The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1890. WINE AND FRUIT IN DUSTRIES.

The Flax and Other Industries Com mittee appointed during last session overtook a vast amount of work, and elicited much valuable information pertaining to the flax, dairy produce, wine, and fruit - industries. A large number of expert witnesses were ex amined and voluminous reports have been printed which should result in giving an impetus to the development of these important local industries. In reporting upon the wine and fruit industries the Committee report, inter alia, that the wine industry is capable of extensive development if attention is directed to the subject of vine culture. Large areas of land in both islands, of volcanic formation, now lying unproductive, could be used pro fitably in the cultivation of vines. "An area of ten acres of this descrip tion of land in a suitable locality," say the Committee, "would provide an j ample maintenance for a family pos sessing the necessary skill in vine culture." This conclusion has been arrived at, it may be remarked, only after taking the evidence of expert vine-growers, . who have travelled through the colony, and have been and are now engaged in vine-culture. Be fore the industry is embarked upon, however, to any large extent, it is pointed out that prompt steps must be taken to* eradicate the phylloxera, vast atrix pest, 'which has obtained a foot hold in the colony. Tti order to accom plish this, a recommendation is made that all vines in infected districts should be ordered to be destroyed— thus anticipating a destruction which must sooner or later follow the ravages of the vine destroyer. This is the only effectual means of eradicating phylloxera vwtatrix, and in the in terests of vignerons who are already engaged in the industry, and whose vines are free from the pest, is a step which should be taken without further delay. The climate and soil in several parts of the colony are specially suit able for vine-culture, and the utmost precautions should be taken, not only to rid the colony at the outset of any diseased vines, but by judicious selec tion to introduce and cultivate only the choicest stock. As a means to assist the development of wine-nmkingthe Committee recommend that a Bill amending the Distillation Act be passed. This would enable the wine-producer to make use of the by products by distillation, the results from which could be used for the purpose of fortifying the wine produced in bad seasons, when the grapes are deficient in glucose, thereby ensuring early maturity and enabling the wine when exported to resist the effects of changes during transit. As regards the cultivation of other fruits, the Committee point out that it would be possible without difficulty to secure a satisfactory trade in fresh fruits—which can be grown in abundance in the colony—with San Francisco and Europe. All that is required to ensure this is favorable means of transit in tho shape of cool chambers. It is needless to point out that the extension of this in dustry would give an impetus to fruit growing, which is now almost entirely neglected. Under proper directions the fruit industry could be made a most important one, and provide a means of livelihood for thousands of persons. When the -American and European markets do not suit the export of fresh fruit, varieties of tinned, dried, and crystallised fruit could be manufactured in the colony, and an important export trade in this direction encouraged. It is essential that, in order to develop these industries, a Minister of Agri culture should be appointed, and that this department should include experts capable of directing the attention of agriculturists and others to the best means of dealing witli insects and other pests, and of utilising generally the products of the soil to the best advantage. This last important re -1 commendation of the Committee we hope to see carried out by the new Parliament. Vine and fruit culture must come sooner or later, and it is well that such important industries should be under the direction of the State.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Several Ccises of typhoid fever are reported in Timaru. The total number of live stock imported into the colony during 1889 was 2238, the value of which was given at £7388. The cost of the Representation Commis sioners for defining the boundaries of the new electorates was £800. Large numbers of red eodfiah, trevalli, and herrings are now being secured by amateur and professional fishermen in Timaru harbor. Mr R. Alcorn, J.P., this morning sen tenced William Stewart, hawker, to fourteen days' imprisonment for drunkenness and disorderly conduct the previous night. Speaking at Stunner on Monday evening Mr R. H. Rhodes said that every £1,000,000 borrowed by the colony means extra taxation to the amount of £40,000 yearly. i It is proposed in some of the North Island electorates to observe a half-holiday on the sth of December, thb day set apart for the general election. The Nizam of Hyderabad, who is fabu lously wealthy, while afc the Calcutta Exhi bition last year spent over £50,000 during a visit of twenty minutes. Mr Gannon, in his speech at Napier, gave the following figures :~^ln IJawke's Bay there are 2,950,000 acres, of which 2,000,000 are occupied, and out of this 1,176,126 acres belong to forty-seven people, The charge of manslaughter against Alexander Cowan, the Ohrist'church cabman, has been abandoned, the Grand Jury of the Supremp Qourt having found UP bill after considering thpevi4«uce- Inspector Pendur wn Monday received a telegram from Kaikoura stating that the bones of a leg and foot, with a boot on, had been picked up. It is supposed to be part of the body of Jesse Baxter, who was drowned on the 24th September. Al<jxico is a medley—-the most ancient and most nti?4ei'u arrangements mingle, The women grind cqm, aud j;hp men carry water as in the days of Abraham, yet tho Go,vern, : meujt has telephone, telegraph, electric fights, and has contracted for the phonograph in j?p^Ol3s9«Pepartment,

