COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Friday afternoon.

The following is the Christchurch Corn Ex change report for the week ending Friday, the 22nd instant: —The grain market has been ex ceedingly quiet during the past \veek._ There are bo alterations of note in the prices, and buyers are more careful than ever in purchas ing, owing to which sellers have in many in stances! been compelled.to send into store, hepingfthat a more favorable opportunity may come for disposing of it. Stores are becoming cramped for room, neither growers nor mer chants being anxious to ship. Prime milling wheat finds purchasers among local millers, but second quality is offering in abundance, with very little response. Good bright oats find ready sale ; discoloured and inferior have only ' a moderate demand for local consump tion. Barley, of all grades, is quiet. Potatoes: It has been reported that 40s has been given at country stations, but we cannot vouch for over 37.sfid having been got, but no doubt that the Crst named figure has been given for small lines delivered by dray to retailers. Quotations as follows :—Wheat: Sound milling, 2s 8d to 2s lOd ; second quality, 2s 2d to zs 6d ; fowl wheat, isqdtoas, f.o.b.—Oats: Milling and bright short feed, is 8d to isqd; inferior and discolored, is 4d to is 6d, f.o.b. —Barley : Malting, prime, 33 6d to 3s 9cl ; second class, 2s qd to 3s 3d ; feed, is qd to 2s, Christchurch. Beans : 2s 6d to 2S yd ; peas, Prussian blues 3s fid j'feed, 2S 3d to 2s 6d, f.o.b. —Grass Seed : Farmers’ parcels, well cleaned, 2s 6d to 3s 3d; machine dressed, 3s qd to 4s, f.o.b. — Cocksfoot: 3Xd to bright samples; dis colored from 2d, fob., Lyttelton. —Potatoes: Blue Derwents, 37 s fid, within 12 miles of Christchurch. —Dairy Produce : Butter, to lod ; cheese. fob.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

auction sales. Satdbday, May 23 Mr Th os. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett street—-Land, etc. Mr Alfred Harrison, at his Salerooms — Sundries Tuesday, May 26 Messrs Matson, Cox and 0 , at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Eto. Friday, May 22 Ashbmtm Guards—Meeting at Mr T. H. Zouch’s grain store, at 7 o’clock St Stephen’s Schoolroom Concert, at 8 Templar Hall—Gospel Temperance meet ing, at 8 o’clock Monday, May 25. Borough Council, at Borough. Council Chambers, at 7.30 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.P., at 8 o’clock Wednesday, May 27 Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 o’clock Friday, June 5 isobar ton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Lonbgeach Eoad Board at Road Board Office.

Saturday, Junk 6. A T akanui Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1885. The Local Option Vote.

We take this opportunity to remind ratepayers that a poll will be taken to morrow to determine whether the num ber of publicans’, New Zealand wine, accommodation, or bottle licenses, may or may not be increased in the Ash burton, Upper Ashburton, or Mount Somers licensing districts. The poll for the Ashburton district will be taken at the Saleyards office, Tinwald, and at the Schoolroom, Hampstead; that for the Upper Ashburton district, at the Road Board office, Tinwald, and at Mr Cook’s residence, Winter’s road ; that for Mount Somers, at the Road Board office, Mount Somers. The polling booths will be open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. The Voting Papers will con tain the two following propositions in respect to each class of license, viz ; 1. I vote that the number of ( ) licenses in the district may be increased. 2. I vote that the number of ( ) licenses in the district may not be in creased.

The voter in each case is to strike out the proposition for which he does not intend to vote.

The Ashburton Guards meet for drill al Mr T. H. Zouch’s grain store this even ing at 7 o’clock.

We would again remind our readers of the Popular Concert to be given at the St Stephen’s Church Schoolroom this evening A really excellent evening’s entertainment is promised. Mr John Grigg, M H. R. for Wakanui, addressed a large meeting of electors at the Town Hall last evening, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. A full report of Mr Grigg’a address appears in another part of this issue. We learn that probably over forty members of the Ashburton Rifle Volun teers will take part in the demonstration at Christchurch on Monday next. Capt Douglas has arranged that those who wish to spend Sunday in Christchurch may proceed per express on Saturday evening, by making application to him. The re mainder of the Company will parade at tho Post Office corner at six o’clock on Monday morning in order to join the special train from South. All members intending to go should give in their names to the Captain at once. The Ashburton contingent of the O.Y.C. will proceed to Christchurch to-morrow, joining a special train from Timaru which will pass through Ashburton about llja.m.

The young gentleman wa referred to yesterday as having deserted his fiancee on the morning of what was to have been their wedding day, appeared at the Resi dent Magistrate’s Court this morning charged with the larceny of certain property belonging to his unfortunate victim. The criminal charge was withdrawn, but Mr Branson, who appeared for the informant, stated that it was the intention of his client to institute proceedings against the accused for the recovery of the misappro priated property and for certain expenses incurred in preparing for the wedding. The civil action will probably engage the attention of the Court on Friday next A fuller account of to-day’s proceedings appear in another part of this issue.

