DIARY.

i iloon's Sun Sun Moon Moon ago at Rises. Sets. Rises Bets, noonday a.m. pm, 17 Saturday ... 4.17 7.35 026 9.40 2 18 Sunday .. 4.17 7.30 7. 29 10.25 3 19 Monday .. 4.18 7.36 8.32 U. 4 4 20 .Tuesday .. 4.18 7.37 934 11 38 5 21 Wednesday.. 4.18 7.: 7 10.34 * » 6 22 Thursday .. 4.19 7.^8 11.34 a.m. 7 p.m. 0.6 3 Friday.. .. 4.19 7.38 0.33 0.82 8

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 3 days old shines till about 8 o'clock. The Moon at 6 dayß old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'olock m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old ahines from sundown till about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is fall, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines (ill morning. The Moon at 24 dayß old rises about 2 a.m. and Bhinestill morning. The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1887. PARLIAMENTARY WORK.

Weeks and weeks ago we pointed out that the time of the session was designedly beiDg wasted so that the usual Atkinsonian dodge of rushing the most important Bills through without due consideration, and when members were being wearied out by over work, might be resorted to m order to enable the Government to carry their policy Bills The proceedings of the last few days show that we were not wrong m our prognostication. Members have been worn out with fifteen to nineteen hours work for each of the six days m the working week, and measures have been allowed to pass almost without debate — at anyrate without having had due con sideration and discussion. We need not go further than theGovernment Railways Bill for an instance of the unsatisfactory manner m which Bills of the utmost importance are rushed through. Major Atkinson's attitude of late reminds us of that very useful but humble func tionary m our municipal economy, the channel clearer, who ruthlessly and vigorously sweeps everything before him — opposition or resistance is useless. On they must go. The Major is the sweeper, and with his brush — his im mense majority — pushes everything frefore htm. Should he meet with indiyidyal .obstruction— such as a stone | — -he dexterously "chucks it out," as 'he did poor Sir George Grey last night. This is not a satisfactory posi tion for a country's legislature t,o be ?n, and has more than anything else tended to disgust the gettlei.s with party govern ment. To what does tUe 014 adage— X What is worth doing, is worth doing well" — apply with such force as to the fi/ork of legislation. That our legisla tion p/ thg present session does not come into Jhi category I—well1 — well done few will be bold £nough to deny, We notice that several of our contem poraries ate m a.c£prd w|th us, m the opinions we have e^pre§^4 qn the subject. The Wanganui "H.eraJ4 ; ' has the following m a recent issue ; — "The manner m which the beginning of the session was wasted by the Government, who, apparently on pur pose, dragged out the financial Debate | till the very name stank^io the nostrils pf the public, has been equalled m the pto extreme by tbe tactic? resorted

