The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1890. LOCAL AND GENERAL

The cabled' statement that Sara Bern hardt had taken an overdose of chloral proves to be incorrect.

So far ihc whoh"vp renounced 'fheir isi ■■:ni<-:i <•:" ■■ ;i-i« .(i ; -- ;!•,. Wellington election ; ■«' M< •■ V. \\\ .•■', M ■ I. ei'M,George, Fisher, John Duthie, and Charles E. Wiliest ton. During a baptismal ceremony in a river in connection with a Baptist church at Springfield, Ohio, 2000 persons assembled on the bridge,  overlooking the scene. Without any warning the bridge gave way, five persons being killed, and many injured. i ' ■ i > ..■ . l; Says the "Rangitikei Advocate " :—Mr S. X- Richards sold on Saturday 1000' bushels of oats for delivery in Wellington at Is 9d per bushel. This/is equal to a price of- Is 5d in Rangitikei, leaving 4d per bushel; for,the carriage to Wellington. That,seems to be a large tax upon the market value of the consignment. -••• . ,,.-,

, ,The " Evening;Pp,3t" announces that in a private letter received by last mail, Sir, J. Vogelhas declared his.intention of going to New Plymouth to contest .one of the' Tara naki seats during the coming elections. According to' this authority the oldleader is going to attack the stronghold of his chief opponent, and we shall have a battle of the ■giants. ■■;■' . . . -■ ■

A lady in Croydon discovered a burglar in her bedroom. She immediately collared the intruder, and a hard struggle ensued; during which she was dragged to the top of the stairs. A domestic having come to her assistance, - together tney secured the man until the police arrived. He has been sen tenced to two months', imprisonment. , ;

The sea is one vast reservoir of gold, to the extent, Bays the London " Standard," ;of about one grain to the ton, or about 4s worth in every twenty-five tons of water. It therefore follows that from this source ,alone /the amonnt of gold, to be. obtained, I .whenever . chemistry shows us how to ex [tract it econprnically^is. infinitely , greater than all that has ever been since •first the sacra famM auri seized upon the sons of Adam.

During a minstrel performance at the Haymarket Theatre, Sydney, a fight oc enred between two occupants of the pit. Those: seated in the gallery above crowded to the front to look down, when the Tails •broke under tho strain, and a number of young men and boys were precipitaed on to the heads of the people below. Seven were injured, some so seriously as to necessitate removal to the hospital. : '< ■

Lord Salisbury has administered a rebuke to Stanley for meddling in matters of British State policy that do not concern him. A despatch of May 23rd iays . the explorer's overbearing manner ana assumption of superiority have proroked. enmity towards him in English quarters where it was most" desirable that he should be regarded with favour. His attempt to introduce African manners into English, society, .while en deavoring to direct English enterprise into Africa, has proved a lamentable failure.

Some of the thieves in Melbourne are only half thieves, or they have hearts easily accessible by Gospel truths. A short time ago a burglar entered a house in the suburbs of the city," during the.owner!s absence, and stole a large family Bible and a fancy cup and saucer. A day or two afterwards the owner'was surprised to find that the thief had put under his door tho pawn tickets for the stolen articles, Talcing advantage oi the thief's liberality, he was enabled to r6 cover the things from his uncle; but would the pawn tickets have been brought back if the part of the swag had not been a Bible ?

At Invercargill a farmer's hardy wife, who makes butter and brings it to town, last Saturday came in burdened with twenty or thirty pounds of butter more than her trade required, and with several pairs of Hissed ducks and fowls. After going her rounds she took up a stall in the public market, and arrauggd hoi' goods on a bench for sale. She had got }0d per Ib. for the butter from her customers but §he } rpjus94 that > figure when offered it in the markeji. In a few hours she sold the lot, getting Is per lb. for the butter and a good price for the fowls.

Piccadilly tells a story which has the one failing of being too good. It is said to re fer to a young man, not a hundred ' degrees removed from succession to the throne, and is to the effect that he was taking part in one of those mild intellectual games that drawing room misses dearly love, and he was asked to write down the name of some heroine in history. Being slightly non plussed by this call on his brain powers, he was prompted by ai yoking l*dy jiear l^im, who suggested Joan d' Arc, The name was written and handed i», and was sub sequently discovered to read "Jane Dtirk."

A sensational story is forthcoming from Chicago, where Mrs Newland, a lady occu pying a prominent position in the town, has just died, it is alleged from poison. It is believed that the irritant must have "been taken with her food at supper time, as she was taken ill directly after, and , died ha groat agony before the medical men could afford any relief. Suspicion has fallen upon one of th/e' serj-antf, and she , has been ; ar rested, and will be' charged fp du 9 course. The chief point against her js th.af; she is known to have boughtjrat poison. Mr New land, the husband of the dpce^sßd, is a millionaire, and the owner of a vast amount of real estate in Chicago.

A brave old man has died at Felixstow© from the effects of exposure to the weather while he was engaged on an errand of mercy, A vessel was seen on the Skipwash Sands, about twelve miles from the shore, and in response po her eignajs pf distress, a boat was manned and went to fhe rescue, of the crew. Among those in the boat was Xfabert Watts, who though 78 years of age, did not hesitate to tivke part iji the work of the rescue. The boat was out for 10 hours in a rough sea and bitterly cold .vind. Next day Watts was found dead from the effects of this protracted exposure. ■

The Cunard steamer Umbria,when in mid- Atlantic, halted in her race from New York torcscuuthe crew of a timber-laden vessel the Magd&lena, which had collided with an iceberg, and had l»epi^ floating about for hours ready to sink. In addition to the cre\v of hardy Norsemen, the captain's little 'six-year-old daughter- was on board the doomed vessel, and was no sooner trans feried to ihp Umbria than she became the heroine of the 500 passengers,' and proved a perfect windfall to the children, who had grown weary'of the voyage.

A licensing committee in a district in Tara naki decided to 'regulate the price ef liquor sold in the house undor their jurisdiction. The chairman said that complaints had been made to him that sixpence was charged whether the customer wanted a pint or h'alf-i pint of beer, and he thought 3d was quite enough for the latter. One licensee said he had nevar been asked. to draw half a pint, and another that lie only charged that price to anyone who asked for it, " but if 6d was put down he did not give any change unless it was asked for,', The chairman closed the discussion by sayjng f/hat 3d was qiiile enough for either a small glass or r half : pint. It was ultimately resolved that it be optional, for a customer to have a half-pint of beer in a glass or measure at a charge of 3d at the bar or over the counter, but if taken into a parlor it would be the same as a long glass; (id.

The Financial Statement, delivered last evening, is of unusual length, containing no less than 18,000 words, and qocupies eleven and a half columns of closely printed matter in the Christchurch dailies. To condense, intelligibly this umveildy delivery into the small space of five columns, as printed in the present issue, is uo light task, Taut we have extreme pleasure in stating that the task was rendered less irksome than usual by the clear and intelligible manner in which the message ivas handled by New Zealand tele graphists generally, and our local operators in particular. The local operators started to receive the message at 5.5 p.m., and at 2.30! a.m. the task was completed, notwithstand ing that the wires,'"owing to unfavourable ii,tniQ3pheric conditions, were working badly.

