DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SiL¥«. Saturday, July 17. Messrs Ma son, Oi s and Co, at Tatter sail’s —l iv. Stock , _ , y r t. Bullock, at the Area 1 o—Furniture,0 — Furniture, Live and Dead Stock, etc Mr Alf'ed Harrison, at his Sale.'coms Produce and Sundries

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS Etc. Saturday, July 17 Ohertaey Farmers League -Meeting at Chertaey Hotel at 8 o’clock Monday, July 26 Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers at 7.30 Friday, August 6. Asaburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11 a. m.

RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

Train Arrive at Ashburton— From Ohnst and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), p.m., nd 7.10 p.m. From Timani, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedm and South, d.Ji p.m. (express). From Mount Somers, 10.5

Drains Leave Ashburton— For Christ church and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55i.m., and 537 p.m. (express). For Dunedm and South 10.25 a.m. (express). For T.maru, 4-45 p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.0 p.m.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and alter the 30th June, 1886, the terms o£ Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz.: — if paid in advance : Per Quarter.. 6a 63, by post, 9s 6d „ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d Year .. 24s 0d by post, 37s Od if booked; Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15s od, by post, 21a 6d ” Year .. 30s od, by post, 43s Od

N. B. The above in so : f Xfieot'ofd f CRIPXIONS PAID IN ' L W .„_ aT v pvtqtlKQ •nbscribers, with whom previously exisiino 'cul Mi? renew^hmr> inscriptions at THE OLD RAT IS.

Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2a 6d eaon (stamps may be sent as payment); if booked, Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from tbe °ount y istriots .require to be venned by the signa ure of the person sending the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office For°ohrißtchurch and North at 6 a.m 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, esc., at 10.30 a.m ftn |or Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Jolistream, Rangitata, Oran Winchester, «nd Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. For Temnka, at 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m ''for Tim am and Soutn, at 10 a. /n., and 4 ' roLmanVeton Wecmesdays and

turdays, k' 10.45 a.m• . c ~ For Wakanui, Elgin, beaview, Seafield, nd Kylo, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and •iturdays, at 6.30 a. -n. , „ n For Mount Somers, oaily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Frl at 10.30 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post 0 From Christchurch and Rakaia at 19.15 .m.. 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &o. at 10. In t. and 35 p.m. daily. . From Dunedin and intermediate places 5.3^-v,m. daily. : roiu Temnka and Tiaiaru at 10.40 a.m t 5.30 p.m daily. , From Grecnatreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. _ From Mount Somers, daily at 10.&

*" From Mayfield and Ruapun_a, on Wod oosdayn and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waiert.on, ana Long each at 10 a. m. daily. Prom Newlands, on *)- oesdays ;ind rn ays, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thar* ays, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1886. The Representation Bill.

The Representation Bill, promised by the Premier, was circuited last evening. It proposes that the Governor-in-Council shall, not later than twenty-one days after the passing of the Act, appoint a permanent Com mission of five members, of whom the Comptroller-General and Surveyor- General shall be two official members, and the remaining three such persons, not being members of the Civil Service, as l be House of Representatives, shall from time to time nominate who shill be unofficial members of the Commis sion, Such Commission shall be called The Representation Commission.” No member of the Commission shall within three years after he ceases to be a member be capable of being appointed or elected a member of either House of the General Assembly. Within three months after the end of the present session of the General Assembly, and thereafter within three months after the results of any periodical census are ascertained and reported to the Com mission, which the Registrar-General is required to do as early as possible, it shall be the duty of the Commission to divide the colony into electoial dis tricts for the appointment of the repre sentatives of the people of New Zealand in the House of Representatives according to the following basis; —(i) The number of members shall be —— (exclusive of Maori members.) (3) The population of the colony (other than Maoris) shall be divided by the nnmber of members, and the quotient thus obtained shall be “ the quota.” (3; The extent of the several districts shall respectively be such that not more than one member shall be assigned to each district, and that in no case what ever at the time of making any such division shall the population as afore said of any district exceed or fall short of the quota ( a) by one thousand if a borough or city or {b) by five hundred in any other case. The Bill provides for the amalgamation of city electorates and other details of representation, which we must notice in a later issue.

Loeheil and Tempe have been scratched for the Melbourne Cup. Our Methven correspondent has sent us an amusing episode connected with a recent serenading in his own locality. We gather that the nr Hbers of the Methven Brass Band were considerably discomposed fay the po-ioe ruling that their interpretation ol the Wedding .March constituted a nuisance under the Police Offences Act.