We would remind our readers hat the first; performance of "Patience," by Ash burton amateurs, will be given this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. A man named Henry Wilson, arrested at' Christchurch on a charge of burglary, hag been remanded to Palmerston North, where the offence is alleged to haye been committed. In the course of an address to Mount Ida | electors Mr Pyke is credited with the state ment that three-fifths at least of the pre sumed owners of land are merely the bonded serfs of the Joan agencies and banks. How can a country prosper when its lands are so held? Owing to a considerable number of vocalists, who were to have - sung at til© i Hampatead School concert, being engaged in the production of the operrii of Patience," it has been found necessary to postpone the concert until Friday, December 12th. ' A large number of settlors in the South Island are selling off in order to take up land in the North Island. The expenditure of the lion's share of the balance of the loan money in the North Island has evidently given that part of tliD colony a fillip. Sweden was the first nation to establish a system of collecting accurate statistics relat* ing to births, marriages, and deaths, and con* dition and movements of the population* This may he said to have had its beginning in the middle of the eighteenth century, or about 140 years ago. , It is impossible at present to obtain any details concerning the fate of Ismail Pasha, but there is unfortunately every reason to believe that the former famous ruler of Egypt has been removed in accordance with the old traditions of Turkish despotism. Ismail had £4,000,000 in bonds on his person when he went to Constantinople. ' The Foreign and Colonial Meat Bill, in troduced "into the Imperial Parliament, provides that any person offering foreign or colonial meat, representing the same to be English or Irish, shall be liable to a penjilty of £20. The Bill also provides that where foreign or colonial meat is offered for sale the fact shall be conspieiously notified. A cricket match will be played on the Domain .ground to-morrow, Wednesday, the 26th inst, between the Ashburton and Lan caster Park Cricket Clubs; The Ashburtou team wiil be chosen from the following :— Messrs Denshire, Sawle, Dixon, G. W. Andrews, Makeig, Mackay, Cranfield, Ross, Temple, Cuthbertson, Rees, Rev. Scott, Russell, L. F. Andrews, and Kidcli Play will commence <it 11 a.in. The Harvey Comedy Company, a variety troupe over whoae niirth-provoking abilities several of our Southern contemporaries have been quite jubilant, are to give a series of entertainments in Ashburton, commencing in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday next. One paper says of the company:—" Mere description, however, conveys but a faint idea ot the whirlwind fashion in which they whisk through the business—suffice it to say that it delighted the audience." An infant three months old', the child of Frederick Stowe, of Collingwood, Victoria, met its death under peculiarly sad circum stances at Collingwood. Whilist washing the infant in a small oval bath, the mother, who was alone in the house, was suddenly seized with a fainting fit, the child dropping out of her hands in the water, When the mother recovered consciousness the infant was lying dead in the bath. At a meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club, held at the Club's rooms on Saturday evening, the staked, amounting to £485, and all accounts in con-, noction Avith the late meeting, were passed for payment. An approximate balance-sheet showed that the Club had made a profit over the meeting of about £150. This, added to the amount now standing to the credit of the Club its with bankers, places it in a very satis factory position. ■' ;'. . .■' Emm Pasha, as reported by Mr Stanley, says, " The forest of Tsongma is infested by a large tribe of chimpanzees. In summer they visit the plantations of Mawa Station to steal the fruit. But what ia remarkable about this is the fact that they used torches to light the way ! Had t not witnessed Ibis extraordinary spectacle personally I should never have crecfited that any of the Simians understood the art of makhig fire." George Romanes in " Nature " expresses his unbelief, concluding that Emm Pasha mistook a band of children for chimpanzees. After this we shall look to Africa iuatead of to America for tall stories and Yankee yarns. It is said that the promulgation of the recent anti-Semitic laws in Russia are having a very unexpected effect. Long ago it was prophesied that one day the Jew should re turn to the land of his fathers and inhabit it. In modern times there has often been a movement to that end, and often has the question of the ultimate return of the Jews to Palestine been made the subject of dis cussion. The action of the Russian Emperor is, it appears, serving its end in fulfilment of prophecy. Hundreds of families of Russian Jews are arranging to migrate to Jerusalem when they shall be obliged to leave the land o their choice. Sergeant Moller, who for the last ten years has been stationed at Hokitika, has been appointed to the charge of the Ash burton police district, and will enter upon his duties at once. Previous to leaving Hokitika last week, he was publicly presented with a purse of sovereigns and an address, the latter to be engrossed and sent after him to Ashburton. We quote from the text of the address the following opinion of the Sergeant held by the people of Hokitika:—"You have proved yourself a most zealous, intelligent, and conscientious officer. At the same time you have in variably tempered your strict sense of duty to your department with such a humane and wise method of administration as to call forth the highest feelings of admiration en our part. As a private citizen your conduct and influence for good have been such as to merit the esteem and respect of all classes of the community. We trust that the change you are about to make may be a stepping stone to that higher promotion which you so justly merit." M. Giffard, the inventor of the wonderful gun in which liquefied gas serves as a noise less but deadly substitute for powder, speak ing of his invention, said:—"l won't tell you of the experiments we have been making at the Paris Gas Company's works for nearly 20 years foe the compression of steam and air and the liq«ifaction of gas, but the Giffard gun is the outcome. The French Govern ment bought the rights for the rifle as a weapon of war, and the Colts bought the rights to the patents f0r,£200,000. f herifle of course differs first and foremost from every gun in not requiring powder, Liquefied gas is one of the moat powerful explosives known. If one drop enters the breech of the gun when the trigger is pulled the bullet is sent with a force equal to 5001b pressure to the square inch. By a turn of a screw you can regulate the speed of a bullet, which leaves the barrel without noise, smoke, smell, heat, or recoil. There is no danger of explosion, and the substitute for gunpowder is infinitely cheaper, from 250 to 300 bullets being driven out at the cost bf a penny. Liquefied gas will revolutionise all the present theories concerning steam and other motive powers."

