A LIBEL ACTION

THE EDITOR VICTORIOUS.

[PM PRESS ASSOCIATION ]

Invbboaboiix, August 20. In the Supreme Court on Saturday W. H. Palmer, lately clerk of the B,M. Court and Licensing Bench at Gore, Bought to recover £200 damages for libel against J. G. Fraser, editor of the ••Southern Standard." The allegeg libel was m connection with a scene m the Gore Courthouse between the Mayor •nd two ether justices. In the first instance the newspaper accused the plaintiff of partizanahip and m the second published an article headed "Very Suspicious." For the defence it wes helcf that the comments were fair and honest, and made m public interest The jury returned a verdict fer the defendant with naata;

MURDEROUS ASSAULT BY A WIFE.

A LIVELY COUPLE.

(me pbibs association.)

Thamis, Auguit 20; William D*vls, milkman at Mount PlMsaat. was murderously assaulted by hliwlfeon Saturday night. It appears that quarrels hare been frequent between them for some time past. On Saturday tight Davia returned home under the Inflaenc. of drink. While undressing he commenced to quarrel with his wife and •übuquently (as she alleges) took up a large butchers knife and threatened to oat her throat, kt this time Mrs Davis was m b«d and f wring he would carry out his threat, aha caught up a tomahawk, that was on the window alll and struok lier husband several times inflicting no less than 17 wounds on his head which Is terribly mutilated. He now lies m the faocpUal and there Is little hope , >f his recovery. Mrs Davis was arrested by the polloeand brought before the Court to day on a oharge of attempted murder but was remanded for eight day*

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

(PBB PBBBB ASSOCIATION .)

Sudden Deaths. Auckland, August 20. Two married women died suddenly. Mrs Giles, of Devonport, was lately con fined, and was attended by a neighbor, tnd had recovered, but on Saturday m?ht she suddenly fell down and expired^ Mrs Sims, residing at the sugar works, Birken head, died suddenly on Sunday morning. She and her husband drank come rum on the previous night, but the latter suffsred no bad effects There will be an inquest m bolh cases. Tonga News. The Rev Shirley Baker, Premier of Tonga, returned to Auckland per the Bichmond . Tonga news states that when the Rev Moulton left he gave a farewell kiss on the wharf to 132 dusky ladles. The imports and exports of Tonga for the six months ending 30tL June more than doubled the corresponding period of 1887 StUcide. Paxmrbston isorth, August 20. H, S. Palmorson, a well known «ur wnoe. cat Ui throat at 10 o'clock on Saturday night, and died 10 o'clock yesterday. „ L ' 150 Pays Out- Wellington, August 20 The barque TrevelyanJ from London, ia now 150 days out and some une isinesß is felt as she had a lage quantity of spirits on board. She is known, however, to be « slow sailer. Fire. Dtjnidin, August 20. Tho premises of Drntnmond, draper, •ft Grey town, were burned down this morning. Th»y were ln«ured for £150 In tho New Zealand office. Divorce Case. ! Isveroargill, August 20. In the divorce case G. W. Tucker v Mtiy Tookei end J. Christie (co respondent) wii heard The petition was by the husband for divoroa on tbe ground j Of tbi wife's adultery. When he last beard of hei she was living m Napier with Christie. When she went away the took wl:h her all petitioner was worth some £300 or £400. She wrote to wltDsss and he simply replied to the effect that he did not want any correspondence with h»r at all. His Honor granted a decree niti with costs against the co-respondent. The petitioner abandoned his claim to damage*. —— ____

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

BY BLSOTBIC TEMEQBAFH COPYBIGHI.)

[PBB PBESB ASSOCIATION. J

(Received. August 20, 10 am.) VALUE OF ALSACE.

London, Augast 19. The Emperor William, unveiling tbe statue of Frederick Charles of Ger many, said that eighteen army corps and forty-two millions of people would prefer to die m battle rather than surrender Alsace.

(Beoelved August 20, noon,) "YELLOW JACK." N*w York, August 17. Aa epidemic of yellow fever is raging m Florida. The population has been decimated by its ravages, Indians particularly dying m large numbers.

A CONVENT BURNED.

The convent of the Sacred Heart m this city has been destroyed by fire. There were no casualties, but the des truction of the buildings, which were very massive, has occasioned great loss.

SIR MORELL MACKENZIE.

London, August 17<

Sir Morell Mackenzie's book, refer ring to the charges brought against him by his enemies m Germany, will be published simultaneously m England and Germany within a month. The general impression m medical circles is that but (or Dr Mackenzie's timely intervention the Emperor Frederick would never have ascended the throne.

THE G.O.M. AND THE IRISH PARTY.

Mr Gladstone has invited the leading members of the Irish party to dinner.

