THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will bo as follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADV&NCE '. Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9a 6d Half-year 12a 6d, by post, 18s 6d Year .. 24s Od, by poafc, 87s Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter. . 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15a Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year .. 80s Od, by post, 43s Od Birth riage, and Death Notioes, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (stamps may sent as payment) ; if booked, 4b eaoh. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country districts require to bo verified by the signature of the person sending the notice.

DIARY.

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 8 days old .shines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 days old shineß till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'olook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown till about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and chines till morning, Tbe Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and ehinesti 11 morning The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shine 3 till sunrise.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1888. HORSES FOR INDIA.

The fact that the Indian Government it enquiring for horses, • doubtless of the cavalry stamp, should be welcome news to breeders of upstanding hacks m this country. A few days ago vre mentioned that m conjunction with a gentleman m the. North Island a well-known hor,se dealer m Oamaru was about to charter a steamer to take a consignment of horses to Calcutta. It appears from the information supplied to the Vic torian Government that nearly a thousand animals are wanted at once, at an average price of £53 each, includ ing cojat of delivery m India. At this > price there should be a fair margin of profit, as it costs, we believe, from £12 to £15 per head to ship them direct from Lyttelfcon, and the horses m this colony are infinitely superior to those m Victoria. The chance is one which * should be taken advantage of at once by our horse breeders and dealers. Horses of the right stamp are to be picked up at a moderate price . It is well also to remember that horses from five to eight years old are more eagerly sought after m the Indian market, and as much as £70 or £80 ia easily got for a good stamp of a charger. Not many months ago a shipment sent per the Tekapo to Calcutta, by Messrs Stead and others, turned out a very fair spec, and very few horseß were lost on the voyage. The risk m the venture is the loss of horses if the passage is very rough, but given favourable considera tions, a commodious and well arranged horse carrying steamer, and careful attendants the loss may be reduced to a minimum. The Indian market is likely to be always available for the absorption of all the cavalry horses we can raise m New Zealand above, our own require^ ments ; and it would appear that just now there is $ better market than usual. Whether this arises from a fear of a descent of Russians from the Hindoo Koosh frontier or not cannot just yet be seen. At any rate the export of horses to India from this colony is likely to be a profitable one.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A white tui was shot lately near Hawera. £8729 paused through the totalisator at the Dunedin Birthday Meeting, Nelson had a meeting of unemployed lately the first m the history of the town. The football matoh England v Auckland was one of the best that has been played at Epsom. The Bay oi Islands people etpeot that as the result of the sale of the meroury mine, population and capital will flow m to such an extent that m twelve months the place will be Boarcely reoognieable. The Sprague Motor Agency m Boston, Mass., has closed a oontraot to supply power for a roller toboggan slide m a neighboring oity. Gravity will take the coaßters down and eleotricity carries them up again for a fresh start. The Hon. G. M'Lean authorises the " Daily Times " to contradict the report that he has asked the Ministry to appoint him as Agent 3eneral, and states that he has made no application of any bind to any Minister m connection with the position. After a fire m a stable at Papakina Valley, Auckland, the charred remains of a human body were found m the dsbrfo. They are supposed to be the remains of a tramp who had slept m the loft, and who bad probably caused the fire. The steamer Botomahana, whioh arrived m Lyttelton yesterday, brought three boxes of gold transhipped from the West Ooast. It is to be sent to London m the E.M.S.S. Kaikoura, sailing to-morrow. The total weight of pold is 29720z5, and the value is £U,898. There were 80,502 tons of grapes gathered m Napa county, Cal., m 188$, whioh yielded 4,468,000 gallons of wine and 100,822 gallons of brandy. Of this yield about one-third was Zinfandel and another third white wines. In 1887 there were planted 652 acres of resistant vineß. The Otogo University Oounoil intends to try and procure the withdrawal of Dr Vitchett's Bill regarding the government of the Council. As it at present stands it is likely to seriously cripple the usefulness of the institution. They will also do all m their power to defeat : Major Steward's Leasing Bill, as being of the 1 most insidious and mischievous character. HoliiOWAt's Tills. — Weak Stomaoh.— The wiaeat oannot enumerate one' quarter of the i distressing eymptoma arising from imperfect or disordered digestion, all of whioh oan be relieve by these admirable pills. They remove oankery taste from the mouth, flatulency, ajid oonstipation. Holloway's Pills rouse the stomaoh, liver, and every other organ, thereby bringing digestion to that healthy tone whioh fully enables it to oonvert all we eat and drink to the nourishment pf our bodies. Honoo those pills are the sureßt ptrengtheners and the safeß.t. restoratives m nervousness, wasting, and obronio debility. Holloway's Pills aye infallible remedy for impaired appetite, eruotationa, and a multitude of other dis agreeable symptoms whioh render the lives of thousands miserable indeed, These pUlsojfa

