SHIPPING.

POET OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Manapouri, a.a., Melbourne, via South. Rimao, barque, from Port Chalmers. Cleared. Y ESTBBDAY. Notero, barque, for Auckland. Sailed. ..., YESTERDAY., for Txrnaru hnd Dun edin. Pollr, barquentine, for Sydney. land an4.?*y porta. ' ‘ „ SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed—To Anau, for the South. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Koranui, from Westport and Nelson; Wakatu, from Kaikenra and Lyttelton ; Wareatea, from Westport and Nelson ; Kiwi, from the East Coast. Sailed —Hawea, for the North ; Ao-

tangi, for London, via Rio de Janeiro ; Koranui, for the South; Timaru, for Westport; Wareatea, for Lyttelton ; Grafton, for Nelson and the West Coast. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Wakatipu, from the North. the SouW Sea Islands, a- Dunedin, To-day. Arrived last night—Victory.

COMMERCIAL.

' Ashburton Guardian; Office, ' Friday Afternoon. The following is the Christchurch Com Ex change report for the week ending Friday, the 3001 May, 18S4 'The week just ending.has not shaWii«Ttepi“bv6n«¥it in Re price of wheat The" Home market is still low, and producers this season cannot hope to do more than barely repay themselves' for their outlay. During the last eleven years wheat has only twicemiditdAheldw pribfe of 3s, namely in 1875 and 1&79, but this year we are afraid it may be a little lower.; Speculators- are chary of purchasing, and in the face of unfavorable advices from England prefer shipping on farmers’ account. We hope, however, that a change may take place shortly, but at . the pre sent tifee.prices offered by buyers Rrfc so low as - to preclude much business being done, especi ally in the lower grades. Good sound samples of pearl aud Hunter’s white meet with some little attention /or intercolonial trade. We are glad. /to-J still- iep6rt favorably as regards oats. This cereal is firm, and * prices arc well- maintained at last week’s quota tions. -‘'Barley,'- “prime 1 malting, is-alio linn, and commands a ready sale, but very few really good sampled are offering!'- 'Medium qualities are not very eagerly sought after, but inferior lots are conatSglnto reijuest for feed purposes. There has been a fair amount of business done in peas, Prussian blues being most enquired for. Beans are low, and if a favorable report were received from England, owners would in numerwifi f instances ’prefer to, ship; Home rather than sell at the prices now offering. There has bqen little,or nothing doing in grass seeds,- Bright, clean, samples of cocksfoot can be readily placed, as there are still a few orders unexecuted,‘while transactions in rye ' will be' unimportant, till the spring sowing. continue to show a mod undesirable declination in value. Former quotations are . difficult totaairttam, but growers- for the most ' part prefer pitting in anticipation of a reaction. Dairy produce -sEbws^nmch'tliesame charac- teristics «cJast week. Cheese holds to former values, jirhileY botteris- oausml Quite r beyond .the precincts of buyers having experienced a drop of about 2d per lb. Quotations as fol lows :—Wheat: Dry and sound Tuscan and Pearl;3s zdj Hunter’s, 3s id; rejected lots and- seconds from 2s 3d and. 2s fid fio.b.— Oats : Bright milling, 2s 46 ; good short feed, as 2d to 2s 3d f.o.b. Barley : Prime, 33 gd to 4s; second; quality,* 3s to 3s *63 ‘j feed, 2s to as 2d.—Peas : Sound samples of Prussian Blues, 3s fid, tab;; gray peas, 2s gd to 3s, Christchurch or f.o.b.—Beans : 3s f.o.b.—Po tatoes.: 27s fid at country stations within 12 miles.—Batter and cheese : 8d to gd for the former, and 4#d to s#d for the latter.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

'"■ V ‘ AUCTION SALE'*. Saturday, Mat 31. - Mr Thos. Bollock, at tha Arcade, Burnett street—Land and Sundries . Tuesday, June 3. Matson, Cor and Co., at the Ashburton L i - MEETINGS*; AMBSKMENTS, Etc. Friday, Mat 30. Somerset Lodge, Monthly Meeting in the Masonic Hall, at 7.30 p.m. Saturday, May 31. : Town Hall—Catholic Church Bazaar Tuesday, June 3. Flemington Schoolroom —Soiree,at 6 p.m, Friday, June 6. Ashburton -County Council**-At* Council Chambers, 11a.m. Elgin District School—Ball, at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7 Wakanui Road Board, at Boad Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a. m, Monday, Junb 9. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30. . -

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY. MAY 30, 1884.

The Rev. Mr Garbett will hold a morning service, with Holy Communion, at the Tinwald Church, on Sunday next. We loam from a telegram received from Wellington this afternoon, that tho writ fat r the Ashburton seat will not be issued until the meeting of Parliament. Mr Parnell held his first meeting in connection with the coming election for Ashburton in the Town Hall last evening, and he has reason to congratulate himself on the reception he received. The audi ence not only listened with interest to tho address, but an unusually long list of questions was put to the candidate, the answers to which appeared to give satis faction. Mr Purnell’s next meeting will be at Mount Some r a on next Friday evening.

The Ashburton Hounds met at Mr Corbett’s yesterday afternoon. There was a very much improved attendance of members and f ir sport was obtained After one or two short unsuccessful run* a hare was killed.

