BIRTH.

Lownie. — On 2nd December, tho wife of Mr Peter Lownie, Waianui, of twin bods.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1887. THE HONORARIUM.

The Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Act 1884 Amendment Bill was read a second time m the House ( of Representatives on Wednesday riJßfob after an amendment, moved by Jrar Seddon, to the effect that the measure should proceed no further this session, had been lost by 56 to 14. The Bill is 9. very short one, consisting of three clauses only. The operative clausef provide that the allowance to be hence- 11 forth paid to members of the General Assembly under the Act of 1884, and m lieu of the allowances authorised by that Act, shall be as follows : — (1) To every member of the Legislative Coun cil residing at a distance exceeding three miles m a direct line from the building wherein the General Assembly is summoned to meet the allowance of ;£ioo for every session at which he a* tends, and no member of the Legis lative Council who resides at a distance not exceeding three miles from the building where the General Assembly is summoned to meet shall be paid any allowance under the said Act, (2) To every member of the House of Repre sentatives, for every such session, the sum of ;£ioo, with an additional sum of to every such member m con sideration of the additional expenses necessarily incurred by him ; and such additional sum of ,£SO shall not be reducible m case there shall be two sessions of Parliament held m the same year, as provided m the fourth section of the said Act, but shall be paid m respect of each session at which such member attends. All such sums shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund." To the credit of the members ' there was a very laudable willingness to make the sacrifice generally manifested by them, those who opposed the re duction being extremely few. There is one point, however, which we confess vre cannot clearly understand, It will be seen that m the case of the Upper Chamber honorableC - uncillorsresiding within three miles of the Parliamentary buildings arc not to be paid any allow ance under the new Act. In the Lower House the case is qaite different. Uudcr the old regime members resident m Wellington were paid an allowance considerably under that paid to non resident members — the former receiving ;£-5o and the latter £210 per session, the reason being obvious. But under the new Act it is proposed to make no distinction between the payments to resident and to non-resident members, We fail to see why resident membeis should be exempted from reduction. We suppose, however, there is a rea son, and a strong reason too, why a special -exemption should be made m this case, still it gives rise to ugly sus picions and to remarks not very flitter ing to the minority.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A pleasant evening was spent on Wednesday last m the Ashburton Presbyterian Church , a number^of largo colored views artistically painted orf calico being exhibited by Boy A. Blake, who gave a running descriptive account of eaoh view, of tbese tho greater portion eonßisted of sketches of Hindoo and other god. and godesaos, and Mr Blake having been for some years a missionary m India made his remarks very clear and interesting, and tk?y were muoh appreciated by the audi onoe, The choir, with Miss Kidd organist and Mr Xiamb conductor, gay* tJ _j V PJ til piooos of musio at intervals, and at the olose lit Blake thanked those present for their sympathy ahd ' a collection 'm aid of the funds of tho Tin.waJd Presbyterian Church being takon. Hr Blake hopes soon ogt-in to exhibit these pietqraa m Aehburtou, and anyone at oil inters-ted m missionary wtfrk m India will M pi-few fy ftttwdiag.

Messrs Dimant and Ooe intend making a distribution of useful and ornamental artloles °* glassware to their customers during the Present month, particulars of whioh will be advertised to-morrow. The maximum age to whioh animals live has often been a matter of ouriosity to many. The elopbant, we are told, is believed by the East Indians to live three hundred years, and instances tire on record of elephants having Jieeq^ept jn captivity as long as one hundred and twenty years, their age being unknown when taken from the forest. Camels live forty or fifty years, Some birds attain great age, BUoh as the swan and the eagle, whioh have been known to live one hundred yeara. Parrots have been known to livo eighty years. A tortoise lived ono hundred and twenty years. It lis said that m 1497 an enormous pike was caught m a lake near Hulbronn. Switzerland, with a brass ring tied to it, recording that was put m the lake m 1230. There are indioations that the whale lives four hundred years, Something like two tons of fish, ohiefly mullet, salmon, trout, bream, and ehipjaok' were left by the retiring waters m the Alfred Graving Dook, at William-town, on Ootober 10th, as it was pumped out to get at the bottom of the Cardigan Castle. A sim ; lar Q-0-.rrenco happened a month or two ago, and oooasioned great exoitement among the \ inhabitants of that nautical suburb of Mel bourne, who straightway impressed into service every possible vessel pr uten.il tbat oould bold fish, and then paddling about among the Blush, stiff with fish, they scooped feway until no more could be got m. " And now, Bobby," Baid his mother, bb Bhe buttoned her gloves, " be a good little boy wbile I am out, and do everything you oan ta amuse the baby." On her return Bhe discovered that Bobby bad emptied the con tent, of the molasses jug over the baby's hea* 3,and the happy laughter whioh came from the infantile lips told her more eloquently tban mere Words oould ever hope to tell how eminently successful Bobby's efforts m the amusement lino had been. Not at Home. A gentleman called on a lady one day and was told by the servant that .he was not at home. As be turned to go out ho oaught a glimpse of her bead m a mirror through a half open door. An hour after he oalled on another friend, and found the lady there. " I have just been to your houae," .aid he, •■ but bad not the pleasure of seeing you." "Indeed I I'm so sorry; But I went out m great baste on business." "In such basto, I presume, that you left your head behind you, for I saw it m the glass." ••Did you? It is very possible— l am so absent-minded." Kleptomania is said to be so muoh on the increase among the well-to-do m Paris that extra shop assistants have be kept to watoh customers. Tha sale of the French Crown diamonds, it is now officioially reported, produced the net sum of 7,207,252 francs (about £300,000). The historical heirlooms, whiob were not sold, represent a far larger amount, suoh of them as hava been transferred to the Louvre Museum are estimated at £510,000 sterling. Tbe famous Pitoairn colony now numbers 107 people, of whom fifty-Bevon are women. They are happy, contented, and religious, using (neither tobacoo nor liquor. There is no siokneso among them and no death has ooourred m two years. McCoy and Young, the leaders of the colony, are now very old, but can still _ing Moody and Sankey hymns with great vigor. The oolonists are the descendants ol the mutineers of the British ehip^Bounty, whioh m 1788 was sent to Tahiti jtt&oad-. cuit tr«_e.