Mr B. MoOwen left this morning for Christohuroh en route for the Old Country per the Kaikoura, whioh sails from Lyttelton to-morrow. The old man Greaves who has been missing from the Village Settlement at Fahiatua for some days was discovered m a weak state only a mile from his home. Captain Somerville has sent out a oiroular asking the opinion of the volunteer authori ties on his proposal to get 400 Martini rifles imported for the use of the Rifle Association. London has 600 plaoes of amusement, of whioh more than four hundred and fifty are mualo halls. The theatreß are about fifty. Direot employment is given by the establish- I ments to about one hundred thousand people, . beside indirect employment to a host of s tradesmen and their work-people. Tet- another profession has been thrown open to women, the National Dental Hospital having deoided to admit registered female students. At present most of the female dentistß go to India and practise among the females of that country, and it appears that the occupation is a profitable one. Tongariro is said to be mote aotivd now than it has been since the outbreak m 1869. A hugh oolumn of smoke and vapour is rising from its most aotive cone, Ngaruarhoe, and on a fine day the Bight seen from Taupo is moßt imposing. The recent earthquakes may have some connection with the in* creased activity. Petitions praying that the Shop Hours Closing Bill ma; be given efleot to are being extensively circulated m Auckland, while m Dunedin a largely attended publio meeting passed resolutions m favour of early, closing and m Bupport of the prinoiple o! the Bill; bat several amendments and modifioationß were suggested as neoessary. A recent telegram from Borne to the London papers stated that orders had been issued from the War Offioe to push on with the greatest alacrity the transformation of the Wetterly into a repeating rifle. It was the intention of the Minister to arm m a few months, not only the aotive army, but the reserves likewise with the new rifle. One effect of the late Emperor's death is that fully 80,000 of the German residents m England, who evaded the conßoription and the call to arms on the breaking out of the Franoo-Prussian war, will now be free tojvisit the Fatherland, without incurring the risk of being tried by court-martial as deserters, as their offence is only coeval with the late Emperor's reign, A Company under the name of the Paoifio Islands Trading Company, has been registered m New Zealand with a capital of £120,000. The objeot of the Company is to purchase as many of the islands as possible, and to oarry on the business hitherto conduoted by Messrs j Henderson and Macfarlaine, of Auckland, who already own large properties m various of the Paoifio groups. We (" Manawatu Times ") understand that a bankruptcy petition has been filed m the oase of Hamuera te Baikokiritia, aboriginal native, or as he ia familiarly known, " Old Sam." This old native is reported to have reaohed the ripe old age of one hundred years, and is yet strong and aotive. He is the ohief of the Awahuri natives, and was probably the largest landholder m the whole district. How have the mighty fallen. A monster pontoon has just been oompleted at Danger Island, on the Hawkesbury river, N.S.W., m oonneotion with the work now goirg on at the Hawkesbury railway bridge, for the purpose of oonveying the heavy iron work to be useed m the construction of the bridge. The pontoon is built wholly of Oregon pine, and has a length of 840 feet, breadth of 61 feet, and depth of 10 feet 6 inches. The Duke of Cambridge was m 1854 ap. pointed to command the two brigades of Highlanders and Guards united to form the first division of the army sent m aid of Turkey againßt the Emperor of Bussia. At the battle of Alma his Boyal Highness led his division into aotion m a manner that won the oonfidenae of his men and the respect of the veteran officers with whom he served. At Inkerman he was aotively engaged, and had a horse shot under him. Neither the Aehburton nor the Timaru Borough Councils seem to attaoh very great importance to the petition to do away with the totalisator. In Timaru it was not thought advisable to spend borough funds on advertising or calling a meeting to. consider the matter, and m Aahburton the ciroular letter from Christohurah was simply received. The Mayor, however, will take the initia tive and call a public meeting to disouas the question if the burgesses are anxious to move m the matter. By the s.s. Kaikoura leaving Lyttelton for London to-morrow quite a company of Ash burton residents are leaving for a trip Home. We learn from Mr George Jameson, local agent of the New Zealand Shipping Company, that the following paßsanges have tienjbooked from here : — Messrs B. McOwen (Manager Bank of Ngw Zealand), S. Crum (who intends I to bring out complete oider making appa ratus), E. Gluoas ('he well-known farmer of Seafield), Thomas Perks (threshing maohine proprietor), and Mrs Perks. The Financial Statement was delivered by Sir Harry Atkinson m the House last even ing. The Premier occupied sixty-five minutes Id delivering the (Statement, whioh he read from proof slips, with marginal manueoript quotations. In consequenue of this the slips of the Statement were not available as usual, and it was not until after the Premier had finished that the telegraph authorities were allowed to put it on the wiree for transmission to the newspapers. The Statement as telegraphed inoluded no fewer than twelve thousand seven hundred words. According to the " New Zealand Times " the exportation to Great Britain of grass seed from the West Coast of the North Island has commenced out of the plentitude of the last season's harvest. The supply was altogether m exoess of demand, and hence a market had to be found further afield. Messrs Stevens and Gorton have been moving m the matter and are making ready an experimental shipment of fescue and cocksfoot. They are of opinion that a good trade might be done with the old country if the rate of freight was a little easier. As it is, £§ per ton is felt to be somewhat obstructive to aotive business m uncertain directions. i At a meeting of the ratepayers m the Tinwald Town Board District held la the Schoolroom last evening to discuss the water supply question there was a good attendance. Mr W. H. Smith was voted to the chair. From what we can learn there is an objeotion to a section of the Board going { on with Borne scheme to bring m a water supply, and the following resolution was passed and signed by all present : — " That a j petition be presented to the Chairman of the Board urging him to stop the present contraot for a water supply, as the petitioners are of I opinion that it is not required at present, and tfcerp are other works more urgently required to be done ja the diatriot." Eußßia'B last move m Asia may be a mere faint design to divert England's interest from impending disturbances m Europe, and to prevent her throwing m her weight with the Triple Alliance, by oreating the impres* sion that there will be quite enough to do m Asia ; that she will have her hands full defending India without mixing m the European melee. If England were forced to concentrate her energies on the defence of ner 'Asiatic possessions, and were menaoed as well by French jpt§rferenoe m Egypt, while Germany and Italy were fhrcatengd m the rear by Franoe, Russia might think that bHs could make her own opportunity to crush Austria as a first move m her great game of oonquest.— -" New Zealand Times." SomS of the anomalies m the matter of postage mentioned by Mr Henniker Heaton are curious enough. To give a few instanoea ; — To send a letter from England to Japan costs 6d, from Japan to England 2Ad ; to the Cape of Good Hope and Natal the British tariff is 6d, while the rate from Franoe and Germany- is 2^d ; the postage from England to Australia is 6d, to New Caledonia from four to seven days' sail beyond Australia, it is id. With regard to Australia, Franoe and Germany both charge 6d, as England does, for letters sent via Brindisij but letters can be sent between Australia end Germany, wholly by sea, at a minimum rate of £id. In fact, several pages might be filled with curious faota concerning these eooentricities of postal charges, but looking at the matter broadly, there is considerable method m the ythole process, seeing that the Government clear three millions a year, on the operations of the Poat Offioe, whioh sum is now gravely confiscated foe general purposes of adminis. tjatioo, ...