(Received August 20, 12 40 p.m.) BRUTAL MURDER OF A PARAMOUR.

Bbisbanb, August 20.

A Frenchman named Duharael mur dered Mrs Riley, his paramour, near Croydon, almost cutting her head off with a razor. The murderer then swal lowed strychnine, but took too much) and the overdose acted as an emetic. He was arrested immediately after. Jealousy is assigned as the cause.

FOOTBALL.

H The Eoglishjfootball team beat Bris bane by 23 points to 9. I

TAXING ABSENTEES.

Hosabt, Augnit 20. I A resolution was carried m Parlia-( ment imposing a tax of halfpenny m the I £ on land owned by absentees, but it ' is pot likely fc boogie Uw. .

THE SHEARERS DIFFICULTY

A STATION BESIEGED.

[Pjsb Press Association.]

Sydney, August 19. A crisis is imminent at Brookong Station, owing to the difficulty amongst the shearers. A night attack is ex pected and it is feared that the result will end m bloodshed. The besieging force number three hundred while the defending force is comparatively small.

THE MARKETS

(PBR PRES3 AS OCIATION)

London. August 16. An Australian wheat cargo of August shipment has been sold at 37s 3d. The weekly returns of the Bank of England, published to-day, show the total reserve m notes and bullion to be and the proportion of reserves to liabilities 40 per cent.

The following private telegram was received m Christchurch on Saturday : 11 The market on Friday for New Zea land wheat stands at 36s per 4961 b, ex warehouse."

HORSE MARKET

Mr T. Bullook reports for the week ending Saturday, August 18 :— Nineteen horses were brought forward for the day's sale. There was a very good fcttendanos of farmera and other ooontry settlers, and for the better olasa of horses entered biddings were fairly spirited. 14 oat of the 19 < ffered were sold at the following prices, viz :— Light draughts, 5 and 6-year old, £12, £15 10s, £17 10 respectively ; 3-year old, £15 ; aged, of a fairly good stamp, £6 10s, £8, £10 ss. There were no first olass draughts entered. Hacks, £4. £4 10s, £6 15a, £7 ss, £8, aooordlng to description ; light harness horses, from £4 10a to £6 10s

Sundries — American waggon brought £10 ; a qnantlty of oate, la 9 1 and Is lid per bußhel, according to sample,

AUCTIONEERS REPORT.

Mr Alfred Harrison reports for the week ending Saturday, 18th August, as follows . — Cattle — MHch cows, £4 15 j to £5 j stores, 37s 6i to 40a. Pigs— Slip?, 10j, 10d6i, lla to Us 6d; porkers, 23>9d. Poultry -Fowls, Is 9d to 2s 7d per pair. Produob— Derwents, 6s to 5s 6d ; kidneys, 5s *o 6s ; eaily roae, Id per lb ; oats, Is 6d to Is 9d ; chlckwheat, Is 6d to Is 9d ; sharps, 5s to 5s 6d ; onions, Id per lb j c&rroti, Is 6d to 23 ; mutton, I^3 to 2£i per lb ; oaroaae pork, 2d to 3d ; bams and bacon, 2ii to 41 per In; fbur,l4s. A large quantity of furniture, boote and shoes, and meioiandise kept the sale going until a late honr.

SHIPPING DISASTER

ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE SOULS DROWNED

(per press association.)

New York, August 16 The steamers Thimvalla and Geiser came into collision off Sable Island, ninety miles S.E. of Nova Scotia, during the night. The. Geiser sustained serious injury, and sank within a few minutes, seventy two of the passengers and thirty three of the crew going down with the vessel. There were thirty-one suvivors from the sunken steamer, and these, along with 4SO passengers on board the Thimvalla, were taken on board the steamer Willand, and brought here. The Thimvalla sustained damage m the collision, and the Captain decided to make for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

FOOTBALL

SOUTHBRIDGE V RAKAIA.