SCAB ACT.

, a Blenheim, December 1. •William Pollard, manager of several stations belonging to the Loan and Mer cantile Agenoy Company, was charged* to-day with having failed to inform thff Sheep Inspectors as to the existence or ■oab at Tophonse and Manuka Island stations. He pleaded gnllty, and ln his evidenoe admitted be was aware of the existence of so&b, bot In the hope that he oould stamp it out by dipping when the Inspector asked him if scab was on tbe run he had fenced with the question j Mr Dodo, Inspecting officer of tbe Loan Oompany, and Mr Hannah, looal manager, stated that tbe defendant was empowered to spend wh»t he thought proper ln the -tradioation of scab. He never informed the Oompany that scab did exiat. Mr Rogers, who appeared for the defendant; isid he would only press for a minlmnco penalty, but would lay a second inform t tlon against the defendant for failing to Inform the Inspector every twenty four hours since he beoame aware that B0»b existed. If full penalties were grauted under this information they would brlag it up to £2000, Mr Allen R.M., fined the defendant the full amount of the minimum penalty— £6o— but eaid that would not affect hia decision under any future information The oase exolted gri&at Interest here.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

» Auckland, Deoember li The two men charged with burglary at Ponsonhy were brought up at the Police Coutt to-day, snd committed for trial at the Supreme Court sessions, whloh open on Tuesday next. A number of otber burglaries have been rep rted to the police ' daring the last few days. The Committee of the City Oounoil to night deoided to aooept Mr J. 0. Firth's offer to light Qieen street with electrioity for a fortnight free of cost, and Mr Firth commences the erection of the plant at onoe, Tauranqa, Deoember 1. The mayoral election resulted In the return of Mr David Lundon. Ql-BORNE, December 1. Captain Tucker was re-elected M«yor. Voting -Tnoker, 150; Delautour, 94 G_.ET-a.OT.Tff, December 1. The purchase of the tug Weßtland was formally oou-pleted this afternoon, and a cheque for £5000 paid to tho vendors, , after whloh she passed Into tho handß of , the Harbor Board, I Dunedin, December 1. , George Smith was fined £25, or six \ weeks' iinprisonm.nt to-day for playing ( the " three card trick " at the Cattle Show • t W Dawßon beat B, H. Leary (tho t present Mayor) m tho contest for the r Mayoralty, polling 862 votes to 726. t At ame ling of the School Committees' t Conference, a resolution was passed to v draw the attenljbn of tho Minister of I Education to tha' action of the Education ? •Board m prop jgftyj to reduce the allow- g ance to tbe wef-ftnitt-es. A resolution * w_s also passed expressing an opinion that c tho Board had treated the K.iikorai School Committee, m dismissing the headmaator, „ with so little consideration as to convey tho impression that it do.ired to a .sort an j, authority not contemplated by the Act w At a mooting of parents and householders g of the Kaikorai school district, referred to *, m the lußt resolution, held this evening, it 0 , wa_ reeolved to potiliou _J3-liament, a , prayiog that an enquiry be held into tllO dismissal of Mr McLaucldan, headmaster, With a view of juatico being done, and 5' having the provisions and intentions ofthe f. Education Aot proporly adi_iinistered. Wells' Hair Balsam.— lf grey restores to j r original oolor An elegant dressing,' softens * ibd' beautifies. No oil ox grease. A Tonio ' c b,torative. Stops hair .owing out ropg^ftos, QleiBFM, be»^ alp.'- % |J(

THE WAITOTARA PETITION.

