The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27,1890. RETRENCHMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.

The Retrenchment Party m the House of Representatives have given a good account of themselves this ses sion. When the Estimates for the year were brought down these were attacked m. a most determined manner. The majority of the House demanded to know particulars of the varions items proposed to be voted, and these particulars being supplied, m number less cases the votes proposed were found to be unnecessarily extravagant. Ac cordingly substantial sums were de ducted from the salaries of over-paid Civil Servants whose salaries had remained untouched m the recent re trenchment demanded by the House and country. The Ministry, as we have before remarked, fought m a determined manner to prevent reduc tions being made, but being unable to stem the current asked to be allowed to go with it and direct the helm. A promise was made by the Ministry to reduce the Estimates by £50,000 if the Government were allowed to do so m their own way ; but this offer was re fused, and the Retrenchment Party took charge of the Estimates and tore them to shreds m the face of Ministers who were powerless to resist. Any ordinary Ministry, under such circum stances, would have resigned, but the ex traordinary combination at present con trolling New Zealand affairs swallowed the indignity, and stuck to the Benches. Having failed m the effort to save the salaries of friends and proteges m the Public Service, the reductions were accepted under protest. The Ministry, however, let it be plainly seen that if they could possibly get away from carrying out the instructions of the House they would do so. This was the cue for Civil Serrants affected to combine and throw all manner of impediments m the way of retrench ment being carried out. Hence the formation of what is practically a Civil Service Union throughout the colony, the object of which is to preserve,atthe expenseof taxpayers, the present over-paid, under-worked, and cumberous system of officialism—a system altogether too elaborate and out of proportion to the requirements ot the colony. No one will blame the over-paid Civil Servants for combining and protesting against their salaries being reduced or their work increased; m doing so they are quite within their rights. But it is certainly not the duty of the Government to encourage them m so doing m face of the wish of the House and will of the country. The first protest that has come m so far, on behalf of the Civil Service, is from the Controller and Auditor- General's Department. In this de partment the House instructed the Ministry to deduct £950 from the vote originally proposed, but Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, head of the department, has sent forward a curiously-worded protest that this amount cannot pos sibly be retrenched unless by means of the dismissal of three or four clerks, whose services are absolutely indis pensiblc. This is the only method, so says Mr Fitzgerald, by which he can carry out the instnj.ctib,ns, of the Gov ernment, and having thus s.«t the ball rolling, we may expect that the same cry will be raised from every depart ment affected by the recent reductions made m the Estimates, The only way m which the heads of departments can see that retrenchment may be effected is by reducing the salaries of subordi nates or. discharging them altogether, and thus interfere with the efficiency of the public services. This is the Ministerial idea, and the Civil Servants have taken up the cry, and we may ex pect to hear it echoed throughout the land during the forthcoming elections. The House and the country, however, if we mistake not, have given some broad hints that retrenchment is not wanted m the rank and file, l>ut at the head of the tree. The country has awakened to the fact that the salaries of heads of depfj.rtni.ent are greatly out of proportion to salaries paid to the rank and file, and that the prosperous days have gone by when princely in comes and retiring allowances can be granted either to Controller-Generals of Aufjit Department, Chief Cleiks, Inspectors of Prjsons, Railway Com missioners, Agents-jfieiw&ra], or the thousand m$ one .other .offtcialg whf) overcrowd and over-man our elaborate red-tapeism. The state o| the cqloixy demands that the most rigid economy shall be practised, and the people are determined to have it.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Great Britain has 592,056 livmafss, '■ London has 6,000 union women cigar r^akers. i Lord $rassey k the owner of 10,000 acres ; m Australia. * : Moscow has a society fox ; th« of poor brides. > Over ftM ia.dj.es m Washington are -wearing : divided skirts. A son .of the Sulta.iv's ;br<^fyej'.-in/J&w has been captured by brigands, A nobleman is feeding daily 1,001) victims of the famine m Tokio, Japan. The chief de cuisine m charge of Qupcii Victoria's table is a Mohoimnedan. 'j'Jf.e religious belief of the people will not be taken iq. tl^e coining English census. Soudanese soldiers sys i/tiijg recruited m '■ Egypt f°v service iii the Congo Proo tytetfi. The income of the Sydney City Mi«?jon fo-t Iwp year was £2.330. Queen Nftji^lip of >Servia has had lier life insured for £4(),IMf i^r the benefit of her son. Itoiy is trying tfl div<,\rt $# §god of Italian emigration from Anumea to fjeji' fcm'h; ac quired colonies m Africa. ' ] Roses m silver bowls are the most fash ionable table decorations for dinner parties ' -iii jfa'jujtjj Jujjt. now. The lessees of (iooiny^Yf iityt™}}! New South Wales, report highly' o^ U)ify^ v ; material for ensilage. ' ■ ' ' j Owing to the threatened shipping strike '■ la Sidney the price of wood m Adelaide has : advance* %% yer ton. Mr J- & FU'th'.s bo^H *}}{jyt New Zealand "Nation-making," is favourabfy jiie^i^^d • ■Httl)e"Sk James' Gazette." The law yf m France has ■been m ! : op"era,tioA since ABB,;i, qnd during four years j tjjerc have been 15,521 diyw^psi, which is at' the rate of 22 for 10,000 lnan^ag^sf. Dr Gatling, the inventor of the gatlinf ' • gun, is said to be at work on a new artificial I ice machine, which, lie believes, will make jce at,one-tenth the present cpst.

