DIARY .

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 3 days old shines till about 8 o'olook. Tho Moon at 6 days old Bhinea till about h half-past 10 o'olock. r The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'clock m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from ( sundown (ill about 4 m the morning. \ The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines t 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 i a.m. and shines till morning. | The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shines till morning. Tbe Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. ' and shines till sunrise. i

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1887. PRECIPI FATE LEGISLATION.

The closing days of the session are apidly drawing to an end, and, as is the case when Major Atkin on is at the helm, the most important leasures are being rushed through rith a haste and precipitancy which do lot augur favourably for the future relfare of the colony. The debates >n these most important measures have, n many instances, been limited to a ingle sitting, and Bills have been read , second time when there has been ittle more than a quorum of worn-out nembers m the House. It is not fair o members, and it is decidedly opposed 0 the best interests of the State, to :eep them at work for twelve or fifteen lours at a stretch for days together. During the past week the Land Bill las passed its final stage m the House, ortunately shorn of its worst features. Fhe Railway Bill has also passed with 1 brief debate, totally inadequate to he vast interests involved. By this neasure our railways — an estate which, nas cost the colony upwards of four :een million pounds sterlings, has been banded over to a Board of Commis sioners, consisting of three — a Chief Commissioner, who is to be an expert m railway management, and two other Commissioners. The Bill has been j drawn up professedly on the lines of the Victorian measure, but with its best features left out. In the Victorian Bill provision was made for securing the services of a first class expert by fixing the salary at taching to the office at a year —a sum sufficient to induce managers and assistant managers of some ot the large lines of Imperial railways to make application for the position — whereas, m a spirit of lhat false economy known as " penny wise and pound foolish," the New Zealand Government has fixed the Chief Commissioner's' salary at p^JS 00 - i s foolish to expect that lor such a sum they will obtain the services, of a really first-class man. In our opinion it would have been far better to have postponed the carrying through of so large a measure until next session and have obtained more information respecting the working of the Board of Management System, and Until tlje Government have had leisqre to consider the question m all its bearings,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It came out m a Sydney suburban Court that some fashionable local dressmakers are m the habit of lending their fair customers reasonable sums of cash at 7 car oept, per month, and charging the same as "dress materials "m the husband's bills. Not long ago a certain well-known Sydney dressmaker happened to become aware that a prominent lawyer had paid, a pretty long millinery bill on behalf of a lady who was not his wife, Thus having the husband m her power, she turned the information to excellent trade acoount by so manipulating his wife that tho latter, a most esjsayagant woman, ran up with her a bill for 451,300, whioh the lawyer darod not refuse to pay. And now that an open row has come, tbe donjestio nffairg o f that husband and wife are to be ventilated m the Divorce Court, thanks chiefly to tbe benign agenoy of the dressmaker. Mrs J. W. Maokay is going to have one of the most beautiful mantles m the world, It will bo unique and a monument of [the des truction of life. It is to bo made of the breasts of birds of 'paradise. 3?he brpaet Js about four inches broad and six long at the greatest length, and nearly heart shape ; the upper portion is about an inoh and a half deep, and is like tho finest plush, m color a 4oep seal brown ; the pqlqr shades off below to a pinky terra cotja. About ffve hundred birds will be necessary to furnish enough for tbe clgak-, and two skilful marksmen are now m New Ouinea engaged m this wholesale slaughter. An Italian correspondent writing from Rome to the " Frankfurter Zeitung " states £hp,t at Castro Giovanni, m the province of CaHanioetta, m Sjcily, a lakp has become red m color, and quantities of dead fish have come to the surface. The inhabitants at tribute thia to the influence of lightning that struck tbe lake. In the early part of the year a similar phenomenon was reported of the Lake of Lugano, wbioh was attributed to an earthquake that ooourred somo days previ ously. Castro Giovanni is on tbe site of the nnoient J3nna, associated m classioal times with the special cult of Ceres and the legendary Bceno o£ the Bapo of Prosevpine,

