The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1888. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Messrs Friedlander Bros, have presented a prize m connection with the approaching A. and P; Show of £2 2s, for the b3Bt draught, mare on the ground.

" And are you really so badly broke, my friend ? " he said, as he tendered the tramp a penny. " Broke 1 " was the bitter re sponse ; " I am as badly broke as the ton commandments."

The province of Quebec is perhaps the most Catholio portion of the globe. Out of a total population of 1,549,000, it is shown that there are 1,485,000 people professing the Catholio faith.

A bird's nest was found recently m Africa m a skull, probably tbat of some unfortunate Kaffir. One portion of the skull had already fallen away, exposing the hollow cavity of the head, when the Cape wagtails m searoh of a sheltered aud cosy place, seleoted it for their nest.

The French Government are publishing' for tbe use of tbeir naval commanders, a minutely detailed description of the fortifica tions and armanents of all the British possessions, together with the Imperial and local forces available for their defence. Charts and plans are attaohed.

The three most remarkable oases of long life are those of Thomas Parr, Henry Jenkins, a Yorkshireman, and the Countess of Des mond. Parr lived to be 152 years old ; Jenkins is said to have reached 169 years, though the case is not bo well authenticated. The Countess of Desmond reaohed 142 years.

The colossal work undertaken 30 years ago by the London Record Office of publishing documents oonnected with the history of England prior to the reign of Henry VIII, is now approaching completion. The Beries already extends beyond 200 volumes, of whicb -0.^x45^000 copies have been sold, Tho other dayT4^)oo~T.Kn(Jren Belonging to the Municipal schools of Madrid, were enter tained on the large racecourse by the autho rities of the capital. The Queen brought the little King, and, it is stated, Alfonso XIII seemed delighted at the sight of so many young faces. He clapped his hands with glee.

The electrio light has not only .found its way on to the dinner-table, but even into the dishes m America. A jelly m the midst of whioh the electrio light was set created. a great sensation at a recent fashionable dinner party m New Orleans. The effeot was enhanced by the fact that it was as a " surprise " for the oompany. % When Brazil declares her slavßfree, as she will at her next legislative session, then the Continent of Amerioa will be free of the disgrace of human bondage. Only Cuba and some of the West India islands will then recognise slavery. Strange that these, the first points m the Western Hemisphere to be visited by the white man, should be the first to introdnco slavery and the last to continue it.

Consumers of gas will be interested m the following partioulars as to the price of this illuminant m other towns m the colony : Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Christchuro and Invercargill 7s 6d per 1000 f t; Nelson 9s 2d; New Plymouch lis fid; Napier 15s; Oamaru 17s 6d. The Ashburton rates are from and after the Ist of the current month 133 4d nett for lighting purposes, 9s 2d nett for engines, stoves, eto.

Professor O. E. Hugo, the well-known physiognomist, will deliver one of his popular lectures at the Orange Hall next Tuesday evening. Mr Hugo is very highly spoken of by the colonial Press, The "Auokland Herald" BayB ;— " Mr Hugo is not only a oultured speaker, and a quick reader qi oharacter, but he is also an artist, and the walls of the leoture room are completely covered with exoellent paintings m water oolour and sepia, done by himself, the inspeO' tion of whioh is fully worth the sum oharged for admission to his lectures."

An ingenious devioe for preventing the draughts whioh sweep into a room through the crevice beneath a closed door, has been invented by Mr W. Vaile, and was yeßterday placed on view at the Industrial Exhibition. A steel point ip plaoed m the ledgg at eaoh side of the door, about a foot from the ground, and when the door is oloaed. these points operate upon a batten, which iy pressed downward and oloEes the crevice. This inyentjon, which is Bimple and effective, oan be plaoed upon any ordinary door. — Ex change.

The exaggeration natural to Irish speech is illustrated by the description of the won derful adventures of a horse-dealer at a hurdle race. As he was leaning over the low barrier at the Bide of the big jump, stretching his neck to see the horßes, it gave way, and before he oould recover himself the whole field were upon him. " I declare to ye most solemnly," continued the narrator, " that seventeen horses stuck their feet m the small of his back; but he was a jaap of iron con stitution, and tho very next day fye >_js selling horse*, at a fair m anothor part of the country.'

In order to make room for our very full * report of Mr Walker's address we are com. j polled to hold over till next issue a number of j local reports and a quantity of other matter, |

At the Rink this evening a race will tako place between the "Mail and "Guardian" employees. As some of the oontestants are rather raw amateurs, there should bo a good deal of fun.

During his stay m Ohristohurch Mr G. F. Scott purohased a pony entire, Aladdin, which arrived m Ashburton yesterday, and whioh has excited the admiration of all who have seen him. He is a rioh roan, a grand stepper and stands 18 hands high. He waa bred by Mr C. Dampier-Crossley. He took first prizes at the last Christohuroh and Rangiora shows, and also a private prize at Christohuroh, these being the only three occasions on whioh he was shown. Aladdin's sire is Prinoe Charming.

Our Melbourne correspondent, writing of larrikinism m that city, says that m a con versation with a Police Magistrate the other evening, the latter said:— "The spread of juvenile orime m Melbourne is increasing fearfully. Here is a list of oases tried on Friday last. See — here's a lad of eleven had up at the Richmond Police Court for robbing a drunken man ; two girls, at Williamstown, for being engaged m a stand-up fight ; a youth of sixteen, at North Melbourne, for habitual drunkenness ; two lada of eleven, at Haw thorn, charged with housebreaking ; and all thean m a single day.