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 29. The Council met at 2.30 p m. MILITIA ENROLMENT. The Hon Sir G. S. Whitmore gave notice of h;s motion re calling out the militia CHINESE IMMIGBATION AOT AMENDMENT' SILL. The Hon H. Scotland, m continuing the debate, hoped thit tie Bill would be thrown out. He did not thiok there was any chance of Chiaamen oming here . In fact, he did not consider New Zealaad a fit place for anybody, either heathen or Christian, to come to just at present. It would be a good thing for tha colony if Chinamen came here by tens of thousands. He would like to see our manufactures, especially wool and flax, worked by Chines labor ; but the colony was under mob government, and dared not dream of such a thing. He would support tha Hon Mr Waterhouee'a amendment, "that it is undesirable to proceed further with the Bill until the results of the deliberations of the Conference to be held m Australia upon the Chinese question, as wall as of the negotiations between the English and Cbines9 Governments upon the same subject, are known," The Son R. Oliver did nob think the Chinese Government would have anything to complain of m the passing of the present Bill. The Hon R. Phar&zyn looked upon the Bill aa likely to irritate the Chinese, and moved as an amendment —" That tbe Bill be read this day six months." The Hon Dr Pollen spoke strongly against the BUI, saying there was no probability of an influx of Chinamen. The Son Colonel Brett considered the Council would be doing an Illegal aotion m passing the Bill, and urged members to throw it out. The second reading was oarried by 15 to 10. The Ojunoil adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPESENTATIES.

I Tuesday, Mat 29.

AFTBRNOON SITTING.

The House met at 2 30. EX INSPEOTOE SHE ABM AN. Consider ible diaonssi >a ttok place over the report of the Public Petitions Com mittee on the ca^e of Inspector Shearman, recently dismissed from the Government > service. The report was to -the effect that, having gone osrefu'ly into the evidence adduced, the Committee had oome to the oonoluslon that tha petitioner had been dealt with by the Government , m a fair and liberal spirit, and that he had no farther cl lm on the oobny. Mr Bruoe pointed out that Mr Shearman had now retired with compensation to the ex* tent of £1000, but that, if he had eervei two yean more, be would only be entttlad to about £500, The discussion was post poned. QnESXIONS Mr Vincent Pyke asked the Colonial ' Secretary whether the Government have &ay Information respecting the operations of an Association called " St Gllob' Mis sion," ia London, whloh, as reported by Eugllah papers, is engaged m the charlt ■ able work of exporting convict explrees to the Australian colonies. The Hon T. W. Hialop said Government had no information on the subject, but steps had beea taken to ascertain whether suoh a Society existed, and whether its object were suoh as had bean stated In the question. Major Steward asked the Government whether their attention had been drawn to the injustice of the provisions of sections 96 and 97 cf the Land Transfer Aot 1885, which confer upon mortgagees of real estate the right to destnln upon chattels. If bo, whether thsy will introduce a Bill this eeßslon to amend tho Aot m this partioalar, Tbe 800 T. W. Hißlop said ifc w»b stated m the Governor's Speech that a Bill would be brought m dealing with the question, Mr Buxton asked the Minister of Justice whether, ia case of a mistake being made by a Coroner or his deputy, an inquest nob being held on Saturday night, conld be oommenced on Sunday, and, if practicable, by desire of the friends of the deceased, the body might be interred the same day. The Hon T. Fergus said a Coroners Aot was before the House at present, and he should endeavor to get a provision inserted whioh would meet oases of this kiad. Major Steward asked the Colonial Secretary whether effect has 'been given bo the recommendation of the Printing Committee made last session for a revision of the free Met of parliamentary papers and f 'Hansard," by whioh it was estimated that a saving of from £800 to £1000 per annum could be effeoted. The Hai Mr Hißlop said some of the recommendations hud been given effect to, but. there were others which (he Govern ment did not feel justified In acting upon, Mr Joyce asked the Government if they trill during tho reoesa prepare a Bill to emend the Edacition Act m the direotion of (I) Allowing the Bible to be reai m public schools, with a conscience clause ; (2) Gielng a grant of 30 1 per head per annum to denominational schools wherein at least two hundred scholars ehail hare attended on every public Bohool day during the year, and shall haye been taught m the s'x standards used m the pobllc schools, and have passed the exami nations of the Government Inspectors. The Hon G. Fisher eaid Government had do intention of proposing to amend the Education Act m the latter direction. NEW BILLS. The following B^lb were introduced;— State Security on Land Bill. A Bill to Amend the An I mile Protection Act, 3 880. Mining Partnership Bill. School of Mintß BUI. CODHS MOTH. The Codlin Moth Bill wasjread a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 5 30 till 8 p.m.