Wanoanui^ Deoember 1. The Bryce v Hutchison election petition case, m which tho ex-Native Minister and others petition against the return of Geo. Hutchison as member for Waitotara to the House of Bepresentatives, was com menced at ten o'clock this morning before His Honor the Chief Justice and Mr Justica Williams Messrs Bell, Gully, and Izard, of Wellington, with Mr Fitzherbert, of Wanganui, are for the petitioner. Mr Travers. of Wellington, with Mr Thomas Hutchison, a brother of tho sitting memoer, for tho respondent. Kr Bell, m opening, said he apprehended that the evidence called on some charges would not be absolutely conclusive or satisfactory, inasmuch as that evidence would neces sarily be called out of the enemy's camp. Speaking to the specific charge of treating on tho day of polling, Mr Bell said he proposed to oall evidence to prove treating , on polling day aod other days Mr Travers intimated that he would I raise a point whether evidence as to [ treating on day. other than polling day would be admissable under tbe New Zealand Statute,

Continuing, Mr Bell said another speoifio charge waa that Mr Bailanoo, as Minister for Landß, used his Influence with the survey men to get them to vote for the respondent, authorising payment of one day's wages to the men while absent voting, and whilst he believed this was Indisputable he hoped to be able to show further tbat Mr Ballance wbb really an agent for Mr Hatohioou. Another matter referred to was whether the witnesses giving evidenoe as to corrupt prao.toes and probably belog guilty of a corrupt praotice themselves would be liable to di.qualifio.tion as voters. Mr Travers : It might be as. well to settle tho point at onoe. Mr Ju .tioe Williams was of opinion that disqualification need not necessarily follow, tie heid tbat If the witnesses gave their evidenoe folly and truthfully indemnity f r- ra the Court would protect them from disqualification. Formal evidenoe was then called as follows :— E. M. Oiffiton, Returning Offioer for Waitotora, prodaoed the appointment of scrutineers, etc. Garland Woon, Registrar of Eleotors for the electoral district of Waitotara, produced a number of official documents Evidenoe waß then taken on the first general charge, bribery, the particular obarge dealt with being that of an execu tion by repondent on 15th September of a guarantee In favor of E, L. G. Jaoob, hotelkeeper, Waverley, to eeoure advances to Jaoob, £250, to guarantee Jacob's n ccount at the B*nk of Now Sooth Wales by respondent and a Bill of Sale over the hotel furniture— Jaoob's to Hutchison— wbb put ln. E. L. G. Jacob, sworn, said that he commenced negotiations with the previous occupant for the possession of the* hotel about tbe middle of June He entered into possession two days before the nomiuation day. He saw respondent at Patea on 4th June. He promised hig suppoxt before any monetary assistance from the respondent. Negotiation to purchase tho hotel were made through the respondent. On nomflrawon day he Invited his friends all overroßd .strict to celebrate tbe ocoaslon of his entering Into possession of the hotel. He supplied a free oold luncheon. He supplied no liquors. Ha did not know who were the members of the respondents' Committee at Waverley. He thought Mason was Chairman. He knew Plercy, who shouted on nomination day. On the following day Ma.on shouted at the hotel, the bill rendered him being £2 lis m amount for champagne supplied. Ho received an acoount from Mr hutoblson for law oharges m connection with the transfer of the license of the hotel and the Bill .of Salo, The no.ount was dated 19th November, 1887. Mr Ball hore Intimated that he would not call further evidenoe as to the free lunoh as that already given was dear, and the oase relating to Jaoob was dosed. ) The next chargo investigated was that f of promising a man named Bright a certain i .section m the township of Waverley. Bright, sworn, said he was former^ ,e_n ployed by tho respondent, to whose manager witness hud paid two instalments j on a section. Witnoes subsequently left >the respondent's employ, and tho money was returned. Met the respondent on tbe fo'lowing day. Mentioned the mutter of the seotion to bim sayiog that he had lost J the laud The r< spondent replied that he could havo tbo lease of the s ction for two | years for the fencing, He had recorded his vote an hour before this, and tho subject of votiog was not mentioned by the respondent. A charge of pen- onation was taken out to allow witness to leave tbe town. John Flowerday. sworn ; Hadnot signed any claim to vote. Gave no written au hority to register the claim Claim to vote, signed m witnoßß's name, produced. Did not sign the application. Gave a man named Dean verbal authority to reg'ster a claim to vote. Witness voted at the election. Reuben Baldwin, gardener, Patea. sworn, said he wa. formerly custodian of ther Patea Hospital. Saw respondent ln Patea about the time of the eleot 100. Had no conversation with respondent about the loss of his (witness 1 ) appointment as the custodiaa of the hospital or his re appointment. Hud no conversation at that time with any othoi- person on the subject, John Ballance made an affirmation. He was a member of the lato Government. Was not aware that there were any men In Maungakaretu district who had votes m. Wanganui district, but a question wbb ralsrd aB to whether railway men would have any facilities given them to reoord their votes. Respondent made applica tion to witness aa Minister to know if the Publio Works Department had l_oued any order on the subject. Witness, after conversation with tne respondent, tele graphed to the Colonial Secretary to know what arrangements bad baon made to enable man to reoord their votes. Sent the reply from the Colonial Seoretary to respondent, Also telegraphed to Mr MoJCerrow, tho Surveyor-General, about tbe Maungakarelu men, who werp out on survey party. The rale la regard to survey nien, as witness was informed by the Surveyor^flneral, was that the men might have ijffive of abs^no- to record their votes aud om day's pay only. His objeot m making the first enquiry of the \ Survoyor-Goneral was to havo a general rule laid down that all men engaged on ' publio works, railway survey, or roads, ' should hajg&ihe snmo privileges allowed ' them to reSrajhelr votea. His attention was partfC-riariy directed tD the oase of the ( Maungakareta survoy men because they \ were m an isolated position, and the j general order mado by the department : would not reaoh the party unless specially commnnloatod with. i A W Wilson, surveyor, said that ho c (.a. m chargo of tho survey party at a Maungakaretu m September lest, aud : Intended going to vote before instructions t were reoeived. The men had asked to _ jet away to the election before Instructions t lame to him, and they had already worked j -vertlme ln order to obtain leave of ibsenoe. - George Harrison, the foreman of the J ■oad party, produced th. instr potions he .ad reeeWed from the last witness, whioh t was discovered was dated 3rd Ootober, tl \ we"k after the polling. The men had eooyded their votes irreipeotive of the tl net-actions. Ho allowed leave of absence ft nd One day's pay, j. At this stage the o_.e was adjourned till J < 0 o'oUpH to-morrow wojoing. • \ix

