The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1891. EMPLOYERS' UNIONS.

It is quite clear that though the recent strikes in New Zealand did not result in any substantial advantage being gained by the working men the employers do not mean to trust to a similar collapse of combined action on the part of the Labor Unions in future. A movement was initiated during the strike and has since been quietly going on among them with the view of forming an organisation of employers, with which to face, should occasion arise, such a combination of the forces of labor as the last strike presented. The scheme has so far taken shape that several local unions of employers have been established, and have taken action in matters affecting their interests. We do not know that working men should look on these associations with any distrust. Individual acts of oppression are often difficult to deal with, for the reason that even in this country—which has been not in aptly called the working man's para dise—a few are to bp found who are willing to submit to rules and rates of wages which the many do not regard as fair; but an organised system of op pression would very quickly bring about its own defeat. During the recent troubles the employers were at s sixes and sevens among themselves, and had no representative body that could act for the whole in dealing with the the other side. There will now be organisation on both sides, and any difference that may arise will come before representatives empowered to deal with it, and the wasteful loss of time hitherto suffered may be avoided, and a clear understanding quickly arrived at. The Wellington Employers' Associa tion are taking the lead in a proposal which, if carried into effect, will beof.still further assistance in preventingdisputes • and strikes. They have drafted a plan forestablishingßoardsofConciliationin the chief industrial centres, to consist of equal numbers of employers and [employed, elected by the Employers' Associations and Labor Unions re spectively. Before these Boards all questions affecting trade, hours of labour, scale? of prices, wages, persons to be employed, etc., which may be the cause of dispute, shall be brought for consideration and decision, and shall i be investigated by them according to the usaal practice, employers and em ployed being allowed all reasonable facilities for bringing before the Board the data which may be cons:dered necessary to support or rebut- the con tention contained in the question sub mitted ; and every Employers' Associa tion and trade organisation which gives in it? adhesion to this scheme shall be bound by the decisio ss of the Board appealed to. Suggestions are formu lated for the regulation of the business of the Boards, and for the contribution of the necessary working expenses. The scheme is worth the careful con sideration alike of the Labor Unions and the Employers' Associations. In deed it is already being acted upon in Auckland with prospect of practical result, and if the general Conference which it is proposed to hold to consider the matter should succeed i.i arriving at an agreement to carry it out, it will greatly facilitate the work of Parliament in dealing with the great question of capital and labour.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Amalgamated Shearers' and Laborers' Union of New Zealand, situated at Waimate, has been registered as a trade union, under " The Trade Union Act, 1878." At the Christchurch City Council last night, a select committee was set up to en quire into and report on the subject of dis eased meat and tainted milk being exposed for sale in the public markets of the city. The postal authorities are advised that the Monowai will leave San Francisco for Auck land on February 21. The Alameda with the colonial mails of January 26, arrived at San Francisco from Auckland on February 15, one day late. The "Post" gives a striking instance of the economy of the late Government. There are only six axe 3 provided for the 45 men sent to Milford Sound to clear the bush off the road to Te Anau. His Lordship Bishop Julius returned to Christchurch last night, from a visit to the Mackenzie County and Mount Cook, in which he was accompanied by Mrs Julius. ' His Lordship was exceedingly delighted with the scenery, and with hit* reception in the district. The body of a middle-aged woman named Margaret Thomson, well-known to the police, was found in the river Avon at Christchurch on Sunday morning. She had been seen alive on Saturday night. Nothing has transpired to show she got into the river. The wedding took place on January 14, at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, of Miss Kelly, second daughter of Mr Thomas Kelly, of By rock Station, Bourke, with Mr Francis Dillon Bell, son of Sir Francis Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand. It it sfated that the action brought by Mr lan S. Simpson against the Colonial Bank, ! and which was set down for hearing at Invercargill before Mr Justice Williams last Friday, was unconditionally withdrawn by tf'e plaintiff and judgment was entered np for the defendants, wifch costs. An O&maru contemporary says ; -Accord ing to the passenger lists of the steamers leaving Wellington within the past few days a member of the Legislature appears as hav ing left fche capital by two different steamers. As this sort of divisability is an impossibility in this matter-ofrfact-agp. jt is highly pro bable that the member' took his passage by one steamer, and his honorarium was booked by another, The prizes ofßered jn connectio-i with this year's show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, to be held at Doncaster have been announced. They amount in value to £0037, made up as follows :— Horses £1805; cattle, £};50(); sheep, £900; pigs, £432; poultry, £349; aheosc, £171; butter, £91 ; cider and perry, £40; jam and pre served fruit, £40; hives and" honey, £3*; implements, £285; farms, £300; butter making competition, £64; horseshoeing com petitions, £32. Thfl vegetable world in Hawke's Bay (says the " Telegraph ") is a little non-plussed at the character of the season, Accustomed to be parched up and next do.or to dt^th at this titrio of year, the moist weather has given every thing a start. Mushrooms are in plenty, and asparagus Ijas come again. If mild wet weather continues we may look forward, to wild duck and green peas,

