The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1890. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Weather prophets at Wellington are pro ' dieting a dry summer, and if so, a w.itcr famine is feared. A duty of fonrpnnce per pound was im posed by tho New Zealand Parliament la«t cession on olive stones, largely used m tho adulterat-iou of pepper. According to the Property-tax Conimis ■siomsr's returns the value; of real and pers onal property iii Kew Zealand owned by absentees is £8,058,093. Four Japanese journalists have recently been sentenced to four year's imprisonment for publishing matter 'disrespectful to the memory of the Emperor Jimnvi, who was gathered to his fathers nearly 3030 years ago. There are 299 private schools -m fcha colony, attended by 13,853 scholars, and employing 723 teachers. Included m the foregoing there are 96 Ronrm Utiiohc j schools, attended by 9024 scholars of both sexes. An error crept into a paragraph published m our last issue m reference to the Wesleyan Home Mission meeting held at Wa-erton on Tuesday evening last. The amount col lected m aid of the fund was £1 6s lOld, and not £1 4s 10J,d as published. There exists to this day several rare medals which bear the head of Napoleon and pur port to have been struck at London m the year 1803, but which were really prepared by the Paris Mint iv.anticipation of the con quest of England. "I wish to say to the congregation, said a minister, "that the pulpit is not responsible for the error of the printer on the tickets for the concert m the Sunday schoolroom. The concert is for the benefit of tho arch fund, nob the arch fiend. We will now sing hymn six, ' To err is human, to forgive divine.'" Mr R. L. Stephenson, the well-known novelist, was nearly losing £4000 worth of manuscripts lately, owing to a fire breaking out on the boat m which he was travelling, but the fatality to the precious dojuments. was averted by the timely intervention of Mrs Stephenson, who Sprang forward and grasped the burning box just us it was about to be hurled into the deep blue sea. Miss Marianne North, the accomplished traveller, botanist, and artist, has just succumbed to a painful illness brought on by her last Tisit to South Atr erica. She made } a prolonged tour m New Zealand and Aus tralia a, few years ago, and painted many pictures from nature. On returning to England she presented the result of tier artistic skill to the British nation, and her fine collection is now housed Li the Botanic Picture Gallery at Kcw Gardens. Another cheap and simple fuel discovery is announced m Germany, which possesses ad vantages that will tend to bring it into universal use. The process, which has been patented at Munich, Bavaria, convort3 turf into a firm and highly combustible material resembling anthracite coal, and "burning without smoke or odour. Through a success ful combination of oft-triqd processes, the the cost of production has been brought dov. n to a point that will admit of a patent turf entering into competition with coal. During the year ending 1889 204 persons under the age of twenty-one years were received into the New Zealand prisons. Iho nationality of these offenders is given m a Government return as:—New Zealanders, 190; English, 01 ; Scotch, 10 ; and Irish, lo ; and the remainder foreigners. The respec tive religious beliefs profowod were : Oimr jli of England, 120 ; Roman Catholic, 70 ; Pres byterian, 44 ; Wttsleyans .and Methodists, 21; Freethinkers, 10; Baptists, 9; Salva- j tionists, 2 ; Lutheriau, 2 ; Jewish, 1. In Brittany a curious matrimonhl custom prevails. On certain feto days the young ladies appear m red petticoats, with while or yellow borders around them. lac number, of borders denotes the portion the father is'willing to give hi* daughter, .ftacli white band, represwting silver, denotes lOUir a year. Thus, a young man who sees a face that please 3 him, has only to glnnce ...at the. trimmings of the petticoats to learn wnat amount accompanies the wearer. It is not a little curious m thene days of newspaper enterprise, to find th;it ojily one London journal was enable! to publish original talegrams of the outbreik, jrog.-j?.?, and crushing of the revolution at Buenos Ayres. The Times had a monopoly ot the news, and its first and second ilcspatdies where sent over the wire at a coi^ ot .tiU>J for the tsvo day?. This is really what tn<? Americans call a " beab." But the "lin s scored again tho same weak over the Kus aian edict against the Jews. The story which the "Daily Telegraph' published was fuller, perhaps, but it came some, days after the " Times " account, and so fell ilatter than it would otherw'se have done: , The paper-making material of the future is to be banana fibre, so says the " South American Journal," It is stated that the banana leaves contain a greater quantity of pure fibre then any other of the vegetable products now used. During the first 12 months of its vegetation the banana produces only ft single bunch of fruit, after which it dies; but from its roots four to ten young plants spring up. The plant is easy of culti vation, and the value of its by-products has Ion" been recognised by the natives of the countries where it grows.. The case m its favour as a raw material is not very clearly set forth, and there is even room for question ing the ability of the paragraph writer to give an authoritative opinion. Some curious instances are occasionally recorded of the inconvenience arising through persons from abroad bringing notes of foreign banks into (this colony. We have just been informed oif a fiase which occured m this district, m which *# jmpetuous stranger, unable to secure gold frow.fche Ipoal banks for Bank of South Australia note*; (of which there is no branch m the district) patted with £180 worth of them at 18s each. The lucky purchaser m this case cleared £1G or £17 by the transaction, after pay ing all bank charts, Ul another case it is said a lauy brought to <31«i»tohurch £1400 m Bank of England notes, a«A «h applying to one of the banks for gold hi cx«ij.a*j«e for them was informed that 5 por cent, would fop deducted, a3 the bank was not doing business f.n the colony and had no branches. Needluas te, si«r the lady made other arrangements, opening an account at another bank, and de positing cfoe 8,0te3 to her credit. A misslonaty footing was held at Willowby last evening fe.' the Wesleyan Church. There was a good nAjUnjJance of ra«nbcrs of the congregation. Atr M- 4? ---. Toms i»wsided, and the meeting was ad dressed fey 4fc# Kcvs Bunn, Buttle, Gray, Messrs Hardwg, tfbapman. and the Ohair nrn»l. The choir i-cu<lei><4 j^vcral selections durittg the evening. Tho »u« .of PJ» o*d was Bulwwrjbed m aid of the Home *i^sion fnttd,|beiiig on increase of 30 per cent oyer last yew. The s,er.vioes m connection with tlie ftpntoaeliing anniversary «*{ the Wesleyan qActa? SslMWli which sire t.« ha held on ,Suud iV I*2S*» Wf> expected to bs of special interest The sfegfttg. which is always a prominent feature, promises fe be attractive. The choir a*4 ? tra avill number 130 to 200 performers, P« n«W children of the school. Mr Gamble, dww ina»ter, has had these m training for some weeta, md a high degree of proficiency has been rea*«l The Rev R. Taylor, from Christehnrch, conduct servicea—mom i.K' afternoon. an« *v#ninff. On Tuesday t\w n«uftl ten, mectJiig «4U J?e held, and ther«*£tcr a children's sacred euu^t Wlil be given. " Hollow ay's Otntmknt and Pw&- C'.-w».wl for tii© disUdaw, -Those to whom the changeable temperature p a .protracted »Tiod of trial should seek 4foe***lwt oppor tnnifcv f)f amoving all obstacles t* good lioaUn. The ca<i\\m ointment, pera-jvermgly Wiilwd upmi tb« M*i* the mont rohaWe re-nedv tor overcoming rfl iliseises of the fhrtrtbmilitoeßt, Quinscy, r«Uypd tonsns, mm tWx.. awdfefl gland*, ordinary •sjarrh, nnd bmndritis, iwwtHy prevsuhng fit tl«« aenawvmav I>e Mi-esterf^V/on as and «™ir Wtomtawho* by Holloway 8 ! simple «».T effective treatment. l»u« o!n* incnt aiifl pilbwo W?hlycoijimeßde«lfoi the f ; -;l:tr with which they sucoaesfully contend with influenza: they alky hi an incredibly j abort time tha diatpOTfling fever and teasiug ( icough

