COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, I Friday afternoon. 1 The following is the Christchurch Corn Ex- I change report for the week ending Friday, 20th instant: —The week’s transactions have not I shown much improvement on the preceding I one, doubtless owing to the continuance of favorable weather, as farmers, profiting from the experience of former years, do not care to I leave harvesting operations, which are being I prosecuted with the utmost vigor, evidently preferring to cut on the green side rather than! trust to the fickleness of the climate at this time of the year. Several la’ge lines of grass seed! and oats are coming forward, the latter being J generally of fine color and quality. Some Very prime samples of wheat arc now appear- I ihg, but the opening price is not yet definitely fixed, although for both wheat and oats the tendency is in a downward direction. Barley is still hardly fit for market, and prices are withheld for the present. Dairy produce shows no more favorable sympton s than dur-1 ing the former weeks, whilst stocks continue to increase, and the prospect of a rise in value is quite problematical. Quotations to date as follows: —Wheat: Old wheat, Tuscan, 2s lod; Hunter’s and Pearl, 3s to 3s 2d, f.0.b.; new, nominally, 2s qd, f.o.b.—Oats : Bright mill ing, isqdto Is lod, f.o.b.—Barley. Nomin ally, 3s 6dto 4s; Christchurch.—Grass Seed: Rye, Is 3d to 2s; machine dressed, 3s qd; cocksfoot, 3d per lb, f.o.b. Butter and Cheese.: yd per lb for the former and the lat ter 4d, f.e.b.

Messrs H. Matson and Co. report on the live stock market, for the week ending Thursday, Februaiy iqth, 1885, as follows : For yes'erday’s Addington market the entry of stock, taken all round, was below the aver age, fat sheep and store cattle showing the greatest falling off. In the mutton supply the most noticeable features were the large pro portion of merino wethers, and the small num ber of crossbreds to hand, not more than about

half«"Hozen lines of the latter being penned. The effect of this was of course to cause a shade '"better demand for the small amount of cross ' bred mutton on offer, one or two lires of prime wethers sdling at an advance of about 6d per head. In merinos, trade was exceedingly dull, the best lines, prime sheep, selling at from 8s I 6d to 9s gd; inferior and medium lines being difficult to quit almost at any price, since the trade could scarcely be tempted to buy, and there were but few farmers pre ent to pick them up for store purposes. The same reason which accounts for the latter, viz, that harvest operations are the all-important consideration with agriculturists just now, is of course the cause of the small erby of crossbred mutton to hand, but at the same time there was ample for all requirements inasmuch as several lines of good merin s went out unsold, with a prospect of the same taking place in crossbreds had there been more on offer. 1 On account of Mr Wm. Boag, we topped the market with a few pens of extra choice wethe-s at 1533 d and 15s 6d, and in merinos with a portion of Messrs Gould and Cameron’s wethers at 9s 9d, the balance of the line tof 600 selling at 9s 3d to 9s 6d ; for Mr Boag we also sold crossbred ewes at X2s and I2s 3d, merino ewes at 5 s 6d ; for Mr Win. Hale, mixed two-tooth cros breds at 12s gd and- 13s. crossbreds at 12s 3d ; crossbreds for Mr Kinley at I2s to 13s ; merino wethers for Mr White at 5s 7d ; crossbreds for Mr Grigg at 125 3d ; light weight crossbreds for Messrs Gould and Cameron at 12s» 6d, etc., equal to an average quotation of about 2d per lb ; any extra choice line of quality a shade over. In store; there was a fair amount of business done, about two-thirds cf a proportionately large entry changing hands, the balance being with drawn by owners rather than accept the con tinued reduction which is taking place in values. The drawing to a close of the fat lamb season and the very limited number now ab sorbed for this purpose by the trade sending forward lines as stores which meet with a fair quittance at from 7s 1° 8s per head. On ac count of various owners we placed on Wed nesday merino ewes with lambs at foot all told at Ss 4d ; mixed two-too hs at 10s 6d ; crossbred ewes with lambs at foot, both counted at ?s ; 370 crossbred lambs at 8--, and 633 at 7s 6d. In fat lambs we sold about 170 at from 8s to 10s, prices which show a decline of is to is 6d per head below early January rates. In beef there is little or no change to report, a moderate entry being cleared at late rates, but with a shade less (difficulty than for several weeks past. A little outside competi tion, no doubt, helped .to effect a clearance. Otherwise we fear our record would have been of a Jess satisfactory character. We quote light weight second . quality beef at about 17s per; 1001 b, the best at 20s. The store cattle mar ket 'was one of the worst experienced this season, as far as business in concerned, there being very few lines on offer, and apparently less wanted. Fo r springers and dairy cows of the better class there is rather more enquiry, which will no doubt increase as the winter approaches. In pigs rather over 400 were penned, of which one consignment submitted by ourselves numbered 342.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, February 21.

Mr Tfaos, Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett street—Property and Sundries * - Tuesday, February 24. Messrs Matson, Cox and Cl, at the Tinwald Saleyards— Stock

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Wednesday, February 25 Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., at 7 80

Thursday, February 26. Grand Demonstration and Sports, in the Sports Ground, East belt. Cpitome Cricket Match in the Domain Friday, February 27. ieaburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Monday, March 2. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 Tuesday, March 3. Tihwald School Committee Monthly Meeting in the Schoolroom Friday, Makch 6. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board Office.

