The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1890. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The Public Works fund shows a net balance on 31st March last of £732,533. The estimates for the current year are £523,972, and the balance of £208,561 is now practically all that is left of the great Public Works and borrowing scheme, initiated in the early days of the colony. Roads, railways, bridges, telegraphs, public buildings, and so forth, must in futui*e be provided for directly from the pockets of the tax-payer instead of from the exchequer of the foreign money-lender; either this, or recourse must be had to further borrowing in some shape or other. This is the plain position as shown by the Works State ment just delivered, and the electors will do well to make a note of it. Incoming Governments will not be able to buy support by the scatter-cash process, and there is a hopeful prospect that in future only necessary and urgent works will be undertaken. One of the greatest mistakes in con nection with our vast public works expenditure has been that public works have preceded instead of following settlement, and the position has re solved itself into this : That we have now railways, roads, telegraphs, public buildings, postal and telephone services, and all the other etceteras necessary for a thickly-populated colony—but we lack the people to avail themselves of them. The colony has gone to enor mous expense to provide for the wants of a teeming population, and a hand ful of people are left to pay the cost. Under these circumstances all the colony can now do is to go out into the highways and by-ways and compel the strangers to come in, or wait patiently until they come of their own free will and accord. Certainly no more elaborate preparations should be made until there is a > prospect of some return for the expenditure. The pre sent Government are not disposed to take this view, and if permitted would go on in the old groove until they can go no further. Left with only some £730,000 in the public works fund, £500,000 is to be scattered immedia T tely to finish a railway here, construct a roadway there, or to erect elaborate Court houses, lunatij asylums, etc., in various centres far in advance of the re quirements of the colony. The Atkin son Government are unpopular, and arc up to the old trick of New Zealand Governments. . If populariey cannot be won it must be bought, and a care ful study of the public works estimates will show that the present Government, on the eve of an election, are making a bold bid for votes. It is the last chance they will have, and the most is being made of it. Fortunately the House, in obedience to the will of the people, is keeping the Ministry well in check, and the estimates arc being cut down in a wholesale manner. High salariod officers and superfluous works must be docked, and the House .are evidently determined that this shall be done, even if an appeal has to be made to the country. Not only this, but old buildings, old telegraph and post offices, old court houses, etc., must be content with a coat of paint, and other structures must be content with moderate repairs, until the colony is in a position to undertake their recon struction. It is doubtless true that many of these structures would be more ornamental if reconstructed, but if, as at present, they can be made to serve the purpose of a better class of struc ture, it must be done. Beggera cannot be choosers, and it is better to wear a patched garment than a new outfit that cannot be paid for. The un finished railways are in a similar position. They can only be carried to a paying point by large expenditure, and this the colony cannot afford to spend. What little of the Public Works fund there is in hand will be urgently required in the course of a few years for repairs and reconstruction of works already in use, and the Govern ment's proposal to spend it all at once on works that can he done without in the meantime is in direct opposition to their previous ultra-economic profes sions.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Major Steward and others are interesting themselves in the erection of a suitably in scribed tombstone over the grave of the late Mr Turnbull. They are collecting subscrip tions among members for this purpose. Inspector Hume claims that for the pre sent volunteer capitation of £2 the Govern ment get "nothing but inefficiency, and a paper corps, in reality non-existent." Mr Alex. McKay, F.G.S., and assistant in the Government Geological Department, has perfected a photographic camera and combination lens, by which he ha 3 taken plates of views and objects sixteen miles distant from his lens. A meeting of wool buyers was held in Christchurch yesterday. The meeting decided "that the holding of wool sales at Ashburton, Bangiora, and Amberley is opposed to the best interests of both buyers and sellers, and this meeting pledges itself to use its utmost endeavors to Generalise the sales in Christchurch." The Russian Minister of Marine is con* sidering the project of a new military port | for the north of the empire, and the pro bable site will be in the Peninsula of the Fishermen, as there are roadsteads there which are never frozen, and from which ( ships could consequently sail at any period of tho year for either the Arctic Ocean or i the Atlantic, I In reference to the Railway Servants Society's complaint regarding piecework, Mr McKerrow, Chief Commissioner, sjbates that, since the delegates left Wellington,' the bras.!? moulders at Petone complained of the smailneas fit £!*eir wages, and in order to give them an opportunity to make as much as the men at Addingion typvkshops, the ' Petone moulders were put on piecework. . Sir Jainea Pergnsson, at one time .(iov- j ernor of New Zealand, but now Political Secretary to the Foreign Office, is engaged to be married for the fourth time. As his three previous wives brought him decent foi-tnnes, he i 3 gradually acquiring great ri9ll.es by ft process which few can avail themselves .of.-^change. I There is some douhfc ac <*? what the ruling I price for Mew Zealand wh'eaj. .on the Jjondon market is. In our Wednesday's issue, under date London, July 18, the price ex ware i house, for long-berried was given at 37s to 87s (sd. Under date the 21st the price, off coast, was 37s Cd to 38s. It is plain from the latter telegram, if the price is as stated, that New Zealand wheat of the above des cription is worth, c* warehouse., from 40s to . 41s per quarter. We will admit thajb cable ' messages are not always reliable, but we have ))een told that a private cablegram has been received in New Zealand intimating that wheat had gone up 4s a quartet within the 1 past fortnight. If such is the case then the quotation of 40s to 41s wpuld be near the mark.—"N.O. iimw-