Some amusement was oaused at Aultbea by i the description of a fruitless effort made a j little time ago to pump a pond, named, Loch I na Beiste, dry? The motive was the discovery by an old man m the water of a monster endowed with two horns, and rather suspeoted m the neighbourhood to be the old gentleman m propria persona, although water is not genarally considered to be hia congenial element. Everyone about the plaoe was afraid to pass the looh. But all efforts to land the enemy proved m vain, and the only effect produoed by a lot of lime thrown m, to make things unpleasant for him and remind him of home, was, to kill a number of trout. Killing the deil, however oan only suoceed on hallow-'een. A Russian peasant named Levotohko has just discovered an immense treasure trove m the village of Starogorodki, m the governor ship of Tohernigow. The peasant lived upon land forming part of the estate of Prinoe OBtersky, whose anoestors were plundered and expelled from their possessions by the Tartars; and there is little or no doubt that the treasure and other artioles found date from this period, Levotohko was at work for 10 years m making this discovery, whioh includes, besides many preoious artioles and manu scripts, 12 large boxes filled with very ancient aoins of fine gold. The total value of the find is given at 17,000,000 roubles, two-thirds of whioh go the state and one-third to Levotohko, whose share will amount to approximately £600,000 sterling. The annual services m oonneotion with the Wesleyan Homo Missions will be held during the ensuing week throughout this distriot Full partioulars of the services and meetings are given m our advertising oolumns. The Revß. S. Bunn, Temuka, and Rev W. G. Thomas, Waimate, are appointed by the Conference as a deputation to advocate the interests of the Fund. From the annual re port we learn that the income of the Fund during last year amounted to £2382, and the expenditure to £2754. The principal items of expenditure are m oonneotion with the Maori aud Scandinavian Missions, assistance to dependent oircuits, also to Home Mission stations and the training of students for the Ministry. Evidently our Wesleyan friends throughout the oolony show great interest m the work of Home Missions, and we hope local efforts next week will be highly success ful,

MOUNT HUTT ROAO BOARD

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Bo_.rd was held on Thursday October llth. Present— Maeßrs Wm. McMillan, J. Holmes, J. Johnston and D. Cameron.

The Clerk's report wjs read and oon sidered.

It was deoided, to fill the holes m Mr Holmes road, to givo Ma MoAvey notico to go on wfth the formation of MaglnniB 1 Tmwi 5,t ono^ _Tende«s from Mr J. Blaok were received for"~repaTra on different" roads. Tho matter waa left In the hands of the Chairman, aa there were no other tender?, to let whatever work was required when Mr Blaok had oompleted some of his present works.

Correspondence was read — (1) from the District Railway Engii_e3r— (2) From the Oommlßsionar of 0.0 w.i Lands re moneys aoor^ed on deferred piyment laodB— (3) From the Burvey dopartment re road from Cairnbrae along the railway —(4) From Mr W. Gerard, and the Ashburton Oounty Oounoil re Blaok Mountain track— Resolved that the Board contribute a sum equivalent to half the ratufl payed by Mr Gjrard to the B >ard towards the repairs on the track — (5) From the Oounty Oouucil asking tne Board to contribute half thu cost of tho works required at Chapman's oreek and the bridge near (.the slaughterhouse. Resolved that the Board contribut* that amount— (6) From the Oouuty Engineer re water raco c.oaalng on tho Lyndhurßt road stating that tbe race iv question was a private one of Messrß Gould aud Oamerou s.

Mr Gaul aßked permission to remove silt off the road for the purposs of making up the embankment to the flume across the e tor it water gully on his property — Granted. ■/ Mr Baker was granted permission to take a water race aorosi the West Ooaat road.

It was resolved to enlarge the storm water crossing near Mr A Thompson's. Acoounts to the amount of £42 16j 51 were passed for pay mens.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

CLUBS AND HOTELS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — I should like very muoh to oall your attention to the unfairness that exists m tbe law, regarding Working Men's Clubs and Hotels. I as an hotel keeper havo to pay £45 per yeav for a license, ap allowed to sell only between certain hours*, must keep a large building m repair and have ample accommodation for travellers. What do we ffad with re gard to the pluba. Their licenses cost them ±5 a year they aro allowed to sell at all hours Sundays included, and they keep no accommodation for travellers. Fair play Ib tonnle play, 1 trust this subj .ot will be taken np by some abler peu than mine, and that next session will see. a Bill in troduced and passed through the House ab6lishing those olubs, or else putting them on the same level as hotels. I am etc., An Irate Boniface,

MR WALKER AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL

Last evd&i-jg Mr W. O. Walker, M.H.R. for Ashburton, addressed hia conotltuenta at tho Oddfellows' HaH. There waa a small attendance.

The cluic was taken by tho Mayor, Mr A. Harrison, who Introduced tho spanker. \\v Walker, who was received with applause, regret.e l that thoro was not .. !„rj r att.'n Jarjon thore th»t evening, tha present was a serious time m

tbe history of tho oolony, and all who had an interest m ito wo fare should judgß carefully the actions of their representa tives ln Parliament. When tbe present Parliament was elected last year, the electors generally felt that the position was suoh that the greatest care should be

taken iv regard to the class of members sent up to Wellington, «aod the now Parliament reoelved a unanimous demand

to reform all that was bad and hampering tbe oolony, and to put matters of State on an assured footing. Twelve months

had elapsed Binoe ih9 eleotion of that Parliament, and two sessions had been held, and the question for the electors was : Havo Parliament risen .to the ocoa»lon, and done aU that they should m the matters entrusted to them ; have they taken advantage of the opportunity given of making a fresh start, and have thoy obeyed the mandates of thoae who

aent them to Wellington ? These were the questions that every constituency aud every elector ought to consider, for now was the time for them to judge of the manner In whioh their representatives had discharged the duty entrusted to them At the last election the constituencies required their representatives to look into the finance of the oolony. They felt burdened by a large and embarrassing debt ; the revenue Instead of improving was decreasing and it was generally felt .hat unless something were done to make both ends meet, nothing short of financial ruin would fall upon the oolony. Tho new Parliament had a very great advant age if they availed themselves of it It was astonishing what a number of old leaders were rejeoted, and last September it might have been hoped, if ever there waa room for hope, that oid policies found unsuitable for the oountry would be thrown aside, and old faults abandoned.