Sir William Fox addressed a largo meeting on the temperance question last night at Wellington. He considered the present Licensing Act unworkable, as the number of police was quite insufficient to put down Sunday trading. He stated that tho Justices of the Peace and Magistrates bad an invariable leaning towards the publicans. He also con sidered that the Licensing Benches dis played great apathy in carrying out the power vested in them. He received a vote of thanks.

Particulars of the compotit nns for the Civil Service literary prize, 1884, appear n the Gazette The subject, is " Land laws, aud their effects socially and economically upon the condition of the people.” The prize is L 25. Essays are to be delivered before the end of the year. At tho Otago Harbor Hoard yester day on a motion being carried by tho Chairman’s vote for increased wharfage, involving about L 15,( 00 expenditure, Mr Elder said that on behalf of those oppos ing he wished to hand in the following protest, " We beg to protest acainat tho motion just carried. It in our opinio** being a useless expenditure of 1.6,000, and a continuation of the policy which has all along been that of tho Board, viz., gross recklessness in the expenditure of the funds entrusted to its charge; and second; that this sum has not been provided for in the estimate of moneys to be expended for some considerable time.” The Chairman refused to enter the protest on the hooks, characterising it as an insult to the Board. A man named Harry Walters was ar rested yesterday charged with house breaking in Brougham street, Welling ton.

An inquiry will be held into the recent fire at the Wellington Arcade Buildings. An action will bo heard in tho Welling ton Supreme Court next month, in which Z. Nimnao, dairyman, claims L6OO from the Kilburac Highway Board for alleged negligence by leaving a culvert open, by which the plaintiff was thrown from his horse and sustained injuries. The writ in the action Dempsey v. Wakeford was served yesterday. The plaintiff was barmaid in the defendant’s hotel, at Wellington, and claims L3OO for alleged defamation of character. The case will be heard on the 16th prox.

H!o Excellency the Governor and suite returned to Wellington from Auckland by the Hinemoa at five o’clock last evening. Sir George Grey was a passenger by the To Anau for the South yesterday. The Italian, Dominico Bertho, charged in Aucklani ith desorting his wife and family, was remanded to Wellington. The whole of the Victory’s immigrants are engaged. A hundred were sent to the country districts. At a meeting ox the D rectors of the Rocorua Railway Company, a letter was read from the Government, giving satis factory assurances that it will do all in its power to further tbe construction of a complete line. A case was tried on Wednesday in the District Court, Auckland, the result of which - created such surprise that thoaa present indulged in a somewhat immode rate laughter. The facts are short. A foreigner (a Greek) named Eggs brought an action to recover LIOO from John Webster, master of the barque St. Law rence, for improper medical treatment of an injury sustained by plaintiff at sea, the injury being the res dt of an accident. The plaintiff fall against some casks, and appeared to have been thrown down the forehatch causing his shoulder to be hurt The plaintiff said that his shoulder was out, and the captain treated him for a dislocated one according to ihe direction of a edical work published by “author ity,” and issued to shipmasters with the sanction of the Board of Trade. When Eggs reached Auckland he was examined by some medical men (six weeks after the accident) who said there never had been any dislocation, but that the man had been treated improperly by excessive pull ing of the limb, which injured the carti lage that protected the joint. This pull ing was done by the Captain’s order, but it was in accordance with the treatment prescribed by the Shipmaster’s Medical Guide, the work above referred to. Eggs brought the action to recover LdOO from the Captain. There was a host of doctors in attendance to give evidence, and they as usual differed. The case was tried by » jury of four. It was alleged for the defence, and not denied, that the Captain did everything possible for the relief of the injured man. It was not insinuated that there was any breach of duty, care lessness, or indifference. The facts alleged by the plaintiff were not denied by the defence. They were entirely consistent with the utmost care and solicitude on the part of the Captain for the seaman, who described his .urt from his own feeling at the time and his previous experience His Honor summed up. The jury gave a verdict for plaintiff for LIOO, and costs Ll3lls,

Don’t Die in the House.—“ Rough on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack rabbits, gophers, The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents.

August Flower.—The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costivencss, palpitation of the heart, heartburn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the Stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flewer. This valuab c medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all cjyilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s fid a bottle. Sample bottles, fid. —[Apv'f. Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.—Coughs Influenza. —The soothing properties of these medicaments render them well worthy of trial in all diseases of the respiratory organs. In common colds and influenza ihe pills, taken internally, and the ointment rubbed over the chest and throat, are exceedingly efficacious. When influenza is epidemic, this treatment is the easiest, safest, and surest. 11 olio way’s pills purify the blood, remove all obstacles to its free circulation thioiigh the lungs, relieve tfle overrgorged air tubes, and render respira tion free, without reducing the strength, in ha ting the nerves, or depressing the spjrits | such are the ready means of saving suffering when anyone is afflicted with colds, coughs, bron chitis, and othpr chest complaints, by which so many persons are seriously and permanently afflicted in most countries.

