COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Thursday afternoon, The following is the Addington live stock market report for the week ending Wednesday, March 17 : —Large entries of sheep and small entries of cattle yarded for the day’s market, and attendance more thin an average one. The fat sheep comprised drafts of excellent quality crossbreds, which sold to an improved demand; medium weights and quality unaltered. Cross breds sold at from lis 6d to 17s 6d, merino 1 wethers, 8s 6d to ns, an average price of 2d per lb ruling. Tn the store sheep market a large supply of all descr pthn-; offered ; b usi ness not altogether buoyant, several lines being passed unsold. Lambs sold at from 6s to 6s gd, crossbred wethers 9s 6d to 1153 d, as per age and condition, ewes from 8s to ns and 12s. The fat lamb market was a small one, prices from 6s 6d to 9s 6d per head. A small entry of pigs met with a good demand at late rates. Fat Kittle market—A small entry. N o altera tion in values; The store cattle market only very moderately supplied, and but little doing. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. report upon the live stock market for the Ashburton district, for the week ending March 18th, as follows, vi?l ;—On Tuesday, we were favored with the largest entry of sheep and the most numer ous attendance of farmers at the County Sale yards that we have seen for the last six months. It was more like old times than any of the late sales have been, and the clearance effected was far beyond our anticipations. The day’s trans actions showed an evident intention to do business, which resulted in nearly all lines being sold at an advance upon late rate. The entries for the day must have been fully 11,000 sheep, of all sorts and descriptions Merino ewes and crossbred lambs predominating, of the latter, there were five remarkably good lines sent forward by Messrs Corbett, Mc- Aoalty, Quigley, Helmore and W. J. Wilson, the latter line sold by us topping the market at os fid, the others bringing 7s, 7s 3d, 7s 6d, and B 8 8d each. Two particularly good lines of second crqss two-tooth were sent to hand by Messrs Walsh and Moore, the latter of which werti sold at 12s 3d each. Our entry for the daf comprised over 4,000 sheep for Messrs H. T.-Smith, W. I. Wilson, Sawle, G. Ailing ton, J. Walsh, Jas. Moore, J. Corbett, E. Mc- Aulty, O. Digby, A. Jackson, N. Welsh, G. Murdock, J. Gordon, H. Johnstone, Tasker and others, and our principal sales were 40 fat merino ewes, $s iod> 31 fat broken mouth crossbred ewes, 10s, 125 fat crossbred lambs, 9s, 120 ditto ditto, 9s 6d, 236 first cross lambs, 7s jd, 630 second cross lambs, 7s, 104 first cross lambs, 7s 3d, 138 two-tootb mixed crossbreds, 12s 3d, 350 merino . ewes, 4s merino ewes, 3s 3d, 299 aged crossbred ewes 7s pd, 320 second cross lambs, 6s gd, 267 merino ewes, 3s 46, 205 crossbred lambs, $s ad, 80 fat merino wethers, 8s 3d, besides seve ral lines of cull ewes at from lod to is gd each. In cattle, the entry was small and the qua’ity inferior. Most of the lines were cleared, how ever, at values equal to late rates. During the week we have sold 1,200 two-tooth cross breds at 10s 3d, and 1,400 crossbred two-tooth mixed sexes, at I2s. We have enquiries for larOe lines of two and four-tooth, and could dispose of 10,000 if we could get them worth ' the money. At the Ram Fair, on March 26th, about 25,000 breeding sheep of all and most'of them of good quality, will be submitted by public auction at the Tinwald yards, when W* - ;pect to see a large muster <-f buyers, and the yards cleared at prices satisfactory alike to both buyer and seller. ..

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, March 21. Mr ThoS, Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett street —Town and Suburban Properties Tuesday, March 24 Messrs Matson, Cox and Oj., at the Tinwald Saleyards—Stock Thursday, March 26 Mesne Miles and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Sheep Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at the - Tinwald Yards —Sheep MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. This Evening Library Buildings—Fire Brigade,' at 7.30 . Monday, March 23 ftoroash Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.80 Wednesday, March 25 Ashburton Building and Investment So rifty*-Annuftl Meeiiog* Arcade Cham bera, at 3 o’clock Oddfellows’ Hall—Miss Ward and Com pany, at 8 o’clock Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 o’clock Thursday, March 26 Tinwald SaleyuJda-Annual Nam and Ewe Fair Friday, lahburton County Council —At Council Chambers,' 11a.m. ■ Sat hid ay, March 28. Ashburton Caledonian Society—Annual : Meeting, at the “Lyttleton Times office, at 7.30 Monday, March 30. Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Friday, April 3 Oddfellows’ Hall—Baptist Church Anni *■ versary Tea Meeting Town Hall—“ Messiah,” at 8 o’clock Saturday, April 4 Wakanui Road Board, at Road Board •ffioe, Moore street, at 10.30 ».m. Friday, April 10. Lonhgeach Road Board at Road Board OffiW. Thesday, April 14. Ashburton School Committee—Monthly Meeting, in the Schoolroom, at 7.30 Wednesday* April 15 Tinwald Annual Races Wednesday, April 20 Ashburton Racing Club—Autumn Meet ing I

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas e Prevalebit THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1885. Our Defences.

