The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr A. E. Moss is reported to lie now almost out of danger. At the half yearly meeting of the Welling ton Working Men's Club, the sum of £10 10s was voted to the S. D. Parnell memorial fund. The bureau of Industries at. Wellington reports that at Tologa Bay 150 bushmen and several roacl-making hands are required. Masterton wants forty bushmen; Wanganui fifty ; and Raglan twenty. On ths Darga ville and Hokianga, gumfields men make from £2 to £4 per week working long hours. The death is announced of Mr Francis Geoffrey Dickens, a son of the novelist. The deceased was formerly an officer in the mounted police of the Canadian North-West and had, it is said, led a roving life for some time previous to his death. In some of the Prohibition States of America, it is said, thousands of i>e°P*e have taken to drinking essence of ginger, a drug alleged to be made by allowing pure alcohol to filter through powdered ginger, the result being a fluid, with 92 per cent of pure alcohol, »r about "twice the strength of proof whisky. ■ The postal authorities,;are very wel 1 satisfied with the success which has at tended the establishment of the London- Paris Telephone. To show how satisfac torily it works, a stockbroker in London sent a message of 300 words within the space of three minutes the time allowed a user of the telopheiie for the fee of Bs.

Admiral Sir Provo Wallis, who is now in his hundred and first year, is still "on the active list," and will be for life. Some years ago he was very unwell, and had been seen by no one connected with the Admiralty for years. Suspicion somehow was raised that'he had joined the majority, and that some unscrupulous persons were drawing hia pension. But one day Sir Provo, then in his,93th year, silenced re ports, and satisfied officials by unexpectedly appearing at a lever.

As a sign of the depressed times in Mel bourne it was mentioned by one of the members of asurburban council recently that dulues's in trade and general depression amongst the working classes had resulted in a most undesirable state of affairs—viz., the practice of two or more families residing in one house. In some cases there were as many as four families living in a four roomed cottage. He had the authority of a clergy man who was daily visiting through the city that the stdte of afeiirs was worse than most people imagined.

A collision took place between a passenger train and a portion of a goods train near Btirnside (Dunedin) on Tuesday night, the latter consisting cf a dozen trucks and Guard's van, in an unaccountable manner started off towards Uurnside on the down grade. The passenger train was stationary at Burnside, the driver, having his attention drawn to the moving trucks, immediately backed his engine,- and thus minimised the force of the collision. The engine buffer was broken a d the vau much damaged but no one was hurt-

Mr Frank Oakden, manager of the Milburn Lime and Cement Company, met with au accident at Dunedin on Tuesday, whereby he sustained a fracture of the light leg. He was riding, when his horse slipped and fell on the leg of the rider, thus causing the injury. Mr Oakden was conveyed to the hospital, where the broken limb was set and subsequently (he uufforev was conveyed to his homo. Mr Oakden had o/ily on the previous day taken out a policy tor £1000 iv the .Standard Accident Insurance Company. As a result of his forethought he will receive £ii per week during the time he is incapacitated from work.

rJ he colonial friends cf the Rev Dr Muc- Gregor, of St C>.itlibert's, Elinb' l^h, will be pleased to hear that the members of his con gregation and other friends have presented him, on the occasion of his appointment as moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and in recognition of his great public services,, with, an elegant silver bowl, weighing tngUlyrfqijr punces, and measuring fourteen inches in diameter, and a cheque for 580 guineas ; also with his moderator's oflioial robes, including a com t suit, a silk preaching gown, and a S* Andrew's University D.D. hood. Dr Mac- Gregor warmly thanked the donors, and saitfhe should be glad to wear the robes to rags in the seivice of the Master and of the church,

The Rev Ihomas Williams, a ■yell-known Wesleyan minister and missionary, died at Ballarat on July 4- The rev gentleman, who was 7tj years of age, entered the church when only 19, and therefore spent 57 years in the church and missionary service. In 1839 Mr "Williams, with spven others, undertook missionary work iv Fiji, where he laboured for about twelve years, and it was in this work that his health first became affected, and, iv fact, caused his return to Australia. At that time cannibalism was rife in the islands, and Mr Williams risked his life more than once in^ bearding the kin" in defiance of tlie horrible practice, and its abolition was in a great measure due to hjs earnest work under trying and dangerous circumstances, At a meejting of the representatives of the two rachig clubs at O/amaru, resolutions were passed protesting against the proposal to i tax |hp totalisator to the extent of ''A per cent," heca^e it would mean the "crushing «ut of the smaller Raping Clubs altogether. The meeting thought that if racing were taxed other amusements should be taxed as well. A resolution was passed asking the Dunedin Jockey Club to immediately- summon a meeting of repre sentatives of the racing clubs ot Qtago to consider the matter, each club to have one representative. It was also resolved to send copies of the resolutions passed to the meinbeps for the tqwii and district, and to the Colonial Secrefcaiy, The following with reference to the pros pects of the English fruit crops, will be of interest to our fruit-growers:—The pros pects of the Kentish fruit crop have rarely besin better than they arc this spring. Trees and busies svvp a mass of blossom and buds, and should ihe weather- prp.ye favourable there will be one of the largest crops en record. Fortunately, the season is back ward, so there is not the danger of irosts \yl<ieh there otherwise would be. Mr William Julm Foster, writing to the "Stan- ■ dard " from })ea»e :Q°\Wh «W Tauntoil> | under date of May 7, says-Jt njoyinterest | many of your readers to knqw that in the Vale of 'Taunton, beauu, and, { believe throughout the West of England, the pros pect of a plentiful fruit harvest is well-nigh assured, for not only has the bloom been un usually abundant, l>ub the fruit is setting far above the average. Hove the eHpepssion of apricot, peach, plum, pear, and cherry blossom has been very beautiful, and now the apple is about to flush the orchards. Thft excess of bloom has, however, much curtailed th«i foliage, especially in the case of the plijm trees, s^onni c,f y,'\nuk exhibit scarcely a leaf.