At the Southland Laud Board yester day, Mr T. J. Thompson, of the Bluff, applied for twenty-one years’ lease of sections there over which he has had a year’s protection while experimenting jn making cement. He has succeeded in turning out a plaster cement of a useful kind. Mr J. T. Thomson, late Sur vey r-Qeneral, waited on the Board yes terday aud boro testimony to the good qualities of the cement for postering. Mr Thompson states that since he gave samples to Mr Thomson and others he has made an important discovery by acci dent, aud can now turn out an article resembling and equal to Portlan ( cement. He has spent L3OO in experiments, and says it will take L 3.0000 to put the plant on the ground. The Board did not think tho industry sufficiently developed, and only, renewed the license for a year, after which if successful a twenty-one years’ lease will be granted. Mr Thompson has patented the cement, and says he can ptoduce it at 12a a cask. The supply of raw material is very large. It is said to be mainly decomposed granite rock and silt from the foreshore of the harbor. Remember that a little Hop Bitters saves big doctor’s bills, and cures when all else fail. Read.—[Advt.]

will be paid for any case that Hop bitters will not cure or help. Doubt not. See. —[Advt.] Wells’ "Rough on Corns.”—Ask for Wells’ “ Rough on Corns.” Quick re lief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. Thick Heads, heavy stomachs, bilious con ditions —Wells’ May Apple Pills —anti-bilious- cathartic. 5d and is. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 1 The Bad and Worthless

are never imitated or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it has been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in which the press and the people of the coun ry had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in every way trying to induce invalids to u e their stuff instead, expecting to make money on the credit and good name of H. 8., Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H. 8., with variously devised names in which the word “ Hop ” or "Hops ” were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies ,or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word “Hop” or "Hops” in their name or in any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Or Soule’s name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and chemists are warned against dealing in imita tions or counterfeits.

ASHBURTON WOOLLEN FACTORY COMPANY.

Annual Meeting. [A part of this report appeared in our issue of yesterday.] The annual general meeting of the above Company was hold at the Arcade Chambers at 330 p.m. yesterday. Mr Hugo Friedlander, tho Chairman of Direc tors, occupied the chair, and there were about 20 shareholders present. The minutes of last general meeting were r»ad and confirmed. The following balance-sheet was taken as read : Dr. £ s d To nominal capital, £25,000, S,ooo shares of £5 each, viz:— 1,975 shares allotted at L 5, £9,875; 3,025 shares un allotted at Lj, £15,125 ... 25,000 o o Capital account —145 shares, £5 paid up, • L 725 ; 1,270 shares, 90s called up, £*>,7 l S» 560 shares, 80s called up, 1.2,240 ...£8,680 o o Less arrears of calls, £1,034 is... *9 0 Received on account future calls 126 2 4 Mortgage, debts owing, and Bank overdraft ... ... 2,781 15 I £io,SS3 16 5 Cr. Freehold property—land and buildings 5>3 2 9 11 8 Plant and machinery 3,926 5 o Preliminary expenses 1991810 Salaries 4°° 0 0 Charges, etc 698 oil Capital Account. Dr. To amount of nominal capital... 25,000 o o £25,000 o o Cr. By amount unallotted I 5» 12l t 0 0 By amount fully paid up, L 725; by calls paid, £6,920 19s ... 7,645 19 o By arrears of calls, £1,034 is ; by uncalled capital, £1,195.-. 2,229 1 0 £25,000 o o Tho Chairman sa’d that the Directors had not furnished a written report to shareholders, as practically nothing had been done by the Company since last meeting- The attempt, to raise money as the Directors were authorised to at last meeting was found to be inopportune, but they had asked shareholders to give pro missory notes for calls not then due, to which request many shareholders had assented, and others had paid the call to become due in cash. This had enabled the Directors to send for tho necessary machinery, a large por tion of which would arrive by the ship Dragon, now daily expected, and the ba lance would follow by various vessels in due course. Referring to the balance sheet, he said that of the item L 40.! for wages only L 75 had been paid in cash and the Manager had accepted 60 fully paid-up shares in lieu of salary due to to him. Tho item charges L 698 Os lid included L 240 7s 61 to the debit of this account at the end of last half year, and the balance was made up by rail charges, interest, and other incidental expenses He referred to other items in the accounts and concluded by moving the adoption of his report and the balance-sheet. Mr T. Bullock seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and on being put to tho meeting it was carried. In reply to a question ifrom Mr Painter, the Chairman said that tho machinery shortly to arrive was only adapted to the manufacture of yarns and the coarse class of goods. Mr George Indrews asked if the second hand machinery purchased shortly after the formation of tho Company was being used in tho Factory. If nol, he suggested that it might be sold. The Chairman said that the greater part of the machinery referred to would be used. The Directors had ordered the new machinery with this in view. Mr C. Reid enquired if the shafting for the Factory had been ordered. The Chairman replied in the affirmative and said that it was now awaiting the arri vrl of the rest of the plant. Tenders had been called for tbe supply of shafting, and Mr John Anderson, of Christchurch, had been the successful tenderer. When giving this order the Directors had pro vided for the future by ordering consider ably more than was required immediately. Mr Cra'ghead would like to know if tho necessary machinery bg,d been ordered for malting up clothing. He thought titii might be made a profitable branch of the business.

Tho Chairman said that such machinery had not yet ordered. For the po- Sent the Company would sell the cloth to Mr Craighead, and alldw hifn to reap the profit. Mr Douglas thought the charges, salaries and preliminary expenses appeared excessive. Nearly had been expended under these an I tja.3 Company was not yet ill operation.