The third annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in Christchurch last night, and was very successful. The Mayor (Mr 0. P. Hulbert) presided, and a number of prizes were presented to juveniles for essays on subjects of interest to the Society, The road between Christchurch and Smuner was blocked y esterday by a landslip which toolr place the previous night. A large mass of rock, about forty tons, fell from an overhanging cliff on to to the road, about 3 a.m., and completely obstructed traffic on the road. A number of men are employed clearing away the debris.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Rakaia, yesterday, before Mr H. 0. S. Baddoley, R.M , J. Holmes, Mrs John stone, and J. Miller were each charged with being the owner of cattle found wandering on the public roads at Meth ven. From the evidence it appeared that the cattle had been deliberately turned out of a paddock into the road. The Magistrate said he wished it publicly known that no persons finding stray cattle on his premises was justified in turning them out to be impounded off the public streets or roads. He also said that by the Impounding Act people doing so render themsebes liable to a penalty of LSO. 'lhe Bench decided to adjourn the three cases to next Court day Henry Rutter was fined 7s 6d and costa for allow ing a cow and calf to bo at large in Rakaia. In a civil case, Hardy and Co. v M, Nolan, claim Ll 6 13s 4d, judgment waa given for the amount claimed and costs.

A summons calling Messrs Bathgate, Shephard, Kenny, Morris, Pharazyn, Swanson, Shnmski, Taiaroa, and Walker, to the Council, is gszstted. 4. notice in the Cfcczcttc stales that his Excellency the Governor will grant a free pardon to any parson implicated in burn ing of certain stacks of wheat, the pro perty of Daniel Brick, of Seafield, not being the principal offender, who will give such information as will lead to the apprehension and the conviction of any one nc more of the other offenders*

A correspondent has sent us the follow ing account of yesterdays run with the Ashburton Hounds:—The h-mads met at Windermers yesterday afternoon, but owing to the large am-unt of wire there was only a small attendance. A hare was soon found in a grass paddock, in front of Mr Wright’s residence, and puss made for the swamp, and waa lost after a run of about two miles. The hounds were then taken back to the starting point, where -they at once found another hare, which crossed the railway for the plantations. This was a good run, but owing to the number of bare wire fences the hunts man alone was able to follow a straight line, the rest of the field being some dis tance away when the hare was lost. The huntsman then returned to the home stead, whore Mr Wright entertained the v isitora in hie usual hospitable manner. Among tho members present we noticed : D,* Leahy, Messrs Fester, Patterson, Sturooon, and Uewson, and Mrs Mark Scots’ a.nd Miss Clark represented the fair sex.

All your own fault if you remain sick or oat of health, when _y° u can S s e f Hop Bitten, made by American Co,. Read. “ Buchu-Paib/J.”— Quick, complete cure, all annoying kiclot?y, bladder, and urinary diseases. Druggists. The N.Z. Drug Co. General Agents. 2

August Flower.— The most miserable beings in the world are those .suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. .Gore than 7£ per cent of the people are afflicted these two diseases and their effects ; such .<?.? sou: stomach, sick headache, habitual costlvencss, palpitation of the heart, heart burn, waterbrasli, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august nowet. This valuable medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s 6d a bottle. Samp 0 bodies, sd,—[Aovx,

AN UNSCRUPULOUS LOTHARIO.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr H. C. S. Baddoley, Et.M., Edward Honey wood was charged that on the 22nd day of .-»pril last, being then the bailee of throe one pound notes of the monies, goods, and* chattels of Charlotte Colston, he did feloniously take and convert the same to his own use con-

trary to the form of the statute in sum!’ 1 cases made and provided. The accused was also charged with the larceny of two rings from the said Charlotte Oolaton. Mr Branson, who appeared for the in formant, said that his client, acting under hia advice, had determined not to proceed with the criminal charge, but. intended to bring a civil action against the accused to recover the property specified in the in format on, and the amount of expenses incurred in consequence of his unscrupu lous conduct. There could be no moral doubt anout the facta as they appeared in the information, but unfortunately there was not witness to support the allegations of the informant. Mr Branson said the informant and tho accused had been fel low employees at the Somerset Hotel. He recited the particulars of the case, which have already been published, and said he had no doubt the proposal of mar riage made by the accused to the infor mant was prompted by highly improper motives. Mr Branson read a number of letters addressed by the accused to the in formant, first remarking that the;, corres pondence was entirely free from dates, punctuation, or any other mark of aristo cratic culture. Dearest little darl'n-—OjcII not tee you for any time this morning,R so am obliged to write you. 1 want to ask you a question. Will you be my wife? You may think that I am not able to keep one, but when I come of age I get ten thou-

sand pounds, and that is next October. Will talk it over with you when I got your

answer. —Teddy. Dearest Maud—l can sea that you do not care for me, so that if you care for anybody else well and good. I have heard something this afternoon which makes me write this. The only thing I have to say is, do not make a fool of anybody else the same as you have me. I love you, darling, better than my own mother. My darling, I wish you every luck, and try and think of me sometimes. I shall start for Eng land as soon as I can gat a berth.—Yours, always the same.— Teddy. Dearest Maud—Forgive me, darling, for being cross. All I want you to say is that you care for me. I will stick to you always. I love you so dearly that some times I am very nearly dancing. I am going to toil you something that I have not before—l am the second son of a lord, and, if my other brother dies, I come in to all, and ask you to be my wife, and I will marry six weeks from to-day, if you say you care for me, and take you home directly. Tell mo to night, darling; lam sleeping in No 17, darling. I want an answer one way or the other, as I must make arrangements at once. If you do not care for me, then I will go nwiy from hero for good, and not trouble you any more; but I shall never be able to forget you. My darling, do not take the only tiling away from me that I bold dear in life,'or I might as well be killed at once : it rests with you now. If you only could know how much yon have cut me up to night, you would think of me a litile per haps. You do not care, but God forgive that I should ever live to see you married to any one e'se. If I can see you to-night let me ; if not, let me see you to-morrow. You do not know what a state of mind 1 am in darling; you do not know how I lovo you, darling; let mo have an answer to night, darling one. —Ever yours, Teddy Hon by wood. Deadest Maud, —In answer to your note of to-day, you say that 1 have caused you more pain and sorrow this last than Mr Ashton did in nine months Darling, I am sorry for you, but if you have suffered so much, don’t you think I have too. I ask you to answer this at once if you can ; say that you care for me, let the past go. We have both been to blame perhaps ; I have, more than you. If so, forgive me. If you say you care for me you shall never have cause to complain again ; whatever you do, I will say nothing, but we shall have to be mar ried at once ; but I can talk to you about that. Then I will make arrangements with the Bank. I ask you —Don’t you think it was rather bard luck on me to stand and see you give B——> love letters? I would not causa you pain on my life. Think over what I say this morning. If you had not been so cross it would have been all right. I have got something to give you if you consent to make it up. How dearly and always shall, darling. If you give me up, God hi.lp me George came and taunted me about the holder ; nice, was it not 1 Let me have an answer at once, darling. Yours for ever, F. Edward Honeywood. Go and leave me if you wish it, Never let me cross your mind. If you think I am unworthy, J Go and leave me, never mind.