He wished to show that night the policy that had been brought down iv tbe Ibbi two sessions, and ask if m their opinion that polioy met the necessities of the ocoasion and whether It gave hope of a future restoration of the finances of the oolony. Ab they knew, Sir H Atkinson

nas placed at the head of the New Gov ernment, and he associated with himself

nearly all new men, of whom it waa hoped ihey would b 9 able to ii flaenoe Sir Harry Un new directions and remove from the policy of the new Government many of the tendencies towards bad fiaancs which characterised older Ministries and ad ministrations wtth which Sir Harry had been connected. Looking at the other aide of the Honse it was found tht_t matters there were m a preoiaely similar poßltUn. Old leaders had been removed by the verdict of the ballot box. In short, Parliament was ready to reoeive new men sb leaders, and to reoeive new ideas and to give the most Implicit obedience to what he believed was the expressed will of the constituencies, THK GOVERNMENT POLICY.

Let them take tbe polioy of the last two sessions, which were, however, virtually one Besslon. The first was held shortly aftor the general eleotion, and Ministers were then able to very fairly plead that they oonld not at Buch Bhort notice remodel the finano», and effect all tho retrenchment requisite, They made a beginning, however, In what waß a part of their great scheme, by inoreaßlng taxation, adding to the loan burden, and promising a eartaln amount of retrench-

ment. At tbe subsequent session they -*applomer_tc4 this scheme m what it waa supposed to ftave been wantlng"at firnt, and placed before the oountry what they olaimed to be a fulfilment of their promises. He would brltfly placa before the meeting the details ofthe Govern ment pilioy. He would ohkfly touoh upon the haanciil part, for tbat w_ib the part the country was most interested iv, aud the part by whioh the country was acoistomed to judge of success or failure, aud because m the other work of the session the measures passed were mostly the result of the common sense of both sides of the House rather thau the direct offspring of Ministerial consultation and deliberation. When the Ministry took office the first question whioh stared thorn m the faco was the very heavy deficit whioh had been growing for the previous two years. The last Parliament had not faced th_t deficit but referred it to the constituencies, and at the end of laat September, when Sir H^rry Atkinson took offioe, it amounted to a very large sum Indeed. When the Budget was brought down this year it amounted to no leBB a sum tha-i £528,000 Part of that amount l £400,000) Sir Hany had arranged to meet by borrowing money on debentures. He would Bpeak of these debentures further on because they were really so much additional loan. The balanoe, Sir Harry promised, would be paid off m two years by a special tax to meet this' amount of £128,000. This tax, whioh no donbt, they had all heard of, had the original name of " primage " applied to it. It was an old name m commercial vocabu laries, but it was now uaed for the first time In oonneotion with a tax Than came the Government; proposals m regard to

RKTRBJJOPMENT. The Ministry put this lo the foreground m obedience to the will of the consti tuencies, who stronglyafficmed that before any additional taxation waa levied all possible reductions Bhould be made; In this matter it was hard to judge whether the Government had oarried out retrench ment really and honestly as the country demanded. The mitter wes to his mind unsatisfactory, because they had been unable to get any details from the Premier as to what had been done. No doubt they had all heard of the mysteries of colonial fioanoe, and how hard it was to be pertain Of anything represented by figures. It was sometimes still harder to understand the explana tions of Treasurers, whioh explanations ought to be eimplo, but which, ap parently, were made as complicated as possible. On taking otrico a promise was made by the Premier that £300,000 would be relrenohed In the annual expenditure, bnt that, lt was admitted In the last

budget, had not beon realised. Sir Harry, [ however, olaimed to have effected sub stantial retrenchment to the extent of £233,000, bnt when he was asked to* go Into details he objaoted. Sir Harry stated that the amoqntq wore of suoh a nature and of suoh variety that no 'clerk m the office oould make out a statement, certainly not m tbo form asked for. Now during inoßt sessions a statement of thia kind would have created a groat deal of alarm m the minds of members of tho House, but the history of last session was of a peculiar nature. Tho proposals of tho Government were oarried before

they were discussed, and the result was [ that the statement of the Premier was | allowed to pass without the firm remon strance it deserved from the House, lie like bofore going -tyrther tq point out that the saving which vj^b claimed, of £233,000 had undoubtedly boon greatly üßßisted by the retrenchment begun by the late Government They no doubt would re member the discussion-, tha 1 ; had taken place lauyoar m that hall and elsewhere, &■ to whether the late Government was a retrenching one. J-sany of b'a friends seemed to doubt that thie wai&o p but he hid got eorne fig ores whioh would Bhow that tho Stout'Yogela dmlnistration had retren ched to some purpose. He found that the

expenditure m the different departments ! of'Governmant durl-.g .h-- firu h%lf of the I year 1887 1888 was £973,897, whereas !n ' f.he latter half year the expenditure rose to £1,105,430, showing a difference In f.jvor of tho former period of £131,(583. He admitted th*t cotupar'sma of this natore were not always worth so muoh ap at first sight appeared. Thu Troaaury nnd tho «cc >unts at March 31 woroalwsy* I brought oloser np to date than at any •-.thur period of tha y«nr, but still the dlff >r»uce was pretty conaiderablo, aod it onuld bo claimed that when the present Ministry took offica the work of retrench ment was begun, and thoir work cousequen tlymade lighter. The neck of extravagance, so to speak, had been broken, and a new system begun. It waa easier to carry out a. system already established than to make the firßt step. At all events, Sir Harry Atkinson did his best to show that he was thoroughly m earnest, and it was to be trusted fo? the sake of the country tbat he was, and that when he presented his Budget next year he would be able to show that he hid done quite as muoh as he had led peope to expeot. Sir Harry began almost bef >re he got into hia seat, outting down where it was most proper and necessary he should out down. Ha began with the Governor's salary, although no saving would, really be effect 3d la that direction till a new Governor was ap pointed. Tha honorarium of members had been cut down, and the expenditure generally of officers of the legislature, etc., jealously looked into and savings effected wherever poasil le, 1 REDUCTION OF MEMBEIIS.