The Chairman pointed out that L 325 of this amount was paid to the manager in shares, but he must admit that the items were very large and he was not just then in possession of sufficient informa tion to go closely into the matter. He had a list of the items before him, which he could read if required. Mr 0. Reid thought that the particu lars should be placed before the share holders. The Chairman said that he had not the slightest objection to do so, but wished it to be understood that he had only just received the particulars, and was not at all satisfied with the manner in which the amounts were charged. The Chairman road the items.

Mr John Orr pointed out that the rail carriage upon the machinery , was placed to charges account He thought this improper. The Chairman concurred with Mr Orr, but said that he had not yet had an oppor tunity to see the auditors upon this and some other points connected with the accounts.

Mr Craighead proposed—“ That share holders holding ten shares be qualified io become directors.” He said that many shareholders whose services upon the Directory would be of great value to the Company did not hold the 20 shares required by the present rule. •Mr Bullock seconded the proposal, and said that although he had originally fa vored the larger qualification he had found on looking at the share list that Mr Craighead’s contention was correct. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried.

The Chairman proposed—•“ That the Directors of the Ashburton Woollen Fac tory, Company, Limited, be empowered and requested to issue 2,000 pre ferential shares of L 5 per share, such shares to be part of the issue of 5,000 shares originally agreed upon in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the capital represented by such preferential shares to be part of the origi nal capital of L 25,000, The holders of these preferential shares will have a pre ferential claim to interest over ordinary shareholders to the extent of L 8 per centum per annum, and in the event of the Company being at any time wound up, they will be the first to receive the money paid by them.” lie said that the Directors had iully considered the proposal, and thought thao it might in - dues seme of the shareholders to sub scribe. If a mortgage could be raised the Directors would certainly do so m pre ference to the present proposal. Mr John Orr seconded the proposal - He said the same plan had been adopted at Oamaru with marked success. Mr Reid thought that all these prefer ential shares should be subscribed before any were alloted. Mr A, Orr pointed out that it was only borrowing money from the shareholders in place of outsiders. Mr Ward thought a mortgage would be preferable. Mr E. G. Crisp said that it was evident that money must be found from some source to carry the Company on, and he lii:«d the proposal made by the Chairman. The motion was put to the meeting and carried, Messrs Hugo Friedlander and John Orr, the retiring Directors, were re elected. Messrs Jameson and Guudry were re elected auditors A vote of thanks to the Directors closed the proceedings.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON.— To-day. (Before H C. S. Baddeley, Esq., R.M ) NKGLEOtED Children— James Shears, aged 14 years, Amy Shears, aged 12 years, Hannah Shears, aged 8 years, ■ maia Shears, aged 6 years, and Mary Shears, aged 3 years, were cha ged with being neglected children. Their father had died at the Hinds some time ago, and their mother was left in very poor circum stances. His Worship committed them to Burnham until they attained the age of 15 years. CIVIL CASES. Judgment was given for plaintiffs by default in the following cases :— Wilding and Caygill v Mager, claim Ll 3 6s ; and Orr and Co v Gordon, L4l7s lOd. Perryman v Smith, claim Ll 3 6s Id. Mr Branson for the plaintiff. —The plain tiff had been engaged by defendant t > do harvesting work at Longbeach and Dun das, and the defendant alleged that an amount of Ll 4 paid to the plaintiff was in full discharge of the account between them. Both the parties gave evidence at considerable length, and judgment was given for Ll 3 Is Id and costs.

MR PURNELL AT THE TOWN HALL.

♦ ■ - Mr 0. W. Parnell, one of the candi dates for the representation of the Ash burton' constituency, addressed a large meeting of electors in the Town Hall last evening. id is Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and in introducing Mr Purnell said that he very much regretted the cause of the vacancy they were now called upon to fill. Although appearing occasionally to differ with Mr Wright, he recognised their late member’s rare ability, and thought that his practical knowledge and assidu ous attention to public business could be ill spared by the ceuutry at the present tinj.e. He (Mr Williamson) hoped that Mr Wright’s proposed trip to the Old Oountry would restore him to complete health, and that on his return to the colony he would be able to resume his place amongst their public men. (Ap plause.) In making these remarks he did not wish to disparage any uf the candidates now in the field seeking the electors’ suff rages and support. Uo had not com mitted himself to Mr Purnell or any other candidate, but merely presided in his Mayoral capacity. Mr Pprnell said that before entering upon an explanation of his public views he would like to express his concurrence in the regret expressed by the Chairman at Mr Wright’s resignation. He, too, had occasionally differed from Mr Wright in political matters, but had nevertheless always recognised his assiduous attention to his public duties, and his zeal fur the interests of the district, while his long ex perience and technical knowledge of mat ters relating to railways and other public works rendered his retirement from the House at the present juncture a loss to the whole colony. Owing to private cir cumstances it was with some reluctance that he (Mr Purnell) had determined to become a candidate at the present elec tion. He said this sincerely, although he 'had made no secret of a desire to occupy a seat in the House, but the pre sent time was not a convenient one for him to enter upon the con test. However, he had felt greatly dissatisfied with the utterances of the other candidates, and whatever Mr Wason’s passing opinions may ke he must necessarily represent the interests of a class, which have not hitherto been the in terests of the community at large. He would also say that this important elec torate should nut be represented by a mere fleeting visitor from 'thb' other aide of the globe. Whomsoever was chosen i as their member let him by all means be 1 a permanent resident in the colony. ' They would gather from his remarks that < it" tfas his intention to so to the poll 1 against all comer's. IJe liad no ’hesifa- J

tion in expressing his opinions about the present Ministry. If elected, he would certainly vote for the prompt ojecti <u from office of the present Government.