In the report of the United States Labor Commission the question of the displace ment of labor by machinery is entered on, and a large amount of interesting information is given. It is shown that 100 persons, by the aid ot machinery, make as many women’s boots and shoes as 500 persons oould make without the aid of machinery. It formerly took one man thirty-tive days to produce a certain style of carriage. Now one man, by the aid of machinery, will produce the same carriage in twelve days. The most striking displacement of labor is that brought about by the Standard Oil Company by the aid of its pipe lines, displacing 5700 teams of horses and not less than 10,000 men, who would be employed in transporting the oil to the several or markets. The product of oil for the whole country is set down at 57,000 barrels a day. The steam and waterpower employed in the United States for manufacturing purposes represents in horse power 3,500,000. If only men were employed to furnish this power it would require 21,000,000. There ' are in the United States 28,000 locomotives ; to do the work of these locomotives, upon the common roads of the country, would require 54,000,000 horses and 13,500,000 men. But this work is now done by 250,000 men. The present cost of operating the railroads of the country with stoampower is 002,600,000d0l per annum. But to accomplish the same amount of work with horses would cost the country II.aOS.GOO.OOOdoI.

The handsome cup won by Mr M. Digby’s | dog Ringwood at the recent Waterloo coursing ' meeting is on view at the shop of Mr W. Zander, tobacconist.

We remind our readers of the diorama of the Tarawera eruptions to be shown in the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening.

Mails for Honolulu, America, and the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, close at Auckland at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. This mail is due in London on August 20.

Yesterday’s sitting of the House of Repre sentatives was almost entirely occupied with an unexpected debate upon the report of the District Railways Purchasing Bill. Major Steward’s share in the transaction with the Government wasjjjvery j;severely 'criticised, especially by members ’of the Opposition, but nothing definite arose out of the dis cussion. Mails for the Australian Colonies only, via Sydney, close at the Bluff, per Tamsui, at 3 p.m. on Monday.

In the Petrel case at Auckland yesterday, Mendoza was acquitted. Evidence was given in favor of the captain and first mate, who to day were also acquitted. The Tuhourangi tribe has decided to leave the bodies found at; Wairoa where they are and to close the Wairoa road, as in their opinion it is now nothing morejthan the entrance to a tomb.

In 1881 Ireland possessed 9,100,000 bead of cattle of all kinds, valued at £37,000,000. Since that year the value of this kind of property has probably depreciated at least one third, involving a loss to the farmers equal to £12,000,000 sterling.

From the year 1800 till 1881 the United States Government ceded 192 million acres of public lands to railways, 77 million to schools, G2 million to military, and 30 million for other purposes, besides 248 million acres in sales to settlers, this last item including 67 millions granted in homestead lots at twopence an acre.

A telegram received from Wellington last night says:—The Post to-night says that it has authority lor stating that Sir Julius Vogel has instructed Mr W. T, L. Travers, solicitor, to issue writs against both the New Zealand Times and Evening Press for libel, contained in recent articles published in their columns in regard to the District Railway Debentures Committee’s report. In each case the damages are laid at £SOOO.

The disappearance of Mr A. L. Levy, J.P, and Secretary ,of the Temperance- Alliance is still shrouded in mystery. At first, the general opinion was that Levy had taken a passage to Sydney by the Hauroto, which left here the same day as he disappeared. A telegram was yesterday received by the pro prietors of the Evening Po*t from Cap sin Kennedy, of the Hauroto, in reply to one of enquiry by them, which said that no person named Levy was a passenger by the Hauroto. Sir G. Whitmore also received a cablegram from the Inspector-General of Police at Sydney, as follows:—“Notraee of Levy by steamer Hauroto.” The supposition now is that Levy has met with a fatal accident, and a large search party will, to-morrow afternoon, make an examination of the foreshore of the harbor, it being feared that ho may have been drowned. The whole circumstances of his disappearance are of such a peculiar nature that they have caused quite a sensation in Wellington.

The eruption of Mount Etna, which occurred during May, is declared (snya the Home Netvs) to have been the most sudden and terrible ever beheld by the inhabitants of the surrounding country. Eleven craters were active. The central one disgorged only smoke and ashes, but from three others huge stones were thrown up a prodigious height. The lava streams in some parts were 600 ft wide, and were flowing down the mountain side and through the fertile valleys, destroying the crops and sotting the woods on fire. The small towns of Nicolosi and wore threatened with destruction, and many of the inhabitants had fled. No lives seem to have been lost, but numbers of people were homeless, the earthquake shocks having de stroyed their houses, or the showers of ashes and lapilli having obliged them to seek a refuge elsewhere. One chestnut wood had been surrounded by| streams of lava and burned. The eruption was accompanied by constant earthquakes and terrible subter ranean noises like thunder. The sight from Catania was indescribably grand and tre mendous, and vast crowds were constantly gazing at the awful spectacle.

The residents of Noumea are circulating a petition asking the French Minister of Marine to advise the Government of France to put an end to the delays and half measures, and plant once for all the national flag on the New Hebrides. They say that to retreat would deal a deathblow at French influence in the Pacific, and inflict on the army and navy unmerited humiliation. On the sailing of the British warship Kaven from Noumea tor the New Hebrides, the Neo Caledonisn wanted to know what she is going to do there. The same journal boils over with indignation because one of the Auckland papers has stated that France is about to establish a vast slave depot in the New Hebrides, and „eiolaims :—“ See how they dare to treat us 1 See how they dare to speak of France !—thejgreat nation, the first among all; the chivalrous and generous nation which has proclaimed the rights of man,” &o. It is the wicked English, it says, who kidnap the blacks and force them to toil on our plantations, under the lash of the whip, while they “ weep over them in official docu ments, newspar'!- 1 r.u-1 the hypocritical letters of missions., iea.”