The speech of Sir Julius Vogel de livered to his constituents in Christ church last night will be perused with very general interest. Without being quite an orator, the Colonial Treasurer has a charm of speech, a plasticity and elasticity, which have enabled him to win the support and loyalty of men of all grades and all shades of opinion, and the popularity he at present enjoys with the electors of Christchurch North, apart from the merits of the ipeech itself assured for him the favor able reception he received. The Colonial Treasurer plumes himself upon being a practical statesman, and there can be no doubt that his address last night, while avoiding with singular skill the fads of the enthusiast, was bold, explicit and forcible. We must, however, again express our regret that the Government has not thought fit to take the people further into its confid ence in respect to local Government, railway management, and some other foreshadowed reforms ; but to these we shall refer at another time. A ques tion which is attracting some attention at the present juncture is that of defence. • The Colonial Treasurer’s re ference to Harbor defence was satis factory enough, but throughout his speech in chief, he had not a word to say about the Volunteers. It was not until the questioners began to put the honorable gentleman through the ordeal of cross-examination that any thing was elicited regarding the only real defence organisation we have in the colony. In a question put to Sir Julius Vogel, we presume by some one acquainted with the facts, a not very re-assuring statement was made, viz., that quite 200 men and 10 officers of the Christchurch Volunteer strength had recently resigned. The questioner desired to learn if the Go vernment would endeavor to ascertain the cause of this unsatisfactory defec tion. It was evident from the reply given by Sir Julius that an intimate knowledge of the Volunteer system of the colony was not one of the hon. gentleman’s accomplishments. It was also evident that he was quite aware of his ignorance on the subject, for he almost appealingly requested his Volun teer constituents to let him alone on this subject and possess their souls in patience until the arrival in Christ church in a few days of the Defence Minister—Mr Ballance; who, Sir Julius Vogel assured them, would give them a most courteous hear ing. There is not a more deserv ing body of men in the colony than that forming its Volunteer force. Neither is there one which has been subjected to colder neglect at the hands of the Government. Upon this force, in these times, to quote Sir Julius’s own words, “ of doubt and danger,” the colony has to depend for defence. True, were real danger existing, and near at hand, the Volunteer ranks would imme diately be swelled by men who had pre viously been Volunteers, and by many who at present know nothing of mili tary duties. But the fact remains that the Volunteer force is the only pre tence we have at this moment to an organised force fit to take the field in time of war. Whether it is so fit is not for us to say; but if it is not, the blame must rest with the successive Govern ments of New Zealand, who have per sistently subjected the Volunteers to the most discouraging neglect, For years the capitation grant to the corps has been miserably small, and under the Atkinson Government it reached a simply nominal figure. Out of this nominal figure corps had to find every thing except arms and accoutrements, and the latter, until very recently, were of the most antiquated description, while the general treatment the com panies .received from Government was in the highest degree discouraging. We have on previous occasions venti lated the grievances of the Volunteer corps—country corps especially—and neea *' ot here recapitulate them. It is more pleasl nt t 0 turn t 0 a g lea ™ of hope for an improved!? 11 * in circumstances of our Volunteers. off Julius Vogel replying to one of his questioners begged those men who had resigned to allow no consideration in this “ time of doubt, and possibly danger, Ip interfere with their recalling their resignations.” His palpable anxiety, too, that they should wait upon Mr Ballance with their greivances, and his assurance that they would re ceive courteous treatment seems to us to indicate that the season of studied neglect under which our Volunteers | have suffered is nearly over

In our report of the special meeting of the Ashburton District School Committee held on Wednesday evening, an error oc curred by which Mr Alcorn was repre sented as supporting and opposing the same resolution ; the name of Mr W. H. Collins was omitted, he having voted with the “Ayes.” The following is the resolution referred to:—“That for the satisfaction of this Committee slid the householders of this district, the Board of Education be requested to hold such an inspection as they deem necessary in the interest of the school, on or aoout the last week in June,” and the following is the c rract division list;—Ayes ; Messrs A Orr, J. Orr, Tucker and Gollin-i ; noes : Chairman, and Messrs Thomas and Al corn. We also made Mr Thomas say, ejaculatory, during the course of Mr J. Orr’s remarks, “ he did wish to refer to Miss Harband.” Mr Thomas said, ‘‘he -lid not wish to refer to Miss Harband.” This latter mistake was another printer’s idiosyncrasy, the former and some inaccu rate construction, which probably of fended our more precise readers, were the results of hurried revision.