The unfair distribution of the last loan, and the most iniquitous class tax re cently imposed upon the Canterbury farmers in the shape of the railway grain tariff, was quite sufficient to deprive them of the confidence of any Canterbury constituency. The present Ministry is essentially a North Island Ministry, and while the Premier is perambulating the North Island holding out all sorts of glit tering promises, in the shape of railways and oiher public works, to catch the North Island support, he, the champion of the Ministry of the colony, doing his best to set North and South by the ears, he has rib word of real aympathy for the Canterbury farmers and working men in their troubles, nor has he any prop sal to make for the re lief of their difficulties. There could be no doubt that a most serious depression existed throughout the colony. They had experienced a bad harvest, the price of their staple products was exceptionally low. They had a Ministry tottering to its fall ; the colonial finances were disordered and this overtaxed country is threatened with still further taxation. There was most urgent need for reform, but still they need not despair. Bad as the times were they might depend upon it that the sun would again shine; they would have bet'er harvests and better prices, and if they were now paying the penalty of their past financial follies, they must simply set manfully to work and put their shoulders to the wheel, and pull the State coach out of the mire inte which they had allowed it to fall. He had no fear for the future of NewZealand,hut they must be prudent and cautious, and apply themselves vigorously to the work of reform- The cause of the depression was clear enough. The colony both publicly and privately had borrowed to excess, and they were now paying the penalty in the shape of being compelled to provide an immense sum annually for interest. The condition of many of our farmers at the present time was deplor able ; up to their eyes in debt they were compelled to borrow upon the security of their crops immediately they were sown, and apply the money to pay ing off ther existing debts. If the crop was a good one the mortgage was dis charged and the process, repeated each year, but if the crop was a bad one they were at their wits’ end, and compelled to file. He had no heroic remedy to pro pose, some of the difficulties could only be overcome by patience. They could not control the weather er the London prices for wheat and wool, but much might be done to relieve the colony and to put it again on the path of prosperity. The colony had now to pay every year some thing over a million and a half by way of interest and sinking fund upon their public debt, and authentic returns had shown that the private indebtedness was at least equal to the public, and the in terest in nearly every instance much higher. This meant that folly three millions left the colony each year, prac tically in hard cash which hai to be provided by little more that half a mil lion Europeans, or that each settler had to provide L 6 annually for interest If instead of having to send away three mil lions to their outside creditors, they were able to keep it and spend it amongst themselves the depression would hare no existence, Setting aside the private debt and considering only the public debt—a little more than a million' and a half —their loan expenditure upon public works had not of late years averaged more than a million a year, and if they had refrained from borrowing they would have been able to spend year after year out of their ordinary revenue a larger sum upon public works than they were able to do now with the aid of loans with all their attendant charges. It was imperatively necessary that they should for a time at least refrain from borrowing. They really did not know their financial position or the ex te -t of their ordinary annual expenditure. Major Atkinson had muddled up the ordinary and loan expenditure so long that only himself and the Treasury offi cials could accurately., distinguish the one from the other. In this manner imaginary surpluses had been created, and it is high time that this sort of thing was stopped, and that they paused .and took stock of the colony's financial position. He d d not mean that they were never to borrow, but merely that they should atop borrow ing for a season, until they had got the' finances into a sound state. He thought that their finances might be materially relieved by a determined system of retrenchment. On this point the Government stood self accused, as during the last session of Par liament they had opposed a proposal by one of their own supporters—Mr Swanson —to reduce the Estimates by JL50,000, Major Atkinson stating that it could not possibly be done, although it was a mere flea bite in our annual departmental expenditure of two and a half millions. Now finding that the country would no lunger put up with their extravagance they were making retrenchments in dif ferent departments, notably by materially reducing the number of Armed Constabu lary. If this had been done during last sea'ion of Parliament there would have been no necessity to attempt to augment a failing revenue by imposing ex cessive rail charges on their grain. If they were to have a really cheap and efficient system of Government they must thoroughly decentralise the administra tion. Since the abolition of the provinces the General Government had grown more and more extravagant. In that very hall he had on a previous occasion shown by figures how vastly the cost of the General Government had increased. They would readily understand how, when a mass of detail work which was formerly trans acted on the spot now required to be sent to Wellington a large amount of official work and expenditure was involved. Each year Acta were passe I which enabled the General Government to interfere more and more with the deta.ls of administra tion. He had often heard it said that the Government officials had easy times, but he had had opportunities to form an opinion on this subject, and must admit that be thought they worked hard, but a great number of them were engaged in performing useless work, and this state of things could never be remedied so long os they had a highly centralised adminis tration. A case had recently come under his notice which would aptly illustrate bis contention. It was provided that the County Council should receive certain fines inflicted in the Resident Magistrate’s Court. A fine under this statute was some time ago imposed, and although the Clerk of tho Resident Magistrate’s Court and the Clerk of the County Council oc cupied offices within a stone’s throw of one -another, it was necessary to conduct the whole transaction through Wellington with consequent delay and cost. To remedy this state of things one of two courses must be adopted. Either they must consolidate and strengthen the County Councils giving them more ample administrative powers and limited legislative powers—or have a Council for each island, with a Federal Government at Wellington. If the latter plan was adopted, either the„County Councils or tho Road Boards would havd to go, a question which could be determined by the people. They must try to get back to the principle of the Constitution Act under which the General Government was to bo confined to matters worthy of a General Government, while subordinate matters were left to be dealt wifh by the localities. It must be remhrrbered that when tho Counties 4.ct was passed it was on the distinct understanding that it was to bo merely a provisional ■ matter. The Provincialises had Contended that under the' Act 1 thfc General Gbyernment wou'd absorb all governing powers tit the’eouri tvy, but abo’itioriists hid Replied that tho powers were only taken temporarily, arid

