The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1891. THE TOTALISATOR TAX.

We have already expressed a doubt of the proposal of the Government to tax totalisator investments being ac cepted by Parliament, while at the same tune we were confident that the major features of their taxation scheme would be adopted. It may seem anomalous that a vast change in the incidence of taxation should be accept able, while the taxation of what is undoubtpdly a luxury should be ob jected to; and we therefore enter into a closer examination of "the subject for the benefit of our readers who are not posted up in sporting matters. The totalisator was legalised in. order that Racing Clubs might, by participating in the profits of betting, be enabled to offer valuable stakes, and so encourage the breeding of horses; and also that the public might obtain the fair rate of odds against the horaes which they might back. The morality of legalising the totalisator has always been ques tioned by purists, but the existence of numerous professional betting men waa still more obnoxious to that well-mean ing, if not always well-informed, sec tion of the community. As a fact, the " bookmakers " as known ten or fifteen years ago, have practically passed out of existence, nnd though the prevalence of gambling is deplored, it is very doubt ful if there is any more actual money staked on horse racing now than there was then. To use a commercial illus tration—the " capital" is not larger now, but it is turned over more fre quently. By means of their revenue froir the totalisator the chief Clubs have been able to give more money to be run for, and with nominal entrance fees; they have been able to make great improvements in the accommo dation for the public at the race courses ; the racecourses themselves have been greatly improved, and 1 the method of speculation has become popularised as being fair, and payment certain. The Government have at last cast greedy eyes upon the money parsed through the totallsators, and propose to demand a share of the per centage. It must be pointed out that the whole of the ten per cent, does not go to the racing clubs. They have to pay for working the machines a com mission varying from one to four and even live per cent., and averaging ws should chink, two and a-half per cent. The Government propose to take another two and a.-htylf per cent., equal to one third of the i*yepage revenue of the racing clubs from the I tofcalisator, and varying from 22 to 50 j per cene, ia the case of the different clubs. No imowt* from any other source is proposed to b» fcasf ed in such a degree, and the effect would be.puji.n to many of the legitimate clubs, whose members accept all responsibility and risk of loss, without ivish for profit, even if participation in profit were not strictly forbidden, simply i# provide sport for the district on one <jr more days of the year. The raoing'elubs, we say must oppose the proposal, and we have no doubt they will be joined by those who regard as immoral any participation by the State iv the profits of gambling. Tit© totalisator tax of two and a-half per cent, will certainly not receive the assent of Parliament, and we greatly doubt if the suggested compromise of a p^jji^y stamp on each ticket will iind acceptance eltlwr.

HollowaW .-OiviMWr.-jm great eh. inatic variations .*»}**»** *n(* sf or8 f experience render them \L iA* to.» v^f^ °f diseases, the development ot *V"CW '* favoured .by• exposure and hardships—often, it is to be feared, by their own carelessness as well. Holloway's remedies afford a safe and easy means of cure for those constitu tional and local maladies which arc so frequently engendered by residence in unhealthy climates and by incautious living. ) The Ointment is a Wonderful healing application, and it cleanses the surface of onl sores and ulcers, soothes the throbbing and pain in cases of inflammation, and cheeks the progess of skin diseases. The Pills purify the blood, cleanse the liver, and eiiiove all.noxious matter from the system. , Tuas free from «ny excess [of ustrin g'ency. South British Tea Company s pure |«wlg, A'U'storekeepers