As a sign that there is still confidence m ur disfriot, we may intimate that tho Water on Flour Mills, which have been idle for the mst three months, have been leased by Mt ?rotheroo, so long and favorably known as he lessee of the Wakanui Mills. Mr ?rotheroe intends starting operations im nediately. We are requested to inform the publio that I ;he box plan for the opening performance of *■ ,ho Lynch Family of Bellringers is now open *j it Mr W. Zander's, where seats may be <; secured m advance. \ A fire ooourred on the Ashburton traffic I bridge this morning which might have • proved very serious had it not been subdued „ so expeditiously as was fortunately the case. Constable Casey and a man named Kelton were crossing the bridge when they discovered that a portion of the decking was burning, A bucketand rope were prooured and theConstable and Eelton with assistance soon quenchod the inoipient fire. Someone gave the alarm on the firo bell and both brigades turned ou* I with great promptitude, but fortunately , when they arrived at the bridge there was no i need for their services. It it presumed that the fire originated through some person dropping a lighted match whioh ignited tbe dry litter on the bridge, and then oommuni. oated to the woodwork. No damage to speak of was done. A complaint has been made to us of the inefficient state of the ringing gear of the fire bell. If our informant >"s correct, probably tb.9 Borough Oounoil will take the bint. Train arrangements for Boxing Day are published elsewhere. A cheap excursion to Ghristohuron is arranged, full (particulars of whioh was advertised. About twenty-five designs have been re oeived for the New Zealand Bifia Champion Belt, but no decision will be arrived at till a fall Counoil meeting at Oamaru. The meet ing there will commence on Monday, 27th Feb.; instead of tho 29th as stated m the ofnoial programme. Aocording to the complaint of an Auckland village settler tho Government are going the right way to work m starving the settlers off the land. He alleges that money due to the settlers for road making and improvements has not been paid for the last three months, and meantime they are. suffering severer pri vations. Hop beer is likely to cause tbe Government of New Zealand some trouble. Sugar is used m its manufacture, is fermented, and of oourse alcohol is developed. It therefore comes to be m some cases stronger than colonial beer. As a temperance drink, it is a delusion. The consequence oi itß publio sale would be that the beer duty would soon be seriously affeoted. That doetfnot grieve any one muoh, for it seems that the only way to make the Government of New Zealand economical is to deprive them of revenue. But the Government are frightened at the hop beer manufacture, and are determined to prosaoute where they oan. Mr fond the Government Analyst, has a number of samples of hop beer m hand now for analysis. { — «« Auckland News," . A milk waggon, bearing the suggestive i inscription " Oold Spring Dairy " on its side, has been seen moving about Dunedin streets at an early hour. The " Star " sayo tho other milk dealers are thinking strongly of calling on the owner to urge him to either give up the business or change the name 0t the brand. • At a recent performance of " Oamille," m which Mißs Grace Hawthorne sustained the part of the horome, she was interrupted m the midst of her pathetio death soono by some gipsy fellow m the gallery crying out "shut up." The dying woman, suddenly recovering her health and strength, rose from her couch and coming down to tbe footlights with plenty of vigor m her voice and walk, exclaimed, " I shall not die until that man haß been turned out." He was oxpelled with the utmost promptitude and with very little ceremony, and " Camillp " thereupon returned to her death-bed, and went through the final agony as if nothing had happened to interrupt the protraoted spasms. Tbe African King Ja Ja has boon arrested for disregarding his trade obligations with the British Gonsul and others. On one oooaßion the King beheaded 150 of bis subjeota who bad disobeyed his orders. A Frenohman is at present m London making inquiries aB to the feasibility of con struoting a bridge over tbe Channel between France and England. It is calculated that the bridge would oost 44 millions sterling. Sulphurous aoid is a most effective anti seplio and anti-ferment, and may be produced, by burning sulphur upon, live coals upon a shovel or a bed oi coals carried into a stable with perfoot safety. It will also be found an excellent method for freeing dairy-rooms and, cellars from the spprca of mildew, which have, a very injurious ef|eot upon the milk, and upon butter or oheese tnado from milk that has boon exposed to then). In faot from constant prevalence of these spores it might be useful to make a praotioe of fumigating dairies ooonsionally, especially after a bad, damp spell of weather during the season; Jay Hong, a Wellington Chinaman, died suddenly on Saturday frora a ene'eaing fit while smoking opium. The "Auokland Star" objects to Major Atkinson galloping his measures through tho House, and suggests obstruction. Thus the " New Zealand Mail " :— The wife of an enterprising tradesman at Falmerston North presented him with three saps at an I ea,rly hour one morning this week — all doing well, exoept the father. The verdiot of £13,000 to the exeoutors of the late Mr E. 8. Parkes, of the Bank of Australasia, who waa killed m the Windsor aooidont, may be looked upon aa a viotory tor the Victorian Railway CoramioßionGrs. The claim qf £40,00,6' was regarded by everybody as an absurd one, and even his Honor Judge Williams went the length of pronouncing it " wild and extravagant." The Commissioners offered to oompromise for £15,000 before the cqbq went into Court. Hollow ay's Ointment an^ Pjlls.— A {re quont oauso of gout and rheumatism is the inflammatory state of the blood, attended with bad digestion and general debility. A few does of the Pills taken m time are an effeqtivq preventive against gput and rheuma tism. Anyone who has an arta'ok of cither should qse Holloway's Ointment »lso, the powerful action of whioh, oombined with the operation of tho Pills, must infallibly oi^eot a cure. Those Pills oqt directly on the blood, whiQh they purify and improve. Having once subdued the severity of these disoases, perso veranoo with the Ointment, after fomenting the affeoted joints with warm bring, will speedily relax all stiffness and prevent any permanent contraction.

SUPPOSED WRECK.

+ . [SPEOIAG TO TKESS ASSOCIATION.] London, Deoember I§. A tjin caseload been found containing a letter, stating that the barque Helen, from Hobart, was sinking m the Bay of Biscay. The Helen has not been spoken since she passed Portland. The tin case thrown from the sinking barque m the Bay of Biscay was washed ashore op the Cornish coast. The barque was 'commanded by Captain Boon,

SPORTING.

C.J.C. MIDSUMMER HANDICAP.

Ohrisichuroh, December 19 I The following weigMa li3vo been da- i lared for the 0. JO. Midsummer Handl \p, one mile and a-hal? : — | Bt lb at lb 1 tOßßloy ... 9 6 Ornchfield... 7 3j3 iochiol ... 9 6 Sfc- OUlc ... 7 0 t Inxim ... 9 4 Tit Bit ... 6 12 < .rtlikry ... 8 9 Regiaa ... 611 f snapshot ... 8 4 St Ives .., 6 8 Jereaford ... 712 ftfokoia ... 6 8 Mr Nell ... 7 11 Enid ... 6 5 I lormifcege... 7 11 Springston... 6 0 tuby ... 7 10 Sultan ... 6 0 i ?orreofc ... 7 6 s

THE HINDS.