that they would be restored. However, this promiae, made by the Government of the day had never been redeemed, and the Counties had remained without altera*

tien except the provision in the Counties Amendment Act of last session, which en-

abled the Councils to act as river boards under certain circumata ces. It was also

part of the contract that the Councils should be provided with fundi, but the Genera!' Sovernmont hud assiduously at* tacked their revenue until now they had little more than rates left to subsist upon. V It was well to remember this, as an out cry had recently been made about county y rates, and it should be understood that'-- the body which is really putting the acre# on is the General Government. What*« I ever else was done there moat be a distinct separation of -ac counts between the two islands. They, had found the Premier of the colony urging the people of the North to mist separation, because separation if effected would render the construction of. the North Main Trunk Bailway and the pro sedition «f other works in the North Island impossible. They naturally asked why separation should do this? If the • North Trunk Railway was likely to be a - payable work, what could it possibly mat ter whether the two islands ware under a c -ntral or decentral system of Govern ment? It spoke for itself that if the rail way was likely to be a profitable one, and there were the immense resources they heard of in'the North Island to be de veloped, private capital would be forth; coming for the purpose. Bat Major At kinson was probably quite right-', and knew that it was only so long as"* hie - Ministry was able to pledge the credit-' of the South for the purpose' of money to prosecute work* in the North, and to levy special rail wrv rs' s on Can terbury farmers to make lip the deficiency*’"' 1 in the returns from ether lines, tha* . political railways in the North Island - - would remain possible. Many; persons objected to financial separation as they fear it would disturb the unity of the colony. He contended that the‘ colony never had been united roographioally or politically —that geographically - : the two .islands. . , differed as much as England and France, while their commercial interests were also different, and he'was not preparedilo : worship any political fetish by whatever name it might be called. If, however, the colony was united its unity could possibly bs disturbed by a:separation of the accounts of the two islands. It was ~* merely a matter of book-keeping, an appli cation to the whole colony of'the “ ward” system, which had proved so success ful in Borough Opuncils and Eoad Bqards. The railways of each island should' ad#o ' be separately administered. Tfae railway , ; troubles which have arisen in tho Island were'mainly caused by the rail ways of both islands being, treated, aq a. - common system. If a Council were esta blished for each island it should assume the control, of the railways, but failing. , this he would support n n-political Boards of management, and would also keep - separate accounts for each. system of railways. The Nelson railways should not be conducted on precisely the'same lines as those nn this part of the island. When the colony agreed to bor row large sums' of 'money for the con struction of railways it was distinctly understood that each district was to make up any deficiency in its railway accounts, and although that principle has hithsrto been left in abeyance, it has never been . abandoned. If in private hands no directors , would think of treating them as a. whole - ov of making the people of Canterbury pay preposterously high rates for the car*: riage of their produce because the Wel lington and Mqsierton railway did not pay. The present management resulted in a large quantity of goods being carried by steamer between LyUelton ind Dun edin and the Bluff—a state of things which would never be allowed to continue by a private company ; they would lower. their rates until the steamers were run off the line. It was perfectly hopeless to look for any beneficial change—a non political board, or better—-so long as the - present Government remained ,in office ; it was only necessary to read Major At kinson’s recent speeches to make this quite clear. He Would pass on to the land question, A “progressive land tax,’’ which he suspected to be their old friend the “bursting-up tax” under an altos had been mooted. He did not precisely understand the distinction between the two proposals, but fancied the difference was the proverbial one between the alligator * and the crocodile, and if elected he would vote against them. He would ask them to take the esse of two men landing in the colony, one with 150 in bis pocket, ' the other with L 50,000 ; the one buys a town section and the other a ran. ' Both have a perfect legal right to make their purchases and they are honestly paid for, and he could not see on what principle of justice they could turn upon the man who had purchased the large quantity and confiscate his property. It was now gene-' rally admitted that landed estates of excessive magnitude were injurious to .the well-being of a country, but the mistake was their own in framing laws, which enabled men to buy as much, land as they pleased. The laws should have been so: : framed that no individual or family, could hold more than a certain acreage of land. It had been shown incontestibly that the undue accumulation of land in a compara tively few hands is largely responsible for the unfortunate state of things existing in older countries. They must strive by every possible means to prevent a simila* state of things arising in this colony. They must try to evoke a new and nobler civilisation where every man, if he pleases, shall be able to enjoy a. fair share of th« comforts of life and have time and means to cultivate those intellectual faculties which distinguished him from the beast. This was no Utopian dream, but a 'practical object which gould be obtained by" a steady progress along the paths of social and constitutional reform. While admit ting the existing evils, he might be asked to suggest a remedy. It must be re membered that of late years they had done much towards correcting the mis chief. Recently the land laws had been so reformed that it was virtually im possible for capitalists to purchaseexces sive areas of land from the Government; they had established the defeired pay; meat system ; they had a simple system of land transfer ; they had abolished the law of heirship, and in cases of intestacy placed land apd, personal preparty upoa the same footing. These were all very important changes, fer which the early reformers had fought hard, but it must be remembered that having allowed people to create these large estates by laws which hsd been enacted, they could not be got rid of in i day. He was, however, prepared to go farther, and wherever it ceuld be shown that any large