Barling, I have been in more pain to day than ever I have been in my life oeforo. Every day makes me love you the more, and it you were to give me up it would kill me, darling. My only wish is to make you happy. If you are not, darling, what can Ido to make you t Do mind and coma out with me to-morrow night, darling.—Ever yours, Teddy H. P. S. —I will be down after we close up, if you like, for a quarter of an hour; if you do not want me then, cannot come till Friday, darling ; answer at once. I could not get down, had to go to the court, darling. Mr Hill has asked me to stay on till next Friday, and I have told him I will. I have seen the minister, and he will be down at 11 o’clock on Friday next, Then we will go away for good, darling angel.— Ever yours, Teddy. In great haste. [We have taken some liberties with the punctuations and orthography of the foregoing letters, otherwise they appear as written.] The Magistrate said the disclosures made pointed to the accused as a heartless scamp, but Mr Branson would be allowed to withdraw the present information

FIJIAN NEWS.

Auckland, Last Night.

It la rumored that the Hon F. Clarke has been appointed Chief Justice of the colony, and his successor in the position of Attorney-General ia a gentleman at present in the West Indies. Dr McGregor believes the natives are dying out from thiee causesj firstly, bad houses; secondly, insufficient food; thirdly, the unclean condition of the town, the bad water, and the neglect shown by the women to the children. The Suva Times reports that an in fluential and well attended meeting was held at Nensori, whoa a resolution was parried urging upon His Honor the Ad ministrator the necessity of at once re ciprocating the wish of the colony of Victoria so far as was compatable with the interests of the .colony. The Times further reports that afar * very warm discussion on the subject, the following motion was carried unanimously : —i ‘'That the subject of annsxation to the colony of New Zealand is premature, and it had better be left alone.” Another riotjamong the Polynesians has occurred at Su*a, in which several of the combatants suffered, one boy being .stabbed or tomahawked from behind, and receiving a severe gash on the shoulder. The frequency of these disturbances is securing'jor Skv£ a most unenviable notoriety in this particulars

MR JOHN GRIGG AT THE TOWN HALL.