« (From odr OowtiESPONDENr.) On Sunday, the 11th December, the new rVealoyan Church here was opened. The eer non was preached m the morning by the ftov D. McNicol, of Ashburton, and m the jvoning by Mr Laadley, of Wakanui. In the ifternoon a service for the young people was ield, and addressed by the pastor of the circuit, m a moat instructive and earnest ippeal to the moralty of young people gene rally. On Anniversary Day a public tea meeting was held m the school, which was kindly lent Eor the purpose. The tables were presided over by Mesdames Bowles, Bailey, Kitohingman, Norrish, Lowe, and Hayman. Provisions were also Kindly sent from Mrs MoKeage and Mrs Holmes, and for which we were extremely grateful. About 120 sat down to tea, whioh was a most sumptuous one, and no labor was spared by the ladies to achieve success. A public meeting was held immediately after the tables were cleared. Selections of music were nicely rendered by the Willowby Wesleyan Ohuroh choir, under the leadership of Mr Wheeler. Addresses were delivered by the Rev D. MoNiool, Messrs Chapman and Lowo, being very appropriate for the ocoasion. The seoretary read the report, whioh was a moat encouraging one. The Church which, although small (20 x 16 feet), is adapted to the requirements of the place, and will cost £75 when complete ; £46 have been raised, no email amount this for the size of the place. The object has been to open it free of debt; they have not quite succeeded, but have strong faith that those who have not yet contributed, will do so after reading the report. Should you know of any good Samaritan, who has a spare har monium, it wouW be very gratefully reoeived by the people who have really been taxed to the utmost, add cannot possibly contribute more at present. Any contributions your readers would like to send, would be very gratefully reoeived and acknowledged by Mr Bowles, Hinds.

THE GREENWOOD CONCERTS

* Last evening was given m the Oddfellows' Hall the first of a series of two concerts by the Greenwood Family. The attendance was very fair, and the uudienoe was a moßt ap preoiative one, the excellence of the enter tainment being quite up to the standard that the flattering aooounts given of the family m the places that they have visited led us to expect. Eaoh item on the programme was moat successfully rendered. The Misses Greenwood showed that they were possessed of musioal talent of a high order, and evinced great versatility m the lengthy and varied programme of whioh they had to bear the brunt; The concert opened with a piano I duet by the Misses Nora and Euby, m whioh the young performers displayed the great degree of skill they had attained. Master Greenwood, a young gentleman of very few summors, recitod " The Young Orator " m a manner that was creditable indeed for so juvenile a performer. Miss Agatha sang " Le Parlate d'Amor " m most excellent style. She is possessed of a magnificent voioo, and her singing waa a very great treat indeed. Misb Maribel played the " Oarnaval do Venise " m a manner that Bhowed she had complete control of the instrument, and m respond to an encore she played " Home, Sweet, Home," with great expression and pathos. The trio, " Three Little Maids," by the Misses Agatha, Nora and Ruby met with a unani mous enoore. Miss Euby gave a humorous recitation, " Nothing but Oare," m a manner that we have not Been excelled, and the young la3y well merited the applause that was liberally accorded her. Mis 3 Maribel, for the song " The Death of Nelßon," was encored, and responded with ". Coming tb,ro' the Rye." Miss Ruby sang a comjq song, " Over went the Captain," m capital style, she makiqg the most of the subject, the item being a very great success, The second part opened with a pianoforte duet by Misses Maribel and Agatha, " Reminisoenoes of Opera No. 1," arranged by Miss Maribel, and it is needless to say that this was given m the finished style that characterised all the items rendered during the evening. Miss Agatha sang " Poor Wandering One," m whioh her splendid voioe was displayed to advantage. She was encored, and responded with " St. Patrick's Day." Miss Maribel contributed a violin solo, with great effect, and Miss Euby sang " Sweeter than Jam," a oomio song, whioh she rendered with much arohneßS, Miss Nora played a pianoforte 8010, " Maßßa'fl m the cold, cold ground," remarkably well, and Miss Maribol scored a great success with the song " ¥jrin, my Country," Miss Agatha 'recited " Edinburgh after Flod den" m a style that evinced very great dramatio power. The trio, " Here's a How de-do, 1 ' by the Misses Maribel, Agathftj and Ruby, brought the concert to. a oloseV AU the. items. v^e?e xaost cordially received, the audiende m nearly every oase desiring a repetition, but had generally to be content with the young performgrs bowing their aokpQwle^gemento, The ooncert all through woo a very great treat, and no doubt there will be a crowded house tqig evening, for which oooasion a change of programme is an nounoed. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