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 8 p.m. IN COMMITTEE OP WAYS AND MEANS Sir Ho Atkinson delivered his Financial Statement. Mr Seddon said they were now aßked to sgree to such a large amount of taxa tion, that he for one should be almost prepared to refuse assent to the resolu tions. He would ask, therefore, that the financial debate should bo taken on Friday, la order to decido it. gir H. AtklDßoa Bald he was quite pre pared to take the debate on Friday if the Hoqae desired it. Mr Smith thought the Premier shonld give them an assurance that the Tariff Bill woald be brought down not later than Friday, Sir H. Atkinson Bald he oould bring the Bill down next day, but he considered it was impossible for any hon member to express an Intelligent opiuion on it m leas th»n a week. Ho was quite pre pared to go on with tho Bill on Friday. The amended tariff resolutions were then put and agreed to, and the Home rose at 9.55 p.m.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

In Committee of Supply m the House on Tuesday evening the Hod Sir H. Atkinson, the Colonial Treasurer, delivered his Financial Statement, of which the following is an abstract. Sir H. Atkinson after referring to the impossibility of sooner bringing down the budget pro posala went on to say, that It would be m the rtcolteotlon of hon members that when the Government took office in' October last the finanolal position and prospects of the colony were aaoh as to require the immediate and earnest at tention of Government and of Parliament. So far as time permitted important changes were Introduced during the session and others promised or foreshadowed. Government undertook to largely reduce the loan expenditure upon public works. This has been done, and still further re ductions are now both po&aible and desirable Government also undertook to make large redactions m the expendi ture charged against the Consolidated Fand and would, no doabt, be able to satisfy Parliament that the reductions they had made and were making, were very substantial m amount, and of a good and permanent character. Government further undertook to oharge against the ordinary revenue oertain works and services the funds for which have hitherto been provided from Joan This also has been done, and hon. members would find m the current ordinary estimates proper provision made for these services. These i salutary changes have not only been immediately and directly beneficial, bat have also been indirectly of great advan tage to us m their effect outside the colony. He then stated briefly that io the opinion of Government the chief fioancial work wbioh required to be done this session was : — Firstly, to see that our ordinary expenditure is reduced to the lowest praotioable point, and this bting done : Second ly 4 to devise means to raise sufficient revenue to prevent the recurrence of a deficit, and m doing this we must »s far as can be done, without loss to the community at large, assist our local in dustries and manufactures ; and lastly we have to reduce the expenditure of bor rowed money on our publio works to a much greater extent than was proposed last session. BEVENOB AND EXPENDITURE 1887-8. When the Financial Statement was made last November he was blamed by a high financial authority for having pre diced a much larger deficit thau was likely to occur, but he now regretted to say tint the results of the year had been even lees favorabletban he had anticipated, It waß then estimate i that the deficit r a the year's transactions would probably be £253,305 on the ordinary revenue aoaount and land fund account conjoined, The estimate was subsequently increased to £312,653 by the disallowance of some of Government's proposed reduotiona. The reoelpts of the year fell short of the aotual expenditure by £382,047, as against £312,653 anticipated, being £69,394 m excess of the estimated deficit. If £22,104 paid for compensation for loss of office weiru deduoted, because m last year's Statement It was treated as a matter outside the ordinary estimates of expen. ditare, the exaess would be £47,290. He then briefly explained how it was that the deficit exceeded Government's anticipa tions. The revenue as a whole did not realise the amount estimated by £103,336; the railways fell short by £68,174; land saleß, £29,503 ; revenues from depasturing licenses, ren'B, and other souroes, £7239. The falling off m tbe Railway reoe'p b was due to tbe late harvest and to the low proa of grain causing' farmers to delay their threshing m the hopes of a the. That it was not due to a less quantity being grown was shown by the fact that 28.000 tons more grain are estimated to have been oarrried over our railways daring this month than m the same period m the previous year. The expenditure as a whole was less than the estimate by £33,942, or, including compensation paid for loss of ofl&oe (£22,104) it was £56,046 less than estimated, whloh sum deduoted f torn the revenue short received (£103,336) gives the excess deficit of £47,290 for the year. Tbe defiolt m the preceeding year for the ordinary revenue and land fund aocounts was £146,556 making the defiolt for the two years £528,603. But Parlia ment having last session, In anticipation of a large defiolt at the cloae of the 1887-88, made provision for £400,000, he had to suggest only a means of meeting the much smaller sum of £128,603. THE PDBLIO DEBT. The gross public debt at 3.lst March, 1887, was £35,741,653. During the year the following reductions m the debt have taken place : — Debentures for £300.000 of the New Zealand Loan of 1856, which matured on 31st January, 1888, have been redeemed, cancelled and re turned .to *he coloby. The debt under the Consolidated Loan Ac*, 1867, has been reduced by £42,400 debentures of the " drawing " of 1887 redeemed out of the sink'ng fund. The additions to the debt have been £ GO, OOO under the Con solidated Stock Act, 1887, for expenses of conventions ; £500,000 borrowed on short dated debentures under tha North Island Main Trunk Kail way Loan Act, 1882; £7000 under the New Zealand State Forests Act, 1885 ; £125,000 under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886 ; £258,184 under the Con solidated Stock Act, 1884, for the m creases of tbe sinking funds during the year ; and £400.000 under tbe Public Revenues Act, 1887 (No. 3). The debt paid off having amounted to £342,400, and the new debt increased to £1,350,184, the total gross debt at 31st March, 1888, was £36,758,437, and deducting the sinking fund acorued, £1,222,056,, the net publio debt at that date was therefore £$5,356,381. The following loans fall jdue within tbe purrent year, viz.: — £5.00,000. on the 3|lst July, temporarily borrowed under the North Island Main Trunk Railwhy Loan Act, 1882 ; £250,0(J0 on the Ist November, under the Colonial Inscribed Stock Act, 1882 ; and £49,500 on the 15th December, under the General Purposes Loan Act, 1873 It will be necessary to obtain the authority of Parliament to renew the two latter loans. In addition to the loans he had named as falling due within the current year there are £25,000 due on the Ist October, 1888, and £25,000 on the Ist January, 1889, under the New Zealand Loan Act, 1856. These two sums will be repaid out of the accumulated linking funds of that loan. PDBLIO WOKKS FUND, In copse'quenoe of the earmarking of the North Island Mala Trunk Railway loan and the loan authorised m 1886 to speoifio purposes, it beoame neoessary to establish three distinct accounts m the Publio Works Fund, No. 1 being an account of the balance of the loans ralaed before 1886 ; No. 2 the aooount cf the North Island Main Trunk Railway loan ; and No* 3 the account of the loan authorised m 1880, * ' No. 1 Account — The balance at credit of No.. 1 aooount on the 31st Maroh, 1887, wiib £491,245, of which there was expended during the year £440,854, leaving a halanoe of £50,391. During the year it became necessary, m oonßequence of the earmarking already referred to, to create debentures under the Loan Aot, 1887, for £300,000, which were taken up out of funds at credit of No. 3 aooount, whereupon £150,000 w*s carried to oredlt of No. 1 account. This sum, together, with the £50,391 already mentioned as the balanoe of the old loans, made £200,391, the amount whloh atood at oredlt of No. 1 aooount on the 31st March, 1887. The liabilities outstanding »t that date chargeable upon this'acoottnt were £205,323. l ; No-. 2 Account — Up to the 31st March, 1 887, there bad been expended m <