The N.Y. Times gives the following particulars of some of our favorite bever ages :—ln most of the gin sold there will be found oil of vitriol, oil of turpentine, oii of almonds, sulphuric ether, and ex tracts of grams of paradise. It is in the manufacture of whisky, however, (hat the adulterators do their finest work You can purchase oils and essences from which “ whisky of any age ’ can be produced. This style of whisky, when tested, will show sulphuric arid, caustic potaasa, ben zine, and nux vomica, and other poisons.

his is the sort of stuff that bores into the coating of the stomach and creates ulcers. Pure whisky, will hurt no one when taken in reasonable quantities, but this adulterated stuff is murderous. In porter you will find opium, henbane, capsicum, cocculus indi cub, copperas, tobacco, and sulphuric acid. In here, alum, opium, nux vomica, green copperas, vitriol, subcarbonate of potash, and jalap are used. A meeting of parents "and householders opposed to the recant action of the Board of Education in proposing to dismiss the present Headmaster of the Ashburton Borough School was held at the Arcade Chambers last evening. The Committee appointed to obtain signatures to a peti tion praying the Board to re-oonsider their decision, reported that they had been “eminently successful; they had ob ■ained the signatures of 314 householders, representing 355 children in attendance at the school, and had met with very few refusals. The following is the substance of the petition (1) An injustice has been done at the lata examination. (2) The dismissal of the master three months hence would militate against the useful ness of the school. The petitioners there fore pray . —(a) That the Board would re consider their decision. ( b) That the mattei be held in abeyance until the next annual examination, (c) That the school be then examined by two or more inde pendent Inspectors, or by the Inspector General, (d) That the matter be then dealt with according to the result of such examination. A deputation of Ashourton householders will wait upon the Board at its meeting to-day, for the purp se of presenting the petition.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have received the fol lowing cablegram, dated London, 17th March, 1885:—Wool—The sales opened on the 17th instant at the level of last series, except that the crossbred market is firmer, and medium and inferior greasy, medium and inferior clothing, washed, and faulty scoured wools are easier. The sales comprise about 200,000 bales ; 32,000 bales have been sent to the manu facturing districts direct. Wheat—Mar ket quiet. Reports are favorable con cerning the growing crop in England. Adelaide is worth 36s 6d; New Zealand, 32a; and Tuscan, 34s per 2961 b; Adelaide, f.a.q., is now, c.if., off coast, 35s 01 per 4861 b.

The Volunteers will be pleased to learn that the transit arrangements for Win chester oamp at Easter have been issued. The Yeomanry Cavalry residing in this district will join a train which leaves Ad dington on Thursday, the 2nd April, at 1.15 p.m. This train should reach Ash burton shortly after 3 o’clock in the after noon of that day. At half-past eight in the evening a special train will leave Christchurch, carrying with it all the headquarters corps, and about ten will stop at Ashburton to pick up the local men. The following orders we would commend to the notice of our Volunteers: —Corps of all arms will be expected to provide one iron bucket, one tin dish, and one lantern for every eight men, and all N.C. officers and men will carry in haversack knife, fork, spoon, plate an! pannikin. Corps not provided with pack straps will adopt the horse-collar swag. All extra baggage and camp equipment belonging to Head Quarters Corps must be properly labelled and delivered at Goods Shod by 5 p.m. All ranks will throughout wear undress uniform.

There was a large attendance of mem bers at the usual weekly meeting of the LO.G.T. Star of the East Lodge, No 62, held in the Orange Hall last night. The business was of a routine character. One new member was initiated, and three candidates were proposed for membership The Committee appointed to arrange for the reception of the Grand Lodge re ported that satisfactory progress was being made. Mr Hugo Friedlander, J.P., presided a* the R.M. Court this morning. An inebriate named John Kevel who had appeared before the Court for a similar offence on Monday last, was fined 20s and costs, with the alternative of 48 hours' impri sonment. —Joseph .--loane, against whom there were upwards of 30 previous con victions, was fined Ll 5, or 14 days, for drunkenness. A first offender was charged with being drunk at the Police station

last evening. Mr Branson appeared on his behalf, and said there was really no thipg to offer in refutation of the charge. Sergeant Felton said accused had entered the Police station abopt seven o’plock with the intention, as he said, of bailing qu one of the prisoners in the lock-up. Ac-t cuseu was in such an Intoxicated state that it was found necessary to put him into confinement.— Discharged with a caution.

The Ashburton Kinking Club opened their season last evening by a most suc cessful gathering in Mr T. H Zouch’s large store. There were about 40 ladies and gentleman present. A number of the tinkers displayed great confidence and proficiency upon the skates, wh’le others created much amusement by tffejr ludicrous efforts, not always successful, to retain their equilibrium. The floor was found rather rough in places, but this has since, we understand, been remedied, and there can bo no doubt the store is well adapted for rinking.

The Tainui’s run from Hobart to Port Chalmers occupied S days 7 hours. Her actual steaming time from London to Otago was £1 days 16 hours.

*' German Syrup.” — Np other medicine in the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. In three years two million four hundred thou sand small bottles of this medicine were dis tributed Jree af charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs, Pneumonia and other diseases ol the thioat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup will cure them. The re sult has been that Druggists ia eyery fqwn and village in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Co to your Druggist ind ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles fid. Regular size js, fid. Three doses will relieve any case. —[Advt>]