HoUjOWAy's Piixs.—lii the conjplaints peculiar to females these pills are unrivalled. Then' use by the fair sex has become so constant toy tl»e r§ini)val of t.lieir ailments that rare is the hQuqebqld tj;a|; f6) without them. Amongst all classes, from the domestic servant to the peeress, universal favor is recorded to these renovating pills ; theif/ invigorating and purifying properties render them safe q.nd in valuable in all cases ; they may be taken by foinales pf ail ages for'any disorganisation or irregularity of the system, speedily removing die cause and restoring the sufferer to robust health. As a family medicine they are unappi'oachabl for subduing the maladies of young and old. Kkattng's Couch .ozexisks cures Cough Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical t.stimon statos that no of hor medjeiae is SO effectual in the cure of thcao daugfrous nialadies One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensuaes rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing they are invaluable. They con tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all£!hfiiru'stSj in jtins, Is 1^(1 and 2s 9d each

Cmmtoss 2,5, Duchess 2s 4d, Princess 2s ,Bd, Empress 3=>. These Teas »if free *wm g,uv *x«686 of

The election of Directors of the Union ? Insurance Company, held at Christchurch • yesterday, resulted in the return of the Hon J. T. Peacock, Hon E. W. Parker, and Mr George G. Stead. At the Woollen Factory a well has been sunk to a depth of forty feet, and the supply of water obtained has been abundant. The factory had to suspend working some time ago in consequence of the water supply fail ing. The manager decided to sink a fresh well, and forty feefc being touched, an abundant flow was found, and the works were started on Monday last. It is reported that an effort is to ba made to form a "syndicate" in Ashburton of people, who require their wells sunk to a deeper stratum, and to guarantee a number of wells to Mr Job Osborne, the well-known well sinker, who, by the use of steam in hiss driving apparatus., is said to be able to work more expeditiously and at less cost than pipe drivers who work by manual labor. Patrick Casey, in a petition to Parlia ment sets forth that he joined the police force in May, 1878, served two years in the North Island, five years in South Canterbury, and four years at AshbuHon. In March, 1890, he arrested a man at Rangifcata for larceny. Having a bad attack of influenza he took a glass of snirits, and was in ill health and failed to* keep an appointment. His case was 10 be heard at Ashburton, but» next day he was dismissed by Major Gudgeon. He now prays for compensa tion. With reference to the items in our cable news as to the exercise by Governors of the Royal prerogative, the Melbourne correspon dent of the " Otago Daily Times" sajs :— Lord Onslow has forwarded to the "Argus" his^ correspondence with Lord Knutsford and Mr Ballance on the prerogative of mercy question which arose in connection witb the sentence of death onMahikai for the murder of Stephen Maloney. It was published in full, and the "Argus" devotes a leading article to its consideration, supporting tne view of Lord Onslow that a Governor is entitled to the advice of his executive in that as in other matters.

In a letter to Mr E. (J. Wright, the member for Ashburton, which that gentle man quoted in his speech 011 the Financial Statement before the House, Mr John JGrigg showed that he had spent £40,000 in im provements. He pays over £4000 to the railways ; his men save £5000 a year: his place of 15,000 acres was, when, he got it, an impassable swamp; he hss spent his life upon it, only to be met with a graduated land' tax. Under the property tax he paid £554; he will pay under the graduated tax, with' all the exemptions on the last valua tion, £881, and on the nest valuation, with late improvements added, he will hare to pay £1100.

Mr Tregear, the officer in charge of the Bureau of Industries, informs the Welling ton papers that it has been reported to him that work can be obtained by men seeking employment from private persons, in the following localities : —C&rterton, 700 acres bushfelling; Wanganui, bushfelling foi 100 men; Ingiewood (Taranaki), six sawmill hands taid &ix men for breaking road metal; Opunake (Taranaki), farm hands scarce ; Matinhorough, six firewood splitters ; Timaru, general farm hands scarce; Feilding, six men for bushfelling; Little River, six firewood splitters ; Pahiatua, plenty of general bush work. At Tologa Bay 150 bii:hmen anil several road making hands are required ; Masterton wants forty bush men, Wanganui fifty, and Raglan twenty. On and jHokianga giunnekls men make from i' 2to £4 per week, working long hours.

Last night Mr J. B. McDonald, delegate from the Queensland and Amalgamated Shearers' Union of Australasia, addressed a meeting in the Orange Hall. There was not a large attendance, the wet weather probal-ily helping to reduce the number present. Mr \V. Mcßao was in the chair, and introduced Mr McDonald, who spoke for about two hours, during which lie gave a history of the shearci'd' strike in Australia, and denied many of the charges that had be©n brought against the Unionists in onnccticn with the

striks. He paid a high compliment to New Zealand for its free institutions and liberal laws. , At the close of Mr McDonald's

address, the following resolution was

passed :—" That this meeting, after hiving heard Mr McDonald, refuses to believe all that has been written concerning the outrages alleged to have been committed by the shearers, and expresses its sympathy with 'them in their trouble, a_ml pled.geg itself'to use every endeavor to prevent shearers leaving these shores for Australia."