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday— December 1. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. IBBIGATION AND WATER SUPPLY. The Bill to provide for irrigation and water supply was introduced and read a first time, IHE OWHAOKO BLOCK, Sir Frederick Whitaker read a letter he had received from Mr Warren, manager of Owhaoko block. He stated that Mr Warren entirely exonerated Sir Walter Boiler from the charge of making the Maoris drunk. MIDLAND RAILWAY. The debate on the Midland Railway revised contraot was resumed by Dr Menzies, who moved that the matter be referred to a Seleot Committee. The Speaker, intimated that he desired time to consider m what position the three amendments stood, and vacated the chair till 7,30 p.ra. The Council resumed at 7.33 p.m. | After discussion Dr Menzies' amend ment, whloh took precedence, was put and lost. Mr Stevens' amendment, to the effeot that any future claims against the State on the patt of the Government should be barred, was, after considerable discussion, put and oarrled on the voices, and the original motion of the Attorney-General that the Counoil oonour with the resolu- J tloua of the Hoaße with regard to the revised contraot was carried on a division — Ayeß IS. noes 11. validation bill. The Publio Proclamation Validation BUI waß read a second time. OAMARU HARBOR LOAN. The Oamaru Harbor Boatd Loan BUI was partly considered m Committee. jgThe Counoil at 910 p.m. adjourned to next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURBDAT — DECEMBER 1. The House met at 2 30 p.m. HONORARIOM, j Mr Bruce gave notice .o move In Com mittee on the Parliamentary Honorarium Bill, that the Aot should be In force till the dissolution of the present Parliament and no longer, QUESTIONS. Replying to q-r.st.onß, it was stated that country telegraph offioes would be dosed between 7 and 8 p m. lf requested by the residents of the neighbourhood ; that it was not intended to extend tbe North Island Trunk Railway as far as Port Albert at present ; that the question of relieving oountry settlers of exeessalve ousts m the Resident Magistrates Court would be considered during the recess ; that the experiment of providing carriages for ladies only on railway trains had been tried, bub was not successful. NAVAL D-FKNOE. The Australian Naval Defence Bill, In connection with the Colonial Conference scheme of defence, was Introduced by the Premier. RAILWAYS BILL. Mr Mltchelßo m _ v ed the seoon d reading ot tho Government Railways Bill. He had hitherto been opposed to the ap pointment of a non-political board, but after oareful consideration he had come to the oonc-tj-lon that the only possible remedy for the existing dissatisfaction wite the system was the appointment of such a board. At present the Minister had to depend largely on the department, audjthls would be so as long as tho present system of management continued. He wished to tfaat no reflection on the officers of the deportment. Mr Moxwell, the general manager, was a very able man, but he had the misfortune to offend many of the public. He pointed out that a Bill of this kind worked very successfully m Viotoria, and the present Bill was principally based on that Act; After referring to the dutleß to be performed by the three commissioners to be appointed and debating the general principles of the Bill, he Baid he hopsd the House would assist ln passing It, Mr Richardson congratulated the Minister on his Bill. He supported its prlnolple, and had prepared three Bills embodying lt. As to the dissatisfaction I that existed, he Baid that mnoh more dia i satisfaction existed, not only m the colonies but m Eugland, with railway management. He should give every asßl. tance to make it a workable measure Mr Cowan supported the Bill, and said that the oountry looked to Parliament to give -ffect to it. He was glad to find that the late Minister of Publio Works wbb prepared to make the Bill workable Mr Buchanan and Mr Whyte cordially supported the Bill. Mr Samuel intended to voto against the Bill if it went to a division, aud he felt _U'e there would ba a greater revul sion against the board than there was at the present management. The debate waß Interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m, Mr Peacock counselled the greatest oare ln considering the provisions of this Bill, as the Board was really an experiment. He urged especially that the Commie slonero should live for a time m eaoh Island, and that the Bouse should Instruct them whether to work the railways so as to make them pay commercially or with the objeot of settling the oountry. He should support tho seoond reading, but would wait to see what modifications were made m Committee before pledging himself entirely to the Bill. Mr Fish said tbat the board would be subjected to as muoh political pressure bb the Minister. He thought a good deal of the discontent was doe to Mr Maxwell himself, despite the pratae bestowed on tbat officer by Mr Mttohelson and Mr Richardson. He did not believe m trying to make our lines yield a profit, nor that one board would be sufficient for both islands. Mr Thompson (Auckland North) advo cated that the ..oard Bhould be instructed to give the y«ile system a trial on an inßolated seotion suoh as the Auckland railways. Mr Russell intended to vote for the Bill, but tboughj. it was a sad reflection ou Parliamentary capability tbat suoh a measure should have to be brought m. Sir Julius Yogel thought that the disßatiafaotion existing was not suoh ss a board would remove. It was evident there was a great difference of opinion an to the ac >po of the board, and he advised that th_e bill should be postponed till next aea.ion, He believed m using the railways as colonising agencies, and not for the purpose of making money. Sir John Hall also paid a tribute to the efficiency of the railway authorises, and iepi^ecated po'.itic.linfluenca boing brought : to btear on tho conduct of railways From personal kuowle.igo he kn-w that V6ry P°P ular iQ Victoria, ; md that the jKßvenue was largely increased, j Ho approved oi. tho proposal of Govern- ! Dent to extend ;the term of the commia- ( Honors to seven iaatead of five years, ac t would be difficult to get a proper man io engage himself Sf or i e6B . j t w^ uld be ' mwise, however, tb give the board power <j o construct railways as proposed by the 3ill. This waa a diatinot thiug a together. Dr Hodgkinaon had no faith m tb© Bill "V Cho only satiafaotory solution of tho whole * lifliculty wsb to Bell tha, railwaya. B Mr Blake was opposed to the board. Mr Mackenzie (Mount Ida) alao opposed he Bill. • \ O Mr Meuteath waß strongly, m favor of „ he Bill. Iho board wouldSbo removed ci ram thp local pressure, now} brought to tear with euch fatal effect, .k. Mr Bruce -intended to sup^s?fc^U.e. 0 i itttyiire, Vut ho thought railway manage- \ ;