Mr John Grigg, M. H. R. for Wakanui, addressed hia conntituents at the Town Hall last evening. There waa a large attendance, including a number of ladies, who occupied scats in tha g.l ery. Ills Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Fricdlander) occupied the chair. The Chairman said ho had been asked by Mr Grigg to preside, and ha e had very great pleasure in acceding to tha request. Mr Grigg was one of the oldest residents in the locality, and during his residence had taken an active interest in tha pro gress of the district, fie (the Mayor) asked the audience to accord their repre sentative a courteous and patient hearing. It was the intention of Mr Grigg to ad dress them upon the different important subjects that engaged the attention of Parliament durin.; its last session. At the conclusion of his address Mr Grigg would be very happy to answer any questions, on political matters or in reference to hla action in the House, that might be put to him. An apology was due to tha audi ence for the alight delay that had taken place in commencing t .e proceedings. The fact was the evening paper had misstated the hour, and in consequence Mr Grigg had thought it wise to wait a few moments to avoid disappointing any of those electors wishing to hear hia address. Mr Grigg. who was received with ap plause and listened to throughout his ad dress with marked attention, said : —Mr Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, £ first have to thank you, Mr Mayor, for the kind words you have employed in referring to me, and for the handsome manner in which you have introduced mo to the audieuca. I have askeu the electors to meet me this evening in accordance with what has become an unexceptional custom in the colonies —that each representative of the people should, during the recess, meet his constituents. This is not the custom in older countries. In England it is only the leaders of the different par ties that are expected to address their constituents ; but 1 think we may claim for this custom, as for many others adopted by the colonists, certain special advantages. To the member himielf, it forces him to thin* of the past legislation 1 and hia own political action in a strict i manner before he brings himself face to face with his constituents. It affords him an opportunity of giving some forecast of future legislation.; Not the least ad vantage, I take to be, is that from the gath ered speeches of the several members of Parliament, the Government can glean such information as may enable them to shape their policy so that the business of the country may rest on the practical basis—that only that can be undertaken that is in accord with the opinions of the majority It was the want of this know ledge that caused such a waste of time at the beginning of the last session. But I also submit that there is another highly important result of such meetings as this all over the country They keep alive a healtay political -.nd personal interest in the affairs of the nation on the part of the electors, at such times when there is a total absence of excitement by helping them to judge in a dispassionate manner of the most important matters affecting their interests. ' The first thing I wish to do is to set my actions before you as they occurred at the beginning of the past session, and in order to do so I must give you a short sketch of the history of those troublesome days. As you are aware the House consisted of half new members ; many of them had not bean members at any time before. This alone made it extremely difficult to judge of the relative strength of tho different parties. Two positions alone appeared clearly—one that tho country had declared against tho continuance of tho Atkinson Ministry, and the other that a lar t ',e number of members expected that Sir Julius Vogel alone had a sufficient following to form a Government. When it was announced that Sir Julius Vogel had undertaken the task, and that the Government was to consist of Mr Stout, as Premier, with Messrs Macandrew and Montgomery, and that Sir Julius Vogel was to take a sub ordinate position, the Canterbury mem bers were very much dissatisfied and told Sir Julius what they thought. I told him I waa sure that the Ministry would not stand a day—neither did it. On a vote of want-of confidence they were re jected by a majority of 19, the greatest over recorded in New Zealand on a simi lar motion. What followed for about three weeks I need not weary you with, any further than to account for my votes. I should first say that I had given Sir Julius Vogel to understand that, much as I objected to the composition of the Ministry I should give him ray support if, when their policy was declared, it were in accord with Ins address to the Ashburton electors, and if the question of the Property Tax were not touched. After I had given my adverse vote Sir Julius Vogel expressed to raa his dis appointment. X replied, 11 You have no reason to be disappointed, the change is in you, not in me. You remember what you said at the Ashburton meeting about the West Coast railway ; that you thought it should be made by a private Company; that you could not approve of it being done by a direct loan. In the Governor’s speech yon say that only in the first instance you would propose to procure its construction by aiding private enterprise. This, of course, means, taken together with your speech to the North Ohrist churchelectors thatyou mean, failing in the first proposal, to make that railway out of borrowed money.” Hia reply was that he confessed there waa that difference in the two statements. I then repeated, “The change is in you, not in me.” I need scarcely say that the policy indicated in the Governor’s speech waa such as I could not support. It waa pro posed to repeal the Property Tax and to impose a Land Tax. This I had told you, at the time of my election, I would not accept. I wish to draw your partioular attention to this fact—that Sir Julius Vogel did not and could not form a Ministry that could stand, until the pre sent combination had pledged themselves not to undertake any legislation affecting tho incidence of taxation or any social oolitioal question, and I further say that it the House had sat till this time they c®uld not by any amount of conces sions and pecuniary grants for special works have overcome the final determina tion of a large majority of tha members on this matter. About a month passed before this conclusion was come to. During that month many moves had been made,'especially by the Oamerbury mem ber)!, one of which I need only speak of as affecting myself, to explain to you how I came to give a vote for tha Atldnson- Wakefield Ministry. I need merely say that I gave this vote with the greatest passible reluctance, but I was compelled in all honor fco ypto as I did. Members were thoroughly sick of tha waste of time, and most of tha Canterbury members had come to tho conclusion that nothing but a coalition Ministry could be found that would stand. Accordingly, I think it was, nine of tho Canterbury men had deter mined to bring about that result. You

must realise that the power was in the hands pf Canterbury, so oven’y were par ties divided. We told both Major Atkin son -aid Sir Julius Yog»I the conclusion we had come to. They bath assented as far as they individually were concerned Each was to nominate two members of the Government, but tdr Julius Vogel wishing to bring Mr Stout in with him found that he would not join him 01 those terms, and so it fell through. N<>-» what was our position 1 I refer to totii i nine Canterbury men. it was to my mind as clear as day light, as a matter of hpuor. We had pledged ourselves, both

to Major Atkinson and to Sir Julius Vogel, to requite * certain course. This course being set aside by Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Stout we were bound to keep aith wfifch Msjor Atkinson, and not i-llow him to feci that our promises wore mere words. After the division one of the members who had voted differently to myself coming out of the lobby said to me, ‘‘l am thoroughly ashamed of it myself !• shall simply tell my constit uents so soon as ever I return. Bat,” he a;lde3, “ I must say it was easier for you to do it than it was for some of the other members.” For what would have natur ally followed by our voting for the Stout- Vogel combination? Simply a return to the state of things on which the House had already expressed itself by a majority of J 9 votes. Hero it was that the Stout- Vogol party, seeing the inevitable result again if they adhered to their policy, changed it in an essential manner by promising that they would not undertake any legislation affecting the Property Tax, etc. This gave them a majority, - and after my one vote, which I was bound in honor to give as I have before stated, I recorded my support to the Stout-Vogel Ministry. JjMr Giigg here read the following letter addressed by hind to Mr Williamson, Mayor of Ashbur ton; —“ L am not at all surprised at the disappointment felt by many of my friends at the coarse I have taken, but I feel sure I shall be able, whan face to face