Dunns' the past six weeks paragraphs have appeared in papers, in various parts of the colony, in which complaints were made of the unsatisfactory condition of many of the rifles in use by the New Zealand Volunteers. The complaints, it appears, are anything but unfqunded, and could, with good grounds, bfj made ql! thtj arms qf almost every corps in the colony's service. Only a few days ago a Cliristchurch paper, supple menting a complaint made against the worn out state of the rifles with, which a Welling ton company was armed, mentioned several instances iii which the use of the regulation rifje, at ball pro.ct icp, Had been attended with danger to the soldier, and all along the line there is evidence that the Sniders are in need of a general overhaul, and ought at once to be called into store to receive i>liearmourers attention. The Sniders with which tho Ashburton corps is armed are in no better condition than those in use elsewhere. So unreliable are they that when volley firing is gone through by the company, there has to be a sorting out of the rifles so that the squads firing "may ifse weapons that wijl at least "go qff!' wiien wanted. Many of the rifles have been given up by the men as hopeless for shooting purposes. Oood work has been done in the Labpr Bureau Ijegar-tmont of tbo socfal work of the Salvation Army. During the. month of June there were three hundred and six

registrations at the Christchurch office by all classes of applicants for work. Of these sixty-six employers made their choice, and

hi scmie' instances engaged, more than one applicant!' Some eighty' wqrkers werp thus disposed of for temporary and permanent employment. The demand for ordinary labor has not been very satisfactory, and some severe cases of want have been dealt with, The liuveau ha,s e^tendqc] its qpqra-r tions to Dunedin,' and an interchange of information has been arranged. Farther steps are in view, and will be taken as the necessary financial help may be forthcoming. The registration, both by employers and workers, is free,, and every effort is'made by tlio oiaiiugoip.pnf: tq carry out the original idea, and "stay tl>e exodus<■ by becoming an impartial nie.diinn hi the interests of both employers and workers. 'In the north greater activity is reported, and the news papers cjf the central bureau are in constant delnand by t'hqsq aijjfjous to go where employ ment can-be, found.' The Wellington officer of the Salyatiqn Army wires' thequestiqii 1;— "How many men ate available in Christ, church for bushfelling and similar work in the North Island '!'' It is expected that, with a development of the Army's social scheme, much greater facilities o i finding employment wjH be afforded to the working classes.—" Lyttletou Tames. >; The best medicine known is S ANI )ER and SONS EUCALITI EXTRACT. Test, its eminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thou_SiUfds giyp fhe njqfctt gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King tjf Italy, and medical syndicates all over the, globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occa sion to offer rewards in jvoof of the genuine ness qf gun rfifpfpncfis, The official reports of lvwdiijal ijlnnos and v^ivqrsitigs ' the official communication of tho Cqnsiii=General for Italy up Melbourne} the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all those are authentic documents, and, as such, not qpen tq (IljuljL We add Ijepp qpjf,qine oi one of the various cases treated % Siegenl M.D , Professor, etc. Burning of'the right hand t/brougl) the explosion of a snjal! oil stove. Tlio eptdefniia on .the volav and palmer side of the hand f>f the thirty-year old patient was completely separated' and lifted up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose and half rjf the phtilnajf of the nail qf £h e middle* finger was eqaled, rI% wq'unds thus contracted healad in three weeks under iiily application*" of Euoalyptj. Ex trad dressing. The patient has retained the full use of the hand.—(Advt.) \

Teas free from any excess of astringeney fcsuuthßptit.ll TeaCoinpany's pure blends. A}l storekeepers,

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES REPORT.

The annual report of the Registrar- General of Friendly Societies is again before us—a very bulky document, bearing evidence of complete and thorough investigation into the position of the various societies that have come under scrutiny. The strong tone of the previous two or three of Mr Mason's annual reports, and the steps that he took during a lecturing tour through the colony to impress upon the officials of the societies the importance of placing their financial position on a sounder basis, seem to have been lost upon those concerned. This disregard of so important a matter, that should have received prompt attention, is re garded by the Registrar as bordering closely on criminality. Let us look at the particulars given in the report. There were, at the end of 1889, 364 lodges, with a total membership of r 26,013. Of these the Manchester [ Unity of Oddfellows had 128 lodges, the Foresters 98 lodges, the Druids 40 lodges, and the ten. other organisations from one to 32 lodges. The total funds belonging to these thirteen societies are £430,544, of which £380,971 is to the credit of the sick and funeral funds. No less a sum than £284,173 earns interest, and the bulk of it (£194,782) has been so closely invested on mortgage of free holds that it bears over 7 per cent, while £20,000 in the postal savings banks yields a trifle over 4 per cent., £50,000 on fixed deposit with the banks earns 4"9 per cent., £10,000 locked up in Government and municipal stocks yields 6.4 per cent., and close on £9000 otherwise invested returns 7.8 per cent.; the average rate of interest being 6.7 per cent., which is abundant testimony to the care exer cisexl by trustees in granting loans. But when we turn to the table which gives details of the balance-sheet of individual lodges, we are brought face to face with a condition of things the reverse of satisfactory. ' More than one-half of the Manchester Unity lodges show a deficit; of the Foresters' lodges only five show a surplus, and the whole of the thirty-four Druids' lodges mentioned have deficits. Only the Manchester Unity and American orders of Oddfellows and the Foresters have seriously attempted to raise their scale of contributions to the extent necessary to establish sound finance. Of this neglect the Registrar says,— "As the fact becomes more widely appreciated that both honor and sub stantial reward follow the introduction of a sound system and careful manage ment, and that those who neglect these essentials must bear the blame as well as the loss of failure, it may be hoped that societies generally will recognise the responsibility entailed by freedom of action, and adopt measures for the perfecting of their thrift. With the exercise of a little more patience, if public sentiment continues to grow in the direction which it has taken of late years, it will come to pass tlnit a society in an insecure position will be looked upon as a reproach alike to its members and to the Order to which it is affiliated . . . Every society insuring ugainst oil her sickness or death should be rapi red, in the public interest, periodic illy to publish, or furnish for publication, a true state ment of its operations and position ; and if such publication does not i\Q.t as a sufficient warning to members and others, it is difficult to understand what better means of protection can be afforded, unless, indeed, a society financially unsound were declared an illegal society, which extreme action few probably would be found to advo cate." We know thaj; some lodges attempt to dispose of the Registrar's report upon their condition by saying that allowance has not been made for this and that, and too much calculated for the qther, Tliere is, no excuse for such inactiqn. If lodges question the official valuation, they may cause in dependent valuatijns to be nwle fqr- themselves at H\q\v own oosfc, the only stipulation being that the valuer shall be approved by the Governor in Council, but so far as we are aware no well-founded charge of error in valuation has been made against the Registrar, Jnd,eec|, no amount of hair-splitting on technical points would avail to explain away the insolvent position of most of the societies, , Deficiencies of thirty per cent., or shf shillings in the £, such as, are shown by several lodges, can only be ascribed to radical defects in the working qf the lodges. In almost every case the Registrar- states " in adequate rates of contribution n as the pause of the deficiency ; ': negligence in regard to the investment of funds " is given as a secondary cause in several ca,ses j qtheii causes seldom appear. The carefql investment of funds is shown to go but a very little way in. making up a deficiency. It is, there fore, of the utmost importance that societies should at once bestir the.ir\ sejyesj tq f3stabl|sli q, financial equi librium between the contributions' tq be paid and the benefits to be derived by members. The Registrar deprecates taking extreme action, such as the suspeiisjqu qr declaring jllfigal of any lodge that cfqes not adopt sound measures in its management, but the state of affairs it so scandalous that if an earnest effort be not made to remedy it, some such action must be taken in £he interests of the subscribers.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PiJH fcHiS-lrt ASSOCIATION,]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, July 15. The Coqncjl njefc at 2 s^o, Tlje lir,becjle Bill and the Official and Colonial Defences Secrets Bill were read a second lime on the voices. The Marriage Act Amendment Bill was furfchpr pon^ider^d in cornmitcee, and reported with slight amendments/