METEOROLOGICAL READINGS.

The following are the meteorological readings at Alford Station for the week ending Friday, July 16, 1886 ; Solar Shade. heat. Date. Min. Max Max. Observation!. July io 22. 46. 130. Fine „ 11 24. 5°- ”9- » ~12 36. 54. So. Nor’-west showers ~13 26. 46. 132 Fine „ 14 20. 49. 133- ~15 26. 43. 110. Snow, line ~16 2S. 49. 125. Fine

COMMERCIAL.

London Wool Sales.

[REDTItK’S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.J London, July 15

The present series of wool auctions will terminate on 17th inst. The total quantity sold to date is 350,000 bales. Only 5000 bales were held over. Closing rates for various descriptions compared with closing rates of previous sales are as follows; —Greasy wools generally, to ad higher; Pert Philip and Sydney, ad to higher ; fleece, medium quality, 3d to j}zd higher 3 secured, 4d to sd higher; crossbred, fine, id to higher; coarse crossbred, to id higher.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE CO UNOIL

Fkidvy Ju' •' 16 The Council im t at 2 30 p.m

Dr Menzies pruenfi-d several petitions from iho woman of Dunedin against the Contigioue Oisetßas Act Mr Reynolds m >ved the second reading of the Civil Serv co Kefor a Bill. Ua spoke at length and explained the proposed measure.

Dr Pollen atrong'y opposed the hill, and counselled Mr Reynolds to consign it to the waste piper basket

Mr Mantoll moved that the Bill be read second time this day six mouths.

Sir Frederick Whitaker moved the ad journm ut of the debate to Tuesday.

The motion was agreed to. The amendments which the House had made in the Defence Bill wore agreed to. The Local Bodies Loaus Bill was read a third time and parsed. The Council adjourned till Tuesday next. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Feiday, July 16 The House met at 2 30 p. m. The Premier introduced the Representa tion Bill. Sir George Grey asked the Minister of Justice upon whose recommendation was F. Slbo appointed a Justice of the Peace, a»d what was the date of his appoint ment.

Mr Tole said that local reperoantatlona had been made on the subject. The date was Jane 8 h 1685.

Mr Tarnball moved the adjournment of the House on the ground that the answer was not satisfactory Sir George Grey said he was not to be put«.ff;by the adjournment being moved, and proceeded to quote a letter by Slee, printed in the evidence taken by the District Railways Purchase Committee, in which a promise of remuneration was made to Major Steward, and “ ”if they sold the railway debentures satisfac torily. He explained that it had become known that Sir Julius Vogel’s name was the original of the blank, and he sub mitted that Sloe’s proposal was most im proper and he ought to be punlihed, Sir Julius Vogel asked to make a person*! statement, explaining that he would have dona so on Wednes day but for being taken by suprise at the P emier’s resolution not being traversed by a motion for the adoption of the com mittee’s report. The paragraph of that report referring to him was most un warrantable. Hd admitted that Slee's letter was exceedingly improper. The evidence had totally failed to establish that any member had any pecuniary in terest whatever preference to the passing of ttie Railways Purchase Bill. Mr Steward could not possibly have known that Government would purchase the debentures. When he first read the re port he thought it implicated Mr Peacock, but on reading that gentleman’s evidence, to hia surprise he found that the report was utterly InooDsutoat wi.h it. He read a memorandum, dated October 3rd, last year, to tbc Secretary to the Treasury giving the reasons which guided the Government in the pur chase of the 1 is f rict Railways deben-

turns, and alao others, live days later, showing that the arrangements had not even then hee.-: definitely made to pur chase. Ho had drafted a letter possibly to the Waimate and Duntro n Companies, lat it was not sent, ns Mr Steward ap-

pea ed on the scene In the meantime. He claimed that all these purchasers had been a great bargain to the (dove! nnient, and the account showed £BO,OOO to credit

which it could not do had not the

I eg'illations been conducted with dis crimination and judgment. He doem> d i' not right of he select committee to comment upon the opinions hold by mem hers whom they ox;imined, as nobody would be safe could this bo done. Re garding vho privilege of members he II noted ho practice of the House of Com mons a winch it had lately been estab ■ishec by a large majority that d rectors (if c mpauies were free to on ques -1 ions in which they we-e directly lutei- Oitud. Regarding the blanks in Sloe’s letter In thought it an outrage on him that hm name had been so used. If Major Steward had lot him know, this matter would have assumed a very different aspect He considered the letter a c mtempt ot Parliament. The Premier would confer with the Speaker and loader cf the Opposition as to whether the writer could not bo punished for daring to suborn members of the Government. He himself h-d given instructions to his solicitors t > take proceedings against two pipers in Wellington lor their comments on his behaviour. Mr Lance detailed a conversation with >ir Julius Vogel on the previous night, to show that the latier then for the first lime, learned that hia name was the origi nal of the blank in Sloe’s letter.