We have" received from an occasional correspondent in Southland, a very in teresting account of the harvest and agri cultural matters in that locality ; we are compelled, however, to hold the letter over until Saturday’s issue. A meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Club was held in Fowler’s Buildings last evening. There was a full attendance and Mr S, B. Nelson occupied the chair. Mr D. H. Brown, who was present under the iraoression that it was | a general meeting of members of the Club, slated that before retiring he would like to seriously urge the Committee to re-consider the matter of selling liquors. Let them supply tea, coffee or any non alcoholic refreshments; have billiards, cards or any other rational attractions, but eschew intoxicating drinks. If it were decided not to supply alcoholic liquors he would be most happy to sub scribe L 5 or LlO towards the funds of the Club for the purpose of securing furniture, a piano or organ. Mr Brown suggested a number of attractions that might be pro vided, but said that if the place were re duced to a mere drinking shop its influ ence and results would be degrading, not, as he was sure its promoters desired, beneficial. Mr Brown having withdrawn, the subject of his remarks was discussed, and it was eventually resolved to bring the matter before the next general meet ing. The Chairman reported progress made since last meeting. Seventeen new members were proposed and elected. The procuration of furnitine was referred to a sub-committee. It was resolved to engage Mr Fowler’s Buildings from Monday, 23rd instant, and to place them at the dis posal of members. Having determined to invite applications for the post of steward, the Committee adjourned until Wednesday, 26th inat. jjA well-known “Fish, Oh !” was to-day the hero of a rather amusing case in Court. John had been “ wetting his clay ” with a few kin dred spirits at a very comfortable bar in town, and in the course of a discussion over the cup that cheers, and inebriates, had given some sort < f offence to one of the company. The offended one ran out to find a policeman to secure condign punishment being brought down upon the offending John. A discriminating con stable ran in the complainant. John, heiring of this, found his good heart melting towards his former enemy. This

softness of heart prompted him to borrow all the money he could raise and betake himself to the police station with the philanthrophic intention of bailing out the man who wanted to run him in. A perverse police mind would persist in having a consciousness that John himself was In “ running in ” condition, and the poor man was detained. This morning, being a first offender, he was cautioned and dismissed by the Bench. John’s re lation of his first exparienca of the Ash burton Police Station was made to a little knot of sympathisers outside the Court. It was very funny. He was ‘ muchly down ” on the toilet requisites that were not supplied to a respectable prisoner like himself, who ought at least to have been “ lent the loan ” of a comb and a brush—but be was not. He should have been supplied with sufficient blan kets also—but he wasn’t. But then John knows his way about the world as well as any man, and is very practical. He knew that a drunken man had enough “ fire water ” to keep him warm without a blanket, so he helped himself to the blanket covering some unfortunate more drunk than himself confined in the same cell !

An accident occurred this afternoon by which a married man named William Marsh, in the employ of Messrs uudley and Northey, wa& severely hurt. He was driving a three-Horse team home from Ashburton. When about to enter upon the bridge a horseman rode up rather sharply and frightened the leading horses, who immediately afterwards bolted. This caused ths shatter to fall down, and in doing so Marsh fell off the dray, the wheel passing in some way over his right leg, bruising his hands, arms and legs considerably. He was immediately con veyed to Dr Ross’s residence, when an examination was made, and Marsh was shortly afterwards conveyed home in an express van. It will be soma weeks before he will be able to leave his bed. In this issue Ae publish a summary, condensed from the excellent report ap-

pearing in the Lyttelton Times, this morn ing, of Sir Julias (Vogel’s address to his cons iiuems, delivered in the Queen's Tneatre, Christchurch, last night.

Holloway’s Pills. —Health or Wealth.— No sane person would hesitate an instant in the choice between these two conditions. Now is the season to secure the former either by restoring or confirming it. These Pills ex pel all impurities from the system which fogs foul vapours, and variable temperatures en gender during winter ; this medicine also acts most wholesomely upon the skin by disgorging the liver of its accumulated bile, ?ud by ex citing the kidneys to more energy Jc action; increases the appetite for food and strengthens the digestive process. The stomach and liver, which most disorders originate, are fully under the control of these regenerative Pills, which act very kindly yet most efficiently on the tenderest bowels.—[Advt.j

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, March 12.

Parliament meets next Tuesday for military business only. The Treasurer will probably ask for a vote of L 150,000, and will be able to show that the increase in the revenue has been so great that even after this grant is made there will be a large surplus from the general revenue, and that no fresh taxation is needed. Should the Government be defeated, which is unlikely, an appeal to the coun try will be made. Contributions to the patriotic fund still continue to be re ceived. Government, in view of con tingencies, are strengthening the defences, and when Parliament closes is likely to take still farther steps in this direction. The system of harbor defence is under consideration.

The expedition used by the New Zea land Frozen Meat Company in supplying *he order of the Imperial Government for 83,0001 b of the Peach Biand meat in three days is most favorably commented on.

The steward of the Kingarooraa is making satisfactory progress. All the passengers are released, and the port will soon be declared free of infection.

Brisbane, March 12,

The reply sent by the Government to Lord Derby shows they do not agree to the amendments in clauses 4, 15, 26 and 31 in the Enabling Bill. These were matters the Convention gave most careful consideration to.

Melbourne, March 12.

The agricultural statistics of the pre sent year show a falling off of crops nS against last year of wheat, 10,290,000 bushels, as against 15,500,000 bushels ; oata, 4 363 000 bushels, as against 4 735,000 bushels: hay, 365,000 tons, against 434, 1 00 tons.

SIR JULIUS VOGEL IN CHRIST CHURCH.

Sir Tulius Vogel, M.H.R., for Christ church North, addressed his constituents at the Queen’s Theatre, Chris'church, last night. The whole, of the large building was filled to overflowing in every part. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair.