TERRIBLE DISASTERS IN CHINA

QREAT LOSS OF LIFE, [rEUIBR'S TELEGRAMS — OOP.YRiqHIJ,|| i S^onby, P.oofirabor 19. Telegraphic advices from Port Kennedy (Thursday Island) report the arrival of th 2 Fairlie at that place from Hongkong, She brings news of a number of extremely fatal disasters which have occurred within Chinese territory arid waters. The steamer Wah Kahungj which sailed under the British flag, caught fire when lying within aaqyds of the shore. Upwards of ioo persons from the burning vessel managed to effect a landing, but about 400 persons perished by, drownjqg, among whom were 20.Q small-footed Chinese women, who were accommo dated below the deck. The military magazine at Amoy ex ploded with terrific violence, the Chinese (general and fifty soldiers being blown to atoms. Four hundred houses m the vicinity came down wjth, a crash, burying the inmates m the ?uins. A concomitant fire broke out, which spread from the debris m all directions, and destroyed upwards of 300 other buildings. An alarming epidemic of typhoid fever prevails at the town of Port Arthur. Over 2000 deaths have already occurred. The Hoang Ho, " Yellow River," broke its banks m the vicinity of Ching Chow, inundating an enormous area of country. Thirteen cjtieq are submerged, and th,e loss of life and property is fearful, the distress of the surviving being indescribable.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Monday, December 19. I Tho Speaker tot k tho chair at. 2.30 p.m. Tho Attoruoy-Qoner&l replying to Mr Reynolds eaid Government hsd no luten ion to grant bonuses for tho three b9Bt 38^ays on a thoiough system of local /ovornmeni'-. RAILWAYS BILL. Tho Council ia committee considered bho Govorr.raenfc Railways Bill. Mr ftwamon, m olausa 34, moved as an amondment that the coinmiaaloners should not have power to grant licenses to sell liquors at stations, The Council divided, and the amond ment was loßt by 5 to 21, Some unimportant amendments were agreed to and the Bill was reported with amendments. lA.ND BOARDS; A. mesHßge was reoelved from the House of Representatives stating that they dis agreed with the Council's amendment abolishing Land Boards. Mr Stevens moved that the Council fl. amendments be insisted on, and that he, Mr B.onar, and Mr Waterhoosa be ap pointed managers for drawing op reasons for disagreeing. SECOND READINGS. The Wellington College and Girh 1 High School Bill were read a Baoond time, as also was the Ohrlstohuroh District Drain age Bill. COLLEGE BILL The Council went into Committee on the Wellington College Bill, and at 5 p.m. adjourned till 7.30 The Ojmmlttee at 7 30 resumed con sideration of the Wellington College and Girls High School B I In olauße 45, anb ivjMon 2, Me Water hooae moved en cm ■■ draoot prohbitlne governors either filing or mortgaging the site on whio'i the girls eohool is erected. Mr McLean moved toatrike out the words " the landa " m the first subsection of the clause, thereby preventing the governors from oelllng ormortgaging any of their landa whether endowed or not. The olause e>s amended waa agreed to, the Bill reported, read a third time, and passed. BILL PASSED, The Christohuroti District Drainage Amendment BUI was committed. The Bill waß reported with verbal amendments and passed its final stages. kepoet. Tho Committee appointed to draw up reasons for insisting upon their amend ments m the Land Bill brought up their report, which was agreed to, and a free conference was agreed to, the managera for the Council being Maßsra Stevens, Bonar, and Waterhouse. SECOND READINGS, The Gißborne Harbor Board Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. Mr Pharazyn moved the Becond reading of the Wanganul Harbor Board Bill. Mr MoLaan moved as ah amendment that the Bill be read that d»y six months. After discussion the motion for second reading was rejected on a division by 7 to 18. The Inveroargill Waterworks Reserve Bill was read a second time, committed, reported without amendment, and passed through all ita stages. The Council at 10*50 adjourned to the following day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, December 19. The Houae met at 11 a.m. THE LAND BILL. Mr Rlchardaoa moved that the House agreo with the amendments made m the Land Bill by the Legislative Oounoll, ex cept that relating to the abolition of Land Boards, and that Mr John Mci^enzle, Mr Beetham, and the mover be a oomraittee appointed to dra*v up reasons. The motion was agreed to. STANDING OBDBBS. The Premier moved that the standing order prohibiting new business beiDg taken after 12 30 p.m. ba, suspended for the remainder of the session exoept as regards the Public Eevennea Bill. The motion waa agreed to. COMMIITKE OP SUITLYv The House then went Into Committee of Supply, when the estimates were further considered, Education vote, £360,624, Mr Fisher hoped this subject would be approached m an Impartial spirit. He then proceeded to explain at great length how large Bums could be saved, Mr W, P, JUe,evea aaked how it was pro posed to keep country schools open, Mr Fisher asked the Honae to leave it to Government to devise means, and an amount sufficient foe thia purpose would betaken. A lengthy discussion followed, whloh was interrupted by thelunoh adjoarnment. The Houbb resumed at 2.30 p m m Committee on the education estimate*. Mr Fisher desired to state that a com muniontlon had been received by Govern ment from membors representing both sides of the House to the effect that if Government did not press the question of raising sphool age they would not oppose, the other propositions of Government. With respect to the education expenditure, he said the Government was willing to abandon the point of raising the school a^e to six if the House would ag*et» to. the other three points, Mr Fish proteuted strongly against this deqlaion, of. the Government. He thought this waa one of the points they should insist on, and he should divide the committee on the question whether or not tha school age should be raised. Sir Julius Yogel was at a losb to deal with the question owing to the extraordi nary attitude of a Minister who said, that changes bad practically beon made by Government without the authority of the House, and he contended that those changoa could not be made without an. Aot of Parliament. It was perfectly clear that tho Minister for Education had not the power to fis tha age of Bohool children under the regulations. He con demned the compromise referred to by the Minister and hoped the Committee would reject the proposal for raising the school age. Mr Fisher said the negotiations that had taken plaoe were evidently unsatisfactory to both sides of the House and ho would therefore ask the House to oonsider the propoaala j»b originally brought down. Mr Peacoqk was surprised at Sir Juliua Vogel'u attitude, as although he expressed himself m favor of raising the sohool i age, he still advised the committee, for party purposes, to rejeot it. He (Mr Peacock) supported the raising of the school age. Mr Ormond was glad to hear that the I Minister had decided to adhere to his proposals, and he waa glad, because he thought the amount proposed by Mr Fisher was Quffiolent for the edaoatlonal requirements of the country. Mr Biron disagreed with, the proposals of the Government and he deprecated suoh a large question being dealt with at the layt Btage of thesess'on, Mr Saddon Bpoke on the wholo question at great length and oppocod the Govern ment proposals., Me W. P, Beeves mored to reduce tho total vote £5, to test tho feeling of I the Committee on the question. k Mr Fiizherbart supported the raising of ! the sohool age to aix, and the reduction of capitation by four shillings. Mr Loughrey said It vrta quite evident ; fr< m the expression ml opiuion all over | the colony during the recent elections, that the people would not submit to any [alteration, la school age. People were