I An English plaintiff has recovered dam ages and costs for injuries clone to his clothes by a barbed-wire fence while walking along a public path after dark. Mr H. C. Russell, Government Astrono mer of N.S.W., m photographs of Hie Milky Way," has got 160,000 stars, as against 64,000 stars obtained by American astronomers. The report cf the South Australian Rail-' way Commissioners, laid before Parliament, stated that the profile on the earnings of the railways, for the year ending June JUtn, were £515,000. An "ex-Governor" writing m an Eng lish magazine says "no one who has not had experience of the fact has any idea how ignorant colonial politicians can be ot every thing outside their own couutry. The Melbourne express to Sydney had a narrow escape from disaster at Wagga on the 12th inst. through the engine running into a bullock standing on the Murrnm bidgee bridge. The engine was forced oft the line. Mr Teece, a Freetrade candidate for Goul" burn, New South Wales, m » recent speech, said he would gradually abolish all customs duties, replacing them by a t»x on the un improved value of land. There are 600,000 children m Great Britain insured at this moment, and the Bishop of Peterborough believes 600 are murdered every year for the insurance money. Arrangements are now m progtesß for the betrothal of the Duke of Clarence and Avon dale (Prince Albert Victor) to Princess Vic toria of Teck, and it may be expected that the betrothal will shortly be announced. The political platform of the Auckland Knights of Labour and Federated Trades is the repeal of the Property Tax and to sub stitute therefor a Land Tax and a reduction of the Customs duties on the necessaries of life. There is a great demand from the Tara naki districts for some aid to the butter m dustry m the shape of a lecturer to go round. The export has risen m two years from oUO to 1500 tons, and will be vastly bigger very soon. The long crisis m the diamond trade at Antwerp is terminated. The price of raw diamonds has, as compared with last year m consequence of large imports, fallen 15 per cent. Nearly all the workmen m the trade are employed again. According to an American paper, wall: paper can be made m «uch a way that the paSiage of low-tension electric currents will Lat it moderately warm to the touch, and diffuse throughout the room an agreeable temperature. A thrilling tale was told the other day at an inquest at Clayton-le-Moors on a miner mamed Bradshaw, who had been buried by a fall of earth. The rescue party worked at the immense mass of debri* for three hours, encouraged by the sound of the burred man s voice. Only one man could work at a time and they were m constant apprehension of another fall of the roof. At last they saw Bradshaw, with his head just out of the earth. He implored them to do their utmost to save him, but another fall occurred, and the deceased, crying "good bye, I'm choking was buried eight feet deep. The German papers mention that Prince Bismarck, since his retirement from power, has become singularly affable and condescend ing. Formerly when he walked abroad he was preceded by a policeman and attended by his two dogs. No one dared to approach him, and he maintained a haughty im passiveuess of manner and a stern in flexibility of demeanour which awed and repelled every passer by. Now he is all smiles and courtesy. He cordiilly shnke.i hands with all and sundry, and his very dogs seem to have altered their bearing, and are as friendly to the crowd as their master now is. In a recent conversation with an Knglish visitor, Prince Bismarck expressed himself m the following terms with respect to his successor :—" General Caprivi is a distin guished soldier; a man of remarkable in telligence .and of diversified attainments. In short, he is a perfect gentleman. lam sure," the Prince went on to say, " that the nomination of General Caprivi to the post of Chancellor was a great surprise to himself; that he frankly accepted it with a full con sciousness of the duties it, entaik, suid that hn is quite above the suspicion of being actuated by pcrnqnal anjbitiqn. He has an enlightened mind, a gqqd hoar^, a generous nature, an.cl a great capacity for wfjrk. In all respects he i« a fjrstrclass man." In a manifesto on the right's and responsi bititios of labor which he has lately issued, Mr Gladstone saya that there may come a time when labor will be too strong for capi tal, and may be disposed to use its strength unjustly. There is, unfortunately, always a disposition to unjust use with those who pos sess brute strength. But that labor m the aggregate will ever be superior to capital m the aggregate is inconceivable, for the hypo thesis implies a surgical device equivalent to industrial death. What is certain is that labor can never be stronger than the force of publjc opinion. Society is selfish m ita lore of order and fair play, and will noj; allow its own interests to be sacrificed £hat one class may triumph over anoiher. Mr F. W. Ward, formerly editor of the " Sydney Telegraph," who was m San Fran cisco laut month, wrote several letters to the PredS of that city, strongly urging that steps should be taken to prevent a discontinuance of the San Francisco service. Jn one of his communications he said :—" As to the possi bilities of commerce between >San Francisco and the colonies, my observations leads me to speak with enthusiasm. There is no reason why San Francisco should not be to the Pacific what Liverpool is to the Atlantic Ocean. Every country washed by the Pacific invites your commerce, and all that is re quired is that your merchants awake from their lethargy, and that your tariff be reduced within reason. The trade will naturally c'oine 'to yon it yuju (iq not force it away. It is by i)isc'ouraging it'and' making it almo.sfc impossible to, deal with, yp.u that you oompol us to seek more hospitable markets by the most circuitous routes, and m the inosfidistant places, Byproperdevelop ment twenty years will bring about most marvellous changes, and half a dozen ships a week will leave your port for the Australian colonies, carrying the rich products of jG?»Jjfcr))ia to supply a constantly increasing deinaiu!,/'