Mr 0. W. Ptirnelt will address the electors at the Oddfellows' H»U on Tuesday evening next, 28th inst. The Timaru Gas Company, owing to tli* rise m the price of coal, have raised the price of gas Tby refusing to allow the usual discount of 10a per 1003 feet on prompt pay ment of accounts. The Chrißtchurch City Council has re volver! to ask the Mayor to proclaim Tuesday next (Labor Demonstration Day) as a public holiday. The Mayor had previously refused to make the proclamation, nn it was not the deaii'e of the citizens. A mooting of shareholders m the Colonial Insurance Company will be held m Welling ton on November 24th to consider the pro posals to sell the assets and business of the; Company at 10s per share, and that the first named Company be wound up voluntarily. George Hastie, of the firm of White and Co., was fined £3 and costfa at Dunedin yes terday for selling.adulterated pepper. Pro fessor Black, ana'yst, stated that one sample of black pepper submitted to him contained 20 per cent of foreigh matter. Several other oases have besn adjourned. Mails for Suva, direct per Ohau, close at Auckland on Saturday, 25th inst., at 11 a.m., also for Friendly Islands, Samoa,, Tahiti.alul Raratonga, via Russell, per Richmond, on Monday, 27th inst., at 5 p.m. Mails per Wainu'i and Taupo will close at Ashlmrton on Friday, 24th, at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. respec tively Before Mr Alfred Harrison, J.P., this morning, James Johnstone, farmer, Ashbar-' ton Forks, was charged with the larceny of a dray, the property of James McCrenor, Methven. Accused, for whom Mr Cuthbert son appeared, was remanded till Thursday next, bail being allowed —himself m L2O and; one surety of L2O. * Mr James Brown addressed a well-attended' meeting of the Ashburton electors at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. His Worship the Mayor (Mr 1). Thomas) occupied the chair. Mr Brown was listened to most attentively during the course of a very lengthy address, m which each subject touched upon was dealt with exhaustively. At the conclusion o? the address a number of questions were as'ced and answered, and a unanimous rote of thanks was accorded to the candidate and chairman. A report of the meeting appears elseniieie. The Druids held their iwual Lodge meet ing on Monday evening last, Bro T. Wall, A.D., presiding. One new member was initiated and another proposed. The Com mittee on "Ashore and Afloat" reported that everything m connection with the drama was working very satisfactorily, but there were, unfortunately, so many counter attractions near the data of the performance that they would like it delayed for a fort night. The Committee also wished it known that. both.nights are entirely for the benefit of the widow am' children of the late Bro Keelcy. The Lodge left the alteration of dates to the Committee, who have resolved to postpone it for a fortnight later. Other business of the Lodge was concluded, and he meeting closed tvs usual. Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE m the world is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc. ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—" 24th April, ,1885 -i- Messrs Sander and Sons,—lt is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflammation of the bone of the let*, which came on after a severe «ttack of low fever, I avos attended by Dr J. Boyd, %rho had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but without success. He 'iound it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard m the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to fe3l greatly relieved. After applying the extract every four hours for nine or ten days it, was out of all diugav. I would persuade all who may be effected with any such disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a trial aiul I am' convinced that they will find it ■the most: wonderful of medicines.—Yours, etc., E. J. Citkxow, Wattle street, Sand huvst.--(AdvU 5

Labor Questions

j [ran pbbss association.] Vienna, October 22. The tramway employees who struck £or an increase of wages have resumed work, the Directors of th> Company having, m a slight iogve?., conceded the demands of the men. Loxnox, October 23. Murphy cables to Maun—" Strenu ous efforts to crush us. Don't yield. Certain ultimate success." The dockers m consequence are making in creased effors to afftord assistance Svdnky, October 23. The strikers tore up the private rail way line hading to the Bui lam hi col liery, doing damage to the extent of £120, The telegraph line was also cut, and a portion o£ the Government railway Was damaged. The owner of the colliery has now an armed force of free laborers.-

