SHIPPING.

S'm PORT OF LYTTELTON. *. t.! *•: Arrived. Ju V 3. YESTERDAY. •IlUnponif ».s., from Melbourne, Tie Hobart And Southern porta. 3H6loraa, a.a., from Nelaon, Pioton, and Wellington. 'i . Sailed. Tisicmr. Menapouri, a. a., for Northern porta and Sydney* ? v ' . . RoUfrtfa; a.a., for Port Ohalme a. BHIPPINO TELEGRAMS. Sich&i ’■ 1 tio ,v ■. Auckland, Ye^terday. Anrived- —Bannockburn, from Marshall Island': Penguin, from Fij i. •SaiWd—Geo. Bailey, for Oregon ;Tara wera, for Melbourne' and Southern porta. Wellington, Yesterday J ■ Arrived—Hauroto, from Sydney, via Newcastle- _ . , 1 Timaec, Yesterday. Sailed—Manswatu, for Wellington. Dunedin, ester day. Sailed—Te Anau, for Melbourne, via the Bluff and Hobart; Stella, for the Southern lighthouses.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Friday afternoon. ThAfoJlowing. is the Christchurch Com Ex change ribfirt for the week ending Friday even- Id instant:—There is no change to report in the state of the grain market Ex tremßdhhmsa-prevails, and sales are difficult tdleSßEHfmitat this market quotations. Eng* lish advices continue to report a weakened to some extent is influencing our local market.— Wheat : Good sound Tuscan, 4s 3d to 4s 4d per bushel f.0.b.; ether wheats in similar.;condition, 4s 2d to 4s 3d f.0.b.; second class samples, dry and fit for milling, 3s 3d to 3s 8d per bushel'delivered in Christ church ; (hick wheat, 2s 3d to 2s 9d delivered in ChristckUrih*— -Oats t Bright and stout mil lingquality, 2s to 2s l}£d per bushel f.o.b ; Ififfif ohts'ffeed), Is 8d to is lid per bushel or delivered in Christchurch. —Barley : First dassmalting samples, 4s 4d to 45 ?d per trmhef delivered in Christchurch; second mass maltbig azxl'feed qvlality, 2s 4d to 3s 6d per bushel delivered in Christchurch or £o.b.— Beans and Peas: The former are worth 3s 3d 10 3s 4d per bushel delivered in Christchurch, if thoroughly sound and dry; the latter, 3s 3d sort and quality.—Pota toes: Business in the tuber is exceedingly slack, antrpayers are extremely diffident about specu lating- “JpiTo 32s 6d is offered delivered at .. Gtirisfthurch/' Buyers, however, are not dis posed to accept—Cheese and Butter: sd to 5#4 forthe former; lid to n%d for the lat ter? Itega extra. -■■■' Messrs Miles and Co, per J. T. Ferd, re port on the-live stock-market, etc., for the week ending Thursday, June 21, 1883, as folldWs ;—Addington : These yards on Wed- last were very largely supplied with principally of good quality, in fact there were scarcely any stores forward. Pigs aJS&l'wefe in great force, the heaviest supply W*9havfr-tein for a long time being penned. Very few rtpre sheep were on offer, but quite enough forme demand, which at very low ebb. Scarcely Aliy fatcattle were entered, but we cAttnbt tebOrd ahy advance in prices in conse* qocnce, the*.average being mediocre. Store cattle'were also sparsely represented, and not enquirid for tojany great extent Mutton very prit&e, realised about hut we quote 2d per lb as a general average. Beef we quote at 21s per xoolbs for top price, and about 16s lowest pigs,, consequently upon the heavy mar Yet, somewhat suffered in prices. The total entry for the day was as f0110w5;—7,448 sheep, 215 head of cattle, and 322 pigs. Our entries were on account of Sir John Hall, Messrs R. H. Rhodes, jun (Bluecliffes Estate), W. L. Allan (Victon Station), C. Ensor, E. Mcnlove, J. Rice, W. McLennan, Pelham Jones, P. Grant, W. B. Clarkson, the execu tors m'Rl Chapmm, J. O’Neill, etc., etc. Mr W.i McLennan’s crossbred wethers were in srgondwl , :i f qqndition, in fact the pick of um r ma&eti .and realised 16s gd . all rounds* I ''The Acton Station crossbreds were very , good, and were all sold at 15>6d «nd j >ss gd, the major’part bringing the higher .figure.; Mr C. . Elisor’s crossbred wethers sold well at 14s gd. Other lines sold equal to our quotations. Tinwald—At these yards on Tuesday ,we sold fat crossbred ewes aad wethers, mixed, at from 8s fid to ns 3d, £rt crossbred ewes at lis fid, merino ewes at *3s fid} ! merinh wethers at 7s. Dull market and average a entry. Wool, Sheepskins, Hides, Fat an^T^allpw—At our weekly sale on Thurs day we had a' fairly large entry and a good attendance of buyers. Butchers’ crossbred skins sold at 3s 3d, 1 3s fid, 4s, 45 2d, 4s fid. $s 2d, anduptofis; dopoerino sold at 3s 4d, 3s fid, 4s t 0 45 lid. . .Country skins, of which we had a large consignment, sold well when in good condition, there being more competition for dry skins at this time of the year than fresh ones. We sofd.crossbredsat as 2d, as fid, 2s Bd, 35 lod, ss, 59,3 d and up tofis 8d; merinos, is pd, zs yd, ys, 3s fid, according to staple and preservation, these being the top prices. Fleace wool, crossbred, we sold at 4Jfcd per lb,-4oor condition. Rough fat sold very well, 2jfd, 2#d and being realised fcr butchers’ best, 2d for inferior. Country fat, well saved pod dry, sold at 2jid per lb. Hides and 'calfskins -sold at S&d per lb, if sound ; a)£d.foc cut and .damaged.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1883.