A football match took place between the Sonthbridge and Kakaia teams on Saturday at Ka'aia. Despite the most unfavorable weather a most enjoyable game was played. Mesws W. Dixon and R. G. Park officiated as umpires for Bakaia and Southbridge respectively, and Dr Withers^ of Southbridge, held the referee's whistle. The game was played m the school ground, which, though very rough and lumpy, wai very dry; Southbridge kicked off, and very soon the play was m the reds (Bakaia) twenty five. The superior forward strength of the visitors soon told, and McCormack getting over from a rueh, just missed touching down. The reds, though alto gether overmatched, contested every inch stubbornly; and though they were re peatedly forced during the game, they were occasionally gamely on the aggres sive. The short dodgy runs of .Reid were very good, but unfortunately, he was not well backed up. From a pass from Nicholson, Todd made a smart run, and was stopped when within an ace of scoring. At half-time neither side had scored. The second spell wbb commenced m an annoying drizzle of rain. A. little more passing was done by the visitors, and the game was occasionally a little loose. The reds were kept m continual hot water by the tactics of the greens, who kept the game forward and played very tight tcrimmages. After a few minutes play licOormack again got over for the visitors, but was held by two or three rodß before he could get down. The maul resulted m his favor. The attempt at goal was a failure. Shortly afterwards Scott, break ing through a rout, got over with the ball, but again the greaeineas of the ball prevented any increase being made to the score. Occasionally Reid relieved his side by a good ran, finished by & telling kick ; m fact, the local men were superior to their opponents m this detail of the game, and,did a powerful lot of kicking into touch. Shortly afterwards from a dribbling rush of greens, Todd carried the ball over the line at his toe, but fell before be could Becure it. Shortly after wards the reds averted another score by one of their players tumbling m front of Todd when m dangerous proximity to their line. When time was called the score stood, Southbridge 2 points, Rakaia nil. For the visitors Little (captain), McOor mack, Scott, Dobbin, and Nicholson played well forward, and Todd, Stevenson and Nicholson did very good service as backs. Of the Bakaia forwards Street, Larraman, fftory, and Primmer, and another playing m a s^irt, whose name your correspondent did not catch, worked well, while Beid (captain) was the main stay back Altogether the meeting was an un qualified success, and we hope that the Bakaia team will give a good account of themselves on the Southbridge ground, I may state that the refreshment arrange > ments were excellent, and were ap preciated by the visiting team. ■

Heating's Cough Lozenges cures Coughs, Asthma, and Bronohitis, Medioal testimony states that noTotber medicine is so effeotual m the ours of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bed* itime ensures rest. For relieving diffioulty of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium or any violent drug. Sold by all . ebomiitijo tiafl is I sod to od.sM&..

PACIFIC CABLE

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, August 16. Messrs Owen Jones, Sandford and Fleming, representing the Pacific Cable Company, have had a satisfactory inter view with Sir J. Macdonald, Premier of Canada. Ed at A despatch from London, reoelv Montreal on July 9 th, says a comP Ie ™ breakdown m the Eastern Teleg^P 1 * Company's system between Java and Port Darwin is oreatlng a strong feeling among commercial people m favor of the route from Pttoifio and Vanoonver.B. 0., to Australia. . , , At a meeting of the New Oriental the Chairman said he went east over the Canadian Pacific Road, and was convinced that a oable by way of Australia and Canada would greatly benefit the oom merceofthe Empire. The opinion wbb expressed that the Imperial and Colonial Governments should hasten the proposed survey of the route. A despatoh from Ottawa, Canada, on July 7th, says the exact route of the cable has not yet been decided, but It will run from Vanoouver, 8.C., to the Hawaiian Islands and the reoently annexed Fanning and Fiji Inlands, thence to New Zealand, and from there to Australia. The oable will be 6800 miles long, bat the longest stretoh will not be over 2000 miles. Mr Owen Jones, engineer and capitalist, arrived from Australia on July Bth, accredited to the Canadian and American Governments on a mission to oonduot the negotiations toward the construction of this oable

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS V NOTTINGHAM.

(PBR PRBBS ASSOCIATION.)

London, August 16. The orioket match between the Austra lians and Nottingham waa resumed to day. The wicket was m eplendld condi tion, and ten thousand people were present to witness the match. The Nottingham team, who had lost two uiokets for 119 runs, continued their i Innings, and when stomps were drawn had lost six wiokets for 359 rum. London, August 17. Tho first Innings of Nottingham closed for 441 rune. The Aas ralians have loßt one wioket for 4 runs. [Reoeived Augast 20, noon.] LONDON, AugUßt 17. ■ Ia the match with Notts the Austra lians m their firat Innings only made 95, Lyons being Eop Bcorer with 19. In their second innings foar wiokets are down for 70.