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The District Court sat to-day. Our re port is crowded out. The annual meeting of the Tinwald Facing Club will be held next Tuesday. •* The Princess of Wales has a tea-service of sixty-three pieces, adorned with photographs of Scottish scenery taken by herself. The Khedive of Egypt recently opened a hospital for Natives at Luxor, on the Nile, built entirely by contributions from Cook's tourists. The House of Commons has received a number of petitions in favor of Sunday clos ing ; notably one from the Wcaloyaus with 300,000 signatures, and "another from the Primitiive Methodists with 200,000. One of the handsome new shops lately built by Mr Bullock at the Tailored street end of the Arcade has been taken by Mr J. Nixon, a long-established tailor at Christ church, who will carry on business here as well as at his Christchurch establishment. The San ,Francisco ..mail will rcaJi Wellington by train this evening, and the Southern portion leave for Lyttelton by the steamer Penguin at 10.20 p.m. The mail may thus be expected to rea:h Asbbur tori by the evening train to-morrow. Census returns show that the Salvation Army has 8<},662 members.in the United States, with 329 organisations, forty church edifices, 287 halls, a total seating capacity of 102,261, and church property valued at £7475. A writer remarks in the " Leisure Hour " for April that, "the work of temperance has 'advanced, not so much through pledges gathered by the total abstinence party, as by the universal attention directed to the subject, and the light thrown on the influence and result of ordinary drinking customs." It has boon deemeJ. expedient by the directors of the London Missionary Society to hand over their work in Tahiti, which began ninety six years ago, to the Paris Protestant Missionary Society. Rev E. B. Cooper, the last of the missionaries, has sailed for England, and would arrive in May. —"Sydney Presbyterian." The "Midgets," General and Mrs M'ti, held a reception this morning at the Central Hotel. Mr Flynn, father of the General, intro duce! callers,who spent apleasanthour hear ing of the travels of the intelligent General and his charming little wife. We wish the party a bumper reception to-night at the Oddfellows' Hall. A pair of; opera glasses will, this-year, be attached to every seat in all the theatres of Warsaw, Russia. Every glass will be fas tened with a chain to the chair. No money will bo needed to cause the lever to slide aside. The contract for furnishing, all the required glasses has been awardec' to a German manufacturer, who will charge nothing for them, and will present them to the various theatres in 1892, provided that till then he receives three cents on every theatre ticket soM in the Warsaw theatres. The managers of the Warsaw theatres think they can afford to pay this royalty. The "New York Independent," in its issue of April 2, devotes large space to the discussion of the various phases of the negro question in the Southern States. In a leader summing up the papers contributed, our contemporary affirms that two questions are beyond dispute—(l) That the American negro is not to be deported to Africa or else where, and (2) that he is perfectly capable of improvement and education. The gist of the rrticles goes to show, that the colored race have made rapid advance in intellectual and moral status since the grant ing of their freedom, and also that the whites of the South are gradually adopting a non-Christian attitude towards their dark skinned brethren and sister.-. In "A Colonial Tramp," Mr Hume Nis bet paints Western Australia as a verit able Nirvana, thus:—"A country for a man who longs for a calm, passionless existence to go and rest in after he has clutched -enough from the world to permit him to let.it go; the El "Dorado of the fever-wearied, where echoes from Pall Mall will not come too quickly to disturb repose ; where a man who has a moderate competence may retire and become a phil osopher without being a cynic, *if h-3 lias only money enough to buy muscles and sinews. Land can be bought by anyone here. Then he may come here and dream a dream of perfect peace, with the vines mil orchards and crops springing up about him, witli the health giving air bringing a second youth, while the years roll back, and comfort cornea by insensible but rapid stride?." Mr Hume Nisbec might also recommed his paradise for brain-worn editors, and all that's left of the Kermadec settlers. Writing on June 10 the {l Dunedin Star's" correspondent says :—The shearers' strike |in Queensland is gradually "fizzling " out. The places of the men who left their employment have been gradually filled, and the unionists are now beginning to go back to work. The accounts of the Queensland Laborers' Union, which have lecently been audited, show the heavy demands which the strike has made on the resources of th« union. The balance-sheet for the five months of the year ended June I shows that it started the year with a credit balance of £2370. It collected from its members in January and February £2633 in subscriptions and levies, and altogether had over £6000 to disburse. Of this amount the Committee have expended all but £270 in contributions to the strike fund, travelling expenses of delegates to Adelaide and Ballarat, and salaries to officials and commisson agents. Last year they lent £.300 to the labor federation, just "us that b<t Jy was declaring it had obtained a victory in tije, inapifriirje strike, but none of thatjmoney has been repaid. Tho adjourned annual meeting of the members of the Australian Mutual Provident Society was (says the .Sydney '•' Morning Herald" of the 22nd May) held yesterday in the society's office, Pitt street. The meeting was held for the purpose of declaring the results of the ballots that have been taken for two directors and one auditor. Mr Thomas Littlejohn road tljo results, which were as follows :—Directors: Mr Thomas Littlejohn, 35,233 votes : Mr James R. Hill, 23,798; Dr Alexander K. Morson, 15,709 ; Mr Benjamin Short, 13,702 ; Mr W. V. Read, 10,052; Mr Robert Gilfillan, 9430 ; Mr R. I*/ Richardson, 64G3 ; Mr W. R. Riley, 558G; Mr William Hrfggs, 3133; Mr J. H. M'Phillimy, 2(183 ; Mr W. H. Chard, 3645; Mr F. E. Joseph, 2429. Auditors: Mr Neville Dowling, 4304; Thomas Pratt, 3449, W, Cullcn Ward, 514. The first two directors and the first named auditor were decl^n^ //9 have been duly elected, and they mill tl(<! Sf'&'F candidates having returned thanks ttie meeting closed. At a special meeting of the directors,' heW *ft§r the termination of the businesss of the ad jo «ned annual meeting, the H»n J^ P. Al'jbott (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly) was, on the motion of Mr T. Littlejohn, elected uhainuuu of pha board, and Mr J. T. Walker deputy-chairman. Cei>Uiu)y *>!»$ Most Effective MEDICINE in the woikl in .SANDER sjad SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, Tostfc Ha einineut powerful effects in Coughs, Colds, Influenza* etc. ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—"24th April, 1885 — Messrs' &ind<jj? wuj. Sons,— It is with the greatest of pleasure tttaj. I tes f tjfy to the .excellence of your Eucalypti Js«xMai,fc, Raving had inflammation of the bone of the leg, whjLcb <&ity£ Qij after a severe attack of low fever, I was att.ctydsd by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous efforts ti^ §a.ye. lny leg, J»i# wjthoujt success. He found, jjb neegssafy to aiimujtate my. limb. Having •uflfil Ui t>k§ ifi§aflsu*e ** fbS WQW<terf"l cures w ha* ** J&JcaWptjE^trapj, J obtained a bottle, and the - ■■• * «4«» I bggan applied more than an bom • >-h%J^§ to feel greatly relieved. After applyin o extract every four hcursfor nine or ten days it was out of all danger. I would persufale all who may be effected with any such disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a tria', and I mi convinced that they will find it the most wonderful of medicines.—Youj?| etc., E. J. Ournow, Wattle street, Sand hurat.—(Advt 5 V jWe are informed fchafc the South ;•. Tea -CohipfUiy have introduce*! lieir yu.ro fcous into Ashburton.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(per, press association.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, June 17,

The Council met at 2 30. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY, The Address in Reply to the Governor's Speech was presented to His Excellency. CRIMINAL CODE BILL. The Criminal Code Bill was read a first time. TJio Council rrse at 3:15 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