Satoedat, Matich 7. A/akanni Hoad Board, a*-. Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m, Toesday, Mabch 10. Ashbnrton School Committee—Monthly Meeting, in the Schoolroom, at 7.30

A CARD—To all who are suffering from the errors and indiscretion of youth, nervous weakness, early decay, loss of manhood, etc., I will send a recipe that will cure yon free of charge. This great remedy was discovered by a missionary in South America: Send a self-addressed envelope and sixpence to prepay postage to the Rev Joseph T. Inman, station D, New York City, U. S. A, 1

DEATH.

Sawxell, —On February 19, Louis Sefton, youngest son of H. V. and M. A. Saw tell, aged four months.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1885. Sir Julius Vogel at Auckland.

The condensed report of the Colonial Treasurer’s address at Auckland that I has reached us through the agency of the Press Association, contains I nothing more remarkable and generally satisfactory than the evidence it bears of the speaker’s restoration to mental J health. During the latter part of the 1 last session of Parliament the Trea- I surer repeatedly displayed an amount of irritability and petulance, probably provoked by physical suffering, that must have been as distressing to him self as it was unsatisfactory and alarm ing to his friends. His sojourn at Waiwera has evidently resuscitated his mind as much as it has his body, and | his speech on Tuesday evening was I characterised by all the vigor, ability, ] and magnanimity that distinguished his 1 memorable address to the Ashburton electors. He prefaced his remarks by announcing that it was his intention to refer only to a few of the subjects that had recently engaged the attention of Parliament, and to leave for a subse quent address to his constituents any more precise reference to the work of last session. If this announcement led any of his hearers to expect a common place dissertation, their apprehensions were speedily removed, as after a diplo matic reference to his consistent oppon ent, Sir George Grey,—a reference that will have been received with par ticular favor by an Auckland audience —he entered upon the discussion of the prominent questions of the day with that refreshing animation that marks all his best oratorial efforts. Men of distinguished ability are often, although not always, egotistical, but there is no inordinate arrogance in Sir Julius Vogel assuming a tone appropriate only to the head of the Ministry, as it is notorious that the nominal leader of the Government is actually subordinate to his Treasurer. But in referring to the constitution of the present Govern ment, their utilitarian and theoretical elements, we think he gave too much prominence to his own supremacy. The position has by common con sent been conceded to him, and his primacy wifi be recognised without undue emphasis being placed up on its existence. The metaphor he employed to illustrate the past and present condition of the Colony and the future proposals of the Government was well designed and evidently effec tive, but we must admit having found some difficulty in following the fluent statesman’s comparison between theo retical and practical politics. It is satis factory to learn that the Government are “ not ashamedjto say they attach the greatest importance to the promotion of local industries,” but the Treasurer’s studied ambiguity in reference to Free Trade and Protection is not equally re assuring. He asserts that he is neither I a free trader nor a protectionist, an assertion which is stoutly maintained by protectionists of every degree. The importance he places upon the restora tion and conservation of our forests will now be generally recognised ; although Sir Julius, as he has always done in dealing with this question, fails to ap preciate the substantial work in the way of planting forest trees which is being accomplished by private enterprise and the local bodies of the Colony. The information he has collected in refer ence to the value of our Fisheries is

encouraging, and his comments upon our other industries indicate a compre hensive and intelligent view of the natural features and products of the colony. His remarks upon Local Go vernment will, in this locality at least, be regarded as the most practical and most important part of his speech, and we regret that the telegraphic summary contains but the very barest outline of his views and proposals upon this sub-

ject. He is reported to have said that he looked upon it as almost purely a financial question ; that he was not in clined to think the alterations required were ot a very radical nature; that what was wanted was to give the various bodies a power of combination at plea sure, and to give them also larger and more elastic revenues with which to

carry out their local objects. This is all very plausible, but very indefinite, and we are not sanguine that the con ference he proposes to hold with the Mayors and Chairmen of County Coun cils will assist in elucidating the matter. Local Government reform has been distinctly promised by

the present Ministry, and pointedly alluded to by the Colonial Treasurer on several previous occasions. We are, therefore, somewhat surprised to learn that no important changes are now considered necessary, and that the proposals on the subject have not been progtessed a single step during the recess. We have already expressed our own views upon this question, which mainly accord with those now ad mitted by the Colonial Treasurer, but remembering the display made in this direction during the general election we

shall watch its further development with considerable curiosity and interest. Sir Juuus Vogel’s remarks in referqjice to railway management are too briefly re ported to be intelligible, and his ad mission that a vast amount remained to be done in this direction, and that

it could be best done by local Boards \ entirely free from political influence, will not be challenged. Whether the Boards he suggests are to be Boards of Management, with power to enforce the required reforms, or merely Boards of Advice, whose recommendations might | or might not be accepted, does not ap pear from the summary before us. We shall refer to this and some other por tions of the speech when we are in possession of a fuller report, but in the meantime we may congratulate the [ Colonial Treasurer upon having done much to mollify the opposition that has confronted his Government in the nor thern city, without lessening the pres i tige he personally enjoys throughout the colony.

The election of Licensing Committees for the Ashburton Borough and Upper Ashburton districts have been in course

to-day. The contests have not attracted much public interest. The Ashburton District School Com mittee are advertising for a third master. The Ashburton Domain Board have removed the plank that served as a bridge across the reservoir opposite Winter street and substituted a better means of transit. They have also moved the gate giving admission to the Domain from Winter street to a point opposite the new bridge. At yesterday's meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Educa tion, the Chairman produced a mass

of correspondence on matters relating to the conduct of the Ashburton and Ran giora schools, and it was resolved to hold a special meeting of the Board on Feb. 25th to consider it.