proud of the education system, and he muiturprlßed Q t bo many membere belnjr M VO r°i £ i BD * lteratlon ln the eyatam. Mr v alker hoped tho Minister would careful y note all arguments that had been advanced and come down with xnoto matured proposals next Bession The debate was interrupted by the 530 adjournment. Tho Committee resumed at 7 30 tho M e r dSn%r inUedhißremarkß^ * Mr Alien pointed out that the minimum school ngowds higher m other countries than , n JNew Zealand He supported the proposals except that ha thought thoso affecting the aod tho training sohools might be left ovor till next session. Dr litcbett thought Government had been premature m this matter. He waa certain that a very large saving could ba made without any of the present proposals. Mr Duncan would not Bunport the proposals unleas all possible economy were first made m the system Progress *ras reported at this stage* WELLINGTON GIBLS HIGH SOHOOL. tJ^u Mmiit * r iot Education moved that the amendment of the Legislative Council ba agreed to, Carried. OHEWTOHUKOH DISXBrOr DKXIWAOB BIK&, The amendments made Id thio Bill Id the LagUlative Oonooii were agreed to. LAND BILL, The Leglalatlve Oonnoil having insisted on Us amendments to this Bill the Mln ister of Lands moved that tho amond ments be disagreed with, and that Meears J. McEwie and Beetham and the move" be managera to represent the House m a free conference. Carried. , T^E BDUOATION VOTB. Consideration of the education vote Wfli reHnmed. Dt Newman dJoapptoved of the nro poaala Kenerttlly, holding that money could be aaved from the library f on d and from higher eduoation which could be sw»nt away altogether. Mr Doiaon Bappcrted the proposal!, and Mr Levestam opposed them Mr Grimmond exprewed hi* intention of voting againat the proposals of Qovero ment. alajor Steward supported raloing tha school age and a reduction of tha oapita tlon to £3 15 1. Me fclutobinaon apoke ag.lnat tha eduoation proposals at aome length. Mr Moss also opposed them and urged that they should stand over tlllnexl sesnion, . * Mr Marcbant thought the education system too costly, and he felt that tha country was not getting value for Ita money. He was thoroughly with th» proposals. Mr Rosa would vote for a wdoctlon of the oapitatlon allowanoe, but would oppow raising the cchool age. ■ , Mr Fiaher was replying at 2 a.m.

A NEW SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

[fbomoub own^cobbespondbnt.J Wellington, Deoenxber 10, The following is the full teajt of the secies of motions of which notice has been given by Major Steward, to be moved on going into Committee of Sniply In reference to an alteration of the system of Government :-(l) That the present system of party Government Is unsatis factory, and that It is advisable to make suoh changes as will enable the discussion and decision of legislative and otbee proprsils on their merits, without in volvlng the issue of a change of personnel of the Ministry. (2) That it is necessary In order to enable the business of Parliament to bo transacted effectively and with reasonable despatch, that tho forms of procedure prescribed by the Standing Orders should be amended. (3) That In order to effeot the object alrne* at Jn the first of the foregoing resolu tions, it is desirable to provide fo» the election of the Executive Couaoll aa hereinafter provided, that Is to Bay— (a) Upon the first assembling of Parliament after eaoh general eleotlon, so soon as tha Houbo should have elected the Speaker,, it shall proceed to elect six members o£ the executive Government, In manner following— (6) Nominations of candidates shall be handed into the Speaks* on tha day following that upon vhloh, he is- him* aelf eleoted, and ahall he signed by 20 nominators m each owe and by the can didates nominated, all of whom must be of the Home of Bepresentatives ; ( c ) The list of; members nominated shall appear on a speolal Order Paper to be issued immediately on the close of the nomina tions, and the Speaker shall-appolnt a time (not being lean than 24,n0r more than 48 honra after the issue of such list of nominations), for the taking of a ballet for the eleotlon of alx members of the Exeoutlve ; (d) The six candidates having highest number of votes shall be deolared eleoted. and shall enter upon office forthwith, provided that upon thai result of tho ballot being declared any/ member eleoted may deoline to server and therenpon a fresh ballot shall be* taken to fill the vaoancy ; (t) The six members bo eleoted shall ohoosa two colleagues from among the members of the Legislative Council, or if they shall be unable so to do, may advise His Excellency to call to the said Council one/ or two persons (as the case may be) to be* members with them of the Exoontive Council } (f) The eight members of t\»e Executive so eleoted or choseu shall, appoint one of their own numbe* who l» a member of the House of Beprenenta tlvea to be Premier, and shall a'dooate the portfolios of the aeveral Departments among any of the 7 of their number aa they shall think fit j (g) Such Executive, and the several members thereof, ahall oon tinue In office until the assembling of a new Parliament, and thereafter until the .election of their successors, unless either of the following contingencies occur, that is to Bay— (i) unless such Executive shall resign as a whole, (II) unless four or more members thereof who are members of the House of Representatives simultaneously resign or are tullotted oat as hereinafter provided, Ity which case the whole Executive shall be deemed to have re signed, (ill) unless upon the test ballot as hereinafter provided one or more members, not exceeding four, shall be ballotted out j (h) A test ballot upon the proposal that the whole of the Executive, or any member or members thereof, be removed from offioe, may be demanded by requisition to tho Speaker, signed by not less than 30 members of the Hoase. and thereupon the Speaker shall appoint a time wlbhin 48 hours of his reoei^t of such requisition, for the taking of a ballot upon suoh proposal j (»\ kTho membor or members In respect of whom a ballot was tak^, ahall be dis qualified from voting Vnereon, and no such, proposal shall ba deemed to be carried unless affirmed by an absolute majority of tha whola Houdo axoluding the number of membero disqualified from voting ; (j) If,, upon the test ballot, iv respect of lour on any leas number of members of the Exeoutlve, one or both of tha members} thereof having a seat or seats In the Legis lative Oounoll, is or are balloted out, than his or their plaoe or plaoeH In the Exeou tive shall be filled up by the remaining members so Boon as the other vacant seat or seats, if any, shall have been filled up by ballot uf the House ; (k) If any member of tha Executive ao balloted out shall have beon called to the Legisla tive Council, for. the purpose of joining the Evocative* he shall also oease to be a member of the Legislative Council ; (2) Not moro than one test Lallot as regards the Executive an a whole, or aa? regards some member or members thereof, may be demanded during (ho. cam,9 session. Qf PafllawQQtt * " '