Sir Julius Vogel, who was received with loud applause, after expressing the gratitude ho felt towards hia constituents for the treatment he had received at their hands, said he would not trouble them with any remarks or opinions upon the course taken by the lat.e Government, but would prefer to ask them to judge hia Go vernment upon its merits without having! any recourse to comparison. It was jdue to the head of the late Government — Major Atkinson —to say that during last session, and after the present Government had taken office, they had reason to feel that Major Atkinson had taken a digni fied and high view of the duties of the leader of an Opposition. The Govern ment felt that Major Atkinson had a light to make his views known, and, in doing so, Major Atkinson showed that he was unwilling to be any parly to a course of obstruction. In saying this he was only doing justice to the hon gentleman, with whom he was not .at present in political accord, tie thought it was his duty to tell his con stituents briefly the history of last ses sion, and also what had been done during the recess, and then he would tell thom what the Government hoped to do for the people in future. First, to deal with last session. One of the measures to which they attached a considerable amount of importance, but which they had been unable td-c»rry, was a Bill for the pur chase of' the district railways. That they had not been able to carry it, per haps, did not matter, because, after all, the House—the measure was carried in one House, but not in the other—passed a resolution relegating to the Government the task of making arrangements for the purchase of these lines, which arrange ments were to be submitted for the ap proval of the House next session. Among other Bills dealt with last session to which he could not help referring, were mea sures of peculiar significance to the people of this part of the colony. He meant measures having for their object the es tablishment of harbors on the West coast of this island. If he did not mistake, the intimate connection which from the first existed between Canterbury and Westland was likely to increase rather than to diminish, and increase to the mutual benefit of each. He felt that the future prosperity of Canterbury would de pend upon!and correspond with the pros perity of Westland. He could not help thinking that anything likely to be of such vast benefit to the West Coast as these coal harbors must be, must also be of essential service to this side of the is land. He then came to the Railway Bill in which.they were so essentially inter ested—the East and West Coast and Nel son Railway Bill. They all know that while his opinion was that that railway should be made by private enterprise if possible, that if it could not be made that way, it was the duty of the colony to make it. He alluded to the railway be tween Auckland and Wellington. Next came a very important Bill for the inoor p nation ef the Insurance Department Nor could he omit reference to the various financial measures, and having to provide for the liabilities and negotiations which they found upon entering into power, and which had been left by their predecessors. They had also cast upon them the great responsibility of introducing a measure relieving the colony from the absurd burden of having, when borrowing year after year, to pay back a portion of the money borrowed under the guise of a sinking fund. They had a great responsibility in doing this, because it was said that they would injure the credit of the colony. He won d next refer to a measure which he believed was likely to have a good effect, though at present he was not sure that results would follow from it. He alluded to the Beetroot Sugar Act. At present sugar was low in price, and advantage could not be taken of that measure, but sooner or later ha was sure the agricultural population would derive considerable benefit from it. There was another important, Act, introduced by Mr Cndman, of essential importance to the laboring classes. He meant the Act for giving the wording men a lien for their wages in connection with works on which they were engaged. That measure, he took leave to say, would prove very beneficial to the laboring classes, and it Was one which he believed they had a right to bo satisfied with. It went fur ther than any similar measure iu any other country. Having referred to a number of other measures the speaker sai 1 that considering that after they took office they did not ask for any adjourn ment, but went on with the business im mediately, it seemed that they had no right to feel otherwise than proud at the amount of the work they had been able to effect with n the time, limited as it was by the determination of members not to sit beyond a certain period Having referred to the work done during the recess Sir Julius Yogel said a respon sible duty had fallen upon Mr Ballance in connection with the subject of defence. It would be his first duty, on the meeting of Parliament, to submit to it proposals for efficiently defending the principal ports of the colony. Not only will that be the case, but already the Government had taken upon itself the responsibility of doing all that could be done before Par liament met It was a reproach to this I colony t hat it had traded in the past upon |

the chances of consideration from those who might be at war with the Mother Country, and upon the chances that war would not take place. If war were to break out, the enemy would not listen to a request from us to postpone an attack until we should be in a position to defend ourselves. They had seen great danger in the past, and it was time for them as a self-reliant people, who felt pride in being members of a great country, to take simi lar measures for self-defence to those which they saw other colonies were taking. In regard to the encour agement of local industries he had said he would not refer to the subject, but he oould not help saying half-a-doaen words in regard to two industries —fisheries and forests. They had vast sources of wealth lying at the disposal of the colony, and superabundant fish existed all round the coasts. Nothing was more desirable than to establish fishing settlements from one end of the colony to the other in the vicinity of the coast. These could be made to pay, and it was believed that the vast trade in other countries in regard to ; a - u a trade which could preserving uou ..

he carried bn with much profit m im« country if a certain amount pf encourage ment were given to ifc. It would also have the further effect of encobraging other indußtrie-i closely connected with it,

such as boat building, making of nets, and so forth. Above all they should not be unmindful of this fact, that by having a hardy vigorous fishing population around their coasts, they would be taking efficient measures for the protection of th-> colony, for they should not forget this that New Zealand was meant by nature

to be a maritime country, and thev wanted a maritime population The

forests of this oouut'-y had been a source

of ,'reat wealth ia the oast, and would be

a source i f enormous wealth m the future.