Mr Thompson said surprise had been ex pressed that, as chairman of the committee be had not defended his report, but he had heard nothing to reply to. The resolution of the Premier, in his opinion, confirmed the committee’s report. He d-dailed the reasons which led him to take any part in the enquiry. \Mien he fi.st heard the rumors he thought them no serious that he at once said they ought to be looked into. The committee was too fair and impartial in its constitution to be warped by party considerations. He himself was reluctant to undertake the duty, but he thought thry had done good work. All right-minded men must feel this transaction was discreditable to all concerned.

Mr Garrick, as a member of the Com mittee, deprecated the application by the i reasuter to members of t*'o committee of fitch terms as spiteful, vind otive, and ol;- graceful, which he had employed in the course of his speech. The hon member then defended the report of the committee clause by clause, using most emphatic language. He accused Major Steward of lo' hying in favor of the District Hallways Purchase Bill by fsir means and foul ; and getting the Waimate line inserted at past 2 in the morning. He was also of opinion that the Treasurer ought to have warned Major fcteawrd of the risk he ran of hla motives being misunderstood.

Major Steward asserted that the Wai mato line was inserted about 11 at night and not in the morning. Ha contended that he had gone before that. He felt he had done no wrong, although he admitted he n ight have placed himself in a false position, and all the trouble would have been avoided had he at once withdrawn when the Government came into the negotiations. Mr Wi Pere said it was too much luck for one man to make £IOOS, and ha Intended to move that the money be re funded for the benefit of the sufferers by the eruptions, Mr F. Buckland quoted from the journals of the House to show that Mr Garrick’s statement as to the houi when the Waimate line was restored to the schedule of the BUI was correct and Major Steward quoted again to show it was wrong. Mr Barron complained of Sir Julius Vogel’s remarks regarding the ao'ion of the Committee. There was not a word in the report which ho rog otted. Mr J. C. Buckland condemned the action of Major Steward. Mr Bruce disclaimed any idea of being actuated by malice in his share of the report, or that the Committee acted more as prosecutors than J edges. Mr Sutter and Mr Fulton, also members of the Committee, >p ke In similar terms. The debate was interrupted by the 5.35 p.m, adjournment. »

The Rouse resumed at 73'0 p ra. (Vl' Fulton continued his remarks to f’-e effect that it the Committee really ha i

been vindicive (hoy night have gem*

still further. Th y“ ad though It fane t to leave . ; ir Juliut Vogel’s name him in the le‘tor us p ined, but a memb r informed hm that Major Steward himself it, w.u who ti r“t r veaed the real n;«m Sir Julius Vuge' interrupted the speaker

to say that I.is remarks had not baaa directed to all the members of the Com mittee, but he wai info-med that one at the least had oper.ly expressed hia regret It could he made better for Sir Julios Vege.l. ( Jries of “ Name.”) Mr Fulton said ho spoke for him-.elf. He contended that it was the Treasurer’s duty to have warned M-.jor Stewird of the risk lie was running. Mr U’Oonnor regretted the charao er of the debate which partook of the nature of a party struggle. His own opinion was that Major Steward trod on delicate ground, and it would have been better had he withdrawn at a certain stage, but he (Mr O’Connor), also con sidered that the report of the Committee was net within the four corners of t.ao order of reference. The discussion was waste of time, and could lead to no practical result. Major Steward admired the Ingenuity wi.h which the report dealt with the evidence taken. It seemed to contain a good deal at the first glance, but farther scrutiny showed there was little in it There was nothing whatever to inculpate the Treasurer, and as for hrnse’f, the company was at liberty to employ anyone it chose to negotiate i s deben tures, He thought Slee ought to have been examined by the Committee, and other evidence taken. Mr Duncan said the Committee had been biassed, and distinct efforts had been made at on® of its meetings to bring Major Steward within the Disqualification Act. In support of this he detailed some of the proceedings which had taken place, ex plaining that he had consulted the Speaker as to the propriety of so doing Mr Bryce said that Mr Duncan’s speech t i his mind had proved mote tlv-n any thing else said in the debate the fairness of the Committee, for if there had been a disposition to be too severe it was evident that when they came to draw up their report, they had proved reasonable and devoi i of Parliamentary spirit. Mr Kerr said that the ; had tried the man once and found him not guilty, and he maintained they had no right to try him again. At the same time be blamed M’ljor t-teward for producing private letters at al! before the comm.'fee. Mr I evaetem thought Sir Julius V-gel had every right to traverse the report as he had done The evidence woo d have j .ratified them la bringing in an exactly opposite renort. He thought the Com mittee ought almost to be censured for receiving a letter marked private in evi dence, and obliterating a portion of it Major Steward ought to have ; ns sed on its being left intact, but, knowing what they did, the Committee om?ht certainly to have informed Sir Julius Vogel of the way in which hia name had been used. Mr Bevan corroborated M i j or S' eward’s statement as to his motive for getting the Waimate line replaced on the schedule. Ho quoted a conversation with the mem ber lor VVaimate last session, in which the latter, whan endeavoring to get his support, had told him every oth-r mem ber had got his railway in the schedule, and he could not face hia constituents if he a’one failed. Major Atkinaon'regretted that Sir Juh.us V >gel had attache I the committee in each unmeasured terms, for which he thought there Was no ground. He had known Maj r Steward for many years, and alw .ys found h'in as good as hia word. When he first heard the rumours he disbelieved them. At the request of Major Steward he had carefully perused the evidence, and he was now bound to say, though with great pain, it fuUy bore out the re port ; indeed, he considered Major Ste ward had no course but to demand a further enquiry, for the present one had clearly not gone far enough. Sloe's letter was of so gross a nature that Major teward immediately he received it ought to have gone to Sir Julius "Vogel and brought it under the notice of the House. Proceeding to the details of Major Ste ward’s transaction-, lie argued that it was plain Sir Julius Vogel wcu!d have come to terms with the com nany without Major Steward’s inven ti .n and practically, therefore, the commission came out of the public chest. Major Steward’s only hope of regaining the good name he had always borne was by refunding the money to Government or to the company. They must be jealous of the good name of the House, and no member was justified in taking such commission after he had as sisted by accident or cot In passing an Act like the District Railway Purchase Act. Major Steward himself had admitted that he ought to have retired, and he could not on good faith retain that money in his pocket. He (Major Atkinson) had disliked very much the letter mentioned in Mr Buckland’s evidence, wherein mention was ;mada of £3OO or £4OO to be paid to Major Steward for some pur pose or other. This ought to be cleared up. He thought now they had been too hasty in passing Wednesday’s resolution. He protested in the strongest possible terms against ;he Treasurer’s dictum that it was right for members to engage in such transactions. Mr Rolleston conalded that, if the Treasurer was sincere in h>s views, he ought to ask the Hro-io- * - •--v-rge the committee’s report. . ■ i-ed that the question had been canvassed with a desire to arrive at a fair conclusion, and also that the committee’s report was just and impartial. Mr Turnbull blamed the committee for not having drawn Sir Julius Vogel’s alten tion to the letter when he was giving evidence before them He thought the Treasurer's language had been perhaps too strong. The motion for the adjournment was thou put and lost, and the orders of the day called on. Sir George Grey’s second question consequently was shut oat. The Premier Introduced the Repre sentation Bill. In answer to Major Atkinson, he said he would make his statement on the second reading. The First Offenders Probation BUI was passed through committee with slight amendments. *