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS

Mr Samuel MoOaugherty, of Melbourne ' was interviewed In- New York on July ' 220 d, and gave an Interesting account of ] the etitns of the wool business In the ■ Australian colonies. He la represented as ' the owner of a million of Bhefp. The ] wind up of his remarks w»b to the effect < that if the American tariff ifl taken off ' wool the Australian product wIH ba worth j 5s mere pec lb at onoa, and Amerloan ' wool will fall 50. Our chief ooatce of profit, he added, ia m the sale of surplua ' stock, for whloh there Is always a .'good ' market. ' The State Department at Washington la daily expecting the new* of theratifioa- ! tlon of the Chinese treaty by the Imperial - authorities at Pekln, There are rumors, ! however, that China will not^ ratify tie treaty as amended by the United States Senate. ! An offer has been made to take a Yale I College crew to England this summer, aud ' i get up a race with Cambridge, ,and it is ' probable the offer will be accepted. ' The 4th of July wbb celebrated m San ' Francisco with more than usual ectet£. An \ interesting inoident of the day was the ; unveiling m the Golden Gate Park of a monumental statue erected m memory of Francis Scott Key, author o£ " The Star I Spangled Banner," the American national Jyric. ' Robert "W. Fladck, an Englishman, ' undertook, on July 4th, to go through the ' Niagara whirlpool rapids. On that day m , a small boat, m the presence of probably 10,000 people, ho was drowned. As the craft entered the whirlpool it was thrown on end, and then the mighty waters closed over it. Again it righted itself, only to be tOBBed and thrown about ; but the spectators were inspired with hepe as the plucky fellow flew past those near, but when nearly through the worst of it he was lost. The* craft floated away, but Fladck was not m it. The Portuguese Government ere pre paring an expedition to the coaatry north of Zambesi River, Africa, to secura and extend the Portuguese possessions m that region. A messenger who arrived at Suakirc. from Handoub, on July lltb, reports that he saw a letter written by Kallfa to Oaman Dlgna, dated Jane 22nd, which stated that the "White Pasha" m Bahr-el- Gszeloe has advanoed three days marob near Khartonm, and was building a rail road. Khalifa had ordered assistance. Details have been made known m Chicago of a plot by three Bohemian Anarchists belonging to the "group" of four who had banded themselves to avenge the death of Spaera : Parsons, and other Haymarket bomb-throwers executed three years ago. The persons selected for ven geance wore Judges Grinnel and Gary and Inspeotor Bonfield, of the police fordl, who were Instrumental m bringing iSpaers and his fellows to the gallows. The discovery of the plot was due to a fourth member of the group, vrho became conscience stricken aB the time for the consummation of the plot drew near. He waited on Inspector Bonfield and made a clean breast of the whole business. The date fixed was July 18th, and whoelsale murder and destruction of property «vas to be done by means of dynamite. The contract for the construction of a canal across the Isthmus of Tehuantepeo awarded to the Atlantic and Pacific Con struction Company, wbb signed m New York on July 11th. Construction bonds have been Issued and will be placed on the European market. Recent surveys on the line of the proposed Nicaragua canal reduce the length of the excavation, leaving the necessary construction leas than thirty miles. An extradition Treaty between the United States of America and the United States of Colombia has been signed. The Columbian Government has also made a convention with the Papal See concerning the educational and religious control of the country, De Leeaeps and the Governor of the Credit Foncier, whose persistent opposi tion was the principal cause of the great difficulty lately ia placing m Paris the Panama lottery bonds, are reconciled. The Credit Froncier will now receive 120,000,000 francs, the sum which is necessary for the Company to meet its regular payment*. Oppo&ing interests are harmonised, and there wilf be no mqre trouble with the new loan, The Chamber of Deputies decided on July 18th to postpone till next session the Government measure assuming the deposit of rents as guaranteed for the redemption of this loan.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENTS

A lengthy supplement was appended to the Pablio Works Statement on Satur day. The railways In Ouurse of construc tion and surveys In progress were desorlbed m detail. Under the head of Proposed Bail way Works, the following remarks occur In reference to the Mouot Somers line :-" On the Mount Somers branch railway the earthwork has been done from Mount Somers to Sprlngburn, four miles, and the line will probably be completed for traffic during the current year, and the remainder next year." Tbe summary on account of railways m course of oonstruotlon as a whole, stated that the votes proposed to be HBked for this year will amount to £438,900, leaving £829,518 for future appropriation. Of these amounts £75,240 and £334,081 respec tively appi r aln to the Rorth Island Trnnk Railway, and the balanoe, namely, £263,660 and £495,434 to other railways.