A private letter has been received in Auckland from Tasmania that gives a little good news to stock-breeders. It says:— " There is now a Bill before Parliament making our quarantine regulations for cattie 30 clays for New Zealand importations, as against 60 days from the other colonies. It is thought that this will have the effect ef introducing some good pure strains from your country." The Land Roll lately published an in stance which clearly showed that there was money to be made even in these bad times by a judicious speculation hi land. A farm in JSssex was purchased a few years back at £1700. The purchaser soon resold it for £2700, and before long it changed hands once more for £4000. Lastly, most of the land was sold in building plots, the seller getting back his money and retaining twenty acres as his profit. A rather sensational story comes from Paris to the effect that Count H. Bismark has been intriguing at some of the smaller German courts against the Emperor. • The plotting will, it is said, lead to the dismissal of a number of high officials. It is not likely, we are told, that any steps will be taken against Prince Bismark personally, but, " he has probably by this time received a communication from the Emperor which, if disregarded, wonld lead to serious results." The " Evening Post" says :—" We learn that a writ has been issued by Sir Julius Vogel, claiming £13,000 from the colony in connection with the floating of the five million loan and for services rendered as a loan agent during his term of office as Agent-General. Half his claim is for the recognition of services rendered, and £7000 for damages for dismis sal from the loan agency. Sir Julius Vogel alleges that he resigned the Agent-General ship on the understanding that he would be allowed to retain the loan agency in England for some years, and be paid commission on the conversion of loans." The following capital story is told in a recent number of the " World " :—"On May 22 Misa Leonore Snyder played the part of Gianettain the ' Gondoliers/ and with every success. Sir Arthur Sullivan had* a curious experience on the night of her debut. He strolled into the back of the dress circle about the time of Gianetta'a first entrance, and as he was anxiously watching Miss Snyder he unconssiously ' hummed' her part aloud. One or two indignant glances were cast round without any effect on the composer and at last a gentleman observed angrily ' I have paid my money, sir, to hear Sir Arthur Sullivan's music—notyoura.'" In the Fortnightly Reveiw Mr Gossip thus concludes an article in which a com parison is drawn between Victoria and New South Wales :—" To sum up : The prote tive colony ia ahead in agriculture ; ahead in viticulture; ahead in growth of popula tion ; ahead in railway development; ahead in banking; ahead in large manufactures and number of workmen employed jaHead in enterprise and capital; ahead in geiierai prosperity and progress; and finally-, 41 ---though behind in mineral and pastoral wealth, its artisans and peasantry —in a word, its entire proletariat —the bone and sinew of a country, are perhaps the most contented and prosperous in the world." Mr James Campbell, the well-known auctioneer, formerly of Acland, Campbell, and Co., (during his connection with which firm he was resident in Ashburton), and for six years auctioneer for the National Mort gage and Agency Company, is leaving Christchurch for Gisborne, to join the firm of Common, Shelton, and Co. He was yesterday presented with a purse of sovereigns in Christchurch. The presenta tion was made, in presence of a large representative gathering, by Mr John Anderson, junr., President of the Canter bury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The President of the Chamber of Commerce and other gentlemen spoke in highly eulogistic terms of Mr Campbell's ability and probity. The Sheffield correspondent of the "Lyt. teltou Times" writes: —This locality ex perienced a painful shock this (Sunday) morning on discovering that an old anil respected resident had been found dead under very distressing circumstances. The deceased, Mrs Martin, had not been in good heath lately, and was under the care of Dr Meadows. At an early hour on Sunday morning she rose and partially dressad her self, and got out of her house by a window without disturbing the family. She was missed by her husband some time before daylight, and search made afc the neighbours' houses resulted fruitlessly. Shortly after her body was discovered in the Malvern water-race a few chains from her residence. Two of the three Misses Palliser, who recently caused some sensation in the House of Commons, where they were taken with a view of influencing votes in favor of a grant to their father, the late Sir W. Palliser, were guilty of a curious escapade last summer, which gave great annoyance to their worthy guardian, Captain Palliser, R.N., who has done so much for their cause. Mr Pears, the well-known soap maker, pro posed to start a beauty show on the Conti nental model. The Misses Palliser, "fora lark," sent their photographs, and were awarded first and second prizes, which amounted to a handsome sum, but involved the obligation of appearing publicly as the prize winners, and of allowing their photo graphs to be reproduced by Messrs Pears' firm. On learning what had happened, Captain Palliser threatened to put all the machinery of the Court of Chancery into force against both his nieces and the soap manufacturers, and the unhappy girls were deprived of their little windfall of pocket money. The Australasian squadron Avill (says "Atlas"in the "World)" be ready to leave about August, and the whole of the . vessels will sail for the antipodes in company —Katoomba, Mildura, Wallaroo, Karra katta, and the rest of the oddly, though very appropriately, named warships. I confess I am entirety in sympathy with the colonists, who, owning for the first time a local navy, wish that the vessels shall bear local names. I can picture to myself their reception on arrival. The excitement at Sydney over the return of the Soudan con tingent will be nothing beside the enthu siasm of the multitude when their "very own" ships drop anchor in Farm Cove. From the Heads to Lady Macquarie's Chair there will be throngs of eager spectators, while the waters of the harbour will be covered by a fleet of boats of all sizes, such as we do not sco even at the Oxford and Cambridge race, simply because there is not room for such a one on the Thames, The age of chivalry is not yet dead, if the incident just related by a Berlin correspon dent be true. At a lire in Biiittlingen, in Altemark, the other day, it was discovered that a lady was in the burning house. Sud denly from the crowd came a voice: "A hundred marks to him who brings out Frau Werner !" Hereupon one Stegman, a married man and the father of a family, quickly elbowed his way through the throng; aud, saying as he did so " Who thinks of thalers when a life's at stake 1 " rushed into the burning pile. The crowd awaited his return with breathless anxiety, and at length the half-suffocated man was seen on the burning threshold, bearing in his arms the insensible Frau Werner. Scarcely had he reached the street and delivered his burden into the custody of her friends than the walls fell in. The hundred marks were instantly forth coming, but the gallant fellow emphatically refused a pfenning, saying he had only done an act of common charity.