to to force through business at the fag end of the session. We take from the " Post " of last night the following description of the ' slummocking ' pro cess that has been followed m connec tion with important measures : — The Railways Bill, one of the most import ant measures of the session, was passed through Committee m a House averaging throughout little more than 25 members. One or two members contested certain sections somewhat strenuously, but the bulk of the clauses were simply slummocked through. A number of alterations and provisions were inserted on the motion of the Minister for Public Works, but no one could hear a word that Mr Mitchelson said, and no one seemed to care." The people are getting pretty well tired of this kind of thing, and we should not be surprised if a new departure m the Government of the colony were taken before another Chris tma&tide comes round.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Master of the Home deijires to acknow ledge, with thanks, the receipt of fruit and flour for Christmas paddings for the inmates from Meßsre H. Zander and Go. & The seata for the Marjeroni Company's performance to-night are being rapidly taken np, and .there is every prospect of a large attendance. On Monday last the looal acclimatisation Society tamed oat m the Ashburton river 5000 brown trout and 1000 Amerioan brook trout (fontinalis,) also 500 brown trout m the Domain, and* to-day 5000 brown tront m the river m various places; the fish were brought from Cbristohuroh by Mr S. 0. Farr and received here by Mr Quane, the loca Secretary, who took charge of them and caw them safely into the water* According to the native journals, Japan can boast of a phenomenal giantess, Though only twelve years and five months old, she I Btands 8 feet high, and weighs 33 kwamme, or over 2701b5. Her hands measure over 9 inches And feet 15 inches. At Berne, on 9th Oot., while the troops were being eieroised m rifle drill one of the Boldiers taking part m the evolutions was shot dead and another was wounded. A search was thoroupon instituted, and a man m whose pouoh ball-oartridges were fouud was placed under arrest. An inquiry showed that the man intentionally used the ball cartridges. Little brother, whose sister is playing oarda with a gentleman : "Mr Smilor, doea Minnie play oarda well?" Mr Smiler: " Ye», very well, indeed." Little brother: "Then you ! had better look out ; mamma said if she phyed her cards well she would catoh you." The official report of Surveyor Beattie, of ' the New York Cußtom House, shows an im mense amount of smuggling attempted by ladies with the aid of that expansive artiole of apparel known as a buatle. The artioles found by the stern inspeotresses m this con. venient receptacle embraoe silks, table soarff » pipes, cigar holders, diamonds, cotton and woollen goods, laoe, ostrich feathers, and divers other commodities. If theßo dieooveries tend to bring the bustle into disrepute and finally into disuse they will be weloomed by a very considerable fraction of the community, grievous as they undoubtedly are to the de tected Bmugglercsses. The Great Eastern steamer was offered for sale by auotion m Liverpool by Messrs Killock and Co. The first bid was £15,000, whioh speedily mounted to £21,000, at whioh figure the vessel was knocked down by Mr Craik, manager to the late owner, Mr Worsley, of Manchester, who gave £27,000 lor the vessel twelve months ago. The sale was by order of the mortgagees. The officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Corps of Royal Engineers are about perpetuating the memory of their deceased oomrade, General Gordon, the hero of Khartoum, by the erection of a large monument. The site seleoted ia m front of the Royal Engineers Institute, at the school of Military Engineering, Chatham, and the monument will ba Bubaoribed for by the officers and men of the. corps stationed ia al* parts of the world. London, despite eoarlet-fever patients, ib still the healthiest large oity m the world. Its death-rate recently was only 16*7 per 1000» while other places stood as follows : — Paris, 21-0; Brussels, 20*9; Copenhagen, 24-5; Stockholm, 20 A ; St. Petersburg, 23-6 ; Hamburg, 27*0 ; Vienna, 24*8 ; Cairo, 46-5 ; New York, 27*7 ; Philadelphia, 21-7 ; Dresden 25-8 ; Borne, 29-1 ; and Brnslau, 30*4. The " Hawera Star " of the 15th instant cays :— A capital haul of English maokorel ib reported to have been made early on Tues day -morning m Ohariu Bay. A ehoal about a quarter of a mile m length was sighted, and of these about 1000 fish were taken, whioh varied m weight from nine ounces to about five pounds. Property m Melbourne continues to bring high prices. A piece of ground having a frontage of 85 feet 3 inobes to Elizabeth street and 87 feet 6i inches to Little Collins street, with the buildings thereon, was sold by auction,^nd realised at the rate of £1500 per foot. Tbo total purchase money was £98,037 10a. A Duntroon correspondent writes to the •• Oamaru Mail"; — I think ifcraay perhaps interest some of your readers, especially those who are lovers of the- gentle sport, to hear that the Waitaki river at Duntroon is full of fine trout just now. The other day Mr Young Rabbit Inspeptor, being on hjs way up country, stayed one night at this place. Having an hour to spare he strolled over to the river about Bundown, and m less than half an hour succeeded m landing two beauties of about Clbs each, m capital condition. The fish were rising all around, just asking to be taken out m faot. ' A very desponding picture of Frenoh agri culture is given m a recent series of Consular reports. Writing from La Boohelle one authority deolarea that farmers are going | from bad to worse; Corn, m spite of the I duties on imports, cannot be grown at. a profit, and all kinds of liye stook have fallen m price since 1885, and sell oheaper at every fair than at the preceding one. The agrioul turisls have tried market gardening and fruit, growing since the grapes failed, but with no result, except to bring down the prices of fruit apd vegetables to 'half whajt Jhey sell for elsewhere, ' ' We know that there is nothing on earth equal to Amerioan Co.'s Hop Bitters' ftp a family medicine. Look for Holloway'h Ointkent and Pills.— A fre quent obuso of gout and rheumatism is the fcflammatory state of the blood, attended with bad digestion and general debility. A few does of the Mils taken m time are an effective preventive again* & gout and rheuma- Hem. Anyone who has an artaok of cither .Sbo&d use IJolloway'B' Ointment" also 1 , the powerful aotfon of ipn job/combined wjtn the operation of the Pills, must In/aIJJbJs effect a oure. These Pills aot directly on t& e plood, which they purify and improve. _ Having opce subdued the severity of these diseases, perse verance with-the Ointment, after fomenting the affeoted joints with warm brine, will Bpeeddy i 4&? all ct;£neß6 apd prevent toy

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

I Thursday, December 22. Tho OoaDoil met at 11 a.m. JISHERHS BILL. The Fisheries Conservation Bill was re ceived baok from the House of Represen tatives with a alight amendment, wbioh was concurred la. j GOVERNOR'S SALiRY BILL. I A message was reoel/ed from the Governor informing the Oounoil that His Excellency had reserved the Governor's Salary BUI, whloh had passed both branches of Legislature, for Her Majesty's assent. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were rocelved from the H>nao of Representatives, and read a first time. The aeoond readings were ordered to be taken at 2.30 p.m.: — Pablio Revenue* Bill, Midland Railway Bill, and Property tax Bill, The Oouuoil at 11.15 a.m. adjourned to 2.30 pm. The Ooanoll resumod at 2.30 p.m. THE BHEEP BILL. The amendment m the Sheep Bill, Agreed to by the House of Reprwentatlves ' vas concurred In. BILLS PASSED. The following Bills were read a aeoond time and pissed all their stages : — Pablio Revenues Bill, Midland Railway Bill and Property Tax Bill. I RAILWAYS BILL, The Governor's message (re Government Railways Bill) fixing ihe chief commla alon's salary at not more than £2500, was reoeived, and the amendment Agreed to, PUBLIC BODIES BILL A. slight amendment In the Pabllc Bodies Bill made by the House of Repre sentatives was reoeived from the Home and agreed to. The Oounoil adjourned at 7.30 p.m. Tho Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. NAVAL DEFENCE BILL, TheJAttorney-General moved the aeoond [ reacting of the Australasian Naval Da* feaoe Bill. Ho thought the Council would be wise to pass the measure through ! m early as possible: Mr Bonar and Mr Pharszyn supported the Bill. I Mr Shephard moved that tbe debate be adjourned. The amendment was loot on the voices. The second reading was carried. The Bill was then committed and reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. THE LOAN BILL. The New Zealand Loan BUI was reojivedfrom the Bousq t-t Repreß9ntD. tlves, reported, and passed all its stages. The Council adjourned till 11 30 p.m The Legislative Council further ad journed at 11.30 p.m. awaiting baainess from the House of Representatives :