The Hons. Messrs Stout and Larnach I arrived at Christchurch from Springfield vesterday morning. They met a deputation of the Inc ustrial Association on local mat ters, and had a private interview with Mr A. T. Stuart, Premier of New South Wales. Mr Larnach left by a special train for the North, en route for Nelson, at 4 45 p. m. A meeting of the Cricket Club Excur sion Sports Committee was held last evening in Messrs Matson, Cox and Go’s office, his Worship the Mayor presiding. The report of the Baby Show Committee was read, and with one or two amend ments adopted. It was decided to write to Mesdames E. G Wright, W. O. Walker, and the Mayoress, asking them to kindly act as judges for the Baby Show. The Secretary (Mr Caygill) read the list of special prizes which had been promised for the Baby Show, and also stated that satisfactory arrangements had been made with Mr Patching for the use of marquees I etc. It was resolved that Mr Mac Loan Dunn arrange the details in connection with the Highland dancing, that prizes to the extent of L 3 be apportioned by him in the different dances.

The Mayor was deputed to arrange for the attendance of a band. The Ground Committee reported that the ground had been well watered, and it was intended to put a man on the foil >w ing day to clear the running track, etc. Mr F. K. Hill offered to provide a horse to work the roller, and the offer was accepted with thanks. After soma further routine business the meeting adjourned. The Ashburton bridge will be closed against all traffic except foot passengers on the 23rd, 25>h, 26th and 27th inat., from 8 p. m. to 6 30 a. m. Mr J. D. Lance, M.H.R. for Cheviot, addressed a large meeting of his consti tuents at Amberley last night, and re ceived a vote of confidence. He gener ally approves of Sir J. "Vogel’s policy. From the Timaru Herald, we learn that the third cheap radway excursion from the North was again a great success. The first train to arrive (at one o’clock) con tained passengers from Lyttelton and Christchurch only, while the second brought excursionists from various wayr side stations this side of Addington, to the number of about 400. In the latter were included the Burnham Industrial School Band, composed of a number of little fellows, who at various times during the day, by playing some excellent selec tions, contributed not a little to the en joyment of visitors and townsfolk alike. Mr Newey, of the Criterion Hotel, and Mr Darby, of the Club, very kindly gave the boys free luncheons, and we believe not a few of them had a “square ” meal at both houses, showing how their appetites had been sharpened by the fresh sea breeze. The excursionists, as before, scattered themselves all over the town, along the beach and breakwater, and visited the Domain and cliffs, and when they left they appeared full up with plea sure. The train arrangements, as before, were all that could be desired, and the passengers : were unanimous in expressing their satisfaction with them. The Ashburton Cheese and Butter Factory Company have commenced pro ceedings against defaulting shareholders. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning they obtained a judgment for arrears of calls, and a number of other oases were settled out of Court. The Rev. W. Macara, of Kaikoura, one of the delegates to the Presbyterian General Assembly at present sitting in Christchurch, is announced to preach in the Presbyterian Church here on Sinday next, at both morning and evening ser ! vices. The rev. gentleman will also preach at Wakanui in the afternoon. The following are the probable starters for the Dunedin Cup, to be run on 26th instant :—Vanguard* Oat 31b ; Lady Emma, Bst 91b; July, Bst 71b; Sou’- wester, Sat 21b; Trenton, 7at 91b ; The Poet, 7»t 51b ; Matanaka, 7st 4lb; Wapiti, 7st 31b; Captain Webster, 7at Alb; Minerva, Tat ; Ada-

mant, 6stl2lb ; Leon, 6U s!b. Vanguard passed through Ashburton by the express this morning en route for Dunedin. Some inconvenience was occasioned yes terday by the railway bridge being closed for upwards of an hour to allow the Governor’s special train to pass.

We understand that it is intended to hold the usual Tinwald race meeting on Easter Monday. Mr Gudaell reports that one of the water-races between Scaffold and Kyle and another between Seaffeld and Spaview are not running.

Mr J. H. Newlyn, the representative of the Colonial Land Association, has in vited Messrs Maoaodrew and Bathgate to attend a conference of members of the House of Representatives and members of the Association, to be held shortly in Christchurch. Mr Macandraw has not yet replied, but Mr Bathgate has re turned the following letter : —“ To J. H.

Newlyn, Esq., Ohertaey, Canterbury Dear sir,—l am favored with yours of the 16tb, and will endeavor to attend the proposed Conference if you will send me as long a notice as jou possibly can. The great object in view is to get the rate of interest reduced. Cheap money means development of enterprise in all direc tions. The existing rates are ruin to hundreds of industrious men. Yours faithfully, John Baxhgate.”

A-.olher unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for jC'jSAt 01 ‘ a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secure a speedy clearance.

“My mother drove the paralysis and neural gia all out of her system with Hop Bitters.* —Ed. Osivi'go Sun, See. — [Advt. J

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

SOUTH BAKAlA— Yesterday.

(Before H. C. S. Baddeley, Esq., R.M.) CIVIL ■ A3ES. Hartnell v J. Irvine, claim L 9 4a sd, for goods supplied.—Judgment for the amount claimed and costs, the defendant to pay LI per month. Same v H. McLean, claim Ll 7 6a 2d for goods supplied—Judgment for the amount claimed and costs.

Same v P. Larraman, claim Ll 3 lls lOd —Judgment for the amount claimed and costs.