anticipation of ralalng the North Island Main Tronic Railway loan of £1,000,000 £325,685. Daring she past year a farther sum of £152,315 has been expended, mnklng m a'l £478,000, and leaving a ba'aooe of £592,000 unexpended. The liabilities outstanding at the 31st Matoh, 1888, chargeable upon the balance of £522.000 amounted to £75,904. No 3 account— The unexpended balanoe | at 31st March, 1887, of the loan of 1886, was £769,254 Tbe balance at oredit of No 3 account at the 31st March, 1888, was £546,244, subject to liabilities amounting t0£190,467. Summary— Tho actuil balance at credit of the public works fund as a whole en the 31st of March, 1887, was £786,294 13s 9d, subject to a deduction of £242,800 for district railway debentures sold with the loan of 186.6, but not forming part of the public works fund. The balance at the beginning of the year for public works expenditure was therefore only £543,494 13s 9d. During the year we received the balance of the loan of 1886, £391,300, and an advance of £500,000 borrowed by the late Government npon the North ißland Trunk Loan. These sums made together £1,434,794 13s 9d, of which there was expended daring ths year £966,159 12s 6d, leaving an unexpended balance at 31st Marob, 1888, of £468,635 Is 3d. The balance m hand at the 31st March last and the loans authorised but nnraised make together £1,968,635 Is 31, aubjaot to liabilities at 31st Maroh laat of £471.695 6a 3d. GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIIS. The total amount borrowed to March 31st, 1888, was £125,000. Applications re oeived m response to a, M Gazette ?l notifi cation, oq January 16th, amounted, to £78,330, and a further sum of about £90.000 will have to be borrowed to enable the Treasury to make the loans, whch will bring the total amount bor rowed on this account u^ to £216,000. It had been thought that tne oolony oould obtain his money at 4 per cent or one per cent less than it was lent to the local bodies. A3, hoaevcr, the rate of interest beiug paid by tbe Government is 5 per oent, It is probable that with respect to f atare loans the amount payable by looal bodies may have to be Increased, and he would during the present session make a proposal to the House upon the .subject. REDUCTIONS EFFECTED 15 PUBLIC EX* PBNDITOKB. In the last Financial Statement a saving of £300,000 was pro posed, but amendments by the House reduced thin to £262,000. The aotna saving so far made is £233,097. Government pioposad to classify the whole of the Civil Service, and striotly limit the numbers of each class by Act, from which no deviation will be allowed without the approval of Parliament;' He might also briefly mention other important changes m the direction of simplicity and economy without tbe sacrifice of effiolenoy. It was proposed to amalgamate tbe Native De partment with that of the Colonial Secre tary, making It a branch of'that depart ment." The intention was before the end of the year, to abolish the Pablio Works Department. The oonstraotion of such of the railways as are to be proceeded with, would be continued under the staff of the constructed railways, and the whole of the road works would be handed over to the survey department, which is already oharged with a large p»rtof that work, employing local bodies where possible m oarrylog them cut, A large saving will be effected by this arrange ment, and it will no doubt be strong and tatisfaotory evidence to the people and the outside world that we are really bringing our large borrow! ag policy to an end when the department which has been Its organ and symbol finally disappears, ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE TOR THJB TXAR 1888 9— ORDINARY REVENUE ACCOUNT. Tbe estimated ordinary expenditure Is £3,953.593. The estimated amount of interest which will be p»id during the year Is £1,838,539, being £72,872 more than the interest paid during the year 1837*88. land ycnm. The estimated expenditure ohargeable agalnat the Land Fund Is £107,245. Laat year the total expenditure was £158,474. Kates on Crown lands it is not Intended to oontlnue this year, exoept m spaoial oases where rights have arisen, TOTAL ESTIMATED EXfENDHUBB, The total estimated expenditure is therefore £4,060 838, being £3,953 593 against ordinary revenue, and £107,245 against the Land Fund. No provision was made for schools and other public buildings, and for subsidies to looal bodies but he would presently submit tbe Government proposals for these, ESTIMATED RESULTS OF THE TEAR 1888-89. Our total estimated revenue is, from all sources, £4,016,400, and the estimated expenditure being £4,060,838, leaves a deficit of £44,438 on the whole revenue; but as the land fund Is estimated no give a small surplus of £11,755, and as we do not now qse any eqrplqs land fund $3 ordinary revenue; we have to provide a sum of £56,193 to make our ordinary expenditure and revenue balanoe. m ad dition to the amount required for school and other public buildings and for sub sidies to local bodies. The amount which the Government estimate will be required for expenditure On public build ings from revenue for the year is £60.000, being £30.000 for school buildings. £17.000 for the general post' office, and £13,000 for other buildings. This added to the estimated defioit of the ordinary revenue, and Including £30,000 subsidies to local bodies, to be referred to pre sently, makes the total amount to be provided £143,193, if no farther redac tions are thought prudent. Before ohowfng how the Government thonght the amount should be raised he would refei to the question of SUBSIDIES TO LOPAZ. BODIK/J. . The Government after c&refal oonr slderatlon had come to the conclusion that the payment of subsidies mast be con tinued, or the work of focal bodies will be praotioally paralysed, causing serious, inconvenience throughout the gountrp districts, but they thought that the colony should dearly understand that continued pa j ment means additional taxation. The Government are aleo of opinion that If the payment is continued a speolal tax or a portion of tax should be set apart foe subsidies, and that the amount raised should be divided amongst the looal bodies on the same plan as is now m foroe. It was also desirable that the tax set apart should be one which will Increase with the increase of population. They there* fore propose that the tax on tea should be increased by 2d per lb, and that one half of the whole doty received from tea shall be set aside and devoted to the payment of theae subsidies. Through speculative clearances and two months of the year ' having passed, the estimated produce of the tax for thts year with" tne additional duty added will only be £114,000, and one-half of this will be £57,000. This amount will not be enough to pay a subsidy of five shillings In the pound for the current year, and he would askaqthoi'Uy to provide the bilanga this year from general revenue, TARIPP. He now came to the question as to how the £146,193 whiob he had shewn to be wanting could best be raised. After muoh | oareful deliberation the Government have determined to aßk authority to raise the amount reqalred by an increase In the Customs duties, as being, on the whole, the beßt course m the general interests of the community. The Government thought that the sum required should be raised by an increase of a general oharaoter, and recognising the fact that a feeetrade tariff and a prohibition tariff are equally Incom patible with the amount whlph they must raise, and admitting what must be a,d.« mlt'ed that the' imposition 'of heavj Customs duties necfesa&eily affaots tt|e course of trade and industry, they i}»?a