After nuking a comparison between the railways of the various colonies, the Minister went on to nay that m the case of Sooth Australia, if the Sooth Australian railway! had been bnllfc and maintained on the New ZevUnd railway bails their charges for maintenance and interest together would have been for last year at the rate of £135,606 per annum more than they have been. They, appear, therefore, to be better to that extent than we, by reason, partly, of having oon ! •tructed cheaper llnee, and »Ibo, probably, because their ooontry ie not so rough as oors is, and thetr maintenance is conse quent'y cheaper. Similarly In the oaso of Queensland. They were better oft last year tin n they oould have been on onr basis to the extent of £57,623. This is entirely dae to the saving of interest on capital, as their maintenance and part of the saving of inteieat la by ie aon of their cheaper lines Taking these results m connection with those for the more expensive lines, it would appear that, wbi.e we have an advantage as compared with railways which are more expensive than ouis, the railways, on the other hand, which are leFs expensive than ours, have the advan tage over us. It seems probable, however, that m the cass of tbe more recent Tacmanian railways they have carried economy m construction to an extreme, aod that their maintenance m future will not probably be bo cheap as it was last ye^r, while the lines were new The first forty five miles of their railways cost on the average £10,344 a mile, while the latter eighty-eight miles cost only £4623 a mile, and concerning these latter line? their General manager, m his report of July 6ih 1887, says: — " Whilst our working expenses have fallen lo a satisfactory rate both per mile open and per train mile, I am constrained to observe that there is a probability of an increase m this direc tion." The economical construction of the railways has neceesitat3d steep grad s to most of the lines, which will militate against profitable working-, Bhould the traffic increase as anticipated. The gauges of tbe last serieß of railway which he bad beon alluding to are as follows, but, as before stated, the relative gauges cannot affeot the question at present under inves tigation : — ln New Zealand the gauge iB 3ft 6in. In South Australia it is sft 3in for. about 490 miles, and 3ft 6in for the remaining 930 miles In Queensland it is 3ft 3in, and m Tasmania it is both sft 3in and 3ft 6in (by means of a centre rail) for about 45 miles, 3ft 6ia for the remaining 88 miles. In view of these facts, he was convinced that the proper principle for adoption m a young colony like this is to construct our railways from time to t'nxe In ruoh a way as to march along with, but not out pace, the requirements of existing traffic, In that way the real requirements of the oonntry will be provided for as they arise. Lavish expenditure on stations and other works m anticipation of traffic which may never ensue will be avoided, and the harden of tbe interest on the. cost of construction will fall gradually on the oonntry as it grows able to meet it, Instead of being imposed before its time m the shape of a dead weight of taxation on account of expenditure for which there is no adequate return. His remarks m this direction had been to come extent prompted by what has struck him as a tendency whloh has recently been growiDg op to build our railways of a muoh more expensive character than was adopted for earlier lines, or m ether words, tocons^uot oar new extensions of the oharaoter up to which It has been found necessary to bring the older railways, and, he thought himself, that this is a mistake, s& there is clearly no necessity to construct new railways, which are of the oharaoter of pioneer lines through comparatively utiababited country, of as high a class as tbe extending lines m populous districts where large traffio bas been already developed. He would recommend, therefore, if we are to further extend oar railways m the future, that we should revert towards a less expensive type of railway originally adopted, bearing m mind that thtse cheaper railways (pro vided that good grades are obtained m the first instance) can readily be improved and further equipped from time to time, so as to meet all requirements that are likely to arise ; and he should gather from the facts which he had adduced m this connection that such railways as we require m the shape of new extensions should bo produced m average country. The conclusions at whioh he bad arrived on this question may be concurred m or they may not, but m either case he did not think that ho need apologise for having introduced the subjjet, es this question of the scope and type of our railways was to bis mjtad the most impor tant question which can engage the atten tion of the colony m connection with the public works. Ihe determination of such questions as this, m fact, necessarily affects the whole of our present and future policy m connection with xailway construction, and as it is tbe deterraj&a tion of such questions as this, with wisdom or otherwise, which makes or mars the fortunes of private companies, i so such determination must to a great extent, go towards promoting or retarding the welfare of a colony.

(FEOM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT ) The Publifl Works Estimates present a very bare appearance this yeac as cm pared with other years. In Clause 3of Part I of railways, new works and con< ■traction, £900 la down for i bridge on the approach to Sheffield Station, and £3000 for the drainage of lands In Akaroa railway endowment, to be recouped to the Public Works Fund oat of the proceeds of the sale of land when drained. In the vote for main roads, £600 is pnt down for the Haast Pass traok, and £5000 for the road from flokitlka to ChrUtoherch. Under the heading " Miscellaneous Roads and Bridges," £2QOO is set down for the Obrlßtoh.aroh-HokltlJm road., construction m the Bealey Valley ; and the following amounts are set down for roads to open op lands before sale In Canterbury : — To Upper Ashley, over Kuku Pass, £270. Mount Grey Downs, £230, Glental road, £150. Walhaa to Hakateramea, £120. Road to Mount Cook and to glaciers, £430- B Ohau Bridge, £\ for £1, £400. Village and deferred payment blooks, £250. l ' ■ Mlaoellaneous, £550. Under "Publio Buildings," £300 ia down for Implementi for the prlsonera working at Sticking Point ; £150 for Portal and Telegraph buildings In the Canterbury Province, and £4100 for the Sunnyslde Asylum. Jn Olais 3, railways chargeable to moneys rauea undes Loan Act, 1886, £4000 for Mount Somera Branch Is (be only Canterbury Itsn, J

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

THE NEW ZEALAND COURT.