Primmer v 0. Inder, claim Ll 4 for the loss of sex in a pig and the loss of his services.—Mr John Holmes appeared for plaintiff. Henry Primmer said that he was owner of a bojr pig in January last. On December 31st he went to Ashburton, and left the pig safe. When he returned on January 2nd the pig was missing; he found it at Howell’s Hotel all right, but did not take it away. He next saw the pig on the 4th January when he went to defendant’s place and found the pig

his pen. On the 6th it had been rated ; he said nothing to defendant. The next day he met defendant in the town ship, and asked him what he intended doing about the pig. Defendant denied that the pig belonged to witness, but ultimately loid witness to take it away and another would be supplied to replace is. The pig was freshly, operated upon. It was taken to Hoodie’s, and had remained there since. The value of the boar as an entire was L 5. It was to have served twenty sows, and plaintiff was to have a pig for each service at eight weeks old. The pig was now only worth LI.—To the defendant: He never had more than one boar at a time. Had been too busy to take the pig away when first he saw him. Was not willing to take LI in settlement now.—William Street gave evidence as to the defendant having operated upon the pig. Witness thought the pig was about twelve months old. — Henry Rutter said that about six months ago he had sold plaintiff the boar, subject of the present action, for 22s 6d. As a boar pig it would be worth about L 4. Jamas Santy gave evidence to the effect that he had heard the defendant say that he intended to operate upon the pig.— Walter Hartnell said that boar pigs fairly well bred were worth from L 5 to LlO He would give only about 15a for one afterit had been operated upon.—Edward Telford also gave evidence to the effect that Inder had taken the pig away.— G. Inder, the defendant, said that he knew nothing about the plain tiff’s pig. He had one of his own running about, and it was his own boar he had operated upon.—lsaac Hoodie thought the pig was from 18 to 20 months’ old, and would weigh about 112 lbs. Was a good judge of pigs. This one was not a full-bred Berkshire. Would not have given more than 35a for it. He would rather give that amount for him |after than before he was operated upon. He was certain the pig now at his place was , the plaintiff’s property —Judgment was given for plaintiff for Lll, and costs L 4 2i.

ASHBUR fON— I’o-day.

(Before H. 0. S. Baddeley, Esq , R.M.) Dkunkennbss. —John Smith was charged with having been drunk and dis orderly at Rakaia. Oona able Bourke deposed that he had arrested the accused at the Rakaia railway station last even ing. The accused was fined 20s and costa, with the alternative of three days' impris-

sonment. Martin Moran was charged with having been drunk at the Court house yesterday. The accused admitted the offence, and was fined 20s and costs, with the alternative of four days’ im prisonment.—A. first offender, a recent inmate of the Old Men’s fclome, aged 73 years, charged with having been drunk in the Somerset Hotel, was discharged with a caution.—Elizabeth Wigg, a married woman, was charged with having been

drunk and disorderly in Burnett street yesterday, and with having damaged cer tain property at the police station. The husband ot the accused said that his wife was addicted to drink, and to give her an opportunity to reform he had determined to remove from Christchurch to Timaru, They were now on their way to the latter place with two children, horses and a draj. Having been delayed at the Aah-

borton bridge his wife took the opportun ity to obtain drink, had become intoxi cated, and as a result was arrested. He asked'the Bench to consider the painful portion in which he Jwas placed.—Ser geant Felton described the conduct of the accused at the police station.—The ac cused for drunkenness was fined 20s and

costs, with the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment, and ordered to pay 12 1 61 value of property destroyed, or to be im prisoned for five days. Vapranct, —Bobert Kent, James Ed minaton, alias Morris, alias Smith, and Margaret Maloney, alias Hartnell, alias Kent, were charged with being rogues and

vagabonds,-.having no visible lawful means of support, and having previously been convicted as vagrants. —Constable Smart said that early on Wednesday morning he had seen the accused, Edminston, at the back of the Somerset Hotel and at the Arcade in the company of a woman named Ellen Danby, who since had been con victed for vagrancy. The witness gaya

some particulars of their proceedings.— Constable Neill gave similar evidence in reference to Kent and the female accused. —Constable Lewis, stationed at Christ-

church, said that he knew Kent and the female prisoner. The former lived on the proceeds of the latter’s prostitution.— Sergeant Felton gave particulars of pre vious convictions against the accused.— James Edminston was ordered tc be im prisoned for six months, and Robert Kent and Margaret Maloney for twelve months. CIVIL CASES.

McPherson, Philmer and Co. v Watts, claim Ll 9 19a lOd.—Mr Caygill for the plaintiff. Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. A, Orr v Watts, claim L 7 18s 6d—Judg ment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Tapper v Watts, claim LlB lls 6d.—

Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Ashburton Cheese and Butter Factory Company v Wakeham, claim L 4 10s lOd for unpaid calls upon shares and interest. Mr Purnell for the plaintiffs.—Judgment for the amount claimed and costs.

Purnell v Munroe, claim L2 lls 6d.— Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs, Mitchell and Turner v Hayman, claim L4l7a lid. Mr Caygill for the plaintiff. —Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Same v W. Horsfall, claim L2 18 s 7d. Mr Caygill for plaintiff.—Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costa.

Marsh v Munroe, claim L 9 10s.—Judg ment by default for the amount claimed and coats. Mitchell and Turnery J. Padget, claim L2 18s lid. Mr Caygill for the plaintiffs, Mr Crisp for the defendant. —Mr Crisp took a preliminery objection to ;the sum mons. Qe contended that the plaintiffs were not properly described, and asked that the .case might be struck out. The application was granted. Mitchell and Turner v Pergusson, claim L 7. Mr Caygill for the plaintiffs, Mr Branson for the defendant. —Mr Branson raised a similar objection to that submitted by Mr Crisp, in the proceeding case with the same result. j

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for th opinions expressed by our correspondents.