BIBHOP JULIUS AT ASHBURTON.

AT TINWALD

In the evening the Temperance Hall, which has been newly painted and decorated, the interior presenting a bright and pleasing appearance, was the scene of ♦ great gathering of the residents of the township and surrounding neighborhood to the number of about 250. The room, which was admirably lighted, was festooned With foliage, and on the .vail at the platform end was displayed ihelegend, "Welcome to our Bishop " worked out with sprays of macrocarpa decorated with white ro3es. The entrance of His Lord ship, accompanied by the Revs R. F. Garbetfc (incumbent of the parish), E. A. Scott (Ashburton). and C. Coates (Wai mate), was the signal for a round of applause, which was renewed as the Chairman (Rev Mr Garbett) in a few appropriate words formally introduced the Bishop, and called upon Mr Heieltine, a» the senior churchwarden, tp read an address of welcome. This having been clone, and its kindly sentiments acknow ledged in happy terms, the Willowby choir, under the leadership of Mr Wheeler (senior), Mr Thos. Wheeler presiding at the harmonium, gave very creditably the anthem, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd," His Lord ship . then proceeded to deliver an exceedingly able lecture on " Three years in an Old Country Village," keeping his audience amused as well as interested throughout, albeit the excellent enter tainment provided was full of good, kindly, and whoiesome lessons. The Bishop is a word painter of rare skill, and I his address was a, series of pictures of English country life limned by the hand ' of a master who knows how to work out effective contrasts of light and shade, i snd has an eye And a heart for the pathetic and heroic phases of life as well as a keen appreciation of its quaint nesses, and sometimes comical and ludicrous situations. It would be unfair to His Lordship, and to those of our readers who reside outside of theTinwald district to attempt anything like a full report, as it will be infinitely better that the tatter should seek to prevail upon him to deliver it when he has opportunity in other parts of the district; besides which it would lose a good deal by the telling in print, for the Bishop's way of, telling ie is nearly as good as the tale he tells. Suffice it to say that seldom indeed have we listened to anything so enjoyable, and we venture" to affirm that every one of His Lordship's audience went away with the aspiration (like that of Cowper anenfc John Gilpin's ride), "When next che Bishop lectures may I be there to hear." Laughter and applause were frequent, »and a hearty burst of the, latter at the conclusion showed how thoroughly every body had appreciated the treat afforded. The choir th^tt gave the anthem "How beautiful upon the mountains " and other selections, while a liberal service of re* freshments was handed round, the pro ceedings terminating at near 11 p.m. It should be mentioned that hearty votes of thanks were passed to the Bishop and to the choir.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburfcon Borough Council was held last evening Present —The Mayor (Mr D. Thomas) presiding, and Crs Williamson, Friedlander, Scaly, and Bird, •• ' '. •■ FINANCE, : : The Mayor said the debit balance at the Bank wu £1306 11» lid, and the income for the fortnight from all sources amounted to £65 5s 3d. CARRIERS'JMCENSES. A letter, signed by several of the "carriers and expressmen in town, was read, complaining of the conduct of a person mentioned in plying for hire to aiud from the races without having a license. The matter was referred to the Cleitk and Borough Solicitor to take steps. CHARITABLE AID BOARD. The Secretary to the Charitable And Board wrote intimating chat a meeting of the County and Borough Councils would be held on the 27th insfc. at the County Council Chambers to elect representatives to the Charitable Board. ' Cr Friedlander was appointed to repre sent the Council at the special meeting. WILLS STREET WEST. A petition was read from ratepayers in. Wills Street West, asking that the channel on the north side of Wills Street West be concteted. It was decided to inform the petitioners that there was no money available this, season for the work. . ; RAILWAY RESERVES. The Committee appointed to inquire into the question of the railway reserves,, reported as follows: Your Committee appointed to takes evidence, look up minutes, &c, on the* matter of the planting of the railway reserves, beg to report that so far they cannot find any written record of any promise given by the Government tc plant the entire reserve on the east side of the railway line from the biidge to- Havelock street. Your Committee would,, however, point out the danger which may be incurred to people crossing the railway line in Tancred Street by obstructing the free view of the line ; also the. inconvenience and loss occasioned to shopkeepers in East Street with, perishable goods by the dust blowing from the heaps of coal. Cr Friedlander said the Committee had. not been able to discover any written. promise on the part of Government to plant the whole of the reserves on the east side of the railway from the railway to the bridge; but 'he believed som& verbal promise had been made to Mr Scaly while he was Mayor. The Com mittee, however, had not been able to see Mr Scaly. It ought to be an instruction to the new member for the district to urge upon the Government the claim of the Borough to have the whole reserves planted. There could be no hardship inflicted upon any present lessee, as those leases wera held subject to very short notice. The report was adopted. engineers' report. The Engineers reported as follows :— Pipes for Street Watering. — The Works Committee have not yet been able to go exhaustively into this matter, but recommend that pipes belaid at once as far as Burnett street, and a tank or stand pipe ei'eoted for the purpose of filling the water cart, and that the Committee be authorised to carry out the work. The cost we consider would not exceed £57. Concrete Channelling. —The contractor is proceeding satisfactorily, and will soon nave completed the length authorised. There are some channels at the junctions of the recently formed streets which it would be advisable to concrete at the present time. ' The Labor Gang have been principally engaged in the formation of Peter and ] Cox streets, West; also watering streets, cleaning grass in Bide channels, attending : to water supply, and sundry maintenance work. The feport was adopted. RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Reserves Committee reported as under r— 1. Dr. Leahy's application for lease of plantation.—Your Committee have ac cepted Dr. Leahy's offer for the lease of this reserve at £5 per annum for five years, the Council to do the necessary fencing and put in pump. 2. "Jour Com mittee have also decided to advertise all the Borough reserves unletin terms of the Act, so-as to enable the Council to accept any offer that may be made for the same. The report ws adopted,