Oats of various kinds range in price from 2s to 3s a bushel in San Francisco.

The normal work day throughout Saxony is thirteen hours, with two hours' allowance for meal taking.

The Kirig of Greece is the best team's player among the royalties of Europe.

A Q.ueenslander, for. returning from Eng land as a nominated emigrant, was fined £20.^ -  : '. ',

Mr Fisher has, announced his. intention of bringing forward a motion for the com plete severance for once and for ever between the Bank of New Zealand and the Govern ment of •" New Zealand. ' ---...

i' Frie'ndsof Detective Robert..Neil,,.so,lpng v and favorably known' intAshburton/will'.be: interested to learn that he has been trans ferred'from Christchurch' to Wellington, Mi place in Christchurch being supplied by Detective Campbell, of Wellington; .

Thare are now ten Hindoo and Parsee ladies taking courses'of highep study injEng-; land,-and numbers''• of young*, girls are- ftt school in the mother island. Doubtless ■nianyiof these girls will .live.to see'tho' last S l,'"Child widow" in 1ndia.»..,,., . . '..;. : ! WalkerFearn* late UnitedStatea Minis-;, '•tor/at .Athens,, states that, brigapdage.^no,, longer exists in Greece. He says that-he, and his daughter and a few friends, UDarmed and without an escort, visited on horseback the wildest-parts of. Greece,..and met with nothing but' cordial hospitality. A novelty has been, introduced in the direction of the Stanley'and'African'Ex-' hibitions. Young lady guides are in at tendance to afford information to visitors when required, and to show them the various objects of interest. No charge is made, and judging by appearances, the assistance of the young ladies is much ap preciated by the throng of visitors.

•We would' remind pur readers of the; ooi^cert of highrclaas-; music to be giyen> in. the Oddfellows' Hall to-night by Mr R. Wood and his company of vocalists and instrumeitfalista. The published programme indicates a treat of a high ojder in waiting for lovers of good music, and we trust a full house will reward Mr Wood's venture. We are given to understand- that Bhould this concert be at all successful, it wil^ be only the first of a series for the winter months. The prices of admission are the usual popular prices, and Mr W. Zander has the plan of the reserved seats.

East Street Horse Bazaar.

Bland and Huniplierys 1 report for the week ending Tuesday, 24th June:—On Saturday, 21st inst, we held our usual weekly sale of horses, etc., at tho East Serect'Horge Bazaar. 39 horses were submitted; the attendance of farmers and others was good. At the opening of the sale bidding came rather slow but im proved as the sale went on, a large propor tion being 3old at very good prices indeed. The following are the prices realised :—4 and 5 year old draught geldings, £27 10s, £23, £i 9 and £18; medium do, £5, £15 10s, £14, £12 103 and £12. On account of Mr W. P. Claridge, we sold two nice hacks at £9 15s and £12; on account of other owners, hacks and harness horses, £7 15s, £8 ss, £7 and £8; a good dog cart horse, brought £15 10s; 2 and 3 year old half draughts brought from £8 to £10 10s.

Sundries—Gig, £12 10s i butcher's cart, £1110s ; dog cayfc, £]&; trap harness, £3, £2 153, and £5.: saddle and bridle, £3 ; horse covers, 12s 6d aiid'lss ; wheat, 6s lOd to 7s fid per sack ; oats, 4s Gd per sack ; potatoes, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; bran, 4s 6d ; sharps, 5s 6d ; ohaff (oaten sheaf), £2 10s; carrots, 2s 6d to 3s. . . ' • ' ' ".

On Monday, 23rd inst, we held a, clearing sale in conjunction with Mr, David .Thomas at the homestead 'of Mr Wm. Sutherland, Greenstrcet, when every lot was sold at very satisfactory prices, as will be seen from the detailed'list as follows;— Traction engine^ by Burrell, combine and elevators, £500; portable engine, £83 ; combine by Clayton and Shuttlewqrth, £187 10s }' eletators' by Anderson, £24 ; draught horses brought £19, illS, £G 15s, £13, £21 10s, £15, £24 10s, £7 10s, £20 10s, £5, £28, £15, £6 10s, £24 10s, £14, £19, £9, £13 10s, £14 ss, £8 15s and £7; hacks and light harness horses, £14, £15, £7 and £7 10in; shaft harness, £4.t0 £4 12s 6d ; leading do, 35s to 50s. Implements —Harrows, £2 to £5 2s per set; plough, £2 7s;6d to £10; disc 'harrows, £5 10s and £7 2s 6d ; drills, £11 10s and £12 10s ; Cam bridge rollers, £8 to £13; moveable whares, £7 10s, £10, £20 and £3 10s; reapers and binders, £18, £16, £17, £11, £23 and £4 ; drays, £14 10s, £14 10s, £0; £7 10s and £6 ss, waggon, £7 }5,s $ t;ip. dray?, £3 \sa to £710s i and a large quantity of sundries sold well, in f act the sale taken as a whole may be considered one' of the best ever held in the distriot.

On Tuesday, 24th, we held our usual weekly sale at the Ashburton County Sale yards; The day's entry w.as. much less than usual; however, all classes of stock main taiued their value. We sold on account 1 of the following clients:—Mr Dennis Mc- Kendry, fat crossbred ewes, 14s'; Mr R. McDqnnM, 550 crossbred/ tombs,; 9s 6(1; Mr W. WilcqcKs, 85Q crossbred lambs, at 9s 4d; on account other owners, lambs, 4s-Id. Pat Cattle—Steers and heifers, L 52s 6ct;. 4 steers at L 3 4s; springing cows, L 6 ss, L 5 5s and L 3, 7s 6d; store-steers and heifers, 2 years old, L 2 and Jj2 44s ; 1 at L 3 ; old cows at i3s6d to L 2. We beg to draw attention to an important unreserved clearing sale at Mr P. Bennison.'s homestead, Selma, on Jft'iday next; sale at 11.30, ;' : .' '•.'■ '' , <-. :

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIG

[PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

London, June 24,

The Archbishop of Canterbury con secrated Canon Saumarez Smith to the Bishopric of Sydney to-day. Sara Bernhardt, whil§]b staying at the Savoy Hotel, accidentally took an'over-' dose of chloral. The doctors were called in in time, and succeeded in saving her life.' . A petition five miles long in favor of compensation to publicans, has been i'n-oi'.U'd t;> Parliament.'. It j: bears half fi niillioji pf signatures, ' ' Yorkshire, in their first innings, scored 174—Peel 73, Hill 64, and Moorhouse 14. There were three extras, so that the -other eight men only scored.. 12 between, them. The Australians, in their second innings, have, lost five w,ickets for 20, , , ■J. .i c..' NjEW,YoBJi£i June 24, '. Hanlan !and Hosme]? have arranged a three-mile sculling race at Ichwa in July. .■ t .•. ' :.-..-• ■ Half the town of Port-de-France, in the island of Martinique, has been burned down, rendering J'sooo people homeless! News has been received of the death H)f the President of San Salvador, Central American State, while at a banquet. ' ,