r»mr, AftPrarmTnrc miATrntATSL Thursday. nRfTOivraTRR. 9,(\ s«R7



Moon's 01 Sun Sun Moon Moon age at ft Rises. Sots. Rieca Beta. noonday a.m. p.m. Saturday ... 4.17 7.35 G. 26 9. J0 2 tl Sunday .. 4.17 7.36 7.29 10.25 3 v Monday .. 4.18 7.36 8.32 11.4 4 L Tuesday .. 4.18 7.37 931 11.38 5 n Wednesday.. 4.18 7.: 7 10.31 * * 6 Thursday .. 4,10 7. ! 8 11.31 am. 7 pra, O.fl . Friday.. .. 4.10 7.38 0.33 0.32 8 t» .._ ._ i;



Keating'e Powder destroys both moths, fleas, beetles, and all other inseots, whilo quite harmless to domestic animals. In extermi- nating beetles, the Buooess of thia powder is extraordinary. It is perfeotly olean m appli- cation. See the article you purohas Keating's, as imitations are noxious and \ nefleotual. Sold n tias, 6d, la, aqd 2a 6ci \ aaob, byJaU ohp?9»»t§, 1



SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EX- TRACT. — Cure of Skin Diseases. Invorcar- gill, N.Z., Brd of July, 1880. Messrs Sander and Sons, Sandhurst,- Gent'emen,— Having suffered from eczema (a Hkin disoaso whjch is very prevalent m this colony) for about nino years, I had consulted numerous medical mon hero and m Australia, and bad tukon arsenic, strychnine, iodide of potassium, etc, inter- nally, and had used preparations of zino and lead externally. In fact, I had tried all tho remedies known to tho faculty, and what between travelling, doctors', and druggists' bllle, had spent a small fortune, almost, if not wholly, wjthout results, exoept to injure my constitution, During a reoept visit to Hokitika I was rooomraonded to try your Extraot Eucalyptus Globulua by a brother who had experienced great benofit from it m alleviating a very aevero cold, and no less to my surprise and satisfaction, I found tho giseagp whioh troubled mo bo long was con. qnered, and tb# skin rpßprapd its normal condition. This was effected by (he external use of Igbb than tjvq'two. ounce bottles. You arc welcome to make any übo you please of tftta letter, and I subscribe myself— Youre, fito. (Signed), John H. Kerb, Manager Unio# Bl^k of-^uatralia, Jyimitgc!.— (Advt.J § '