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

m , Tr July 15. The House met at 2.3 Q. SCHOOL BOOKS. My Eavpsl«>w moved tliat CJoveiminont take into c.onsi:ierat|on the advls ableness of providing schools books and requisites to scholar* at first cost, and also the necessity of producing national •school hooks dealing with the agriculture minerals, natural history, etc., of 'New Zealand. He said the continual change of books m the public schools was very ii'couyemeHt and expensive.

Mr Blake said he had no objection to the motion, but thought it would be a waste of money as, when the franchise was extended to women, denominational education would be obtained. Several other members also spoke in support of the motion. Mr Reeves did not agree with the 'proposal.to abolish high schools. They ought not to be led away by the clap-trap urged sgainst hjUh .schools', as sooner or later those schools would be free. He I agreed that more uniformity in the matter of inspection of schools would be a great advantage, because different systems, of inspection were 'unfair to teachers, .children, and the inspectors themselves. Mr Earnshaw's motion had his warmest sympathy, and, if it were carried, Government 'would assist it to the utmost. At the same tim« Mr Earn shaw had left out the important word "uniformity," for it would be utterly impossible to do anything in the matter without providing that the school books should be uniform. Ho doubt an amend ment of the Education Act would be r/quired to effect this, as Government should be put in a position to force the Education Boards to accept a uniform set ot books ; or, if not, Government lnight, be left with a large stock of books on their hands. The motion was agieed to on irhe voices. The House rose at 5. SO. The House resumed at 7.30. DIVORCE.

_ Mr Joyco moved the second reading of the Divorce Extension and Amendment Act, 1890. He said the Bill was in the mam the same as that brought before the House by Mr Samuel in 1889, but a tew additional clauses were adcted. providing that divorce could be granted after de sertion or .separation for seve<) years, also for adultery, and for imprisonment for crime. It might be asked why a private member should bring in a Bill of this kind, bnt he would like to know where many of their reforms would be if it had not been for the private measures intro duced by Sir George Grey. Mr Fish held that if any amendment of the law in this direction were required, it should be introduced by Government. He thought facilities for obtaining divorce should not be rendered too easy, as in that case eollusio.i would take place between parties for the purpose of getting divorce:!. Altogether he did not pose as an extreme moralist or a religious maa, j still he regarded marriage to be of such sanctity that he would "not readily con i sent to do anything that would dissolve it.

Mr Buckland also opposed the measure on the ground that if it passed it would allow people to divorce themselves when ever they liked.

Mr C. H. Mills, while agreeing that the bill contained soma good features, could not agree to some of its provisions. Mr McKcnzie (Glutha) said the objec tions to the Bill were selfish ones. He agreed with Mr Joyce that if the females of the colony obtained the franchise, there would be little trouble in getting a Bill of this kind passed, as it was solely brought in in the interests of women themselves.

GOVfittJJMHOT RAILWAYS REPEAL BILL, Mr Palmer moved the second reading of the Government Kail ways Act, 1887^ .Repeal Bill. He said the House was aware that by the Act of 1887 the control of the railways of the colony was vested in the Railway Commissioners, and tha present Bill simply proposed to repeal that principle, and to place the railways again under the control of New Zealand Government. He asserted the Railway Commissioners had not carried out their duties with general satisfaction, and looking at their appointment from a'com mercial point of view, he contended the whole thing was a failure. The Act appointing them was essentially Tory in principle and c mtrary to the democratic spirit of (he age. It was also a- reflection on the Parliament of New Zealand tfcafc they could net trust the. Minister for Pubjiq Works to administer M 3 own de partment without the intervention of those Commissioners ; but. he thought the House was now possessed of a Minister for Public Works who was fully com petent to take charge of the railways, of the colony.