The representatives from the capitalists and the labor party m Ohristchurch are still hoping to bring about a settlement of the present difficulty. Mr P. Brown, who returned from Dunodin by the express l ustnii;hfc, broiightwithhimauthoritytoacb i foy large body of the Unionists thei'e. Though at the present stage nothing definite has come to light as to the doings of the Conference, there seems every probability that m a few days a settlement will be arrived at. GRimiouTH, October 23. There is every prospect of the coal fleers' strike hero being settled m a few days. Overtures are being made to the Grey Valley Coal Company i)jr some of the leading i.-iners at Brumier. The offer is not .strictly official, but is expected to be endorsed by the majority of the miners. In consequence, Mr Kennedy has agreed not to enaago more men outside the !' district until the terms are finally settled, the nfeii being given till Monday to finally decide, it a jjpfctj.cmenfc is arranged,. it will bo on a Imi.n equivalent |o tfye rates ruli'-g m March la t. In no casa wilHhe Company desert engaged non-Unionists. The men seem to prefer to work on a k) mage rate, but there will practically be lyo difference m the rates of pay. Dunemn, October 23. The Board of tjje Typographical Asso ciation has passed tho following resolu tion : —«« That this Board has no sympathy with the resolutions recently passed % the Wellington branch m reference to the preH&n*; position of Unignism, believing the said resolutions do'not express the opinions pf the njajority #f the men^ber^ pf the New Zealand Typographioal Associa-

Latest Telegrams

(JEteceivcd October 24, l&4fl a.m.) SynyKY, October 24. In addition to the damage done to the line of railway leading jfco the Bullambi colliery, a large number of trucks were set free on a steep tramway incline, and owing to being wedged, itfip trucks were thrown over the em 'fyawkweijit $.#4 completely demolished ' XjiXiftyn, October 24. The Marine Engineers h^e decided to take Ho further action m respee£ $o U^f refusal to sail with non-Unionist? Wle3S*fe« iwjaployere granted a Con ference. .  . CHRBTCHUpC'H, October ?4- , ■TJ?e Unionist book-binders of Wl# : .conrbe u#d Tombs Company, who we'^t| out on jstrike eight/ waeks ago, applied yesterday individually to b,e reinstated. Xty required tobeengagad unconditionally. f^hey started work'-t'uV morning. Slumber of vacancies had already beep jflermftnenily filled*

THE ELECTIONS.

MR JAMES 35110W1* AT 'ME OBD- I FEiiLows 1 Hall.

Last night Mr James Brown, of Nether by, Wakanui, one of ths candidatoa for the Ashburton seat m the House of Representatives, addressed'the electors'in fcho Oddfellows' Hall. Quito 300 ptrojilo were m the hall, and beyond a runri'ihg ■ commentary on. the speech, kept up by an enthusiastic Irishman, Mr Brown tint an excellent heaving. The Irish gentle man, at the reqaost of the Mayor, became leys and le.vs irnqtient m his verbal annotations, and finally ce«v.ed altogether. Mt Brown »poke for an houfc and ten. minutes, arid vrax frequently applauded. The Mayor, m «. few words, introduced fcho candidate, and bespoke for him a fain hearing. INTKODTJCTqET. Mr Brown began by explaining his coming before the electors of, Ashburton ws a candidate. H» wished them to understand that he did so entirely on his own responsibility. Some time ago,; "the man m the street" told him he] might expect to receive a requisition ask-' ing him to stand as a candidate., quently he Srivr m the public prinbsthat a j requisition was m course of signature.; He knew that those signing such: a .re quisition must be somewhat iii the dark as to his political opinions, aud it struck him that the best thing for him to do was to'announce himself at once—to stand 1 erect on a platform of his own construc tion, and leave his friends at perfect liberty to vote for him or not. For at that ;ime lie had seen several political platforms m the papers, bub he had to say that he could 1 not endorse every -plank, and therefore felt quite unfit -p> .defend them. THK OTHER CANDIDATES. Now, with regard to his opponents. He wished to say that they were gentlemen for whom he had the very highest respect; gentlemen whom, m all his dealings with them, he had always found courteous and obliging; but their political views were not "his views and Mr Brown belwved they were not the views of the majority of those then hearing him. • . 1 TIIE PUBLIC ACCOUXT3, He did not intend to trouble them; much with figures, and he would leavo m abeyance the question as to whether there j had been a surplus as claimed by the Colonial Treasurer ; or that the expen diture was £450,000 more than the re venue, as stated by the member for, Lincoln (Mr Saunders.) The financial debate showed a great diversiiy of opinion; as to the public accounts, and plainly "in-; dicated the need for the accounts being, presented m a simpler form, so that any one might understand them. ■ PABTY GOVERNMENT. Ono of the first questions that should' receive the attention of the new P)irli;i ment should be that, of party govern ment, for never before hud the evils of that fbttn ofj|governmerifc been I» night so prominently before the public as during the existence of the Parliament that had just ceased. Dr Hodgkinson moved last session for a Committee to enquire into the matter, and report m a fortnight. The motion was lo.st by a majority of two, but the debate was a very instructive one and well worth careful perusal. The Dr. traced the history of Government from the early days, and showed that party government, such as we knew it, Wis little more than 100 years old, and that m America and other countries^, party government did not exist. Major Steward followed with a very able speech m favor of the motion, and gave theHoiwj this extract, which pretty well sum ■sup the evils of party government:—"Life long allegiance and subordination to a party, or'to a chief, mean, to the think ivi" man, lifelong intellectual enslavement, for the thoughts of man are diverse. ■ It is impossible to conceive of a man, not being a drone or a half wittcd nonentity^ who can find himself m itecorfl with tli<j views of any narty or chief whosoever on all points. "There must be some different planks m his platform. Political prin ciple under the party system comes to mean political dishonesty. Smothered insubordination and half-hearted political action are the inevitable produce* of this accur-e'l legacy of party Government. Our present system of Government is eating into the very marrow of pur national life ; it is making all men think with the cynic that the very words patriotism, honour, truth, earnestness and the like, should be relegated to a glossary of obsolete phrases." These were the charges against party govern ment, aivl he was afraid they were too true. He thought it wai a pity that the House did not see its way; to appoint the Committee. It appeared to him the present state of party warfare could not be permitted to continue, and that fchs Standing Orders would have to be amended, limiting the time that a member should be allowed to occupy-the attention of the Hou.se. , LAND SETTLEMENT, The settlement of the land had occupied a great deal of attention during the; past fewyears, and had been the subjectiqf mqny., attacks on the present Minister of Lands, by that section of the press which gave its support to the Opposition. He was of opinion that the existing land laws were the best the colony had ever had, and that m their administration Mb Richard son had shown very considerable energy and ability. He had been the best abused man m the Ministry, and the least diaerving of it. When Mr Ballanee addressed the electors at Wanganui he m [ ( \ ;__" With regard to Crown lands, the people have now no opportunity of getting land suitable for farms. They can got ifc in''blocks of 3QQQ aqrea, but not m sections of 200 or 300 acres." Mr Ballance's statment was not correct, for within the county of Ashburton any sized section from 22 acres up to 640 acres could be obtained, and on any of the three systems of purchase. Mi- Brown went on to say he had himself been land hunting m the North Island, and bad (jarred his swiig over the Tararua Range'; he had also been over some of the rough country on the Waitotara river. He could certify that every one he had come m contact with was most obliging. There were guides to show the land, tents erected for the selectors to sleep m, and provisions at cost pitice. ■ That)'wan m the August of last year.' He was an eyewitness to the drawing m Wellington, where, he. was an unsuccessful applicant, and he could testify that every thing apneared to be dxme with the greatest fairness and quite >boveboard. As fox . f pUSfMYISM," he believed there was a good deal of that sort of thing. A man wanted a section for himself iand family, and instead of putting'in his own name singly, he put m the name of- each member of the family, for ifc was a matter of no consequence which one of them got After a)! the ravjng of a certain class of men about the mal-admiriistmti'on of t'h\e. land laws, what did the Committee on Dummyism report I Why, after a most searching enquiry, going as far back as 1884, " that it is the duty of the Government to take steps to enforce the law, and refcommend that offenders against whom a charge. will lie, be 4>j!^3«uted,c...with a view, to putting a stop to the iik<* nrqefcices m the future. 1' They did not rcoominoud 4ny alteration m the law. The great obstacle to thjj settlement of the lands was the want of road.s. He was m favor of the Govern ment opening up the Crown lands byi i'lie formation 1' oi roaju roads:, settlement could ntJt ' progress otherwise. They ought to encourage the industries that pay the nations debt. There was now no loan money coming m, and wo had to find , frojn op exported produce. £3,250,000 to