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ThCTrsdat— December 22. The House met at noon . GOVERNHBHT KAIIAVAYS BILL. The Government Railways Bill was read by message from tbo Governor with an amendment making the salaries of the chief commfßßioner of the Railways Board £2500 a year instead of £1600 as paaied by the House. Mr Downie Stewart thought £2500 an oxoeaaive amount. Mr Mltcheleon said Government had no Intention of paying naoh a large salary as £2500 if they oonld get a competent man for less. Me R. Reevea (Ijangahua) thought it an anomaly that the commissioner should rco.lva three|times more salary than his chief, the Minister for Poblio Works. Dr Fitobett moved to substitute £1760 for £2000. Me O'Oonor hoped the amendment would be withdrawn, as the commissioner's duties would be of the moat Important oharaoter. Mr Peacock thought the hands of the Government should not be hampered In the way of salary, especially as men la the ! position of ohief commissioner of railways j sometimes reoeived doable the salary now j proposed by Government. Mr Mobs opposed the increase. Sir Buchanan supported the increase. [ After a long discussion the Premier said he hoped the House would agree to the i proposal of Government, The appoint ment was of great Importance, aod the , whole success of the scheme wonld depend on getting a oompetont man for the office. H© assured the House that no appoint ment would be made until It had received mostoarefal consideration. The House went Into Committee of Supply to consider the Governor's message on the Government Railways Bill. In reply to Sir Julius Yogel the Premier said that the Bill could not come Into force till Gavernment had made all the neoee*ary arrangements. They proposed to mako enquiries for a suitable ohief commissioner In England, America, and the colonies, New Zealand Included, Sir G. Grey urged at 1.15 p.m. that the usual lanch adjournment should be taken! The Premier hoped the Committee | would settle the matter before the lunch i adjournment as a long discussion bad already taken place on It. He hoped thn division would be taken at onoe as this was the last day of the session, and there was.no other business to be brought on. Sir George Grey still urged the Com- I mlttee to adjourn till 2.30. Mr J, O. Brown moved to report pro gress, I The motion was lost by 29 to 11, Sic George Grey then moved an amend ment to the effect that no alteration be made In the salary of £1500 passed by the House. The Committee continued on the Gov ernment RaUways Bill, and after some discussion the resolution increasing the salary of the chief commlasioo.er to £2500 was »grood to by 22 to 10, and reported to the House. NAVAL DKJFBNOE BILL. The Premier moved the second reading of the Australasian Naval Defence Pill, la doing so he said It was the first step to binding the colony m closer unioa with the Mother Country. He trusted the Houae would pass the Bill. He had for some time past favored the colonies con tributing toward* the cost of the Empire, as they would then have some voice In questions involving peace or war. He re ferred to the class of vessels to be employed. The eovon to be nsed were first olaas of their kind. The Imperial Government would find the cost of the fleet (£700,000), and the colonies were to pay S per cent on the cost for ten years. Two ships were to be stationed m New Zealand waters, and our contribution of £20,000 he thought was very reasonable. Theße vessels wonld expend a largo eonount io the colony In purchasing coals, provisions, etc. Tha proportion of cost was allowed on a population baals, which ho thought was a fair one. Unless the House agregd i to the Bill jfchls session, there would be a delay of twelve months m the construc tion of the venaels, as the Imperial Govern ment wished to lay the whole scheme before Parliament In February next. He Intended to id ova a new clause to the effect that New Zealand's contribution shonld be ou the baala of all the colonies contributing. Referring to land defences the Premier said Government were con sidering the advisability of concentrating their attention' upon rortlfyjng pae p>rt only In whiph these ships could run for j coala and to refit. " Sir Julius Yogel supported tha B,ill, but failed to see bow it wonld affect the federation desired by the Premier. H» ' . thought tbit Geeat Britain wai got fur