Last evening the Rev. C. H. Standage delivered his lecture on “ Love, Court ship, and Marriage,” to a good audience, assembled in the Wesleyan Church, Wakanui. Mr David Brown presided, and the entertainment was diversified by the introduction of several musical items, which were admirably rendered, and gave great satisfaction to those present. Great public interest is being taken in Auckland in the charges against Mr Htevena, commission agent, formerly of the Colonial Treasury Department, of an alleged attempt to bribe Mr T. W. Lewis, Dnder-Secretary of the Native Depart ment, with an offer of 200 guineas to in fluence the disposal of certain native lands at Coromandel. On the case coming on before Mr Seth Smith, R. M., Thomas Lewis deposed te the circumstances under which he met Stevens in Auckland, and that an offer was made by the latter (pro duced), dated 6th December, 1882. Lewis replied to this letter in indignant terms, and informed Stevens he could not treat the letter as confidential, but would sub mit it to the Native who was not to take proceedings against him. Stevens sought an interview with Lewis, which was denied, and Stevens then wrote a reply, stating that he was grieved be yond measure at his letter having been misunderstood. His Worship reserved his decision on the points raised till Satur day, defendant being allowed to go on his own recognisances of LSO. Among the whimsical bequests of Eng lishmen none is queerer than that made by a Mr John Knill, collector of the port of St, Ives, who died in 1881. He directed that once in five years two old women and ten little girls under ten years of age, dressed in white, should walk in procession, with music, from the market house of St. Ives to a pyramid which he erected on the summit of a lofty hill near the town, and which he had designed for his burial place. They were to dance round the pyramid singing the Hundredth Psalm, and for the purpose of keeping up his custom he made chargeable an an nuity on certain freehold lands, the trus tees being the incumbent of the pariah, the mayor St. Ives, and the collector of the port, who were allowed LlO for a dinner on the processional day. " hether the effect of the procession and the Hun dredth Psalm has been what the testator intended or not, it appears from a recent address before a temperance conference, that with a population of more than 7,000 there has not been a single case of drunkenness before the local bench for moie than two years.