Mr Rees loakod t,pon this as one of the m,usb important questions that could be brought before the Heuse or the country, Not a single one of the promises made when the Commissioners wore appointed had been kept In addition to the dis satisfaction expressed by the people of t-Ue colony with the management of the Commissioners, there was a widespread feeling of discontent amongst the railway employees, who felt that they could, not obtain Justice on any question that cqu- cerned them. There was no expeit of any kind amongst the Commissioners, and not. one of them possessed any practical knowledge whatever. He should certainly support the Bill.

Mr McKftnzie (Clutha) wquld not sup port a Bill" of tin's kind, as his opinion was that the Auckhnd people were really the only people who wanted a change in the railway management, He agreed, hew ever, with Mr Palmer that the intention, when the Bill passed, was to bring an expert from Home, and he. asserted that if the House had known who the Com missioners were to be, the Bill would flat have become law. But they must take things as they were at present, The ex traordinary statements made by [Mr Rees as to the management were not warranted by fact,

Mr hmith (New Plymouth) remarked that if the House passed this Bill they wo^ld become the laughing stack of the colony.

Mr Sieddon s,aid the Government would oppose the Bill. He deprecated any sudden change being made now in the management of railways, and said such a. change would Jead %o cftsajs^r, fa) the pres^nt^ th,§ Goi^roissjonepi had not had a fair trial, and those who now advocated bandog the railways over to the Govern raent would afterwards regret the stand they had taken, if it resulted, in injury to the colony. As the Commissioners wore appointed for a f#rm. of years, he thought it would he unwise to reverse that action. The question, was one of policy, which should liave been dealt with by the Government and not by a private member. Mr Hogg spoke strongly W support of the measure.

Mr I^ryce did not think for a moment j that the Commissioners were ri^ht in their administration of the railways j but the discontent that was felt with their In.ina3eln.ent existed before the Com mjssjyner.fi oiune • into power, and would exisfc after they were out of power, if they did retire, Everyone admitted the Commissioners, Avere striving to do their duty, i\nd it would therefore be unwise to endeavor to. remove theni until their tenure of oft\ce. expired., Mr. JVlaointosh sa.id that he had no con^. n'dence whatever in the Commissioners, but as the leaders of tlje, Qovernment and the Opposition were against the. Bill, he hopec] Mr palmer would withdraw it, be. cause if the lnofcion for the, secoml reading was lost, the impression might go forth that the ftdmiiriati'«ifcion of the Commis sioners was approved by the majority of the House.

Mr Fish argued that when the Govern ment decided to vote against this measure tJiey should have informed Mr Palmer, and advised him to withdraw the Bill on arrouud of its being inopportune at present. He (Mr Fish)" was one of thu strongest supporters of the Government, but he Avarned them that they must not play fast and loose in the matter, as he felt sure the party would not submit to such treahneut. , The dun missioned had been a failure ajl, along the line, and their appointment was a disgrace to fche late

" frt Mi |hi j hdpMW * Government, H e s ] !ou j d support bU Mr Fisher said that if Mr Seddon had adopted another atti:ude on the Bill than the one he had taken he would have considered that be was utterly wanting m his conception of the duties of a Minister of the Crown. .. Mr Thompson (Aackland)should oppose the Bill, as he thought the present was not a suitable time to pass it. Mr Buckland speke in support of the Commissioners. Mr Reeves pointed out that Mr Seddon mw.bouirl to take up the attitude he had adopted on this question theßil? 117 Ulld Mt' M°Ol'c s 'wfco a *vi:lst Mr■Pinkerttm moved the adjournment fA^ fvi i week which *» CORONERS 1 JURY ABOUTIOjf BILL. Jhe Coroners Jury Abolition Bill, in troduced t. y Mr Guinness, was reld a second time without discussion, on the understanding that a debate would take place on the motion for the committal of the measure. 'I he House rose at 12.35.

"HANSARD."

THF. ELECTORAL BILL. Mr Wright,—l did not intend to speak on this Bill, but the statements made by the honourable member for Avon are so totally opposed to my view of the position that I feel called upon to reply to his views. As to the female suffrage, I may mention that at every public meeting at which I met the electors that question was raised, and when I announced my intention to support the proposal the statement was received with cheers. Therefore I am satisfied that the feeling of the large majority of the people is In favour of the proposal. It has been said by some that women themselves have not: demanded this privilege ; but I argue that the evidence of their husbands at these public meetings, taking such a stand as they did, is merely an echo of t*e wishes of^the women. The women of this colony have taken an active part in many social movements, and I am satisfied that the legislation of the colony will in no way suffer by their having a share in it. Not withstanding the objections of the honour able gentleman, I feel conßdent that this ptovision will be carried by an over whelming majority, and that woman suffrage will be added to the Bill. Then, as to the .statement made that the ballot is not secret, I give that statement the most emphatic denial. As far as my experience goes, t think the system of ballot which obtains in this country is perfectly satisfajtory to the community, and that the working people throughout the colony have a thorough reliance on the inviolability of the ballot. So far from their being intimidated by any threats from their masters as to theif chance of dismissal if they vote against those masters' wishes, I know that the mere expression of opinion in that direc tion on the part of a jraster would have the effect of sending the employes in the opposite direction. It is only natural that men who regard themselves as men. should resist any pressure or iwinridation of that kind. Again, as evidence cf the con fidence in the secrecy of the ballot, I may aay that in one outlying portion of my district where I had only a few votes, I received, after my election, assurances from about three times that number that they had voted for me. Therefore the electors making that assurance must have had complete confidence in the secrecy of the ballot. It has been suggested that, in the outlying districts, as soon as the poll is closed the ballot-boxes should be con veyed to the central booth, and there the papers should be mixed, so that the result of the locil voting should not be known. I take it t!uit, in ordor- *o oaryy that ou\ it would be rieoes»ary to send down iho papers by escort of the Deputy ll<|uri.ing Officer and two scrutineers. It seems to me that there would be far gveateVii&k of tampering with the papers than there is ab present. Theft, cmc word as to the desira bleness of granting a public holiday. I think that no employer of any standing would refuse to his workmen the time necessary to record their votes. My ex perience of the country districts is that the masters generally make the day a holiday, and send their teams with tlieir workmen to the polling,places in order that the workmen might record their vote.*, without in the slightest degree at tempting to influence them us to the d'rection in which they hhall give their votes. The establishment of' a public holiday would not necessarily compel every man to vote. Those who absent thorns lyes on the polling-day are for the most part those who are busily occupied, and who regard their personal affairs as of far m*re importance than the election. They stay away on that account, and no public holiday will compel them to attend. The proposal to close puhlic-houges on that day is one with which I entirely agree. I think it will have a beneficial effect, and especially if we are to have women coming to the polling-booth. Ifc will then be essential that the public houses shall he closed throughout the colony. With these remarks, I beg to express my opinion that the Bill under consideration is well conceived in all its parts.