I distant from a ■yatem of Protection, and when that was arrived at the question would arise whether preference would be given to - the colonies m the matter of duties. That would be more likely to effeot federation than anything else. He thought all p«r(« of the Empire should contribute towards l f a defences, nor should Grown oolonlea be exempted. He "| hoped the Bill would bo passed aa qutckly as possible. Mr Hutchison thought It was not com plimentary to the Parliament of Great Britain or of the colony that the Bill Bbould be hurried through m this manner. He spoke at great length m opposition to the BUI, and contended that it wan futile to expeot that all the potto of the colony could be successfully de fended by seven or even a dozen warahipe. Sir George Grey whihed to know the names of the members who had paired on the Bill. The Speaker ruled tbac pairs could not be produced until used. Sic George Grey moved the adjourn ment of the debate for a week. The motion was loat by 31 to 5. Tue BUI was read a second time on the voices. The House went Into Committee on the Bill. The new clause referred to by the Premier m moving the second reading wai added to the Bill. The Houbo roes at 550 p.m. - The Boaae resumed at 730 p.m. On the motion for the third reading of the Naval Defenoe Bill, Sir George Grey protested against the Bill being passed with so many members absent from the House and all Information as to how honorable gentlemen had paired on the Bill being kept from them r Mr Hutchison and Me FHzherbert protested at a/mat the Bill passing m a thin House. The Bill was then passed on the voices. THB LOAN BILL. ' The Loan Bill was received by massage from the Governor with alterations as follows :— Part 1, Insert "Immigration £70,000, unallotted"; part 3, Insert •Blenheira-Awatere-faOOO." The Bill wfta theo committed. A new olauso was moved by the Premier providing that no money should be borrowed beyond present engagements for three years. Sir Jaliua Yogel strongly opposed the olaose. A long dlsoußsion ensued. Mr Perceval asked the Premier's opinion of this clause. The Premier said that his opinion of this clause was known by his proposing it. He thought it was neceßeary that our full position should be kuown at Home There was no doubt the credit of the colony waa at father a low ebb at present, but be had every confidence it would be greatly improved before next session. An amendment to insert m the clause the Westport and Greymouth Harbor Aot as among present engagements (under whioh money could be borrawed) was agreed to. I The olause passed by 27 to 17. Mr Joyce raised a point of order aa to whether the vote for Immigration and. the Blenhelm-Awatere line having been strook out by the Committee at a previous sitting, they could now be proposed m the Governor's message as substitutions. Ha contended that they Bhould be brought down as additions Dot as substitution. The Chairman said that he was not responsible for the Governor's message. Sir Julius Yogel said he could take the Speaker'B ruling on the matter. The Bill waa then reported with amend ments Sir Julius Yogel asked the Speaker's ruling ad to the point of order he had p; eviously raised. The Speaker said it appeared to him the proceedings were quite regular. blr Julias Yogel said he objected to the Speaker's rating. Ho announced hia intention of taking advico on the point he had raised, and if he found that his contention were oorreot ha Bbould teat the matter m the Supreme Court. The Bill waa read a third time and passed on the volcea. On the title being reached, Mr Hutchi son moved that It be altered to the New Zaaland Immigration and Loan Bill, instead of Loan Bill. Tbe motion wm lost by 27 to 12. Sir Julius Yogel moved to add to the title "and for stopping borrowing m future." The amendment not being seconded, lapsed. The title then passed without alteration. On the motion for going Into Committee of Supply for consideration of the supple mentary estimates, Sir Julius Yogel said he had gone through those estimate b, and found that they were simply a reversal of the retrenchment polioy promised by the Government, The retrenchment wai merely a sham. He referred to several of the items on the estimates, and com mented on them. The Premier In replying pointed out that the late Government had spent { £13,000 on arms and ammunition when only £5000 was authorised, and that was a specimen of their whole administration, I Yet now tbe honorable gentleman hurled i charges at the present Government; He charged the honorable gentleman with having at this late stage of the ■esalon wasted tho whole evening, and by his action prevented many members from reaching their homes for Christmas. The House went into Committee of Supply. Immigration— £lo,ooo. Carried. Colonial Secretary's offioe — £7723. Mr Monk moved to strike out £1000 contribution m aid of the Imperial Insti tute, The vote was Btruok out on the voices. The total vote aa reduced was passed. Colonial Treaaurer— £3o6s. Carried, Minister of Jnßtice— £l7l6. Carried. Compensation to J. H. Atkinson for loss of offioe as mail agent — £250. Carried. Marine— £2Bß, Carried. G. M. Park, for funds expended, extra services as telegraphist at Taupo-£2OO, Carried, Minister of Mmea— £466o. Carried, Workine railways— £lll7. Carried. General Post-office, Wellington, £20,000. Sir Julius Yogel movod that the vote be reduced by £9000, Mr Mitchalaon pointed out that the lowest tender received when Sir Julius Yogel himself was In office waa £13,500, I Bir Julius Yogel then proposed to re duoe It by £6,600. The amendment was lost by 29 to 9. Sir Julius Yogel Bald that the vote just given showed that the retrenchment tham had burst. If ho had been ten years ! younger he should have atoneiralled thin , vote, and also the olanse inserted In the Loan Bill for limiting borrowing for three I years. The £20,000 waa then carried. Minister of Defence— £7Bß6. Carried. Minister of Laods-£1 7,800. Mr G. F. Richardson moved to reduco this item by £5000. Carried. Public Works Department — £432, Carded. : : Public Trust Offico-£5330. Carried, Government Insurance Account— £48,418. Carried. Consolidated Fund for services m ozcose lof votes- £53,085 15s Bd. Carried. Public Works Fund for eervioea not provided f0r— £28, 633 10a Bd. Carried . Government Insurance Department for services m excess of itom — £4982 13« tjd. Carried. The Premier moved a recolution respect ing tho San Francisco mail service. Ho said Government had come to the con clusion to ask tho Bouse to grant authority to renew the service for one year by the present contractor. By that means tjjerd would be tjoie to consider thp matter next session, $ id to make frejuj arrangements. He moved— " That |n view of tbe contract of. tip Sao, frapojopg

mail service terminating ia November next, and of the impossibility of giving the question consideration this session, Government be authorised to arrange with the present contractor for an extension of the contract for 12 months, and to submit to the House next session definite proposals for the continuance of i the aervioe. ' Sir Julius Yogel asked whether Go vernment would pay more for the service than at present. The Premier replied that the coat would j bs the same. • The motion was agreed to after some discussion.