A correspondent m Melbourne sends the " Poet * r the following :— « Visitors to the New Zealand mineral court simply ridicule it, its aspect being mournful and museum like m the extreme. Two ap parently large tombstones and a few yellow rock pudding dishes containing ore ; several cases of quartz samples, a stand badly equipped with a few loose boulders of quartz, and that is the im pression with which a visitor leaves the show. The adjacent Maori figures, or gods as they are thought to be, and ' foot prints of the moa ' on the side walk of the mineral court, near one of the tomb atones, imparts an ancient Methusaleh aspect to the New Zealand mineral court. The tombstones bear no inscriptions or label, but on close inspection appear to be intended as an improved map on tablets, showing the configuration of New Zea land. It has a funeral aspect, and on glancing round at tbe moa's feet and Maori fiugures, one is almost inclined to think it typical of the graves of departed aboriginals, and that the Maori figures and moa's feet have been reoently dug out of the volcanic mud at Tarawera An extremely bad iaipreesion is created by the opening show of the mineral court of New Zealand, which has a paltry olass of exhibits, and these poor'y dis played. A New South Wales exhibitor offered to lend New Zealand a few tons of quartz to build up a column or two of mineral ore like their own and other oourts have erected, showing to advantage the material from the gold and silver pro ducing lodes of Australia In front of the New Zealand court, quite apart from the rest of the mineral exhibits, is a column showing the total gold pro uced, but for watt of &o inscription even the effect of this (now out of date) trophy is lost, as the few who notice it all attribute it to Queensland, the adjacent court

LABOR SETTLEMENTS.

We are glad to see that the movement initiated by the member for Waimate, and m which he has been assisted by the Canterbury members generally, with a view to enable laboring men m the agricultural districts to acquire holdings of five to ten acres of land, has resulted successfully. It was m point of fact, an attempt to adapt to the circumstances of New Zealand the " three acres-and a-cow " principle, of which so much has been lately heard m the Old Country, and if carried out will do much towards the solution of the difficulties which surround the ever-recurring question of the " unemployed." Hitherto Minister after Minister has been content to point to the millions of acres of Crown lands still remaining unsold, and has thought that, provided the land were thrown open upon easy terms, it did not matter where situated, and forgetting that land a hundred miles away from centres of population, may just as well, for all practical purposes, be situated m Tim buctoo. What is wanted is that m the very midst of our agricultural districts, men, who can obtain employment during the busy seasons of the farmers, should be able to acquire small holdings of land to which they can turn their attention during slack times, and upon which their families can be profitably employed, and which will indeed enable them to provide those families with the means of sub sistence. But the Crown, m many instances, possesses no land m the right place and it follows, therefore, that m those instances land must be acquired for the purpose. In order to do this, parliamentary sanction was required, and fnnds were necessary. Under the Loan Act there was a sum of £70,000 un allocated to any particular purpose, and Major Steward has placed a notice on tjbe paper this session for an address to the Crown asking for a recommenda tion for the allocation of this sum to this object. That motion never came up for discussion and the result has been that a deputation of Canterbury members led by the member for Wainaate, waited on the Government to urge that at least part of this sum should be set apart for the purpose of establishing labor settle ments. This means the purchase of private land by the Government where necessary, and the offering of such land to laboring men m holdings of 5 to 10 acres at a rental of say five per cent on the purchase price. Thus if the land be bought at £6 per acre, a 10 acre holdingjwould be rentable at £3 per annum, and a laboring man could well afford to pay that sum, and would at once he placed beyond the reach of want. Of the £70,000 unallocated under the Loan Apt, it has been found, we believe, that some £36,000 is actually available, and of the available balance the Government has promised to bring down proposals to allocate £15,000 for the extension of village homesteads set tlements, under Mr JBallance's scheme, and £10,000 for the establishment of labor settlements under Major Steward's proposal, The beginning thus to he made may seem a small one, but it is a beginning, and will, we believe, give long lived results.