A large number of questions and notices j were disposed of, and Bills read a litst' time. CAPITAL AND LABOUR CONFERENCE. Mr Rees moved that, having regard to the increasing tension between the in terests of capital and labom- throughout the wjrld, the (ioverr.ment be requested to open correspondence with the different Governments of ali English-speaking com munities with a view to the appointment of a Conference to consider the relations between capital and labour and the State; such Conference to meet at the forthcom ing Chicago Exhibition. In a speech, of great length Mr Rees urged upon the House to agree to the motion. Mr Earnshaw seconded the proposition, and said that the Australian colonies would gladly joir, "the New Zealand Go- SHrnment in app«iling to the Mother Country to, settle this most important: question. Mr O'Conor had no hope whatever of achieving any good by passing a motion of this kind. MrFi.«h said it savoured somewhat of impudence on the part of a young country like New Zealand to gravely approach the other nations, of the world on such a mo melVous question. Mr Pinkerton considered that if Mr! Rees' proposal did no other good it might be the.'means of exchanging thoughts and ideas with other countries, which would probably be productive of some benefit in settling the relations of labour and capital. Mr Tanner supported the motion. Mr Reeves said that the Government did "not propose to offer any opposition to the motion, as.they did not see what possible harm could result from it. He did not say that the proposed Conference would settle the question of labour »nd capital, but h » thought tjiat if a Conference of this kind ■were''established, they might expect a result even more important than that of the recent Berlin Conference. The motion was agreed to on the voices. SYSTESI OF GOVEBNMENT. On the motion of Mr O'Conor, a Com mittee was appointed to enquire into the form and working of executive govern ments elsewhere, with a view to such modifications of the existing system of Government in New Zealand as will di minish the evils of the present party system. Tae House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed ot 7.30 p.m. THE BLEC'TOKAL BILL. Thy debate-on the second reading of the Electoral Bill was resumed. Mr Fisher congratulated the Govern ment on the introduction of^hißJineasure, which he considered was a distinct'ad vance on previous electoral bills. He could not, however, agree with the provision to prohibit betting on elections as he objected to such restrictions being placed on any man. Sir (i. Grey could not help feeling that the Bill was one for which the Govern ment deserved every credit. His wish .was that the only qualification should be .■•sidoritial, as.that would most nearly' approach universal suffrage. He objected to atiy returns of convicted persons being made to the returning officers, and thought that prisoners on completion of then- sentences should again be capable of exercising tha franchise, Mr S.utnders agreed with the proposal to close publichouses on polling days. He thought the Premier should still further enlarge the one-man-one-vote principle, by making jit applicable ( to the election of education .and licensing com mittees. Mr Bryce admitted that the Bill was a consolidating measure, and had little but praise for it, and would give the Govern ment every assistance in carrying it. He failqd to see, however, why the electoral rights should not be extended to the whole of the community as well as to seamen. He should not object to the residential qualification being the only one allowed. Ho was fully.in favor of giving women a vote. Mr Mackintosh and Mr Smith (New Plymouth) eulogised the provisions of the measure, Mr McKqnsjie (Mount Ida) characterised the proposal to strike the name of an elec? tor off the roll for. default of voting as most illiberal, and one which ho was sure prised to see emanating from the Govern ment which trumpeted its liberalism about the country so loudly as the present Government had done On the whole, however, he considered the Bill was one tl>e House might fairly approve, and was evidently intended by the Government to improve th/e electoral laws of the colony. He was opposed f» the c^tengion of the franchise to women, as he believed the majority of women themselves did not desire the privilege of recording their votes at Parliamentary elections. Mr Hogg regarded the Bill as one of the mo t important ever brought byfore any legislature. Mr Kelly (Invercargill), Mr Pinkerton, Mr Meredith, Mr Tanner, and Mr Hous ton also spoke in support of the measure. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Hall-Jones, and the House rose at 10.30 p.m.

Wellington, June 17. The House met at 2.30 p.m. KHI'LIKS TO QUESTIONS, Replying to questions, it was stated that an amendment of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act was such a large question that the Government could not hold out any hope of bringing in such a Bill this session, but it would be con sidered during the recess ; that as far as the Government were aware, there was no occasion |for appointing a Royal Com mission to enquire into the effective and, economic working of the Government In surance Department; that the Govern inentdid not intend .this session ,to intro duce a &}l' for initnng on private pro perty. " "■■,''' ' THB FINANCIAL DEBA.TE. The Premier said, that by arrangement with the leader of the Opposition, the financial debate would commence on Tues day next. C'OKONEKS' INQUESTS BILL. Mr I'ayloj: moved the second reading of the Coroners-''lnqu^gts BilJ, to provide' for tlie paymant of coroners jariesi. | The motion was agreed to, JT/EM^TS' BIf,L. IV^r Palmer moved the seoqnd reacHng of the Dentist^ Acjb, J.BBQ, An^eiidnjienfc Ifiljl, providing jthat apprei)tices to dentists may pas;* at any fcjme a%r thrge years' aODFentJeesh^p, jn§tea4 of \yipl\^ oi>e year, *'->* to the prgsgnt Jaw. accoruu ln - *wi*eed to, The motion w M o THE ELECTOKAL BILL. Mr Moore resumed the debate on the Electoral Bill. He said that lie should give it his hearty support. ; ; Mr Blake hoped that the Government would not ~ accept .suggestions §as to women's franchisH *oi* as to closing'public houses on polling day.