The Government had alao passed a Bill reducing the number of members to 74. He was bound to confess that he was not yet prepared to acoept the change as either wlbo or justifiable. As regarded the mere money pare, no saving to speak of would be effected. The increase of members to the present number took phoe In 1881. During the period from 1875 to 1879, when there w_'re 80 mem bers, the cot-t of these to the country per head of population was Is 8-1. From 1880 to 1884 the coat was Is 9 i, and from 1885 to 1887 it was also Is 9d. lt would be seen, therefore, that the proposed reduo tion would. me^n very little m the point of expense. But he thought' the qiesiim of a few thousands should not, m this matter, be suffered to staud m the way of the efficient representation of the people. He maintained that they wero now suff.ring from the effects of the administration of small Parliaments m th* p<.Bt. I. was a small Parliament which spoiled the Public Works policy aod dragged down the oountry to its present state — greedy mem bers requiring their cji.sti'uenolea to be | bribed by useleeß expenditure and extra- I v*gant public works. The oolony had not yoi been able to surmount the d ffioultiea which had arisen from the bad adminis tration «.,f the email Parliaments of the past. As he had shown them laat year a small Parllara -nt did not mean less talk ing or waste of time than at present, beoause he found that tbe average length of the session, before the number of mem bers Waß increased, was from ten to twenty days longer than at present. Re admitted that there were 1 a large number of people who called ont for and approved of the reduc tion, but he oould not gee why. He was sure that lt was a mistaken dealre, and wes convinced that experience wonld •bow that it was so. He wonld tell them randidly that he had never seen any ieason for this reduotion. and he did not think ibere was mnoh ohanoe of any alteration m his opinion. At the came time when one was In a minority one had to bow to tho decision of the majority, and he had therefore to acoept the decision of Parliament |In this instaooe, though he was sorry [ that such should be the case, aB he was convinced that that decision was an un wise one. Streeß had beon laid on the argument that the reduotion of members wasjnot iv the Intoresta.of the people, bat tended to the advantage of property owners and thoie clrbbos whose interests were ln dlreot antagonism with the groat body ofthe people, and lv this connection, it waß noteworthy to observe that the reduotion was supported m the columns of thoae journals, whioh avowedly aupported ißtereßts, whioh were not those of demooacy. THE ACTUAL SAVINGS.

Before leaving tho rstrenohment ques tion, he must mention that Sir H. Atkin son had oharged on the Oonsolidated Fund several items hitherto borne on the Publio Works Fond, amounting m all to £107,000. Therefore the savings had to be reduced correspondingly. Tho Ministry had further Increased the liability of the oolony by another loan which meant £80,000 per annum additional burden. So that against the Bavlng of £233 000 olaimed by Sir Harry they found tbat they had to allow additional oharges amounting to £187,000, thus bringing the actual savings down to a comparatively small sura. TAXATION.

Parliament found tbat increased, taxa tion was necessary, They would remem ber that not muoh more than 12 months ago the constituencies Btoutly obj?oted to auy further taxation, and becaEse of a proposal fcr additional taxation the Stout-Vogel Ministry were given a moßt decided hint that their proposal waa not occeptabie to the oountry. The Stoat- Yogel MlDutry proposed additional taxi tion to the extent of £175, OQQ. Sir Harry Atkinson found it liece-tsary to lnoreapa the Property tax by £65,000 and the Customs dirties by £265,00Q ; bo that even if tho Stout-Vogel Ministry wore wrong ln their proposals, Sir H, Atkin son determined to go at least one better. Of courso there was no doubt that an increase of the Property tax waa necessary, because it was only fair th»t property ahould bear some portion of the additional burden, and that it should not all be levied by means of Indireot taxatiou. Speaking as to the effect of the

{ NEW TARIFF One had, to a certain extent, a diffioulty m summing up, beoause while many speakers and writers, aud even Ministers spoke of it aa being purely a revenue tax, on the other hand they found Protectionists claiming 1., If not all they wanted, at least a great advanoe m tbe right direotlon, and celebrating Its ac ceptance by Parliament by a series of banquets m the prlnolpal towns of the colony. This showed that ona party or the other must be mistaken, and although Sir H. Atkinson promised to bring down proposals that would suit both sides, no one expected that he would succeed so well as he apparently had done. He (Mr Walker) was glad he could look on the new tariff with satisfaction as being materially In the Protectionist direction. ]plko overy one else he objeoted to add I tional taxation, but this tax afforded a prospeot of bringing baok something m return, and if the oountry had to pay a little more through tho Customs It might hope to see Industries springing up around, and that population would be attraoted to these shores instead of being drivon away from thorn by want of work. Those I who claimed tbe tax as being a purely 'revenue one had not that satisfaction; they oould only look npon It aa so much additional revenue squeez>d out of the taxpayer^ while he and thoae who thought with him had some consolation for the dlsagreeablenesß of an incroased tax. Now the tariff was to q certain ex'ent to blame for a good deal of what happened last session of a very unusual oharaoter. It was the beginning of a series of occurren ces when the Opposition found that to do its dnty to the country it would have to support the Government against the latter'a own fullqwers. The Government were deserted by many of those who put them In power, and the Opposition < thought It their duty, considering the l /

state of the country, to assist Government to carry the tariff, aud thua aff rd the country a reasonable chance of regalniu2 Its prosperity. Thero were aome pro posals the Opposition d'd not like They did not like the tax nn tea, but the matter was so put before them that they had to tike all or lose wbat they thought i waa essential to the jprospnrity of tha ! citmt.ry. They did not think they were i jcntlfisd ln taking the tariff as a m?ans of patting the Goverament out, so they assisted tho Government ln making tbe tariff iaw. Next came 'he question of the HEW LOAN.

Ho was very sorry indeed that Govern ment felt obliged to bring down proposals for a new loan. Thecilonyhad suffered and wai Buff .ring from the intolerable burden of the interest annually sont to England on the loans already raised.