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK MARKET

At AddiDgton yards on Wednesday the attendance waß large. There were largo aappllea m all departments. Cattle. — There waa a very heavy supply of fat cattle. The standard of quality was ve»y high, but the demand was not io active. Only really OhNatmau beef elicited anything like quod competi tion, Prloes of this qualliy were from £6 10s to £8 7« 6d a head, being at the rate of 17a to 19s per lOOlbs. Fair to good steers and heifers brought £5 to £6 10s, lighter In proportion say, 15a to 16a 6d per 1001 b. Store cattle were m im proved demand. We quote 3year«old steers £4 to £i 10s, 2 year-olds £2 lOi to £3, yearlings 25j to 35j, heifers (3 --year-oldB) £3 5j to £3 153, 1-year olds £2 5s to £2 10a, yearlings 20a to 27*. Shbkp.— The market was well soppHed bat the proportion of first-claes mutton was small. The demaud was sluggish, and the sale went very badly, aa average fall of le a head being sustained, and a large porportlon being left nnaold. The weakness was least precepfclble la linen of freezing quality, for which there were one or two buyers. Good (nearly fat) wethers were picked up by grazers »t nearly former values. Prime created wethers ■old from 7a to 12a, maiden ;>*es 8s to 10 j, and aged ewes 6j to 9s W a quote beat mat ton at 3^d per lb, a fu* exceptional 2d per lb, middling to fair quality Id to l^d per lb. Fat lambs were also m full supply, and prices were peroeptlbly . weaker. Good pens brought 6s to 7a 6i, a few very fine lambs going as high as 8s 63. Store aheep sold well at last prloeß.

CORN EXCHANGE

The following is the Corn Exchange re port for the week ending Friday, the 23rd inst. : — lhe weather has been most favorable during the past few weeks, The warm eunny days that have succeeded the rains have had the effect of greatly improving the cropa generally, and from all par is of tbe country we have favorable accounts of harvest prospects. Large quantities of hay have already been saved, and many farmers are still basy with this work. The graia harvest ia expected to be rather later than usual,- The prospect of high prices for the new crop is very remote, but at present it ib too far distant to speculate on the opening prices, as bo much depends upon contingencies, Buch as freight and weather. Freights at present to London are very firm, and range from 23s to 30s, according to the class of vessel. Wheat. — But few sales are to be recorded. ,Tae local millers have been oporatint; to a limited extent m Hunter'a and Pearl at prices equal to 3j 3d f o b., but shippers at this price are debarred from doing business. Tuscan rangeß from 3s 2d to 3s 3d for prims lots Chicken wheat (wbolo) is worth 2s 9d to 2s lOd, and broken 2s 7d to 2a Bd. Oats —There is a hand to-mouth busi ness being done by local consumers, but the export trade is almost at a standstill. Prices remain at last week's quotations, viz :— Prime milling, Is XOd ; ehoit feed, Is 8d to 1* 9i ; Danish and other kinds, Is 6d to Is 7d, Barley, m the absence of stocks, we are unable to quote; Beans and Picas.-— The business doing m these is purely retail. Grass Spied. — No inquiries for maohine dressed, which remains nominal at 33 to 3s 3d. Farmers' parcels are being bought for cleaning at Is 9 i to 2s 6d, according to sample, Cocksfoot prime is m small stock, and is worth 4d to 4^d. Potatoes are worth 20a at country stations for orders m small lots. Dairy Produce. — Butter remains languid at 4d to 5d for prime tab, second quality unsaleable; Cheese, loaf shape, is worth 4d for best mikes, other kinds vary from 2sd toSJd. The above quotations are those paid to farmers, and delivered f.o.b. Lyttelton j sacks extra.

CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

(F»OM OUR OOKEESPONDBNT.) Wellington, Deoember 23. The final ocene m the first session of the tenth Parliament took place this morning at about quarter to five, when the House concluded all the business on the Order Paper, and finally adjourned. It was known early In the evening that Govern ment had derided to pooh through all they had to do at all hazards, If they had to alt till ten o'clock to-day, to enable the Speaker and northern members to get home for Ohrlitmas, and they carried oat their intention to the letter, for, with the exoeptlon of the Westport and Grey mouth Harbor Bills, which at the last moment it was doolded to dispense with, everything wbb pushed through, hurriedly to be sure, bat etill through, and ouch important matter as the Naval Defence Bill, Supplementary Estimates, and Appropriation Bills were rashed over m a most dangerous fashion. At last, about half past three, all work that Govern ment had aat themselves was done and panned on to the Lords, who heroically eat up for the purpose, and carried out their deliberative funotlon m a very few moments by ratifying everything that bad been done by the Commons. Theace came one of the amaalng features of the proceedings, the Speaker and Clerk of the House having to proceed to Govern ment House to wake op his Excellency In order t~> get the necessnry signatures to the various Bills passed, and daring the Interval which elapsed over this business members had a high old time to themselves m the Chamber by holding a mock Par liament, m which Mr Reeves filled the onerous position of Speaker and Mr McGregor Sergeant-at-Arms, the mace being a huge ahiileUgh brought oat from England by Mr J, C. Brown. Toe few who remained to see the end were treated to some capital fan, reparte and practical joking being the order of the day, and the arrest of Mr Carroll, who was removed from the Chamber for using unparliamentary language, but was allowed to return after being clarified at Bellamy's. At half past four the Speaker returned and deaoram being restored he intimated the Bills to which the gubernatorial asseu t had been given . Everyone expootod that the House would be called to the Chamber to hoar the proro gation by Commissioners, and a feeling of disappointment was experienced when the Premier intimated that it had been deolded to ptorogue Parliament by pro* olamation whloh would be delivered on Tuea-lfiy next at 33) Th~B3 present did not appear to relish this sudden termina tion of the proceedings, and by way of showing who had seen Parliament through, a division vras taken no the formal motion for adjournment when it was seen that were 32 members present. The pro ceedings terminated at a quarter to five, wh°q members deperaed, looking washed ou- >nd sad, m the grey morning light, «)(• to-day the baildlDga. are deserted and deiu*! la tb,e e^r?^ an JIWwSW