pay •Mr London interest—that was the millstone that hung around the necks of the New Zealand people. He was. most decidedly against borrowing any more money. But how were they to got' the money to open up the Crown Lands ? Were they to allow their people to leave the colony for want of employment ? Hfc hoped not, He thought a lesson might: be taken from the people of the island of Guernsey, when a, Market .Hall Avas wanted." £4000 were required—men and material wore available, but the cash th<\y had not. The Governor signed and stamped £.l notes to the amount of £4000, and made those notes a legal tender throughout the island. The Hall' was built, and brought... them m £400 a yonr, with which they took up their notes to that amount yearly. In New Zetland Government might issue notes the same I way. The notes would be backed by the lands opened up. By this means every man might have work who was -willing-to work, bat it would have to be piece-work at fair value. The growing of grain, wool, and mutton must bo encouraged, and the output increased. Theso were the industries that wanted fostering, as all others m the colony depended upon them. LAND AND INCOME TAX. A great many people desired that a land and income tax should immediately take the place of the property tax. He could not support the proposition. In theory, nothing could be fairer than an income tax. Practically, nothing would be more outrageous m a country like New/Zea land. He would like to know what were the incomes that were to be taxed. Was a farmer's land to be taxed as Avell as the income derived from it ? Was the mortgagee who owned three-fourths of a farm to be taxed on his income ? If so, then the .farmer would have to pay it, for the mortgagee would raise the interest. But-how was the amount Of a person's income to he got at 1 Mark Twain's little story called "A Mysterious Visit" was instructive on this question, and he would adVise them to read it. A land tax would have a great many advantages over an in come tax for this reason- it was a fixed quantity and could not be hid. It could not be sent over to Australia about; the Ist of October overy third year. The rogue w«juld be cornered : he would have to pay liia fait, share with the honest man. But it would be a class tax, and would fall entirely on the owners of the land. It would be equal to the state aaying to every hndlord, •■liamtmfl over part of yonr rents every year," Considering row the most of the people of New Zealand had acquired their land, such a tax could not be defended on principle. He thought it was aCpity that the Crown lands had ; not been sold subject to a land tax, say, on the selling value; exempting the farmer's improvements, but including the value diven by railways, and the increase of population. Still, they had to make the best of things .as they found them. A land tax Avould allow about one-third of country property to escape taxation which was at present taxed, and about ono-half of town property, so that such a change would be greatly to the interest of the towns.. He was not m favor of that change at the present time, because it would increase taxation on the farming com munity. There was a law standing on our statute book called the " Deceased Estates Duties Act" which operated on a gradu ated scale, very nicely, and went upward ;by reasonable steps of £5030. It started 'at 2 nor cent, and rum up the whole of the figures to 10 per cent. It seemed to him t3 be a barbarous law, and one that ought to'be'repealed. Just fancy.a nun on "'his deathbed, surrounded by those dearest, to him, when m stops stealthily the " King of Terrors " and tikes th<s J maYs life, which is no sootier done than m comes the Colonial Treasurer and takes the deceased's purse. Yes, and he care fully counts the money, and puts every tenth sovereign m his pocket. But tha rich don't die every day, uni the poor do ; and some are glad to got away from this cold world. He would reneal that law, and put the duties on some' hing like the same scale on the same class of people while they are living. It would work nicely, and would bo better if put on landed property oily. A wealthy man by this msans might have the pleasure of seeing his rates from this source elucat ing the people, and cultivating the minds of those who would some day guide the destinies of this young country to .some thing higher than any of our legislators have yet pointed to. Some people may say that such would be a bursting-up tax. Perhaps it might, but he did not invent the graduated scale. It misrht be a bomb shell m the heart of a big estate, but it ..could only scatter it m fragments of about £5000 m value. It wouid kill nobody, and would make some of tht waste places of the earth more habitable. EDUCATION.. Above all other questions, that of edu cation deserved the careful attention if every person m the colony, When it was" considered that they all stood on the same footing—rich and poor, learned and ignorant, —as regarded political power, it would be seen that it was the imperative duty of the State to see that every child was well educated. If this were nob at tended to f the State coach of Bellamy's "Looking Backward" might come to grief, and those now on the top might have more need of salves and plasters than those below^ Education, it had been well said, was an insurance against anarchy. There were some people always loud m their praise of our national school system, who seemed to think, and had got many to believe, that the system was nearly perfect; but those people carefully avoided sending their own children to the primary public schools. They would have noticed that the State tried to turn th.c children out of the schools as a brick maker did his bricks out of a mould. It was a socialistic system, and did not re cognise the natural differences m indivi duals —how a boy may be clever m one thing, and a dolt m another. He would do nothing that would render the system less efficient ; but he would not be satis fied with that, he wanted to improve it. The law was badly administered by thfi Education Board ; the Board was partial to the large towns. It was extravagant m the way of salaries, but not to country teachers. It gave its Secretary £550 a year, and the two Inspectors £500 a year each, with an additional £100 a year each for travelling expenses. Those inspectors seemed to do what they liked, and were allowed to construe the Education Act to suit them selves. In his (Mr Brown'-s) opinion they had reduced the standard of examination. A. boy now passing the sixth standard was not so well taught as one who passe 1 the fifth a few years- ago. This kept up the per centage and made their work appear more favourable when compared with \ others. The results were not at all satisfactory. It could not well be other wise,'for there Nya's a whole, army in terested m bolstering up the system—each class for it own interest. He wanted the examinations conducted on some uniform principle throughout the colony, and not left.tq the. capr}qe of an individual in spector. The standards qught to ht> more elastic, so that a child should not be kept back because it happened to fail m one or two subjects of minor importance. Country schools wight to be empowered to impWt higher instruction than that given under ttie sixth standard, on payment of fees, and the limit of instruction to be given should be bounded only by the masters ability to teach, The Inspector ought to see to ail these. _ Further, the examination papers of the higher standards ought to be returned to £he Committees anil the masters should they wish to see them —the sun ought to shine on every thing- When Mr Walker .last addressed theni m !th» j hajl he expressed a sincere j hope th| '* the present admirable system