The Oamaru farmers have formed a Union to protect their interests. The rumour that the Opposition are about to " Stump " the country is denied. It is expected that the Government will again compromise with the "Skinflint' party in regard to the reductions in the Estimates in Committee of Supply. We acknowledge receipt from the Govern ment Printer of the Crown Lands Guide for Canterbury district, corrected up to the 30th June 1890. We have several copies for free disposal, which may be had on application. The Dawn of Peace Ladge of Good Tem plars will hold a tea and concert in the Good Templar Hall on Thursday evening next. A capital programme has been pre pared, and a full attendance is anticipated.^ Matson and Co. on Saturday sold landed properties in the estate of the Rev. T.R. Fisher. The principal property, 746 acres of Sudely farm, Ellesmere, was knocked down to Mr William McMillan, of Corwar, at £22 10s per acre. Some smaller sections in the same locality were sold. The total proceeds of the sale was .C^OSS Mr P. Campbell, wellknown in sporting circles, and president of the Caledonian Society, and starter of the Canterbury Jockey Club was married this morning at Christ church to the daughter of the late Hon. W. Robinson. A large number of friends assembled at the Railway station to i.bid farewell to the couple, who proceed on a journey to England. At a meeting of the residents of Port Albert and surrounding districts, it was resolved to recommend that any money devoted to railway extension in the North Island should be spent on the railway from north, and that the West Coast road should have first a share of the money voted for roads north of Auckland. In laying the sheep returns on the table of the House, the Minister of Lands said he was glad to be able to inform the House that on the 30th of June last there were no infected sheep in the colony. The total number of sheep is shown by these returns to be 15,423,328, which is an increase on last year of 381,830. The sheep rate amounted to £15,424, as against £15,042 in the previous year; and the salaries and travelling allow ances of Inspectors came to £10,927. Some time ago we drew attention to the state of the footpath in front of the Somerset Hotel right-of-way. The Borough Council have done nothing as yet to improve the footpath, and it really seems full time a load or so of shingle were put down to enable people to get over the "Slough of Despond " dry shod. Several of the footpaths in un asphalted portions of the town would also be the better of re-shingling. The trade in Australian horses (says " Colonies and India ") appears to be develop ing apace in the Straits Settlements. A 'parcel of 86 " walers " was landed at Singa pare the other day from the steamer Ner budda, and farther deliveries were shortly expected, as the demand for horses is rapidly on the increase in the Straits. Australia will soon have a formidable competitor in this trade in New Zealand, the class of cattle from the lattor colony having already quite taken the fancy of buyers for the Innian market in preference to the "walers," Not so much is now heard of the once threatened competition from the Cape in the Indian market. There is now to be seen in the shop window of Messrs J. Scaly and Co., East street, a collection of apples showing some of the sorts grown at the Nurseries, Riverbank, that will repay inspection by any one who contemplates planting fruit plants. There are upwards of fifty dif ferent kinds shown, all valuable, long keeping sorts. For size, color, and general excellence they are by far th e finest that have been shown in Ashbtirto n his season.—(Advb) Hollo ways Ointment and Pills.— These remedies are unequalled throughout the world for bad legs, wounds, foul sores, bad breasts' and ulcers. Used according to directions given with them there is no wound, bad leg, or ulcers sore, however obstinate or long standing, but will yield to their healing and curative vroperties. Many poor sufferers who have been patients in the large hospitals under the care of eminent surgeons, and have derived little or no benefit from their treatment have been thoroughly cured by Hollo way's Ointment and Pills. i^Fov grandular swellings, tumours, piles, ; and eiaeascs of the skin there is nothing that can be used with so much benefit. In fact, in the worst forma of disease, dependant upon the condition of the blood, these medicinosj usad conjointly, are irresistible.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Xh« Winner ttf tlni «i,H«o»'» 'I*r3»;«. Wellington, July 29. Sergeant Bates, winner of the Queen's prize for 1890 at the National Rifle Association, is an old Volunteer, and has attended every meeting held at Wimble-' don since 1864. He has been seven times in first sixty, and has on more than one occasion been selected in the Volunteer team in the " United Service Challenge Cup. Ma m»ii ic. About 250 brethren were present at the meeting of Grand Lodge of Masons last night. A considerable amount of general business was transacted, a lengthy report by the Board for General Purposes being adopted. The recent opening of a lodge in Wellington by the Grand Orient of France was mentioned, and a resolution was carried unanimously protesting against the invasion of New Zealand by a Foreign Masonic power, and strongly condemning those brethren who had joined the new lodge, A resolution was also passed declaring the French Orient Lodge irregular and unworthy of recogni tion, and that one month's grace be given to members either to retire or be struck off the roll of lodges holding allegiance to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. The Treasurer's statement was considered satisfactory. Several donations were re ceived in the room, and votes were passed expressing regret at the death of |the Earl of Carnarvon, Provincial Grand Master of England,and at the serious illness of Bro. E, T. Gillon, Past Deputy Grand Master. Great enthusiasm was displayed by those present in the proceedings, which wound up with a banquet.