There seems to be a curious omission in the Justices of the Peace Act (says the Chey Biter Argus), and one which may act very prejudicially to some persons. It is provided that in any criminal sum mary proceeding before magistrates, the defendant and the wife or husband of any defendant shall be competent witnesses. But this privilege is apparently limited to proceedings before magistrates. Where, therefore, the case goes to appeal on the facts as well as the law, the District Court has no ;power to receive such evidence, there being nothing in the Act to that effect. As Judge Broad pointed out at the hearing of the appeal case Regina v. Hughes, it seems almost a mockery to give a right of appeal where the facts are in dispute, and at the same time to ex clude fr«m the consideration of the Court of Appeal a very material portion of the evidence upon which the defendant de pended and had a right to produce in the Court below. Eventually his Honor, al though he said his own opinion was quite decided that such evidence was not admissible, consented to state a case at the urgent request of the appellant for the'opinion of the Supreme Court.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday, Tune 21. 1 ADDRESS IN REPLY. I The only business was the adjourned I debate on the address. I The Hon Mr Holmes congratulated the colony on got'ing such an excellent Go-I vernor. Ho denied that the whole colony I was prosperous ; the North Island, parti- I cularly Auckland, was so : but the South I Island, especially Otago, was much de- I pressed. He highly eulogised the pro- J posal with regard to the New Hebrides I and other islands. He also highly com- 1 mended Mr Bryce’s actions in native I affairs. He believed that in a short time I the perpetual leasing system will super-J Bede all other modes of dealing with the j land when it became better known. This I was show., by the great competition for I education reserve leases in the South. He was in favor of electing the Council with large electorates or under Hare’s system. The Hon Colonel Brett said he would oppose any change in the constitution of the Council as long as he had breath in his body. The Hon Mr Wilson was in favor of electing the Council. The Hon Mr Hart considered any change would be greatly for the worse. The Address was then agreed to, and the Council rose at 3.30.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, June 21. j Th# House met at 2.30 p.m. I LEAVE OF ABSENCE. I Leave of absence for a week was granted I to Mr Dargavillo, on urgent private affairs. ANNEXATION IN THE PACIFIC. The Hon Major Atkinson gave notice that he would move on the 26th inst.— “That this House approved of the steps taken by the Government in conjunction with others in the Australian Colonies to promote the establishment of British rule in certain islands of the Pacific ; that this House undertakes for its part to give effect to any assurance that may be re quired by the Imperial Government that this colony will, in common with the ] other colonies of Australasia, bear a fair share of the necessary expense. ” QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Steward, the Colonial Treasurer said that the Government did not intend to amend the law under the Rating Act in the case of forms and part nerships, witn the view of enabling each of the partners when the property is of sufficient value to be enrolled as burgesses. — Replying to Mr Johnston, the Colo nial Secretary said the want of funds and other cauees prevented the Govern ment giving any assurance that a new Government printing office would be built this year.—[The House adj ”'d at 3 p.m. to present the Address 1 .i - t /ly. On resuming at 3.30 the Speaker read the usual formal reply from the Governor.] — Replying to Mr Holmes, the Minister of Justice said that the Christchurch Resi dent Magistrate had only been absent two days from his duties since March, and these through illness, and during that time the work was performed by the resi -1 dent J.P.’s—Replying to Mr Watt, the , Colonial Treasurer said it was in , tended to ask Parliament to vote a sum for the purpose of paying the municipal and other corporate bodies the rates on Crown and native lands for the year end ing Slat March last, and a Bill to amend the Act so as to enable the various cor | porate a bodies to receive the said rates when due, would be introduced.—Reply - ing ’to SMr Levestam, the Minister of Public Works said he did not know what saving was effected by the HinemOa mak ing two trips to Auckland to bring down the Northern members, but he knew that : the second trip was a great convenience to Auckland members, as it enabled them : to remain for a few days longer at their , business. —Replying to Mr Daniel, the Minister of Public Works said there was no need for any Bill for the purpose of compelling Government contractors and sub-contractors to pay their workmen . in cash at the end of each fourteen days, as a clause to that effect was inserted in aU 1 Government contracts. In order that the men might more fully understand their rights in the matter, the clause 1 would be notified in the public Press. A penalty of LSO was to be imposed for every violation of such a mode of payment.— Replying to Mr J. B. Whyte, the Minis ter of Public Works said the com plaints against the management of the Auckland Railway were well founded. ! They arose mainly from a deficiency cf rolling stock, That deficiency would shortly be obviated, and by that means he hoped to be able to remove these com plaints.—Replying to Mr J. B. Whyte, the Minister fob Lands said that pro vision would be made for endowing with lands within their boundaries town dis tricts and boroughs incorporated since the Act of 1878.—Replying to Mr Moss, the Minister of Public Works said L 12,000 would bo required for laying down an ad ditional line of rails between Newmarket and Penrose on the Auckland Railway— a sum which the traffic would not war rant.—Replying to Mr Barron, the Colonial Secretary said the Govern ment bad no knowledge of dishonest bakers and others being permitted to de fraud the public by selling bread of false weight through the carelessness of the police or through defect of. the law. In quiries into the point would be made, and if the law proved defective it would be amended as desired. —Replying to Mr O’Oallaghan, the Colonial Secretary said it was not intended to bring in an Act making the Contagious Diseases Act com pulsory in the larger towns. It was in force in Canterbury and Auckland. The district in Canterbury extended a great deal beyond the City of Christchurch. The expense to the colony of working it there was very slight.—Replying to Mr Holmes, the Minister of Public Works said that the “ booking off’’ of railway employes involved very little loss of time, and it was optional on their part if they liked to do a week’s work of sixty hours, or if they worked more overtime was paid. The Locomotive Superintendent, during the grain or busy seasons, was empowered to make firemen engine drivers, and after the emergency was served to reduce them back again to their former trade and pay. With that exception he had no power to advance or reduce such employees.—Re plying to Mr Feldwiok, the Colonial Secretary said forms of petitions to both Houses of the Legislature would be pro vided at once for public convenience at the various post offices throughout the colony. bills. The following Bills were introduced and read fa first time Contempt of Oour* (Mr Tole); Sale of Goods by Retail (Mr Bathgate); To Amend the Election Peti- 1 tions Act, 1880 (Mr lyess); To Exempt ' Charitable Agents from the Payment of 1 Duty (Sir G. Grey). 1 caversham baths bill. < Mr Barron asked leave to introduce I the Caversham Baths Bill. I The Hon. Mr Rollbston asked that the < application should be adjourned. In reply i to a question from Mr Fish a few days < ago he had promised that steps would be | taken with the view of getting the sand- t hills contiguous to these proposed baths 1 placed under the control of a responsible c body. He proposed to consult the various s bodies interested, apd as soon as he had t done so he would confer with the mover 'I and other members interested. _ 1 Messrs Maoandbbw and Barron said c

that the Bill had quits a different object from the conservation of the sandhills. What was aimed at in the Baths Bill was to make such arrangements as would pre vent bathers, as had been the case lately, from being washed away. Facilities for insuring safe bathing at a small charge was urgently required. The Hon. Mr Rolleston’s proposal was agreed to, and the introduction of the Bill delayed. BOAT LOWERING. Mr Daniel moved—“ That with a view to greater safety of life as sea it is expedi ent that legal provision should be made whereby in case of emergency boats may be lowered with greater celerity than can possibly be the case on board ship when the crew is not regularly exercised in the operation of boat lowering, and that the Government be requested to take the ne cessary action in the The Hon. Mr Conolly said the fault was not in the law, but in the fact that the persons interested were not made to obey the law. That fact did not lessen the risk, and it was necessary that har bormasters should be compelled to see that the regulations were carefully carried out.

Mr Maoanbhew said that it was evi dent to the most casual observer that the ships’ boats, as a rule, were in such a state as to be incapable of being lowered with any degree of despatch in emergency. Mr Montgomery concurred, and asked the Government to say that the attention of harbor authorities would be directed to the matter, and that they would see that existing regulations were carried into effect.

Mr Joyce said that the object of the motion was to make provision for practice in the work of lowering boats at sea in emergency. He apprehended that there was no provision for that, and that legis lation would be needed..