of education would not be interfered with; that if the people of'th^ colony got noth thing else for fcljiei/laviih expenditure of borrowed monaj^sjthey had gofc their edu cation system m full wbrkim; order, with the oorLainity iof Riving their children a good education." Ho might have added "by pnyinginducctly for it." He might als« havo to* d them that m Committee of Supply the Government proposed Unit £4 1>,000 be devoted to school buildings. The Minister pointed out how they had been neglecting -pchool buildings during the last two yeara, and, that it • would be the Worst 'economy to cufc.down the vote. Tho Minister al.°3<> told how m one place, a school wks'kepfc 1 m an iron, shanty.sp, lpw that JiO; could touch the roof with his hand, and iv another where the children were taught m ft shed on fine days and on bad days, of course, there wan no schooling. Mr Buxton pointed out how children were being neglected m the ivoHh Island, and voted, like a true liberal, for the whole, amount. Mr .Ballancp and the member, for Ashburton trwcHto reduce the vote by^ £10,000 and when they failed m that they fou&ht the ground''inch by inch and suc ceeded ill reducing the vote by £5000.; He 'might also have told them that every! child at the High Schools cost the country; £12 a head. Why should these schools be so well provided for and the primary; schools neglected. At the Asnburtori High School he-noticed that there werfl six children under ten years of age. He knp.w that the £12 per head 'djid not come out of the taxes —it cariie 'but of the revenue derived from educational ref serves, which belong as much to the poor man as to the rich. The PRIVATE SCHOOLS 81LL..../. was a measure which he heartily approved of. The principle of it was that if any number of people built a school, furnished ifc properly, and gave supli education as was required by the Education Act, aiid to the satisfaction of the inspectors, the State should pay. them £2 a head on the average attendance ; but no school that had an average attendance of less than seventy -five -should be entitled to any grant from the State. Every child at tha present time cost the country £4 a head at the primary schools. Now, if the taxpayers could got the same edncatioij for £2, surely it -woujd' be foolish t6 refuse to take it. That was the position, and it was so fair that he could not conceive why any^ reasonable man should object to, it.. But there were higher grounds on which he would support this Bill. He respected ;lhe \ religious con victions of his follow-nisil,tuicLrthoro were some , amongst them whose religious convictions debarred,them from sending their children to the national schools. The schools that would bo recognised under this Bill could only exist m large towns, and could m no manner injuriously interfere with, the 'State system. Then it was said that it would be denomi nationalism, and lead to the breaking up of tho secular system. ;' In k^s 'opinion there was nothing to feai\ If lie thought I so, he would not support it. But he would ask what was there abou| denominational schools that made people so afraid? They, existed;/ int-he Old Country, and were doing "ijust. as good work for a gront deal loss money. A Royal Commission was appointed by the I HouseofCommonstoenquireintjjthewhole j system of education, and they, l-epprted most favourably on denominational schools I and said : " There is no reason '.why. the i principle of voluntary schools, receiving annual aid from the ratoa, should not be extended, and rate aid -frivsn." Ha looked upon this Bill, if p:ifned, as likely to hare I a beneficial effect on, the .present system. There was.'a'Government stroke m higher life than pick and shovel work, arid these schools that would come under the Private Sc o'ols Bill, would show to the public what we oug" t to expect as the result of a year's teaching. LOCAL OPTION. He was m favour of what was known as "Local Oution"—tba*, is, to amend the licensing law iv suoh a manner as will give the people thn power, by ballot, to reduce the number of licensed, houses m their districts. Ho believed m local go/ornnnn 1:, and thought tho people should have the ■management of their own affairs as much as possible. At present the ratepayer.-! had the right to say whether they would have the number rif such houses increased or riot,' but, they should also havo the right to say whether their number should V>6 reduced or nob. He would, (rive every woman m the district a voice m this matter, for on being near to a public house, or far from one, depended the happiness "of many a;-home, the weal or woe of many a family. It had been said that to take away a Irian's license would be unjust, and that the licensee should be entitled to compensation. He hud looked through the Act, but could find no grounds on which compensation could be' claimed. The engagement was ffom' year to year, and there would be no breach of agree ment He might as well claim compensa tion from the public if they voted for another license being granted m the dis trict. If public opinion should change, and come to the conclusion that a certain house was not wanted m the neighbor hood, that was sufficient reason, as the law now stood, for refusing; to renew a license. But before he would close a house he,would give timely notice. He would give the people the power by ballot, and felt confident that it would make the publicans more careful how they con ducted their business. He thought local option would be to the interest of the pub lic, and more so if fewer publicans'licenses wore granted, and m their place New Zealand wine licences. . " Let us drink thejuioe of our own fruits, and keep the money m the country." Mr Fulton tried to have the licensing law amended last year, but failed. The member for Ash burton, the other night when m this hall, spoke on this matter and said that he could , not support Mr Fulton's motion on account of the assertions made m the preamble, the first of which was this— " Whei eas-sie enormous direct expendi ture on intoxicating liquors m this colony contributes largelyto the existing depres sion, adds materially to crime und poverty and reduces the capital available for re productive industries." Every thinking man knowing that the liquor Bill m 1888 was £2,000,000 would endorse that pre amble without hesitation. The motion to amend the law was oarrried by 36 against 26. Among the political associa tions there was a great cry for what they called RADICAL REFORM IN THE MANACMENT OF OUR RAILWAYS. He did not know what that meant, and was afraid the Commissioners were not popular. Many attacks had been made upon |Sir Harry for not engaging a rail way expert m the Old Country. He was : not m favour of bringing men from any I country to teach them how to attend to their own business. Our railways appeared to be very well conducted. Every one connected with them was civil and obliging, and their working had been remarkably free from accidents. That was what he called good management. He would like to see them tun ,more m the interest of the greit industries of the country. He .would have both freight and fares reduced considerably, and was of opinion chat such would be greatly to the benefit of all. More attention to farmers' wants during (.he grain season should be given that was given last year, arid every facility afforded for building grain sheds. Fares and freights should belimit4d by Parliament The Commissioners niade^ great mistake m connection with the dis missal of tho railway men ; those wfto, spoke at the public meeting. Men nrast be allowed to discuss their grievances, r'eaif or imaginary. To burke discussion isapra wajr|fco foster secret societies