Parliamentary Gossip.

(BY TELEGK.APH —FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, July 28. There seems to be some amount of friction just now between Government and their ultra-economical supporters on account of the way in which the latter are helping the Opposition to cut down details of the Estimates. The Govern ment consider that the economists should be content with the pledge which has al ready been given to them that the Esti mates as passed by the House will be reduced by £50,000 when being incor porated into the Appropriation Bill, and that they should not assist the Opposi tion in divisions which tend to discredit the Government. On the other hand the retrenciiera hold that they have not bound themselves in any way to pass by what they consider to be anomalies in salaries paid. In this respect they claim to have a perfectly free hand, and hold Government to their pledge to take £50,000 from the amouut at which the Estimates will be left by the House on emerging from Committee of Supply. As yet the Ministerial restiveness has not' gone beyond the stage of private expostu lation with their recalcitrant friends. A deputation of South Island members waited upon the Railway Commissioners this morning, advocating a reduction of haulage rates for short distances on frozen mutton, and for reduction of rates for the carriage of live stock. The Com missioners promised to give a reply in the source of a day °F two, i

SPORTING

ASHBURTON COUNTY HUNT CLUB.

The following weights have been de clared :— Hunteks' Hurdles. sfc lb st lb Donnybrook 11 7 Lyndoora 10 5 Inchkeith 11 0 Beaufort 10 0 Pioneer ... 10 10 Tommy ... 10 0 Hunt Club Cup. st lb st lb Victor ... 13 0 Glen ... 10 12 Enterprise 11 5 Pioneer ... 10 0 Snapshot... 11 3 Allover ... 10 0 Morok ... 11 3 Glentui ... 9 7 The Mount 11 0 Jess ... 9 7 Trooper ... 10 12 Ladies' Bracelet. ■ st lb st:lb Snapshot... 12 0 The Mount 10 7 Sorella ... 11 11 Morok ... 10 7 Rob Roy... 11 4 Hetty ... 10 3 Zuleika ... 11 2. Patience ... 10 0 Enterprise 11 2 Tommy ... 10 0 Inchkeith 10 12 Kilmarnock 10 0 Scamp ... 10 8

The Vogel Claim.

Wellington, July 28. The Government consider Sir Julius Vogel has no claim on the colony. Mr Chapman, solicitor, will probably be instructed to act with the Solicitor-General in contesting the case. Messrs Bell, Gully, and Izard have been retained for Sir Julius, Mr Bell having previously conducted the claim when it was before the Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives in 1885,

San Francisco Service.

Wellington, July 28. The Postmaster-General has not yet received a reply from the United States Government, in answer to his message asking whether the Mails Subsidy Bill had passed both branches of the American Legislature. Unless a reply is received to-morrow, Mr Mitchelson will again wire asking the fate of the Bill. In the event of the Bill having passed, Government will at once recommend a renewal' of the San Francisco service, and they have no doubt their proposals will be adopted.

Horse Market.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the week end ing Saturday, July 26th:—There was a large entry, viz., 56, andipr medium draughts of a good stamp biddings were spirited, especially for Mr James Trevurza's team, up to £25 10s being obtained for one of his geldings ; for aged aud inferior, as usual at this season of the year when feed is so valuable, biddings were slow. I also offered reapers and binders and other implements, for which biddings generally were animated, especially for a McCormick twine biuder, which realised the satisfactory price of £36 15s. Out of the day's entry of 56 horses, 18 were sold at the following prices:—On account of Mr Trevurza, 4 and 5-year-old draughts, of a good stamp, £23, £25 10s ; 8-years-old of a superior description £2110s ; 6 and 7-years-old, of a lighter stamp, £13 10s, £17. On account of other owners, 5 and 6-year-old draughts £17 15s, £21; of a lighter description, £16 10s; 4-year-old, of a light stamp, £14; aged, £8 10s, £9; 3-year-olds, also of a light description, £9, £10 15s ; others, £5. Scrubbers at low prices. Hacks and light, harness horses, £1 2s 6d, £1 15s, £5. For this class biddings were extremely languid, only inferior sorts changing hands. Implements, &.c. — McCormick twine binder, £36 15s; McCormick twine binder, £15; Cambridge roller, £9 17s 6d: double furrow plough, £8 2s 6d ; tip drays, £3 15s, £9 10s; dray and frame, £5 ;' hut, £10: spring trap, £10; set of harness, £2 7s 6d ; waggonette, £41. Harness: for this there was a keen competition—breeching and cart saddle, £3 10s; do. £3 12s fid; collar, hames, and winkers, from £1 10s to £1 19s per set; leading chains, 16s to £1 per set ; plough chains, 10s to 13s 6d per set ; horse covers, 16s 6d to 17s 6d each ; whipple-trees and sundries, harness, &c., brought higher prices than usual; feed oats, Is 3d per bushel.

PROPERTY SALES.