ft was a vicked thing to allow them to

Ho used as they had been in the habit of 1 i og, with ruthless hands destroying

t ..or forests, and taking no efficient moans to lepair their destruction. This

was a large question, and one which the Government would ask the House to deal

with next session. Referring to the questions to be dealt with next session, he said one would be the dealing with native lands. The general scope of the policy which the Government proposed to pursue on this question was well known, and it was hardly necessary that he should refer to it at pre sent. What they wished to sea was.the native lands brought into use as early as possible, and not left neglected and- un cultivated. They, did not them handed over to land speculators or left unused) They wished tqsoasuqh. means taken as would hand oyer these' lands to the people of the country; 5 and I they recognised that in doing this they .. ( must pay due regard to .the obligations { and the rights ot the native race There I were a number of obligations in regard 1 to past negotiations which would have to I be looked into, and todeal. with., which j would be a troublesome thing. There I were many other things which might ] seem small matters to referI’to, 1 ’to, yet they I were of great import«m»-toth^>ooma»eE^

jial and industrial population of the jolony. He hoped to introduce a system 3 f postal notes and a parcels post He would also try to deal with the question of regulating in future the construction of railways, by determining what lines should be trunk railways, to be opm* ; struoted sooner O'- later at the charge of the colony, and what lines were-distriot railways, to be constructed at- of the colony alone or in- connection with the districts they were especially to h»nq* fit. As he had said, the whole paqpfaof the, colony had insisted on their dpaiqng with the question of another question, though a they might have a little to do with. He referred to the introducing of a reform of the Upper House. He hoped that the applause with which they had greetedthe remark did not mean a desire on their part for any severe and' sensational treat- 1 ment. The Government had no design of the kind. They thought that the Upper House should'be invited to take som* means for providing that the appoint ment of its members should be - of a less permanent character than hitherto. They thought that the House should be invited, after it meets, to enquire how appoint ments should be made after next session. He could not deal with appointment* before next session, and thought that after that appointments, instead of being for life, should be only for a term of years. Though he had often been in con flict with the Upper House, and thepeo | pie were inclined to feel annoyed when measures which they believed to be of great interest were thrown put, he was I bound to say ’that the Upper House -had ; I shown a great desire ’to be of bene* I fit to. the colony, and he -believed that it would look at the subject of I its reform in a sensible and reasonable I manner, and not refuse to deal with it. I Speaking of cheap money he said that it was a question about which theymoat not I understand him to be speaking on behalf of the Government to any positive ex tent. It was a question which he found was absorbing the interest of the people in this province and the neighbouring I provinces, and he cottld not give satisfac- I tion to himself or his audience if he omitted to refer to it. It was very hard^ upon the I farmers, the small farmers especially, and I upon those who desired to improve the I lands they held, that they should have to pay the high rates of interest they .ware I now called upon to pay. Bat it was not I easy to deal with such a subject. He I knew a 'great many plans and a great many suggestions had been made, but he hardly th-mget that all the difficulties iu the way of giving effect to them hadbeen fully considered. The popular idea seemed to be that you had only to get a printing press and a bale of paper, and by giving the holders of property certain notes with some hieroglyphics printed on them, you placed 1 them In funds, and nothing else required to be done. But those gentlemen who had studied the question knew that nothing-would be morc disastrous than to introduce a system of forced paper currency. There must be some gentlemen who hsd lived in tries which iu time of disastrous wars had had recourse to forced paper currency, and they knew that prices went up some 20, 40 and 50 per cent., while the paper currency declined a like amount. They knew that when such a currency was in troduced the one burning desire was to redeem it by borrowing sufficient money to do so. In a country like ours* which might borrow money at so small a rate of interest, he would certainly not like to see it Have recourse to such a disastrous system as the. one of introducing % paper currency. By the system of pap r currency. a large volume of notes would be-kapt in circu lation—perhaps some , two millions of money—and if the Government stepped into the field as a competitor, It would not materially increase the total volume, bat it would take away part of the meaqs the banka had at their disposal, and limit the means of assistance and tfae aid whiph those banks were able to render to their existing clients. He would next like to look into the question of Land Banks, which had been established in Germany, . and had been so snpcessful there. But they did not apply to those oon.diti.ona which would have to be dealt with in the colony. In the first instance these banka were established to change the peasant holding existing in Germany, and of which we had no parallel, into a fixed freehold tenure, and in this they had been a great success. Moreover, their' success had been iu this, that the bonds of these Land Banks had taken the character of Government securities, and were saleable within the German Empire,