The "Shields Gazette" (England) an nounces that Mr W. B. Beaumont, M.P. for Tyneside, has giyen the lavge sum of £250,000 for the founding of institutes at York and Newcastle for the education of miners, to whose hard and often ill-paid labour the hon. gentleman ascribes his wealth. The gift is also made to the memory of his wife. A very singular case is reportad by last mail as having occured m an English Assize Court. A man pleaded guilty to a charge of indveent assault, and was sentenced to six yeara' penal servitude. He then Baid he had not understood the gravity of the offence with which he was charged, and the Judge cancelled the sentence and allowed the prisoner to plead not guilty. He was then tried m the usual manner, and the jury acqvitted him. An extraordinary discovery was made m a salt mine at Hermanstadt, Hungary, which was visited frequently by tourists on account of its great depth and its repeating echo. Heavy rains caused the water m the mine to rise to an unusual height, when a consider able number of dead bodies appeared on the surface and were recovered. They were found to be the bodies of Hungarian Honveds 380 of whom fell m the Battle of Viz Akna, on February 4, 1849, and instead of being buried were thrown into the salt lake of the mine. The bodies are so well preserved that wounds which caused death may still be seen quite plainly. Two of the bodiesare headless. The report of the Association of the Friends of the Blind, established at Auck land, is to hand. Although this philan thropic body has only been m existence little over twelve months a vast amount of servic* has been rendered to many perons m the colony who suffer from blindness. Mr J. W. Tighe, an experienced teacher of the blind, has travelled the colony on behalf of the objects of the Association, with the result that 133 persons have been visited, and many of those have been taught to read and write, and work at useful employ ment, such as knitting, netting, bead-work, bone polishing, etc., embossing, writing, music, etc. The feat of " ringing the changes" has been achieved with eqnal audacity and suc cess, by the officials of the Government of i Morocco, who were entrusted with the ship ment of ten Arab horses of the puret* »nd finest blood, which the Sultan was sending as a present to the King of the Belgians, Muley Hassan himself selected the creatures, which were pronounced by the experts at his court to be the finest m the country. When they reached Brussels King Leopold was not greatly struck by their beauty, and, on an investigation being made, it turned out that the original animals had been sold by some unscrupulous official, and that inferior ones had been substituted. This is a good story and a true one, says the "Pall Mall Gazette":—Herr Joachim, of violin renown, had been playing at a concert m Manchester. After it was all over he was walking up and down the rail way platform enjoying a good cigar and the consciousness that he had never played better m his life. The cheers of his audience still rang m his ears, and he was full of pleasurable self-satisfaction A respectable navvy-looking man, dressed m his Sunday best, kept passing and repassing, and gazing intently at the great master. Presently he came up to Joachim and <vsked ?for a light. This the musician gave him. Having lit his pipe, he looked Joachim full m the face, and then, tapping him with emphasis on the shoulder, he said, " But Paganini was the man !" That was all. But it was enough. Joachim said he never felt so small m his life. About a month ago there was a flight of English homing pigeons from Bournemouth to Liverpool. Among the competitors that held a good place was (says the 'Birken head Advertiser ") a bird belonging to Mr Rogers, of York Hotel, Grange road. It was subsequently arranged that all the birds which reached home—some of course were lost on the way—should compete m a further long distance race from Lassay. The birds and their owners or " fliers " were relegated to Cherbourg, where the birds were thrown up about seven o'clock m the morning. Mr Rogers' bird was seen to alight on the roof of its loft, by a Birkenhead pigeon fancier, about half-past eleven the tame morning. It had accomplished the entire distance of ;il)out 300 miles, including 100 miles of water, m a bee-line from Cherbourg to Birkenhsad at the rate of over a mile a minute. The bird had never been so far from home previously, and it is said that no bird had over flown from Cherbourg, or indeed any part of Fpince to Birkenhead before. The bird, which was bred by Mr Rogers him self from a Belgian strain to " homesters," is just two years old. Mr 0. E. Jones, "of Victoria, stated m the course oi his lecture m Sydney, an amusing anecdote of Mr B, C. Aspinall, the clever out dissipated barrister. At an election meeting Mr Aspinall had concluded his speech and had given his support to pro tection, but as hitherto he had been an ardent free-trader, this sudden change of front was regarded with some suspicion. A working man m the body of the hall got up and said :—" You have told ua you are m favor of protection. Now, then I'll ask you A question, and I want a straight answer, sir; none of your lawyer tricks. What would you i>ut on boots?" "Well," said Aspinall, "that depends on circumstances. Some use oil, others' soak them m milk, and one extravagant dog I know rubs 'em with cream, but taking all circumstances into consideration, I think I would put blacking on." The ehrieH of laughter which followed this " lawyer's " trick made, the baffled boot maker simply mad with rag«. As soon as the noise had abated he was again on his feet and ready with another question : "Very well, Mi- Aspinall, you got the laugh oii me that time, hut you won't get it so easy this time, sir. Now, sir, tell me why your face is so red ? " Again Aspinall rose, and m the midst of the waiting pause of absolute silence came the words, " What makes my face so red ? Sir, it is blushing at your impudence."

THE MARKETS.

[per press association.] Sydney. August 2fi. Wheat—Chick feed" 2s 9d to 3s 3d ; mijf ing 3s lOd to 4s. Oats—Of Is lDd"' seed 2^, |pp,c| 2s to 2s 2d. ' Maize '' 4s to 4s £(d. ' ' Barley '2s sd, nominal: Bran 9d Pollard filja.' -Chaff-- New 'Zealand 4s 10d ; local §s tq £s lQd, Prussian; peas 4sJJ Potatoes—Circular Heads £5 to £5 10s ; New Zealand £6. Onions £12 to £13 Butter falling ; dairy Is to Is 3d, factory Is 4d to Is 6d. Cheese 3d to 6d. Bacon scarce ; machine 6d to 7d, hand made 7^d to Bjtd, New Zealand lOd to Is. MCLBQIJKNB, 4 uSH sfc 26: Little business is cloqig. Wheat nominal, 3s lOd ; oats, New Zealand mill ing 3s l|d ; barjey quiet, Cape '2s 3d ; maize, prime 4s ;' bran easier, 9id ; peas steady, 3s'Jd, Adelaide, August 26. Wheat, shipping parcels 3s 7d to 3s 8d ; flour quiet, £8 5s to £9 ; bran 8d to B|d, pollard Bd.