with the electors, to convince them that I have r acted entirely in accord with my election addresses. lam now bold to say that a position o£ safety has been reached in consequence of the action of a section of the members of the House. The Go vernment now state that they have no in tention to undertake any legislation affecting either the incidence of taxation or social relations, finding that by such assurance alone could they command a majority of the House. Such a statement they found to be necessary to prepare the way for the Financial Statement. The Financial Statement was made by Sit Julius Yogel last night, and I am de lighted to be able to say that I think it to be most satisfactory. It is pre-eminently moderate, at the same time comprehen sive, p-ble, pyudent and thoroughly states man-like. It has created a feeling of general satisfaction, and I am very pleased that I can now without any re- support the present Ministry as long as they ar guided by their proposals now definitely laid down.” Alter this I found that I was able to give the present Government my general support, so that you will see that those few' members with whom I acted really brought about the stability of the present Government. There was, however, one occasion on which I stoutly resisted the threatened in tention of the Government, After the rejection by the Legislative Council of the District Railways Leasing Empower ing Bill, tho Government declared their intention of [gaining.; their objects in by obtaining authority to purchase all those railways outright. This I resisted as being a most unconstitutional;,proceeding and must have resulted in a dead lock between the two Houses. The Government ware so determined that they called a meeting of their supporters. Fifty-seven attended, and sixteen voted against the high-hauded pr tposal, thus settling the matter as to its introduction in that Jorm. That is the one act of last session in which 1 feel proud of the part which I took on this occasion, ”i£ I have any reason to feel proud I believe I had as much to do with the rejection of this unconstitutional measure as any member of the House. It was unconstitutional for two reasons. They proposed to break a rule of the House, and they * were going to create a dead lock lock in consequence. But, how ever, the result was satisfactory -J They saw at once they were opposed by sixteen of thoirjfollowing, and they could proceed no further. A resolution was afterwards passed, that the Government be autho rised to arrange [terms with each Railway Company on a certain basis of cost of con struction aric of depreciated value, and that confirmation of the same must rest with the House hat the next session. I have very little doubt that the effect of those sixteen votes at caucus will cauee a saving to the country of LIOO,OOO Is that not better than a blind following of any Ministry ? I will not attribute any personal motives any one having a knowledge of the circumstances can form his own opinion; but it was perfectly clear that they intended to purchase those railways at something like double their actual cost. I know particulars of only one of the railways that has been pur chased, and that has been at fifty per cant, below the price contemplated by the Government. This was about its real value. The best Acts of the past session I take to bo (1) the abolition of the sink ing fund and the absorption of the accu mulated fund with the general debt of the colony to be, when realised, ex panded on public works ; (2) the provision for making the harbors of West port and Greynaouth safe and available for large vessels. The arrangement with reference to the Middle Island East and West Coast railways made with a syndicate, which may enable them to find capitalists in England to take up their control, and so we may, by this means, have this great work constructed at the minimum cost to tho colony. There are besides these a few lessor acts such as the Married Woman’s Property Bill, the Workman’s Wages Bill, etc., with which I cordially agree. You must not suppose because I approve 5 of the East and West Coast railway being made by an English Company that I could ever assent to this line being made, at a cost of L 2,000,000 of money, by the colony. There are people who affect to see no difference in effect which way it is done, and therefore prefer the latter mode, but I see a very great and substantial difference. One difference is, as long as the present land fad maintains, that no capitalists shall acquire land (and no one knows but that it may last 50 years) no use whatever would be made of the L 750.000 worth of land. In that period the loss in compound interest alone would be one million and a half on the L 750,000 worth of laud, for which we shall get the railway. You will naturally ask, with a Ministry through whom the before-named Acta have been obtained, are you satisfied and prepared to gve them a general support ? I can not say that 1 am prepared to do so ; I I certainly am not, excepting on similar terms that were, I may say, forced from them at the laac session. Sir Julius Vogel said that the Ministry is composed of the oratorical and utilitarian elements

of the House. I should rather describe it as of the rhectorical and Utopian elements To be true oratory the speech must be just, as well as jpertinent to the subject,

and this I cannot admit Mr Stout’s speak ing to be. In a word, it is forensic elo quence. Ha often forgets the truth for the sake of effect. This may do for juries, but has always proved a failure in Parliaments. But there is a superabund ance of rhetoric in this Ministry, “ even the sweet and silent rhetoric of persuading ages.” I said I should change the word utilitarian for Utopian. I know Sir

Julius Vogel better now than when we last met in this hall. A mind that could discover the islands of the Arafura Sea as a suitable market for our fr. zan mutton, and could propound the South Sea Island trading scheme, to say nothing of the annexation ot Samoa by the Hinemoa and two policemen, I think justifies the claim to this imaginary word ' If tffe bofore lianjed instances are not enough, I think the probable result put forward by Sir Julius Vogel in his Auckland speech of cue effect of the Exhibition in Welling ton—that ten men now earning s'Ja par week might earn L 6 per week, and that each would Ut tbeip Ufctiiao wajw ii36»000 (

difference in his earnings. This is the way he throws dust in the people’s eyes— who would not live in Utopia ? I mis trust men who talk nonsense to the igno rant, even to children. But I have a far deeper objection than all this to the pre sent Ministry. I object to the Premier of the colony taking advantage of his posi tion to wound the religious susceptibilities of the people. I believe the fear of God to bs the beginning of wisdom; I have • no confidence in their political in tentions. As indicated by the Governor’s, speech they mean if the House-wili allow them to abolish the Property Tax ; toim-