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

[BJEUTfIB's TaLEQE4MB— OOPrRIGHT.] London, December 21. The « Berlin Post " estimates that the Russian force on the frontier ex ceeds the German and Austrian force by a hundred and seventy-one battalions, a hundred squadrons, and forty-five batteries; Londow, December 22. The fears of a European war are on the increase, owing to a report being revived that the Russian forces have made a further advance m the direction of the Galician frontier. (Received December 23, 1.40 p.m.) London, December 22. It is generally believed that the German, Austrian and Italian Govern ments are m favor of the removal of Prince Ferdinand as ruler of Bulgaria m order to conciliate Russia and thereby permit of a peacable settlement of the Bulgarian question being ar rived at.

MAGISTERIAL

■» "' ■ . . ASHBUHTON— THUBSDAY. ' (Before Mr John Olllvler, R M.) THE ALFORD FOREST HOTEL AGAIN. John Tisoh was charged with having par* mitted drunkenness m his licensed premises, the Alford Forest Hotel, daring four aonaeeu* tive days, and also with having Bold liquor on a Sunday, Mr Crisp appeared for the do. fendant.— The men m regard to whom the off enoes were alleged to have been committed were George MoKenzie and a man named Biggs, and they laid the informations. From their evidence it appeared that they went to the hotel on a Sunday and remained then till Wednesday sight m a state ol almoai eontinnal intoxication. MoEenaie alleged that he spent £5 13a and Biggs 25s m the hotel daring that time* — For the defence it was maintained that the men had been continually refused drink, that Biggs was a bar loafer, and that the men had only spent about £4 m the house, portion of whloh was for their beds and mealß, and £1 for bottles of liquor supplied on the express condition that they would leave the hotel. It waa further alleged that the oases had been brought through spite on the part of the informants. Evidence was brought to show that the hotel had been conducted m a most orderly manner since Mr Tieoh took charge. — The Magistrate considered both of the charges proved, and inflicted a fine of £5 on eaoh. He thought both oonviotions would have to be endorsed on the license ; that for Sunday trading would have to be.— Sergt. Feltor* drew the attention of the Bench to Section 207 of the Act, which provided for the disqualification of an hotel for a stipulated time when four conviotions had been recorded against the liaense within a certain period.— The Magistrate was unwilling to take suoh an extreme course. — Mr Crisp suggested as an eaßy way out of the difficulty that one oase should be dismissed, and a fine of £10 | inflicted m the other. There would then be | no necessity for two endorsements. It was unfair that MrTisch should suffer for tho sins of his predeoeßSor. — The Magistrate agreed that it would be hard on Mr Tiaeh, and he ultimately deoided that ar eonviotion should be entered np m the Sunday trading case, but that hs should postpone bis decision m the other for a fortnight, m , order to see if' lnching might be. dons without unduly punishing Mr Tisoh, 1 The Court then rose.

INQUEST.

-» I . An inqueat was held at the Central Hotel this morning, before* Mr H: Friedlinder, acting.coroner, and a jury of whom Mr W. Pattman was chosen Fore mat?, touobinsf the death o£ Flora Isabella Brace, a child eeventeen months old, and daughter of Mr Murdoch Bruce, farmer, of Seafield. It appeared that Mr and Mrs Bruce left home on Thursclay afternoon, leaving the child In the house, where was alao the eldest daughter, sixteen years of age, and a little boy. About two phalno from the house a cask is let into the lino of the water-race, so that when the watev m the race is low, sufficient may ba obtained for household purposes, It ap pears that yesterday there were about three feet of water m the cask, which has a capacity of abont 80 gallons. There was a lid (a square one) to the cask, but one of the boards had been broken off lately, leaving an open space of from 6ln to 9in m width. The eldest daughter stated m her evidence that when two of the children came home from school, she allowed the deceased to go out to play with them. This was about a quarter to five m the afternoon. About ten minutes afterwards the daughter went to look foi the child. She could not at first find her, but subsequently discovered her m th« cask, floating en the top of the water. The child was dead, and as the lid was on, it ia surmised that she must have fallen through the opening where the board had been broken away. Mies Bruce endeavored to discover if the child was still living, but there was no beating of the heart, and no respiration. The children with whom the little girl was sent out to play, were respectively nine and six years of age, and they, it appeared, soon after leaving the house, went looking for birds' eggs, and to bring the cows home, leaving the child behind them. No one saw tha accident. As a flower was floating on the top of the race, and as the deceased was very fond of flowers, it is supposed that m endeavoring to obtain it she moved the lid of the oaßk, and fell into the water. The jury returned a verdict of " Acciden tal Death."