PARLIAMENTARY

TUESDIY, AUGUST 26.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Speaker took the chair at 2.30. BILL PASSED. The Naval Vesting Bill was read a third time, and passed. coroners' inquests. The Hon S. E. Shrimski moved — •'That the Council still disagree with the amendments of the House of Representa tives m the Coroners' Inquest Bill, and that a conference between managers of both Houses be asked for. The managers of the Council to be Messrs Stephens, Shepherd, and the mover."—Agreed to. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of this Bill, which, he explained, referred chiefly to the seamen of vessels trading m New Zealand, and provided for the maintenance of any seaman who might become ill m the colony, and further provided that a passage might be secured to him to any port at which he might be entitled to claim his discharge. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill was ordered to be committed on Thursday next. employers' liability bill. The Hon E. C. J. Stevens, m moving *;he second reading of the Bill, said that the proposed measure was not what might be regarded as a Labor Bill, but was simply brought down to amend the Act of 1882, and to enable seamen and other workmen to obtain compensation from ship and factory owners m cases where they had defective machinery, etc. They might meet with personal injuries whilst m the execution of their duties. The second reading was lost by 11 to 10. WASTE LAND GRANT BILL, The Hon E. C. J. Stevens moved the second reading of this Bill, which waß agreed to, and the Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE ACT AMENDMENT BILL, : Second reading agreed to.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, The Hon T. W. Hislop said the Govern, ment had not sufficient information for dealing with the question that all personi working as apprentices m factories should be regularly indentured, but he would be happy to confer on the subject.—The Hon E. Mitchelson said the Govern ment would waive the Statute of Limitations with respect to Sir J. Vogel's claim against the Colony, but they could not see their wav to interfere with the Crown Suits Act (which provides that an action must be commenced within twelve months) m this case. —The Hon E. Mitchelson regretted that the Govern ment could not see their way to permit newspapers printed m New Zealand, and addressed to persons m New South Wales, to go free of postal charges. MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Hon E. Mitchelson gave notice to introduce the Midland Railway Deviation Bill. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. Replying to Mr Ballance Mr Mitchelson said that the Government proposed to de vote this week to Bills, and next week to the consideration of the federation pro posals, postal resolutions, and the re mainder of the estimates. They hoped to be able to prorogue Parliament m the following week. ELECTORAL BILL. Mr Hislop moved that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill be recommitted m order to insert two clauses, one providing for an unofficial declaration of the poll m cases where seamen's votes have not all been received by the returning officer, and the other clause dealing with the Maori vote as proposed by Mr Arthur to prevent natives from voting for European Qandi dates. The motion for recommittal was agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. SHEEP BILL. On the motion that the Sheep Bill be reported from Committee, Mr Walker moved the re-oommittal of the Bill m order to re-insert Clause 54, which prohibited driving sheep, at night ; also, to reconsider the branding and ear marking clauses, to insert a proviso that Clause 54 and the branding and ear marking clauses should only' come into force within a County or subdivision of a County or road district m cases where the Counties Act is. not m force, after a special order to that effect has been niade. After a lengthy discussion, Mr Walker's amendment for the re-committal of the Bill was lost by 38 to 32, and the amend ments m the Bill were agreed to ; the Bill was read a third time and passed. VOLUNTEER DRILL SHEDS, ETC., BILL. The Volunteer Drill Sheds and Lands Trustees Validation [.Bill was committed and passed without amendment. CATTLE BILL. The Cattle Bill, as reported from the Joint Live Stock Committee, was com mitted. A new clause was added, pro viding for a penalty not exceeding £50 for giving diseased carc.ase,s fx>r' feeding pigs. <X>MMNIBS EILL t „ The Companies Act Amendment Bill was committed and passed with verbal amendments. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill was recommitted. A new clause was added to the effect that when the returning officer shall be unable to complete the state of the poll on the evening, of- the closing thereof, through n,ot having the votes oi seamen exercised for the district, he shall make known unofficially th.c state of the poll as far a,s ho can make it up to such time by telegraph. \\\ i\u case is the declaration of the poll to be delayed longer than, seven, (lays..' Another, n'^w, ejause provides, that every elector who cannot re^d or write may have the option of voting m the usual way, or of declaring his vote m the presence of the returning officer and scrutineers. Mr Hislop said that Mr Arthur did not intend moving his new clause, prohibiting Maoris from voting at European elections. The Bill was read a third i\\\\® »net passed. fcAJMHT. bjxl. Some discussion, took place on the third reading of the' Rabbit Nuisance Bjllj, a number of members protesting against its stringent provisions, The adjournment of the debate was carried by 29 to 25. LAND GRANT BILL. The Honomona Paatu Land Grant Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 12.50 a.m.

The Silver Bill.

Th,e effect of the passing of the Silver Bill, whicli is to come into operation m the United States m September, is already apparent throughout the civilised world m the increased price of that metal. For some years previous to the inauguration of this vast monetary experiment m the United States, the fall m the value of silver m relation to gold had been enor mous. The ' proportion had remained steady at about 12 and 10 to 1 from Anglo Saxon times to the discovery of America. The new supply obtained from the countries Avhose vast metallic wealth was rifled by the Spanish conquerors, dis turbed the ratio somewhat. But down to 1874, the increased output of silver

had only resulted m bringing the proportions to 15 to 1. At that time, however, the unlimited coinage, of silver by France, Italy, Switzerland, Bel gium, and Greece, which had tended to maintain a comparatively steady ratio, was discontinued. In most countries silver was reduced to the position of token money, with limited coinage, and gold was made the only legal tender. The result was' the rapid depreciation of silver, until last year the proportional value of silver to gold was 22 to 1. Under these circumstances the man who accepted twenty shillings m silver m exchange for a sovereign did not get anything like an equivalent. If we take the Indian rupee as an illustration of the value of silver m relation to gold, it will enible us to understand the matter with out an appeal to arithmetic. The nominal value of the rupee is 2s. Many years ago when silver was more valuable it had an exchange value of 2s 2d. Last year it was worth Is 2d. The actual metallic value of an English shilling at the same date, therefore, was 6d or 7d,. taking a gold basis for computation of its price. Whether the holders of shillings appreciate the fact that the Silver Law m America is enhancing the market value of their coins or not, it is nevertheless a fact. A recent cablegram says that the rupee is already quoted at Is Bd. There are great economic problems involved m the opera tion of the Silver Law, and advocates and opponents of bimetallism will watch the results with interest.—" Rangitikei Ad vocate."