LICENSING COMMITTEES.

To the Editor. Sir, —On the 13th inst. I wrote to you a letter addressed to the intelligent por tion of the coramuDuy outside the pale of Tetnplarism respecting the light that any Good Templar could have if he were an

honorable or an honest man to sit upon any Licensing Bench, inasmuch as Good Tempiacism is one thing ani the licens ing law regulating the sale of liquor is another and a very d : fferent thing, and in that letter I endeavored to show the true position of the matter; to that letter there has been, I believe, two replies. 1

aay “ I believe ” advisedly, as not having seen any .portion of the Guardian of the 18th inst., I have not, of course, seen or read the letter which is, as I am informed, printed in that issue and signed “G. Andrews ” and half the alphabet—at

least this is the way my informant puts it But I have seen the production in your last night’s issue that appeared above those two magic words “ A. Saunders,” and I have read This specimen upon the whole Of what the learned call rigmarole without finding myself very parti cularly edified ; in fact, . whi’st read ing the paragraph about the fathers

and mother., I did not feel particu larly sure the sisters, and the cousins, and the aunts were not going to follow. Having read this letter I am quite pre pared to credit the letter said to be in your issue of the 18th as being a more rational reply to mine of the 13th, even though it be signed by a Good Templar

and half the alphabet. I will not answer either of these letters. Mine of the 13tb was not addressed to the Good Templar portion of the community. Neither is this, for whatever follies I am destined to commit in the future 1 think 1 may ven ture to prophesy that arguing with a Good Templar on the liquor question will not be one of them. This letter I address

to the same portion of the community as 1 addressed my last one, as there is another matter in connection with a Good Templar sitting on a Licensing Bench which I think that portion of the community whom I now address will do well to consider; and here let me say at once, I am not writing with the wish or intention of doing aught but to set you thinking for yourselves. The matter I would draw your attention to is

this. Is it right, or honest, or proper that any Good Templar should sit upon any Licensing Bench after he has given a pledge to close hotels at any specified hour, and has been elected on that pledge or ticket. How can such a man be an honest and an upright judge? Look at this thing for yourselves. The law per mits an hotelkeeper to keep his house

open—even unto twelve o’clock —if a Committee’s permission to do so be ob tained. When an hotelkeeper applies to a Licensing Bench to permit his house to be open until eleven or twelve .o’clock at night, he is doing a lawful and proper thing and is exercising his legal right. What would be the use of any hotelkeeper

exercising this legal right before a Bench of Good Templars elected on the ten o’clock closing ticket. Would a Bench of this sort be a Bench of fair and impartial Judges ? Suppose the hotelkeeper estab lishes in Court by undeniab’y the best evi dence a very much better case than the

other side, what are the Good Templar Bench to do then ? Why, either to he unjust judges and not decide accDrding to the best evidence, as is done in other mat ters, and so keep their ten,o'olock election pledge, or they must be righteous judges and decide according to law and evidence

and by so doing turn traitors to thoce who elected them. In this matter, again, 1 aver, the Qaod Templar is on the horns of a dilemma. If be is a true and upright judge be is false to his election pledge and ticket and cold water creed generally, and if true to these things he may find himself compelled

to be a false and dishonest judge. I say that with a Good Templar Bench however good an hotelkeeper’s case is, he cannot win it. His case is prejudged. It was decided at the election, and the taking of evidence, and the address of lawyers in the Court, is a farce which might just as well not be played. His

Judges have pledged themselves by their election ticket and by their cold water creed. The butcher and baker and candlestick-maker can take their legal matters before a presumably fair, impar tial and upright judge—a judge without bias or leaning in the matter. This is the

spirit of the English law. Does any one of my readers, in possession of his senses, for one moment imagine that a cold water Bench is an impartial Bench. Look at their principles—the pamphlets they pub lish—the letters they writQ —the lectures they give and applaud, and then ask your self, do such men as th< 93 know the mean ing of fair play or impartiality in connec-

tion with liquor or with a law regulating the sale of it. If the butcher and baker and candlestick maker can have an un biassed Bench why should not the hotel keeper and publican too? Now that I am on the subject of licens inglaw, I will say a word or two as to election of Committees, which, I think, now proceeds upon a very bad system,

being principally a squabble between Good Templar nominees pledged one way and Licensed Victualler nominees pledged another way. The personal fitness of the candidate being a matter of secondary importance. The pledge is the thing, and the consequence is'Committees are elected on the narrow basis instead of the broad

view. For this bad state of affairs it ap pear to me the pugnacious Good Templars are responsible. They will not let well alone. They will have their pound of flesh in the shape of Templar nominees, and the consequence is that in self defence the licensed victuallers will have their nominees, and so an election of Licensing Commissioners Instead of being a fair election of five meat fit men by the community, is a battle between cold

water and alcohol, resulting in the elec tion of Benches inferior to the nominated Benches in vogue before the present Act came into force. Let me ask you, would it not be better for us all if this sort of unseemly bustle were abandoned and we had a nominated Bench in old style—a Bench where there would be very little

chance of a man of very inferior calibre ever obtaining a seat. One thing you might do (or me, Mr editor, and that is, assure Mr A. Saunders, who credits me with being an hotelkeeper and a tippler, that I an} neither the one nor the other, nor am I anything like thereunto. I would do so myself did I not know that

gentleman with Mr A. Saunders’s very high opinion of Mr A. Saunders would consider his very unhappy inferences as to myself entitled to more weight than my denial.—lam, still, Mr Editor, A BELIEVER IN THE USB AND HOT THE AB .SE OF ALCOHOL.