pose a Land Tax ; to impose protective, duties,; to borrow money recklessly ; to administer the waste lands so that no re- « venue will bo obtained from that source.- And I fear the railways will be made through native districts without providing that a portion of the cost shall be a first. chargejon the land. Nona of these things will suit the electors of Wakanui. The Parliament of New Zealand is a most un satisfactory legislature, and I fear must remain so whilst the expenditure of large sums of borrowed money makee itjvirtually - a Board of Works. Consequently, the greatest political and social questions are set aside and imperilled. The great question next session will be local self government. I confess that lam jealous of it, and I do not like to aay : much about it until I have seen the Bill. _ This'is - one of those subjects in which Sit Julius Ycgel may be able to formulate some- ■ thing that will be acceptable to the conn* try. One thing we must require, that the Property Tax be mads a local endowment, and not that our burdens of local respon sibility remain to be provided for from the land only,. The defences- of the. . colony must be provided for and should.- be done I think by obtaining a special loan guaranteed by the Imperial Govern ment. This is a question on which I think there will be no difference of opinion in the House. 1 was very much amused by Sir G. Grey's virtuous indignation on this subject iu his. speech in Auckland, insinuating that the Government were spending money in other ways, and neglecting this matter. As a matter ot fact the Government had pushed the defence works forward as fast as pos sible. I clearly remember that when Sir George Grey was Premier ha refused to have anything to do with the defences ; and refused to have anything to do with. Colonel Scratchley, who waa sent by the Imperial Government to direct the mode that should be adopted for the defences of the harbors if. the colony desired it. Sir George Grey said iu his Auckland speech that practically the Premier had stated that “ politics con sisted in bamboozling one’s fellows in the General Assembly.” Surely no one under stands that art more perfectly than Sir' G. Grey. I think his letter to the King of Samoa, inculcating sincerity, is admirable from Sir.G, Grey. Tt reminds me of a picture lately in Punch of the Euasiau bear and Mr Gladstone, where the latter is made to say, “ Can he be deceiving me ? Such a nice-spoken • gentle man 1” Sir G. Grey wonders why two little innocent islands may not be united to each other; why England object. Wonderful fair spoken gentleman this I 'What a pity we have not a New Zealand -Punch. Sir G. Grey sketched as a .cameleon in full , canonicals preaching sincerity to the King of Samoa would make a good picture. No one really knows better than Sir - G. Grey the absurdity it would have been of New Zealand annexing Samoa* As if one of the tentacles of the octopus could fasten on an object, and" that object not be absorbed by the octopus— the British Empire. This is rather too shallow a scheme for Bismarck to accept, but I am thankful to be able to say that as far as the present Parliament is concerned Sir G, Grey has almost no influence. The two members who follow him, Mr Smith of Waipawa, and Mr J. C. Brown, would not be where they are without Sir G. Grey. Sooner or later a constitution of the _ Legis lative Council must come before Parliament and the country, and I think the ’sooner the ' better. The present mode of appointment is a preposterous absurdity, entirely out of keeping with the proper working of represen tative constitutions. That it should be in the power of any Ministry of the day who may be in for a few weeks, to appoint more members than may have been appointed for, say, seven years previously, proves the utter abortion it is. I think it should be elected for a fixed period only, either as in Victoria, by an electorate of a higher scale of franchise, or as the Senate in America, by other existing local bodies. Certainly • the recent objectless imposition of six new members, at a cost to the country of at least £I4OO a-year, is a nail in the coffin of a nominative Council. I think this would be a convenient time to take any questions you may wish to put to me. I shall be glad if you will direct my attention to any matter upon which you require infer-

f mation. 1 Mr Venables asked Mr Grlgg if he thought j the colony was sufficiently defended! . Mr Grigg said he was not an expert on the matter of defence, bat he was confident.it waa I in good hands. The Governor waa well 1 acquainted with military matters, and the officer appointed to direct the works was in 3 constant communication with His Excellency. Mr Caygill asked Mr Grigg if he thought 3 the Government were justified in spending fc half a million in defence works without con t suiting Parliament. , Mr Grigg said, replying to Mr Caygill, he 1 might ask whether if a common soldier saw a p Russian coming into the door he should knock him down at once or wait for orders from his ’ colonel. He thought the urgency of the ques tion justified the prompt action that had been 1 taken. He waa glad to find the Government i had the necessary nerve to meet the situation. J Mr Venables asked if Mr Grigg thought it i fair to the farmers and other members of the i community that Road Boards should disclaim t any responsibility in Connection with traction i engines and other necessary agricultural im i plements crossing bridges and culverts. ) Mr Grigg said the question was one for the local bodies, and was not likely tq come be fore the House of Representatives for dis cussion. * Mr Grigg, resuming, said: With regard tq ' the future I can see that there will sopn be two distinct opposing parties in New Zealand : —a town party and a country party, i I have alluded to this matter in Parliament, and Sir Julius Vogel has also touched upon it, ■ It is a very sad thing that this should be neces sary, and I hope it will be avoided. But 1 am quite sure it cannot be averted if there is any desire to foster Protection against Free Trade, I am quite sure that a policy of Protection will not be acceptable to the electors of Wakanui. They should be allowed to go _to any market with their produce. It is a mis take to admit of any dallying with the ques tions of Protection and Free Trade. It is a perfect delusion to suppose that the setting up of a few mills here and there can com pensate for the sacrifice of Free Trade. The. present Ministry contemplated something, of this kind. Sir Julius Vogel tried his hand at it last session in connection with the culti vation of sugar beet. (Mr Grigg here read an extract from the speech of an M.H.R., show ing the immense advantage of Free Trade over the Protection policy). It will be much better for the people of New ; Zealand to maintain the workers at any industry than if will be to have a policy of Protection. I do not say the Customs should be done away with altogether; they are required. When I’, last addressed you in this hall we were all hopeful as to the removal of the existing depression, and the issue of a more pro* speroiis state of affairs, 1 and many hoped that fhe pcilitics offth4 session ttaulcj contribute greatly tq this end. It is patent tq you and evident to me, however, that we cannqt receive any great help from that source. I believe thst the reason of the country's wonderful prosperity in { he early days was occasioned by the increasing value of pro? perty, the carrying out of works, and the large amount of immigration to the country. That cannot be repeated, and, therefore, we cannot expect any great result i except from our own persevering efforts and zealous attention to our business. No . Government can be formed that • can do , much fpjt the people of New f; , Zealand. c _ although a Government can be provided that can do much harm to the country. I notice that Sir Julius Vogel promises to introduce a Bill to enable the country to borrow money at a low rate of interest, and lend it to small SOtUttEU Witt) ttw Qbjeqi q$ &UI -

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1885.