THE MARKETS.

[PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Sydney, July 15. Wheat, chick, 3s 9d to 4s ;. milling, 4s 9d to ss; none offering. Flour, stone makes, £10 5s to £10 los ; roller makes, £1110s to £12 Oats, feeding, Is 10d to 2s; seed, 2s, Potatoes, New Zealand, £2 10$ ; Circular Heads, £3s 10s to £4. Butter, New Zealand made, lOd to Is 4d ; local dairy made, Is 6d to Is lOd ; factory made, 2s. Melbourne, July 15. The wheat market shows improvement at 4s lid to ss. Flour, stone makes, £9 15s to £10 10s ; roller makes, £11 10s. ©ats, Algerian, 2s 2|d ; stout, 2s (id. Adelaide, July 15. Wheat, 4s 9d to 4s lOd, nominal. Flour, stone makes, £9 5s to £9 10s ; roller snakes, £10 5s to. £10 15s. Oats, New Zealand, in boad, 2s 2d to 2s 4d. Tlia grain market generally is flat. (Received July 16, 10.15 a.m.) London, July 15. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,544,000 quarters, and for the Continent 2,336,000 quarters. The New Zealand Trust and Loan Co. luue declared a dividend of ten per cent. The fallowing are the quotations for colonial stocks :—-New, Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's 4 pel* cents, 95; Australian and New Zealand Mortgage Company's 4\ per cents, 100 ; Dalgety and Company's 5| per cents, 112 jr.

Addington Stock Market.

Chbistohukch, July 15. Stork Sheep.—About 1500 were yarded, but with the exception of two br three unimportant lines, they were withdrawn. Ihree hundred merino wethers fetched 3s. Iwo hundred and seventy-seven two-tooth crossbred wethers were sold at 11 8 9d to Fat Shkep.—Not quite 4000 were yarded, ot which thorn Avere some very prime urossbreds, and a larger proportion of merinos. Best crossbred wethers brought ~.>s. Other crossbred wethers realised irora 16s to 23-s, according to weight arid con dition. Crossbred ewes sold from 9s 8d to los 5d ; maiden ewes up fco 20s; wethers i-Mil maiden ewes, suitable for export, from Us to 225. Merino wethers sold readily from Os to Ins id* * m

THE ASHBURTON GIIAIIDIAN, THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1891.



WITH T£ETii v v nOUT TCELTrt CHRIS rOUCRCH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High streets] S. M Y*" AND C - SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin unl Westport iTTE have gained ihe FIRST AWARD W at the Dunediu Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that ye guarantee the highest class work and perfect n't at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Complete Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al aiost immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra i fee or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE JSAS ■ several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe. Fee for Administration ss. Extraction, 2n Cd. Artificial Teeth and Den euros made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at lowest rates



WANTED Known.—Great Clearing • Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—\V. T:7. Collier. WANTED Known—Fn consequence of the inconvenience to Customers by the rebuilding of our shop front, we have determind to give some very cheap ines.— 11. C. Segkrs, Mol^ord House. TCE Cream off. Cough drops on. Un i L doubtedly *he best. H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. WANIED, every man in the district to order a Kaiapoi or Roslyn Tweed Suit. Also, Boys' Suits and Gents' Overcoats in great variety.—Andrew Orr. F> X E S E N T S.—Through necessary I alterations we will still continue sriving presents Come and sco our Cheap Lines.—H. C. Sever*, Melford H<«USB. WANTED KNOWN,-If you have the Cash, yon can save abcut 6s in every Pound, by buying your Jackets. Ulsters, Dress Goods, Millinery, itc, at A. W. Alcorn & Co.'s Clearing Sale.J 8_36 WANTED Known, — Ifave secured a Special Line of OashnjerPS to be sacrificed at Is ]>er yard, Colours— Navy, Maroon, Grenit, Brown, Myrtle, ttc. - H. C. Segers, Melford Hou«e. GLORIOUS News.—Just purchased a Dunedin Warehouseman's Stock of 90 Pieces French Cashmeres and Merinos at less than half price. Will be sold during the cheap sale at Is 10H ; royular pi ice 3h 9d. —Andrew Orr. WANTRD Known.—That if you want real good wea: ing boots, to keep your feet dry, you can get them in great variety at .John Moison's, the expert Bootmaker, Town Hall shop, East Street 6 73 T "\OUBLE Blankets, and through mis- L-' undorstsindiug double quantity sent from Mill. Have reduced the price os per pair. —Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saundevs 1 Buildings. _^_____ LjGJ^ Ut ANT I'D Known, —1 have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from, Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept iv stock.—J. VV, Hardily, East i street. 61202 j ■VTEW GAMES - Tiddledy Winks, 1 \ Reversi, Snickem, and others, Fredh Supplies of The Miners' Right. The Squatter's! Dream, Robbery Under Arms. A Colonial Reformer, T^H after Supper, Three Men in a Boat, and hundreds of others. NEW MUSIC— Vocal and Instrumental.—L. F. Andrewes aid Co.