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

On the House resuming last evening at 7.30, in Committee of Supply, bhe-Hon. Mr Mibchelson delivered the Financial, Statement, of which the following is a" summary. • . ' 1 A SURPLUS. _ , The Treasurer referred with satisfaction bo the surplus on the year's operations of £115,000. This surplus had arisen from a sbeady improvement in the condition of the colony, rabher than from economic administration. The Crown Lands were being rapidly taken up for settlement in small- .areas, and^ agricultural, holdings, .were increasing as rapidly^'as during the colony's greatest prosperity ; while there had' been " increased productiveness of' most of our main industries, which had beert very marked, even in the short space of the year jusb closed. Ib is evident that witfy continued prudeiice bur; finan cial'difficulties are well now under conbrol, and that, if our burden in proportion bo our'numbers may seem great, our strength and resources'are far greater'still? arid capable of indefinite, increase. ,We musb not relax the care and vigilance with which we,have watchediour expenditure,for,.tjke last three years, and have striven to extend settlement and promote industry. We 1 feel sure that prosperous times have again dawned upon us. We.;should Ifrok fairly, at/the' bright'side ,ofi things, and dwell as much upon the blessings arid advantages which we have in this granti country as upon the temporary difficulties and troubles which beseb us from time to time, and upon which some are too fond of dwelling. Parliament can do little, but the people and press might do much to correct false impressions going abroad, as in proportion as these are corrected, and the truth made known, we may expect to see again a steady inflow of the best class of setblers from Home and elsewhere. ) i

expenditure of year 1889-90 (ordinary revenue). ■' The estimate expenditure for the year 1889-90, including charges under special Acbs, and the supplementary estimates, amount to £4,500,703, and actual expei| diture £4,121,842, leaving an unexpended balance of £28,861. v

REVENUE OF YEAR 1889-90 (ORDINARY

revenue). ; ; I estimated (and my estimate-of course included the ■ primage' iduty)' to receivje during the year a total ordinary revenue of £4,186,800.; the actual amount received was £4,200,247. The? total revenue, therefore, exceeded ' the estimate "by £21,447;:; Customs were less than estimate by £49,126 ; stamps exceeded the estimate rby £24,745; and the railways by £63,340. The profit for the year of Public Trust Office, amounting, to; £5812; *has not been brought to credit of land fund. ' ; _,'" .EXPENDITURE, AND REVENUE. ; The estimated expenditure "of land fund;, including supplementary estimates, was £128,149; the actual, extenditure £121,919. There was' a deficiency of £34,227 for the year 1889-90.'' The signi fiteince of this deficit must not be mis ■ndersbood. It means only that our anticipations regarding fresh sales of land have not been realised; preference being given to settlers on the system of deferred payment or perpetual lease. . The ordinary revenue surplus with which we bogan the year was £27,768, after paying off £85,000 of'the deficit of 31st March, 1888, and the ordii' ■: y rorcrmc rcvoived was £2,409,047. The :;-i-■■«:!* 'iv.'.ilaMi- to meet expenditure was therefore £4;237,015,'and the total expenditure having been £4,112,840, there was'a, surplus for the year of £115,174. This surplus includes tho primage duty, amounting to £55,826. The primage duty in 22 nibnths had readied ,£101,958. The final result for the year, after paying what was left unpaid of the deficit of £128,605, namely £78,605, is a balance of £36,569, with which to begin the current 'year.'• The outstanding liabilities at the ■ end of 1889-90 were less than those of .the previous year by £15,186, they were also, less than the average liabilities of the last 9 years by £36,783, and less than in 1881, when the present system was begun', by £38,362. LAND FUND. j The deficiency,in the Land Fund this year is £34,227, which,' added to the deficit on this account at the beginning of the year,' amounts to a total of £45,7161 With this debit balance I do not propose to deal this year.. The Minister of Lands 'estimated he would be. able to sell suffix cient land to make this account selff supporting, but he found thab unless he made it compulsory on the part of -purchasers fco take particular blocks for cash it would be impossible to obtain the amount of cash which he had estimated.' It was therefore thought better to leave intending settlers as free as possible to compete on equal terms, selecting for themselves the tenure which would best suit their circumstances—cash purchase, deferred payment, or perpetual lease, ancj nob to make any, attempt to balance accounts by forcing the sale of land for. cash. It is clear, however, if we were to continue this system' of free choice of tenure we must face the fact that it will be impossible to carry on the settlement ofrthe country without large extra means and aid to the land fund. During three years, while the late Government were in office, the receipts from sales of'land fell short of charges fixed by law, arid costs of surveying, administration, etc., by £147,200,, without counting the amount; expended from other'funds in purchase of land- and- roads to open it up for settle- ment or in settlement itself. For the 2i years; to 31st March last, .during which 1 ;tlie present Government have been in office, the receipts proved inadequate to meet the ordinary charges by £90,305. - x THE PUBLIC-.DE8T....i On 31st March, 1890, the gross esfci-, mated public debt of the colony amounted tp J £38,667,950, and accrued sinking funds to £1,383,432. The net public debt was therefore £3.7,284,518. During the year debentures of the .New Zealand loan of 1856, namely, ' £50,000; due on Ist July, 1889, and £5000 due Ist October, 1889,; were redeemed; out of accrued sinking fund debentures of the Consolidated Stock . Act, .1884, £134,400, were redeemed. Debentures were issued for £275,000 under the Consolidated Stock- Act, 1884. _A considerable saving in annual charge has been effected by the) reduction of rate in interest in respect of the bonds converbed from 5 to 3£ per cenb. It is gratifying to note, as indi cabing a growing confidence in the credit of the colony, that since the new loan was. issued it has risen in price to 99. •' ■ ' < 'PUBLIC WORKS FUNDS. Since 1885-86 the Public Works Fundi has been divided into three parts. Part 1 consists of the balance left of loans existing prior to 31st March, 1886, supple-! mented by one half of loan of one million* authorised in, 1888 for roads, purchase of., Native lands,' Telegraph extension, and Harbor defences; part 2 is the account of the million loan authorised in 1882 for the North Island Main Trunk' Railway; and part 3 is account of j the' loan of £1,325,000, authorised in 1886 fry con«fruc<-inn of certain railways. The ci'li! .•f ;:ir>e accounts ; at' the beginning of' the year made a total'of; £401,188: The expenditure!'during the^ year amounted to £167,513, the principal bems of- whioh were roads £40,831; and public buildings £35,472. The un expended balance at'the closefbf the year was £233,675. Liabilities were £104,308.; Summarising the transactions of the I.year I find wo began with a balance of £1,445,670, increased to £l-,458,105< by certain receipt's ; that ' Aye expended £400,709, including over £28,000 for purchase of Native lands, and thab we had in hand on 31st March last of £1,047,466; against which there wtre