Dr. Tweed and Mr H. M. Jones applied for leases of reserves 1232, and 1233. The matter was referred to the Reserves Committee. POUND. The last payment to the County Council of £50, on account of the Ashburton Pound, whs ordered to be made. I-ICJJNSKS. Carriers' licensee were granted to Messrs J. Canning, and R. (Mien; carriage licenses to Messrs Canning and G. H. Alison ; drivers' to Messrs Canning, Alison, and; John Clark. • < ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £250 were passed for payment.

DOMAIN BOARD.

The Council sat as a Domain Board, and granted the use of Hie Sports (Ground for Boxing Day to the Caledonian Society, and the track was ordered to be put in order for the occasion. The thanks of the Board were accorded to Mr J. C. Bell for a g|ft of three teal to the Domain. The reit of the business was formal.

SIR GEORGE GREY.

The news that Sir George Grey has decided to withdraw his candidature for the General Assembly, and to re tire from public life will scarcely evoke much surprise, aa the public mind has been somewhat prepared for such an announcement by the telegrams re cently received as to the state of his health, 'f c has doubtless done wisely in yielding to the advice of his physicians, for though it is to be hoped that, relieved from the excitement and worry of public affairs, he may yet be spared to reside for a good space among us, he is already well past the term of 70 years which is accounted the ordinary span of human life. The son of Colonel Grey, who fell at the storming of Badajos by the Anglo- Portuguese army under the command of Wellington, Sir George waS born in 1812 and served his military cadetship at Sandhurst in a manner which, thus early, gave indications of the brilliant caveer in store for him. He was gazetted to an ensigncy in the 83rd regiment in 1829, to a Lieutenancy in 18^3, and to a Captaincy in 18:38. For the following further particulars of his distinguished career, we are in debted to Mr Alfred Cox's work " Men of Mark in ISTew Zealand." " In the year 1837, Captain Grey went out to Swan river, West Australia, to conduct an exploring expedition to the northward, in order to ascertain definitely whether any large river emptied itself into the Indian Ocean on the west coast of Australia. The story has been well told by the Rev. Julius E. Tennison Woods in his 'Discovery and Exploration of Aus tralia,/ as well as by Captain Grey himself, in his work entitled ' Journals of Two Expeditions of in North-West and Western Australia during 1837-8-9.' These explorations in volved considerable hardships, pluckily borne by the young explorer. For some time he was Resident Magistrate at Albany, Western Australia. Shortly after this, in December, 1840, Captain Grey was appointed to the Governorship of South Australia, at a somewhat critical period in the financial history of that colony. Highly appreciated by the Imperial authorities, in 1845 6 he was made Govtrnor of New Zealand, and en trusted with large powers in connection with. Native affairs. He quickly acquired a thorough knowledge of the Maori language, and succeeded in im pressing the Natives with the convic tion that he took a deep and intelligent interest in their well-being; and he afterwards left the colony with the confidence, and expressed good wishes of a large number of the Native race. He is the author of the work entitled ' Polynesian Mythology, and Ancient Traditional History of the New Zea land Race', also of 'Proverbial-Sayings of the Ancestors of the New Zealand Race, 1858.' Captain Grey was Knighted (Order of the Bath) in 1848. Sir George was appointed Governor of Cape Colony in 1854, receiving also the High Commissionership of Kaffraria and adjacent territories, and remained at the Cape up to the year 1861. He was then re-appointed to New Zea land, holding the office of Governor up to the year 1867, when he was succeeded by Sir George Bowen. He retired on a Governor's pension in 1872, and visited England. Shortly after his return to the colony, he was elected Superintendent of the Province 'of Auckland (1875) and entered the Colonial Parliament as one of the representatives of the City of Auck land. He was Premier of New Zealand from 1877 to 1879, and has since sat continuously in the House of Representatives." He has been a large and liberal benefactor of the City and Provincial District of Auckland, having presented it with one of the finest libraries in the southern hemis phere, valued at £30,000. He lias long been regarded as the foremost orator south of the line, and is, and long Will be, colloquially spoken of as New Zealand's "Grand Old Man." i He, however, can scarcely be regarded as having been in latter years a success as a politician, and in years to come will, as a legislator, be best remembered j by his having secured the adoption in New Zealand of the one-raan-one-vote 'principle. He will undoubtedly be missed from the House, and his absence will be a noticeable feature of the new Parliament.