The Flax Industry.

The following is a. precis of the suggested conditions under which bonuses may be earned:—(l) Anyone applying for the whole or any portion of the bonus must submit hia process to be tested before three commissioners, who shall be ap pointed by Government; (2) that the test shall be the production of not less than five tons of dressed fibre ; (3) that if they (the commissioners) are satisfied by the test that the process reduces the cost at the ship's side of good dressed fibre (equal to superior New Zealand) to half the present cost, they shall recommend that £4000 be paid to the inventor by the Government ; (4) if the process reduces the cost from £15 (the present cost at ship's side) to any sum between £15 and £7 10s, the Commissioners may award such portion of the £4000 as they may consider the reduction proportionately equal to ; (5) if the Commissioners are satis fied that there is an improvement m the quality of the fibre dressed by the pro cess, they may award the sum of £1.000 ; (6) if they are satisfied that any process has materially improved the quality of dressed Ibre, and so rendered it suitable for textile purposes, they may recommend that the sum of £2500 be paid to the in ventor by the Government; (7) the bonus for the best process of utilising the waste product of the flax industry shall not exceed £2500, to be paid for a process which shall, besides making it an article of profit to the producer, so utilise 75 per cent of the waste as to make it a profit able and useful article of commerce. All applicants must agree to accept the award of the commissioners, who, m their discretion, may, m addition to the bonus permit the inventor the right to charge a royalty to those who use this process.— (( 0f.,,, "

Labour's Debt to the Gospel.

Mr Gladstone has written an article on the labour question expressly for " Lloyd's News." Many important points relating to the well-being of ■'society are touched on m the article, which extends to about two and a half ■oolumns m length. After referring to the progress of the labouring classes Mr Gladstone says:—" For the whole of this enormous advance the basis was laid, once for all, by the Gospel. This was m its original form and m its continuing purpose the charter of human freedom, and the tAvo modes by which it mrtst conspicuously asserted itself m the arduous process of social regeneration were —first the gradual elevation of women, and next the mitigation and even tual'abolition of slavery/ To' feJioae who complain that the renovating process has been uniformly retarded, often chequered with painful contrasts, and sometimes even reversed, I would reply by praying them to remember two things, both/of them vital to a just appreciation of the case. The first is that now, as m the days of the old philosophy, ' the corruption of the best thing is, the very worst thing ;' and the deepest among all the dyes of human guilt are accordingly; those to be found within the Christian pale. The second is of wider application. Though the Gospel at its  threshold teaches humility and self-renunciation, yet, under an infallible law, Christianity, by bring ing the mind and life out of anarchy into order, begets power ; power begets enjoy ment ; enjoyment begets temptation m its thousand forms ; by temptation yielded to, the spirit is again enslaved ; the seven devils find entrance, and the las^ s*fca,fee, of man is worse than the firs^"

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME iV^tf FOREIGN.

[per. prbss association.] London, August 26. It is reported a revolt has occurred m Honolulu, and that King Kalakau has been driven into axile. Potato blighjj ha,s spread over- the whole of the, south, of Ireland.. Rain has injured the hay crop, and; smut the wheat. Mr Billon,, speaking at; limerick, declared' ijha,^ bovcert'tfog was a war of the vv^i'jaiwl against terrible oppres sion, a.nd was effective when wisely used, to vindicate their rights and achieve justice, without Avhich the cause of Ireland would not be ad vanced. He defended himself against Bishop O'Dwyer's charges. ]\ft\v Ofßrien denounced the Bishop &s a supporter of landlords. Bishop O'Dwyer, m a letter to the j " Freeman's Journal, says the multi ! tude. are incapable of judging, properly. jHe denou^9«s bpycottmg, and insists qn, obed-iettce, to. the. Popsv Kew. York, August 26. Guatemala, and San Salvador have signed terms of peace. Rome, August 25. During the Italian Army manoeuvres batteries of artillery were firing for half-an-hour with, smokeless powder witliout their posity^ being, observed. Be&ijn, August 25. The Emperor oi Germany has ar rived at Memel. He is strongly impressed with Russia's desire for peace.

AUSTRALIAN

S.YMTEY, August 26. The, Commissioner of Customs has decided a rather important point m connection with the shipment of hyd raulic lime from Whangarei, which has hitherto come m. di\tj free.. The Customs. Department subjected the lime k>. chemical analysis, and having decided it is identical with oement demanded 12s per ton. The Commis sioner upholds the collector's demand.

