The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, IS9J. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Leading article, several items of news and > letters Ho the editor are held over for want of space. We are pleased to be able to state the crisis of the fever having passed favourably, there is a change for the better m the health of Sergeant Moller, and he may now be said • to be m a fair way to recovery. At the Police Court this morniug, before Mr Alfred Harrison, J.P., William Beatty was sent to gaol for fourteen days for having us«ed obscene language m the public street while drunk. Complete specifications for patents have been accepted from Mr J. W. Oliver, Greon atreet, for an invention of a relieved rotary valve for a cut-off valve for steam Governors. j Mr W. C. Page, Ashburton, an invention for wire strainer without boring holes m posts. Messrs F. ftokes and J. Pauling, Ashburton, for portable folding ladder for fire-brigades. A»i improved comb for the Wolseley shearer, aii'l -improvement* to Burton's shearer, are i also registered. 'L'iie champion nican man has been the subject of frequent paragraphs, mostly of the American order, but a mean thing has recently been done m commerce —one which ifc will be hard to match. General Booth included m his scheme for the elevation of the submerged tenth a match factory. Of course the matter was made public, and what did some soulless ghouls m Germany do ? They flooded the English market with boxes of matches bearing the .Salvation Army's well known shield and insignia, thus taking advantage of the popularity which they knew would follow the introduction of the genuine article. .Such creatures would steal the life line .that was the only hope of a bhipwrecked crew. The monthly meeting of the South Eakaia School Committee was held m the school home last evening; present Messrs Hardy (chairman), Oxl«y, Dixon, Liddy, Clark, Turner, And TJarcock, The master reported the average attendance for the month, 133; 'forpast week, 161.7;highe tattendance, 1/2; and number on roll, 214. The sub-Committee appointed brought up a report on works required on the grounds, which was adopted, with the exception of the sinking of a sump. The sub-Committee were authorised to have the works carried out. Messrs Hardy and Diio»'s report on tht|best method of allotting prizes was received, and they were requested to make a further report at next meeting. It was decided to forward a case of kerosene to the Library Committee as a alight acknow ledgement for the use of the room for meet ings for about eight years. Accounts ufe j passed for payment and the westing, ftdjourjjed, .

The Aorangi left Plymouth on Saturday for Wellington and Lyttelton. The Rimu triki arrived all well the same day, with frozen meat m good-condition. Thomas Carsley, a verger at All Saints Church, St Kilda, near -Melbourne, was killed while sleep-walking one night lately, having fallen down stairs. ••Pink-eye," or influenzs, is said by a correspondent of the "Witness" to have made its appearance among the horses m the Waka- tipu district as well as at Toko mairiro. The three Naseby solicitors have decline to act for the " Picturesque Atlas " agent m recovering the amounts from those sub scribers m that district who refused to pay up. The Cliristchurch City Council have decided not to go m for electric lighting, as their contract with the Gas Company precludes them from a ! opting the electric light for about eighteen, months. Referring to a bazjuir to be held m Napier, last we**k, the "Herald 1 remarks "It will not be a mere sale of ladies' work, supple mented by stale stock wrung from unwilling shopkeepers by persistent bagging." Letters addressed as follows, from places beyond the colony, were received at the Ashburton Post Office during the month of March, and are still lying unclaimed :— James Mid.lleton, J. Robb, W. Yates, James Caughey. The " Freeman's Journal" asserts that Mr Justin Hunt McCarthy, son of the anti- Parnellite leader, will shortly announce his conversion to the tenets of Buddhism. The young man has been a zealous student of Orientalism, but it was hot generally sus pected that he had more than a passing admiration for the mystic doctrines of Gua-. tama. Some of the voluutcers of Wellington are said to be disgusted with the result of a sur prise practice on Queen's birthday. Captain Fairchild took out an attacking force m the Hinemoa, and before he went, said he would land them so that they should surprise the city m spite of the defending force: and he did so. The invaders were m the streets while tne defenders were occupying an ad vanced outer line. During the hoaring of a libel case m Mel bourne, m which Mr Blashki ckmed £2000 damages from Mr Thompson Smith for an alleged libel m his Masonic journal, " Key stone," Mr Purves the well-known barrister, made a reflection on Judge Hodges, who ordered the sheriff- to remove the offending counsel. Mr Purves then apologised with tear?, and his honor accepted the weeping counsel's apology after a great scene. At a meeting of the Canterbury Acclimati sation Society last week, the chairman said he did not think it would be any use to obtain more feathered game as stoats and weasels were being brought here by every steamer. Letters were read from the Hawera, Geraldine, Marlborough, Welling ton, Hawke's Biy, Southland, and Gisborne societies enclosing cheques amounting to £28 6s towards the expenses of the prosecu tion m the Maori fishing cases. The "Taieri Advocate" says that as a result of the activity shown by the local constable and the Temperance party the Mosgiel publicans have adopted precau tionary means which cause considerable annoyance to travellers. Whenever persons about whom the publicans entertain a doubt as to their being uona fide travellers request to be served with liquor after ordinary hours they are compelled to seek the constable so that he can bear testimony as to their bona fides. According to the Greymouth "Evening Star" "the Blackball coalmine will be m active operation sooner than many folks anticipate. A meeting of the shareholders is to be held at Christcliurch, when overtures will be considered from a powerful shipping company. Should these negotiations termi nate successfully—and there is every pro bability that they will—then we shall soon see another powerful fleet of steamers divid ing the trade, with the Union Company, and forcing the coal trade m markets beyond ths colony. ' The judgment of the Fiiglish Appeal Court m Jackson's case {tint of a husband abducting his own wife) is already causing a mild commotion m domestic circles at Home. In one of the London Police Courts on J April 1. -Mr PlowiUn, tlio tt'potuUaiy magistrate, told a complainant that under the law as recently laid down sha-was under no obligation to continue living with her husband. It was no longer necessary for a wife toeome to a court and ask for aseparation, as she could separate herself if she chose to do so. That was the law that had lately been declared, and it could not be too widely known among the poorer cksos. TheChertsey School Committee held their monthly meeting on Saturday evening. Present—Messrs Childs, Copland, Murphy, Downie, and Hudncr. In the absence of the Chairman Mr Murphy was voted to the chair. The Master's report was read, and the attendance was considered satisfactory. At the Master's request it was agreed to allow a certain sum for chemicals. A letter received from Mr Wilkinson was hold over for consideration till next meeting. Accounts for the sum of £3 5s were passed for pay ment, after which the meeting adjourned It was decided to meet| m future on the list Saturday m the month at seven o'clock There is little doubt, the Auckland " Herald " says, that many of those who hit New Zealand might have been retained m the country if the Government had taken steps to open up good land within easy acess of a market. Thij is readily seen from the fact that the South Island, wherejland mono poly prevails most extensively, has made very much less progress than the North. The centestimal increase m the North Island was 9.35, and m the South Island only 4.98. The disparity between the population of the South Island and of the North is thus steadily lessening, and m all probability the scales will be turned within the n^xt twenty years and the North Island will have the greater population of the two. The capacity of the land for sustaining a prosperous agricultural and manufacturing population assures to this destiny. Soae month* ago a baker m South Mel-, bourne who employed frw labour was perse cuted by the unionists, who followed his cirta and warned his customers against dealing with him. Several persons \yrote to the newspapers sympathising with him, and offering to raise a subscription for his benefit; but lie refused all monetary aid, declaring he could fight his own battles. Evidently he is fully able to do so, as the Melbourne papers state that "Alexander Fulton, a baker, of Park-street, South Mel bourne, is Hitiiig Patrick Barrett, James Eraser, and Frank Martin { -mgm.bgrs of the Co-operative Bakers' Society, for £'2000 damages for preventing customer* from dealing with him, and employing persons to follow his carts and ividuoe ousfcotners to refrain from dealing with him, by employing persons to watch his shop and prevent customers coming (here, and by distributing and posting bills advising the public i;ot to deal with him.