When the new loan was proposed matters, commercially, were not looking so bright as they were now There was much astonishmont at proposes of tbis nature

coming so suddenly from the new Ministry, because if one thing had been insisted on at the ele:tion it was that loans Bhould be resorced to as sparingly as possible. The Ministerial Party appeared to have pledged themselves to thie, and there was muoh surprise on the Govern ment asking for a loaa almost immediately on takin? office. He had to admit that there was a difficulty m Parliament refus ing money asked for m the way this was. The money was also twice voted because

through an error m drafting the first bill rendering it inoperative, it had to come up again last Bession and be again passed. I It was pleaded that the matter was one which should be well looked into, and tbat the Ministry should hesitate before laying a further burden on the country, but m the most mysterious way it was hinted that it would bs almost disastrous if the mouey were withheld. The loan was raised, and he was sorry to say aba very large cost, for out of che loan of £2,000,000 more th%p £100,000 was spent m the cost of ralshg it. Government failed to take the opportunity which was afforded them ! of taming over a new laaf m regard to loan expenditure. Loans for individuals or countries were bad when they were applied to useless purposes or spent im provldently. The reason tbat former loans had done the oountry so little good was beoause more than half had been spent on temporary objeots, and had not benefited the permanent interests of the oountry. It had been urged on Sir H Atkinson tbat the old folly of expending loans on unproductive purposes should at Onoe oaaae, but the following statement would Bhow how the first instalment, that voted for this year,\was to be spent. For Olass i, whioh covered almost everything from a needle to an anohor, the amount was £404,555 ; for Class 11, No;th Island Trunk Kailw.y, £135,711; Class 111, railway construction, £355,541. Total, £895 807. They wonld therefore Bee that £404,000, out of £895,000, waa to be spent upon objects which wonld add hardly anything to the revenue. The works were mostly of a perishable nature, and In the present state of the finanoes it was folly that the money should ba spent. He admitted tbat there were some legiti mate, and It might be reproductive Itemß, suoh as for loads to open np Crown lands, and the purchase of Native lands, but the amounts voted for these was but Bmall, The items showed that a very large amount of the loan was proposed to be wasted over what conld hardly even ba called luxuries. Therefore if thej Government were compelled to borrow It' was a pity they did not do so for the purpose of finishing tbe railways or some thing of that sort. They might remem ber that some time ago when Sir Robert Stout was asked his views abont loan expenditure, he stated it would be neces sary to borrow two millions to fiaish the present railways, and for speaking thus plainly ha was characterised as a most dangerous man to be m oharge of the colony's affairs, Yet m acoordanoe with the old adage, that while tt la a crime for one man to look over a ga!*> yet another man may steal a horse with Impunity, Sir Qarry Atkinson didn't aeo anything out of place m borrowing two millions and chucking half of it away. He did not wish to be unfair to Sir H. Atkinson. He had indicated matters In whioh he was quite unable to Bupport or sympathise with him, aotiona and proposals from which he entirely dissented, and it wonld not bs right that he Bhould omit to mention matters whioh were to his oredit. It was fair to aiy that he (the Treasurer) had relieved the ohatgeß npon loan by i the sum of £107,000, v/z. £15,000 oq Defenoe account. £33,000 Bobaldteo, and £60,000 publio bqlldluga, whioh were now oharged upon revenue. This was a step iv the right direction, and which had his (the BpeakerVt) hearty approval. At the same time it was only a relief m the' nature of transferring the amounts from one account to the other and did not relieve tbe pockets of the taxpayers. Then there were certain proposals made In the Financial Statement— made m a way whioh he could not say he thought very highly of— and whioh he was glad Parliament Baw fit not to sanction when they were put before hon. members. One of these had reference to EDUCATION. He would quote Sir Harry Atkin son's own words. These were *s follows :— " I may here point out that £25,000 of this taxation wonld not be neGessary if Parliament saw fit to raise tho sohool age at whioh capitation is pay able to a : x yoars instead of five as at present, and to abolish tbe Eduoatlon

Boards. The Government do not Intend to propose the alteration this year ln de ference to what thoy believe to be the wish of Parliament as expressed m the laßt session ; but I feel It my duty to point out to the Committee where another £25.000 a year could be Bayed without any injury whatever to our educational Bystem, snd I would a(_k honorable members again to consider whether the colony oan at pre sent afford so lurge a sum to provide what Is lhtle more than nursery aooommodation." This proposal to yaisp the school age with a viow to a saving of £25,0,00 was most carefully considered and debated, but Parliament finally determined to make no change whatever, because the majority were firmly "of opinion that the present system was a boon to the people, and the r;ght of tbe people (applause), and it was not their desire m any way to lessen the advantages given by it to the State It was m * vain that certain members tried to show that children taught so young were Injured bodily and mentally by boing sent to school, there was no proof adduced that this waa so, nothing but assertion, and moreover it was con clusively demonstrated that the change wqnld not work from a financial point of view. The Mioister was obliged to 1 promise that the country sohoola Bhould not suffer by change. It was shown that if children below six were shut out

Ihe numbers iv attendance would fall off, and certain .schools must be closed, the salaries of masters would suffer, and other pnrtß of the establishment would suffer, while aa to the alleged saving of £25,0Q0 the Minister was never able to Bhow how that could be done wh^le making up the losj to the oountry schools. Underlying the objections expressed to the propoaed change there was the unexpressed, but undoubtedly existent feeling, that it was not desirable to make any change of such importance m educational matters, while they had m office as the head of the De partment a Minister whose attitude to wards education was not altogether satis factory. Passing next to the question of tho discontinuance of BUBSIPIEB TO LOOAL BODIE3 Mr Walker said that m this matter the Treasurer had Bought to th ow upon the Houee the responsibility which should fall npon the Government. He put it m this way tbat If the Bonce, oboaa to abolltjb the

subsidies then he wonld not put on thd tea tM. Tbat was an unfair way of presenting the question, and as they all knew the remit waß that the tea tax waa pissed. Auother of the Treasurer's proposals bad reference to