Mr Hutchison said that the subject of the smaller class of steamers trading on this coast, had been inquired into by a Select Committee, and the result went to ahow that, as a rule, these vessels were grossly undermanned, (and that the men employed ware too’overworked, that there was positive danger to the safety of the e vessels and their passengers. The motion was slightly amended and passed. fiord county. Mr Daniel moved that there be laid before this House full report of Mr flay, District Surveyor of Wallace County, re garding his expedition in the Fiord County, and that it be printed. Agreed to by the Government and adopted, EIGHT HOURS BILL. Mr M. W. Green moved the second reading of the Eight Hours Bill. Motion put and carried. LIEN BILL. Mr Fbldwick moved the second read ing of the Workmen’s Lien Bill. Mr Bathgate supported the Bill. The hardship of the Act of 1871 was that the plaintiff had to get judgment before he could enforce his lien. The result was that when a contractor absconded, as was very often the case, it was impossible to serve the summons, consequently no judgment could be got. This Act pro vided against such a difficulty. It provided that on the contractor getting notice from the workmen that operated as an arrest of all moneys in his hands belonging to the debtor until the debt had been satisfied. It was in fact what was done in the law of Scotland.

Mr Wynn-Williams pointed out that clause 5 would have the effect of tying up moneys in the hands of the contractor, and in the case of the contractor becom ing bankrupt it would be difficult to get the money paid over. He suggested that the second reading should be delayed for further consideration. Motion carried. LAW PRACTITIONERS BILL.

Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. Its object was to get rid of the examina tion clause in general knowledge p ovided for under the Act of last session. The Hon Mr Conolly said that the Bill of last session met an important part of the views so well known to be enter tained by {Sir George Grey on this sub ject, and he ought to be satisfied. The qualification of general knowledge was of great importance, not only to the practi tioners but likewise to the general public. Again it was proposed that under this Act the fees for admission should be reduced to L 3 3s, a sum much below that charged those who had passed under the general knowledge clause. The admission fee went for the law library purposes, and it was most important that these libraries should be well maintained, ans at present the funds at their disposal were felt to be quite email enough. The power of ap pointment of any person as advocate in a case would practically supersede every thing in the shape of a Law Practitioners Act, and enable every man to commence the practice of law the same as he would open a retail shop. The House adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING SITTING,

The House resume! at 7.30, The debate on the second reading of the Law,Practitioners Act Bill was con tinued. Mr Bathgate said he could see a great deal in the Bill in favor of its passage. A legal and judicial turn of mind was a natural endowment, and could not be acquired by any standard of training. Training in a lawyer’s office might enable one to acquire the quibbles of law, but that, he apprehended, would not be ac counted a public boon. The Bill would tend to a | wider study in law, and in time it would not improbably become a part of the scholasio study of youth. The legal advocate provided for by the 3rd section of the Bill was nothing new. Under section 30 of the R. M. Act any party not being a solicitor or barrister was empowered to appear under written authority of the litigant. Again, the Land Transfer Act enabled any man to conduct a most important branch of the profession. He asked the Minister of Justice to rise superior to provincial prejudices and prove himself to be a man of breadth of view and liberality. Mr Holmes objected to the Bill. It should be termed one to discourage the study of the law. In reference to the 30th section of the R.M. Act, he said that it only allowed non-professional men to appear for their principal in civil and not criminal cases.

Mr Pkaoock objected altogether to the principle of the Bill. Mr Dunoan spoke in support of it. Sir George Grey replied. He was sorry to find that this Bill, passed in a previous session with acclamation, was now to bo opposed. He had been told

that bo should be content with the con cessions given hi n last session. So long as any bar existed he would agitate for its removal. He had been told that the exa

ruination was merely formal. Why, then, keep it at all. He would stake his exis tence that it was stringent enough to pre vent the Minister himself passing it. He knew men who could not pass that exa mination who were better fitted to serve

their fellow men than he was. Why, then, shut out these from careers of use fulness. Was the lack of a few sentences of the Latin language to shut out their fellow men from such careers. Mr Pea cock had told them if they could solve a problem in algebra, what guarantee 1 ad they that he was fitted to solve the mightier problems of the law. If he could not solve such problems wh<t guar antee was there that he was fitted to sit there and legislate and make these laws. The whole thing was sheer nonsense. The lowness of the admission fee had also been objected to. Were they to exclude a man

becauaejhe was pooflTThat was a most I monstrous doctrine. 1 The ancient Homans —the' greatest lawyers in th 6 world — | neves studied tne ancient tongue from which their language was derived Their great excellency consisted in their exclu sive attention to their own language, and .loot that of any foreign tongue. He held that in a new country like this there should -bo-no close, profession, but ■ that' every avenue should be open to every ! member of the cornmniiity. This attempt [ to set up the genet al knowledge qualifies.;, tion was a sham, and all such' shams should be swept away. The motion for the second reading was I put and carried on the voices. I The House rose at 8 30.

THE JUNO COMPANY.