The Mining Bill was partially con sidered in committee. At clause 152 pro gress was reported, and the House rose at 1.40 a.m.

MIDLAND RAILWAY

Christchurch, July 16,

Tc-day Mr 0. 0. Bowen received a telegram giving definite information that the first contract for the Midland Railway had been let, the contractors being Messrs McKeane and Robinson. The section tvken op is moat probably that from Reefton to Brunnerton. This is inferred fsom previous communications received Ijf Mr Bowen. The exact amount of the contract Is not stated. It is stated Messrs McKeane and Rob nson, the contractors mentioned, are both practical engineers of good standing in their pr fessb n, and well known In engineer ing circles in London, their firm having ( dices in Wes'miuiter Chambers, London. It is a well established and a thoionghly reliable one, and has been engaged during the past ten or twelve years in the construction cf railways in Ireland, 1 Sweden, and Norway, and in various gorks on the English lines, j

NOTES FROM SOUTHLAND.

[from A O.tRBESPOIi tiESTT.] W 0 are iowin th > depth of winter, and

or some weeks po-t the mountains have

been draped with snow horn crown to base, nece-sitat ng the removal of stock to the lowi't li ’ds ful y a month sooner

than is usually the case We have also had floods, unprec den’ed in heaviness ; one, which took place on April 28 and 29, did immense datnave to prope r ty Every river in Southland overflowed its banks.

The daimge was especially great in the western dis riot, where sever >1 miles of

the railway line were more or less dam aged. At Otautau, the wate • was up to the window sill of the stationmoster’a house ; and at Thornhury the station master fared nearly as badly. Llow places on lower level i fared may be easily imagined ; it was no uncommon occur rence here when the flood was at its height to see stacks of grain submerged to such an extent that only the tops showed above the wahr. In the vicinity of Dipton several se tiers w« ; re flooded out, and al most every house in the township was invaded by the rushing water, which formed a c ntinuous she-'t, over a mile wide, carrying away everything moveable. Ever since the township has presented a sad appearance, the wreck and min on every side bearing witness to the devasta ting nature ->f the visitation it had re ceived. Fortunately no lives were lost, though one or two very narrow escapes were recorded.