ment was a problem which oould only bt solved approximately. Mr Fergus quoted from the Victorian railway returns to show that the railway! m that colony had yielded an improved revenue since the formation of the board* He oontended that they had had ample proof of the popularity of the ohange. Mr Levestam laid that Mr Vaite'i Boheme was fatile, and would entail great loss on the oolony. He would support the seoond reading. Mr Kerr thought this experiment wai ■ leap m tho dark, but as the House seemed inclined to try It, he would vote fer the Bill. Mr Taylor supported the measure. Mr Dunoan thought the railways woald pay If there was more population, and they could get on better wlthont the BUI, Mr Marohant supported the measure. Mr Hobbs wonld do the same, but | with great misgivings, aa the prinoipal idea seemed to be to make the lines pay with out regard to settling the people on ths land, Mr Reeves (Inangahua) hoped tbe BUI j woald be allowed to stand over till next ! session to give more time for thinking over the working of the proponed .nova tion. Sir George Grey thought the past management had been good. Be woald like to know where the Commissioner* were to oome from, for it woald bt A mistake to pass over exoellent men ln the oolony to obtain others from outside; He did not agree with the proposal to treat tho railway purely as an engine of profit f which would d i great Injury to the peoplt of New Zealand. On the whole he mast V^e against tbe BUI. Mr Mitohelson having briefly replied, the House divided. —Ayes, 61 ; noei, 6, The Bdl was read a second time- Sir George Grey said he intended lo oppose the Bill m Committee. MINING SILL. Mr G F. Rlohardsoa moved the feooad reading of tbe Mining Aot Amendment Bill. Mr Seddon snported lt, ai tome of tht provisions were badly wanted to protect the miners, bat he bad some amendment! to propose. After a short discussion the motion wm agreed to. The Home rosw at 12 40 a.m.

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON R.O. MEETING. Wellington, Deoember 1, At the second day's raoing of tht Wellington Racing Clnb to-day, tht weather was fine, bat the atteadaaoo poor. The following are the results :■— Local Hakdkup. Fabrication ... « ... 1 The Shah ... ,„ ... 2 Smooth , ,„ , 3 Won easily. Time, lcain 47«e0. Dividend, £2 10s, Hurdles. Rata ... ;., ,„ „, 1 Reputation was the only otber starter, but baulked. Rata won by nearly half a mile. Time, 3mln 56 .co. Dividend, £1 8s« Hack Hurdles, Halioore ... ... , 1 Dividend, £2 17«. St Andrew's Handioat. L-urel ... 1 Little Scrub ... 2 Rumour ... ... , M 3 Strenuous, Administrator, and Kan garoo also ran, lt was a pretty race. Laurel won by a neck, Time, 2mln 14_eo. Dividend, £2 ss. Railway Handicap, Rumour ... 1 Tongarlro ... ... ... 2 Little Scrub , „, 3 Won by half a length. Time, lmln 16aec. Dividend, £21 o*i £3078 was put through the maohine.