THE ASJBtBUBIOJS OPABPIAN MONDAY* AUGUST 20, 1888





S). Thomas- _. _. THE next Ohertsey Sale will be oa Bth October. Wool. Wool. WooL D THOMAS (late of M&tsok, Cox, • and Co., is prepared to make LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES /, At low rates of Interest upon the ensuing CLIP OF WOOL, Placed m his hands for Fale m New Zea« land or elsewhere. No charges for offering WOOL m Ashburton. Periodical Sales will be held throughout the Seaeon m my Sto ea, West Street, Asbbarton, which, having been built for the purpose, are admitted to be the bei> lighted m the disrict No Commitiion on Advance!. , D. THOMAS, •■ Ashburton, TO LET. i QAA ACRES of Land, sitnated at JLOUU Mayfield, Hinds, and known as Burgees Farm. D.THOMAS, 6°164 Ashburton, FARMERS, BUT BOOTH and MACDONALD'S Sheep Feeding Racks. : 47111 pay for themselves In {a Seuon, D. THOMAS. FOR SALE. QEVERAL GOOD FARMS CHEAP TO LET.| 0/1 A A ACRES ALFORD FOREST, 6 l ±\J\J half English grass, 3s per Aoro D. THOMAS, Ashburton. LONDON AND LANCASHIRE FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. T HAVE been appointed Agent for -*- the above Company, and am now prepaied to take risks on Buildinga, Stock and Ciops at current rates. D. THOMAS, Ashburton; Skin Sales. IJehaU hold FortnlghtlyiSales of the | above throughout the Season, at my WOOL STORES, West Street, Aihbortofi commencing FBIDAY, 29ih. JUNE, at 12. o'clock, D. THOMAS. 1 have oeen appointed Agent FOR THB * Mercantile Finance Co., ICHBISTCHUBCH, Wb o are prepared to advance Money BILLS OF SALE, MORTGAGE OF STOCK} |CROP LIENS, or other Seontitf • D. THOMAS. Agricultural Implements. I AM APPOINTED SOLE AGENT IN ASHRORTOA |ros Mebsbb BOOTH MoDONALD &j C«/ [Carlylellmplement Worki, Ohrliiohrolu Implbmbnis on l Inspection Invited. \ mmmmmm D. THOMAS. (i ate ofjMATSON, Co ah C 0,,) Afhburtoß.flF



Fubltc Notices. OCAAA and other TRUST FUNDS cXiO\J\J\J reidy for investment on First class Freehold secur ties. Apply to H. WYNN. WILLIAMS, Soli itor, 211, Hereford Mreet, 6 163 Christchurch. FOR upwards of a Quarter of a Century the Public have known and appre dated W. GREGG & COS "OLUB," "EXHIBITION," "EAGLE/ AND "CROWN" BRANDS OF COFFEE. The Popular Blends of TEA are GREGG and 00,'S CROWN, 2s per lb. EAGLE, 2S4dperlb. EXHIBITION, 2sßdperlb. CLUB, 3s per lb. Net Weights— ln £lb and lib Papksts. 21b Fanoy Canister*, and 51b and 101 b Tins. These TEAS are Blended by an experi- enced Blender from one of the leading London Houses. ONE TRIAL WILL~"eNBURE TBEIR CONSTANT USE. » The above Teas »nd Coffees are to be obtained from JOHN ORR AND CO., Whom we have appointed our Agents for 8*72 , ASHBURTON. v Ex "Rimutaka." THB NEWEST STYLES AND LATEST NOVELTIES IN CORSETS Per above Steamer are now on view m our Windows. Mitchell & Turner Drapers and Clothiers TANCRED STREET. THE MoCORMIOK BINDER MESSES MOEEOW, BASSET T, & Co., having appointed us Sole Agents for the County, for the Sale of this moßt popular Machine, we arc now booking orders for the coming Season, and as the Bupply is limited in- tending purchasers should place their orderß without delay. Advices from America state that the McCORMICK la a wondertnl success, This will be accounted for when you have seen the new Machine, Do not fail to ccc tho IcCORMIGK HOTTER, A Marvel of Simplicity, consisting of only SEVEN parts. Haying now the Sole Agency for the Machine, we will always keep a very large Stock of EXTRAS on hand, which will be a great convenience to the Farmers of the County, JOHN ORR & CO.



"ZEALANDIA' 1 BOOT STORE, EAST STREET. wa WE arc still Belling at the Cheapest Priceß the best Brands of Ladies and Gentlemen's BOOTS, SHOES, AM) SLIPPERS; Also,— HEAVY WATERTIGHT^, THIGH & KNEE GUM BOOTS, And everything else suitable for the Season, THE " Zealandia " Brand always m Stock. Repairs of every description exeouted a shortest possible notice, "ZEALANDIA" BOOT STOKI EAST STBEET, ASHBURTON.