liabilities oubstanding amounting to £314,912. Included in the balance were debentures of Westpbrb Harbor Board for £5600, and of. 1 "the Greymouth Harbor Board for £5000. . It was deemed ex -1 pedienb to -take up tho debentures temporarily out of moneys at credit of the public works funds, and other debentures of the same Board's out of Post Office account,/, to 'enable works urgeubly ! required and in progress bo be earned on. The Government have now under con sideration certain proposals with regard to these two Harbor Boards, and an early opportunity .of discussing them fully will be afforded to the House. GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES, 31ST MARCH, 1889. , U nder the Government .Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886, £250,00 C was borrowed by the Treasury: up ; to 31^ March, 189 Q. Debentures issued for this amount bear interest at the rate of ,Jo-; per,'cent per, annum and mature on the v Ist. March,. 1892. Ab the 31st March,' 1889, the total amounb advanced to local bodies; Was £192,316, andClast yearthe'sums so paid amounted to '£59,763; making a total of £252,079, reducible however by £3880 to £248,099,,-leaying a balance in hand at the end r pf C\the-year of £1800 at the 31sfc Mafc% v iß9o. y ... .•/ '. EXPENDITURE AND, REVENUE 'FOR THE CURRENT.' YEAR. , > The estimated ordinary expenditure; is £4,127,417. ;.\The total proposed increase for the (year in Postal and Telegraphs salaries is £5271,'0f which £4471 gbes.toi officers whose salary is £200 a year or underl In> ■ most of the classes of ex-' penditure little lor r no increase has been made over the estimates of./? last. year; In .education > there is an , increase: of £6000 ; in the Native Department the in crease is, £4400; in working railways there is an additional expenditure.proposed of £18,000: -in public buildings there is an increase of £27,400, namely, for, school buildings and a building for deaf mutes; injdefencethere is a small increase, but Government axe of opinion,that the pro vision made ' is, not sufficient for such a force as our, defence works require. Mem bers will observe that there ie a large re duction ,in the .'.Postal -and; Telegraph Department.' Tliis'arises from no provision being made for the San; Francisco, mail servicej; after the. expiration of the", pre sentcoritract. I much regret the service is likely to fall throiigh,for a time, as the New South Wales .Government... have refused the subsidy, and there is small hope of the Imperial Government agree ing to pay for the; "conveyance, 5 ' 'of mails to and from London. He could not believe*?'th£ colony~,would be), long wibhoub a good;steam%ervi<jfe between. Auckland and San - Francisco.;'"Referrihg' to Mr Goschen's proposals for reduction; of postage" to 2sd tlie Pbsbmastef-General would explain fully how the proposal could be given effect to without loss of revenue to the colony. The amount of appropriations for current year was £1,983,330, against £1,987,237 lasb year, notwibhstanding £41,000" extra for rail ways, school buildings, and an institution for deaf mutes. yy-t 'f ;* f ' / hkmv fund. '-' - :■;''■ ■/.

The total estimated expenditure charge able against land; fund , ( is t £116,557, a reduction of over £11,000 as agaipsb jlast year. . , ORDINARY REVENUE FOR THE YEAR 1890-91. School buildings hav ( e'been charged bb: bhe consolidabed fund for tlie last two years, and asylum buildings, against balance of the loan money originally set apart for the purpose. . We do nob. see our way at the present time'to charge tho consolidated fund wibh the school build ings vobe as a. permanent thing. We think the .whole matter, wants .further consideration,' and are of' opinion, that it would' •be wise for the . House to make extr'4 provision foii. school buildings, and 'early, 1 equal ! • Iliopvo-oni-'rVroiiirfrinents. This extra prcviii-i .1; mM I).> uv.-h- for a limited'term- only. - The ' Government therefore propose to continue the primage' duty-fog ano.thor, two 'years if or' the pur!-', pose nf provi-lir^ furies for jschpoljbuiltlr ings an-.l l:s!!i:'.r .i .yhiii buildings. The Government think that the time has Arrived : when the Minister of Education should have more direct control over the vote for school buildings than has hitherto been the case, and we shall'ask' Parlia mentybo.araend.the as bo enable the' Minister to have an effective voice in determining what buildings ar,e unneces-' sary. We think also wherever possible future buildings should be of stone or brick, in preference to wood. The Minister of Education will shortly go fully into this matber for the information of the House.

The Government have had under careful consideration during the recess the question of incidence of the Property-tax. We regret to say we cannot see our way to reduce, much less to abandon, the tax in the present state of finance. Our pre°?r.t nefte'ssiHes make it impossible .for ii.- (•» f')ic;."i,uiy ,-i|>|H'<'<iibli!.part; qf v the ■.smi! ii-1w l -i;-,-l. Tlh! .-■■! in, it must be remembered, Is estimated at no less than £355,000 for the present year. The~great diversity of opinion.among the members of the present- Parliament renders it un likely that it can be satisfactorily dealt with during the present session. " ''

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY, AND PUHIPUHJ

FOREST TRAMWAY.' 1 ''= " >"' "' > Government have had these works again under consideration, but while thinking the works should be executed, cannot make;any;propbsarthM Jsession!, ] { 11 REDUCTION OP TAXATION./' ,//,, ,-, Governmenc would be pleased 'if' they could see their way to reduce, taxation." We are, however] convinced thab it is im'- possible to make any further appreciable reduction in the public expenditure unless' we are prepared'to largely curtail the pub lic conveniencies which are now enjoyed, mid the absence of which would be felt as hardships. If the country • people \ fire deprived of their conveniencies it*will "be another obstacle to the settlement of the obuntry iarids. ■ It must also' be •'remem bered in reference. to, the reduction of taxation there are services, sbill chargeable; on the balance.of the'oldloans- for which provision must be made on the consoli dated;' yt-evenue 1 ;in < the, near j future, if we are to sound finance. The Go vernment will make proposals to give effect to the recommendation of the Min ing Conference for abolition Of the gold duty and substitution of another revenue tax in its place. For short-dated deben tures of £400,000 issued for a deficit on 31st March, 1888, we do not see our way to set aside portion of the revenue this year. The principle has been acted on in charging to revenue, services of a neces sary character formerly paid from loairj and in paying out of surplus of the last two years'the £128,600 deficit left unpro . videdfor- at the. end »6f 1887-88.' I '!esti-' mate that the total ordinary revenue of • the, year will be £4,159,000 upon the pro sent basis of taxation. From customs I, expect to obtain-£-1,480,000; from stamps £612,(K)0,' aricVfrom'railways £1j480,'000. LAND FUND. \ > - '■ Vi The estimated revenue of the land fund is £96,600. ESTIMATED RESULTS OF THE YEAR 1891. .The estimated 1 total ordinary expendi-* ture? for ithe current year.: amounfcs: ■to £4,127,417, the estimated revenue to £4,159,000, to which I add the surplus of I £36,500; We. shall, therefore, if .our estimates are realised, have a surplus- of £68,092. -. i '-(, '. : , - : • ' SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS. The late and present Government have found it quite impossible to do the neces- i saryroading to render Crown lands possible : for settlement. We have therefore to : considered how sufficient funds are to be obtained. It is estimated that, even ! with only the present amount spent on i roads, in the next two years a million acres will be taken up on settlement I <