Mr Wright supported the Bill, but would like to see the franchise extended to woman. Mr Mackenzie (Clutha) approved of the Bill, and said it was in marked contrast to the measure introduced by the late Go vernment, which would have prevented the registration cf votes. Mr Eamshaw declared that it was the capitalists who paid for the large quanti ties of liquor which were used on election days. Mr Thompson (Anckhnci), although approving of the Bill, thought that there were many amendments required in it. Mr Buckland contended, with respect to the "one man one vote " system, that it could not be carried out in its entirety unless there was a residential qualification only. Mr Hall-Jones spoke in support of the Bill- The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.nij adjournment. • The House resumed at 7 30. pm. Mr Parata urged that three-quarter castes should have a vote in Maori elec tions. . Mr Kapo spoke in a similar strain. Mr Duncan warned the Government that if they allowed the proposal of female franchise to lie inserted in the Bill at the instance of Sir John Hall and. Mr Brycc, it meant killing the Bill in the Legislative Council. '■... ; Mr Mills '(Waimea-Picton) would sup pore the measure as a whole, but objected to the clause providing that half-castes ahould vote only at Maori elections. The Premier in replying said that he saw up harm in including the clause ex tending the franchise to women in the Bill. The motion for the second reading was agreed to. PROMOTERS AND DIRECTORS LIABILITY BILL. Mr Seddon moved the secord reading of the Promoters and Directors Liability Bill, to amend the law relating to the liability of directors and others for state ments in prospectuses, soliciting appli cations for shares or debentures. After a short debate the motion for the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The jJouse rose at 9 15 p.m.

FARM ITEMS

''An acre of ground sown with turnip seed is estimated to yield about 30,000 turnips," (say« a coir.emporf.ry). More than six to the. square yard. It's an over estimate. A farmer, who is said to be a church warden of good standing, relates; the fol lowing story to the Nelson "livening Mail " :—" As most people know, black wool brings some pence less per lb than the Corresponding grade of white. Wool. In order to er sure the separation of the inferior product, I once placed the black sheep in a pen by thomselves.; There were 63 ©f black sheep thus isolated in the corral I speak of. Some time during the darkness, a sheep dog had tasted blood and gone wrong, entered the pen and killei a ewe and two lambs. On the following morning we were greatly sur prised to find that the wool on the re maining GO had turned perfectly white from terror." Tho present outlook of the dairying industry in New Zealand is, Mr Sawers, Government dairy expert, informs tne "Ocago Daily Times," hopeful in the I extru.ne. There has been a distinct for ' ward move all along the line in both the North Hand and the South. It is in the former that Mr Sawers has spent the modt of his time during the past season. The Taranaki district, he considers, will in time bo the chief dairying section of tho colony. The climate is extremely suitable, and bdiig moist and warm, grass is generally, abundant, and there is no great necessity for growing winter feed. This alone gives" tlu northern dairynnn an immense advantage over liis southern confrere. Mr Sawers found the industry in Taranaki in rather a dis -1 organised state, and the factory system very unsatisfactory. In order to put the farmers on the right track, and to give a fresh impetus to the industry, the Government dairy instructor initiated a system of co-operative dairying, with a model dairy factory run strictly on the co-operarive principle, all the milk sup pliers being'shareholders, and the only shareholders being milk suppliers. This factory, which is built to specifications drawn up by Mr Sawers, and fitted up with the most approved modern plant, under his immediate supervision, and having » capacity of 1400 gal of milk daily, will cost only £(350, including site. This seems to be unusually small—in fact, many factories with less capacity have cost twice tlje amount. We have received from Wellington a tabulated statement of the exports of agricultural produce for the ten years ending December 31 last. The increase during the decade has been from a trifle over four millions and a-quarter in 1881, to a trifle under seven and a-half in 1890. The returns being divided iuto two groups —the "animal produce" group—and the "agricultural products" group - enable us to see at a glance where the increase, has come from. The first has increased from £3,200,000 (in round figures) to £6,200,000 ; while the second has only risen from £1,080,000 to £1^230,000. Jn the animal's* produce division tho largest increase has come front wool, that staple having run up from in 1881, valued at £2,90O,UOO,tolO2 ? OOO,OOOlbinl896, valued at £4,150,G,00-^an increase of £1,250,000. Frozen mutton ' comes next with £1,087,000, the return for 1881 being ssero, the modest beginning cf this trade (£•19,000) being dated 1882. Butter follows at a long interval with an increase of £114,000 (£BOOO to £122,000). and cheese with £78,000 (£6OOO to £84,000), sausage skins to £21,000, these items together furnishing two and a half millions of the increase of three millions. Rabbit skins are a portentous item, having gone up i from B,soo,ooo—valued at £84,000—t0 12,500,000, valued £111,000. The wheat report is the disappointing feature of the agricultural division. In 1883 this ex port reached its highest point with £1,067,000, by 1885 it was down to £181,000, in 1887 it was no higher than £108,000, since when it increased from year to year, reaching £672,000 in 1890. The oats show a steady increase till the last year, which chronicles a drop of £130,000 in value—£36o,ooo to £230,000 The Southern farmers are paying more attention to sheep-breeding than grain, aiid the jmstoraj industry in jbhe North is majctng great headway. i [ " Agriqola "in the U Qtago Witness '■' writes :— * Farmers arc constantly being told of the advantages of lime in the soil and how important it is that that sub stance should be applied when it is not present in sufficient quantities to be ot benefit to growing crops. But though farmers may bo fully alive to the fact that lime is 'necessary, the (question arises how are they to ascertain Mien a soil is deficient in lime without an ejkboratie chemical*''analysis ? Old, experienced farmers may b,e afyje tq judge pretty welj of the nature and fngrediei^ts of a sqil by the character of its produce, and in fact a goqd many protgncl to do so, but wlptfter #ccura£ely qr npt is tytiotljer thing, Thg same effects whjbh wquld point fco the * -"•«««a of guttjgient lime, may be- caused aoow.. ' ""'^l'elydiflijrQHtcauditiuiis. by.other aim c.. "• v-^Hanakl con- It is better to avoid all v...... jecture on a subject like this, and there fore I think a description of a rough and ready way of forming a very fair idea of the quantity of linie in the soil without