Horse Market.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the weekending Saturday, November 22nd: — Thirty-four horses were broaght forward for the day's sale. Biddings were hot spirited, neverthe less a large proportion of the entry changed hands at satisfactory prices, twenty-six being sold. There were no first-class draughts offered. Medium draughts, four years old, of a light stamp, £12 ss, £16; aged, of; a fairly good stamp, £10, £10; inferior, £6, £6, £6 10s; light harness horses, a nitmber of this class changed hands, better sorts, £9 to £14 10s; others from <3 15s to £5; hacks, only those of a very medium description were sold, £4 to £5; inferior, £1 10s to £3 2s 6d; a pair of ponies were sold at £13. Sundries—Waggon suitable for carting wool, £37 10s; saddles and bridle*, collar^; hames, and winkers; and other harness a* bout usual prices.

small cottages for £162 10s ; 3 acres 33 perches, part of R.S. 5800, near the corner of the North Easfc Town Belt, at £26 10s per acre. Lot 67, and part of the adjoining allotment, containing 1 rood 17 perches with cottage, East Belt, £80. 11.0. 4448, containing .20 acres, Aehbur ton Forks, at £3 15s per acre. Lot 14, James street, Allenton, containing 1 rood 30 perches, tit £15 ; part of T.S. 609, continuing £ aero, corner of Moore and Park street, with 3-roomed cottage,£l2o.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[mi PRESS ASSOCIATION J London, November 22 to 24. About three and a half millions of gold are en route for England, and there is a prospect of the money nzar ■ket becoming easier. The National Steamship Company have commenced the co-operative sys tem with regard to the dockers. The Earl of Derby has made a dona tion of £1000 to General Booth's colonising scheme. Holders of New Plymouth Harbor Board bonds are applying to the Council of foreign bondholders to in tervene. At a public meeting in Cork the Mayor refused to permit motions to be put expressing confidence in Mr Parnell. The " Daily News" says it is un likely that holders of Victorian six per cent, stocks will allow them to be converted into three, and a half per cent. At an auction of woolled sheepskins there was an average attendance of Home and foreign buyers. The mar ket showed a general decline. Cross breds, fine greasy, fetched 7Jd; merinos, 7|d. The report that Dr Koch had been inoculated with his lymph is untrue. The doctor is desirous of entrusting the secret of his cure to the Emperor William, and allowing him to control the disclosure. It is improbable that any person outside of the medical faculty will be supplied with lymph until several months have elapsed. It is understood Sir Edward Cecil Guinness, of Arthur Guinness and Co., becomes a partner in the new firm of Baring Bros. Mr T. C. Baring, M.P., who is President of the new-formed Company, places thn whole of his for tune at its credit. Since the particu lars of the guarantee and ; reconstruc tion have been made known an amaz ing reaction has set in, and prices of colonial stocks have risen to 1. Berlin, November 22. It is impossible to procure consump tive lymph, as Dr Koch retains the secret in order to prevent ignorant doctors from misusing it. He is con fident his method will cure consump tive patients where the vital organs are intact. Twenty persons are under | treatment by Dr Koch, and fifteen ' show signs of recovering. It is pro bable that the lecture proposed to be i delivered by the discoverer explaining the method of treatment will be de ferred. The Hague, November 24, King William 111., of Holland, is dead. New York, November 24. 500 Sioux Indians are on the war path. Seven settlers have been mas sacred, and hundreds of others are flee ing from their homesteads in great alarm. .State troop* are being des patched to intercept the Indians. Rome, November 24. At the elections all the members of the Ministry have been re-elected, and a large majority in favor of the Go vernment is assured.

AUSTRALIAN.

Syonky, November 24. An hotel at the Haymarket, which was in course of demolition, collapsed to-night, and partially -wrecked an hotel opposite and the shop adjoining. So far as is at present known no one was fatally injured. Melbourne, November 24. The question of establishing a mail servict between li3re and Vancouver Island, via New Zealand, is engaging the attention of Mr J. G. Duffy, Post master-General,

INTERPROVINCIAL

Wellington, November 24. The French Consul M. De Lostalott De Bachous, left for the south by Mana pouri this evening, his intention being to spend several weeks in visiting the various settlements in the *ther Island, in order to make himself acquainted with the re quirements of any of his countrymen who may be located in them. * At an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Colonial Insurance Company this afternoon, a resolution of the Directors, recommending the sale of the Company's business to the Com mercial Union Assurance Company, of London, was adopted with only one dis sentient. The chairman of the Company made a long statement, showing the com pany had had a chequered career, and for four years previous to 1889 had not paid a dividend. Auckland, November 24. ' The capital of the Bay of Islands Coal Company has been reduced from £40;0001 to £4000 —a reduction of £9 per share. Mr Jackson Palmet has been nominated as a candidate for the Waitemate seat. A man named William Hutchison, a carpenter at Pakurangi^ recently from Chriatchurch, is missing.