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be h*ft at his Office. __ /HROWN Lands Guide, late;* edition. K.J The Ferns of New Zealand ; a suitable present to send home.— H. M. Jones. J3LAIN and fancy Stationery ; account \ ' books. (Any special linos made to order.) ;School requisites.—lT. M. Jones. \\ f ANTED Known.—Hors« Covers V\ 12s 6d, 14s fid, and 16s each, to clear, at William Patching's, East .street. ' 7{79 WANTJEI) Known. —Call and secure largains of Win'cr Drapery at the Great' Sale at W. 11. Collier's, " The Corner." , WANTED Known—Old Spoons and Forks Electro-plated and made eaual to new at 15.s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweller, East Street-. 4 150 ANTED Known—Girls' Boots 2s lid, Ladies' French Shoes 3s lid, Gents' Shoes 5s 6d ; at Andrew Orr's Cheap Sale. 6_214 ANTED Known—H. Dudley will sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot. H. Dudley, Moore Street. 6§54 ' I "O Meet the Times.—l am supplying I Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years. Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hardlby, East street. 6J201 WANTED Known.—That for quality, assortment;, and price see Andrew Orr's large stock of Milliuery, Clothing, and Boots. No presents, no bribes, but good value.—Andrew Orb. Tj^INEST Cod Liver Oil. Chest and JO Lung Protectors. Chilblain lini ments. Brooke, Chemist, Ashburton. TNTBin^own—"sTlvT~AicoßK will feel oMiyed if all accounts owing are pi id within fourteen days. W' AiNThCD Known. — Blank eta and Flannels great bargains at Andrew Orr s. WANTED every man in the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcoiin, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings.



77/05. SEALY, THE OLD ESTABLISHED NURSERYMAN. ASHBU R T 0 N, HAS now ready for planting at Reduced Prices, — 30,000 FRUIT TREES Consisting of Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Peaches Nectarines, Apricots, Quinces, &c, includ ing several excellent sorts recently imported from England and America, and now offered to the public for the first time. They are all grafted in the most approved manner, on the best stocks suitable either for large orchard planting or small gardens. All the scrts have been tested in our trial grounds, and any kinds not reaching a high standard of merit, or in any way unsuitable for cultivation here, are rejected. This system has been carried outafcconsider.ible expense 'luring a long series of years. The results are recorded, and snail, if required, be placed at the disposal of! customers to assist in their selection. 140,000 MACROCARPA One and Two years old, the finest and best grown trees ever offered hi this district, probably in the colony ; *md a special line of 30,000 in boxes for fencing. No risk in removal to a distance. And not less than •350,000 Forest Trees Including Pinus Insignis, one and two years, Larch, Birch, Abies Douglasii, and Menziesii (red and white Oregon pine), Abies Alba, Spruce Fir, Ash, Oak, Maple, Walnut, and numerous other kinds. 3000 GOOSEBERRIES And Currants (very choice sorts Orapevines, Filbcris, &o. Also, a') endless variety of Ornamental Trees, Evergreen and Flowering Shrubs, Roses (.splendid selection), Bulbs, Flower ing Plants, Rhubarb and Asparagus Roots, and all other thing.-! usually found in si first-class Nursery Stock. Special quotations to large buyers and l\w trade THOS. SEALY, Syytfe cud of Bridge,



T. G. RUSSELL, BARRISTER and SOLICITOR, c-iißiirrcjEiiitcir. Branch Office—East Street, A HII B I X T O V (Near H. Zander's.) G 157 THE MERCANTILE FINANCE AND AGENCY COMPANY (Limited OF CHRISTCHURCH. Incorporated under the Provisions of the Companies Act, 1882. Registered Office — MORTEN'S BUILDINGS, CH RISTCH URCH rFIH rS Company is prepared to advance L money on Freehold Property, in Large or Small Sums, at Current Rates of Interest; also, upon the Security of Bills of Sale, Mortgages <>f Stock, Wool and Agricultural Liens, and Personal Property generally. For further particulars, apply to T G. RUSSELL, Solicitor, Christchurch, Or to the-Branch Office of the Company, East Street, ASHBURION. 186 i



»ew business, new management, new goods, a long felt want supplied. James JVIcGREgor,' Has Opened a Tobacconist's Shop in Our's Buildings, East Stkket, with a LARGE and VARIED ASSORT MENT of NEW GOODS, comprising Pipes, Tobaccos, Oig&is, Cigarettes, and Smokers' requisites generally. Notk,—This is not a Ten or Twelve years' collection of antiquated odds and ends, the balance of an old stock. The HAIR-DB-ESSING SALOON is without doubt die best appointed in South Canterbury] ,YOUR PATRONAGE SOLICITED. JAME-J McGRKGOH, §127 Orr's BuikliugsJEast Street.



JAMES BAKER TIMBEE MERCHANT, AND GENERAL FURNITURE AND VAJJOY GOODS WAREHOUSE, HAVELOCK STREET, Opposite Harrisons Auction Mart, FURNITURE and Picture Frame nr.de to order in any design al shortest notice. Sole Asrent in Ashburton for Olegsr. erambulators. A^tso* WIESNtE FIA.NO3.