The present Government m Victoria are showing m every way possible that they intend inaugurating a reign "of retrench ment. Replying to a deputation the other day, Mr Munro explained the present posi tion of affairs at the Treasury. He said that he had found that during the previous year, and the year now current, moneys had been expended upon fche s&rength of selling the iunatio asylum lands at I£ew. It turned out afterwards that these lands were not sold, and could not be -Bold, so i the money that was expended had to be got ! somewhere else. It was got from the trust funds, because there was no other place to get it. The trust funds were already gone. He had already pointed out thatjinstead of £41,000 of a credit balance, as stated by Mr Gillies hi his budget speech, there ! would be a del It balance of over £577,000, and he had reason to know that this amount would be exceeded. He was not m a position to make promises to anybo ly with regard to njoney which never had any actual existence, The regent lqan not havint' been fully floated, no money w-as available. Kkatino's Coron Lozkvoes curc3 Cough Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical t'stimo states that no other medicine is so effectual' ivi the cure of those dangerous miladies One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime eneuaes rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing they are invaluable. They cou tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, ill tins, Js lsd and 2s 9d

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

SfeS [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION-J

MORE BIRTH frAY HONORS.

London, May 31. Mr William Lidderdale, Governor of the Bank of England, has been appointed a member of the Privy Council. ' .,-, Sir Geoi-ge 'Stephen, formerly Chair man of the Canadian Pacific Railway, has been created the first Colonial Peer. Mr Robert Giffen, L.L.D., the veil known financial writer, and one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Board of Trade, has been created a Commander of the Bath. THE NEWFOUNDLAND DIFFICULTY. The Imperial Government has assured the Newfoundland Government that they will establish Court* to administer treatiel, and will abstain from piecemeal legislation. RESIGNATION OF A GOVER • ' nor; .' '- , v ; : Sir George William Dcs Vceax, Governor of Hong Kong, has resigned owing to ill health. 'Sir^F.'-Napier;* Brooms, formerly Governor of Western Australia, 'will probably succeed him. FAILURE IN WOOL TRADE. The firm of Robertshaw and Sons, spinners, of Bradford, have assigned their estate. Their liabilities are set 1 down at £60,000. IRISH AFFAIRS. Mr Justin McCarthy has decided i not to agitate for the release of Messrs i Dillon and O'Brien.

THE PREMIER OF CANADA.

Ottawa, May 31. During the very severe illness of Sir John Macdonild, the Premier, the Dominion Parliament has adjourned. The medical adviser of the Premier reports that he has only a few hours to live. , , London, June ]. The Queen has sent a message to Lord Stanley of Preston, Governor of Canada, revesting him to pay a visit to Sir John Macdonald on behalf of her Majesty. TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA. Export to the Australian colonies is brisker than it has been for years, and the dock sheds are choked with goods. The aggregate tonnage in London waiting for cargoes in 80,000. IRISH LAND PURCHASE BILL. The House of Commons reports the Irish Land Purchase Bill with thirteen pages of amendments. THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET. Tha Australian torpedo gunboat Karrakatta has sailed for the colonies. The Australian cruisers rendezvous at Batavia. - ARGENTINE FINANCES* Buenos Ayrbs, May 31. A renewed financial crisis has taken place here.

LOCUSTS.

AiiGiURH, May 31. Algeria has been visited by a serious looust plague, and everything green is being eaten up.

THE PORTUGUESE IN AFRICA.