I held a sale by auction on Saturday, 26 th July, of a number of town sections and other properties, when the following were sold :— T.-S. 248, containing J-acre, fronting Ker mode street, £36 10s; T.S. 249, f-acre, corner' of East Belt and Kermode street, £32 ; T.S. 240, J-acre, corner of Kermode and. William streets, £30; T.S. 387, |-acre, corner of South and Cass streets, £19 10s. Privately and by auction I have sold T.S.s 560, 561, 562, 563, one acre, fronting Cox, Cass, and Aitken streets, for. the sum of £100 ; T.S. 338, |-acre. corner of Moore and William streets, with building thereon, £115; R. S. 27335, containing" 278 acres 2 roods, Upper Ashburton Road District, £3 per acre; T.S, 535, with-small'. cottage, Grove street, Tinwald Town Board District, £36; Lot 182, containing 10 acres, Middle Road, Allenton, at £32 per acre, £320; Lot 184, containing 10 acres 2 roods 28 perches, Winter's Road, near the Woollen Factory, at £27 10s per acre, £293 10s; Lot 22, containing, J-acre, with small cottage thereon, fronting Winter's Road, Allenton, £55. :

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The position of affairs in Weliington is almost unique, and there is every indication of an impending crisis. The temporary victory of the Government as against Mr Ballance's retrenchment resolution, seems likely to prove, as at the time we ventured to predict, more disastrous than a defeat, for the result lias been that the House—not the Op position merely, but a distinct majority of the whole House—is practically tak ing .charge of the Estimates, and is steadily and systematically proceeding to reduce the votes, thus declai'ing that it cannot and will not trust the Government to effect in detail the re duction already determined upon in the lump, but insists on carrying out the details itself. Against this fixed determination the Ministry is power less, and must, perforce, submit, much as it may protest; but. the pro cess of reduction in detail necessarily is a slow one, and as it has taken nearly a week* to get through a single page of the Estimates, Parliament will barely live long enough to complete the task, and a dissolution by effluxion of time before the work is accomplished already looms out as a possibility. Meantime, so far as legislation is con cerned, Parliament appears to have been reduced to a condition of absolute impotence. Of the passing this session of such large measures as the Registra tion of Electors Bill, the Bankruptcy Bill, the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, aud the Civil Service Reform Bill there appears to be abso lutely no chance whatever, and even the Labor Bills will be carried through with difficulty. The House has been in session nearly six weeks, and has yet only passed a couple of imprest ■upply Bills, and the slaughter of in nocents this year threatens to assume phenomenally large proportions. As to the outcome of all this, it is already a moot point as to whether the Go vernment can possibly cany on, and it is quite on the cards that within a very few days it may be determined to abandon the attempt to do any thin o- in the present House, and that short supply, i.e., 31st December, will be asked for and granted, and the House dissolved. In that case a general elec tion will probably take place in. the month of January, and the new- House will be called together about the segond, week in March, (

ELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[per pkbsp association.] I

Guatemala, July 27. A i evolution has taken place in Guatemala. San Salvador troops are advancing. .

AUSTRALIAN.

[j?ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] I

Syustey, July 28. The Seamen's Union in reply to owners state the new rules are intended to remedy a number of substantial grievances, and they are confident if the owners care to look into the matter it will be found steamers can be worked with little extra expense. The labor clauses are based on fair and just lines, and are absolutely necessary to secure proper treatment of members.

INTERPROVINCIAL

[per press association.]

Auckland, July 28. An important sale of property in the Auckland district has just been completed. The estate known as the Whakatane Company's run, in the Bay of Plenty dis trict, owned by Dr Campbell, has been sold by him to C. Gould, of Christchurch, for £57,000 cash. The estate comprises 8000 acres of freehold, and 12,000 lease hold land, and is partly stocked. The Auckland Gas Company, at the half-yearly meeting to-day ? adopted a dividend of 8s 6d per share upon paid-up shares, and 4s 3d upon those partly paid up. The master bakers and operatives had an interview to-night on the wages ques tion. The latter, as the result of a pre vious meeting, demanded that the lowest scale of wages should be —foreman £3, second hand £2 10s, third £2 ss. _ After considerable discussion a compromise was arrived at, the masters agreeing to pay the following as the lowest scale :<—^Fore man £2155, second £2 ss, and third £2. This was accepted by the men. The settlers of Great Barrier Island, who have been for some time without regular communication with Auckland, have decided to ask the Government for a subsidy of £350 per annum for a steam service. The Chamber of Commerce have decided to recommend the Government to offer a bonus for an improved plant for the dress ing of phormium tenax, and to call their attention to the necessity for the pro tection of growing flax. They have further passed a resolution suggesting that any respectable applicant should be granted a bottle license upon similar terms as now prevailing in Otago, em powering him to sell wine, cider, sherry, or mead in bottles in quantities not ex ceeding 2 gallons. New Plymouth, July 28. A strange accident happened on board the steamer Glenelg yesterday when off Cape Egmont. James George Sinclair, steward, was standing on the poop, when a heavy sea broke on board and carried him over the side. Fortunately when Sinclair was ten or twelve yards from, the vessel the wave recoiled, and placed him on board again on the fore deck, where he caught hold of a rope and saved himself from being taken over-board a second time. His escape was most marvellous, as the sea was too heavy for any small boat to live in it, and Sinclair would inevitably have been drowned. The winch stunned him and inflicted a scalp wound from which blood flowed profusely. The captain turned the steamer round and landed the wounded, man ,at the break water, when he was taken to the hospital. He is reported this morning to be pro gressing well towards recovery. Wangantti, July 28. The funeral of Thos. Reid took place with Masonic honoris. There was a large attendance of the public and brethren. I, A public presentation to||Captain Cummins, of the Fire Brigade, book place to-night, at a large and representative gathering of the public. The Mayor made the presentation, which was in the form of a purse of 200 soys and an illu minated address. The recipient is retir ing from the captaincy of the Brigade after 24 years service as fireman. At the same meeting the Mayoress presented long service medals and bars to members Of the corps whose terms of service ranged from 5 to 24 years. Wellington, July 28. By a cablegram to the Premier, received from the Agent-General, the result of a report on a parcel of flax, dressed by Mr Bull's scraping machine, which was sent Home by Government to be examined by experts, is given. It is very satisfactory. The quality of the flax is highly com mended, and the value is stated at about £3 per ton better than the ruling rates at the time of cabling. The Secretary of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company sends the following to the Press Association:—"Chairman and Board greatly regret the unfortunate interruption which was caused by "force majeure," but prompt repair should con vince the colonies that everything possible is done by the Company to maintain communication in the highest state of efficiency. The recent and previous interuptiona of two years ago are the only instances of the kind on our system, during a period over twenty years, and we may now have immunity for many years." Dunedin, July 28. In the " Picturesque Atlas " cases Mr Carew held the defendants failed to prove any fraud and therefore gave judgment for plaintiff in all cases, but disallowed interest. In giving judgment in another of the many cases brought by the agents of the "Picturesque Atlas" Company, Mr Carew, R.M., said if the person named signed the order carlessly, without reading it, then if the document is con-! sistent with either of the contradictory statements, he cannot say he has been fraudently induced to sign the document. Judgment for the plaintiff was given in the case.