PubUc Notices j CIGAR DIVAN AND FANCY GOODS EMPORIUM. HARRY FRIEDLANDER has re ceived a large consignment of New Goods in all Departments, and while thanking both old and new patrons for the hearty support accorded to him since recommencing Business, would take this opportunity to invite i^MPRCTioar Every kind of Tobacco known to users ef the weed of the very best quality pro curable in the American Markets. A full Stock of Pipes to suit overy taste, and an abundant supply of ( Smokers' Requisites. CIGARS of the rery best Brands ; also CIGARETTES of every description, in cluding the latest "Temple Bar." it t in n 11 ess 1 v « [s Practised in our S.iloon as an Art, and Ladies and Gentlemen will find that the taste and skill of an abe Professor are at their service. Examination of our samples of Hair work will bear out this statement. Licensed to Sell STAMPS. SALONS DU COIFBURE EAST STREET.



John Orr <& Co. H4VE now landing and in stock, ex " Maori " from London, — 10 Cahks Ranso.ne's and Hornsby's Ploughshares t Case James Breech-loading Guns 1 T«.n Chilled Shot 10 Cases Diamond Grain Powder 4  Cartridges 2  Gun Wads and Caps 20 Tons Bar Iron 4 Cases Fenders 20 Packages Register Grates 40 Set* Fire Irons 30 Packages Spades and Forks 30 Kegs Bluestone 7 Bales Artistic Wall Papers 6 Cases Bedsteads 4 Casks Lamps and Globes 100 Coils Steel Barb Wire 200 Coils Plain Steel Fence Wire, 8, 9, and 10 Titan Wire Strainers 1 Cask Tea Pots 4 Packages Brushes—all kinds 3 Caskb Bolts and Nuts 50 Drums Boiled Oil 2 Tons White Lead, 281b and 561b Tins | Ton Red Lead, 281b and 561% Tinsi Paints, Oils, and Varnishes—all kinds 1 Case Meat Choppers 1 Case Lanterns 2 Casks Holloware— Saucepans, Boilers, and Kettles 30 Drums Sheep Marking Oil 2 Packages Copper Rivets, |in to lin 1 Case Wrenches 12 Packages Wringers and Mangles 2 Boxes Door Mats 3 Packages Cinder Sifters 1 Case Asperial's Enamel 1 Cask Scales and Weights 1 Cask Bag Hooks 50 Kegs Wire Naiis 20 Kegs Wire Staples 3 Packages Locks and Hinges 1 Package Files and Rasps Flax and Manilla Rope—all sizes 1 Case Screws-all sizes 1 Cask Vices Grindstones, 18in, 20m, 24in, 26in 100 Cases Kerosene ; warranted best obtainable 5000 Yards Wire Sheep Netting 8 Packages Axes and Hatchets 3 Cases Chisels and Hammers 4 Cases Carpenters' Tools 3 Casks Plough and Trace Chains 10 Packages Galvanised Tubs and Buckets 1 Case Table and Pocket Cutlery Leather Belting, l|in to Gin 4 Cases Gorse Knives 3 Crates Fancy Crockery 10 Tons Best Mauritius Sugar. Ceyloif and Indian Tea Company s Pure Bleuded Teas. The above having been bought im th most favourable terms will be sold at LOWEST CURREN rL\.RATE>S., Purchaser? fahould inspect *>ur Stocks ml get quotations. JOHN ORR k CO, ,



COMPETITION IS THE LTFE uF TRADE. j Likewise Money is the life of the Drapers €6000 WORTH OF DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS, AT ! W. W. SPENCER & CO.'s ~- MUST BE SOLD ~ PREVIOUS to that awful day, the day of reckoning. Stock-taking begins in July. x NOW OR NEVER x Men's Heavy Overcoats, 20s White Blankets. 8s lid a pair Men's Colored Moles, 5s 9d Boya' Heavy Brown Cord Trousers, from 4s 6d Men's Tweed Suits, 21s Boys' Tweed Caps, 7-id each j Men's Heavy Knit Woollen Sox, 7|d ! per pair Men's and Boys' Ties, 2d each Men's Heavy Union Shirts, Is lid Winter Dress Goods, 4|il. A splendid Winter Dress for" 6s lid per doz. Flannels lOid. ll|d, and Is, worth double "Flannelette, 4s 3d per doz. Cretonnes, 4s 3d per doz. Neck Ribbons, all colors, Id per yard Feathers, 3d each ; Flowers, Id each .Women's and Children's Hats, 2d each Women's Tweed Ulsters, worth llsOd, for 3s ; 12s 6d for 4s lid BOOTS. BOOTS, BOOTS. We defy New Zealand to compete with U8 in BOOTS for quality and price. Men's colonial-made Shooters, 9s lid Mea's Bluchers, 6s 6d Women's strong Elastic sides, 6s 9d worth 10.* 6d. Children's Boots and Slippers, Is Girls' Elastic and Button Boots, from 2s 9d at W\l| QPENCTCR & /-i.O . W . OPENCER .fc V^O, THE ARCADE.



# won in win—"w*w* mm*m mm—■■—■■w TITISS Tl/TABEL "OELI7 TtSACHER OF SINGING. Address—Henry's Hotel, TUESDAYS. Hours—l p.m. to 4.30 p.m. 7 4 jgft) THE ASHBURTON OP PICIHD 4 ITOIU In Tanered Street IS replete with Superior Furniture in the newest designs, made from well seasoned New Zealand and imported Timbers. Carpets, Mattings, Floor Oloths, Linoleums, Rugs, and Door Mats of superior quality and great variety in stock. FURNITURE marie to order in any design, and warranted to give satisfaction. A good select:on of Cretonnes, Tapes tries,' and Leathers for Upholstering. Suites, Chairs, Couches, &c, always on hand. BEDSTEADS AND BEDDING. Buyers, please call anJinspect our ILarge and Choice Stocks. Venetian Blinds made and repaired with promptitude. 6JBI