[We accede to our correspondent’s request and assure Mr Saunders that ‘•' A Believer in the use and not the abuse of alcohol ” is neither an hotelkeeper or a tippler.—Ep. A. Q.]

MURDER.

(By Telegraph.)

Auckland, To-day. Yesterday a settler at Pokeno, named Robert Prendergast, shot his wife through the heart in their house. After commit ting the crime he went to Mercer and got drunk, and told several people he had shot bis wife, but he was not believed as he made other incoherent statements, and was in the Lunatic Asylum two yean ago. The murder was committed about midday, and was not discovered till the evening, when two sons went home and found the dead body of their mother on the kitchen floor. Prendergast was arrested last,

night, and said, “ Oh, yes, I did it j you’ll get the pistol on the shelf.” A large horse-pistol, which had recently been dis charged, was found as stated. The accused and his victim were both about sixty years of age.

GAZETTE NOTICES.

Regulations respecting theintroduotfon of cattle (sheep excepted) late New South Wales are gazetted. A bonus of 6d per gallon will be paid on kerosene produced in the colony to an extent not exceeding 60,000 gallons in quantity of not less than 10,000 gallons at onetime. -

The postal authorities are 1 calling for tenders up to March 31st for a steam ser vice between New Zealand and Tongs, Samoa, and Tahiti. The service is to commence from Dunedin and Pori Chal mers on or about June Ist.

MR FAWCETT’S BLINDNESS.

It is probable that Mr Fawcett will leave a history as the ideal blind man. The expression of blindness was all over him, and in every smallest movement, contrasting at every moment with the tokens of his triumph over it. His habitual loud voice in conversation, that of one who cannot measure the distance of thoM to whom he is speaking ; his unaltered look as one approaches, until his hand is touched or he is spoken to, and the sud denness of his smile then ; his- intent eir, as of one concentrating all other means of perception to make up for the absence of sight; and, more than all, perhaps, the absence of those small conventionali ties of tricks of manner which people un consciously copy from one another.' These have more and more become the visible characteristics of Mr Fawcett .as his .cqal and intellectual mastery increased, SO that he was as unique among tbs blind iu actual powers as he was outwardly among the seeing. - He had few equals in fly-fishing, was a capital skater, and knew all the flowers and vegetables in his garden aa well as his gardener, in all their stages of growth. Not long ago he was walking with Sir Joseph Hooker in Kew Gardens, and talked about the trees.and ponds and paths with such appreciation, expressing the wish that the public may enjoy them oftener, that -Sir Joseph for got that he was taking to a blind man, and told him that he (Fawcett) was wel come to enter the gardens at any time of the night or day. His wife had been such.- eyes to him that he constantly spoke of having “ seen in the papers ” this and that. He went home from Parliament, across many streets and turnings, and if a cabman drove a yard beyond the door hi was at once checked. He failed to name the person who spoke to him, how ever long since their meeting.

SPORTING

LYTTELTON AND PORT VICTORIA, RACES.

These races were held at the head of the Bay, Lyttelton yesterday. Thera were about 250 persona present, and LSOO was passed through the totalisator by, Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin. The follow*' ing are the results : District Hurdle Race of : 15 nova ; one stone over weight for age. One and •

half miles. */ Mr H. Manaon’s oh m Victim, aged, / lOat 21b ... (Bamber) 1 Mr L. Gardiner’s b g Boko, aged, 10at 3ib ... ... ... (Woodman) 2 Mr A. Fleming’s b m Ada, aged, 10st 21b ... ... (Mr O. Bradley) 3 Totalisator 57—27 ; dividend, LI Handicap Hurdle Back, of 25 so vs. Two miles.’*

Mr S. Herbert’s oh ml' Spraydon Lass, aged, lOat ... (Mr Woodman) 1 Mr H. McLean’s b m Flaxton Beauty, 9at 41b ... ... ... (Waite) 3 Totalisator—l7—ll—Ll 7«. , , Maiden Plate, of 10 sovs. Weight for age. One mile.

Mr H. Manson’s ch m Victim, aged, Bst 131 b , (Bamber) 1 Mr S. ‘Reeves’ ch g Pilot, aged,9s 4 - 71b (Mr Befcdley) 2 Mr Garland’s g m Greytail, Sat 131 b (Walls) 3 Totalisator—B3—4js—Ll 12a. Ladies Purse of 20 sovs. One and • half miles.

Mr H Lnnn’s ch g Faro,3yrs, by King of Clubs—Aglaia, Bst 9lb

(Derritt) f Me Atnyes’ oh m Deception, 3yrs, tut- ■.- 71b ... (Suitable) 0 Totalisator, 25—20—Ll 2s. District Handicap of 16 sovs. One and a half miles, Mr T. Parkinson’s g m Kaitnna, aged, lOst 51b (Mr Woodman) 1 Mr H. Manson’s ch m Victim, aged, 9st 41b ... ... ... (Bamber) 3' Mr A. Flemming’s b m Ada, aged, 9at 91b ... (Mr Bradley) 3 Totalisator, 71 —34—Ll 17a.