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

° [raos. oon own correspondent. J d _ c Wellington, Deoember 2. d NAVAL DEEFNOE BILL. A draft of the Naval Defenoe Bill, whioh ia c to be introduced m aooordanoe with the reso* a lutions arrived at by the Imperial Conference, 8 was received this afternoon from his Excel* Q lenoy the Governor. This Bill is similar m ,_ oharaoter to those measures whioh hava recently caused bo muoh trouble m the various Australian ooloniea, notably that of y Queensland. The seoond reading of tbe Bill f has been set down for Tuesday, when there > will bo, m all probability, a very lively disoua* d sion on the various proposals contained o therein. Before the Bill was read a first d time to-day Mr Turnbull asked what was the b total amount expended up to the present on , the defenoe of the oolony sinoe the new y defences were introduced. — The Premier ; ' About £369,000 up to the Ist September last. . —Mr Turnbull: That is the result of having • a military Governor.— ln answer to another 0 question as to the amount per annum " to bs paid to the Imperial Government t aß the New Zealand contribution to the Aus* ralasian naval defenoe scheme, the Premier 0 replied tbat the amount payable by eaob oolony is oaloulated upon a population basis, and tbat approximately speaking the share c payable by this oolony would bs aboat 1 £20,000 per annum. The subjeot of defenoe ' ia one on whioh a large number of members * will bo desiroua of speaking, and a lengthy '" debate may be expeoted next week. J UONOI-UUC!- QUESTION. 1 The Bill whioh was the subjeot of suoh 3 criticism and debate last night, will probably i cause another lengthy di.ou.sion when m » Committee. The feeling tbat the reduction t should only refer to the duration of this Par* i liament is gaining adherents, and an amend* I ment, of whioh Mr Bruoe gave notice to-day, embodying tbe above proviso, will reoeive , strong support from all sides of the House. S9EAK OF. . The peculiarly inaudible voice of Mr E. Biobardson is said to be a standing grievance 1 with the reporters, when the Btout-Vogel 1 Ministry were m power, and the Bpeotaolo of ' half-a-dozen of these gentlemen imperilling ; their neoks by leaning over tbe gallery was ; quite a regular ooourrence, and muoh more i provocative of amusement amongst members than conduoive to tbe personal oomfort 0! the scribes who sit aloft. By a strange conoi* dence and to the no small disgust of those gentlemen, the present Minister for Publid Works is almost equally difficult to hear ~~ his predeooasor. When introducing the Bail* way Bill this afternoon this was very notioa -1 able, and as be was 1 followed by $, Biohard* son, who seemed worse thah ever, the reseku* blance between the present and ex-Minister m this respect was muoh commented upon. BAILWAX BILL. '" " Mr Mitoholson this afternoon moved tha secopd reading of the Railway Bill ip a speech, of some length m whioh he pointed oat the necessity for a change m the system of management of tho railways, and drew com parison between the state of the railways fa this colony and m Victoria. Other speakers followed, and to all appearances ' the debate will last three sittings. Generally speaking the tone so far is favorable to the Bill, though several amendments will be proposed m Committee. AUCKLAND CANING" CASE. With reference to the aotion of Sir J. Yogel m starting a subscription list to enable the parents of the punished girl to proseoute the headmaster, Mr Goldie, member for Auokland West, received the following telegram to-day from Mr W. Crowther, of the Auckland City Council, formerly member of the Auokland City Sohools Committee : •* Tell Yogel we shall meet him and will subscribe to the defenoe of the headmaster." _j _-m_-v_4 PUBLIC WOBKB STATEMENT. I I understand from the Minister of Public Worka that it is at present intended that tha Ifubho Worka Statement shall be muoh shorter than usual. OTACIO CENTBAIi LINE. Mr Fyke informs me. that he. has reoeived promises of support from 01 members for his* Otago Central, Itailway BMI, whjoh will ho plaoed at the head of the Ordor Paper at aa early date. , , mmmmmmmmmmmmmmammmmmmmt No health with inaotive-livßrand urinarj. organs. Take only Hop fitters made bj nwrioanCo, See < s

THE ABHBUBTOM GUARDIAN, FRIDAY. DECEMBER % 1887



DIART Moon' 8 San Sun Moon Moon ago »t Rises. Seta. Ritcs.tieto. noonday 28 Saturday ... 4.10 7.18 2.v' J.IS 10 37 BuaiJ«y .. 4.20 7.14 3.42 3.5'; 11 9 Monday .. 4.10 7.16 4.41 3.19 11 29 rn*Bd«y .. 4.18 7.17 5.40 3.47 13 30 Wednesday.. 4.18 7.19 6.39 4.18 14 I Tbnrwliy .. 4.17 7.20 7JBB 4.51 16 9 Friday.. .. 4.17 7JI 8.35 5.J0 16 MOONMGHT ETENINQB. The Moon at] 3]days old shines till, about 8 o'oloek. The Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-paat 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old ehinea till nearly 1 o'clock m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from ■andown till about 4 m the morning. The fifoon *t 15 days old is fall, and shines ill night. The Moon it 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. shines till morning. The Moop at 21 days old rises about 11 ,n. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. d shines til morning. The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till Bunriee. f ii ii THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after the 80th November, 1880, tha terms of Subscription to this journal will be ■ follows, viz. :— if paid ra advxkce : Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9a 6cl „ Half-year 12b 6d, by post, 18a 6d „ Year .. 24s Od, by poat, 37s Od F booked; Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15b Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year •« 30s Od, by post, 43s Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notifies, if paii tor at the time of insertion, 2s 6d eaoh fstamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, « eaoh. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent (or publication from the eonntry distriots require to be verified by the signature of the erson sending the notioe.