Chrischurch Supreme Court.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

In the Supreme Court yesterday the Grand Jury returned true bills in all cases except Lily Ella Patten, for concealment of birth, and Alexander Cowan for man slaughter. John Williams and Albert Payne, charged with robbing a drunken man were acquitted. William Manders and Henry Ernest Perry were convicted of breaking into and stealing from Messrs : Lake's boot factory, and sentence * was ! deferred. Timothy Kelieher was found guilty of indecent assault and sentence was deferred. William Donniaon, found guilty of common assault, was sentenced to twelve months' hard, labour. There are two more cases to be disposed of. CHRisTCHtiRCHj November 25. At the Supreme Court Manders and Perry, for burglary, were sentenced to five years each; Timothy Kolleher, for indecent assault, twelve months. James Adams, captain of the ship America, was charged with shootingKarl Johanson with intent. The captain was threatened by the cook, named iStockall, who had a knife in his hand; The captain tired r pistol at the cook, and the bullet missed, and struck Johnson. The case is pro ceeding. I

In one family in New Zealand out of seven children the,re. are six deaf mutes,

CORRESPONDENCE.

fV rtn-m? "Ct h°ld ollrseives responsible for the opinions exposed by our correspondents.)

THE LAND TAX.

TO THE EDITOIJ. , bIR'-lnoro seem* to mo to be. a :?rait ami of Misapprehension and misrepresen tation on the abovo-namod subject and I venture to ask your indolence Jf^ « pae o ir >our valuable lonrnaWqr th« purpose of showm? how the Lund tax would affect t.ie small farmer and oohers.. JW of all theland should be-cHssifiot!'a&Sung to quality and position, varying from the poorest to best, according to "its produc tive power, its proximity to railway sta tions, towns, etc. ' We are told that a Land tax would be crushing m its operation on the small .<irmer. Let us see how such a t»x would fr f"?nn We Wi" takp H ""Pie. • farm of 300 acres, fair'quality, distance, say, five miles from a town, the land being capable of producing 30 bushels of wheat to the acre. Such » property would, I pre »K' fßJ?l?ed' wiLh Rll improvements, !™ n f £15, Per *»«—total £4500. The amonnt payable under the Prouerfcv tax tax on £4000 i 8 £l 6 ™* H f° U. fc £7 Per a Cl .e- a t any rate the valuation would be quite high enough for taxation on the property in the M«?Wfl )Uu d£l32s6d ' asa Bainst the £16 13s 4d to be paid under the Pro perty tax fio that instead of being crushed, as the advocates of the Property tax, m there wouki be a saving of from 20 to 40 Pf r CiT'i Tof oP»ion that the Tax should be graduated because the owner of hrst-class land can afford to pay a larger tax hail the owner ol poor I^, and should pay proportionately. Thetfictmusb not be lost sight of that those who advo cate the Land Tax also advocate the im position of an Income' Tax, so that all those who do not possess land should contribute to the revenue from ' their incomes. It h also proposed to tax all land, no exemption whatever, the 5 town lands contributing their share as well as the country lands.. . This shows the fallacy of the statement that to impose a Land lax would mean Wing the country and allowing the town to; escape. We have been told that there is no reliable basis to be got, on which, to fix a Land Tax, and that the amount no* obtained from the Property Tar could not be raised by a Land Tax. I think, sir, the figures you gave m the article published in your evening journal on, Sstuwlay last, show* very conclusively that there is as. good a basis for the Land Tax as, thp Property Tax, and that by such a graduated Land Tax, sb least an equal, if not larger amount, could be obtained, and would be much more fairly adjusted to the ability to pay on the part of the taxpayer. Sir, Harry Atkinson gave the unimproved value of the taxable land* of the colony a £42,000,000. An average of 10 per cent on this imount would give a revenue of £420,000, which average would not be a very oppressive tax to pay as against the £350,000. now ob tained from the Property Tax. This shows that the amount raised by the Property Tax could be raised under a Land Tax and not crush anybody, but the large land owners would have to pay their fair share toward the revenue, it being manifest that under the existing state of things they do not. It should be borne in mind that most advocates of the jLand Tax are freetraders, and do not wint to tax the land and keep up the present high protective tariff. The imposition of n Land and Income Tax would enable the customs duties to bo considerably lowered so that they would not press unduly as they now do upon the poorer classes who cannot afford ta pay them feeling. I have already trespassed too far upon your space and thanking you for name.-4-1 am, etc., Lano Tax.

REPLY TO MR WRIGHT.

1 TO THE EDITOR. Dear Sir, —I happen to know, the history of .the story that reached Mr Wright, and if he will go back to the second person from his yiformant,. he will find, if it docs not turn out to be " some thing as black, sir, as a crow, " at any rate, it was not one of Mr Sawle's sup* porters who said that he M'ts " interested financially in the liquor traffic." I trunt Mr Wright will tako the trouble to enquire, and have the magnanimity to acknowledge his error.—l am, etc, Onk of Mr Sawlb's Supported. 25tt November, 1890. ;

THE ELECTRIONS.

MR WALKER AT WESTERFIELD.

On Saturday last Mr W. C Walker ad dressed a meeting of about 30 at Weeter field, Mr Mawson presiding, and on the motion of Mr Donald Oliver, seconded by Mr Ross, was accorded a hearty, vote of thanks and confidence.

MR WALKER AT LISMORE.