Superfluous steam, rrusf; bo allowed to escape, or they might have.an,«xplpsion ■worse than that of Tarawera.'.- v ,:-, THE LABOR BILLS. The Sweating Commission h^d done good service to the couutry, and had ex posed the .serious hardships inflicted' on poor people by/keen competition amoncr unscrupulous man. Long hours ;uk| small pay—not sufficient to feed and clothe the workers, is the tale told..by industrious women. Boy v,w\ airt labor m excess.v with little regard to their health, and they not being taught .their trades as they should be, are common complaints. Sergeant Gamble said— 4< I,know a factory whore seven or night full grown men and b >ys are workii.s; m a room of about tr>n feet square, with, an iron roof sloping over their heiids less than nine feet high, and where the atmosphere when I was, m ib was like the sweating room m a Turkish brtth." Mr Brown went en to say he wpuld do his hesfctolmfe tho law amended in 1' the direction indicated by the Conimis-: sion. Cut-throat competition must be restricted. The worker was worthy of his hire, and that hirp . must be sufficient to feed and clothe. him, and make pro vision for old ag^. .. ;. . .>■■■'} ■ ■■v<r/ ' " FEDERATION. ..., .' -: ! Federation with the Australian Colonies had occupied the attention of . our legislators during the past year.; The general opinion m this-, colony; appeared to be against it. In that he differed from them. They seemed to look forward to a time whentlris country would be the Britain of the South—a nation by itself. They lost sight of the fact that nations will progress like indi viduals, to a higher civilisation. Unions of'slates and nations had ( stopped,,the petty wars cf oWen times, and we may hope by further federation to abolish the horrors df war and all its calamoities for: ever. He would strengthen the bonds of friendship m every ; possible 1, way. , lie thought a free interchange of commodities among th» Colonies would be to ' the interest of all. Federation would depend entirely on the terms of agreements, and ib w.is perhaps well to be cautious. But it would come whether ourpresent legislutor.3 likedit or not. Labor had already federated, though with little benefit; but it would profit by the experience. Federated labor was the power that would yet federate nations; not for the purposes of war, but for the cultivation of the arts of peace. We had learned that warj prompted by ambitious rulera, had been the curse of the earth, and had hung a heavy hui'den of debt on succeeding i generations, whereby one man had go toil that his more fortunate brother might be kept m idleness. . There was room for reform. Let unionism and federatioii flourish, not on the narrow basis of selfishness, but on the broad basis that leads to the brotherhood of men- through-; out the civilised world. He-' 1 should] therefore, press onward m that direction and'hoped with the assistance of his fellowmen, to bring about a better sbjite; of things than those of to-day. (Applause.) '■" '- - , 9XJRSTIOSTS. . . '.■. In answer to questions, Mr Brown said he was not m favor of a State Bank, and his reference to the isaue of notes, with the lands sold as security for them, he only intended as an easy and ready means of supplying funds to make roads. He was not m favor of leaving the choice of a master wholly m the hands of the School Committee. The work done iv schools' that ..would be called into existence by the Private Schools Bill would be sure to ca.use a healthy smvit of emulation m the '•ther schools He..did not consider, the publican entitle:! to any kind of compensa tjon—not even the two years' notice he had suggested. But he thought that notice should he given to allow the man to clear out his stock. Anything m the shape of a land tax would discourage going upon the land, and it was the State's duty to encourage the growing of produce. He thought the licnist should pay for. the thrashing of the grain he held, when the grower was not able to do so. Both parties m the House of Representatives' we're averse to altering the incidence of taxation, so that' a laud tax.:, would ba: substituted'for a. property tax. He was m favor of the Labor Bill*, but did not think the Eight. Hours' Bill. would work iv an'agricultural, and "pastoral districts Tho Upper House, as at present, consti tuted, was not satisfactory.: He would like to see its members elected by the; House of Representatives, and their tenure of, office to extend over six or eight years* A vote of thanks for his address was unanimously passed to Mr Bfcpwri, on the motion of Mr M'Rae, Secretary of the Working Men's Political Association ; and after a vote of .thanks, to the Chairman, moved by Mr Brown, had been accordedj the, proceedings closed. ' i

ELECTION NOTES.