conditions, and that probably consider ably more would be occupied if greater facilities in the way of roads vwere given-' It seems to me that for a/time at }east,\> the cost of roads must be' borne by,; .the consolidated revenue. I shall therefore ask authority for £20,000 as a erant-in aid for thisyear, that being the estimated amount required 'for assistance^ mi this way. The Government <lo not propose.to resort to ordinary, borrowing for, this sum,' but to make the roading a first charge on the land in such a way as not only not to retard but really to promote settlement. .The Minister of Lands will, give-detailed, particulars of this proposal later on. I submit that if we are to dispose of b\}T t land upon perpetual lease or deferred payment it is clear -we must * make«provi^ sion for "roads,;. and it seems to the Government tHafc^thig proposal is by far the simplest and safest way of raising the necessary:fundß. No fresh strain willtbe put upon.'the Colonial revenue, the settle ment of land willies made self-supporting, ■ and. if, -Parlia'njent'thinks it better ,to render dir,ect,atoistancse, charging a lower rate of interest than jflfill h£ve to be paid;by. the colony for the ,oione'y^rthaj!piiblic will know definitely what?thfe' \ jf^B^kt is. |I. want the Committee t^cl^fjiirlptinderstand thatit.vrillibiß impossible^after this year; to coptfnueJ the present arrangement, is 1 to find money out of the loan; in aid of settlement. ,We have the; last five years found no Jess thin£262,600 forAthisppurpose,] andHhe% lotty balance whiph is yet" avaijible^will' H| completely, exhausted by the end of the" year. We.. think an amendment desirable, increasing the power of Boards and the.Minister to, preventVdunVmyism,,.altht*uglr,cas far as can-be ascertained,* ijWpreJß in fact little, now prodiibed ; but however little it must, be stopped.V,, 'j'S* . \ -PURCHASE OF NATIVE, lAXDS. i ., If thesettlement of the North Island is, to be pushed forward, provision'must be made for considerable sums from time,to time as oppqrttmity offeres'fpr) acquiring Native lands. Authority has been granted by Parliament. "toft,temporarily apply: a portion'of tHe.loan';for the Noith Island Main Trunk 7 Bailwayvto this purpose, and about 769,431 a^re^of^land have already been acquired, and much -larger areas are now under negotiation. |Th6,Government propose r.to MkiforM^l^OOO^more this' year,' for,/ the"'same r purpose from the same!Vßource.-'"^TKe sale of the land-so* purchased will recoup the loan/ It will be- Ti&essary for three or four' years to have cash available at the rate of abWt, £30,000. ayear for buying native lands. This moneyuwill of course have to ;be raised! Thei Government will aik Parliajn^nt to autSoflse the Treasurer to advance it^fromHfte Tuhd authorised to be raised under iuthbrity gi^M*jby "Govern ment Loans to Local Bdaies Act," the limit set .by that-Act being sufficient to cover all our requirements. I think thjit we shall find no difficulty in disposing of locally such an amount as may be rp quired from time to time at 4 per cent at par, if Parliament will, as we propose, allow an issue not subject to the Property ti£<-'rp , ! ' i * 1 .' THE EXODUS. ', In the year 1889 there was an excess of emigratibh rdvet4mn\igrfttion of 9175. Ex-. aggerated 1, importance has been attached to this fact, and serious misrepre-, Mentations have been made. ' It has in particular been frequently re? presented. thatf this loss has been, going on indefinitely, but this is .quite untrue. Taking the last three quin quennial periods from 1875 to 1889, in one y.ear^«?nly,\ 1888, did our loss by emigration from NeVZealand exceed our gain,-by immigration, and if we take Mio 'quinque'n'riial period 1 in which \ that loss occurs," that is the period from.'lßßs to 1889,'iour net loss by emigration amounts t0,'2416,; this number curiously ; enough being composed of- women and, children — butjchildren. mostly,, in the. proportion, of 18 to 'I; while''in. "bone and/sinew " , there was a net irauV to us of 43&." During the past 'three i<Tfinanciar year^f • 1887-90, our expenditure on Public' Works was »£1,640,300, while 1 duting'th'e! rprebeding; three years 1884-87, it was £3,47.7*500^ while in - neighboring;; colonies . there has' been, ancl^'stillz/is; a'.yeryj layge; ,ii^bl^c expenditotre going 'on';' and,tKe" surprise is 7,' not 'that' we should* ha^.e, lds^ .those we" ;did"•lose, V!'bilt'; that" we* should not have 'lost-1 imore. ' 'We'i 'want : "< the men and women of the Old Country .and elsewhere,-; looking for a new home fqr themselves and children after them, tip know truly what this country is. It w on the other side of the account —the arrivals —that the unfavorable difference appears.- We could well afford -to let so many of our population go to New South Wales or Victoria if we could only attract as many as they do. In other words, we are again facing the great problem which has so often engaged the attention of the Committee and of Parliament—how to get .those who^wpuld be^glad.-jenough, iniake,* ;'homej here; andisettlW uptA jout iUndJlljToj ftefmffi&tiPM* Spt&snt year the number of adult males in the colony was 115,883, and the numj ber of agricultural holdings was 17.150, In 1876 when the colony- was considered riiost s prosperous*' there were only 1488 men cultivating land, whereas in 1890 there were 2314 bo employed. Our agrir cultural productions show steady ad vane? with^otoly^ such fluctuation as can be accounted for by the variation in market price, excepting during the last two yearsj when the increased value of our exported 1 agricultural $r<?Au9,e' shoi^s an extraor dinary 'increase,' from £588,022 in 1887,! 'to £1,424,297 in 1889. For the last five years we find that in 1885 the total value of* ''bur-manufactures 'exported waaj £104,223, excluding flax, and including flax^l^'SSg.V^By^iwhat may be called steady advances year by year we find they! ihave risen in 1889 to £208,698, and, in-; eluding flax, from £120,539 to £569,880.! ■In other, words pur exported manufactures, excludih|"nax, 'more'than doubled them selves. The,.tatal.expqrt«* 4 of, JSTew Zea- ( ;land produce 'J in' 1875 i amounted« £>; £5,475,844, and to £669,919 excluding; .wpolandlgold. This gives £49 9s perl heatl of male adults on whole export, and| exclusire of wool and gold £6 Is. In 1889, i the total exports were £9,042,008 amount J ingto £5611s6dperheadof maleadults, and! exclusive of wool and gold, £4,280,143, or j £26 6s Id per head of male adults. This, ] it will be admitted,,, shows most.,satisfac-j tory progress. A large part of this; progress is no doubt fairly attributable to', the Public Works policy in facilitating; communication and transport. It is one; of the great blessings of this country that, notwithstanding the large amount which has to be remitted to England for interest on public and private debts, there is no sign speaking generally of our people having to stint themselves o| any of the riecessaries of life, °or even J> of a fair pr6p'ortion.,of its luxuries., .There t is,aiot, I think, in jny, ..country ih'Jhdtjrorldfja more hard working or more successful population of our race, or one which, upon the whole is enabled to, and does take life more pleasantly. From the year 1881 j inclusive, there has been a steady growth in the number of small flock owners. - It wiU'beV'seen. ateb^thafc, not withstanding ilie ravages- of' the rabbits, those owriingc. over/20,000 "•' sheeiviftave increased .inimmber from a 139:t0'152,-or -\bout 10 per cent; the intermediate, those holding between 10,OQO;andk20,000, r have^increased^om^Ol to 239^6tfn»afly 191 per cent"; .while small owners, those holding under 10,000 sheep, have in creased from 6517 to 10,146, or 55 per ceiit. The frozen meat trade has grown in value from £19,339 in 1882 to £783,374 in. 1889, and is undoubtedly capable of practically unlimited expansion. It is gratifying to find from the returns a con tinued increase in the number of deposi tors, and in the total amout deposited, in our Savings Banks, On Pec, 31 last