Lyttelton and Port Victoria Cup, , of 35 sovs ; second horseS sovs from the stake. Two miles. Mr W. Bussell’s b g Irish King, Syra, • by Hibernian—Stella, 7st (Dent) 1 Mr J. Lunn’s b m Mermaid, syra, 9at 31b ... (Butler) 2 Mr 3. Browne’s b g Oeo, 7at 101 b . (Suitable) 3 Totalisator, 67—20—L3. .., Farmer’s Plate, of 10 sovs ; owners up ; no weight under 12st; one and a half : miles. - Mr T. Parkinson’s g m Kaituna, 12st

31b ... 1 Mr S. Gardiner’s b g Boko, 14st 41b... 2 Mr S. Reeve’s ch g Pilot, 12st ... 3 Mr O, Bradley’s blk m Jane,' 12st ... 0. Totalisator—29—2l—Ll 4s. »• ? Flying Handicap, of 16 sovs ; three* quarters of a mile. Mr Russell’s b g Irish King, 3yrs, Sat 21b ... (Woodman) 1 Mr H, Lunn’s ch g Faro, 3yrs, 9st 31b , ’ (Oerrett) | Mr Amyes f ch m Deception, 3yrs, 7^l (Dent) 3 . Totalisator—lo7—44—L2 3a.

Consolation Handicap, of 6 soys; three* quarters of a mile. Mr Amyes’ oh f Deception, 3yrs, 7st 1 Mr Lunn’s b m Mermaid, 6yrs, 9st 31b 2 Mr Browne’s hg Oeo, syrs, 6st , 3 Totalisator—7—2—L3 3s. "

A Hack Race was won by Mr Bradley’i Mealynose.

WAISAR APA RACES.

The following are the results of the concluding events bf yesterday’s racing:— OhampaonN 3tanks. 11 Revoke ...* " 1 Rumor .. ... ... 2 111 Will ... 8 Won easily. Tithe—lmln 28se$ Lady’s Bbacdbt. Princess Koyal ~, ... J. Dan O’Connell ~, a Cribbage 8 An excellent race. Won by a length* Time-gmius Saeo. |

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1885.



NEW TWEEDS I I NEW TWEEDS ! BUMMER SUMMER SUITS. | SUITS. Perfect Fit Guaranteed in tbe latest or any style that may be required, Craighead & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, WE have much pleasure la announcing to our friends and patrons, and •11 who may feel interested in the general ogress of our times that we have just ceived a splendid assortment of Tweeds, Coatings,'Serges, etc., eto., of the beat juality and latest designs—suitable for the season we ara now entering. All Goods Supplied at LOWEST CASH PRICE . CRAIGHEAD & CO., Tancred street, Ashburton. TO THRESHING MACHINE •> PROPRIETORS, Threshing Timbsof all hinds and sizes neatly prinua aud bound to order at the fhMlWMir Office,



Wanted. 'fTT ANTED, —Tenders for Painting the YV Royal Hotel, Soethbridge, two coats. Tenders received until 25ih inst. A. J. Howell, Southbridge. 2 259 WANTED,— A Girl, about seventeen, to assist in housework and take ihildren out, at Rakaia. Apply to Quill's Hotel, between twelve and half past 3, on Wednesday, the 25th. 2 258 j WANTED Known - Mangling done. Mrs Maxhire, North east Belt. 2 263 7 ANTED—a young Man with good VV references, to assist in bakehouse and drive. Apply TrPngle Bakery, Ash burton. 2 232 YXTANTED Known Found in the W Domain a Silver BROOCH, Apply to Messrs Thomas Bros , North-east Belt. 2 238



WANTED, for the Ashburton Borough School—A Third Teacher. Salary according to sca'e. Applications, ad dressed to tho Chairman of the School Committee, will be received up to lOdH March next. 2 264



WASTED —A Caretaker for the Ash burton Sa'eyards. Applications must be in writing, and forwarded to my office on or before Monday, February 2:1 Geof.ob Jamfson, Ashburton. 2 226



GLObIOUS NEWS, Ahdkew Oke will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6’ 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2* Gd ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6 J ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11s 6d —every article at half-price. 2 237



WaMTED Known—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 36-inch Oilcloth 9d, Calicoes Is 4d. Akdksw Obb’s Cheap Sale 2 185



LORIOUS NEWS—Monster Clear \Jf ing Sale:—Ladies’ Kid Boots 6s fid, Girls’, Infants Is, Men’s Elastic side, 8s 6d, Men’s Watertights 9s fid, Blucher Boots 6* fid, Canvas Slippers 2s fid. A. 'Kr’s oh> ap Safe 2 186



V*'ANTED Known—l ’ * are dai’y deapatc i>u • own boat, now tiahm mere. Delivery guarant h'- " ' ‘



")T ANTED Known That Hayes an< a few desperate lines c



WANTED Known Removed.— Jones and Bradshaw, Cora and Chaff Deal ra, have removed to the large premises in Havelock street neary oppo site Mr A. Harrison’s auction rooms (lately occupied by Messrs Robinson and Townsend), where they will be better able to comply with the demands of their trade. Jones and i-eidshaw.



WANTED Known.—We are not to be beaten I Good straw hats, 4£>i, 6d, 9i ; black Cashmere, double width, la 3d; print costumes, 2a 9d ; white calico, 2a 6d per doz ; a lot of infanta’ white and colored satin and merino hats and hooda, la to 3a 6i— usual price, 4? 6d to 12a 6d. EL. C. Regers, ealya’ Buildings, East street.