Capetown, June 1. The Portuguese authorities at Massi kesse have ordered all Europeans except Portuguese to quit the country.

THE CEREAL SUPPLY.

Odk.su, June 1. English r»nd German syndicate; have purchased all the available corn supply here.

THE JEWS.

St. Vjbterbbukg, May 31. The Jewish doctors m the Russian army have been informed that they must either adopt the orthodox faith or resign their positions, and it has been decided not to permit them further admission to the army. St. Pemrsbubg, June 1. A society has been established at Odessa for the purpose of assisting Jews who have been ordered to quit the country to emigrate to Great Britain. It is estimated that GO,OOO Jpws wi'l be landed m Great Britain m autumn. BMftq*. June 1, A Central Committee has bepn formed here to assist the Jews ex pelled from Russia.

ARMS FOR BULGARIA.

Sofia, June 1. The Bulgarian Government has ordered 40,000 of the Austrian Mann licber repeating rifles from Vienna, which, $Fo'tq lje delivered by Septem ber

THE MELINITE SECRET.

Paris, June I. Letters have been discovered which prove that Mr Turpin, the inventor of melinite, had offered to sell the secret of hj«} invention to the German, Go vernment before he qftered ft to Sir William Armstrong and Go. TJJ3 GIJIL.IAN WAR, Ya^paualjSQ, June \. The Republic of Bolivia hq,s decided to recognise the Chilian insurgents. THE MANIPUE TROUBLE. Calcutta, June 1. Two of the Manipur officers have been sentenced for complicity in the murder of Messrs Quinton, Griiuwood, and others.

AUSTRALIAN.

AMALGAMATION.

SviiNßv, June 1. The Union Htearaship Company took over the Tasraanian Steam Navigation Company's steamers this morning.

TUBERCULINE.

Melboubxb, June 1. Two consumptive patients are re^ ported to have been cured at Warrn^m hqql b,y t^e^tyreigljt itqections of fcuberouline. ' j TBJ2 DIVINE SARA ; Madame Sara Bcrnhardt opened in f< (Jaoiille," She received a tremendous weloome from the audience, A long descriptive account of the performance mas cabled to the Paris ojfice of the " New York JJerald." i

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, May 29. Some of the friends of M • W. S. Allen i intend to petition Parliament to remove the disqualification imposed on him by the Judges m the late election petition case. At the request of the president of the Auckland Typographical Union Mr Shera intends to communicate with Govern ment, asking that Auckland printers out of work should share with the Wellington printers m (jetting work at the Govern ment Printing Office during tha session. Wkstport, June 1. A six-roomed house at Waimangaroa> .owned and occupied by Joseph Ewart, was burned down at midnight on Sunday. The house and furniture was insured for £300 m the Phoenix office. The origin of the fire is unknown. Tho export of coal for the week ended Saturday was 3774 tons. , There was an unsuccesslul attempt to break into Denuiston Post Office last night. - .• ■ Duxefun, June 1. The Roxburgh Amalgamated Sluicing Company obtained 20Ooz of gold for the past four weeks. The" Company appear to hive struck the old river bedj and there .are said to be indications of the stuff becoming richer. The Island Block Com pany aro mud to have had a return of 200oz toe eight days' work. The Sew Hoy Big Beach dredge obtained 7'2ov. for the week's dredging. Mr CareW. R.M , to-day gave judgment for the plaintiff m the case brought against one of a number of men employed m tho soap factory for four parts of Brett's Tflarly History of New Zealand, as he did not consider that the evidence of friud was substantial enough to. do away with the force of the signed document. There was no evidence that the men were pre vented from reading the printed docu ment.

SUPREME COURT.

[PJEU PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, June 1. The criminal sitting of the Supreme Court opened this morning. In his charge to the Grand Jury Mr Justice Conolly remarked on the small number of indictments, but pointed out that there were two serious charges, one of murder -nd one of embezzlement. The latter was especially serious as being against a public official, Hallorhan, who has been postmaster and collector of property tax at Wangarei. John Henry Taylor pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny, and was sentenced to twelve months. Gus tave Petersen pleaded sjuilty to burglary, and also got twelve months. The man Floyd, charged with the murder of Veitch, at Wairoa South, is to \be examined as to his sanity. This ex amination is to be undertaken on behalf of the defence. I Wellington, June 1 The criminal sitting of the Supreme Court opened this morning, Chief Justice Prendersfast presiding. The calendar contains the names of ten persons, the charges being for the most part of an ordinary character. Referring to tho case against Coleman Phillips for dummy ism, his Honor said there were two in dictments —(1) inciting certain persons to make wilful false declarations, and (2) aiding and abetting them to commit a breach of the Land Act. After reviewing ab length the evidence taken m the lower Court, the learned Judge said that although he had gone very o&refully through the Land Act, he could, tind nothing expressed m its provisions to prevent anyo'ie taking up land for another. This, however, was a point of law, and he directed the Grand Jury if they thought the; facts warranted it to biing'in a .bill against Phillips, and leave the pinnb for argument when the case came before the • Common 7 Jury. His Honor remarked that the Legislature were evidently under the impression they had made provision m the Act to prevent persons obtaining land on deferred pay ment or -perpetual lease not exclusively for their own use, as section 13 had fixed .the penalty to be inflicted m Hie case of anyone taking up land other than for his own use. Amy Jackson, alias Brooks, for larceny at Palmerstorj "^ortb, was sentenced to twelve months' hard labor, James Mc- Imr.s, alias Harry Morley, for aivson at Mastertou, was sentenced to three years' penal servitude James Oleary and Michael P. Cronin, indicted for larceny, were acquitted. The Grand Jury found a true bill against Coleman Philips for breach of the Land Act, and threw out the bill against Charles Stone for rape. Chiustchurch, June 1. The Supreme Court criminal sessions opened this morning before Mr Justice Denniston. Athole Stewart Lamb pleaded guilty to four charges of forgery ; sentence wits deferred, T-honiaq Gorman, charged with unlawfully wounding, was found guilty with a recommendation to mercy on account of absence of premeditation, jiis Honor said looking at all the circum stances he would inflict the comparatively light sentence of twelve months' hard labor. The Grand Jury threw out the bill against Alexander Rennie, for larceny, on account of the absence of the prose ' outer, Samuel Nqrlhy, for forgery ajid uttering, p'jeadpd guilty," and was sentenced to two years' hard labor,