INTERPROVINCIAL

Auckland. August 26. The offer made by Herr Recknagel to act as mining expert and inspector for the joining for the colon} has been with drawn. The Waikato branch of the New Zea land Educational Institute have issued for the consideration of other branches, School Ccnnnifctees and electors, a circu lar protesting against the suggestion that the school age should be raised to seven years, and that, free education should stop at the fourth standard. A meetii)!/ -of Civil servants was held to-day, whej a resolution was passed acquiescing m the movement to form a Public >y:-.-vlce Association. The Catholic Literary Society have decided t.o send to Birmingham an address of condolence on the death of Cardinal Newman. Wellington, August 26. Mr D. Harris Hastings, New Zealand representative for the Tasmanian Exhibi tion, which opens on November, 15th, has arranged with the Railway Commissioners for exhibita So be carried free on Govern ment Hneß. In the Divorce Court to-day the Chief Justice granted Edith Kirkwood a judicial separation from her husband, John F» Kirk wood. The petitioner's evidence showed that respondent, who formerly lived m Wanganui, had repeatedly sub jected her to cruelty. Dunkdin, August 26. The Schools' Conference to-night de cided to ask the Education Board to sus pend the use of Whitcombe and Tombs' school books, or, at any rate, to refrain from examining children on them.

MAGISTERIAL.

METHVEN.

(Before Messrs Chapman and Cameron J.Fs.) ;.. CIVIL CASES Patton v Scrimgeour, claim £18 0a 3d. Mr Cuthbertaonfor defendant pointed out that the particulars attached to the summons were insufficient, the items nofc being given m detail. The Bench upheld the contention and nonsuited the plaintiff with costs. King v Beattie, claim £3 for board and lodgings. Mr Cuthbertson for plaintiff for whom judgment was given with cost*. Rouse v Boardman was adjourned till next Court day to enable defendant to have his evidence caken m Christchurch.

AQUATIC.

On the 13th instant articles for a match, between Peter Kemp and W. J. O'Connor were signed. The following are the pro visions contained m them :—The match is to be between Peter Kemp, of theHawkes bury river, champion sculler of the world, and William J. O'Connor, of Toronto, over a three-mile course with a turn m best and! best boats on any course on the Pacific coast of the United States, hereafter to be chosen by Peter Kemp, the race to take place m March, 1891, for the cham pionship of the world and £500 a-side, and the Police Ga/.ebfce Challenge Cup ; to be rowed under the National Amateur Association rules of U.S.A., and started at a time to be mutually agreed upon. Ifc is also expressly agreed that should any outside inter forence occur to the leading competitor during the race, as would spoil his chance of winning, the um pire shall have full power to give his decision m favour of the man so in terfered wvth, or order the race to be rowed over aram as soon as practicable^ It 13 also agreed that the umpire's decision shall be final, leaving no room for app'«jal ing to law or otherwise. A distance judge shall be appointed, who skill b& placed m, a boat at the finish of the course, and drop a flag.as. soon as the leading competitor passes the post. The first deposit of £IQQ a-side has been deposited with Mx George Hill, who shall forward that amount to Mr Richard X Fox, of New York. The second deposit of £2QQ a-side shall be made good to Mr Fox, who is appointed final stakeholder 31 days before the race, and the final deposit of £200 a-side is to be made good 10 days before the date »f the race! An umpire, is, fco be agreed upon seven days before the day of the race. Kemp is to receive £50 expenses, but should O'Connor be declared the winner, this amount is to be increased to £75.

DARKEST AFRICA.

In his new book on Africa Mr B. Bff. Stanley says that without any uraieceesary study he could write a special volume on insects, and we give a quotation which will show what ample Q.|>jK>rtuiiities the enthusiastic naturalist, may have: "Among theminavwipileasantnesses which we have had. to endure* we may mentioa the ' jigger, x which, deposited its eggs. un,d»s>. isi& tpenaife of the most active men* 1 an^i which attacked,the body of a ' goee | goee,' aw* njade him a mass of living cor ruption j the little beetle thai dired underneath the skin and pricked one as with a needle ; the mellipona bee, that troubled the eyes, and. avade one almost frantic some days; the small and large ticks that insiduausly sucked one's small store of blood ; the waspß,. which stung into a raging fever if some careless idjo£ touched the tree, or shouted i near their haunts; the wild honey bees, which one day scattered two canoe, crews, and punished them so that we had; to send a detachment of men to ' rescue them ; the tiger-slug, that dropped, i from the branches and left his poisonous fur m the pores of the body until one raved from the pain ; the red a;ats» fchafc invaded the camp by night and disturbed our sleep, and attacked the cswravan half a score of times on the n\a?«h, and made the men run faster thsw, if pursued by sc* many pigmies ; tk<s black ants, which in fested the trumpet tree, and dropped on. us when parsing underneath, and gave us all a fqpstaste of the Inferno ; the small an.U. that invaded every particle of food, which requive^ great care lesfc we might swallow hflltf a dozen inadvertently, and have y^o. stomach membranes perforated oy blistered— small as they were, they were the most troublesome, frr m every tunnel made through the bush thousands of fchejii housed themselves upon us, and. so bit and stung us that I have, s«en the? pioneers covered with blisters, as from, nettles ; and, of course, Ifrere were our old friends the mosquitoes, ii> numbers in< the greater clearings, "\

Trade and Fruit Pro spects in California.

By the San Francisco mail was received, by an old acquaintance of Mr K. J. Creighton, a letter m which reference is made to. the trade, between New Zea land and America «sid the opening which exists fos our fruitgrowers m the San I ran^isco. market m the coming season. The letter & dated 25th July, a portion of wWch we give below :—I regree that at this writing the subsidy question is still unsettled. The Postmaster General sent my letter on the subject to the House Postal Committee, which after wards recommended the passage of th« Senate Bills as substitute for the House Bill. It awaits action of the House, and lam sanguine that, it will pass. However, there is nothing absolutely certain at this lato period of the session, with the members rushing away daily to escape the sweltering heat. The Postmaster-General informs me that if the subsidy Bills Ao not pass, he will contribute all the post ages for next year, computed at $60,000. This, of course, would not compeoscta

THE ASSfiffitTON aTTABDIAj^WEBySDAY, AtTGtJST $t, 1800.