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY; MAY 30, 1888



Moon'i San San Moon Moon »g* at Mny-Jtno Rlees. Sets, Riwss titts. noon. p.m. a,m. 28 Monday .. 7.93 4.32 7.15 9.41 16 50 Tuesday .. 7.23 4.31 8.20 11.30 17 80 Wednesday.. 7.24 4;30 9.25 p.m. 18 51 Thursday .. 7.25 4.30 10.29 0.13 10 1 Friday.. .. 7.28 4.20 11.33 0.47 20 3 Saturday ... 7.27 4.29 • • 1.17 31 a.m. 1.43 8 Sunday .. 7.28 4.28 0.36 2 8 33



JfrEA.Tjuja's Cough Lozenges cures Coughs, Asthma,' and Bronohjtja. Medioal testimony states that no other 'medio&e is so ejjeotual m the cure of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bed- time ensures rest. For relieving difficulty o! breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium or any violent drug, Sold by all Qher^jßte, ia tiq.sU Jdid and. fa oaobf



Wanted, I \TT ANTED furnished Biting Room and 1 1 YV Bedroom with board and use of M bathroom. Apply "X. V Z," office of this « paper. 5 245 [ WANTED—Two smart Boys, Palace I Bkating Bink. Apply at llall 7 p.m. fharp. . 5 253 WANTED to Sell— AFirst-olass Piano, grand action. Caßh or terms very liberal. Apply Hayes and Co. BOOTS. —We have redaced our Boot List, and are selling them wonder- fully cheap.— Tl. 0. Se«brs, Meiford Honse IF you want a gennlne Aahbarton Tweed Salt to measure, or ready made, or Boots that will keep your feet dry, at prices marvellously low, come to the A.«hburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' buiIdtpgB.— ROBBRT^AIOORM. WINTER.— We are now shewing a Splendid Assortment of Ladies and Children's Ulsters m all the leading styles, very oheap. — H, 0. Segbbs, Meiford House. ~\\ /"ANTED —Everyone to oome and VV ace the nicest lot of Glass, China, and Earthenware ever shown m Ashbnr- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported dlreot from the Manufacturers.— Robert Alcobn, Saun- deta' Buildings. 3tll WANTED Known.— Meiford House Is now shewing a splendid assortment of Drapery, Millinery, Cloth- ing) Boots, &o, very cheap. WANTED Cash. — Moir's Oatmeal (251 b), 2s 63; Candles, sd ; Vestas, 5d doz. ; Coffee and Milk, Is ; Cocoa and Milk, la ; Corn Flour, 4d ; Fruits m Syrup (21b tine), Is. Ofookery, Glassware, ana Ironmongery, — J. Mo* Gbbqob, Tanored street. WANTED Known.— Cheap J»ok has opened a shop m Oompton's Buildings, Moore street, with a large stosk of Fanoy Goods, Crockery, Music, &o. f which he will sell at Oheap Jack prices, viz.. 30 per cent under any other shop In town. ; TO THE LADIES OF I' . Misses Momsonl&Holloway DRES3 AND MANTLE MAKERS Tanored Stbebx ASHBURTON. 5 169 ASHBURTON " GUARDIAN.'J DUNEDIN AGENCY, jIyTR R. T. WHEELER, Stafford Street, Danedln, has been appointed oar ! Agent and will be able to arrange terms | with advertisers for contract advertlse- mentg. TRY KIRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY FRESH FRUIT "X" -J A. M S— NOTICE. OUR Special Quality "X" brand of New Season's JAM Is made from Fresh Fruit, within a few hours after it has beep gathered; it thus retains the full flavor of the Freeh Fruit, and Is the best quality It is possible to make. CAUTION : None Is Genuine unless our Name is stamped on tbe Tin, and has our regis- tered Tiade Mark, the letter "X,"on the Label, S. KIRKPATRICK AND CO., MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHINfi_ FACTORY. NEW GOODS I NEW GOODS 1 1 FOR THE AUTUMN and WINTER Season ore to hand, and we would request intending purchasers of Clothing to pay our establishment a visit previous to purchasing elsewhere, and See our Men'B Sac Suite from 37b 6d Latest cut and good vnlue See our Men's Tweed Trousers from lOs 6d Well adapted for good wear See our Men's Tweed Overcoats from 40s All Colonial Wool and nicely made See out Men's Moles from Cs 6d Own make, impervious to wear See our Boys' Fritz Suits from 10b 6d Parents and Guardians come & inspect See oor Boys' Trouser Suits from 22b 6d Colonial production, well and truly made. Purchase yonr Clothing direct from the Manufacturers. —TAILORING— Wo are doing a very large business m this Department, and would request all requiring a first-c'ass suit, Colonial tweed, made to measure, to entrust their orders with us. We can offer you 600 different patters to select from, and can give you value unsurpassed Fit, style, and work- manship guaranteed. —HATS. HATs7~HATS. HATS— Any shape, style, or size m stock. This Department is fully supplied with all the latest novelties. The Mercpry Department you will find replete with every necessary requisite m Men's Youths', and Boya' wear at prices which cannot be beaten m Aahburton. Encourage New Zealand Industries and buy from the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Agents for the celebrated Wertheim Sewing Machines, which can be had on easy timefpaymontß. W, H. WEBBER, Manager,