The E[on. E. Richardson has clecided definitely not to stand for any constituency which involves the necessity of a personal canvass,' being unequal to the physical exertion required. i Mr Saunclers addressed the electors of Selvvyn on Wednesday evening, and was accorded a vote of thanks and;ponfidence, Mr H. i. Hall,, of feiccarton, has reH ceived a very numerously gigned rej quisition asking hini to contest the Har well district. There are now three candidates out for the Akaroa sent, viz., Messrs ,loyce, M'Gregor and W, Barnett. The sefivnen and wharf men of Welling ton hayel selected as their candidates for Parliament Messrs M'Donald, Fisher, and Winter. The nominees of the other trades are Messrs M'Dondld, Fraser, and M'Lean. Speculating on the outcome of the elections the "Wellington Post" aays that m the event of Sir M. O'BcJrke- not being returned the Hqu, W. Kolleston, should he gain-a, seufc-r-w-hioh it may be said is the, Ayinti of all sections of political thought—would probably be the next Speaker. Mr Hoban is said to be the candidate most; likely to be 'chosen by the Kaiapqi Liberal Association to represent th> Liberal interest. '

The Barene Rance Scuttled.

[per press assooiation.3

Dunedin, October 23i< Shortly after seven o'clock this morning a fire was discovered on board the.barque Ranee, lying at the Export Pier, Port Chalmers, and it necessitated the scuttling of the vessel. Th* Uaiiee is an iron vessel of 1190, tons register, owned by ] Messrs Nicholson and M'Gill of Liver pool. ' She arrived m port on September- j . 21, to take m a cargo of shale from, the Ottaliha, which ■ arrived from Sydney on /anuary 30 m a leaky condition, and was afterwards condemned. The Ttanee had taken on board about. 1600 tons of shale, and was expected to leave for Genoa next week. • Shortly .after seven o'clock this morning, Mr Riiney, the third officer of the .steamer Matatua, which vessel is lying at the Bowen Pier, abreast of the Panee, noticed spoke issuing from the skylight of tho Rjince, and gave the alarm." The chief officer (Mr Clarke), with the other officers and crew, proceeded to the scene. They were followed by the local brigade, who were assisted by Captain Edwards (of the Ranee), his officers and cvew. The whole of the hose available was used, in.clud.ing the Fire Brigade's, that belongings to the Corporation, and the ship's hose. Water was freely poured down the lazaretto, where the fire was first discovered-, but it seemed to have got a firm hold. At eight o'clock volumes o,f smoke ascended from the ventilators on the poop nw ftje mizjsen rigging on the

sifcn,rlx»n;d side, and shortly afterwards '«fei.oke was room issuing from thu after hold, shewing lb.it the uluilo had tnken fire. A coiiKUitnLion was then held, when itrwaa decided to scuttle Jier. Four shots were than fired at her sido from the bicj C'utis 'bdonging to the Volunteers, but thift haviii" nn tfleet, and smoke coming up from n]] parts <■{ tli-s vcssil, MrP.iccy, ciiief po'o'y-ofHcer of llic Torpedo Corp-', :Avas sosit for. II« nrtached a charge of ■!(tm cotton to her bow, nbriub live feefc heloiv the waf-or, tivinpf the s-imo by means of a Leolincho baltery. This had t"ho flosir jjil nfi\Mv t .is tha 've»sol at once oommuncod to Fetllo down, and m less thatiten minutos she groun'slod; wirii a Ksb to Btarbo.u'il, the .w;vtar boioy up.^p her bulwarks, Tlie oiigin of the firo is unknown.

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[per press association.] LomjOX, Qcfcobjr 22 find 23. Sir Saul Samuel is inquiring for a suitable central site on which to, re open the Mining Exhibition. ' ' The " Daily Chronicle "■ hopes that Western Australia, now it is entrusted with responsible. Government,' will re :frain from mortgaging tlie future. Mr Duncan, editor , ( of the "Matri monial News," again,st whom £10,000 damages were recently awarded! m. a breach of promise^ case, has been charged with fraudulent bankruptcy. A conference of Australian- com mandants, to discuss the question of fortifying King George's Sound and Thursday Island, assembles at Albany on Nov. 24. At a meating of the Eastern Exten sion Telegraph Company, Sir J,ohn Pander said the Colonies were certain to co-operate m the endeavour to establish a four-shilling per word rate on the terms offered by the Company, and New Zealand was likely to join. The summons against Mr Harrison for taking part m the riots at Tipper ary has been" withdrawn. Counsel for the defence have applied for a sum mons calling on Mr Balfour to produce?, the official report of the speeches of the* accused, arid to point out the portions on which a conviction is sought to be obtained. 1 ' !Rio dp,'Jaxsi'io, October 22. A Portuguese battalion lias been formed m this city, and has started for the Zambesi. "'.]'- ' ' PAfcts; October 22. Under the revised tariff, flax and hemp will be admitted free in+o France, but cereals, live stock, and! meat will be charged the raaximumi rate.

AUSTRALIAN

Sydney, October 22. ■ Tn the Lower House ■ tonight, Mr Dibbs moved a vote of censure on the Government" for postponing the de- Cianition of their fiscal policy, and thft. House adjourned till Wednesday.