There was a marked improvement in the attendance at the Town Hall last even ing as compared with that on the previous night, although the front seats were by no means crowded. The play given was “ Jeanie Deans,” a dramatisation of Scott’s celebrated work, “ The Heart of Midlothian.” As a literary work, the piece is not of a very high class, but if | the dialogue is somewhat stilted oppot-. tunities are given for the display of for cible and in some instances humorous acting, and these were taken advantage of by one or two of the performers. Miss Gloise Juno was of course the heroine, Jeanie Deans, but we should not think this is one of her best parts. In the scene with Robertson before the trial of Effie she showed power, and there was much pathos in her acting in the inter views with the Duke of Argyle and subse quently with the Qileen ; but- the humor ous side of the character was imperfectly" I developed, Miss Juno’s style being rather too heavy to'do justice to this phase of the part. Her Majesty of the Scottish pronunciation was in marked contrast to that of some of her fellow actors. As Effie, Miss Greenless was successful in eliciting the ejmpathies of the audience in the ‘troubles of that much-tried maiden, and she acted throughout with considerable feeljng and intelligence. If Mrs McGowan’s Madge Wildfire was scarcely what readers of Scotch would imagine, the lady gave us an amusing and effective performance, which was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Miss ; Leonard . was • tolerably successful as Margery, although she was made up too young, and Miss Featherstone did justice to the email part of the Queen; Of the gentlemen, Mr McGowan was easily the best, his acting as the Laird o’ Dumbiedykes being full of spontaneous humor, and when he was on the stage the laughter was continuous. Mr W. Mar shall showed considerable power aaDavid Deane, the scene where he cursas his daughter (Effie) be ; ng perhaps his best effort. Mr Dillon as the outlaw (Robertson) was not very impressive, his voice being monotonous, and his action somewhat stiff- Mr E. ■B. Russell doubled the parts of Counsel for the Defence and the Duke of Argyll, in both of which he acted admirably. The speech at the trial was well delivered and called forth loud ap plause, while he invested the part of the Duke with becoming dignity. Mr Medus as the gaoler Ratcliffe was fairly good, albeit his costume was slightly eccentric, and Mr Aspinall was the mildest young Curate imaginab’e. A considerable lati tude in regard to scenic effects had to be allowed, as the capabilities ot the Town Hall in this respect are decidedly limited. However, there was plenty of scope for the imagination, as a good deal of the actions took part in what was evidently a room, although the exigencies of the piece demanded that many of the scones should take place in the open air. The trial itself was more absurd than even the author had intended—and that is say ing a good deal. At the ba ck of the stage was seated an elderly gentleman in a ponderous wig, and at the table were the two advocates, whi'e the jury were conspicuous by their' absence. These drawbacks notwithstanding, the play pleased the audience, who were lavish in their applause. “ East Lynne ” will be given to-night.

THE IMPREST SUPPLY SYSTEM

Immediately after the House met yes terday afternoon j the Colonial Treasurer asked permission to lay on the table a memorandum from the Controller and Auditor-General, and to have it printed. That memorandum is a very important

document, and will assuredly be made the subject of a sharp attack on the Govern ment, whose action it gravely impugns. The Controller says “I am unable to

sign this requisition without pointing Out that it involves a grave evasion of the law. It is not an, infraction of the law such that I should be justified in declin ing to issue the money, but it evades the clear intention of the Act. The 9th sec-, tion of the Public Revenues Act, 1882, provides for the expenditure for two months after the end of the financial year, authorising the Colonial Treasurer to issue and pay monies during such two months, but no longer. Subject to certain con ditions the effect of the present requisi tion No 88, is to draw out on the 31st May, the last day on which I can consistently with the law", issue any money till Parliament meets, the sum of L 192,000 from the public account and place it as an imprest in the hands of the Paymaster-General so as to carry on the expenditure until the meeting of Parlia ment. If such a step can bo taken in an emergency arising from the Parliament not being called together within the time for which supplies are provided, I cannot but point out that the same course might be adopted by the Government at any time ar d for any purpose, and the whole expenditure of public moneys be changed from that of direct payment to one of imprest payment, and from one of pro audit to the old system of audit after pay ment —a system which it was the whole object of the Revenues Act to abolish. It is very true the law puts no specific limit to the issue of imprests, but they have hitherto been treated as exceptional and used where direct payment could not be made without inconvenience to the service; but the Aunit Office has always felt it its duty to remonstrate against the issue of moneys on imprest for payments which might have been made directly from the Treasury. I therefore feel that the issue of this money, which I have now power to refuse, discloses a mode in which the clear, intention of Parliament is being, and may be at any time, evaded and moneys ex pended in a manner which the Audit Office must have declined to sanction, had the claim been presented to it before the expenditure took place. As the point is one seriously affecting the manner in which the duties of the Controller and Auditor-General are to be fulfilled, I have the honor respectfully to request that this memo., together with the re quisition to which it relates, may be laid before Parliament as soon as it meets. — Jas. Edw. Fitzgerald.

“May 31st, 1883. P.S.—I should also point out that when the Paymaster sub mits his vouchers for credit, and it ap pears by the receipts that payments have been made before the meeting of Parlia ment, it may be the duty of the Audit Office to refuse to recognise such payment, or to relieve the Paymaster-General with out the express sanction of Parliament, on the ground that the law expressly forbids not only the issue but also "the payment of moneys after the 31st May. J. E, Fitz- Gerald.”

To th s is appended the following note : The paper shall be laid before Parlia ment, as requested. Taos. Dick.” This memo, has excited a remarkable degree of interest, and is the talk of the day. It is likely to elicit considerable

discussion at the earliest opportaliity. iThe Opposition-are chuckling a good deal oyer it, and contemplate using it as a great handle.