THE TRUST FUNDS aud this he was Borry indeed to hear. It W'iß true it affected only a Bmall portion— tha funds of the L.Dd Transfer Offioe, to the extent t f £70,000— and waa dropped m tbe House, where it met with little or no approval. He thought they wonld agreo with him th»t considering the p )stlon the Government held m relation to muoh larger trust funds, those of the Government Assucanoe Department and the Poßt Offioe Savings Bank, it would be a most undesirable and improper thing to begin, wtth even the smallest, the system of bulking it with the ordinary revenue on the p!ea . that the Government was ultimately responsible, and so allow of thsse trust funds being naed to assist Government m oase of need. It would have been unwise snd dishonest on the part of the House to aanotion »uy thing whioh might give depositors the idea that their moneys were not created as a trost. He repeated that this part of the Treasurer's proposals he was sorry indeed to hear. The proposal for the repeal of THB STROWN AND NATIVE LAUDS BATING AOX

was partially given effeot to, He said partially, beoanse a compromise had been entered into by whioh the Native rates were retained till 1890 and only part of tbe Crown land ratea done away with, these being gradually extinguished, oaasing altogether m two years' time, these changes of oourse by so muoh reducing the amount at the Traasurec'a disposal. Among the

MEASURES PROWLED but whioh promises had bu.. .o be oarrled into effeot, was that for reducing the Oivll Service to order and putting lt on a satisfactory footing. That measure waa still m the region of promises, for the Bill had not yet aeen the light. Then they were also promised the abolition of the Native Office and of the Publio Works Ofi-be. Both might be dispensed with to the great benefit of the oolony, and he hoped their abolition wonld soon be effected. They knew wbat the Native offioe had been m the past, and both departments were connected with all sorts of transactions wbioh it would be well were bnried for ever. Their pnblic works were coming to an end by the pro* oess of time, and the lessening of expen diture from loan, and It was right that the Publio Works and the Native Depart ments should oome to an end as there waa no longer any nse for them. He had now summed up the proposals of the Premier as submitted to Parliament, aud he only wished that he oould have been satisfied that they were sufficient for the^ needs of the colony, Bnt he was not so satisfied by any means and he was not satisfied with the proposer. . • ] °

SIR H. ATKINSON Was not a man of atroog eonviotlons— not a man who was ready to sacrifice any thing aod everything to prinaiple, ho was a man of expedients, he had grown up m party warfare, and what suited the time too often with him was right. He oould not throw off the effdot of many years' habits and training. He (Mr Walker; bad hoped that the new company m which the Premier found himself wonld have given him strength, would have set him free to deal with the position of the colony In suoh a way as to give hope that the old errors would not be repeated, bnt Id hla financial polioy they saw much the same sort of thing as they had had In the past subjeoo only to the amount of attenuation foroed by necessity. The old principle of making things pleasant, the old prlnolpla of expediency, waß. as clearly present m this year's Budget as m previous Budgets, and they oonld not hope bo long as Sir H, Atkluson remained m power that the oolony would really get the chanoe it deserved. The P.«.nier had begun a new increase of taxatiou whioh he did not fear to B-vy would have to be additionally la creased uext year. He balanced In hla mlifd, and m tha Statement, what artiolea to put increases upon. This year he put twopeuoe on tea and saya that the. necessities of finance m*y require an additional tax on sugar next year. His tendencies were more In the direotlon of large revenue and lnoreased taxation than of real economy. They might also jfadge of him by what he had not done and he had certainly not rlßen to the oooasion and had not given the colony much to hope for m regard to Its true and native ludastries. He (Mr Walker) would begin with one whioh was not native to the colony— their costly exotio-rallway'system. How many months they had waited tit the promised reform! This was to bo effeotod by

I A BAILWAY BOARD. i But though the Act was parsed before ; Christmas, and cablegram after cablegram . had been exchanged betwe&n the Govern i ment and the Agent-General, they seemed . to-day to be as far from the appointment ; of the Board as at the beginning. Mean [ time railway matters were unsatisfactorily i managed, and grievances \yere held m , suspense pending the advent of the Board. This was most unfair to the country, a most unsatisfactory state of things . They . could not afford to wait m what was a i matter of daily life and death. (Hear hear !.) The railways had been a most costly luxury to us. They never had earned interest on the money with whioh they were constructed, and lately every mile constructed had helped to lessen the earnings of the previous mileage; The ap pointmentof the Board should have thelm mediate attention of the Government They saw from day to day all sorts of inspired paragraphs as to enquiries being made, and so on, but it was time something definite were done, and he hoped that some, day the Board would aetuully be appointed, and that the result wonld be a great im* proyement m rail way matters. As regards THE MINING INDUSTRY The Government had done very little Indeed the advantages which Nature had given ub m this direction had been sadly negleoted. Even tbe importance of sending a proper representation of our mining products to the Exhibition at Melbourne seemed to have been quite beyond the Government's apprehension. He himself knew nothing more abont the subj sot than he had seen m the papers, but there must be soma t*nth m the complaintß coming from so many different quarters, and he did not hesitate to tay that the cause for thoae oomplalnts arosa from the Government not taking any trouble, and being afraid to vote a few pounds for the neoessary expenditure. The mining md oat ry deserved great consideration, for from it ln the future they might expect the greatest relief and prosperity. Nor had the Government dealt any better with those who were interested m the productions of the sotl. Within the past few months they had at last bean able to §blr up the Minister In charge of

THE SHEEP DEPARTMENT to something Hue an appreciation of the importance of tbe Interests committed to his charge; but hitherto Minister after Minister had allowed the Depart* ment to oontinne m a state of the most disgracsful neglect. Other colonies had been able to keep their sheep free from dlsessa, and we might and onght to have done so also. However, a Oom* mlttee had sat upon the Department (m more senses than one) last session, and their recommendations were now being given effeot to, and he hoped that the result would be that disease would be entiroly oleared out of the oolony, and that they would he able to oommaud an extended market In Australia. What be complained of was that Micist ers la oharge of this Department should have allowed matters to go on as they had been goJag qqclet tfcair very noses* Sq

THE ASHBPBTONfIGUA-RmAN, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1888