The sittings olosed at four p.m. William Marshall MoDowell pleaded guilty to stealing £ 30 from the Black Horse Hotel, and was sentenced to six 'months' hard labor. Thomas Harrington Consvay was found guilty of stealing a watch and chain at Waddingtop. There were two previous convictions against him, and he received sentences of fcwo years,' hard/ labqr,. Tlu's was the last case on the list. Laiqb, convicted early m the day of forgery, was placed on probation for twelve months, Dunedin, June 1. Mr Justice Williams' charge dealt solely with the calendar, which is unusually light. George Clark pleaded gqifty to, embci^jng tlije, fynds of the Prince, of Wales'' Lodge of Oddfellows, ) Manchester Unity," at' Port Chalmers.' Counsel urged m extenuation t|^fc the abserjCG qf proper, checks furniatied ' a temptation co the crime. Prisoner was sentenced to three years' penal servitude. Walter Spurling was sentenced to twelve xiion^hs' ha.id labor for false pretences ; Christopher Qonway to si\ weeks for breaking his probation. James Curney and Roderick MeKennie were sentenced to two years' imprison ment for assault and robbery, and James Kiddie to eighteen months for burglary. The prisoners mentioned all pleaded gujhy. William Mehols, for assault and rob" bei-y, was sentenced to twelve months' in>prisoninent. iThq jury gave Edward I Martin the benefit of a, doubt m a charge of attempted, bufgjayy against him, and he was discharged. George Berry was ohavged with f'going through " Harris after he had been robbed by Nichols, but ! the case broke down, the prosecutor stating that he could not remember if accused had put his hands m his pocket. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, »nd prisoner was discharged. In the place of a presentment the fore man of the Grand Jury said there, was a growing feeling amonj* grand jurors |hat Such a body was nc? use. Mr Justice Williams, while admitting that a good <|eal might be said m favor of that view, I reminded them t'mt the institution ' had stood the test of over a hundred •ears experience \i\ t]]Q United States, While ajtiy, reforms were Qb 'fcained m '\,\fy,b progressive country, this institution remained untarhished, where* fvr9 it l»uefc pyisesa sgnie iuhoreut merit.

Ashton School.

PRESENTATION TO MISS INGRAM. As Mi-s Ingram, the mistress at the Ashton school, had received au appointment ot Doyloston, the Committee and friends embraced the opportunity of her departure to ..express their appreciation of her services as a teacher. She was invited to meet the Committee and a few friends on Thursday! evening m the school when she was pre- 1' sented with a very handsome gold chain and jewel-case. Mr Taylor", Chairman of the Committee, m making the presentation, referred to the large number present ass showing the esteem m which Miss Ingram was held by tbe community. He then read a testimonial from the Committee referring to the painstak'n^ ze il wi'.u which she had discharged her duties, and to the high praiso she had always received from Inspectors at their periodical visiis. It also expressed regret at her departure from the school and district, and congratulated her upon her well merited promotion. As Miss Ingram had been connected with the Sunday School since she came to the district, the members of hsr class decided also to make her a present, and a number of them attended for that purpose. Mr Taylor, the Superintendent, on behalf of her class, then presented her with a very pretty gold bracelet, and conveyed their best wishes for her future welfare. Mr James Croy then made a few remarks referring to Miss Ingrain's popularity m the district, her success as a teacher, and the interest she took m Sabbath School work. Mr Mitchell, the master of the school, returned thanks on behalf of Miss Ingram, and re ferred with pleasure to the .very cordial relations which had always existed between Miss Ingram and himself during the four years they had worked together m the school. After Miss Ingram had a hearty shake of the hand with all present the meeting broke up.

THE IRRIGATION MEETING.