there was in all the Savings Banks in the Colony £'2,868,644 at credit of 110,480 persons, as against £2,691,692 at credit of 103,036 on Dec. 31, 1888, being an in crease of £166,952 in amount, and of 7434 in. the number of depositors. Of the total amount deposited £2,191,45 J was in the Post Office Savings Bank, and £667,193 in the banks established under the Act of 1858. Since 1886, when the total amount was £2,133,780, the deposits have in creased thus: £273,995 in 1887, £283,917 in 1888, and £166,952, as already stated, in 1889. In the total number of depositors, the increasevfrom^&lj2Bft in 1886 has been as follows :—6200 in 1887, . ,5550 jnHBBB, |jWd 7ss|yh 1889. The total numfier of depositors has in creased- from 84,488 4nMßßß>?^Jatf*grear the increase: was* 6181ii;iBp;t>at since 1886 the total number has increased-by45,798 .'depositors. 1 sThe number 6fJdepo(»torß. having sums-"not exceeding £20 »t-Aheir ,-/ credit Isjras- nearly;as may be 1, three- '■< fourths of the .'whole number; and thery has been throughout the last four years' a, ■ steady <pereeiit&e [6l iiwreaae relatively in tHenumber: of. depositors tin }Wb%)ftr the. eight divisions in which they have been \ claßsed;inthetable; 'Theaverage-amount at credit of depositors in all the dSSitfings ;Banks>in;the;!Cotony / .pn Dae; 31/I^* was ' £25 17s sd, as agauwjb:£26 2s sd,on. Dec. 31, 1888. The Government Insurance iJRPEH*™6O*I'..^O to &°? T.ll$ 1P" LY~j I1?//.maintain;;] its popu larity amongst the people, a large .percentage;,.s.,whom; have, beejt^edu £atod,j .sf)> v to^ BpeaVr,i^r>^K'?r.iProfwioll. for the future welfarOj ,pfcthen^yj«^and .|those,.dependingph!/them;^,\^^l|Bpai^ .me^in^ithe, last year a tojal, am^un^^f .^iu^ce;.pf,;;j^BJ^Bss, whicp juinost\ equals ; the^mou^ol^ew business done in [lß^.^^to^ income . of th^jDe^artment' last yearfwjw.ll2^B,7lo being X 16,509 in excess of the. income of ( the preyioufl'.year. The amount of "the .accumulated fund at the credit of, the office at the end of the year 'was L 1,582,447, showing an increase, of L129;969. r The i miihber: _of policies in force-at; £he lend ofihe year was 27,218, including 100 annuity policies insuring • L7,326|129.^ Tlie mo^tyli&slsen con siderably below the expectation, and.the . interest accrued from investments of funds' : Exceeded by nearly (LlO*OjX)ftiie ?«motant paidfforr r deathf claims;durijig the year: After referring to the low rate of mortality * in{New 1 Zealand as compared witii> the rest, Trf'the World;the Treaaurer>wwnton t<r4ay ''. that the assets of Friendly.. &me£es nhaid increased L3O/000. dating the year, the total being L 440,000 at the end of 1889. Other aimukrlsbci^tieiß Shad assets approxi mated at L 75,000. Notwithstanding these signs of substantial progress which are of a most satisfactory nature, trade, in its-mbre limited sense, 'haslfor/allwShsi <lerable'tahieb^nßnnerinl^gre*fc;dalneßß. This fact was most* suggestive. He had noi dotibt as to tKe iqain cauße:aßd t l>eHeved it to be the practical abandonment of our .'' long!c6ntiniie3.practice Bf'borrowfiuf 1 very large sumVwdf Jmbney'irirlhe London . market, by Government and by private individuals/That-was at the bqttom"of our trade difficulty. The cessation of private : 'borrowing in the various, forms of. jpiepdit ; given in London to oilr settlerp hqA. as much..tjb.4o^with the^present, tradefdiffi- . culty. as the cessation of our^puWicloanß. .The subject is a /diffici^t on&ahdrecix^res /close, attentiph},t(O masterjt.' J jDo .. , w^rns of^prtgage,^ ( before.lß7B. lttax^re tunis of Unit ybVirthftt British, moftgaces tluiiiainountod tit L]oJ23,pOo;;'jtn;f4|B2' wo see by the property tax returns that  tlioy had increased to_ 1.15,018,01^)];^^ that- in lmi tlicy hikl .reached the^.maxi mum>Jil6,^B2,oop, bemuse, in 18j3f^;' ,the year of the last'return made,j they'rjiad fallen to L16,205,0Ci6: He' tKoughV; ifc" ..very doubtful if in 1870 thp r Britishjnort 'gage's ' reached ) more ihari? ll$0($fflto, • assujning; thafc; they reached thafcfapra. If thatwas so "British" capital' wjis pouring' into the colony during fifteen years, from 1871 to' l18^5; ; at %te 'rate' of nearly one million a year td assist private enterprise; ' butag^TOa^/had'to/'be^ :^et'Ei«(o|Wo; ; 'interest I'paid- upon 'thati'r amount during. the* rsame period i' Towards' the' latter'etid of the'peridd the am6unt of increased debt was' le§s 'than the' interest which 1 had*to ]be paid in iLbndon. Debts' on ;m6rfe^age:in curred between 1882 and 1885: were*only LI, 800.000, and' thY interestjjaid-iras pro bablyslightly overL3dl,ooo: JSineelßßs our outside, mortgages have decreiased'by L 627,000, wlule the interest on them, paid outside <'4ihe-'obl6hy"ssihc4 1885 to the end of last year, was abbu¥li4oo,ooo. This striking 'change 1 indoor monetary re lations with^ London must, of itself, be still producingja large 'disturbance in our trade. Our'other private"butside r'debte'.Tini6unfc : to LBOO,OOO, but they are also being con tracted; 'rTh"e T Government' has- received and expenHetf the total interest! andl'sinking-fund paid^has been Ii20;6W,000/Theex[wnclifcureby'Govern ment from loan-during' the last three calendar/years has been gre*tlyi reduced, and only amounted to L 257,000, so that ' at. .the 1 ternririHtion- of - the> three!' years ending 31at Dec, 1889,'.i-Govermißii^iild arrived at ca-!ve rry;' similar^ in its financial history to that reached by out side private borrowers! 'The Government have remitted to pay interest for the last' three yeatk!Mfcßo,oo©>ofat? the.rate, of -say L 560,000 annually. The borrowings - jot (*$£ 1 pbrjou^h's t 7«nd' i9arSbE_' B^|s; ' amounted to Li, 500,000. These bodies have paid iifin^efesV fcbout L 2,200,00 Summarising Ve J find thatthe total amount ; borrow,ed nnder. three- heads fromylß7l'^o 1889 may .Be'.teken vL45,3PQ,pdp; thfle^ Jii.'f.in-' I his. alnmi has been ' |».ii«l »Hay in int-oicst and' tuiiking' fond, ■ l(-.ivin^ nlritut L12.]()0,000 free jnoaoy. ' W(> ]i;ive now; niat'lioil tho KfAgeiwhon (iitvoriuiioni" and pri\a'.<! borrowing; in L-)ii(l<>ii has ivaMxl, aiul'wi! niid'ourHolvoH : in ill's position, fliiil instead of haviiigthe ' (Whole r pf f |;he -,proceeds, of..our^expotted '''■'' produce and, s^y; Ii!^ ? )0w^to/^ape^w^■|fl , we pleased a'year, 'we have no' loose, coming in, but-we to <have t<j find ' .from!our jexported prddiice L3j250,0p0§0 pay^dur .^interest. ; Jlt stems'to me that we haVe how 1 practically borne, the , crucial test, the_ heaviest strain that can * be put onJ us'^if 'we 'refrain' friim further l borrowing, aiul, that we ha^e.sljLOwn our strength/is. ample to|cfti?ry^Uß£ttirough. After fefefrihg'to'the disinclinaticm. of . capitalists to embark in enterprises, to the relations between capit^ and; ? ?labor, to the Banks contracting^their tr|we, and to : the towns having growh^too.large for the country, the Treasurer said aßound con dition may spo^vbe'; expected, j» return with the^Tsettleihent ,of < the Hand. Our difficulty iirsellirig the fends not from our laws, • but from theHniature of ''•' our country, which,\ in mauy { re quires','so !muoji | expenditure jon roads beforehand can berbrbught i'rfto'prMtable ' ■ us.c. Although,w.e, have.in.^he cpuntry ' niir.y <TnillioriS fof acre4/r»f unoccupied llnd, <mii<(l by t:u« C.'ViiniiiuMi't and^Natwes, an;l much cf i: >■' fir>t class' lquah'^ ft priicMc.-illy all. ».f it rcijuins'a Ij^bjej pfe^dit^te'in'roadß/.'^nd clearingiiewrfcir (JatiTJe itia'd'e available.'; £o give" aV»y our* / lan^ds would not produce settlement of ' kind • that We country * desires', '- untesa w* , first make passable roadj^,, and .thia, as 's hon. members>Jkiipir» meanßlajlkrge ex penditure^ Where, is Jthat,.oome r frpm? system of disposing; of" 1 our Crown lands , unless we are prepared to assist settle-. .; ment by a large expenditure of funds from the cons6lidated|revenue^>^which| means ; extra taxationl VNo doubt 'Settlement may be stimulated to a certain extent, if . PaVUamen^islpret^ed-^^e%ateria assistance in facilities for settlement by persons of the: small farmer class, possessed.^of.limited means, bu^asiara^ I'can;jij'dge,Lthls cl»s«v could not b«Job^ tamed in large numberp, Special settJp- . merits in some iort, 'ac originwf