SOMETHIN 6 worth knowing.—F. F. CLAYTON, Practical Tailor, pro fessed Coat and Habit Maker, is next Jones and Bradshaw’s, East street. F. F. 0. is too well known as a master of his profession to need farther comment. One trial will prove it Gentlemen’s own ma terial made up ; repairs and alterations carefully attended to. 10 195 2



rxrANTED Known—o. Hawkin’s, of V V Tinwaid, having decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and quility of Boots, will, Ist January, 1885, Sell for Cash Only, at the following reduced rates Men’s Bar vest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 6s 9d; Shooter Boots, 10s 3d; Women’s Strong Lace Boots, 8a 6d ; Leather Elastic, 9s 6d; Children’s all reduced from Is per pair. Motto—“ Small Pro fits and Quick Returns.” 0. Hawsin's, Boot and Shoemaker. 12 2393



Special Advertisements. 17\0Il EYE, EAR AND THROAT JJ DISEASES. DR. SOHWARZBAOH, M.D., may be Consulted at the Clarendon Hotel (private rooms), Christchurch, from 15th February, for about One Month, During his recent stay in Europe, Dr S. was again employed in revisiting the prin cipal Ophthalmic Hospitals, and making himself thoroughly acquainted with all the modern knowledge in regard to Dis aae-i of the Eye, Ear and Throat. 2 215 i Cornsacks.



OKf) BALES of CORNSACKS to arrive ex ship Atlantigue (now due), size 48 x 26£, 2|. Apply, at once, to HAYES & CO., i 1 Arcade, Ashburton. fTIO my readers end the reading public. X Just to hand.—New Books.—Black Poodle, by Anetey ; Our Old Nobility ; The Cuckoo Clock, by Mrs Moleaworth ; We Two, by Edna Doyal; Poverty, by Platt; I Say No, by Wilkie Collins; John Bull’s Womankind, by author of John Bull and his Island; The Jilt, by Charles Reide; Good Stories of Man and other Animals, by Charles Reade; Yesteged, by Geo. P. Gumming; Pages in Waiting, by Edmund Yates; (Notes on Ingersoll, by I Bev L. A. Lambert, Homan Catholic Jesuit; My Own Child, by Florence Marryatt; Life, Opinions, and Table Talk of Dr Johnson; American Society Novels; Inspiration; A Clerical Lympocium; Bos well’s Life of Johnson ; Magna Charts Stories; Taming Down without Banting ; Money and Mechanism of Exchange, by S. Jevons; John Holdsworth’s Chief Mate; My Watch Below, by W. 0. Rus sel; The Wonder of Nature; Death Shot, by Reed; How to live upon Is per Week; Stories of Waterloo; Secrets of Success ; ttow to Read Character; Christmas .Number of Goodward'a Chrystal Stories ; Longman’s Magazine; The Book of the Beginnings, by R. H. Newton; Mistletoe Bough; 160 Illustrated London Graphics, latest copies, to be sold cheap at Thomas E. Earley's, PRINTER, BOOKSELLER, AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF COAL. THE undersigned are now landing, ex s.s Bauroto, the Best Newcastle Coal Imported for the season A TRIAL SOLICITED They have also added to their stocks ot Building Materials the following lines, viz, Y.D.L Timber and Palings Kauri Timber, Flooring and Lining Roofing Iron, Doors and Sashes Lime, Cement, Fencing Materials, Ac., And every requisite for the trade. MAOPHERSON, FILMER AND 00. (late A. Hayes), SAWMILLERS, TIMBER, COAL, AND FIREWOOD MERCHANTS. East street, Ashburton.



25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW* ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES I * n SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, Manufactured from the renowned Wear Resisting MOSGIEL TWEEDS The fit and workmanship of every gar ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, while the large production and increased busi ness enables the proprietors to offer special advantages as to price. Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing in every variety at Wholesale Prices. Shirts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Rugs, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— IN E W ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



Davis’s gURPLUS STOCK OF FURNITURE Now selling off at HALF-PRICE. Mast be sold to make room for NEW STQCK. Parties about to Furnish will SAVE 50 Peu Cent. BY PUOHASING AT W. DAVIS’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, BAST STREET SOUTH, Ashburton 9 1729



jpIBRUARY LIST. H. E. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. s EASON SALE COMMENCING ON JANUARY 16th. & CONTINUING 1 FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLY. REMARKABLE REALITIES ! GLARING REDUCTIONS !! j(S£?“For Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windows -^^ Dimant and Coe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Ac., In premises lately occupied by Orr and Co., Corn East and Tanned street*. ASHBURTON,



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Tancbed Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf, 5d per lb Best White Crystal, 3|d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, Is 6d. 2s, 2a 6d, and 2s 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, 31 Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 61 Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box Best Sago, 3d j New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6Jd Herrings, 7d Keillor's Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English PickK s, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES McGREGOR, Tancred Street, 12 2342



Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain spcediiy yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills. “ Rough on Rats.”—Clears out rats, mice, roadies, flies, ?.nts, b*d-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack rabbits, gophers. Druggists, The N.Z. O up Co., General Agents, i That husband of mine is three times the man he was before he began using “Wells Health Renewcr.” Druggists. The N.Z Drug Co., General Agents. * The weakest woman, smallest child, and sickest invalid, can use Hop Bitters with safety and great good, See.—[Advt.J



“ Bucuu-Paiba.”— Quick, complete u •; all annoying kidney, bladder, and miaaiy diseases. Druggists. The N.J5* Drug Co.. General Agents, 8