BEES.

A new champion has arisen to defend the honey bee from the obloquy under which:it has always rested. Mr W. F. Clarke, of Canada, claims to have dis covered from repeated observations that the most important functions of the bee's sting is not stinging. In a recent article' he says : —"My observations arid reflec- 1 tions have convinced me that; the most: important office of the bee's sting is that which is performed in doing the artistic, cell work, capping the comb, and infusing the formic acid, by means of Avhich honey; receives its keeping qualities. As I said at Detroit, the sting is really a skilfully contrived little trowel, with which the bee finishes off and cajjs the cells when they are filled brimful of honey. This explains why honey extracted before it is capped over does not keep well. The formic acid has not been injected into it. This is done in the very act of putting the last touches on the cell work, As "the little pliant trowel is worked to and fro with such dexterity, the darts, of which there are two, pierce the plastic cell surface and leave beneath tiny drops of the fluid which makes it keep well. This is the 'art pre servative' of honey. A most wonderful provision of Nature, truly ! Herein we see that the sting and the poison bap, with which so many of us would like to dispense, are essential to the storage 1 of our coveted product, and that without them the beautiful comb honey of com merce would be a thing unknown,"

After Five and Thirty Years.

Color-Sergeant Thomas Grady, V.0., conies suddenly into the public view, and not, as might be expected, in some com fortable home or hospital of the country he served so well, but in an old brick kiln at the foot of Victoria street, Col lingwood, not in comfortable pensioner's garb, with pipe in mouth, and foaming pot beside him and blazing fire at his toes, but crippled and hungry and ragged and destitute, creeping into the miser able shelter of the old brick kiln. Color- Sergeant Grady was once in the public view before ; he was not old or crippled then, though possibly ragged and dirty | and very hungry. . He stood with a mate in the broad gap made by battered down embrasures, and while shot and shell shrieked and crashed and burst about them, these two filled sandbags, built up the walls, rendered the position tenable once more, and saved an important posi tion for the army, and his country. He was, says an old comrade (our correspon dent, Mr Quin) immediately promoted, and recommendod for the Victoria Cross, the decoration which carries the highest honour that England knows. Admiral Sir Stephen Lushington endorsing the recommendation of the Grays' officers for the V.C., wrote:—"l feel sure that there is not in Her Majesty's service a better soldier or a braver man, or one who has better deserved this great distinction." We may well say there is something wrong in the world when such services as these do not avail to save a man from such a winter of life. Five and thirty years; ago a man whom his Queen delighted to honour; to-day; a homeless destitute cripple, with a paralised wife, dependent on the charity of the home of St Vincent de Paul. It ought not to be.—"Mel bourne Argus."

The Markets.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

London, July 27. For Australian; wheat off coast sellers ask 38s 6d while buyers are only willing to give 38s ; New Zealand do, 375.

An Offer of Marriage to the Queen.

A young man of clerical aspect, named Alfred Carter, of Nelson, near Brunsley, in. Lancashire, was charged at the Slough petty sessions with being a wandering lunatic. Inspector Savage, of the Royal Household Police at Windsor Castle, .said he met the defendant near the Eton College playing fields, and showed him two letters that had been addressed to the Queen, These were produced as evidence, la one of the letters sent from Slough to Her Majesty at "Windsor Castle the defendant appealed to Her Most Gracious Majesty for pecuniary assistance, saying she would never miss what would be to her a matter of; small importance, and that he was sure she would be amply repaid for her act of charity. Repeating his request for some money, the writer continued :—" I also along of this make a proposition to you. There can be no earthly harm in asking you for your hand and heart in love and marriage, and hop ing you will give your favorable consent to these questions.—Alfred Carter. To Queen Victoria." Inspector Savage (con tinuing) said defendant acknowledged having written the letter in which he had stated that he wished to marry the Queen; and he also said that he'should not leave the neighborhood until he had got an answer from her, and that he should not take a sum of money. He accordingly apprehended him as a lunatic, and took him to Slough. A, surgeon, who examined the defendant said he thought he was of unsound mind, but not dangerous, and that he had told him that he had written to the Queen out of love and affection, and made her an offer of marriage. The magistrates ordered the man to be. trans ferred to the custody of his father, who stated that his son was a weaver by trade, and had been studying for the Wesleyan ministry.