THE ASHBTJRTON atIABDIAtf, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1890.



Pnbllo Notieea. THE UNDERSIGNED having secured a large block of Good Bush Land at Alford Forest, are now prepared to supply Farmerp, Cuufcractors and others - ■ -with any quantity of fencing materials, ' ■ra:'Heart Poste, Heart Stakes, Sheep yard Rails, Straining Posts, and also Firewood. Delivery can be had at a very convenient place, or Orders may be sent by rail from Springburn Railway Station. ' GREEN BROS., ' JJ.173 Springburn Post Office '.QLeARING SALE, STOCK MUST BE REDUCED. Vi, t, spleii no, T^REVIOUS td' Stock-taking, being I •» cry - heavily stocked, we have dW!i|le*,fcpb?W L ,a . ::  a i CLEARING SALE. , « aREAT REpUCTIONSj ■... ,REGARDLESS OF COST. ; Heavy Dress Tweeds lOjd^ reduced to Double width Cash-neres 3s 6d, reduced ; to Is lid. Dress Goods Is 9d, reduced to Is 2d. White Blankets 5s lid a pair. Good Heavy Flannel Is 3d, reduced to " . -Is. ' Cretonnes 4b lid a doz. !', Towels from 3Jd each. - White Sheeting, double width, 7£d. . Women's Corsets 3s 6d, reduced to Is lid  White Lace lOd a dor. Women's Large Umbrellas Is lid each. : Men'a£!o»d Trousers 7s6d, worth 10s 6d. * Men's Tweed Trousers 10s 6d, reduced : 'to 7s lid. , Men's Tweed Suits 18s 6d. Men's Tweed Suits 30s, now 255. , ' Boy's Tweed Hats Is each. BOOTS. BOOTS. , A Job Lot of Women's and Children's . Boots must be cleared Regardless of Cost. Men's Bluchers 6s 9d, Men's Shooters 10s 6d, worth 13s ,6d. .' .. ! BARGAINS. BARGAINS. : AT W.-.W. SPENCER'S THE ARCADE. WANTED KNOWS WANTED Known—A trunk of Ladios Boots, assorted, will be sold this week at 3s 6d per pair.— ANDREW ORR. *"\T7 ANTED Known—Just opened new W Jackets, Dolmans, Furs, Gloves, Corsets, Embroiderd robes, Umbrellas Etc., at ANDREW OIcR'S. WANTED Known—A great Bargain in Berlin Wools, all colors, »:, 3s per lb, slightly soiIed.—ANDREW ORR FOR WEDDING Outfits, Family Mourning, and General DRAPERY go; to ANDREW ORE'S. TVTEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. , _i_N ANDREW ORR is showing ex actly tho same Goods in Roslyn Worsted Dress Tweeds, as exhibited at the Fxhi bition, also Blankets and Flannels. , C) A A PAIRS of BLANKETS at £j\)\s Old Prices, contracted for Trhon wool was Cheap.—Ai ORR. 1 A A EMBROIDERED ROBES I \.f\J. Select from at .ANDREW OIIR'S No two of the same pattern. SEALY'S FRUIT TREES XNCLUDING Apples, Pears, Plums, i < Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, Nectar ines, and all other fruits. The merits of 'all the varieties have been subjected to severe tests during the last 15 years, nnd the stock is now admitted to be the Largest <md Choicest in Canterbury, ■ probably in the colony, to select from, all warranted, and at your own prices. SEALY'S FOREST TREES Of all kinds, innumerable in quantity, well-grown nnd hardy—all kinds, all sizes, •11 prices. SEALY'S ORNAMENTAL TREES, &c. Choice in quality, numerous in quantity. SEALY'S MACROCARPA. Tens of thousands in number. A large quantity specially grown for fencing at very low prices. SEALY'S ROSES. Endless in variety and choicest in quality, i SEALY'S CATALOGUES Forwarded free to any address on 1 application. Note. —I will only be responsible for Trees ordered direct from the Nursery or ' through Messrs J. Sealt asd Co. THOS. SEALY, Nurseryman, 18 Riverbank, Ashburfcon. -STEPHENS BROS BURNETT STREET, BEG to introduce to their Customers and the Public a NEW LINE OF KEROSENE, Which they have just landed, and for which the Manufacturers claim many ad ' vantages over the ordinary oil now in the market, inasmuch as it is almost odourless and free from offenuve smell. It is extra refined and perfectly pure, and will, therefore, pro luce n much softer and more BRILLIANT LIGHT. It will Not Dazzle or Injure the Eyes and altogether dispenses with the rirfk attached to the ordinary lower grades, as well as being very much more economical for household purposes, stoves, etc., etc ■ Although being a little more costly, yet, to keep pace with the times, we will RETAIL IT at the USUAL PRICES, So Farmers and Householders will do well in Securing a Winter Supply, nnd in so doing we aie satisfied they will be pleased with their purchase. We have, also, to hand <i GOOD ASSORTMENT OF CANDLES Both English and Colonial, including Carriage, Bedroom, Pinno, etc. Our Stock of TEAS is also Increasing, ■ and >ye have, therefore, a Better Selection for Blending purposes and to select from, jvprl d-'iiiv to Draw Spwiial Attention to ,-,,'r ivhfAN, CBYLON, DARJELING :'V,Kr>K, ASSAM PEKOE, and Keveral tjli-.er varieties in packets i>y in bulk, so Customers favoring us with a cal will re ceive our enbrls to give satisfaction. Wo will be phased to wait upon Cus ,(':,r—.i if re r .uc''O.'], and ordora by post vnil '.'0 .laspat'r-'i. '1 without delay. Orders c •.veic*' .v Toy <; or Suburbs QTEPHENS T)ROS