Mr Walker addressed a meeting of elec tors afc Lismorc on Monday evening. There was a fair attendance ; Mr Burr in the chair. Mr Walker, who was well received, spoke for about an hour, and 'received a vote of thanks and confidence on'the motion "of Mr J. Walker, seconded by Mr Bell, and carried without dissent. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. Mr Walker speaks at the Hinds to night (Tuesday).

MR SAWLE AT GREENSTREET.

Mr J. W. Stwle addressed the electors at Greenstreet last evening. There was about 50 persons present, and Mr John Knox was voted to the chair. Mr Sairle in his address advocated a Land and In come Tax, and advocated an amendment in the Licensing Act. He also said that, rather than see the primary schools crippled, he would be in favour of taking the endowment of the High schools to assist the primary school. Mr Sawle, who spoke for one hour and a half, resumed his seat {imid applause. Several questions were put and answered, apparently satis factorily. Mr Anderson moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Sawle for hjs, ad dress, which was carried unanimouslyl, A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to a close. ' '' Si

WBLUxotow,: November 24. Messrs JohnDuthie, William McLean, and Georee Fisher* were to-day nominated for Wellington city. . ' Auckland, November 24. The United Labor election Committee met to-night and approved of Mr J. M. Shcra as a labor candidate in place of Sir George Grey for thie Auckland City pseat. The labor candidates for that seat: will therefore be Messrs W.L.Rees, W. J. Napier, and J. M. Shera. CHKisTCfItfRCH, November 25. Mr G. G. Stead (Avon) and Mr BoJles ton (Halswell) have been nominated. Haweka, November 25. Sir H. Atkinson was nominated for Egmont to-day.  , ; Timaev, November 25. Mr J. M. Twomev and Mr $. 5\ Smithson has been nominated for Timarti. Wellington, November 25. Messrs Macarrhur and Arkmighfc hairte been nominated for Rangitikei. Wangakui, November 25. Messrs George Hutchiion and Rober

THE ASHBURTON (HIABDIAN, TUESDAY, NOYEMBEB 25, 1890.



PROPERTY SALES. On Saturday, November 22, I offered by auction a number of town sections, but biddings not reaching owners' limits none were sold, but since I have disposed of them privately as follows :—T.Ss. 369, 370, 371, each containing £ acre, Dobson street, at £10 each ; 63, containing \ acre, Kermode street, £10 ; 66, 68, 70, each '} acre, Moore street West, £10 each. I have also disposed of Lot 36, containing 1 rood 39 perches, E» B t Belt, with two



Mr Mitchelson, the acting Premier, in his address to the electors of Eden, said:-—" He believed the day would come when they would have to have a perpetual lease system without the right to purchase the freehold, and the time was fast approaching when they would not sell any more Crown lands for cash. It would not be long before, from the enormous revenue they would derive from the rental of these la»ds, they would be enabled to (very largely "reduce their taxa tion. At present he could see no hope of largely reducing taxation except by the means he had just indicated." The " Auck land Herald" is horrified at this and ex claims :—"Why, this is almost land nationali sation, an(J Mr Mitohelson had better at once jpii\ the La»d Rationalisation Society." HOPE FOR THE DEAF. 4 Person cured of deafness and noises O. in the Head of long standing, by a simple Remedy, will be glad to forward a description of it free to anyone who applies. The most as tqnisliing cures have lately been effected by the same remedy. Address:' Nicholson, 175 William Street, Mcl bourne, I



THE GENERAL ELECTION, A Swe have now given full reports of l\. the first speeches of each candi date, all following speeches which it is desired should be also reported in extenso must be arranged for at the office.