DEAF FORTY YEARS! The v, aoi4| tion of si simple remedy, by which a complete cure of de >fness and noises m the head of Forty Years' Stand 1 ing has just been effected, will be sent FREE tc anyone who applies to J. H. Nicholson, 175 William Street, Mel bourne, '



There is now to be seen m the shop window of Messrs J Scaly and Co., East street, a collection of apples showing some of the sorts grown at the Nurseries, Rivcrbfuikj fchafc w jji repay, inspection by ny qne who contemplates' planting fruit plants, There are upwards of fifty dif lerenfc kinds shown, all valuable, long keeping sorts. For size, color, and general excellence they arc by far the finest that have been shown m Ashburton this season,— (A dv * It will be m the recollection of the public that my collection of apples shown m Mr Clayton's shop m East street, being sixty-six varieties, and alsq tfipse whiofy faok two first awards : at" the I) lined in'; Exhibition and various other jilaces, 'wW'pronounced to be the largest and best ever "shown, m the Ash burton county. I would draw their atten tion m advertisement elsewhere. As only work on blight-proof stocks than which no other stficka -pan he rqlied yipcjn, the 'roots of my apple trees 'do not require 'tb' be washed before lending ouj.." ' Jatncs "P'qrter., nursery, man, Allenton. — Advfr



The bes.t medicine £s Sander and j|*ns! Eucalpytr Extract, '^Tcs]t its'eminent power ful effect* iii coughs, 'colds, influenza,' etc.— the relief is instantaneous, thousands girt the most gratifying testimony. His Majesty ,tti« King of Italy and medical syndicates all over .th,i world aff ijtg gafrpnu. Ivead th« official reports that accompany each battle. We have no occasion to offer regards m proof of the genuineness of' our' references. The official ?.oporfca of nodical clinics and uniTer sit'ies', tii'e ' o^ciai ;C9Pfn)M»ic'fitiQjj» qt ttio Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne s the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam —all these are authentic docu ments, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated at the clinic of Schultz, M.D. Pro fessor, etc—"o. B. ( 24 ynara old; (johges tional abscess on the thigh. Incisions made ;*> i^fff J\tycgfy Lister's (jrespng was applied, the seci-etioij becatne, tjyo <iays later, very copious, anil had adapted a fcetitl decomposed character. The temperature rose enormously. In consequence the dressing was removed and m its place wer* made during the day-time repeated irrigations with Eucalypti Extract. The offensive footer dis af#m&«e4 very soon, the fever abated within a few days, and the j>aii#nfc recovered after the lapse of several weeks, m this instance we must not lose sight of the fact that the latter treatment sared the patient's life." " (^dyt.) 3 A 8 tln& Hiliifl of tim>7 Ijas a^ain ushered m the busy spiing/jyid j;o He prepatbd to supply the requirements of Nature and of their numerous patrons, Messrs J. Scaly and Co. have completed their selection of seeds, which are of the choicest quality obtainable, and which include clovers, turnips, man-1 (jarrots, rape, perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, ' 'elephant B^'pod. garden, and (lower seeds' m endless v'aritles,' aud gat-den requisities of every description. Eor the convenience of patrons who cannot' make i [heir purchases during the day the premises will bo open to nine p.m. on Saturday even ings on and after the 16-h August. J. Scaly and Co. have also empty tanks for sale.-— (Advt,



"Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. I'"^OR^AliE~^A~~s2-inch~Humber ? Bicycle ; balls to both wheels and to head.—J. W. Twenttman, c/o Geo. J.'iii!'son, Esq. 8 171 L' A7ST~VS!iISLU4TON Social .f Season Orange Hall, Wednesday 27th inst. 8 p.m. 8 15 QTOP That Cough—Mower's Cough k_> Drops are the best—see that the name is stamped on every one. H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East street. TDRESENTS. -If you want good value J_ for money go to Melford House. Extra value now being given away m presents. Everything marked cheap.— H. C. Skoebs. ANTED KNOWN—The Strong- Wear Boot for Men, Women and Children can only be had at W. H. Collier's. TTOOTS, BOOTH.—"Keep your fee Jl) Dry and save Doctor's Bills. I have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled^ Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashbur ton Clothinc Mark, Saunders' Buildings. ANTED Known.—For cheap Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing, &c, go to Melford House. Good substantial presents now giving away.—H. C. Sbgers. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburto Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, ABhburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. JTWERY Customer will receive a JJ handsome present by purchasing their Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, &c, at Melford House. Cheapest House m town for first-class Drapery. —H. C. Segers. "ANTED "KNOWN.—A lot of Ladies Cloth and Tweed Jackets, considerably under usual cost price.— W. H. Collier, "The Corner." WANTED Known—The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannaford's, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired witli dcs patch I — _i=ai rnoiic Notices. SPECIAL NOTICE. CALL AND SEE THE GRAND DISPLAY OF BOYS', YOUTHS', AND MEN'S CLOTHING, MERCERY, HOSIERY, BLANKETS, RUGS, FLANNELS, HATS, AND CAPS, «fee. THE largest and best assorted .Stock m j the District to select; from, which for Value, Variety, and excellence of Manu facture, we stand unrivalled. MEASURE -pv APARTMENTS BASURE I^JSPAUTMENTrf NEW TWEEDS AND COATINGS For the approaching Season To Hand. SOLE AGENTS for Wortheim's Litest and improved HAND and TREADLE SEWING MACHINES, N E W ZEAIAND GLOTHfSG FACTORY I W. H. WEBBER, Manager, mHE FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE i I FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF CANTERBURY, ! LIMITED. (To be registered under " The Companies Act, 1882.") —ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS.— CAPITAL ... ... ... £ICO,OOO, Divided into 20,000 Shares at £5 each, Payable as follows :— Ten Shillings per share on application, IVenly Shillings per share on allotment, Twenty Shillings per share m one month, if required.. BaHnce, if re quired, by calk of Five Shillings per share at intervals of nob less .than three months. Provisional Directors*. Messrs S. Bailey*, W. Boag*, P. H. Brittim*, M. S. Campbell*, J. Campbcllt, C. Eiww*. J. Gammack*, J. Grigg, J. Gough*, J. Haydon*, J. Hardiet, ii L. Higgins*, W. Henderson*, R. B. Holds worth* J. J. Herriek* W. B, Howcllt, A. B. Inwood*, J. Keiiftttcty, D. | M'Millan* F. D. S. Neave* A. far sons*, .t, Pat^et, H. W. Peryman*, A. Bennie*, R. H, Rhodest, E. P. Scaly* J. Talbott, J, Wfrfcoi.it, * Directors of the $?.#. Jfyrmers' Co operative Association of &uuii2,"J:mry,. Limited, O)jristehurch. f- Directors of tlie Canterbury Farmers' | Co-operative Asw>ciaiion v Xiin.aru. ) Bakhkb-s : Bank of iS.ew ■ Christchuirch ; National Bankj 'fiiraavu. Solicitous: Harjpej? and Co., Clnist church. Secretary, pro tbm : A. If, Twa-l)uill. Applications for share must be made upon a form to be obtained from the Secretary pu> ■'/■'»/., at the offices of the New Zealand Farmer*' Co-operative As socin&ioii ;it Christchurcii, or from the Canterbury Fanners'' Co-operative As ssocintion at Timaru,, and must ho for warded to citlxei' of the above addresses, together with the anioyijt payable on ap-' plication. Where the iwmlwr of shares; allotted is leas than the nuinbei 1 *j>|i]ied ; for t-he surplus mon«y forwarded will he credited m reduction of the muosnb pay able on allotment. Copies of the proposed Memorandum and Arfc'ide^ of Association may be in spected at eithtei- c,f. the above-mentioned offices, or at the omce« *4 fhe Solicitors of fehe Association at Cliristcliurciij. Applications for shares will he receive?*!, up to and including Wednesday, the 30th day of September next. 8*144 amalgamateF^l^ociety^ railway servants. ASHBUETON MBTRICT BRANCH.: A MEETING of Members be held m tha TEMPLAR JJALij, Wakanui Road, on ! SATURDAY NEXT, 30th AUGUST. : Ghabxh.B J. Kab, Esq., Deleg*fce from' 1 Central Committee, will be present to address the MivnVueys. ( Chajr to % ta?J?®v-.?>fc<B I!-" 1.- ■ B*l7o ' '



AUCTION SALE OP SHEEP SKINS. MY first Sale of Skins will be held at my stores West Street, ON FRIDAY NEXT And thenceforth every alternate FRI DAY. Fiir'«.urs and others will oblige by sending m Skins as early as possible. GEO. JAMESON, 8 159 Ashburton. MIS 3 JESSLE LACK; OF TIMARU, HAS Commenced Tuition of Piano and Singing m Ashburton. Intending Pupils kindly leave their names at Mr H. M. Jones' Music Warehouse. MISS LACK'S hours are from eleven a.m. on MONDAYS till twelve noon on TUESDAYS m each week. 8 162 IV | OTICE.— Anyone found Trea- JNj passing m pursuit of game or otherwise on the Riversdale Estate on and after this date will be prosecuted. J. R. WILLIAMS. R-versdale, 24th May 76 ' A NDREW ABR'S XXNDREW VJRR S 3 GREAT rm £ ANiNUAL BAhE * > id j DRAPERY M m w s» > H CLOTHING v \ \' AND > Li 4 «00TS 4 Will Commencb *^ H Saturday, July sth * The greatest BARGAINS sfl ever seen ip Ashburon. « SEE itANDBILLS. ? . ANDREW ORR.  i Wonderful I TO MEET THE TIMES, TTAVE made a "great reduction IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. GENERAL DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. WE IMPORT ALL OUR OWN STOCK. NO MIDDLE PROFITS. We Sell 25 per cent cheaper than any other house m Ashburton. BOOTS. BOOT?. We make all our own Boots. EVERY PAIR OF BOOTS WE SELL GUARANTEED TO WEAR WELL. W. W. S P E N C t R '3 THE ARCADE MRS S. T I M M O has removed from the Lyttelton Boarding House to those more commodi ous and central premises, Panama House, Where friend.*, old and new, will be wel comed Accommodation tor boarders a reduced rates. Meals prepared mMr Tiroma's woll known style. Meals per week, lls ; Board and lodg ings, 17b 6d ; one meal daily per week, 3 6d TIED'WOOD'S pATENT Blight Specific Is NON-POISONOUS, contains neither arsenic nor sulphate of copper ; is not only perfectly harmless to trees, but excites growth. It is a Certain Cure for scale, American blight, codlin moth, &c, &c, where used systematically. The most effectual time to use it is IN WINTER, when the trees are bare. The Inventor has NUMEROUS TESTI MONIALS from those who have cleansed their Orchards. CANTERBURY AGENTS- Wholesale—MALlNG AMD Co., Ltd. Local Agent-D. THOMAS, West Street, Ashburton. Price, 3s 6d per Gallon. Reduction on quantities. S|69 Full directions supplied. BOOKS—Thousands of Books or every kind, including books on History Travels, Science, Religion, Fiction, &c, &c. Account Books and Stationery of every discription. A cheap line of En velopes at 5.s per thousand. Fancy Goods, including Albums, Photo Frames, Writing Cases, Work Boxes, Purses, Ladies' Hand Bags, Games and Puzzles. Music—A large Stock. Pianos, Accordians, Violins, Ooncetinas, &c. All Goods reduced for Cash. L, F. AXDREWfS & CO. Stations' Hall