a bearing a very low rate of interest. 9 If this course were adopted here they r knew the people of this country had r no money to lend at low rates of interest; 5 therefore the money would not command * the prices that would meet the con- I ditions that were required to be fulfilled [ by money being lent to small holders of ’ land. We were more able to look for a 1 system in Grert Britain whioh might be > made successful here, having regard to the ' changes which must be made to meet the * conditions of the country. But to bis * mind the conditions to be met with were ' conditions which, he was sorry to say, bad * not for their origin the improvement of 1 small holdings of freehold, but the im provement of the holdings of tenants for the ultimate benefit of the landholders. We had no such system, and were not going to have any such system in the colony as that obtaining at Home, be cause it would not be applicable here. A great deal of this came by the British Government by Act of Parliament having given assistance to cultivators of land and parsons who decided to carry out land improvements, la one Word it was a sys tem of direct advances. by quasi boards. ’ ’ *--• - *-»•" -1.-1 W 0 aero COUIU tatkO A toideua uwiu ttuou had been done at Home. As the subject was one of great jnfiereat they would bx cuaa him speaking further about it, he fished them to understand' tbat 'bp was not speaking on {behalf of ' the Q >. vernmpnt. It ap.-eared to him ihsl it would be possible for the Government to guarantee a certain amount of debentures; the proceeds of whioh should be devoted to lending money for actual improvements, on laud, and on laud which had be&i' actually improve 1, the money to be lent in tuna 1 sums and under conditions which would enable a true estimate of the value of the land to be ascertained. He be lieved that the Government by that:*in direct means, without any risk whatever, might enable companies to borrow this money cheaply, on the con itions that they should iond it out at low rates.of liitere t, say s|j per cent., certainly not more than six per cent , t-> persons who itad smati farms, and not only to tbosQ

'THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1885.



aIHK ASHBURTON COUNTY oflinntr »Mn STOCK AND SALEYARDiS COMPANY (Limited), Is prepared to Dip Sheep IN force or small lots at the following scale of charges:— For the first 500 sheep, one penny each For the second 500 sheep, one half penny each SVwJtheaecond 1,000 sheep, one farthing each For flocks of over 2,000 special arrange ments will be made. The material used will be charged for in addition lo the above. GEORGE JAMESON, 3 207 Secretary.



Caution. CJOME Unscrupulous firms are trying to Q force on the Hew Zealand people a Nostrum, under the cloak that it is made ftt the United States— WHICH 18 NOT TRUE. Under this pretence they are trying to deceive the Public and Incautious Pur chasers into the belief that they are the Genuine AMERICAN HOP BITTERS. We wish to warn all honest and uncus* •eetiag people against this DECEPTION, and-to ts n the attention once more to the laotathat the Genuine American Co.’s BOP BITTERS Are put up in Sqnre, Panelled, Amber soloiett Bottles, with White Label on one aide,'printed la Black Letters, and Green Hop dnster; and, on the other side, feluir Label, with Directions in Red Cotters, In English and German, and (he name of “Dr Soule” blown in every Bottle. 1 his is the only iunu in which Genuine BOP BITTERS are put



Wanted. TT7A.NTED Known—That all debts due *y in the estate of John Beecher must be paid to him on or before the 21st instant, or Jegal proceedings will be taken to recover same. John Beecher. 3 383 TJT ANTED Known—Before buying Dress Materials, Ulsters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc., call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Fatabdshmeat in Ashburton —H. C. .'■'EGEES, ealjs’ Buildings, &as' treet.. GREAT keduc'un-i f"r Cash at Jones AND BJDSHiw’s U 'lid oaten slu-ai chaff from 50s per ton, Is 61 per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35a per ton, 9d per bag ; new oatmeal 4s per bag ; good cheese 5d per lb ; ffour, bran, sharps, and chickwheat at very cheap rates. WANTED Known—Wertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. 2 276 GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Oek will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6 s 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at Cs 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11s 6d—every article at half-price. \\7 ANTED Kuovvn—Fresh Flounder* *• are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Lake Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. W. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 L ¥X7 r Known—Boots ! Boots 1 I V V That Hates and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to . wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s . Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must r he cleared at once. 7 1278 t ■ - ' i % &TaRTED Known—Umbrellas at Is i VV 11J, doz Buttons for Is, China < Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor -5 seta at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4J-1, Towels 3£ d, j 36 inch Oilcloth dd, Camisoles Is 4d. 1 Andrew Obr’s Cheap Sale 2 185



WANTED 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 Special Advertisements. MU J. TVESS begs to inform his debtors, and all persons desirous of transacting any business with him, that he will be ih attendance at his Office, Burnett street, every TUESDAY and SATURDAY. Office hour-. : 10 a.m. to sp. m. 2 188



PATT ERN DEPOT. Mrs Modg^ DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Sxbeex, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dresses and Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413



rjIHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that Mes.es WILDING, LEWIS & OA fGILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All risks taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GO OLD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury.