WANTED 1 CASH Advertisementte under this headine not exceedin SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be __ left at this Office \ MERICAN Ice Cream !~"Amenca"n . tx. Ice Cream daily nt H. G. Flower's, Confectioner. Ice kept in stock. PRELIMINARY Announcement* — l^ Wesleyan Church Cake and Apron Frtir, Old Town Hall, Friday and Satur day before Christmas 11 141 NTED "Known—The "Stroll wear " Boot is the best for Men, adies and Children.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known -Ladies Stockings with Silk Toes and Heels ,in black and colors. Is 6d per pair.—W. H. Collier. BOOTS, BOOTH. "Keep you,, feel Dry and savo Doctor's Bills, have a splendid Stock in now. Try iiiy Double-soled^ Shooters. Every ]Mr Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashinife ton Clothin? Mart, Saunders' Buildinc^.tJ * ITANTEDICnown. - ForDiess^Stui^', VV Prints, &c., Trimmings to match go to Melford House. Best value m town.—H. C Segers. ANTED Known —For Sheetings Tablings, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels, I Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleys, &c, go to Melford House.—H. C. Seoers. WANTED every man in the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorx, Ashburton Clobhinsj Mart, Saunder's Buildings. ANTED Known.—For first-class Millinery and Drapery (marked cheap) go to Melford House. New Goods v t opened.— H.C. Seoers. ANTED Known—The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashburton, is at W. F. Ha.nstaford'3, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin andiron ware goods made and repaired with des patoh. BTE?'HTN;snE^TB MARKET HOUSE. order to be enabled to solicit the yours of Stationholders and Farmers, we have just added to our stock POWDERED & LUMP RADDLE, RED, BLUE, & BLACK BRANDING OILS, RAW & BOILED OILS, TURKEY OIL STONES, LAMPBLACK, Etc. —ALSO THE NOTED— 8.8.A. HEEP SHE RS So well known, and admitted by all experienced shearers to be the best. We have also replenished our stocks ih Watches, Clocks, Pocket Knives, Tabl« Cutlery, Spoons, Pannikins, Billies, Kettles, Pots, Pans, Crockery, Straps, etc All Orders by Post or otherwise promptly despatched. Satisfaction is our motto. STEPHENS BROS MARKET HOUSE ASHBURTON ASHBURTON COAL & FIREW(X)T> DEPOT. E S. BEAN Has secured some of the celebrated KAITANGATA AND SHAG POINT COALS Cheaper and cleaner than Newcastle ~~R. S. BEAN, 104 West Street. Andrew Black WATCHMAKER, JEWELLER, ETC., Prospect Xfuildiiig-H, HAS started business} in the above premises and all repairs intrusted to him will be promptly and thoroughly executed at moderate prices. Watches Cleaned and Examined OS New Mainsprings fitted A S All other repairs equally cheap. A NDREW "Q LACK Holds Bronze X3.NDREW JDLACK Medal for a, WATCH made by himself and ex hibited at PEOPLES PALACE EXHIBITION, LONDON. __^ WOOL SHIP FOB LONDON. JjjSjt mHE MAGNIFICENT JpfflH^ IRON SHIP "CARBET CASTLE," 1585 Tons Register, 100 Al, Will be despatched from Lyttelton for LONDON DIRECT, about the middle cf. December. Cargo carried at lowest current rates. Early application for space is neces sary. For further particulars as to rate of freight, etc., apply to 11 134 FRIEDLANDER BROS. OK ANTERBttRY IMPORTING COMPANY HAVE opened up * large supply of Seasonable Goods in those central premises in East Street, formerly occu pied by Mrs John Ranger (next Brooke, chemist) where they will Sell for Cash Cheaper than any house in Ashburton, Groceries and Teas Of all descriptions,' and guaranteed only of the very best brands and qualities will be kept in stock, and every chance taken by purchnsr ing in the best markets and for CASH to break the record for quality and lowness of price. GLASS OECHSTA. EARTHENWARE For all household purposes in great I variety and lowest qwo.totjUmjs. Note the address— CI.C. MAst mimuf,



Win. SPARROW •TAILOR , AMI. MEN'S MERGER. EAST BTRF.RT. Spring and Summer, 1890. TRY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOEY FOR Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, Boys' and Youths' Colonial TWEED SUITS. HATS.—We keep th 6 Largest and Best Selection. Hats made to measure. SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Best workmanship put in every garment, nd a perfect lit guaranteed. Large Selection of Boys' Knicker Suits. Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces, &c, in Latest Fashion i»nd Style. Best Valvz tor Cash in District NEW Z E A I A N D CLOTHING FACTORY Agent for the Wonderful Wertheim Machines W. H WEBBER Manager jni TOO A PER DAY to be cC/ I TT made by persons of either sex, in their own localities, at work f»r us. New business. All meet with wonderful succenf. Any one can do the work. You don't need capital, or about the same m none. Wo will start you. No space to explain here. But you can make siius little fortune honorably and easy. .The employment is particularly npapted to the region in which this publication 3ircul»ke». Boy« and «*irl» earn nearly as much as men. Full particulars and in struction» mailed free. Now is che time —don't, delay, but writ-! tr, u» at once. STIJfhON and Co. Portland Maine, United States. •ATEW T3OOKS, BOYS' and GIRLS' OWN ANNUALS, NEW MUSIC. STATIONERY and FANCY GOODS, CHRISTMAS and NEW YT< AR'S CARDS of New Zealand Scenery. L. F. ANDREWES &, Co. O" DDFELLOWS 5 O"ALL, " j DDFELLOWS' JLILALL, j Tuesday AND Wednesday NOVEMBER 25th and 26th. AMATEUR OPERA, ''PATIENCE" Admission : 4s, 3s, and 2s. Box Plan at W. Zander's for Reserved Seats.' . .jf b. —The Committee of this Opera, having gone to an expense of £100 in order I o produce it in a thoroughly efficient manner, trust to merit the support of the country and town residents. SOMERSET LIVERY STABLES. J OHN NEWMAN, Propeietok. rFHESE old established and favorite JL central Livery Stables are now in my hands, and it will be my constant effort to again bring their business into the front rank, and make these stables what their position »nd accommodation THE^PReUiER LIVERY STABLES •f the Ashburton County. Bug«ics, Traps, Saddle Horses, etc., al ways on hire, with skilful drivers ready at the shortest notice. Open or Close Carriages for Wedding or other parties. Cabs at uny hour, day or night. LOOSE BOXES for stallions and raca horses. Country customers are guaran teed every accommodation at the lowest, current rates JOHN NEWMAN, Proprietoa. IiUITS YcTMEASURB rPHE- largest Stock of .JL TWKEDS ever shown in Ashburton to choo k se from. QUALITY" AND ?IT GUARANTEED Cotn» am? »«« tne Price*' ASHBURTOti CLOTHING MART. I 3AUNDERB BUILDINGS R. ALGORN