Wanted. FOR SALE— A lot of Empty Cases, cheap.— H. O. Segerb, Melford 3ouße. PJANTA Claus ib coming; lnrge and v varied Toys, and Fancy Goods, eu't- i| kble for the occasion. — H. M. Jones. .12 106 DOLLS! Dollall Dolls!!! m great variety, breakable and nnbroakablo, Wood, Wax, China, Indiarubber, Id to 20s.— H. M. Jones. 12 107 BOOKS suitable f < r presents and prizeß. Photo Albums, la to 503 ; Photo Frames, 6d to 12a 6d. Best possible value m all lines. — H. M. Jones 12 108 COME and sco the la tables ! Come and see the 6d tables ! Come one, come all. come early.— H. M, Jones. 12 109 LADIES' BagP, Purses, Work Boxes, Desks, i^crap Albums, Japanese Cabinets and Brackets, Glove and Hand- kerchief Boxes — H. M. Jonbs. 12 110 NEW premises will be opened m a day or two.— H. M. Jones.____l2J.ll WANTED Known.— That HAVES and CO. have a splendid lot of White Embroidery Robea at 14a, worth 21a. < WANTED Everyone to see the ONE SHILLING box of choice Christ- mas and Yew Year Cards. Envelopes in- cluded. — H. C BEQKRB, Melford House. PRINTS, PriDts.— Just opened a splen- did assortment of Prints, Ginghams, Zephjrs, &c. Great variety to choose from.— H. O Segerß, Melford House. rrT ANTED Known. — That Milli- W champ's Genuine Herbal Beer is sold m all tbe principal shops m town, and orders left at MbsE. LtjbloW, Baker, Wills Btreet, -will be promptly attended to, 12 79 WANTED Known— To the Ladies of Aehburton and aurroundlng districts, that an experienced monthly Nurse la desirous of engagement. Good references oan be given. Address — Mrs Hill, Peter Street, Ashburton. 11 18 WANTED CASH — Moir's Oatmeal 251b5,2e 6d ; Sperm Candles, 5d ; Coffde and Milk, Is per tin; Cocoa and Milk, 13 per tin ; Veßtas, fid per doz ; Cornflour, 41 per lb ; tin Fruits, Is; Crockery, Ironmongery, eta. — At James McGkbqob'B, Tancred Street, opposite Arcade. i WANTED Known.— For Sale, Blue Gum, Stringy Bark, Peppermint Gum, Red Gum, and Silver Wattle Tree Seeds, locally grown, and^ caved this SeaßDn ; also Turnip Sooda, just arrived, ex a.s. Rimutaka. —J. Scaly and Co., Seedsmen, Eaet Street. llfGl . WANTED KNOWN - Oleographs Scenery, and" Catholic Subjects Catholic Cards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Silks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tineol Balle. &c, &0., ; at Mas Manhire's F»ncy Repository, Saunders' Buildings? "TTTaNTBD Known— Wells sank, with W pump and pipe found and fixed, from £2 10a upwards All kinds of pumps, Bangßß and house-smith work fixed or repaired. Chimneys swept and ranger oloaned, 3a. Registers Is 6d each. AH orders punctually attended to. Note i address, H. Dudley, Moore street, Ash- r barton. 11 22 Proctor & Go.j WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OAbH GROCERS, Ac, 5 "T> EQ to announce to the inhabitants oi " X> Aahburton and Surrounding Dis- tricts, that we haye just landed oui Christmas Goods, and aa we buy largely for O\SH, wo are m fj. position to SELL Cheaper than any of the other Houses m Town. We have ateo a largo and varied Stock ot CROCKERY and IRONMON- GT'HY- which wo are disposing of at PRlol'B that will defy competition. N.B.— See windowß for Presents to be given away at XMAS Please note the Address, — BOLLOCK'S ARCADE, Burnett Street. # /"\H YER! This recurring Christmas \J Season gives mn tho opportunity to Jlunk most heartily my numeroUE customers for thoir continued patronage of rxiy place of business, nnd to oxprese ? my great satisfaction at the marked increase m my trado during the year. Disclaiming as Ido all ' humbug,' I wiah to Bay that my ambition is to dp the , largest tradb m Ashburton, and if I don't do quite that, 1 mean to try to deserve it by giving constant and prompt attention to all order*, and good value m every department. This will, I trust, secure at least a farther large increase m the coming year. To those who have not hitherto patronised me, I would respectfully suggest fchafc they give mo a turn. A new picture almanac ayaits each of my regular customers, and I wish a r/i^rry Christmas nnd happy New Year to all. It is not neceaßsry to enumerate tho various articles m my well-selected stock, ssrbich /embraces groceries, Italian and fancy goods, ppyiflions, crockery and glassware, ftuila, confectionery, <&c. <fee. Prices will be found very reasonable. Agent for Arthur Yatea' garden goeda. Wholesale nnd retail agent for Nclsod, Moate andCo.'spure blended teasinchaßte, boxes find packets. —H. M. CahSon, East street, near Bank of New Zealand . T3IY KIRIPATEICK'S JAM. CAUTION. » {VJONJS isf genuine unless our nnmo is i XS stamped on eaoh tin, and has our Registered Trade Mai-', ".Lord Nelson,. * on tho lubel. ■TRY KIEKPATBIGK'S TOMATO SAUCE; THE most deliciouß flavoring for .Oold Meats, IhCp § tc »S Soups, Gravies, &c. &o,



Public Notices. & CHRISTMAS \ 18 APPKOACHINa T I THEREFORE consider it my duty to - inform my numerous Clients and the Public generally, that I have just landed j the Christmas requisites, viz. : — c New Cnrrant-8, Elemee, Valenc'as, and - Sultana Raisins, and as those Fruits men* tioned are both T arge and Blooming, I j anticipate a large and ready SALE to the j Lovers ot good FRUIT j also, m addition ■ to the foregoing Lines, I have secured some good parcels of ALMONDS, both Sweet and Bitter, also ALMONDS m £ Shells, Barcelonian, Brazilian, Monkey, ( and Chinese ; Candled Peels, Lemon, . •range and Citron ; also a variety of other ■ parcels, which Include some excellent value m Italian goods Crystallised Fruits, Prize Packets, Lucky Bags, and many other interesting and amusing commodities , for the Little b oiks, and whilst courting an inspection of my Stock, I would beg < to tender my warmest gratitude for the support which I have received from my Friends and the Public during my business career, assuring them too, that as I nm now the oldest and largest Retailer of GROCERIES m Ashburton, it give* mo an exceptional advantage over smaller Houses, with regard to purchasing powerß m the Wholesale Markets ; consequently my Customers and the Publio can rest asaured that they will get the best value for their money if they will but CALL and inspect cur large and assorted Stock of GKOOEBIEH, coupled with House- hold Furnishings, Ironmongery, Cooking Utemilß, Crockery, China, Glass, and Earthenware, Majolica War 9, Clocks, and many other remarkable lines too numerous to q^uote, but all SOLD at the Lowest Legitimate Prices. Country orders punctually executed and despatched without delay, whether by Post Cards, Telegrams or Letters. As my stuff of assistants are efficient and retponeible, Customers will be waited upon with civility. PLBABB KOl* THE ADDKESS, — D. McFarlane, WHOLESALE & RETAIL/ GROCER. ! ITALIAN WAREHOUSEMAN AND GLASS, CHINA & OROCKERY ! IMPORTER. BRANCHES — East Street, BtmirarT Street, and Havelock Street. WABEHOUBE AND OFFICES, Borkbtt Street, Abhbdhton. 12*15 ■XMAS PKESENTS. EVERY Purchaser of DRAPERY thin month of THREE POUNDS and upwards will bo presented with a Handsome Album. Copies now on view in] tho Window. JOHN OM & CO. December 2ud, 1887. i i I ! SPECIAL NOTICE. A LARGE SHIPMENT OF MENM' AND YOUTHS' Tweed Suits, Boy'a Knicker andj Jersey Suitf, Felt and iwced Hats, new shnpeß, Shirts, &c. Suitable for Xmas. JOST LANDED. To be sold extra- ordinarily cheap. John Orr and Co.