What appears to me a strange circum stance is that our spells of good and bad weather follow the similar spells experi enced in Canterbury When thera is a flood in Canterbury we here may look for one ; so with regard to wind. On June 24 and 25 we were visited by a heavy fall of mow. which covered the low lands to a depth of 10 inches, but, contrary to expectations it melted without causing any disastrous floods. This was the heaviest snow fall I have ever seen in Southland. Altogether the weather daring the last five weeks has been most unfavorable for the agriculturist, and little or no plough ing has been done for next season’s crop. iMany farmers, too, are put to great ex penae and it o mve imee in consequence of the threshing mills not having been, able to work. For several weeks past they have had to feed all the mill bands who, as a rule, look for something above the common. You will, of course, un derstand that out custom diff-rs from that obtaining in Canterbury. Here we hive to provide food and lodging for all i hose working with the mill, besides feeding - from sixteen to twenty-four bullocks that are kept fay the mill owner for pulling the mill about from p!a e to p ace However, lam ah;d to s»v that the weather has now imirovad, and most of ths mi’ls are now steaming away, but our oamatahed ;o.dsJ.re in a fearful state.

Many of the farmers ara n w busy draini-ig their land, having coma to the 0 inclusion that drainage is an important part < f farming, and with the improved drain plough the work, which in. olden days was reckoned by the chain, may now be uodert keo by the mi!e When I say that with this implement two men and ten or tweive ho sea are capable of com pleting upwards of ten miles a day of under-chaining to a depth of two feet, the wtole o >st not exceeding 41 per chain, yonr readers will be able tofoim sn Idea of be value and caparilites, of this won derful plough. A nd I feel sure that the cost will in the course of time be consider ably lessened. Our dairy increasing in numberi very rapidly, and ho general success that has been attained by them is encouraging to those who took part in their introduction. The history of a few of the factories up North,, it is true, has not been edifying cr encouraging, bat that hfa cot the least checked onr progress down here. We attribute their lack of success to bad management, and not to any evil inherent to the system. A writer in she N.Z Industrial Gazette states that “many factories have been started by assistance from others than those with cows, and as these men have not h'therto reaped much advantage from tbei enterprise and capital, they are be ginning everywhere to withdraw tboir support." The same writer strongly ad vises those about to establish dairy fac tories to do so, as far as possible, on a 1 purely co-operative prb ciple, making the i I farmer ah ne the support of such inatitn l tions. The idea is good, and its carrying into effect should be aimed at by all in terested in the starting of oai.y factories. Notwithslaudingitho fact of oar harbor being some time ag ■ condemned tor ever, the refrigerating works are progressing s ; .tis r actorily The company have now on band upwards of 8000 carcases of mutton, and as soon as another thousand is obtained the|who!e will be shipped at the Bluff. If this can bo suooeassully oarr ed out it will be a great convenience to the owners of stock in Southland, as it will do away with the present system of sending everything away by train to Dunediu, Land nationalisation and Cheap money seem to ba the order of the day here just now. With regard to the latter a very successful start has been made by the Invercargill Boroush Council, which has just borrowed £70,000 at per cent. Land nationalism n may be very go >d in theory, but nothing stimulates ilia industrial energy of man like the p 'ssaesaion of his own freehold. £ach freeholder feels that he has a stake in the country, and in *hs very act of doing the bast b r himself by increasing his own wealth, he increases the wealth of the community. A great mistake has no donbt been made in the past by onr land law makers, of whom it may be said that they have absolutely squandered the pub lic erta'e, not particularly because the land was parted wi'h but owing to tbe fact that they did not came the lame tobebenficia.ly occupied. Moses said the land was in< tended to give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, and there can be no question thit 10,000 ecrea in the han.a of a hundred families would give employ ment to more, feed more, and give real comfort to more than 10,000 acres In the hands of one man. However, if the time has come, that neces sity compels the resumption of our land by the state, it should be honestly done by compensation, but in what way the owner Is to be compensated remain's yet to be shown, as it is a well known fact that a very large proportion of the freehold land in New Zealand is mortgaged much above its value. The whole argu ment therefore must sooner or later end in smoke.

Southland July 2, 1886.

POLITICAL NEWS.

DISTRICT RAILWAYS PURCHASE,

(FROM AH OCCASIONAL CORRESPON3ENT.) Wellington, July 16.

The matter of the sale of the District Railway debentures has been raked np again by a question by SirG. Grey, upon which the adjournment of the House was moved, and a general debate ensued, in the course of which Sir J. Yogel intimated that he had given instructions for a libel action to he commenced against the New Zealand Times and one of the evening pap-rs, which turns out to be the Evening Press, dara -g-s being laid in each case at £SOOO Mr Garrick defended the Commiitee, and made a severe attsck upon Major Steward, to wh’ch that gentleman replied, showing that the pouns made by Mr Garrick were not 6iipp'>r J f.'l Vv h - fn-> The debate com mu. a tiii 5 00, and wiil probably be resumed at the evepieg sitting.

IHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JULY 17 1886.