The best Remedy for Indigestion.— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for indiges- tion, which is the cause of nearly aU "th'g diseases to which we are subject. Norton's Pills, with justice cal'ed the " natural strengthener of the human stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, and safe under auy circum- tances Sold m bottles at is ijd, 2s oj, 4s, by all medicine vendors throughout the world Holloway's Pills.— Easy Digestion.— These admirable pills cannot be too highly appreciated for the wholesome power they exert over all diseases of the stomach, liver, bowels, and kidneys. They instantaneously relieve (md steadily work out a thorough cure and m its course dispel headgche, biliousness' flatulence, and depression of spirits. It is wonderful to watch the daily improvement of the complexion, as Holloway's l'ills purify the blood and restore plumpness to the /ace which had lost both flesh and color. These pills combine every excellence desirable m n domestic remedy. The most certain and beneficial results flow from the occasional use of this regulating medicine ; even persons m health, or when following sedentary occupa tiops, will find it an invaluable aperient, ;



Certainly the Most Effeotive MEDICINE m the world is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effeots m Coughß, Colds, Influenza, eto, ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Rea this certificate :— " 24th April, 1885.— MesBrs Sander and Sons,— lt is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to tho excellence of your Euoalypti Extract. Having had inflam- mation on the bone of the leg, whioh came on after a severe attack of low fever, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuouß efforts to save my leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard m the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Euoalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extraot bad not been applied more tban an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After apply . ing the extraot every four _gurß for nine or ten days I was out of all danger. I would persuade all who may be affected with any such disease to give the Euoalypti Extraot a irial, and I am convinced that they will find tt the most wonderful of medioines. — Yours etc., E. J. Ovmow, Wftttl street Sandhurst." ' SlAdrt.) 5



GLASGOW DRAPERY andf CLOTHING COMPANY. Hun- dreds of remnants of all kinds QUOD FAOIW.US VAtDB FAOIMUBJ (" What we do we do well.") TUB OHRISTO HUROH DB NTAL SUriGERT, 168 Ca?bel Street, Christ chu. eh, next Robin- aon'a Hoot .'-tore, and at tho Octagon, Duneiiu. ' It o; -eratior.8 :.t et'ict-ly uniform and moderate Fees. Consultation free. S. MYER^AND CO., SURGEON DENTISTS. x j3g V_ C -> a"! H^v P o_j O JhXs^zh NNJTH^EEtS WITHOUT TELTH NITi-.OUrf OXIDE GAS administered. ThU At8B?t n et!c leaves no unpleasant effects, and by its use the ex*.ractio of £a<i Stuinp3 and Teeth is rendered perfectly Painless aad Effective. Administered daily. Fee for nd- miaistration of Gas, 53 Extraction, 2s Od a tooth. Houra of attendance, 9am. to 8 pm. Private residonce, 93 Bast Belt; The acknowledged superiority of AMERI- CAN DESTISTRF m the construction of Artificial Teeth, the most finished workm-m- --ship, and replacing the lost teeth T ••■!_-.. I^ORARILY ALMOST IMM ISD EAT KLY after extraction, have established our reputation. A single Artificial Tooth, 103 , complete set, Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent, £10 ](h; Artificial leoth i.nd Dentures made by other dentists remodelled t small OBt. BtODDing, Scaling, Penect and Painless 8 16



WLxnUH. | WANTED Known— Oddfellows Ball at Tinwald on Show Night, No- vember nd. 10 117 aREATEST Sale or the day, every- thing cheap for Cash. — H. C Segers Melford House, TTTANTED Known— Tbat Mrs Bill, VV M nthiy Nnr»e, has remove* i from Pttnr i-t-pet lo Dr '1 revor'e hou«K. > ln Moore Street. 10+39 j WANTED Known.— J. Orr and Co aro now showing the Leading Novelties m Ladies' Mantles, Jackets, land Lust Cloaks. \\ J ANTED Known to Farmers and VV others thut James Barer bas | opened a Timber Yard opposite Harrison's Auction Rooms; General assortment of Building Timber m stock. 10|1Q3 I VI 7 ANTED Known. — Mrs Meroh, ▼*' Dressmaker, has returned from Bjdn9y, «nd recommenced business m launders' BuMdinss, next MrR. Alcorn's. Apprentices wanted. 10 78 MRS ADAMS bas removed to Saun- der_>' Buildings, opposite Railway btat; -. Crewel Sllke, Wools, and Fancy Goods of every description kept ln stock. Agent for FoHpso Dje Worka. Registry offioe for Servants. 10 92 BIRTHDAY Cards, Birthday Text Bo b, Children's Picture Books. Good variety. School Books, Prise, Reward, and Presentation Boaks. — H. M. Jones BOARD and Residence for a Lady or Gentleman m a private family. Bedroom, with nee of sitting room. — Apply CD., Mail Office. 10 26 BOOTS. BOO'iS.— Keep the feet, dry and save dootor's bills. Quality is everything m bad weather. I guarantee every pair. Best value ln New Zealand at Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunderß' Buildings. — Robert Alcorn. ANTED Known. -J Orr and Co are now showing a large asuort- ment of Ladies' Embroidered Robes from 10s 6d. LADIES' Jackets. — Jußt Opened a few Ladles very superior Jackets, both m style and quality. Wiil be sold at less than half their price during our preeent Sale.— H. O. Segers, Melford House. ~T i /"ANTED —Everyone to come and I VV see the nicest lot of Glass, China, and Earthenware ever shown An Ashbur- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported dlreot from the Manufacturers. — Robert Alcchn, Saun- ders' Bulldlngß. til ■- _ WANTED Known.— J. Orb and Co ' invite Laaies to inspect their large and varied assortment of Summer Dress Materials. Over one thousand pieceß to select from STOCKINGS-70G pairs of Ladies and Children's sample Hose just opened (.landed under the old Tariff.) All quality to be sold cheap during our sale. — H. C. Segers, Melford House. ANTED Known. —J Orr and Go's Drapery Department is under new management. Prices of the Whole StccS have be6n revised and reduced to such a point as wiil command aspeeiiy Bale. "Tl /"ANTED everyone to know that VV J.C. Dcnoan ie a Land Broker, licensed to prepare and register Transfer-, Mortgages, fc__.cu_nbranc9B, Leases, Begin- tration Abstracts, Powers of Attorney, Applications to briog Land under the Act, and every description of instruments under -tha Land Transfer Act. — J.C  _-_ynNQ an. Arcade, Ashburton. lOtlOi WANTED Known— J. Orr and~Co~ are now ehowiug' Ladies' and Children's Artistic Millinery m Great Variety. WANTED, Cash, — Moir'a Oatmeal (261 b), 2a 6d ; Candles, 5d ; Vestas, 51 doz. ; Coffee aud Milk, Is ; Cocoa and Milk, Is ; Corn Flour, 4d ; Fruits m Syrup (21b tlat), Is. Crockery ; Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mc- Gregor, Tanored street. ANTED Known —J. Orb and Co are now fchowing a Large Assortment of Feathers, Flowers, Ribbons Lec^b, Gloves, &o. ' lOilOi jCiuano. I SOB SiLE— A fow Tons of Pure Guano at a low prioe. Also Belfast Chemical Manures. 10*113 GEO. JAMESON. Rink de Paris. LOOK OUT FOR IHE y Private Secretary ON, t SATURDAY, 13th,; IN THE QUARTER-MILE BAOE between ihe "Mail" aud "Guardian" Employees. OCTOBER 18th— One mile handicap, for the Championship, and Cup, value five guineas. R. ELSTON, QLessee and Manager. "TTTANTED Known— New Goods. VV New Goods for tbe approaching Season to hand at the New Zealand Cloth- ing Factory. TTTANTED Known— 2sa will purchase VV a 40s Tweed Suit at tbe New Zealand Clothing Factory. WANTED' Known— We undertake to give the very best value obta'nable m Men's and Boys' Clothing, ail our own make and made from pure Wools, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory, WANTED Known — We are the Cheapest and Best House m ABhburton for bhirts, Rugs, Scarfß, flats, &c. Splendid variety to select from at tho New Zealand Clothing Factory. WANTED Known— Our Bojb' Cloth- ing is unrivalled. Parents and Guardians see our Boys' Suits, nicely made ; Coat and Knickers lined through out, from 10s 6d, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. WANTED Known— Tho Wonderful vYerthem Sewing Machine, with ihe new high arm nnd all the latest improvements, may be had on tbe Time Payment System at tho New Zealnnd Clothing Factory. Jlnspection earnestly invited* TTTANTED Known— We are still VV making Measure Suits at 565, and Trousers to measure at 17b 6d, Cord Vestt- from 12s 6d to measure at the New ( Zealand Clothing faotory |