[by telegraph.] Wellington, To-day. Immediately on the House meeting, Mr Montgomery intimated his intention of tnoving a vote of censure on the Govern-, ment in' connection with the Controller General's memo. on. the L 190,000 imprest, and asked Major Atkinson to bring on Committee of Supply at once in order to Enable this to be done. Major Atkinson replied that he would bring on Supply aa the first order of the day immediately preliminary business was transacted.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

ASHBURTON.— To-day. I Before Joseph Beswick, Esq.,R.M. j Breach of Borough Byb-Laws.—R. Lancaster, James Digby, and George Par*

kin, were each fined sa, and Charles Ryle and Robert Todd 20s, 10s costs being added in the latter case, for breaches of Borough'bye-lawe. . Forging and Uttering.—A youth, - fifteen years of age, named Alfred 'Good* ger, was charged with forging and uttering: a cheque of the value of Ls.—Sergeant Felton said that the pri oner had made ' statement to the effect that he had forged ■ a .cheque, and had taken it to the Spread Eagle Hotel. The landlord, Mr Washer," I when requested by the constable, refused Ito uive any information whatever. ' It I was on the boy’s statement only that the' ‘ I charge was laid.—J. Washer aaid that the I boy came to his hotel with a cheque for* L 6, drawn on a man named Langley. Saw I prisoner write the cheque in a black* ' I smith’s shop, and he took it and threw it lin the fire. The reason he refused to give I Constable Neill any information was, be* I cause he thought that the proper place to I give his. evidence was in the Court The' I boy had . not been paid anything onf . I the cheque. His Worship said I that he could not see bow the case 1 could I be gone on with under the circumstances. 1 —l'he charge of forgery was therefore I withdrawn, and the prisoner was then I charged with attempting, on the 26th I May, to obtain the sum of L 5 by false I pretences from J. Washer, of the Spread,, I Eagle Hotel,—The evidence already given 1 I showed that he had presented a cheque I drawn on a man named Langley to 1 I Washer, and the latter had torn it up.— 11 I Constable Neill having deposed to having I arrested the prisoner, when he' made a statement to the effect that he had offered I the cheque to Washer, Sergeant Felton I gave the boy a bad chaincter, saying that i he had previously tak en , a way a horse and ■ I saddle from his employers, and had kept I it for three or four weeks.—The Bench I sentenced the prisoner to one month’s ■ ! imprisonment. I I (Before J. Beswick, Esq., R.M:, 0. P. i I ;oox, Esq., andT. Bullock, Esq., J.P.’s.) I . False Pretences.—C. B. M. Branson 1 j was brought up on remand, charged with ' I Haying obtained two sums of LI and L 5 1 respectively, from Donald Forbes.—Mr 1 I E. G. Crisp appeared for the defendant ' I and pleaded not guilty. Mr Crisp sub* > mitted that as the present case arose out > of a case heard in this Court last Friday, ‘ J he thought that as his Worship had ’ decided in that matter and bad also made 1 I certain remarks concerning the present ' I accused. He brought this matter before : | the Court because he thought it is his ’ I duty to his client, as bis Worship might 3 1 consider himself biassed on account of 3 I having expressed that opinion.— His * Worship said that he had no doubt 3 on the matter, but ip anticipation 1 of what had been said he had sent round ■ I to ask their justices in the, town to ait. * I As to himself, he felt that he would be 1 I biassed, and he thought that it would ha 3 1 shirking his duty if he refused to go on 3 j with, the case. —J. M'Lean Dunn, being 3 1 sworn, said that he knew Donald Forbes M and also the accused. The latter came 1 I into witness’s office in the first week in 3 I April last. Received a paper from him I (produced), which was a receipt for 12s which he owed to the Lyttdton Times, and 8s cash. Forbes came to Witness’s office with Branson, and Forbes informed him, . I (witness) that he wanted LI to pay ad-' : r I cased on account of M‘Rao. Wit i I ness said that as Branson owed I I the Lyttdton Times 12s he would ■ . give him cash for the money. —Orosa examined; The receipt produced was } written iu witness’s presence/ and accused . gave it to be understood that he was ool letting Mcßae’s accounts. Forbes was > quite aware of the transaction, and was ; quite agreeable to it.—Sergeant Felton i said that he arrested accused on 15th r inst. on a warrant, when he said it was a . mistake as Mcßae owed him L 4, and had . i authorised him to collect that account. , Donald Forboa, contractor, living at Mount Somers, deposed that he knew the . , accused, and remembered him asking 1 , witness to pay an account owing to i Mcßae- as he was collecting for the latter. Said that he had no money with him at the time, but at the desire of accused he borrowed a pound of Mr Dunn. Both ; accused and witness went to Mr Dunn’s office, where the money was obtained,

and Branson was paid, but could not say positively if any receipt passed. Heard Dunn say something to Branson about money owing to the Lyttelton Times. Cross-examined : Was quite satisfied with what took place at the interview in Dunn’s office. It was against witness’s will that the case was gone on with. —To the Bench: Had been promised moaej if he (witness) would withdraw from the case. Cross-examination re umed : Could not remember whether the money passed through his hands at the interview in question, as witness was not “ quite right” that day. Saw accused last night, and then promised Branson that if there was no action taken against him (Forbes) for false imprisonment, and the money was made all right, he wonld not go on with the case. Branson said that it would be made all right.—To the Bench : Witness remembered going to Sergeant Felton’s house on the night ao cused was arrested, and asking if the case could be withdrawn, and was answered that it could. Had gone to Branson’s house last night of his own free will, although that course had been suggested to him. —Re-examined : Accused had re pudiated the suggestion that the case should not go on.—J. W. Mcßae said that he knew the accused, who was nqt authorised to collect money for him. Knew Donald Forbes, who owed witness money in April last, but Branson was not authorised to collect the account. Had not received LI from accused on account of Forbes.