Monthly advertiser, issued by Robert Elston, lhea<,rical Agent and Bill Poster ; terms-40 inch, apace 5a per month, centre spaces 10a ; tor longer terms special arrangements can be made ; advertisements should not be later than the 26th ef each month. 7bU ■jgLACK, BEaTTIG & COMPANY, Criterion Mouse, 201, 2C3, 205, High street, CHRISTO HU ROH, We have the pleasure to advise our Customers and the residents generally la the Ashburton District that we have ow received very large Shipments of NEWEST DRAPERY GOODS the Present Season. The advantages which we possess in being able to buy In .he Best British Markets, and the thorough experience of our buyer, of business at lowest prices. We endeavour tr give our Customers best value procurble, whatever Prices they may wish to parch*’ o Goods at, and 3Q LABGL:*AND WELL-ASSORTED .hat the most varied wants can be sup plied We append a list of our Depart ments, in each of which an immense Variety of most Novel and Fashionable will be found DRESS DEPARTMENT hosiery department MANTLE DEPARTMENT DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT MILLINERY DEPARTMENT DReSS department hosiery department mantle dbrartmbst dressmaking department millinerylTepautmbnt CLOTHING DiPARTMENT nderclothing department tailoring department HOUSEHOLD FURNISHING ual Manufacture from various Mil s Including INKETS, FLANNELS & TWEEDS OP SHBLRTON MANUFACTURE, Cash S-wiem anb Cash Prices. LACK, BEATTIE & CO. GENERAL DRAPERY WARE HOUSE TAILORS, )BESSMAKER and MILLINERS



Wanted. TT XANTE D—Apprentices to the Dress- W making. Fresh Presents to te glvenaway at the rate of 4s in the £. H C, Seageks, Melford Honse. 7 309 WANTED Known—Milk de'ivercd daily in town or suburbs, at prices to meet the times. Orders addressed Wm. Gkeenslade, Allentnn. or left a' McFarlane’s stores, punctually attended to ___ 7 276 VTf ANTED Known—Hayes and Co. \\ will commence their Great Gift Rale To morrow (Saturday). The greatest sensation of the day, Kook out for the lucky glass jar of peas in their window next the Arc»de ITT ANTED CASH.— White cugar, ; V\ White Crystal, 3d ; Sperm Candles, 5d ; Lingfiah, 4d ; best Lobsters, 6d ; Plaid Vestas, 5d per doz. ; Tea, Is per lb; Sago, 2£d; Tapioca, 2id; Catting Salmon, 8d ; Venus Nailrod, 5s 6d ; Groats, 9d. J. McGregor, Tancred Street, WANTED KNOWN —Long looked for come at last. T. Hoult, having commenced bacon caring, he la able to supply a real good Pork Sausage at 6d per lb at the Factory, Moore at, Ashburton. Pigs cured in any quantity dried, smoked and delivered home at One Penny per lb. T. Hoult. 7 ,? 17 TT7”ANTED 999 lovers of the Fine Arts W to see the new Premium Pictures, to bo given away to subscribers to the American publications. The Pictures are now on view at the Picture Frame Manu factory of Gates and Son, Buruett Street, opposite the “ Ashburton Mail” Office. 5 22 WANTED KNOWN-Where can the moat Drapery be bought for your money I —At H C Segeus, Melford House. Two shillings worth of handsome presents given for ev.ry 10a spent. Fresh presents in. See window. Ladies’ own dress materials made up ; style and fit guaranteed. 4 TAINTED Known—The Gospel will \ V be preached every Lord’s Day evening in the Arcade Chambers at 6.30 p.m. (d.V.) Free for all. No collection 5 607



Special il.dvdrtlsemem-s. bKKV \NT's> WaNTED. CtEVEN GENERAL SERVANTS and one COOK for Ashburton ami suburbs. Also, odd COOK and one GENERAL SERVANT for the country. Apply to Airs Randall's Registry Office. A. W. RANDELL, FRUITERER, &c., Town Hall, Ashburton. Trees Trees Trees THE undersigned has FOR SALK all kinds of FRUIT AND FOREST TREES, Pinas lasignis, Austriaca, Maritime, and Macrocarpa, by tens of thousands; other kinds In proportion. All kinds of cabbage plants, etc, on sale. All orders by post or otherwise shall receive my beat attention. N.B.—Gentleman’s Gardens tastefully laid out. All kinds of planting done by contract. JAMES PORTER, CLIFTON NURSERY, 4 75 Allenton, Ashburton. CANTERBURY xMILLS, ASHBURTON.^ I WILL bk a BUYER of UPWARDS OF 300,000 Bushels MILLING WHEAT THIS SEASON. Also some Larcro Lines of OATS AND OTHER PRODUCE. CORNSACKS, Full Size and Weight, at 5a (id per dozen. C, W. TURNER. 340 Re- ) H. ISROWN "iTfUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF JLYi AUSTRALASIA. Established I^GO. Head Office for this Island ; 158, Hereford street. Christchurch. Directors ; Hon William Reeves, M.I-.0., Chairman Henry Richard Webb, Esq , J. P. William Henry Symes, Esq., M.D. Bankers : The Bank of New Zealand. Solicitors : Messrs Harper and Co. Its POLICIES are indefeasible from date of issue, and non forfeit ble while surrender value lasts. CLAIMS are paid IMMEDIATELY on proof of death and title of claimants. BONUSES become vested additions when policies have been ONE YEAR in force. Quinquennial Reports, Tables of Rates, and full information on all points of interest to intending assurants will be supplied on application to Mr Carl FRIGKHOFFER, at the Commercial Hotel, Ashburton. Or from MR ALFRED HARRISON, Lo<.al Agent By ardor, GEORGE GILL, Secretary. Christchurch, 22nd J 1886. 6 178