REPAIRING CABLES.

The repairing of cables, says a writer in the " Sydney Morning Herald," is usually a matter of the greatest difficulty. t"he Secretary of the Eastern Extension graph Company, writing to the postal authorities of New South' Waliss in'refer ence to the interruptions in 1883, pointed out the' nature of these difficulties, and stated that the trouble encountered by the Company's officials in repairing the cables could hardly be imagined, and that the lines on being repaired were separated as far as possible in order to avoid the possibility of breaking or injuring one cable in grappling for the other. The idea of the broken ends of these cables lying hundreds of fathoms deep beneath the track of passing vessels, appeals in a peculiar . manner to the: imagination of anyone who has any knowledge of what the bottom of the ocean is like. Possj bly the prevailing notion is that the bottom of the sea is all sand and extends pretty much in an unbroken surface, like a billiard-table, from one continent :to another, so that all that has to be done in laying a cable is to drop it into the bed of the ocean and let it lie there. But fancy for a moment a cable strung across mountains and then dropping into deep valleys and gorges' by the sheer force of its own weight. And it is the picture of these broken cables, broken possibly half way down a hill or buried in the sands half-way across a valley, that captivates the fancy and makes one marvel at the skill of man which enables him to pickup these ends from the mysterious depths of ocean and put them together again. The location of a cable break can be very accurately determined by electricians. After having found out how far the break extends, the captain of the repairing vessel ascertains the course of the cable, and steams for the spot where the fault lies. The greatest dimcultyiis generally found in grappling for the cable. In fine weather, and under favourable conditidns, the cable is picked up in two or three days, but if; more often takes a week or more. _ The ''grappling irons are immense affairs' littayhed to cables, manipulated from the deck of the steamer, and are plunged downwards and dragged over the bbttom of the ocean. When the cable is finally grappled, the fact is made clear at the steamer^nd of the line by reason of the strain to wliich the grappling-iron is sub jected. The strain is revealed by an instrument on board the steamer known as a dynamometer. When this in strument reveals the presence of such a strain as the grappling of the cable would bring about, the iron is hauled up with the cable at the end of it. The repairers always calculate to grapple the'cable about ten miles, away frpm the point at which the break has occurred. If the irons grappled the cable too soon the .end of the cable would slip away long befqre it reached the deck of the steamer; The break is then spliced, and the defects remedied, and the rehabilitated cable is once more consigned to the deep,

THE ASHBTJETO^ GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1890.



It will be in the recollection of the public that my collection of apples shbwil in Mr Clayton's shop in East street, being sixty-six varieties, and also those which took two first awards at the Dunedin Exhibition, and varibus other places, was pronoiiiiced to/be the largest and beat ever shown in the Asta burton county. I would draw their afctdh- . ion my advertisement elsewhere. As only work on blight^proof stocks than which n© qther stocics ca.n be relied upon, the iwts of my apple trees do not require, to be washel before sending out. James Porter, nursery, man, AUeaton.—. Advt



Statutory Declaration. —I, Franz Raabe, Iroubark, Sandhurst, in the colony of Via torn, Australia, do solemnly and' sincerely declare that on the 23th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. I atgncetopk all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, in spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given* by Dr Macgillivray that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, in order to sivye life. At this juncture I called on Messiy Saudor and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of tho saints I had the satisfaction of seeing ray son' within a fort night out of all danger, and to-day he is recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this sotatyn declaration, etc. — Franz Raabe Declared at Sandhurst, in the colony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seven ty-seveo, before me, Morite Cqhn, J.P, -~'A.dvfc.) ' 9 I



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may bo left at this Office. "YTTANTED —A strong, active, respect- V V f>.l>le Boy ; must be used to hovaos.—Hugo Fkiedlander. 7 176 DANCE in the OrangP Hall Wednes day night, commencing at 8 o'clock. Gents Is, ladies free. 7 175 \\r ESTPORT COAlTfor Sale in any W quantity. 7 177 W. H. COLLINS & CO. MAGIC Lantern Entertainment in aid of Presbyterian Sabbath School To-Night, 29th inst., 7.30. Collection at Church Door. 7 146 T~UBTReceived —Over one ton English fj and Continental Confectionery. Own make as usual fresh daily.—H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East'street. ■ ■ "YFMNTErTKNOWN— The Stronjjf i.'\ Wear Boot for Men, Women and Children can only be had at W. H. Collier's. AN experienced Housekeeper is open to an engagement. Business ; house preferred. No objection to the country. Address " H.M.," Mail office. 7 159 BOOTS, BOOTS.—" Keep your feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills. I haTe a splendid Stock in now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashbur ton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. JUST opened, a 8 few ladies plush jackets, newest shapes, very cheap —H. C. Segbrs, Melford House. WANTED every man m the County to hare a suit of the Ashburto Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. WANTED KNOWN.—The Cheapest House in Ashburt<n to buy Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, etc., is H. C. Skqers, Melford House.- W' ANYED"KNOWN.-A lot of Ladies Cloth and Tweed Jackets, considerably under usual cost price.— W. H. Collier, "The Comer." \\ / ANTED Known -^"One hundred v v and fifty Ladies' and Children's Ulsters bought a great bargain (good qualities), now selling very cheap —H. C. Segkrs. Melford House. ANTED Known— The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannafoiid's, Burnett Street, A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ■ware goods made and repaired with dcs" atch Public Notices. Mr rp xrr p loter^ R 1* W- VJLOVER, Organising Agent New Zealand Alliance. Will address meetings in the Oddfellows' Hall, on FRIDAY NEXT at 7.30, and at Flemington on SATURDAY at 7.30. 7 163 IST THE Z NEW ZEALAND CLOTHIM FACTORY Half Yearly STOCK-TAKING . M)W ON.- REOUOTIOISS j IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. Tho Celebrated Werthein New'High arm Sewing Machines on easy Time »''iy menti?; CW H. WEBBER, "TH Manager JJ WITHOUT TCETH , WJ.T.H .-TEETH THE CHRISTCHURCH DENTAL SURGERY, Comer of Oa.shel and High streets. Q HVyTYERS AND pO. SURGEON DENTISTS. And at Dunedin and Wes.tport, TTTE have gained the FIRST AWARD VV at the Dunedin Exhibition fox- Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and ifc is with the greatest confidence that we guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit afc the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Convp)lgfe» Set — Upper arid Lower —• temporary ,anc! permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Dwk'a'PLß, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Eoplaced Tp-mporarily al most immediately after itiie extraction of decayed teeth or stumps witly^fe pxtra cc or cliarge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE v"?AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert ihat extraction of teeth under its influence ia perfectly painless and positively safe Foe for Administration, 6a. Extraction, 2s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Denture* made ether dentists repaired or remodelled fimill cost. Hour.-- of fcte"danco—9 a.m. to 6 p.ls