estate was impeding settlement, to take that estate compulsorily, paying compen sation for it, and then cut it up and sell it on easy terras. Wahad heard a good deal lately about the unearned increment. Sir George Grey had recently told ua not to trouble about anything else but how to get at this unearned increment, but he had un-

fortunately not told us how it was to be

dons. This was what we wanted to know, as at present it was a phantom, here, there, and everywhere, and he (the speaker) would like to know where it was. According to what Sir Geerge Grey had said, a man might buy a section in Ashburton, and if it increased in value the State.was to get the benefit... Injaof, we were'to sow the crop and the State was to reap the harvest. On the other hand, speculation was not always auceeat ful, and people sometimes paid ton much for their land. Towns retrograded as well as progressed, and would the State ihake lip for 1 : a.-es, as Th coiUtaon' they ought to do t Sit George Grey |^4

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, MAY 80, 1884.



IN RE WALStf & O'CONNELL’S Dissolution of Partnership. D. O’CONNELL begs, to inform his numerous friends and-the public gener ally that, having taken over the entire Stock owned by the late firm in Manches ter street south, valued at £2OOO, he will .hold a Clearing Sale for three weeks only, commenoingon SATURDAY, MAY 17th, 1884 N.B,—This ia a genuine sale, as posses sion of the premises must be given up at the end of above term. / v O’CONNfeLL, 5 961 Manchester street south. gPBOIAL TERMS t will be allowed to PURCHASERS OF PIANOS ? H.3 'rmu •■ ■ £6O UPWARDS 808, THB NEXT TWO MONTHS, in consequence of : being largely ~ : overstocked. 200 PIANOS TO SELECT FROM 2T VARIOUS MAKERS, including all the principal and Continen tal manufacturers. Brinsmead and Sons, Erard, Oollard and Collard, Broadwood, Lipp and Sohn, Playel, Bord, the Leipsiger model, Dres den model and many others. Milner & Thompson Ashbubtok, Ag*H3?.



Wanted WANTED —Cook and Laundress, with references. Apply, Mbs Max Frikdlander, Kolmar, Ashburton. 5 1054 WANTED— Tenders to Feed off 140 acres Turnips. Particulars apply, John Coyle, Upper Rangitata. 5 788 WANTED Known —Best Rice, 3d ; &ago, 4d ; Tapioca, 6d ; Fiemington Factory Cheese, 6lid per . lb.—J. Mo* Gb.goe, Tancred street, opposite th« Arcade. 4 640 W r ANTED to purchase Good Lard in any quantity ; else, Sound, Small Pickling Onions. Apply, S.E. Poyntz, Novelty Emporium and Provision Store. 5 758 \TTANTED —Every Householder in W Ashburton to come and see the Show of Meat at the London Butchery, Tanored street, Baker and Co., Pro prietors. 5 1059 WANTED Known—The cheapest house in town to buy Millinery, Dolmans, Jackets, Dress Stuffs, etc., is H. 0. Segers’a, Sealy’s buildings, East street. First-class goods, marked with a small j profit. New goods now open. 2 234 W 'ANTED KNOWN — Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post- or telegram promptly attended to. , 760 c WANTED at once, 500 customers. Hayes and Co. having bought 500 pairs of sample boots are determined to clear them at startling prices. Chil dren’sE.S., Isperpair; ladies’ kid E.5.,3s lid per pair. H. <fc Co. have also a grand lot of boys’ and men’s boots at prices that will astonish all. 4 749 VSTANTED Known—That every Pur- W chaser of Meat will save 50 per cent by Purchasing their Meat at the London Butchery, Tancred street. All kinds of Small Goods constantly on sale. Meat delivered to any part of Ashburton or suburbs. Baker and Co., Proprietors. 5 1060 WANTED Known —For sale cheap, a Three and Four-Roomed House, Calf Acre of Land ; two frontages, situated on East Belt, near Wakanui road. Terms easy. Also, 5 Acres in English grass, with county water race through it. Apply W. C. Davis, next Oddfellows’ Hall, Ashburton. 5 765 VTTANTED Known—That Jones and y V Bradshaw, next Mr Lancaster’s butchers shop, East street, are now offer ing Pig Peed, Chick Wheat, Horse Feed, eti., etc., etc., cheaper and of a better class than any other in the tjwn. All goods delivered free of charge in town. ' .4 752 V>T ANTED—The public who are in V V want of Boots to inspect our win dow before purchasing elsewhere. As far as style and cheapness we are determined not to be excelled Boots for everyone, and at any price. Large stock of women’s best prunellas from 7s 6d ; men’s half sole and heeling, 4s 6d ; women a do, 3s 6d ; girl’s do, 2a 6d. Nokbs, Leicester Boot Warehouse, Burnett street. 12 1107 VETERINARY SHOEING FORGE. WANTED K.iown— W. T. Kingston (late with J. R. Steel, Blacksmith) begs to announce to the public of Ash burton-and surrounding district that he has commenced business in a new shop erected on the Wakanui road, next O. Ray, Engineer, Millwright, etc. (nearly opposit? Central Hotel), and trusts to re ceive a fair share of public patronage. All shoeing done in his usual style, and guaranteed the best workmanship. Re pairs neatly executed. Estimates given for builders’ ironwork. 3 652 Special Advertisements. GKICULTURAL MACHINE SHOP. Charles Ray, WAKANUI BOAD, ASHBURTON, Engineer, Millwright, Reaper and Binder Expert. * All kinds of Machinery repaired with despatch, and on reasonable terms. Ex tras of all kinds; orders taken for the latest improved reapers and binders, and the best twine. Sewing machines re paired. 10 800