Victoria House. RE-ORGANISATION OF BUSINESS. REDUCING STOCK. RETIRING from the FANCY DRESS, HATS, and MANTLE epabtments of the trar'e. PHENOMENAL VALUE now boinj given, and t> be obtained until AUGUST 20th N EXT DIMANT AND COE, GENERAL DRAPER ', OLOTHIERS, &0., East and Tancred streets, Ashburton. Viet ori;U! Steam Carriage Works. J. R. STEEL & SON WISH to Intimate to the Public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that, having obtained STEAM POWER and other Machinery requisite for tho carrying on their work efficiently, are now in a position to meet the demands of the public with a fir *-class article at prices to suit the times. Every r fiption of Carriages and Traps made, Painted and Repaired. Spring Traps from £2O. Whltochapels from £25. Buggies from £3O. P. S. —Special attention paid, to Repainting and Retrlmmlng. VICTORIAN STEAM IRON WORKS AND GENERAL SHOEING FORGE. J. R. S. & RON, while thanking the public for their past liberal sgpport in this department, beg to intimate that, having procured first-class Machinery, they are now in a position to undertake all kinds of Engineering work. Special attention is given to Turning, Boring and the Repairing of all kinds of Machinery, Including Combines, Engines, Reaper and Binders, and every description of Agricultural Implements. ESTIMATES given for Contractors and Builders Ironwork. HORSES CAREFULLY HOD—Draughts, 7s ; Hacks, 6s, 8



Special advertisements. -■V vm E&s-Jpl c R O W|N RON WORKS ARMAGH STREET, Christchurch. Portable .Ranges Burn Wood and Coal—ln Font Sizes. PAINTED CORRUGATED IRON IN Vonr, Five, Six and Seven Feet Lengths. 40 pet cant, Cheaper than Galvanised Iron. 10 1988 N otice. I 'HAVE disposed of my Busli.cas in Ashburton to MESSES H. J. WOOD & CO., OF CHRISTCHURCH, In thanking the Public of Ashburton and District for thuir liberal patronage accorded to me during the years I have carried on business here, i have much pleasure in soliciting a continuance of their favor on behalf of my worthy successors, who will make this a branch of their well-known STATIONER’S HaLL, THOS. F. FARLEY. In reference to the above, we respect fully request the Public of Ashburton and District, and all Mends and customers of Mr Farley, to favor us with a continuance of their commands, and wo guarantee to give at all times the value in New Zealand in onr line of Business. An additional stock of Commercial Stationary, of superior quality, and latest new Books, to the value cjt £IOOO, will be speedily forwarded from our Christchurch depot.



The latest new Books and Magazine will be to hand by every direct steamer from London. Subscribers supplied at our Christchurch prices Any Book out of stock will be Imme diately procured from our Christchurch establishment. H. J. WOOD"AND CO., STATIONERS’ HALL. All book debts to be paid to H, J. Wood and Co. THOS. F. FARLEY. NEW ZEALAND CLOTFI IN G FACTOR rglllE NEW GOODS FOR THE I WINTER SEASON AKE NOW OPENED OUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE T ' WN, And the variety of Stylo and Patterns in Men’s, Youths’, and Boys’ Clothing leaves nothing to bo desired. Thousands of Men’s and Boys' Suits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrunk Overcoats, Waterproof Coats and l eggings in great variety Hats, comprising every now stylo worn Children’s Jersey Suits, Children’s Wen of-War Suits Gentlemen’s Hosiery, Scarves ; Oxford Regatta and White Shirts Rugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags The celebrated WERT HEIM DEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. 5 N.Z, CLOTHING FACTORY, East Stkbet,



NEWCASTLE COAL. A A COMPANY’S MINE, WE APE NOW LANDING, ex Jessie and Okonom — 400 TONS COAL From the aIK vo Company’s mine. The demand for this Coal in Melbourne and Sydney is so great that a cargo rarely finds its way to Now Zealand- j 4.7244 TUCKER AND RESTELL. THE ASHBURTON WOOLLEN MANU FACTORING COMPANY (LIMITED) ISllproparod to received limited suras of MONEY pN DEPOSIT at the following rates of interest: — At call, per cent. If deposited for Three Months, 5 per cent ; for Six Mouths, per cent. ; and for Twelve Months, C 4 per cent. ALFRED BUNTING, 6 1944: Secretary.



J. Ballantyne & Co. A bolding an JMMENSE QLEARING gALE OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, On account of ALTERATION IN PARTNERSHIP. See Circular. DUNSTABLE HOUSE, CIIBISTOIIDKCU, +7 991



E HAVE FOR SALE PRIME SEED WHEAT PRIME SEED OATS PRIME SEED BARLEY. Some of the above lots have been grown in the Timam district. PIO FEED FOR SALE In any quantity. 1 I ° FRTEDLANDER BROS.