Dimant and Coe, ARE authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING M A CHINES, and are prepared to receive PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith. Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANCRED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11 2181



B. Reran B. Bevan B. Beran B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan H, Bevan E. Bevan K., Bevan B Bevan K. Bevan B. Bevan R. Bevan K. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan K. Bevan B. Bevan R. Bevan B. Bevan K. Bevan B. Bevan R. Bevan BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER. Cufcery, Jewellery, Concertinas, and Fancy Goods Deader. BEVAN \oono Lapies’ Journals (Feb, No ) for Is 3 i. teubscnbers wanted- Country stores supplied at special rates. SAUNDERS’ Next Quiil’sH -tel. B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B. Sevan B. Bevan B. Bevan B Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Beva i R, Bevan R. Bevan R. Sevan B. Bevan | R. Bevan it. Sevan R. Bevan R. Bevan B. Sevan B. Bevan E. Bevan ft, Bevan READ, MARK, LEARN AND INWABDL* DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab fishiuent, and lighten your inward gloom by appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC EASTER CARDS ! ever imported into Ashburton (direct from Horae). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books personally selected, and just received. Lbe ieve it was Lord Wolseley who said (he happens to be the most popular man of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should read incessantly, and never forget his news papers; * and I say the same 1 Read ! Bead ! Read I When both you and my- ' self will be considerably benefited. Not ( having room to give a detailed list pf the contents of my shelves, I can only finish by saying— Come •‘nd see for yourselves, and if you are disappoint^come again.- Nothing like Perseverance 1



Thomas F. .Parley's, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saundbrs’ Buildings, East St., Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, Ac. Must be sold—even if at a loss Yalentinmo ALENTINE'O To i-uit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, Ac., Ashburton TIMBER. TIMBER. TIMBER. TO FARMERS and Others about to Build—Buy your timber from the Producers at first coat and Save Money. To Housekeepers who wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Coal— We are now landing, ex a. s. Tekapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, which will bo sold at Lowest Rates. Every Requisite for the Building Trade kept in Stocir, and Building supplied throughout. *** Farmers would do well to call and obtain quotations. MAOPHERSON, FILMER AND 00. (late A. Hayes), TIMBER, COAL & WOOD MEECH ANTS, East street, Ashburton.



25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW” ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES in SPRING A 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. SL'.rts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Rugs, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— bjSW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



Davis’s gURPLUS STOCK OF FURNITURE Now sellinc; off at HALF-PRICE. Must be sold to make room for NEW STOCK. Parties about to Furnish will SAVE 60 Pbk Cent. BY PUCHASING AT W. DAVIS’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, EA S T STREET SOUTH, Ashburton 9 1729



piBRUiRY LIST. Women’a Lisle Gloves, 4-buttons, 4jd. Merino, all wool, 3s 6d, reduced to Is lid. Black Velveteen, a great Bargain, lOfd. Persian Cords, usually Is 6d, now 9|d. 47 Men’s Tweed fc'ac Suits, 27a 6d, now 17s <?d. 37 Boys’ and Youths’ Trouser Suits, 20s, now 12s 6d. 34 Pairs Men’s Trousers and Vests, a Bargain, 10a lid. Small Boys’ Tunic Suits, cheap, 6s lid. Dress Goods, A useful Line for House Dresses, 4|d. Black Lappet Lace, for Tip?, etc . American Leathers, regular p~*ea Is 3d, now “ 10fd. 50 Dozen Men’s Socks, 5Jd. 75 Dozen Men’s Merino Socks, B|d. Men’s Hard Felt Hats, New Goods, 6s 6d, now Is lid. 200 Dozen Turkey Bed Handkerchiefs, 3|d.



H. B. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. Ci EASON SAT.TC COMMENCING ON JANUARY 16th, & CONTINUING FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLY. REMARKABLE REALITIES*! GLARING REDUCTIONS 31 jpSt'Foe Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windowi.'TteJi Dimant and!|Ooe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, OLOTHIERS, &v., In premises lately occupied by Orr and 00., Coro JEast and Tancied itN asbbirton.



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Fanobbd Sxrbbx. Sugars—English Out Loaf K< l per lb Best White Grysta., per lb Beat Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, Is 6d 2a, 2a 6d, and 2a 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box 1 Canterbury Oakes, iOd each. Rice, Si Mixed Biscuits, 6:1 Lun. h Biscuits, 3d Currants, 61 Gaisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box Beat Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d V'aim's Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jama, 6Jtd Herrings, 7d Keiller’a Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES McGREGOR, Tancred Street 12 2342



Drowsiness, biliousness, pains and aches y at)d ague, Hop Bitters always cures it ma le b American Co. Read, Wells’ “Rouqh qn Corns.” I Ask for Wells’ Rough on Corns.' I '' Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, buttons, The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 1 Indigestion and Liver Complaints.—l or these complaints Baxter’s Compound Quinine Bilk have proved a specific, acting powerfully on the Uver and mildly on the stomach, bold everywhere, or post f ree fr° m !• Baxter, Chemist, Christchurch, for IQ/'* 44 stamps. A other unfortunate. —Again v/p tnust draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clotning and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Coimell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. M4V & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954. or only a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. i and Co. are now selling it at half he marked J price, which surely ought to seenre a speedy j clearance. *



The local industries of Ashburton are grow ing apace. A visit to the principal workshops in this town will convince any of our readers that there is still a splendid future before us if we only patronise those of our enterprising townsmen \yho are determined to do a legit - mat usiness with small profits. In B irnet street the workshops of Messrs Meech and Co present a busy appearance, and having im proved machinery are able to turn out an ex cellent display of household furnishings equal to any in Canterbury. We anticipate a great demand ana a satisfactory profit for the manu facturers in return. In Hast street Messrs M. and < o. have also opened a show room, where is to be seen some very fine furniture suitable to all clas-es, and we believe at prices that must command a ready sale. Our advic- is— inspect Meech and Co.’s stock for house fur nishings.