Branson had kept witness’s books, and the latter had warned him long before April 6 not to collect any accounts for him. Did not know that the LI had been col lected until after the summons was taken out against Forbes, when accused told witness that he had received L 5 from

Forbes, who would pay the balance 19a when he came to town. vVhen accused

was engaged to make up witness’s hooka he was specially cautioned not to collect accounts. —Cross-examined : Sid not wish the case gone on with. Knew accused only as a book keeper, though he believed he was also a general agent. Agreed to pay accused 30s a month, but could not when he was first engaged. Had paid him monthly up to the time of witness leaving the Somerset Stables. [The : ledger of the witness having been produced, he said that from this it appeared that accused did not keep the books previous to January.]—J. 0. Dun* can was then called, and, on referring if ,

the book, said that there was an entry in accused’s hand writing in September,

THE ASHBURTON GOARDIAN, FRIDAY JUNE 22, 1883.



DAILY MEMORANDA. li; '" > ; i\jOTION SALES ItTKaDAT, Jums 26. Matson, CoxandOo., at the Ashburton Tarda—Stock. 7 ■ Thoesday, Jttnb 28. TliTewii .Milea and.’Ob., at Methven— Stock, Fanning Implements and Sun dries ; Sale at 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c This Eyenkto. , Fbidat, Junb 22. St-John’e Lodge—lnatallation of ; W. M. aiid Officers at 5 pm. and Masonic Ball at S. 30 p.m. ' .ii.-j'iV: ■j.'MOKDAT, JuKK 25. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wbdnksdat, JOIT 11. Ashbbrtoh County Council —at Council Ohamben; 11 a.m. w N E D. SUBSCRIBERS TO OUB CHtCULATI N G LI BRARY ANDRE WES BEOS., Booksellers and Stationers, Eaat street .... U K South, Ashburton. 77 ■ yl.jfr * T»- YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, fawivi ; TO "“BRITI S ’ S yjjiOii ■ ■ • AND BED ZSiXSSQ MANUFACTORY, ■ AST STREET SOUTH, /kaeasbbubton; o • >■ article Sold at Christchurch 1 and - 1 guaranteed bes. of ■l>jdißtt^d ; irbifkinanship. funerals ■Mint A OOMPMMIiY FPBKISmtD



! Wasted i WANTED Known Ashburton, will hold a Fortnight’s CLEARING SALE of BOOTS and SHOES, commencing on SATURDAY next, at extremely low prices, to clear out his present Stock. 1442 TXT ANTED Known Women’s atock ;YV ings at 6d per pair ; Children’s Socks, 2d ; Gloves at 6d ; Wool Jackets at ls6d.— A. Orb’s Cheap Sale. 1416 WANTED. KNOWN— Hatbs and Co. have a lot of EMPTY CASES for sale. Arcade Shops. anl2 WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashbur ton, having procured the newest appara tus, is prepared to Sweep Chimneys at very 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 "WTryANTED Known—lf yon want to W buy a Cheap Drapery Parcel, go to H. C. Segbrs, Compton’s Buildings, Moore street. Sale now on. Every article reduced. 1350 ANTED KNOWN. That BONEDUST, specially prepared for drilling with carrots, mangolds, etc., an be obtained from the undersigned. F. MAYO, Hampstead Bone Mills.



WANTED Known —A. Obr is now holding an extraordinary Cheap Sale to clear out all surplus stock previous to stock talcing. Goods greatly reduced. 1413 Special Advertisements. AND EUR SALE The UNDERSIGNED have received instructions from the Owner to SELL BY PRIVATE TREATY, All that COMPACT BLOCK OF LAND on the Acton Station ESTATE, SOUTH RAKAIA, Being SECTIONS 31757, 31758, and 31759, Containing 1099 acres. The block has been specially selected by the Proprietor, and is thoroughly adapted for farming purposes, the adjoin ing sectiocs 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 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 1020 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 H. M. Jones TTAS NOW ON VIEW A PINE JLI STOCK OF PIANOS. PROM £2O AND UPWARDS. A Magnificent Instrument by Lipp and Sohn, in walnut; also one by Schwaroh 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. Acoordians, Violins, Banjos, Cornets, and all kinds of Brass and Stringed Instru ments. 0 PH 0 -N One of the Lmost won derful instru E ments of the day. Music by the yard. A child Mean play it. Very cheap. Just the Q thing for those who cannot have a ij piano. E Pianos en 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 applying to JOSEPH CLARK, 207 Ashburton & Tinwald. R OBINSON AND TOWNSHEiN I) ARE CASH BUYERS OP . WHEAT OATS BARLEY GRASS SEED Agents for A. Moore & Co. ROBINSON ANiTtOWNSHEND, Havelock street.. . 229