Public Notices i WE HAVE FOR SALE— One ten borse power Traction Engißs with Combine and Elevators complete, all m perfect order. For full particulars apply to FRIEDLANDER BROS. 10t48 ' FISHING SEASON, 1888. FISHING TACKLE. FISHING TACKLE. JUST Arrived, ex "Coptic" and "Talnui," a large and well-aßßorted Stook of all Fishing Requisite, viz., Rods, Lines, Reels, Stocking*, Minnows, Flies, Gaff Hooka, Monr-tfogß, Assorted Hooks, and every Ar'iole for tho Season, at Lowest Prices. Fishing Licenses can now be .obtained from me. Also, New Stock of CRICKETING AND LAWN TENNIS MATERIALS, Wm. Zander, FISHING TACKLE DEPOT, -TOBACCONIST, FANOY GOODS WAREHOUSE. Ladles* and Gentlemen's Hair Dressing Saloons. Bfl6 Frozen Meat *TT7"E are prepared to make LIBERAL VV ADVANCES on Frozen Meat placed m our hands for sale m the Home Markets. Messrs Miles Bros., elc„ our London Agents,' give special attention to this business, and have been euccessful m obtaining the Highest prices. BHIPPERS CAN DEPEND ON LIBBRAL ADVANCES, PRGMPT SETTLEMENT, SEPARATE ACCOUNT SALES From tho moment that Stock are delivered at the Freezing Works or m the railway trucks to our order we uudertake responsibility of Shipping aud payment of all local charges, Freight, Insurance, etc., thus relieving shippers of all trouble and loss of time. MILES & CO., Christchurch. GEORGE JAMESON, Agent, 6 71 Aahburton and Rakaia. Wool Wool Wool SEASON 1888-89. "JUT I L E S A N 0 0 0. Are prepared to make Liberal CASH ADVANCES, At a low rate of Interest, on the ensuing CLIP OF WOOL, Placed m their hands for Sale here or for Shipment to MILES BROS. AND CO., LONDON, No Commission charged on Advances and no Commission charged for offering Wool here unless a Sa'.e ia effected. Periodical Sales wilibo hel<t daring tW Season, at Mr Geo. Jameson's commodiou and convenient Stores, West Street. J. T. FORD, Auctioneer. GEORGE JAMESON, Agent, 9 70 Ashburton and Rakaia. BAKEE AND Co. TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS, WEST STREET, "OEG to inform their numerous sup- porter! that they have sold their Business to Messrs McCallum and Co,, EAST STREET, whom they trust their Customers will give tbeir future orders, MR B. BASER, Being now In oharge of their Coal jYards. mmm— — rn————.— mm— ——mm— ——mmjf——— ————— ———*—— ————— —• D. McFarlane, GROCER, ashburton: myjmany thanks ARE Tendered to my numerous Cus tomers and the Pnblic generally for he liberal support accorded mo at my Clearing Sale last Saturday, and also to my East Street Patrons who found their way to Burnett street, my OASH TAKINGS showing conclusively that they have no" deserted me. I hereby beg to inform aIV that as my sale bo far has been suoh a snocess I intend continuing it for another FOUR WEEKS, during which time my Customers wil. have tbe advantage of buying Goods withont the extra duty of the new Tariff placed thereon (as now charged by other ■tores.) Therefore you may depend upon getting BARGAINS It is a great pleasure to me to see my Customers walking out my establishment with large Parcels and Bmlllng faces for a small outlay, and I confidently assert — without gush, blow, or bunkum — that I sell twenty-five per cent oheaper than •_-- . ANY OTHER HOUSE, and} shall continue to do so foi mother Mouth, Therefore Don't delay, Purohase white you may, And lay m a stock for a rainy day; D/M C FARLANE, WHOLESALE AND FAMILY GROCER. ONLY ADDRESS— i.{ RNEET STRgET