FARMERS Store your Grain! THE undersigned having Leased from Mr T. Bullock that very commo dious IRON GRAIN STORE in West street, is prepared to RECEIVE GRAIN or any kind of Produce, and STORE the same at the very LOWEST RATE. 3 529 T. H. ZOUOH.



T) OBER TS, PAXTON & 00. CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT BEANS BARLEY PEAS OATS COCKSFOOT AND RYE GRASS SEED. ' They supply farmers with the best quality Large Cornsacks, at the lowest market rates, and will maVe liberal Cash Advances against Grain placed in their bands for shipment to London or else where. ROBERTS. PAXTON & Co. Late P. Cunningham and Co’s offices, Corner of Manchester and Lichfield Sts.. Christchurch. 3 523



Meech and Co. DO not, aa a rule, care to blow about the Excellence of their Goods, but when they find that they can offer induce ments which no other house in Ashburton can possibly do, they feel justified in rushing into print to let the general public know that they will be studying their own interests by purchasing from the makers. meechlnd CO., CABINET MAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, UNDERTAKERS, &0., &0., &0., BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON. Being supplied with the latest improved Machinery, they are able to turn out Fur niture, See., in all the newest designs, and at prices which defy competition. Farmers and others wishing to make their homes comfortable should pay this Firm a visit, and they will find that MEECH AND CO. can supply every Hoygeholct requisite at prices which, to meet t\ie iqpes, will really surprise them. Brackets and timber kinds of Cutting done for the trad*, 376;



Special Advertisement gTATIONERY. Commercial, Plain, and Fancy. ACCOUNT BOOKS PRIZE BOOKS SCHOOL BOOKS & REQUISITES (SchooliCommitteea supplied) TOYS & FANCY GOODS. Andrewes Bros., BaOKSELUBBS, STATIONERS, &C.,j ASHBURTON.



The undersigned is now landing PRIMB N C X STLB COAL for household purposes. jAlse on hand, BEST NATIVE COAL AND BLACK PINE FIREWOOD. Building Timber at Prices to suit the ■ Times. ALPHEUS HAYES, Coai. and Timber Merchant. WILLIAM COLLINS, Manager.



INTER SEASON. THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEW MANUFACTURES FOR THIS SEASON. A Splendid "Variety of Garments manu factured from the OEIEBRATED MOSGIEL TWEEDS, Patrons are specially requested to inspect this season’s OVERCOATS, SAC SUITS, TROUSERS, TROUSERS •& VESTS, And our Grand Variety of CHILDREN’S and BOY’S CLOTHING. Every Description of Hosiery, Hats, Shirts, etc., AX WHOLESALE PRICES. A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLE SALE PRICE. 23 BRANCHES NOW OPEN. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING factory.



GRAIN SEASON 1884. THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). Capital ...£3,000,000. Reserve Fund. £210,000. RAKAIA, CHERTSEY, AND METHYEN AGENCIES. Mp 0. W. TURNER, the Company’s Local Agent, will be in regular attend ance at CHERTSEY: ON TUESDAYS, from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. METHYEN: ON THURSDAYS, from 12 till 4 p.m. RAKAIA: At alljtimea during the week. Every information as to Cost and Arrangements for SHIPPING GRAI can be obtained on application to C. W. Turner, # AGENT, 2 358 Rakaia, Ohertsay, and Methven.



F YOU WANT GOOD AND STRONG FURNITURE, GO TO DANIS'S JHEAP FURNITURE AND RED DING MANUFACTORY, EAST STREET SOOTH, ASHBURTON. fjIYEP.Y article Sold at Christchurch Prices and iaranteed best of naterial and workmanship. FUNERALS CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY POKNISHKD FOR SALE—A Compact Farm, con taining 130 acres, sub-divided into four paddocks by substantial gorse fences; well watered, and within an easy distance T MPOHTANT TO AGRICULTURISTS * DEATH TO THE BIRDS. The Undersigned has just received a consignment of DOWB'S FARMERS' FRIEND WHEAT, BARLEY, OATS, &0., The Ravages of the Slug, Grub, and Wire Worm, and the incursion of Birds and Vermin. It will also promote the Germination and Growth of the Seed, and increase the produce of the Crop equal to a change of seed. A Tin is sufficient for Seventy-two Bushels of Seed, which can be dressed and fit to sow in a qsarter of an hour, and is easier and drier for the drill at the time of sowing than any other plan, , T n using it no Lime or Brine is required. of a school. F. FERRIMAN. PREVENTING THE SMUT IN F. FERRIMAN.