Wanted. ANTED Known— and Hoi; Pics (meat and fruit), and other refreshments at VV. 0. Davis’, Fruiterer, East street. Pr.vata room for jadies. 6 811 At'TED TO LET or FOR SALE, Suffolk Butchery Premises, con sisting of shop and dwelling-house, sausage factory complete, etc. Apply to J. 0. Duncan, Ashburton. 5 785 WANTED Known that B. Lancaster's Pork Sausages at 6 per lb excels any other in the Canterbury province, Cash buyer of bacon pigs. R. Lancaster Ready-money Meat Mart, Bullock’s Ar cade. 5 774 WANTED, till Tuesday, 26th May Tenders for Ploughing at Wheat stone, 150 acres land, 6in deep, in one chain lands as laid off, to be finished by Ist July. Tenders to be addressed to Geo. Giddings, Tinwald. S 806 WANTED Known The undersigned is prepared to Drill Seed with Reid and Gray’s drill or sow with broadcast sower, on mo't reasonable terms. Apply to Martin Griffin, Newlands. 5 730 KTTANTED Known—That T. Honi/r yV has commenced Bacon Curing and having purchased a first-class sausage machine, he will be able to supply the wants of the inhabitants of Ashburton with a real good Pork Sausage. Fresh every day. Only good corn fed pigs bought. 5 711 TANTED Known—Before buying , , Dress Materials, Ulsters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc., call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery anti Millinery Establishment in Ashburton — H. C. Eegers, ealys’ Buildings, East t treat. WANTED Known— Jones and Brad shaw are offering a superior blend of Nelson, Moate and Co’s Tea, at 26s > per box ; Flour, 18s per sack ; Chaff, 35s per ton ; Wheat, seconds and crushed, equally cheap, for Cash. IT 'XT' ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew- Vy ing Machines can be had on Time ■ Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. 2 276 llj AN TED Know., Buou. ! I V y 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, 9a, and a lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 3 p.m., with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates'. _ , All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths , must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of ood faith. AQ advertisements and business lett rrs o be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to Tub Editor. ______



TO SHEEP OWNERS in Seafield and district.—Dipping done at moderate charges..,. H gxROUTS. 4 582. Seafield. -pOMESTIO PATTBBN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, E/ist Stbßet, near Lancaster's butchery. Ladies’ Dressesand Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413 -pUSLIO ANNOUNCEMENT. OPENED MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 1885. MESSRS BAYLIS * CO. (late of Orr and Alcorn), have Commenced Busi ness as Family Grrcsrs and Tea Dealers, in Saunders’ Buildings, next to Mr Far ley’s, Bookseller, on above date. Messrs B. and Co. beg to announce to the public of Ashburton and District, that as they Buy for Cash and in the cheapest markets, they are in a position to Sell at the lowest possible prices, and trust by punctuality and despatch to receive a fair share of the public patronage. 4 584 BAYLIS & CO. T RIAN GL E BAKERY B. MORRIS being the first to RE DUCE the Price of BREAD in Ashbur ton, takes this opportunity of thanking bis customers for past favors, • and has now the pleasure of informing them that prompt monthly customers are waited upon at CASH prices, viz , 41b Loaf sd, Also, that Gristing of farmers’ lots is re ceived at the Triangle Bakery, for the Westerfield Flour Mills. B. MORRIS, MILLER, WESTERFIELD. 5 712 AR WITH RUSSIA.—At the pre sent juncture it would be difficult any one exe-pt a prophet of the [best rank to say whether or not the ssent negotiations between England and tssia will lead to a general European r, or whether they will end in smoke, e absence of full information as to what transpiring between the two countries iy indicate that the political breeze is iwing harmlessly past; or, it may be i awful silence which generally precedes tnrm. In either case, we ought to be spared for the worst. If a general war sake out the price of nearly every article Commerce will rise. Among other umodities wool and labor will go up. ,w is the time, therefore, to lay in a ck of clothing, before the general ad ice begins. In order that we may not caught napping we have just purchased plendid Assortment of Winter 1 weeds father materials necessary to a well lipped tailoring establishment, which are prepared to offer at unusually low cea for cash. Regarding style and fit, s almost needless for ns to repeat wbat rybody know*, viz , that by our acien e mode of cubing, and the care exer* sd by os in ticing the figure, a mia-fit in impossibility. — Ceaiohkad akd Co. , ictwrt J»U«8( T«ww4