' J. QTJAISrE & CO. PKODUCE AND GENERAL MERCHANTS, FINANCIAL IND COMMISSION AGENTS, BKG to announce that they have COMMENCED BUSINESS m Havelook street, Ashbnrton, with a Stock consisting of— OATEN, BHEAF, AND STRAW CHAFF FEED OATS, HAT IN TRUSSES BRAN, BHABPS, FLOUK TEA, SUGAR, POTATOES, FOWLS' WHEAT FLO&Grlt SHARKS, *•. &c. CAiH PURCHASERS OF Wt*As, OA$6, BAfcLKY, &«. and all Favm Prodvca Itag^t** M * L»a*i •■ Land and Stock arranged at Ltwest Rates of latertst AGENTS FOR JT — AgJ^gBALAJrp ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY. , CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES. "ZEALANDIA" BOOT STOEE, HAVING received a large Bupply of samples of Ladies' and Children's BOOTS, SHOES, and SLIPPERS, we are offering the same at exceedingly low prices. CHILDREN'S FROM 6d. LADIES' FRO^I 4s. Wt hare a very large and well-assorted fctoofc of English and Continental Goods to seleot from. Sole vendors of the celebrated "ZEALANDIA" BRAND. " ZEALANDIA^BOOT STOEE, .^ East Street. 'GRAND SUCCESS? H GRAND SUCCESS MITCHELL & TURNER HAVE Tery mnch pleasure m thanking and announcing to their numerous^ Friends and Customers that success having attended their efforts since removing to Fowler's Buildings, especially during past Season, they are encouraged to hold out «p«cial Inducements for coming Winter Season. Purchasers will find a Splendid Assortment of Men's and Boys' Overcoats, Winter Suite, Trousers and Vests, &c, comprising Ashburton, Kaiapoi, and other Colonial Makers. Ladies' and Children's Ulsters, Jackets, &c. Blankets, Fugs, and Flannels. JB* N.B.— See our Dress Goods, Homespuns, Serges, and Tweeds. Fair prices, excellent quality. Shirtings, Lioseys, Flannelettes, Quito, Hosiery, and General Winter Goods BOOTS AND SHOES. ALL WHO WANT A FIBST-OLASS ARTICLE SHOULD PAY US A VIBIT. MITCIIELL~& TURNER TANORBP STBEET. Important to Grain Growers. CAtJTiafrTlll AFTER the gratuitous paff fn the " Weekly " and daily " Press," and the present advertisement In the " Aihbnrton Guardian " respecting the Poisoned Wheat prepared by the so-oalled Patent Proofs of Mr J . M. Cambridge, on behalf of the Asbburton Drug Company, I deem it my duty to draw the attention of Graingrowers to the fact that the prooeis In question 1b not patented m New Zealand, nor is it likely to be, for the simple reason that the various advantages set forth are exaotly those which I have strictly observed m the preparation of my Poisoned Wheat for the last three years, Copy or Telegrams. fIAZBXDKAH, ESQ., Patent Registrar, Wellington. Please reply whether J. M. Cambridge, Ashbnrton, has obtained or applied for any patent In connection with Poisoned Wheats, and if so post oopy of specification. Ashbnrton, 30th April, 1888. 0. M. Brooke. Mr 0. M. Brooke, Ashbarton. — No application received from Mr Cambridge. Wellington, May 1, 1838. F. Wakdegbays, Deputy Patent Officer. If .Agriculturists want a satisfactory and reliable article (not an experimental one, to which you have hitherto been chiefly treated) Brooke's Poisoned Wheat is tbe preparation to use, at the following testimonials hereby testify : — " I have the honor by direotion of the Board, to inform you that your Poisoned Wheat la proving highly satisfactory, and to requaat that you will forward me twenty botheis more of exaotly similar qaallty at yonr earliea oonvenlenca. — Youth, etc., Road Board Office, Kir wee. 14th July, 1886, Albert John Francis. T have great pleasure to inform you that the Poisoned Wheat the Board received from you glvas satisfaction, and beg you will forward at your earliest convenience eight buiheli more, the same sample as before.-*- Yours, &c, Road Board Office, Temuka, 23rd Jane, 1886. Gbboros Dyson. I have the honor by direction of the Board to request you to forward £10 worth of your beat Poisoned Grain, the same as the last lot received from you last season, which was everything that could be desired. I used some a few days ago, after bav- ins It from last season, and it was m first-rato condition, and very effectual. DUtrlct Office, South Rtkaia, 4th Jans, 1886. A. Af akbio. PREPARED ONLY BY C. M. BROOK E, (T-ATE op Kaiapoi) 7 CHEMIST, ASHBURTON. THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OP SHABEHOLDEKS. CAPITAL— £I,OOO7OOO STERLING. HEAD OFFICE"? DUNEDIN. TNSURERS have the most undoubted Security under this Company's Policie a 1 & together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims FIRE and MABINE RIBKB accepted on all descriptions of Property and Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Risks at Lowest Rates of Premium, fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. OFFICE £ HEREFOBD BTBEET, CHRISTOHURCH. (Opposite Bank of New Zealaad.) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, Manager (for Canterbury. AIiBEBT BOBKIITS AGENT. ASHBURTON POTATOES,! POTATOES! POTATOES! mHB Undersigned has now for SALE, by Bag or per Ton, a splendid line of Prime Blue Derwents, Grown enjjlgood ground, and warranted togjglve satißfaotioD. LPOUGH SHARE~PLOUGH SHARES. PAJSrSOME and SIMS' and HOENSBY'S, (ALL foIZES.) ANGLO-AMERICAN RDILLS. DRAIN ANJTFMJ) PIPES- Cape Barley, Cape Barley. NELSON, MOATE AND CO.'S TEA AND COFFEE, AMD ALL KINDS OF 6ENEEAI STC£RE£B. GEORGE JAMESON. ASHBURTON.