The County Council and advocates generally of Irrigation, have reason to be satisfied with the result of Satur day's meeting. Before we proceed to consider the points stated m favor of the system and th« remarks of the few who, while not taking up an opposing attitude, withheld their advocacy of the proposals laid before the meeting, we may explain one point which, though alluded to, was not, we think, made sufficiently clear to the meeting. It is understood that up to shortly before the hour of holding the meeting the Council were prepared to ask the ratepayers to adopt the lesser of the two schemes—that known as the " Lavington scheme " —reported upon last April by Mr Baxter, the County Engineer. In order, however, that no information which might be of value m determining upon the source of, supply might be omitted, Mr Baxter was instructed to examine the locality of Lake Heron m order to ascertain whether an often-suggested plan were practicable, namely, to tap Lake Heron and bring its waters into the South Ashhurton River, instead of their flowing into the Rakaia as afc present. Mr Baxter reported that the difficulties m the way of carrying this idea into execution were so slight that the cost of the works would not exceed £4000. He had already—last winter —prepared estiirates of the cost of irrigating an area about equal to that; which would be affected by the Lavington scheme, approximately 150,000 acres, from the South Ash burton River, the amount, including; head works and the construction of 150 miles of races, being £16,000. Thus the Council were at the last moment presented with a third scheme,; by which what we may term the arid area ofc the county—that part lying east of a line drawn from Djgby's to Coster's —could be supplied with water m quantity sufficient for Irrigation at a cost of £20,000—one-third of the estimated cost of the . Lavington scheme — and with the - additional advantage that. at. the point at which the river would be tapped, near the Upper Ashburtoa Bridge, the water is at between one hundred and two hundred feet higher elevation than it is at the Rakaia Gorge Bridge, and of course, far higher than the Rakaia at Lavington. The Council had not t time to examine into the latest scheme before meeting the ratepayers, and" therefore a definite proposal of a particular scheme was not made, and the conveners had to be content with asking.an affirmation of the opinion that a system of irrigation is desirable. The circumstances, whioji we, have stated will explain the cause of the only discordant notes struck during the meeting. Mr Brown was anxious that the Lake Heron—Ashburton scheme should be adopted off hand, and this being deprecated by his colleagues, Mr . Leadley took advantageof the apparent, though not actual, want of harmony among the Councillors to have a fling i\t theui fop ". \ya>.nt of cohesion " on the subjeqt, and to, express the.opinion, m which he was alone m the meeting,' that there was no demand for Irriga tion m the county. To Mr Wright fell the duty of stating the case for the Council, and the subject was dealt with exhaustively ; we commend our report to the consideration of the ratepjay&v. From, it \ye, cqnc.lu.de th,'dt the' Lake Heron -r~ Ashburtqn supply, supple mented for the north-eastern part of the county by a supply derived from the Rakaia near the township, will suffice to irrigate thoroughly the "arid area." We havo already urged the advantajgpq qf Irrigation, and therefore need nqt advert to the experiences of the system related by Messrs Grrigg, Hardley and others.. Mi» Qrigg Gained fey?. the Council'the confidence of the ratepayers, and could not have backed up the claim more strongly than by referring his hearers to the water race system of the county, which the Council had established with the wonderful result of twelve hundred miles of races at a cost of less than .£30,000, With such a record, as this they may be trusted to, complete the great work of watering the Plains with i due regard to the interests of the rate payers, and we hqpes when the iLisheme is. oqujpletely formulated, and I the assent of the ratepayers is sought for its being carried out, that the polling Avill be unanimously m favor of what will prove to be the grandest work ever proposed for the benefit of I the district. ', ;

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

PROGRESS OF PROHIBITION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sm, —All m sympathy with the cause of temperance will hail wilh deep and genuine gratitude two real steps foi ward m the legislative at Homo, the importance of which cau hardly be exaggerated. The passing of the Welsh Direct Veto Bill proves that it will not he possible much longer to withhold the people from their rights m this matter, and that no party can afford to tie itself to the present public-house ? system, I note with special pleasure that no Welsh member could be found to go into the lobby against the Bill. SBThe most serious blow that has yet been struck at the brewing interest is the condemnation by the unanimous judgment of the House of Lords of Sir Edward ClarkVs doctrine that the publican lias a vested interest m his license- This decision fully justifies the Liberal .party m the opposition they offered last year to Mr Goschen'tj endowment scheme. The j fact that the Judges m every Court through which the ease, Sharp v. Wake field, passed, were unanimous on the right, side,'-makes the triumph all the more significant. When the licensing authority is transferred, as it eventually will be, from; the Justices to elective.' Boards, the, tenderness with which publi cans have hitherto been] treated will dis appear. The great obstacle to the pio gress of temperance has been the ease with which public-houses can be indefi nitely multiplied. Now that they can be reduced by the popular veto without com pensation, the temperance party must recognise that a great responsibility has been laid on them. They must move forward to use the power which is now undoubtedly theirs, morally, legally, and by public sympathy, to clear the land of some great part at least of those death traps with which it has been planted thick.—l am etc , Prohibitionist,

Fruit Export.

Messrs Blyth and Co., of Green Hill, near Auckland, who shipped 1000 cases of apples to the London market this season, have received particulars of the lesults of the shipment of 100 cases by the Tongft riro m February laft, consigned to Mr T. White, of Coveht Garden, through the Loanand Mercantile Agency Co. Thefruit was carefully selected, packed m 401 b cases, each apple being wrapped m specially prepared paper. The varieties were : Orange Pippin, King of Tompkins, William Pippin. Cleopatra, Haytai, and Due Canada. The fruit sold at an average of 19s 7d per case, The expenses amounted to 4s per case, and the net re tuin averaged 12n 4d per case. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have received advices from San Francisco with reference to shipments of fruit, which show the ad vantage of forwarding tlio portion of the shipments to the London market. I It is stated m the letter, after referring to other matters :—" The apples weie not as well preserved. The prices ruled from Idol. 25 cents fcol dol. 50 cents ppr case. A large portion of the, Tasmanian ship ments arrived spoiled. It wouM now appear that our market is not m need of apples from your "colonies, as our'people possess sufficient to List until strawberries and cherries come m, whan the demand for apple.'} ceases. Larg.3 shipments ?>f -onions cam 3 by lust steamer from Aus tralia and Sydney, and they generally arrived m very good condition ; the. ex cepfciou being some parcels' stowed under deck near the boilers, which were, to speak m general t<»rins, almost cooked, The prides reali.sud were good, averaging about 4 cents per lh. It appears that the red Spain-h is the sort to be shipped from your ; colonies, while Silverskin should be used for shipments from here." A.small shipment of onions was sent from, Auckland, but it is not known whether it i is included m the parcel damaged;

Dairy Produce Export.