Special Advertisements. INTRODUCTION OF THE PARCEL ' SYSTEM. Fashion House, Cashel street, Christchurch. I Great success has been achieve** in the Old Country by the introduction of the “ Numbered Parcel System,” for the supply ard purchase of useful household 1 drapery, thousands of parcels being for- 1 warded to the order of distant customers ' upon the distinct understanding that any 1 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. G. Brown & Co., FASHION HOUSE, Cbbistch ctkch. The splendid stock of General Drapery in all departments has been purchased by B. C. Brown and Co., from the Trustees in the Estate of the late firm of Craig and Smyth, at a very large discount off cost for cash. Thus articles sold under 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 , | £ s-d. 1 dress piece (12 yds) any shade, French costume cloth ... 0 18 6 good velveteen to match dress 0 5 6 3 yds silasia, for linings ... 0 1 10 2 doz new oxydised buttons, to match ... 0 1 6 1 pair warm lined fur-top spring cuff gloves ... ... ... 0 2 6 £1 9 10 Our No. 2,30 s household parcel, contains— Worth 1 pair good medium size blan kets ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 1 good honeycomb quilt 0 12 6 8 yds good wincey ... ... 0 5 0 1 pair good strong corsets, any size ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 £2 2 6 Our No. 3, dress parcel for £2, contains— Worth 1 dress piece (10 yds) celebrated Empress black velveteen ... 1 7 6 3 yds good silesia for lining ... 0 2 0 2 doz new style oxydised buttons 0 16 1 handsome striped winter skirt 0 9 6 1 durable silk umbrella, paragon frame 0 8 0 1 choice silk chenille scarf ... 0 3 11 £2 12 5 Our No. 4, Ladies’ parcel for £2, contains— Worth 1 dress piece (12 yds) French check costume cloth ... ... 1 1 0 3 yds silesia lining for same ... 0 2 0 2 doz choice buttons, to match dress 0 1 6 1 good warm Ladies’ tweed ulster 0 17 6 1 black quilted alpaca skirt ... 010 0 1 white or colored wool wrap ... 0 5 6 1 pair lisle lined fur-top spring cuff gloves 0 2 0 £2 19 6 Our No. 6, household parcel for £2 10s, contains— Worth 1 pair large size good witney bknkets 1 10 6 1 nice large size good honeycomb quilt ... ... ... ... 014 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 Boslyn flannel (pure wool) 0 18 0 24 yds splendid white calico, heavy make 0 13 0 24 yds good strong brown or grey wincey ... ... ... ... 0 14 0 6 yds tartan plaid 0 6 6 6 yds good brown holland ... 0 4 6 12 yds hemp carpet, dark stripe 0 7 0 6 pair Girls’ or Women’s warm winter hose ... 0 7 6 4 large unbleached Turkish rowels ... 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 Ig' od black alpaca or sateen skirt ... 0 14 6 2 pairs Ladies’ black hose ... 0 3 0 1 pair L.dies’ two-button choice black kid gloves 0 4 6 i doz Ladies’ cambric handker chiefs, in fancy box ... ... 0 5 6 £2 19 6 Our No. 8, furnishing parcel for £lO, contains— Worth 20 yds nice pattern good tapestry carpet 3 6 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 10 0 1 full size white honeycomb or toilet quilt 0 14 0 1 choice pattern wool tablecover 0 16 6 2 white Turkish bath towels ... 0 3 0 6 white or unbleached honey comb towels 0 4 6 2 white antimacassars 0 2 0 2 white toilet covers ... ... 0 4 0 6 yds linen check glass cloth ...0 6 0 1 superior white linen tablecloth 011 6 £ll 15 0 Our No. 1, wedding parcel for £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 1 1 0 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 6 0 6 Ladies’ linen collars 0 3 0 6 Ladies’ linen handkerchiefs ... 0 6 6 3 pairs Ladies’nice hose... ... 0 4 6



£5 5 8 Our No. 2, wedding parcel for £lO, contains— A very complete trousseau. Our No. 9, Ladies’ (half-price) Seel for L 5, contains — Usual price ies’ handsome mantle ... 217 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 ma y stay at home and order their drapery an 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. P.C’.O. made payable to B O, BROWN & 00., Fashion Bouse, Christchurch. 1362 1



Special Advertisements. Money ! Money!! The equitable investment COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND, raited, are prepared, through their agent, T. 0. 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. C. DUNCAN, 883 Agent, East street. THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory HAV E 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, ANE CONTINENTAL TWEEDS. The large and increased trade has en abled the Proprietary to offer their cus tomers still further advantages thar hitherto, and THIS SEASON'S GOODS, upon inspection, will be found CHEAPER THAN EVER nir A SINGLE 3 ARM ENT AT WHOLESALE FKICE. SHIRTS, HATS, HOSIERY, and every requisite at Wholesale Prices. Nineteen Branches now open in New Zealand. ; Agents for th« Unrivalled i WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE! 1 Ashburton Branch : . EAST STREET. I AM CASH PURCHASE! OF ' BRIGHT MILLING Oats, 1 IN ANY QUANTITY. ) ALBERT ROBERTS, 763 West street. > STATIONERY OF EVERY DI 1 O SORIPTION. ) Account Books Ink—from small to largest jars > School Books —School Committees su] plied at lowest rates - Latest Novelties in all kinds of E'anc Goods, Toys, &c. » All the Heme Journals, Magazines, an Papers by every mail. Subscribe! » wanted for any Magazine or Pap« > published.



Andrewes Bros., BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERY, &0.. East street South Ashburton. n!5