going to the trouble and expense of con sulting a professional agricultural chen.ist may be of service to those who will take the trouble to use it. Take a few clods or spits of the soil from various parts of the field to be tested ; let these samples be dried, crumbled, aud well mixed to gether. Tlim take a few ounces of the whole and crush it to a fine powder. Let this then be turned to ashes afc a low red heal on an iron shovel over the fire, then cooled ai;d put into a lumblor. Let it then be thoroughly rinsed with .vater to a thin paste, using sufficient water to well cover the burnt earth ; then stir with a glass rod or wooden penholder (not with anything metallic) until air bubbles no . longer escape.; < thenv while keeping the mixture stirred, add an ounce of muriatic acid or spirits of salts. If the mixture then fizzes in a lively manner it may be inferred that the soil contains a fair proportion of lime ; if, however, there is little or no effervescence it may be taken as evidence that the land is deficient in lime. This is a simple test, ''and correct for all practical purposes, as everyone can lell by the effect of the acid upon the burnt earth whether it contains' much or little lime. There is abundance of spare time during the winter for such investiga tions, and a 2oz bottle of spirits of salts can be got for Is." Farmers in this dis trict will probably'prefer the less trouble some and equally inexpensive plan of sending a sample to Lincoln College fur sxact analysis and free of charge.

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN.

(VEX PRESS ASSOCIATION I

IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

Lonijon, June 17. Lord Salisbury, replying to a large deputation on the subject of Imperial Federation, referred to the feeling of unrest prevailing in Canada and Aus tralia, and their reluctance to acquiesce in precisely the present state of things, He thought it would be an insult to summon colonial statesmen to hold a Conference in Londo.i without a defi nite scheme to place before it. It would be extravagant modesty for the Federation League to rely longer on the absence of a cut and dried scheme, The enigma waiting solution was how to invite the colonies to share the privileges and'■'responsibilities of the Empire without disturbing the Consti tution. It was urged that England and the Colonies should now form the Zollverein or Kriegsverein, but the free trade principles of England were a difficulty in the way of the former, while the tendency of enterprise and discoveries of science to annihilate space formed a difficulty in the! way of tk; latter. THE QUEENSLAND LOAN. It is reported that the Syndicate who took up the balance of the Queensland loan were allowed a dis count of £50,000, which practically reduces the average price below 88. BREACH OF PROMISE. The re-hearing of the Weidemann- Walpole case resulted in the plaintiff recovering £300 from Mr Wai pole for breach of promise and libel. [This case originally came before the Courts in 18891 The plaintiff was a governess and the defendant is heir-pre sumptive of the Earl of Oxford. In the first t'ial the case was stopped because the plaintiff refused to answer a question whijh- was put to her. The Court of Queen's Bench ordered a new trial, and on this taking place tho jury were: unable" to agree. The plaintiff charged the de fendant not only with breach of. promise but a criminal offence, and the testimony on both sides was of a very conflicting nature.]

MEDITERRANEAN FEVER.

Lox.don, June 18. Fever is raging among the crews of the Mediterranean fleet. Some 200 men are prostrate. " RUSSIAN PROSELYTISING. It is reported that the Russian Church agents engaged in proselytising work are employing wholesale bribery in the form of gifts of land to induce Armenians and Syrians to embrace the orthodox Greek faith. ILLNESS OF MR SPURGEON. Mr Spurgeon is ill. He was suffer ing from influenza and had a relapse. SIR C. DILICE. The Liberal leaders look on Sir C. Dilke's return to public life with dis favor. THEDE COBAI3N SCANDAL. ' Mr De Cbbain has preferred a re quest for a Committee of the House of Commons to investigate the evidence that can be adduced against him. THE BACCARAT SCANDAL. " Truth," referring to the baccarat j scandal, says Royalty in the oM sense ' of the Word lias ceased to exis,t in England, The Queen is respected only because she is a woman, and monarchy rests on a fragile basis, In its opinion England will be a Republic before fifty years. It also states that the Emperor of Germany in a letter to the Queen protests strongly against the Prince of Waies's conduct.

THE BASLE DISASTER.

IiBRNE, Jun« 17. The Swiss Government has granted unlimited crepit to supply the needs of the sufferers by the terrible train accident near Basle. The work of re covering the bodies from the river Birso is now proceeding.

SPANISH LOAN.

Madrid, June 18. The Spanish Government is issuing a loan of two hundred and fifty mil lion pesetas at four per cent.

REVOLUTION IN HAYTI.

Port au Princk, June JB. Another revolution has taken place in Hayti. During the emeute President Hippolyte was killed.

HEAT WAVE IN AMERICA.

New York, June 18. The temperature is IQQ'in th\e sh,ade, and several deaths have already beeii recorded from sunstroke,;

THE MANIPUR TRIALS.

' , . Calcutta, Juiie 1?. ..L'he.trjal QJ! the younger Sehapijtti has begun, ;

DISCLOSING WAR OFFICE SECRETS.

J'abis, June .17. I M. Turpin, inventor oitu" ***Wyp; jwovyn, a.s jnelimte, wb,ich is used in

the French army for charging shells, j^vas sentenced to a year's imprisonment and a hne of £200 oh a charge of selling the secret to Sir W. Armstrong and Company. - 'Captain Ttipane, con victed of disclosing secrets of the War office, was sentenced to five/, years and a fine of £120/ "„ Captain Tripone appeals against his sentence. ,-* . *■■■■■ ■ li

A CHAPTER OF DISASTERS.