Mr .1. T},. Scott, secretary of the New Zealand Middle Island Dairy Association, reports to the '•' Witness " that a letter has been received from Mr Charles Cox, who proceeded Home m charge of the produce m the Doric, stating" "that the shipment of both butter and cheese were landed m first-class order, and have struck a good market. The Association's cheese sold at from 53s to 56s per c\yt; factory butter from 114s to 1235,..and selected farmers' butter, also sent by the Association, fetched fromlQ4s to.JKis. per cwt. M,r W. S, Davidson, of the New Zealand Land Company, Edinburgh, met. Mr Cos; m London, and also reports that the produce lir.dod m as good, and evenbetteiv order than has hither been tho. case, and states that sp.cial attention has evidently been given to the tem perature. He further writes that up to ■ now no suggestion of improvement has, been made upon the proposal that bettor ventilation should bo introduced, but this w\\\ b,o«v mutter- for consideration vl\i3i\ Mr Qosi'ti report is handed m. Kdendu'e. key butter fetched up to 120s per owt; that of Mr T. Brown, of Owake, 116s per cwt; and that of Messrs J. and R. Cuddio up to 123s per cwt. This butter all went Home m the frozen chamber along with the sheep, Mr Davidson writes :—*'Unfortunately, there was so much d,elay m discharging the butter e^ Doris tha^t we did no,t get puss :s ---sion. }n time to share m the very high prices w-hioji were ruling a few days be for-e the close of Easter ,v m fact, there has been a drop of about 10s per cwt, which we would hot have suffered had tho Doric arrived a week earlier. As m the case of the Doric, we have suffered much m the price, of our butter through the de^y m discharging the Fifeshire, and \t is most vexing that notwithstanding everything has been d,Qne. t6 push on the dock labourers., little' work can now be go.t out of them m their present temper, khfojmejits landing m the months of Feb- ruary, March, April, and May \yill cony mand tho highest prices, a,nd it is during these month-; that, the nvuket is bare of American dairy produce, nnX our cheese commands the highest price. 1 have also to draw your attention to the advisability of sending Home butter for saje m Lon don iii December, January, February, ar.d March. I have introduced Mr Cox to the difterent brokers," and the people inter ested m the trade m London, and he js now there watching the process, of. selling, and examining tl^e different styles of packing the butter tha.l comes into the market. After completing his investigations m England he comes down to soe the Scottish brokers, and by the time he returns to New Zealand he will have the details of the whole business ac his fingers' ends." Full details are expected by Mr Scott very shortly.

The Revenue.

[PER I'RESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, June 1. The Customs returns for the Colony for the past month total £115,]64, Auck land contributing £23,096 ; Wellington, £24,943 ; Chmtchurch, £16,357 ; Dunc dm, £29,644. The previous month's total was £132,836, and that for May, 1810, was £127,165. The beer duty total for the Colony for lat* month was £4034 17s 4d, the returns from the principal centres heing, Auck land, £978, Wellington, £452; Curi t church, £703 ; Dunedin, £892. ¥w the previous month there was a total of £4998, and for May, 1890, £4400 (shil lings and pence omitted).

Freedom of Contract.

The assistant general secretary of the Australian Labour Federation has written to Sir S. Griffith (Premier of Queensland) suggesting the immediate calling together of Parliament to pass a Labour Bill embodying the following principles:— That except m certain industries where a sudden knocking off might endanger life or limb or the public well-being, men should leave work when they liked and employers should discharge men when they liked ; that wages earned but unpaid should be the absolute property, inalien able by any agreement, of fhe earner to whom they are due. Legislation based on the above principles (the 'secretary remarks)'would simply set the employer and employed on an equality before the law, thus preventing freedom of contract being made a means to the' establishment ot capitalistic tyranny. Legislation is all , the more necessary m the opinion of the general exocutive, as it has ceased to be dishonourable for workmen to go to gaol. The Pastoralists' Association of Queens land, Victoria, Hew South Wales, and South Australia have all accepted the following as the definition of freedom of contract: —That an employer is to be free to employ whom he pleases, and that any employe is to be free to engage or r.iuse to enpage to work, as he pleases ; which was more fully defined to mean the righfc of any person to give or accept employ ment without interference »r molestation. The Queensland Federated Employers' Union accept as their definition :-The right of any worker to accept work from any employer and the right of any em ployer to engage any man wanting work ; that is, the right of a"*y person to give or accept employment without interference or molestation.

The Editor of "The Times."

Among the many successful men of our time probably few have achieved BU«jce«3 at no early an age as Air Buckle, the editor of " The Times." Mr Buckle is an Oxford man. After gaining the highest honors at his alma mater he went m for the bar, to which he wan called m due course. The law does nofc seem to have had ninny attractions for him for he soon quitted it. and turned his attention to journalism. He received an offer is as sistant editor of a Manchester daily, hot refused it—and it was rather well he did, for not long afterwards he was appoint*! to a similar post on " The Times ;" and on the death of his chief, which occurred when Mr Buckle was 30, he was offered the much-coveted position of editor of the principal paper iti the United Kingdom. In person he is a splendidly-made nian, standing over 6ft m height, nnd well proportioned, with a slight idtliria'ion to stoutness. He is graced with a cheerful appearance and a ruddy brown bear*!, which sets'oft' to advantage his powerful open face ; and he is blessed with an ex cellent wifo, who is a daughter of Mj.l- Payn, the novelist.

A Ride on a Piano.