INTERPROVINCIAL

. Attoklan'u, October 23. ' The Miihtor Bakers'' Association hay« deckled that, as profit m the trade il* small, the curfcom of giving rakes and such presents at Christmas wili not ba observed this ye.iv. The shareholders of the South British Insurance Company at a meeting to-da\; confirmed the resolution giving, tbju Directors power to reduce the ca'pitwt. Mrs Long said she would move, wheafthe* cfueition of reducing the capita\ ' was* ■before the shareholders, that the Directors, give S'imo guarantor tint at the- earliest-, possible opportunity th'o capita? of the* Company should be again increasscl. The storm which has prevailed here for somo days has now abated. The rainfall was the heaviest known m Auckland for some years. Napier. . October 2"*. It will be remembered that a short* ninn> ago a petition was, preferred by Mr Dawest and the British India Associated Steam ship Company for winding up the Colonial /Shipping Company (tlue Tyser. line). 'It was dismissed, but notice of appeal >ras given. Mr Dol>3on, the New Zealand agent, to-day received a cable message stating that the appeal had \ been with-. drawn. ' . Wellington, October 23l The Government have wired to the Native Chief, Rewi, who is said to be a sympathiser with Mahuki, who w,as arrested yesterday at Te Kuiti, express ing surprise at his conduct, seeing that he receives a pension from the Government. The telegram urges him to return from Te Kuiti to his home at Kihikihi, and not to take any part m the molestation of Europeans, lest he should get into Ihe* same trouble as Mahuki. Ditnedin, October 23. . The Farmers' Union te-day earriett -these resolutions :—" That a Property tax instead of Land and Income tax is desirable ; that some alteration should be made m the incidence of taxation for charitable aid ; that they would support no candidates who are m favor of public: borrowing j and that' the .' Legislature' should take-steps to enforce, the destruc tion of the Californian thistle." A motion? m favour of taxing absentees was with drawn. General discontent, ims showtt with the administration^ the Rabbit Act- Last season's legislation was denounced asr. an insult to setters. At the' Nenthoi ne Resident Magistrate* Court .lames Hartstonge,' a' settler at Maerae*s was fined £10 ; and costs, m default two month's imprisonment, and bound; ovci* to keep the peace for twelve-, months, for assaulting father Donn«lfyv who is m charge of the Roman Cath(^ic- Church, He Avas further fined. 20s »nd! costs, or fourteen day's imprisonment, fo disturbing the congregufcioiK ■ Father Donnelly has been makmg reference" to> some matter m fche church which Harts tonge tool^ toihhivself, and rising op, asked" if ho was meant, calling the Father at. scoundrel, Kar, rogue »nd sweep. Ho afterwards assaulted Father Donnelly. i lirvßiicAne-ii-L, t>ctober 29. Joseph T. Wallis, of Waikaia, was com'- mitted for trial afc Gore to-day- onv two charges of offences against the Marriage* Act. After several days' .stormy wither, with tile lowest barometer for two- year* and a half, it is now clearing np. The hail has done much damage in' gardens, and lambs have suffered.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[?ER PRESS ASSOCIATION..]

Oama»v» October %i. Aw inquest was heM this morning on the body of Michael Kenny,, an old pensioner o# the Gsth Regiment, found dead m hts houss yesterday. Peceasedi lived alblie*. The jury, having he»rd th& evidence, viewed the body;- and' returned! 'ju verdict of'dpath from syncope.-. .■. ; .*rrp«t «itf« !fflit»lnfr nun. ■ A man-named Gole, report«!ct as missi'iisr |at. Dunedih, was arrested hero,'; and" ■ brought before th& Magistrate- fcn-d»y, and charurcd with, tho larceny of £20 2s 6d" |ivjm his • employers, Messrs Lorie and Roy, Dune-liu. He v«s remanded t% Ddnedjn,

THE ASHBUETON GtTABDIAN, FEIPAY, OCTOBKB 24, 1890.



X3HHXS aaeoNvi siiavHs oNiavsn ami tiv •saaT^m a!-i kom S9O9TJ SSOJd TTAIHHV HSHHI load smi &vhi aaxxaa oa .iokkvo ssicnn Spring and Summer, 1890. TRY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY FOR Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, Boys' and Youths' Colonial TWEED SUITS. HATS.—"We keep the Largest, and Best Selection. Hats made to measure. SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Be-i f. workmanship put m every garment, and a perfect lit guaranteed. Large Selection-of Boys'Knicker Suits. Tics, Shirts, Collars, Braces, &c, m Btitest Fjirlikhi- and Style. BtWT Taluk for Cash m District JS* E W Z E'A I AN D - CLOTHIHG FACTORY W, H WEBBEE, Mr.nagtT



Public Notices FOR SALE. tpWE LV E McCORMICK WIRE I BINDERS. All m perfect work ins order. CHEAP. 10*144 FRIEDLANDER BROS. U" AIIKEST AFRICA, cheap adition, now arrived. First supply limited. New Books, New Stationery, New Fancy Goods and Novelties all at reduced prices. Lnrg«'assortment, of New Music of every description. Pianos on hir« and for Bale on terms.' Orders received for Book binding of every kind.—L. F. Andrews & C© JAMES BAKER. TIMBER MEHOHANT, HAVELOCK STREET Opposite Habwsoxs Axtctiox Makt, "rTAS IN STOCK Largo.Supplies of— Building Timber, Stakes and Posts, Galvanised Corrugated Iron, Builders Ironmongery, Turnery, ;■ Furniture and Fancy Goods IN ENDLESS VARIETY. FURNITURE MADE TO ORDUR IN ANY DESIGN AT SHORTEST NOTICE Solo Agent m Ashburton for Clegg;» Perambulators.



WANTED ' CASH Advertisements under thin hemline not excoedin SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may ba left at this Office. '' ANTEDnKnown—The '".Strong wear " Boot is the best for Men, Ladies and Children.—W. H. Collier. VTT ANTED Known -Ladies Stockings * V with Silk Toes and Heels m tjkek and colors. Is 6cl per pair.— W. H. Com J b R. ~\~J OOT.S, ~BOOT?*. "Keep yow feet I > Dry and ware Doctor's Bills. Imvo a splendid Stock, m now. Try ny Doubla-soled Shooters. Every pnir Guaranteed. Roreut Alcokn, Ashbur- Urn Clofchiu? Mart, Saundera' Buildings. W"~^""'AliTED^nowh. - "ForDressStuftrt, Print". Ac., Trimmings t« match go to Melford House. Besi value m t.»-,yn.—H. 0 Efir^___ j . .. ; ANtED~KnoH'n.—'For .Sheeting \'V Tftl»linga, Calicow, Quilts, Towels, Tablo Napkins, Tray Cloths. D'Oyleys, *c, so .to.MelfordHouse.— H. C. Skoeks. AISTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashbuiton Tweeds.—Rohkut Attorn', Anhburton Clothing Mftrt, Saunder'w Buildings. WANTED Known.—For first-class Millinery and Drapery (marked cheap)' go to Melford Hou.se. New Goods just opened.—H. C. Segers. STOP ThaF Cough—Flewer'rt Cough Drops are thebest —sea that the name is stamped on every ona. H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East street. r* ANTED Known—The Cheapest V* Shop to buy Tinwnw and (ial vanised Iron tjoods m Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hanxafom/.s, Burnett Street. A arge «t»ck kept on hand. Tin and Iron ■Ware goods made and repaired with des, patch