VJ-OTICK— Anyone found Tre - J_N passing in pursuit; of game or therwise on the Riversdale Estate on nd after this date will be prosecuted. J. X, WILLIAMS. Riversda'e, 24Ui May. 5 17« i "SEALY'S FRUIT TREES "]"NLUDIN Apples, Pears, Plums, tai _i_ Chcrvics, Peach os, Apricots, Noes of ines, and all other fruits. The merits of all the varieties have been subjected to severe tests during the last 15 years, and the stock is now admitted to be the Largest and Choicest in Canterbury, probably in the colony, to select from, all warranted, and at your own prices. SEALY'S FOREST TREES Of all kind*, innumerable in quantity, well-gr»wn and hardy—all kinds, all sizes, all 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 yery low prices. SEALY'S ROSES 1 Endless in variety and choicest in quality. SEALY'S CATALOGUES Forwarded free to any address on application. Note. —I will only be responsible for Trees ordered direct from the Nursery or through Messrs J. Sealt and Co. THOS.~ SEALY, Nurseryman, Riverbank, Ashburton. JOHN ORR & Co. ARE OFFERING GRAND VALUE in the Followiug Leading Lines OF GENERAL IRONMONGERY, ETC Ex "Rimutaka." And Other Late Arrrrals. 4 Casks Saucepans, Boilers and Kettles 4 Casks Lamps, Globes and Chimneys 1 Case Table Knives, Forks, Spoons 3 Casks Plough and Trace Chains. 80 Tins White Lead. 40 Tins Red Lead. 120 Drums Raw and Roiled Oil. Paints and Varnishes of all kinds. 5 Bales Wall Papers. 50 Register Grates from 14s 6d to £5. Ranges, Stoves, at all prices. 8 Cases Wringers and Mangles. 60 Sets Fire Irons from 5s to 3Cs. 50 Fenders from 6s to £5f 25 Tons Bar and Sheet Iron. 1 Ton Bolts and Nuls, all sizes. Leather Portmanteaus and Trunks. Leather Belting, H to 6in. Manilla and Flax Ilopc, 1| to Sin. 35 Coils Plough Lines. 2 Casss Mould Boards 6 Casks Hornsby's Plough Shares (new p ittern.) 3 Cadks Ransom's Plough Shares. 3 Casks Buggy Springs and Axle?. 1 Cask Carriage Lamps. 20 Kegs Blue Stone. 10 Cases New Iron Bedsteads. 10 TONS CLOVER SEEDS. 100 Kegs Wire Nails. 20 Kegs Fencing Staples. 200 Coils Steel Fencing Wire, 80 Coils B?.rb Wire. 1 Bale Seaming Twine. 2 Cwt Babett Metal. 25 Bundles Spades and Forks. 3 Packages Screws, Locks and Hinges. 2 Cases Saws, Chisels nnd Planes. 10 Cases Axes and Picks. 4 Cases Gorse Knives. 10 Cases Pick Axe and Hammer Handles' 2 Cases Hammers. 2 Bales Door Mats. 10 Crates China and Earthenware, includ- New Toilet Dinner, Tea arid Dessert Ware. Some of these are really beautiful goods. 150 Cases Oils, including Valvolino, Lubroline, Castor, Colza, Olive Lard and Neatsfoot—this can all had in any quantity. 150 Cases KEROSENE, Light of th] Age ; the very beat. GROCERY DEPARTMENT WILL Always be found STOCKED with GOODS of First Class QUALITY, —Including— Indian Ceylon and China TEAS, Mauritius Sugar, Crushed Loaf Sugar^ Pure Coffee, Candles, Oatmeal, Rollitt and Cos. Flour, Butter from Mr John Grig^/i Famous Dairy. JOHN ORR AND CO., IMPORTERS. i A NDREVV i^RR'S iINDREW IJRR S • ■ GREAT m \ ;" Z '£ ANJNTJALBS-AJLiE * op £5 * hi j DRAPERY - & t* H CLOTHING j \ \' AND ¥ ' !I* 4 BOOTS Will Commence Saturday, July sth & The greatest BARGAINS *d ever seen in Ashburon. In] " m W, SEE riANDBILLS. r lg ANDREW ORR. *