I was loafing around the streets last night," said Jem Nelson, one of the oldest locomotive en^ineera running into Mew Orleans ''»nd as I had nothing to do. I dropped into, a concert and heard a isick looking Frenchman play a piano iv a way that made viie feel all over m spots. Aft soon as he sat, down on the stool I knew by the way he handled himself that ho understood the machine he was running.. He tapped the' keys away up one end, just as it they wei>o gauges and he wanted to see if he had water enough. Then he looked up, as if he wanted to know how much steam he was carrying, and the next moment he.pulled open the throttle, and. sailed out on the main line as if he Were feilf an hour late. You could hear bee thunder over culverts anil bridges, and getting faster and faster, un til the fellow rocket) about m • lua seat like a cradle,' Somehow I thought it was an old 4< 36 " pulling a passen ger train, and getting out of the way of a* special.' The fellow worked the key a on the middle division like lightning, and then he flew along the north end of the , Une until the drivers went rou'ut like a .buna-saw, and I got excited, -i About the time I was trying to tell him to cut off a little, he kicked the dampers under the: machine wide open, pulled the throttle valve way back m the tender, and—Jeru salem —how he did run. I could not stand it any longer, ,and yelled to him that he was pounding oii his left, and if he wasn't careful ho would drop his ash pan. But hf» did not hoar. No one hoard me, Everything was flying and whiwring. TeJLgraph pules on the side of th« truck looked like cornstalks, the trees appeared to be mud bai»i,v., and all the time tho exhaust of lh<i old machine sounded like the hum of a bumble bee. I tried to yell out, hut my tongue would not move. He went round, curves like a bullet, slipped an eccentric, blew. oufc his soft plus*, went down grades fifty, feet to the milt, and not A oonfounded brake set. She Went past tlie meeting point at a mile a half minute, arid calling for more steam. My hair stood up like a cat's tail, because I knew the game wag up. Sure, enough, d.eft<j ahead of us, was the tiH light of the, 'special.' In a daze \ beard |he crash as they struck, and I saw cars. shivered into atoms, people mashed a«d mangled, anil bleeding, and gasping fot water. I heard another crash as tlm French processor struck tho deep keys away down on the lower end of the: southern division, and then I came b> my senses. There, he was at a dead stand* still, with the door of the firelock of bhe machine oyen t wiping the perspiration oft" his face; and bowiug at the people before him. If I live Ip a thousand years old,* I'll never foiget the rida that Frenchman gare me on the piano,"

THE MARKETS.

The New Zealand J*>hu aiul Meraintile Agency Comrjanv, Limited, have received the following cfible ni^iwjje, dated Lon don, 2^th M«,y :■— Tallow- Fine mutton tallow is dull of • de. Fino mutton tallow fo worth 28s per cwt. Other »{uotation,s unchanged sinoe last telegram. Hemp—Market dull, quotations im changed. Frozen Meat—Mutton irm-ket un ehangod. L;unb market weaker. Prime New Zealand, lambs are worth, per car case, 5d per lb. Beef market firmer. New Zealand beef, forequarters, is worth 3#d per \b % Other quotations unckanqcd since la«fc telegram.

The Canterbury FiMjen Meat and Ifefey Produce Export Company, Limited, hare received cable advice from London quot ing North Canterbury mutton 4M per llv lambed per lb, . •

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1891.



HoUX)W.\rsl (JjKVTMKXT AN.D VlhlA— The attention of all sufferers is drawn to those well-known remedies, for thfiy possess conspicuous advantages as a safe and reliable aid m ail those emergencies to which travel lers, emigrants, and sailors are so especially liable. They have been largely patronized by wayfarers by land scr», and, m fact, by all classes of camwunity., to. their very greiV advan.V'ige. The pil^a are beyond all doubt one. of the most ctieciive remedies ever discovered fqr caws of obstinate consti pation, confirmed indigestion, and colic, o^mplaints which are engendered l>y ex posure and irregular feediiig,' "'Jftii oiutmtnt fill be found of the very greatest service m cases of mles, abewses, erysipelas, m^ all klUda of focal ulcuvfttiou^,



Countess, Duohess, Princess, Empress, are the registered names of the n,ew teas Free frqm t\fly excels of stringency, The Bkst Remedy for Iwdjoestiox— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidenfy recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to wliica f we am sulyects Nouton's Vuaj*. with ju^ice called the '^atuval Strtngthener ■ of the \ Human Sto.mach," act as a poweifijl tonic and gentle perieut, are mild m their operatiqn, and aM under any oircuiKstynces, Sold m bottles, at Is l^d, 2s 9d, lls, by all medicine i eudoi'a throughout the \v9rld ■* '



Public Notices. ' LONOBEACH COACH. ON and after MONDAY, 6th April, the Longbeach Coach will leave the Ashburton Post Office at 4 p.m. ; instead of at 5 p.m. an formerly. R, R. BROWNE 4. 28 ■ Coachman. dentleiiieii'g W ATJE HPROOFI, A N immense STOCK to select from. ALL OUR OWN MAKE, i SEWN THROUGHOUT AND EVERY GARMENT WARRANTED ALSO GARMENTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION MADE TO ORDER. I NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY GENTLEMEN'S HATH, HOSIERY. SCARFS, etc., NEW GOODS, LATEST FASHIONS, I JUST OPENED. ! O ATS, CAPS, SHIRTS, PYJAMAS MADE TO ORDER. Now Tweeds and Coatings for Measure Suits to hand. Inspection Respectfully Solicikdi- NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAGTOBY



Wanted^ ('A.SB Adrerfchetneir-a. under, ohis head in* not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Wfc *b his Office. \ If i.NTED.--A Good General Blaek ■i'V smith, for constant work. Apply Tait's Forge, Wakanui. 6s* rrCE Cream off. Cough drops on. Un- JL doubtedly the best. H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. ' ________ \ \'J ANTED Known—The •• Strong V V wear " Boot is the best for Mens •jadies and Children.—W. H. Collikk. WANTED Known — Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." / ANTED Known-Old Spoons and Forks Klec*:ro-plated and made equal to new at 15s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweilor, E-tsb Stteot. 4 150 G" LASS^ Earthenware, and China, _ " direcr from the Manufacturers.— Robekt Alcobn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders Buildings. "ORESENTS—Now being given away JL to every purchaser of «5s and up wards m Drapery, Boots, Clothing, &c. —H. C. Seokrs, Melford House. FIRST Clws Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c. Presents to every purchases of on and upwards now being given away. —H. C. Seoeks, Mel ford House. PUBLIC Notice. We are now giving the presents' to all holders of tickets and purchasers of 5.4 and upwards. —H. C Sbgkbs, Melford House. WANTED KNOWN—C. M. Bkooke is now m personal attendance at the Dispensary. The doctors' prescrip tions accurately made up. Largest stock m New Zealand of disinfectants on hand 5§157 NEW GAMES -tiddledy Winks, Reversi, Snickem, and others, Fresh Supplies of The Minors' Right. The Squatter's Dream, Robbery Under Arms A Colonial. Reformer, Told after Supper, Three Men m a Boat, and hundreds of others. NEW MUSIC— Vocal and Instrumental. —L. F. Andrkwes asd Co.



CHRISIVJHGRGH DENTAL SURGERY. Corner of Oashel and High streets S. M TKi^ ANl> Oo ■ SURGEOX HEXTJ.ST And at Duuodin an.l WesLport f 17E have gamed the FIRST A WARD YV at the Dimedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli 4nc«H for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v.'c guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cost A Sine!• Artificial Tooth, 10s. Otwplete Set -*- Upper and Lower temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra j fee or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE vtAS Hevoral times daily foi" the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its iafluence is perfectly twin less and positively safe. F<je for Administration ss. Kxtraction, 2s Gd. Artificial Teeth and Dentures, made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at null iOS*«



Public Notices.. \ ionat Somers Lime. " MR, JAMES AUSTIN, | WINCHLKSTRR, SAYS — The Lime I bought wa« used with Turnips, and I have i • the beat crop of Hybrid and Swedes that j ; 1 ever had, notwithstanding the very (. fad season for that crop. I sowed the Limr with a Duncan Drill, and had no difficulty mso doing. Where any unusual quantity of Lime was spilt, I notice the root** are much larger than elsewhere. I * »m now using Lime m sowing wheat, hoping thereby to avoid the ravages of the grub, which pest is very destructive this .■ acMon. MR JOHN GRIGG, LONGBEACH, Says—The lime I used last year was only for rape m peat land and for fruit trees. For the latter the benefit was very great but for the iape all the crop wan ab superb that 1 could not see any difference. But there is no doubt of its value on peat soils and on cold clays. I shaVl take a larger quantity than I have ordered. MRG. T. SMITH, Nurseryman, Ashburton, Saya—l am pleased to inform you that lam quite satisfied from experiments I made m liming land for fruic trees that ■rand results follow, the fruit being larger, more abundant, and the color per fect; also the lime keeps m check the slug and grub. For growing clover with irrigation the result is simply marvellous, the clover being of a luxuriant green. In short, I consider lime arid irrigation £jo hand m hand with perfect husbandry. He finishes by saying he intends to keep on using Mount Somers lime from time to time. MR F. WILDING^ (For the Styx Apple Co.) Says—Th« lime used at the Styx Orchard had an excellent effect upon the •oil. The trees bore well and were unusually free from insect pests of every kind. MR W. T. SMITH, SfRINCIBURN, Says—He limed strips m two old grass paddocks which had been down to grass ten year*, and m both cases it renewed the pasture on these strips, a vigorous growth of clover and rye grass appearing m each strip, MR ANDREW MacFARLANE, Speinobukn, gays—He limedsome grassland eighteen months ago this summer. He shut ifc up lor hay, and m two cuttings took off four tona more grass per acre off limed ground than the non-limed. MR JOHNSTON, Hakatbre, Says—He limed a piece ot a grass paddock which had been down four yean, shut it up for hay this summer, Mid the limed ground by weight gave nearly three times as much grass as the non-limed. MR HOOD Says—Ec limed 60 acres, leaving 14 acre m the middle unlimed, the whole of the knd being drilled itl with turnips and superphosphate. $y actual weight and measurement the l'metl land gave 21 tons to the acre, unlimed 11 tons. Estimating turnips at 2* 6d pet ton we have 52s 6d and 27s 6d an ncre respectively. From these figurel*,1 *, if you require 1000 tons of turnips, it will require 100 acres of unlimed land, and it will cost £100 for labor and phosphate; wherc-M, if you lime tha lavd t you get JOOO tons off 60 acres, and so save the labor and phos phate on 50 acres, thereby saving £50, without taking into consideration that you hive the use of 50 acms for some other purpose, and that you .have a largo oradit balance m the limed soil. E.F.W, MR RANDALL, OF AsHBURTOX, Says—He limed a strip m a paddock at an outlay of £2 an acre, 18 months ago ; the remainder of the paddock he treated with artificial manures to the value of £3 an acre ; planted the whole with potatoes and the whole crop was about equal. This last Spring he put part of it m potatoes and part m mangels ; the potatoes on artificially manured land gave 8 ton 12 cwt per acre, potatoes on limed land 10 ton 19 cwt per acre. The mangels with artificial nmiures gave 38 tons to the acre, and on limed land 5B tons to the acre. MR JOSEPH TUCKER Says—Through Hming he has grown from ten to twelve tons of potatoes on land which would not grow potatoes before. MR J. T. BURNET, ot Kaiapoi, Says—By liming land to the extent of 1| ton of lime to the acre he has been able to grow one-third more potatoes of much superior quality on limed land. He has sent me two samples to verify his statement, which are on view at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. I have many other testimonials of a like character. E, F. WRIGHT, • 5§223 Mount Somers.