Ranted. FOR SALE— A lot of Empty Cases, cheap.— H. O. Seoers, Melford Hgjjse. __ WANTED Known.— That HAVES and CO. havo a splendid lot of White Einbroidory Robes at 14s, worth 21s. PRINTS, Prints.— Just opened a splen- did assortment of Prints, Ginghams* 0 Zephjrs, &c. Groat variety to chooso from.-!-H. O Segbrb, Melford House. ANTED Everyone to see tho ONE SHILLING box of choice Christ- mas and Yew Year Cards. Envelopes in- cluded. — H. 0. Seoeiw, Melford House. WANTED Known. — Comfortable Board and Lodgings for 3 or 4 respectable single young men. Termß : 17s per week, Fivo minutes walk from Railway Station. Address : Friend. "Guardian "Office, Ashburton. 11 162 WANTED Known.— Boa'd and Resi dence for one Gentleman ; com- fortable bedroom and use of sitting- room,' Only one other Boarder. Address — A.8., " Guardian " Office. 11 163 WANTED Known— To the Ladies of Ashburton and surrounding districts, that an experienced monthly Nurse la desirous of engagement. Good references oan be given. Address — Mrs Hill, Peter Street, Aahbnrton. 11 18 WANTED CASH— Moir's Oatmeal 251b8, 2s 6d ; Sperm Oandles, 5d ; Coffee and Milk, Is per tin; Oocoa and Milk, la per tin ; Vestas, 5d per djos ; Cornflour, 4i per lb; tin Fruits, lev Orooke'-y, Ironmongery, etc. — At JameA McGregor's, Tancred Street, oppositf Arcade. WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Scenery, and Catholic Subjoctß Catholic Oards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Bilks, Knitting Cotton, Oolored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, Ac., &c, at -dss Manhibe's Fancy Repository, Saunders' Buildings WANTED Known.— For Sale, Blue Gum, Stringy Bark, Peppermint f3um, Bed Gum, and Silver Wattle Tree . J-ePo'e, locally grown, and caved this Settson ; also Tnrnip Seeds, just arrived, ex b.s. Bimutaka.— J, Scaly and Co., Seedsmen, Eaet Street. Ilf6l "TTTANTED Known— Wells sunk, with VV pump and pipe found and fixed, from £2 10* upwards. All kinds of pumps, Ranges and house-smith work fixed or repaired. Chimneys swept and ranger cleaned, 3s. Registers Is 6d oaoh. All orders punctually amended to. Note address, H. Dudley, Moore street, Aah- burton. 11 22



ALBERT EOBEETS HAS FOR SALE,— Clovers,— RED, WHITE, COWGRASS, ALSYE3J, and TREFOIL. RYEGRASS, COCKSFOOT, akd RAPE, Golden Tares, Cape Barley, SEED. PEAB,TSEED OATb (various kinds), CRUSHED BEANS PLOUGHSHARES. COOPER'S SHEEP DIP, Ackccvled^^d to be » THE LEST IN THE MARKET ~-^— — " — -ii — „ ■ i ■ *** PICKFORD AND UNDRILL FURNITURE WABEHOUSE, OAB/NETMAKERS AND UNDERTAKERS TANCRED STREET, Opposite Union Bank. { NEW GOODS— Chairs of all kinds, Toilet Ware, Pier and Toilet Glasses j Mattresses and Palliaseß, Couches, Cheap Perambulators. Furniture to any Design Made to Order. [ Having procured a very superior HEARSE and MOURNING COACH, with , Plumes and complete fittlnps, they are now prepared to undertake i m FUNERALS IN TOWN OR COUNTRY With Despatch and Economy, combined with reasonable charges, 11J51 i ' "g a •*» my «W B__ O fl. J_ 30.2005.0-*'* _3 fa ■ a E-lrj* jslt |*gtf &s § S I^JJi -Hi § i§ s i-IH^ ' "^ 3-oB 5- *. o-s BH■« 8 3 2B S h S t.i'g- 1-** §a- 99s Sea r _» hg l: _ cSl'g^^ol^-^ S« £ S-S <# H r m. New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance Company Established ... ... ,., 1859. CAPITAL — ONE MILLION THE PREMIER & WEALTHIEST COLONIAL COMPANY, NOTED FOR PROMPTNESS AND LIBERALITY. FIRE AND MARINE RISKS, also RISKS ON GROWING CROPS, THRESHING MACHINES, die, accepted at lowest current retes. GEORGE JAMESON AGENT, ASHBURTON. j i STILL AHEAD OF ALL OTHERS^ AND THIS IS ENDORSED BY THE BUYING PUBLIO. SALES FOR 1886, 45,557 MACHINES. , fTIEIS record stands unparalled. It is laid before' the publio as'the best evidenoe J of tho merit of the WALTER A. WOOD BINDERS and REAPERS. This exhibit of Pales showing at once their volume and their marvellous growth, has always had, and must continue to have, an irresistable Influence upon the judgment of the farmer m determining what make of machine it Is practically and economically his Interest to own. The best possible test of the merit of machinery Is *o*»pft-I«on. This U the test npon which we are satisfied to rest the olafms of tbe WALTER A. WOOD HAR- VESTING. MACHINES. Eaoh year's addition to the record of sales contributes to tbe value of tbe teßt. It will be seen tbat more than 45,000 machines have been placed In the hands of the farmers during last seaion, and it Is everywhere known that these farmers unite m the verdiot that tbe harvesters, binders, mowers and reapers that do the best work m the grain field and hay field, that are most readily understood and operated by the driver, that are most easily drawn by the team, end that last the longest, are those that bear the name of VVALLTR A-WOOD, name which these machines have long made familiar m all civilised parts of the world. DURABILITY OP THE WOOD MACHINES Sales ookf k repairs less than for any other Maohlnes, It is • faot attested by agents who sell them, and by farmers wbo use them, tba | Wood's Machines requires far less repairs than any other machines In use. N. other her vesting machines ate is durable and free from breakages, F. FFRRIMAN, Ashbnrton, Agent, AGAIN VICTORIOUS!! rTlflE Latest Honors—first prize— Gold Medal and $00 francs awarded to the -*• Walter A. Wood Binder, after a three days' Government trial, at Melun, In France. McCormick Wood-frame 2nd, Horn-by 3rd. The " Cultivator and Country Gentleman " .ays :— " The trial at Melon wis a grand snecees. It was attended by the French Cabinet Minister of Agrlonlture, and be Department Director, as well aa irany other Vee&ffh Government officials, ftf ■SBll!6re, Inipeotor-General of Agr-caUuce, having personal direction/ The result has been published ln the leading Amerioan dr.j,l_ea~fl^t— west north and south — In the following cable despatch, which was dipped from the New York Tribune," of llth A gust, 1887 :— A Government Harv/sater and binder Contest was held near Melun July 29, 30, 31, the most important European .ontest sinoe 1885. Tbe WALTER A. WOOD Maohine reoeived first prize— gold nodal and 600 francs. MoOormick Wood-frame, second ; Hornaby, third MoOormick '■ » el-fM-910 Mecblpe. a** T boston c, aed Ackbotet'* fifaohloes also competed In b» ' J Mil i