WANTED KNuWN— 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. MRS KENNEDY & MISS CAMERON, dressmakers, Compton’s Buildings, Moore street, Ashburton. N. B.—Registry Office for Female Ser vants. A 037 SELLING OEE FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONERY, &c. ggg- Must be sold—even if at a loss To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., Ashburton. Mrs Adams, AGENT FOR MADAME WEIGEL’S PATTERNS, HAS now on hand a nice assortment of crewel wools, silks, filoselle, flossette, lace, braids, transfer patterns, new designs, crash, oatmeal and satin cloths for art needlework, five o’clock tea cloths, embroidery frames, etc. THE LITTLE SHOP, East street, (Next Mr Ranger’s, baker). 5 760 NEW GOODS. Wholesale and Retail. Books by various authors Stationery in great variety Toys and Fancy Goods of every de scription Jewellery, Cutlery, Concertinas, Accor dians, etc. Photo and Scrap Albums, Is Tobacconist’s Sundries, etc. Specially low rates to Country Stores. “The Old Flag” (music and words), by Vincent Pyke ; at published price. E, Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDING, (Next miop to Quill's Hotel. )5 692 GRIG U L T D R A L Machine Shop, WAKANUI ROAD. CHARLES RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cutters, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of machinery. , Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adjusted. Model work. General repairs. . . 3 384 BAD, MARK, LEARB AND INWARDLY DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, 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 Home). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books personally selected, and just received. 1 believe it was Lord Wolseley who said (ho happens to bo the most popular mar, of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should reai incessantly, and never forget his news papers; 1 ’ and I say the same ! Read ! Read ! Read ! When both you and my self will be considerably benefited. Nor having room to give a detailed list o' the contents of my shelves, I can only finish by saying—Come and see for yourselves, and if you are disappointed come again.— Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas P. Parley’s, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, East St., Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. | jpHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing he_publ:c of Ashburton that £b bRs WILDING, LEWIS & CASTGILL lave been appointed AGENTS for the 1 tbovo Company in the Ashburton Dia- 1 ,rict. I All risks taken at lowest current rates, ( LEWIS & GOULD, ! i 328 General Agents for Canterbury. MACPHERSON, PILMER AND CO. (Late A. Hayes) TIMBER, COAL AND FIREWOOD MERGE ANTS, East street, Ashburton. STUDY your Interests, and get quota tions for every requisite for the Building Trade. Study your Comfort and try our PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, Just landed, ex Candida. Doors, Sashes, Mouldings, Roofing Iron, Gates, Hurdles, On Sale, in any quantities. gm* WE ARE PRODUCERS And can sell to suit the times W. H. COLLINS, Manager. gTUDY THE FOLLOWING Quotations AND BEFRIEND YOURSELF B. d. All Wool Welsh Fannel, very heavy, suitable for men’s shirts 0 9| Saxony Union Flannel, fine, suit able for babies’ we«r ... ... 0 8f Scarlet Saxony Flannel ... ... 0 Grey Calico, per yard 0 2 Slate Silesia, per yard ... ... 0 2% Heavy Brown Holland, per yard 0 4$ Forfar, for aprons, per yard ... 0 5-J One Yard Wide Forfar, per yard 0 7£ Cotton Tick, per yard 0 4| Turkey Red, per yard 0 5£ Heavy Twill Cretonne; this is well worth 15... ... ... ... 0 8k Reversible Cretonne, usually sold for Is, per yard ... 0 9J All Wool Crimean Shirting ... I 3 Warm Wincey Shirting ... ... 0 4f Union Crimean Shirting ... ... 07f White Blankets, suitable for chil dren’s beds, per pair 7 11 No. 2 Quality White Blankets, per pair ... ... ... ... 9 6 No. 3 Quality White Blankets, per pair ... ... ... ... 12 9 Double-bed Size, per pair ... 13 9 Extra Large B lan sets, per pair ... 19 6



See our 21a and 25a BLANKETS They will really astonish you. TAILORING DEPARTMENT. All Tweeds well shrunk. Fit Guaranteed. Charges cannot bo beaten. MEN'S CLOTHING To meet these hard times. Men’s Tweed Trousers—3s 9d, 5s lid, 7a 6d, 10a 6d Men’s J'woed Trousers and Vest—7a lid, 10a 6d, 12s 6d Men’s Tweed Suits—l 7 s 6d, 25a, 30s Men’s Oil Coats, leather bound—lss 9d See our 21a O Y.‘E R C O A T. A very special line. H. E. May & Co,, THE HALL. OTICE TO FARMERS. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their grain we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to ua, enables us to offer to farmers extra facilities for the storage and classification of grain at nominal rates. We are prepared to make liberal cash advances on grain sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower’s account or otherwise, as may be arranged. 3 454. H E NEW ZEAL HD Clothing Factory CONTRACTORS To New Zealand Government Rail ways, Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &c. &c. <&c. Are now prepared to enter into contracts for the supply of NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS in any quantities, the organisation of the Factory being specially adapted for turning out large supplies in the most inexpensive and expeditious manner, ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS Estimates and drawings supplied on the shorten notice. Head Offices and Factory— DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NOTE -Measures for all uniforms may bo entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the follow ing centres, viz:— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth Oamaru Groyraouth Napier Waimato lleefton Waipawa Timaru Wellington Hastings Ashburton Mastorton Gisborne Christchurch Wanganui Thames Lyttelton Hawera Auckland



Victoria House. JTtIRESIDE EMPLOYMENT, AMUSEMENT, & INSTRUCTION J FOR WINTER EVENINGS. NOW SHOWING—A Splendid Assortment of Fine Art Goods and Traced Work in Slippers, Cosies, Antimacassars, Tidies, Radies and Children’s Aprons, Brackets, Drapes, Splaikers, Nightdress Bags. A Nice -Selection of Crewel and Washing Silks, Ingram Cottons, Berlin Fingerings, Transfer Patterns, Designs for Stuck worlt, &c. Also—A Nice Variety of Homespuns, Ladies and Children’s Ulsters, Jackets, Gloves, etc,, and a Parcels of Manufacturers' Samples in Men’s, Youths’, and Boys ~J ot ing, bought at 20 per cent under the regular prices, and offered accordingly. Dimant and Coe. GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &<•.» Sul! and Tftacced Stieeta, Ashburton, Victoria House,



Parents do not use vile drugs or nostrums in your families, but use pure Hop Bitters, nude only by American Co. See aad read.