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Fire. Welunqtoh, December 23. A fire broke oat ia Cuba street North, at 3,30 this morning and was not anbdued till the upper floor of three donble-sturled buildings had been completely gatted. The block was owned by B, Dixon, and the buildings were oooopied by Levy {grocer), Mawson (bsker; and Zlman (pawnbroker). The fire broke bat io the bakehoaae »t the rear of Mawoon's premises, the fl tmes speedily oommunlcat- Ing with the upper portion of Zlman'i premises, from whioh they rapidly spread along the upper floor of the block. A copious supply of water was available and the flames were subdued before they reached the lower floor of the buildings, but the stook m all the shops wai con siderably damaged by water. The batld« logs were insured for £2000 m tbe Victoria ; Levy's etook for £500 m the Viotoria ; Mawnon'a stook for £100 m the Victoria and Ziman pawnbroker's stock for £400 m the Colonial. . Compensation Court. At the Oompeuaation Court before Mr Jnstlaa Richmond, and two Assessors this mornlag, judgment was given m the olaim made by Stowart and Go, against the Oorporatiou for £94,000, deprivation of foreshore rights. The Court awarded the claimants £5000 worth of re-dslmed lan 4 m eatlefaction of their olulm, the olaimanti to pay eaoh aaseaaor 50 guineas and' 10'Q guineas costs of Court. ' ' v "

!! Rough on Itch."— 1 Rough on Itoh'L oures skin humors, eruptions, riig wormj tetter, aait rheum, frosted feet, ohilblftinw itoh, ivy poison barber's itoh. ' 3 ' Heating's Powder destroys both moths, fleas beetles, and all other ineeota, while quite harmless to domestic animals. In extermi nating beetles, the suocess of this powder ia extraordinary. • It ia perfectly dean m apnli,' oation. the artiole you purohaa Keating'e, as imitations are noxious, artf 2S°h a Ki s i? ld n . tiaßi 6d - Is < aQd **M 9Wh, by all obooqatg, iftU^«|

THE ABHBUBTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1887



Wanted. SANTA Claui is coming ; large and varied Toys, and Fancy Goods, suit- able for tbo occasion. — H. M. Jones. 12 106 DOLLS! Dolls!! Polls!!! m great variety, breakable and nnbreakable, Wocd, Wax, China, Indiarubber, Id to 20a,— H, M. Jones. 12 107 BOOKS suitable for presents and prizes. Photo Albums, Is to 50a ; Photo Frames, 6d to 12a 6d. Best poesible value m all lines.— H. M. Jones. 12 108 COAIE and Bee the Is tables I Come and see the 6d tables ! Come one, come all, come early.— -H. M, JoNis. ___ 12 109 LADIES' Bags, Purses, Work Boxes, Desks, fccrap Albums, Japanese Uabinets and Brackets, Glove and Hand- kerchief Boxes.— E. M. Jones. 12 110 T^TEW premises will be opened m a duy ~ _°' two -~" H - M - Jo »E3. 12 111 FOR SALE— A let of Empty Cane*, cheap. — H. O. Skqebs, Melford House. WANTED Known.— That HAVES atid CO. have a Bplendid lot of Wiiito Embroidery Robes at 14s, worth *lßt WANTED Everyone to see the ONE SHILLING box of choice Christ- mas and Yew Year Cards. Envelopes in- cluded.— H. U, Begem, Melford Bouse. PRINTS, Printß. — Just opened a splen- did assortment of Prints, Ginghams, Zephyrs, «fee. Great variety to choose from.-— H. C Seoers, Melford House. WANTED Known— To the Ladie» of Aahburton and surrounding districts, that an experienced monthly Nurae is deslrooa of engagement. Good reference! out be given. AddrOTi— Mrs Hill. Peter Street, Aahbarton. 11 18 ANTED Known. -For Sale, Blue Gum, Stringy Bark, Peppermint Gam, Bed Gum, and Silver Wattle Tree Seeds, locally grown, and paved this Season ; also Turnip Seeds, jußt arrived, ex B.s. Rimutaka.— J. Seal* and Co., Seedamen, Eaet Street. 11+61 If7 ANTED CASH — Moir'a Oatmeal Vt 251b5, 2s 6d ; Sperm Candles, 5d ; Coffee and Milk, Is per tin; Coco* and Milk, la per tin ; Vestas, fid per doz ; Cornflour, 4i per lb ; tin Fruits, Is ; Crockery, Ironmongery, eta. — At James McGregor's, Tanked Street, opposite Arrade. WANTED KNOWN .- Ole^rlphi Scenery, and' Catholic Subjects Catholic Cards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Silks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, Ac., &c, at Abs Manhibe's Fsncy Repository Sauodara' Buildings, ' WANTED Known— Wells flank, with pomp and pipe found and fixed, from £2 10a upwards. All kinds of pnmpi, Ranges »od house-smith work fixed or repaired. Chimneys swept and ranger cleaned, 3s. Registers la 6d each. AH ordera punctually attended to. Note | ftddreai, H. Dudley, Moore atreet, Aeh- | barton, 11 22