Washington, June" 17. A hundred houses havo been des troyed by fire at Seabright, New Jer sey. Hundreds "of people' were ren-' dered homeless. A train fell from a bridge into the Coom rapids, lowa, and several per sons were killed. ; A rain storm washed away Hilton in Illinois, and destroyed;; the crops ir. the surrounding district. .

LABOR TROUBLES.

London, June 18. , The Labor Commission held its first public sitting to-day, the Earl of Derby presiding. Messrs" O'Brien and Mc- Carthy gave evidence on behalf of the Dockers' Union, recommending eight hours and the establishment of Arbi tration Boards. ',•'■' A strike of tailors is imminent. vlenna, June 18. The Austrian Government is intro ducing measures to establish Work men's Committees, Associaeions of Manufacturers, and 'Boards of Arbi tration, with a -view to inducing cor diality between employer and em ployed. Pakis, June 18. The demands of the tramway strike at Lyons have been complied with and the strike has ended.

AUSTRALIAN

THE SYDNEY FIRE.

Symjmy, June 18. McLean Bros, and Rigg's stock in sured for £24,000. The South British British had a line of £1500, and the National of New Zealand £1000. The building was insured for £6250. On Buckingham and Pepper's stock, which was insured for £6000, the South British had a risk of £500, and the Standard of £1000. Hanks' stock was insured for £8000. The damage is estimated at between £30,000 and £40,000. -•■■■•.'

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland* June 18. £he.Taluhe has arrived with the Pukaki in towv ~/;- -','■■■ ' '■'• : H.M.S. Curaooa has sailed for Sydney." A gum digger named W. Walker, wait drowned by falling out of a boat while crossing the river Mitaitai. The Chamber of Commerce have con vened a meeting for Wednesday, to con sider the desirability of urging the Gov ernment to complete railway communica tion between Auckland and Wellington. Grbymouth, June 18. The Ilarboi Board have knocked all the men off in consequence of one of the section-holders -whose ground the rail way passes over putting a substantial bar ricade across, preventiiiEj th» 'passage of the locomotive. [Je demands a heavy rental for the use of the ground, and ?s there are about twenty-six holders don* th-3 lms, thy Board, not prepared to deal with'all,'declined tp consent to. tho de mand 1 of one, and so stopped the works.| DujfEuisr, June 18. A twelve-roomeil house on the Penin sula skin, owned by George Turnbull,.and occupied by Lovie, auctioneer, was burned down tins morning, the inmates escaping in their nighblothes. Nothing was* saved The insurances are :—Buildina, £450 in tire National, and furniture £300, in the Victoria. -; = ■...'•. - '-..

Licensing Matters

[per press association.]

Wanganui, June 18. The adjourned meeting of the Licensing Committee was held to-day. They re versed their decision in the case of Mahoney, of the Railway Hotel, and granted the license. With regard to the other three applicants their decision was upheld and the licenses refused.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

MRS. WRIGHT ON IRRIGATION.

T<i THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am extremely sorry to trouble you again, and I had ho intention of writ ing anything more about irrigation only for some remarks of yours, but .1 think when a man is likely to have to pay £200 for what is worth only £100 he should have a right to protest against it, To begin' with your reply is absolutely crush ing in the eyes of any one who lives in a town aud knows nothing about farming, but facts are stubborn children, call them by what name you like, and it seems strange that the County Council should h«re no notion of going on with irrigation jufcei' voting Mr Baxter £360 per an .turn to look after it, and also hold meetings all over the country in its favor, and -what id the.use of writing against it after it is carried and become law, and a lot of people ; have all iwed themselves to be deceived. Messrs Wright,: Grigs:, Coster and Fried lander might; have a certain amount of land inside the irrigation district, but it is only a small amount compared with the great bulk of th ch 1 property, and the most energetic of the lot; Mr Harper, has no land in the district named, and 1 fail to see any reasen Avhy we should be used as a cats paxv for any one's monkey. But if the Council would exclude me out of the irrigation district I would be satisfied. I believe I made a misstatement in stating that the Council bought the irrigation farm, but the other statementt I "mode about it are quite correct, and 1 heard a farmer say a few days ago that he had grown 70 bushels of oats per acre on the [ good par's, and if a steam hammer will not crack a niit what is the use of trying to make a hundred ton gun with it. • 'As regards the cost every one knows that engineers generally very much undervalue all proposed works, and X see no reason why Mr Baxter should be so much cleverer than other people. 1 now come to the natural absorption of the plains, and I find by experiment that the plains are quite capable ot swallowing more than one inch of rain" every twenty-four hours, and supposing the water at the intake was sixty feet wide iv.\<\ two £eet deep, and flowed at the rate of a mile and a half per hour, and thai there was no evaporation, it would take twenty-four hours to put an inch of Winter on <Hoo acres..' And cut to giving (-lie plains eleven inohes of water per annum that would mean winter and summer, and as it is not wanted in the winter that would weft a five and a half inohes for the summer, and as it would take over » foot of water to cover it each time, it would mean that it Avould be irri gated ©noe in two or three years, and I tint] by actual experiment that it does not grow much extra gras& unless irrigated very frequently, aud as to grain, it is too

absurd to be worth arguing about. *nd T would like to know how many inches of water the Council puts on the irrigation farm per annum. _I deny that there is any large extent."of similar formation to our plains in California ; there may be stones on the surface, but iut a mere skin of soil covering a huge stone drain like our plains. —I am, etc., June 18. S. Wright.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CONGRESS.