HAVING taken over the Grocery and l Earthenware Departments of the Business of the late Firm of ORR aud ALCORN, I will continue those Branches of the Butioeaa m the same Shop for tbe present I have regular Shipments of GLASS AND EARTHENWARE, Coming forward from the Manufacturers Which enables me to SELL at a PRICE tbat defies competition. I Intend, as formerly, making TEA my speciality. COFFEE ground dally on the Premises. I Quality combined with Cheapness will be my Motto. R. ALCORN. $£P.S. — Having taken over tbe debts of the IRON MONO HRY and GROCEBY Departments of the late firm of Ok ti and Aloobn; persons indebted are hereby requested to settle at once, or oall on me and arrange and save expenses. 9«*9 ROBERT ALCORN. _ — —_— mmmmmmmmm —• i ■ i TRY KIBKPATRICE-S JAM. CAUTION. TCTONE is genuine unless our name Ib Ij| stamped on each tin, and has our Registered Trade Ma.-, " Lord Nelson^ en the label. TRY KIEKPATRICK'S TOMATO SAUCE. THE most delicious flavoring for Cold Meats, Chop- Steaks, Soups, Gravies, T*-* Bullock. TO FABMERa *TIOR SALE— A new WOOL PRESS. T. BULLOOK. ' GRASS LAND TO LET. 2P ADI'OCKS, part of Grove Farm Estate, fronting Graham's Boad, as follews : — 1 paddock, containing about 21 acres; 1 paddock, containing about 43 acres Apply to T. BULLOCK. ■ ■ i -« . FOR SALE. — An improved Farm of 245 Acres, being R.S. 27237, situated about 5 miles from Chertsey. Low prioe and liberal terms apply to T. BULLOCK. __P^T_£_ —Lot 28, Trevorton, near the -wjOita Presbyterian Manse, contain- ing about $-Bcre, with 3-roomed Hcnif thereon, for sale at the above price' Terms if required. — A*pply to T. BOLLOCK. THREE- Roomed Cottages near the ft aB Works to let at a low rental. T. BOLLOCK TO LET.— 7- Boomed House m Burnott street near the Orange Hall. T. BULLOOK. TO LET at a low rental. — 4- roomed Cottage at Hampstead. T. BULLOOK. TINWALD. TO LET, at a low rental, a 3-Boomed Cottage, near Me Shearers, Machinist. Apply to T. BULLOCK. EOR SALE at a low piice and on liberal terms, 15 acres of land with 2-roomed Cottage thereoD, fronting tho Fa ; rfield Bond, not far from the County Ealeyarde. Apply to T. BULLOOK, TINWALD. T,O LET— A Four-rccmed House with Shop, adjoining Mr Heseltine's pro- perty, and near the Railway Station. A e m rental will be accepted . T. BULLOOK. TREVORTON. a\o LET.— Trevorton House, confab | ing 9 Hooma together with ob<~>u. | acres of land laid out ns follows : — Large Lawn m front of the House, £ hrnbbery | round about it, and a belt of forest trees. Remainder m grass paddock. . There is also a Stable and Coach house erected on the property. , Apply to , T BULLOCK. t