WANTED Cash Aitvi'rtutmtntu under tbw he^tiitm, no* CKcmUngWivorls, 0.V7? SirCLLIAti Addreanesin<iy hel-'ft af f.'i.U o%< ■ ANTED.—AII members of the Ashburton Fire Brigade to attend practice to-night, 7.30 sharp. ■;6 148 WANTED a good general Servant, Mrs J. S. Quinn, Havelock Street West. . 6 143 TOP THAT COUGH 1 By using Flower's Cough Drops. Guaranteed fficacioua. Can only be obtained at H. G. Flowbr's, Confectioner, East Street. 3 191 JUST opened, a few ladies plush jackets, newest shapes, very cheap. —H^C.'Segers, 1 Melford House." t \ "AJN.'JtI ' iinown.—A' special pur- VV chase of choice Ladies Hats at;a desperate pricei—W^ H. Collier. 4t130 WANTED every man in the County ' "to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, , Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder'a Buildings. WANTED KNOWN.—The Cheapest House in Ashburkn to biiy Drapery, Millinery, Clothihgy Boots, etc.,. is H. C. Segers, Melford House. 'rpHE Patent Candle Extinguisher'can 1 be Set to Extinguish at any time required ; it will save insurance premiums' your house and your life, price Is ; Sole Agent for Ashburton.—R. Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings ," '■ W" ANTED KNOWN.—A lot of ■ Ladies Cloth and Tweed Jackets, considerably under usual cost price.4— ( W. H. Collier, t% f The Corner."-. ■.'; ; , ANTED Known —One hundred and fifty Ladies' and Children's Ulsters bought a great bargain (rock qualities), now'selling very cheap—H. C. Seqbrs. Melford House. ANTED Known—The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware 'and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashburton, is at ■W. F. Haknaford's, Burnett Street:' A large stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron "ware goods made and repaired with dcs patch ; _ CIHEAP Cash Sale now on at Carson's 1 J Ironmongery, Brushware, Glass, China, and Earthenware at Auction Prices. All kinds of Produce taken'in exchange. "jr?iDilo~Kotlces. ' ~ VTOTICE —All persons found Tress pa j\| sing in pursuit of game or other wise on the Riversdale Estate on and after this date will be prosecuted. ! . J. R. WILLIAMS.; Riverndale, 24th May.. , 5 176 F FLAVALL ENGINEER AND.MACHINIST, Ashburton. STEAM Engines and Boilers repaired, Threshing Machines overhauled Latest Improvements fitted into old machines. Numerous testimonials on application. Shop Acland and Campbell s Old j Auction Rooms. $*88 iN" THE Z NEW ZEALAND CLOTHISG FACTORY FOR OVBECO A TS .AND WATEKPBOOFS. : CHEAPEST and BEST HOUSE in the District. HEALTH" and COMFORT FOR 30/- The Celebrated Werthein'New Higli arm .Sewing Machines on easy Time pay mente. r~i W. H. WEBBER, Tp L j Manager. X l, '/.'ITHOUTTCETU WJTM-T«t3 • THE CHRISTCHURCH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Cashel and High streets. S. M TBi*AND C a SURGEON DENTISTS. And at Dunedin and Westport. TTTE have gained the FIRST AWARD VV at the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanica^ Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that we guarantee the highest class work, and perfect fit, at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s, Complete Sot — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 lO.s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra fee or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or, monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE J-tAS .several times daily for the past ten' years, we fearlessly assert that extraction' f teeth under its influence is perfectly; painless and positively safe ' Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d. , ; Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by , ther dentists repaired or remodelled at mall cost., • „, , , Hours of a tendance-—9 a mi. to 6 p. in r*i niAWCIT T^ODDS; .IJT. X 1 XJ SURGEON DENTIST, Aoikress :—Court Chambers, above Mr. H. I<l. Jones, Stationer, East Street. Private Residence, . Tancred Street, Three doors below Masonic Hall. '



We clip the following important testimo nial from the " Illawarra'Mercury " (N.S. W.) of the 30th March. It needs no comment:—, •• Mr John Ldveday,' of the Bulli Mountain,' writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons' "EucalyptidExtract. 'Hespys^'Seeiriglthe said^Extract advertised in 'the 'Illawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle'of the .medicine j from Mr Hosking, chemist,. of Afchiittown, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of- the extract, and"'the. 19th, the use of that medicine-continued to'afford.him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract a cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through 1 the' Mercury.' We have much pleasure in complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word ■ cannot be doubted, and who can have'no object in view other than a! pure desire to benefit suffering humanity."—(AdyM 2