XMAS PRESENTS. EVERY Purchaser of DRAPERY this month of THREE POUNDS and upwards will be presented with a Handsome Album, Copies now on view in] the Window. JOHN OER&CO. December 2ud, 1887. SPECIAL NOTICE. A JLAEGE SHIPMENT OF MENBTAND YOUTHS Tweed Suits, Boy's Rnicker and Jersey Suite. Felt and Tweed Hate, now shapes, Sbirta, &o. Suitable for Xmas. JUST LANDED.^To ,be sold extra- ordinarily cheap, John Orr and Co.| 4 I I ■ J.G.RESTELL&CO, (LATE TUCKER & RESTBLL), Timber and Coal Merchants, WEST STREET, HAVE made freeh arrangements for i Bupplies of all classes of TIMBER Bequisite for Building Purposes of j AshburtoD. Begular Deliveries from Southland, con- sisting of — Red and White Fines, And from Thames, Havelock, and other Northern Porti of Best Dressed Floorings and Linings, The Quality of the Milling being such as will give entire satisfaction. A Cargo of ASSORTED TIMBER, BED AND WHITE PINE 3 and MATAI, just received ex " Alert." A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF KAURI, FLOORING. LINING, SBELVINGS, MOULDINGB, SKIRTINGS, ARCHITRAVES. K«pt under cover aad £n go/?! order, dry and seasoned. TOTARA and BLACK PINE c,t *H f-izes— -the very bast— coming from the Terawera Saw Mills. Just taken into Block ex " Lang^^ooe " — GALVANISED IFON, Orb Crand, SHEET LEAD, ZINC, CEMENT. Fencing Wire, (barbed and p'atn), Boiled Eaw Oil and Castor Oil, Bed and White Lead, NEWCASTLE, WESTPORT AND MOUNT SOMEES COAL Always In stock and delivered at any R»il#ay Station ai lowest possible quotations. TWjk Orders Recbivje . ?.-©u:t Attbhtion. AGENTS FOtt Northern Fire Assurance Co. Colonial Mutual life Association Mr E. F. Wright's Mount Sutners coal i), C. RESfELL & CO,



THE ABHBURTON WOOLLEN MANUFACTURING COMPY. (Limited.) deposits RECEIVED m large or ■mail sums «t the following Rates of Interest :- Six per cent If fixed for 6 months. Seven per cent if fixed for 12 months H. BEMPLE, 9*56 Secretary, B: McCallum Family gbouer and tea dealeb, FOWLER'S BUILDINGS, TAKGBED STREET, HAS cow m Stock a Large and Very Superior lot of Gooda for the Christmas Trade. Also, — NEW FBFITS. NEW FBUITS. Alao,— Just unpacked, a lot of Useful I Oockery, cheap and well-assorted. j NoTB THJ3 ASDBESS: — R. McCallum, GROCER, &c. IANOBED STREET. W, H, Paget. BLACKSMITH, HORBE-SHOER, WHEELWBIGRT, AVD GENERAL SMITE, BuRHEn; Stbbit, next " Mall " Offioe. BEGS to announce that he hai taken over the Oosoh Building and Wheel- wright BraDoh, Utely carried on by H. Pf at, and will continue all branches of the •bove baslneas as before. All kinds of Buggies, Drays, or Cavts made aod re- paired. Agrlcaltural Implements repaired promptly. Horses Shod with eklll and care. .,, If. H. PAGET. TRY KIRKPATRICK'S JAM. CAUTION. — J NONE is genuine unless our^name is stamped on each tin, and has our Registered 'Jrade Mai-, " Lord Ne'eon, «n tho label. TRY KIBKPATBICK'S. TOMATO SAUCE. THE mcsi'delicious flaTorlng for Cold Meats, Chops Steaks, Soups GraTiee * * Wool Season, 1887-88. WE MB'prepared to make LIBERAL GASH ADVANCES against Laree or SMALL OHp« of Wool, whether In- tended for Sale In ASHBURTON OR ELSE- .WHERE." We have made most oa vlsfaotory .'arrange ments for SHIPPING CLIENTS' WOOL, If price* realised In Ashbnrton are not considered vatiofaotory. It Is our Intention (o hold PERIODICAL WOOL SALES Throughout the Season, . Of which doe notice will be given, and Moor GRAIN STORE, whioh was eon- etrncte4 with due regard to LIGHT, will be EM3?TY, we shall have »n opportunity of displaying the Wool to the very best advantage, which should be a diilderataro to the Seller] Chwtcs c: MtTy the same as Obrbteharoh; Farmers, ermtft your best fnterest^Tao i fell local!?, thereby savloK Railway Freigh.. "WSCLFACKS AKD TWINE OlTtt BEST QUALITY SUPPLIED. B. JIATSCN&CO*



ALBERT ROBERTS HAS FOE SALE,— Clovers,— KED, WHITE, COWGEASS, ALSYKE, and TEEFOIL. RYEGRASB, COCKSFOOT, ahd RAPE, Golden Tares, Cape Barley, PEED PEAS, SEED OATb (various kinds), CRUSHED BEANS PLOUGB BHABES COOPER'S SHEEP DIP, Acknowledged to be THE LEST IN THE MAEKET