THE ABHBUB TON BISPENSAEY O. M. BROOKE, Pharmaolat, DISPENSES the Aahburton Doctors Prescriptions with the best Drugs for One and Sixpence per bottle, Adults, Ooe Shilling Children. DRUGS: Flnbßt Cod Liver Oil, Is 61 per half- pint bottlo, 8s 6i per half-gallon Best Linseed Meal, 41 per pound Pore Glycerine, 2\ per pound bottle, and other Household Drugs at reduced rates. SURGICAL APPLIANCES : Single Trusses Es eaoh, double 6s Silk £laatio Stockings, 8a eaoh India Rubber Bandages, 6j to 10a Elgginsoo's ludiarabber Enemas, 6a eaoh Bdst Seamless Rubber Enemas, 8s eaoh Silk Elastio Belts to order at lowst price Chest Proteotors, Respirators. Sponelo- piline, Oil Silk, etc. 4 GALVANISM : The medical application of Electrlolty, and the various Batteries In use, I thoroughly understand, having been two years Scientific Assistant to Professor Swan (inventor of the Inoaudescent Elec- tric Lamp), Newcaatle-on-Tyne. Galvanlo Batteries on Sale or Hire, VETERINARY MEDICINES : Physio Balls, 9d each ; Gripe Drlnka, etc, Is 6d ; Horse Blister, Is Condition Powder, Is per lb: 9d by Ulbs Cleansing Drinks, Is eaoh ; Guttle Spice 6d per lb Oittle Salts, Epsom or Glauber, 6d per lb Private Reolpes made op at lowest rates All Patent Medicines at ÜBaal prices. Homeopathic Medicines kept m stock. Teeth Extracted, Adults 2s, Children Is, Sunday Houbs : 10 to 11, 2 to 3, 8 to 9. For Medioloes after closing, apply at first private hoose, Burnett street East (formerly Bank of New South Wales.



Public Notices. FOR SALE PRIVATELY. rpHE well 'known Draught Entire Horse i "RANTIN KOBIN," For ptr- Honiara apply Wm. WRATHALL, 8t99 Methven. UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. A PPLIOATIONS are Invite* by Aog. r\. 27 cb, for the position of Overseer, Olerk, and Collector of Bates for the District. Schedule of duties can be seen at the County Council Offices, Asbburton. DONALD MoLEAN, 8t55 Chairman; WESLESTAN CHURCH. Social Evening with Popular Lecture. TUESDAY, AUGUST 21st. Subject— 1 ( The Maori Race ." Lecturer — Rev J. Newman Buttle. To commence at 730 p.m Admission : One Shilling ; light .Refreshment. 8 75 ADDFELLOWB ' HALL AUGUST "lira, 1888. Ashhrton Guards' Social Singing, Danolng, and Military Exerolaes. Commence at 8 p.m Tickets, 2s 6d. 8 71 . Ladios free. WHAT WILL IT COST TO PftfNr? rHE Centennial Printing and Publish- ing Company, Limited, undertake to revise and prepare Manuecript for Publi- cation either m serial or book form. Es- timates and Designs furnished. GARNET WALOH, Editor, NAT. J. BAKNETT, Manager, Melbourne HINDS RIVER, LONGBE^OH ESTATE. mENDERS are Invited for Scooping JL Earthwork for Embankment, etc., about 10,000 cubic yards, m two con- tracts ; also for driving 40 Piles m one contract Specifications on view at County Council office, and tenders ad. dressed to the undersigned, to be m by 11 o'olock a.nx, WEDNESDAY, August 22nd 8°76 WILLIAM BAXTER, O E. . TO THE LADIES OF ASHBURTON. Misses Morrison & Holloway DRESS AND MANTLE MAKERS ' Tancred Stbeet ASHBURTON. 5 169



nblic Notices. TENDERS. mENDERS are required for Drainage X Work ftt Hampatead Sohool. Flans and Specifications can ba seen at my Office, Hampstead. Tenders close on the 21at August at 4 p.m. F. T. MAYO, 8 87 Chairman. n IHIS is to notify that I have appointed X Mb Charles Braddell my Agent, to collect hll Accounts due to me, and his receipt will be a sufficient discharge for same, and 1 request that all /ccountß due to me, be paid to him at bis office, at once A. IRELAND. AshburtoD, 20th August, 1888. B°los Pigeon Match. Pigeon Match AMFETING of those interested m the above will be held m the Royal Eotel on THURSDAY, the 23rd met, at 7.30 p m. W. B. COMPTON, B*lo4 Hon Sec, pro tern MOUNT BQMERS ROAD BOARD. T>UBLiC NOTICE Is hereby given X that Xt Its next Meeting, to be held on the 3rd of September, it la the Inten- tion of the Mount Somera Road Board to strike a RATE of £d In the £on »U the ! Rateable Property m the Dlstrlot, for the J year ending 31at March, 1889, payable In one sum on the 17th September, 1888 The Rate Roll la now open for inspec- tion at the Mount Somera Hotel; B. B. COOPER, BUQ2 Olork to the Board, I



Sjiip?Ny Men.—" Wells' Health Renewer" restores health and yigor, cures dyspep§ia, impotence, sexual debility. At chemists and druggists. Kempthonje, Piosser, and Co., »g«ots, ChtistchurcU* %