i , - • ■■■« ~ •*• *■■«*■• ft.-* TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The'letter oh the above subject which yqu pritit«d; : l»*»,*r«rtiuly posted to the various school cwnmittteit of the County. Ili vc received a reply from the main schoul, As': 1 -nton, suiting thtit Messrs Craighead, liraddcll, »nd Silcock arc appoirtted delegates to the proposed Congress, and that the school is at our service for holding the meeting. If three or four of the ..country committee* can manage to back the Anhburtpr^ Committee in an equally able manner the Congress will be held in the main school on Satur day, July 4, on the arrival of'-the express Christchurch. It is not intended that the business of this 'first meeting will oc cupy more than a couple of £ houn£ the main points that need expression of •pinion being—how to get Agricultural education in the schools, and how to get a system of associations through gie country. I myself see no good objection to these twa movements;' Of the first Jt may be said that education is in the hands of the Minister of Education, and that it would be wo'l to Jet him mind his own business while wo mind ours. This is. a very fair argument; but- I uige on the contrary ihat as it will be * very hard' matter to <:et Agricultural Education well done in the schools, and as our, Educational authorities in Wellington and on the Board are simply beginners In the subject equally with ourselves, it follows. I think/tbat the theoretical and the prac tical men, that is to say the educationists and the farmers should co-operate to make a good beginning. A most important consultaion has lately taken place be tween the'new Minister of "Agriculture and the chief A. and P. Associations. The report of the Canterbury committee dealt; with dairy produce,'fruit growing, irri gation, sheep inspection, Lincoln College, railway carriage of agricultural produce, instruction in Agriculture in primary schools., etc., 1 and the paragraph on the latter reads thus:—" The Association bejj to call the attention of the Government to the importance of introducing into primary schools in country f district* in struction in the elementary principles of agriculture. They believe this would be of far more practical value and interest to the majority of children in those dis tricts than some of the subjects to which their time, is now devoted.",: .Fop my own part I should be sorry to think that the A3h.bu.rton County is not m interested in the question as the Canterbury A. and P. Association. &nd I hope it will show its interest by backing up the pise&wed con gress and forwarding its resolutions to the' Ministers of Education and Agri culture. —lam, etc, J. R. W*LKIX3O>-. Church Square, Addington, June 17th, 1891.

MAGISTERIAL

ABHBITRTOS— FRIDAY.

(Before Messrs R. Alcorn, T. Bullock, and D. Thomas, J.P.'s.) Assault.— Isaac Mitchell; an inmatt of the Old Men's Home, was charged witk having assaulted anothor inmate named Barnes, in-thq Home on Monday last. It appeared from the evidence thati. Mitchell hud been, the worse for liquor, and whi'e in that condition had quarrelled with mid assaulted Barnes. The Maattt of the Home said Mitchell's leave had been stopped in consequence of qettwg drunk frequently. In fact his leave had been stopped five years out of seven. The ae sault was commiito:! with a somewhat substantial walking stick, and a bad gash waa made oil Barnes' forehead. The Bench found Mitchell guilty, and after giving him a severe reprimand, pointing , out to him that such a blow as he had given Bamea, and with such a weapon, might hare had a fatal ending, sent htm to gaol j for fourteen days with hard labor. I _*■■

The Coleman Phillips Case.

[I'LR PRESS ASSOCIATION; J

Wellington, -line 18. The hearing of evidence in the case of Coleman Phillips, charged with' dummy ing, after lasting for two days, came to a conclusion to-day. The jury were out from half past three o'clock till, just be* fore ten o'clock, when they announced that they were unable to agree. His Honor ordered them to be locked up till four o'clock in the morning, when, in the event of their not agreeing, there will be another trial next session. The foreman said that there was not the slightest chance of their agreeing. It is under* stood that nine are for acquittal, and three for conviction. i June 19. The jury returned into Courc at 4.30 ; a.m., After deliberating for thirteen hours, [and the foreman stated, that they could ! not agree on a v«rdici. The Chief Justice ! discharged the jury. On the. Court re suraing at ten o'clock a new trial was. fixed '■'-■ take place en July 13. Accused 1 was admitted to bail on his own surety for £200.

KcmMt's Cough Lozknges cures Cough Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical tcstimo states that uo other medicine is so effectual in the cure of these dangerous maladies One Lozenge alone gives case, pne or two at bedtime ensuacs rest. F»r relieving difficulty of breathing they ate invaluable. "They cou tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, in tins, Is l£d anu 2s 9d each • ■ Ti-.h Best Remedy fob Ikphjestiox— Nort.-Ji's Camomile Pills are conndenty rccom.aended aa a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of. nearly all the diseases to whicn we are subjects Norvov's Pills, with justice called the 4 Natural Strengthcner of the Human , Stonna.jh," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perienb, are mild in their operation, and afe under any circumstances. Sold in bottlea, at Is LJd, 2a 9d, lls, by all medicine endois throughout the wo Id" Countess, Duchess, Brjncess, Empre.s4 are the'registered names of the new tca_3 Free from any excess of

THB ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, JIM 10, 1861



W: B h^ve u\uph pleasure i^ calling attention ti our large and well selected STOCK of TWEEDS. Worsted COATINGS, SUITINGS, etc., for the present season. We ourselves beinc PRACTICAL TAILOBS, and the Cutting and Workrooms being under out personal supervision, are sufficient guarantees. tha| our fyi and worknvmshiiY are of the Rest I Quality, ' .■--•.' , Ou JJi, V^IIAIGHEAD, MERCHANT TAILORS, -i ■ ■ TANORED STREET, A S H B.U R T ON;