Pablic Notice PAPEKHAtfGINGS. A NICE assortment of the abore now m Stock and to arrive ; also PAINTS, OILS, COLOfiS, AND VARNIBHESJ 11*45 JOHN ORR & Co. Wool Season, 1887-88. WE are prepared to make LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES against Large or SMALL Clip of Wool, whether in- tended for Sale m ASHBUETON OR ELSE- WHERE. F We have made moat satisfactory 'arrange* menti foi SHIPPING CLIENTS' WOOL, If prloea realised m Ashburton are not considered satisfactory. It Is our intention to hold PERIODICAL JTOOL SALES Throughout the Season, Of which due notice will be given, and as our GRAIN STORE, which was con- atrncted with doe regard to LIGHT, will be EMPTY, we shall have an opportunity of displaying the Wool to the very beat advantage, which should be a dislderatam to the Seller. Charges exactly the same as Ohristoharch; farmers, consult your beat interests, and Sell locally, thereby saving Railway Freight. WOOLPACKS AtfD TWINE 07 THE BEST QUALITY SUPPLIED. \H. MATSON & CO. MESSRS FRIEDLANDER BROS. HAVE FOR .BALK THE FOLLOWING— SHEEP. -n f\ AAA MERINO Eweß 1 VaA 4-TOOTH Merino X>V/VJ\J Wethers „- ST f\(~\ 8-TOOTH Merino S OUU Wetheru j .§ "I Kr\n 2-TOOTH Merino f f XQVJyJ Ewes and « Wethers *» cyf\nr\ Foil-Mouthed «H OUUU Merino Ewes <=» 1000 D " Do J 6>AAA Merino Hoggeta ZUUU m tho Wool QAfkA LAMBS, lab 25UUU Croef, delivery end of February ALSO,— THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES!-- --i -| pr ACBEB, being; 3.5. No. 20078, XXO 20079, 20295, afc Aehton, lately occupied by Mr Tbos. Magce. -4 A A ACRES, being R.S, 23585, 2858G at IVJU Alford Forest; 4 r\f\ ACRES, laid down In grass for 6 4jU\F yeare, divided into 2 paddocks, with stable thereon, at Kyle. hr\d~\ ACRES m grass, for 6 years, at | VjV/ Dromore. Af\(\ AORESIiat Ashbnrton. -I /\ A, AOREB, beiDg part of R.S. 7186 at I.UU WaUaai, /now2.occnpiedj;by Mr Bt Adamß, LOTS 16, 17, 18,19 aTtd 20 ench containing About ian awe, f ronling Winter 1 * Koad nnd Oha'l'B street, being immediately oppo3ita tl c Woollen Factory. „,,..,,. L LOT 77, Bonch-eaßt Town Belt, Asbburton, containing i-acre, with UwelliDg-touse "TOWN SECTIONS No 1046, 1017, 1060 Toy?N Ce 6ECTIONS Vo 580, 681, with 4- zooaied House on each fctction, Cameron W TOWS SECTIONB No CCS and t>G<J, Park Btreet • For pricr, terra*, and full ptuticnlara apply lotne undersigned. OUB SECOND WOOL SALE OF T3E SEASON Will be heldoa 6th JANUARY, 1888. Sales of Horses, Figs, Cattle, Prodnce an Furniture oa Batur lays; Stock Sales oa Taeßdays. Bheepakia Bales every second Friday* B&KAIA MONTHLY SALE, IstiTHUKS' SAY of tho month. FBIEDLANDER BEOS,, jFETEB WILLIAMS,



THE Revolution of tim9 has brought as to another CRISIS in the History of Life cuatomary in the arrival of SANTA CLAUS, who is expected here between the 24th and 25th inst. To afford a proper and fitting reception of the above mentioned distil? em'shed visitor, the undersigned has procured from the best Market a LARGE and VARIED as 3 ortment of STATIONERY, BOOKS, TOYS, FANCY GOODS, GLASS and BASKET WA BE, ORNAMENTS, and other GOODS too numerous to particularise. OPENING OP NEW PREMISES. In order to extend and facilitate Business, the Proprietor has erected large and commodious premises adjoining the Somerset Hotel, East Street, which will be opened temporarily for the XMAS tiade. Como and Bee the Is tables ; come and see the 6d fables All < oodß marked in plain figures at lowest possible prices. Come one 1 Come all I ! Come early to avoid the crush. SCHOOLS LIBERALLY DEALT WITH. SMALL PROFITS, LARGE AND QUICK RETURNS is the MOTTO of the Proprietor. _||_M. JONES- N B —Both Housob of Busiuess will be opened for the XMAS Trade. igg*See Hand Bills. 12 90