frequently assaulted by Mr Caldwell in the presence of the Visiting Justice and warders. He bad also seen Mr Caldwell and the war ders on several occasions in a state of intoxication. A Divorce Case. Dunedin, To-day. An interesting divorce case comes be fore Mr Justice Williams next month. The petitioner is George BallingaU Stewart, of Victoria, who seeks to hare his marriage with Lucie Stewart annulled on the ground of her adultety with Wil liam Hay Dickson. He claims L 2,000 damages. The main issue is as to the custody of a child born of the marriage.

IHJE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1888.



OR SALE. Seed. Seed, SEED WHEAT—Hunter’s White. Prime Tuscan, SEED OATS—Canadian. Tartarian, first-class. Danish. CRUSHED OATS, First-class, Is. lOd. per bushel. JOSEPH CLARK, 286 Ashburton and Tinwald. A N D 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 acres.



The block has been SPECIALLY SELECTED by tbe Proprietor, and ia thoroughly adapted for farming purposes, the adjoin ing see tiers having this season grown some of the HEAVIEST CROPS ON THE PLAINS. Only a small instalment on the pur chase is required to be paid, the balance te remain on mortgage at per cent, for terra of years as may be agreed on. We have also FOR SALE an Improved Farm ' Containing 1026 AC RES. Situated close to Ealing Rilway Station, , and well watered. For farther particulars apply to THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCANTILE COM PANY, LIMITED. .... '{jSurutphaFoh or Ashburton. 12au



Wanted WANTED KNOWN— Hates and Co. have a lot of EMPTY CASES for aal®. Arcad® Shop*. au!2 WANTED Known—l wo or three Gentlemen will meet with a com fortable home ; terms moderate. Mrs G. H. Thompson, Trevor ton. 1443 WANTED Known That H. 0. Skgees has REMOVED from Compton’s Buildings, Moore street, to Saaly’s new buildings, East street. Great Reductions now on. V 73 TTTANTED KNOWN—That Robert W Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured th® newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very low rales. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. Terms cash. 760 c WANTED Known—Music Taught to Pupils in Ashburton or Tinwald, at their own homes, for 21- guineas ; at ray house for 2 guineas per quarter. Letters addressed to Post-office or to Mrs Charles Cornelius, third house on East Belt, next Davis’s, 7-19 ‘ANTED, for a Station, a MAR RIED COUFLHJ without family. Man must be a good shepherd and willing to make himself generally useful ; wife, experienced general servant. Apply, stating wages required, to A.E.M., care of Office of this Paper. 7-46 OT ANTED KNOWN—That J. Meeoh W has engaged a first-class Up holsterer, who has been employed at A. J. White’s Furniture Warehouse for the last 15 years. Also a practical Cabinet maker, N.B.—Having increased his pre mises and staff, J. Meech is prepared to Furnish Funerals and Undertaking at the ANTED Known—That C. Haw kins, BOOT and SHOEMAKER, having given up the Ashburton branch, is now cairving on the Business at Tin wald under his own personal supervision. Being overstocked with women’s and children’s BOOTS, he is now offering them at a sacrifice. Como and see for lowest terms. 7 108 yourselves. 7-49



ANTED KNOWN—That Mr Dan vv Lea’s Gymnasium is the only place for real amusement ; admittance free. Every kind of amusement to be ob tained on the premises calculated to please the general public—American Bowls, Shooting, Boxing, encing, Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, etc. Temper ance Drinas, Cigars, etc. Tickets — monthly 2a 6d, fur use of Horizontal Bar, Trapeze, Single-sticks, Dumb-bells, Indian 'labs, etc. Dan Lea is always at his post to give les ons in Boxing, lessons £1 per month, or according to arrangement. Special Advertisements. jF YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, CHEAP FURNITURE AND BED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOUTH, ASHBURTON. 1344 GO TO DAVIS’S VERY article Sold at Christchurch M-J Prices and a iiranteed bee. of material and workmanship.



FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED si THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAY iS spared no effort to place before the public a MOST COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF 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. r|r A SINGLE GARMENT . ?S>r 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.



Money ! Money ! ! The equitable investment COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND, mited, are prepared, through their agent, T . C. Dunoan, East street, t» 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. 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 Heme Journals, Magazines, and Papers by every mail. Subscribers wanted for any Magazine or Paper published. Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERY, &0., East stbbkx South Ashburton. n!5



Special Advertisements. R 0 BIN SON AND TOWNSHEND ARE CASH BUYERS OE WHEAT OATS barley GRASS SEED Agents for A. Moore & Co. ROBINSON AND TOWNSHEND, Havelock street. 229 H. M. Jones H AS 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 hand from £l2 12s upwards. 25 INSTRUMENTS TO SELECT FROM, 25 HARMONIUMS HARMONIUMS. Accordians, Violins, Banjos, Cornets, and all kinds of Brass and Stringed Instru ments. Lmost won- "VT derful instru- ill Ements of the day. TJ Music by the yard. A child JjJ Mean play it. Very cheap. Just the H thing for those who cannot have a O 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 SQUARE. Ashburton. 13d PAPER FOR SALE In Large or Small Quantities. 0 piano. ANDREWES BROS., Booksellers and Stationers, East street South, Ashburton. 77



Gorged Livers, Bilious conditions, consti pation, piles, dyspepsia, headache, cured by “ Wells’ May Apple Pills.” at druggists, Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents for Australasia, 2



The mint in San Francisco is said to be the largest in the world—twice as large as the one in Philadelphia, and three times the size of any in Europe, having 24,000,000i01s worth of coin and bullion stored away in its vaults. The Parliamentary reporter of the Dun edin Star tells the following little anec dote:—MrPyke, too, has a conscience, and, like the member for Dunedin Bast, his csnacience has been emitted. In the course of his speech yesterday, as is well known, he complained bitterly of the apathetic attitude of Ministers during the present debate. He stated that through out the previous evening only three Min isters were in their places to listen to the debate, cne of whom was reading a news paper, another a yellow-backed French novel, and the third was asleep. Now, it has. since been represented to Mr Pyke that his remarks may have injured as least one Minister in the eyes of his constitu ents. N eed I say that I refer to Mr Dick, whose admirers would be grieved to hear that he has taken to reading French novels. Accordingly Mr Pyke, after a sleepless night, waited on Mr Dick in his Ministerial sanctum this morning, and, [ with profuse apologies for troubling him at sitch a busy time, proceeded to un bosom himself. Mr Dick was, it is said, more saponaceous than ever, and received the advances of the hon. member for Dun stan with great urbanity. “ I feel,” began Mr Pyke, “ that I have done you an injustice in what I said about Minis ters yesterday, and if you think it neces sary I shall make a statement in the House to-night to the effect that it was not you who were guilty of reading the French novel.” “Oh no,” interposed Mr Dick, “it is hardly necessary to trouble yourself . ” “ Because,” continued Mr Pyke, without noticing the interruption, “ it was you who were asleep.”



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