_____ i [a card.] . T. O. nUIHEIi—, BARRISTER and SOLICITOR, OHRISTCHURCH. BRANCH OFKICE--East Street, Ash'nrton, rear Ht Zander's. 6 107 COMPETITION IS TtlE LIFE OF TRADE. Likewise Mon?y is thelife of the Drapers €6000 • ■'■ W OR T H OF ■ •■- -■ DRAPERY, 0 LOT HI N O, ANI? BOOTS, AT W. W. SPENCER & CO.'s -T- MUST BE SOLD - OREVJOU.^ to that awful day, the AT day of reckoning. Stock-taking beginfi in July. x NOW OR NEVER x Men's Heavy Overcoats, 20s White Blankets. 8s lid a pair Mfn's Colored Moles, 5s 9d Boys' Heavy Brown Cord Trousers, from 4s 6d Men's Tweed Suits, 21s Boys' Tweed Caps, "7^d each Men's Heavy Juiit Woollen -Sox, 7hd per pair Men's and Boys' Ties, 2d each Men's Heavy Union Shirts, Is lid Winter Dress Goods, 4^d. A splendid Winter Dress for" 6s lid per doz. Flannels 10£ d. ll|d, and Is, worth double Flannelette, 4s 3d per doH. 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 lls Cd, for 3s ; 12s 6d for 4s lid BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. We defy New Zealand to compete with us 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 10s 6d. Children's Boots and Slippers, Is Girls' Elastic and Button Boots, from 2s 9d at W-Tlf QPENCER&/nO . W . OPENCER <fc \JO 9 THE ARCADE.



Gentlemen's WATERPROOF*. \ N immense STOCK to select from. ALL OUR OWN MAKE, SEWN THROUGHOUT AND .EVERY GARMENT WARRANTED ALSO GARMENTS OF EVERY DESCEIPTION MADE TO ORDER. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY GENTLEMEN'S HIT, HOSIERY. SCARFS, etc. LATEST FASHIONS, JUST OPENED. TT ATS, CAPS, SHIRTS, PYJAMAS MADE 10 ORDER. New Tweeds and Cuatings for Measure Suits to hand. Inspection Respectfully Solicited. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACT BY ' MONFJ7 TO IjWNiT~ '•■.TirOSEY to Lend at LOW RATES OK" INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, in sums of JBIOO to JBSOOO further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashhiirton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, DiHtrict Agent. ' oovomn»ent Insurance Office. . I CUristcliurch.



Wanted MISS A. FAWCETT, East Belt, knits Stockings and Socks of all kinds at reasonable price* by the latest im proved Knitter. J>§l43 WANTED Known. — Blankets and Flannels great bargains at Andrew Orrs. POULTRY.— Ladies are invited to inspecc our Grand Show of Fowls To-Morrjw ; 2s 6d per pair. — Mrs Whitxinotoh, Tancred street. 6 164 DOUBLE Blankets, and through mis understanding double quantity sent from Mill. H«*ve reduced the' price 5s Ser pair. —Robert Alcorn, Ashburton lothing Mart, Saundurs' Buildings. _l_J^ 4 FINEST Cod~l]iver"oir Chest and . Lung Protectors. Chilblain lini ments. Brooke, Chemist. Aahburton. WANTED Known.—Just opened up, a big lot of Kaiapoi Dress Tweeds, 44 inches wide, finished like silk.' Beauti ful goods made to my own patterns. — Andrew Orb. WANIED, every man in the district to order a Kaiapoi or Roslyn Tweed Suit. Also, Boys' SuiU and Gents' Overcoats in great variety.—Andrew Orr. WANTED Known.—That if you want real good weai 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 WANTED KNOWN,—Sealette Jackets 355, reduced to 25s ; and 40s, re duced to 27s 6d, at S. W. Alcokn& Co.'s Clearing Sale. 6 40 ICE Cream off. Cough drops on. Un doubtedly the best. H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. : TT7 ANTED Known—The "Strong VV wear " Boot is> the best for Mem ladies and Children.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known—Some special lines in choice Dress Goods at Very low prices showing at " The Corner." WANTED Known—Old Spoons and Forks Electro-plated and made equal to new at 15s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweller, East Street. 4 150 WANTED Known.—That for quality, assortment, and price see Andrew Orr's large stock of Millinery, Clothing, and Boot*. No presents, no bribes, but good value.*— Andrew Orr . . . . h „ ... , n . | ■ I], • —-—■ WANTED every man in the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. GLASS, Earthenware, and China, direct from the Manufacturers.— Robert Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders Buildings. "PRESENTS— Now being given away J~ to every purchaser of 5s and up wards in Drapery, Boots, Clothing, &c. —H. C. Segers, Melford House. FIRST Class Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boota, &c. Presents to every purchases of on and upwards now being given away.—H. C. Seqers, Mel ford House. WANTED 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 "OfBLIC Notice. -- We are now giving X~^ the presents to all holders of tickets and purchasers of 5s and upwards. —H. 0 Segers, Melford House. ANTED Known—R. E. Dowle, " The Times Tailor," is now showing beautiful samples of Winter Tweeds,cheap and good to meet the times Don't make nny mistake; opposite Mr Bullock's ofh>e. 6*163 ANTED KNOWN,—If you have the Cash, you can save abcut 6s in every Pound, by buying your Jackets. Ulsters, Dress Goods, Millinery, <fee., at ri. \V. Alcorn & Co.'s Clearing Sale. 6 36_ H__ WA NT E D Known.—Just opened, several cases of the Celebrated Standard Boots, livery pair guaranteed and stamped.—A. Orr, Agent. NEW GAMES -Tiddledy Winks, Reversi, Snickein, and others, Fresh Supplies of The Miners' Right. The Squatter's Dream, Robbery Under Arms.. A Colonial Reformer, Told after Supper. Three Men in a Boat, and hundreds of others. NEW MUSIC— Vocal andlnstrumental.—L. F. Andreweh xsd Co.