The Wellington "Times" says:~The Minister for Public Works returned to Wel lington by the Penguin on Friday morning. The object of the hon gentleman's visit to Mahakipawa was to deal with a difficulty in connection with a road there. He arranged the matter satisfactorily and pro fitably, having saved the Colony several hundred pounds by the arrangements he made. The rain of the last few days seems to have fallen pretty generally throughout the county, though the Chathioss, Windenncre, and Longbeach block did not participate in last night's fall. At the Tinwald yards to-day the effects of the rain were seen in an improved demand for sheep, with an upward tendency in prices. " Wanted—Eight bald men to sit infthe third row of the ptalls-at Drury Lane Theatre ou Boxing Night." So runs the mysterious advertisement. It is Mr Newne3, the pro prietor of "Tit-Bits," who has thought of this novel advertising idea. Each buld man will have a letter stamped on the back of his head, and the odd one will carry the hyphen. We leave it to our readers to guess ■ what the letters will be Each bald man i will receive a'stall, a guinea, and a dress suit—the latter for this occasion only. At a meeting of the Auckland Charitable Aid Board last week, the chairman gave a pathetic description of the experiences which he had endured since he had been a member of the Board. Women had come to his factory to abuse him, calling him all manner i of names, and spreading bad reports as to his charater. Men had pointed him out in the streets as the man who had stopped their rations, and had thrown out dark hints about meeting him at night; altogether the stopping of people's rations was not a nice job. How a young Creole girl enjoyed herself at her first ball: Her red lip 3 smiled, her lithe form was all a quiver. She saw Arthemise, and rushed over to kiss her—as young girls kiss each other. "Oh," said Olympe, clasping her palms and rolling her heavenly eyes heavenward, " Oh, mon Dieu ! but I have amused myself this night! I have been so gay—l have been happy !" " Yes ? What do you do ?" asked Artheinise. "Me ? Oh, I go out to supper with my papa, I dance one dance with my cousin Albert, 1 dance seex dance with my brother Jules, an' then —I sit by my mama !" A gentleman who recently returned from Auckland to Wailcato tells the "Herald" that it was saddening to see the large paddocks ! of wheat and oats down country, the grain still standing in stooks, all blackened, and apparently destroyed by the wet weather. No one knows the full extent of damage dons, but from all quarters we are hearing of grown wheat, and in some cases the grain has been carted to the stack in such a damp condition as in any other season never be thought of, but lately it has been a hard struggle to save any of the grain. General sympathy will felt for the farmers, whose occupation at the best of times is not all beer and skittles.

A Londoner charged at Dunedin the other morning with drunkenness confessed (says the "Star") that lie had so offended, but denied that he was a habitual drunkard. "It ain't to say," he urged, " that CO3 I get locked up often I'm often drunk. I get locked up every time I take a drink. If they see me coming out of an hotel they come and look at me to see if I'm drunk, even if I've only been in doing a job of sweeping. As for anything else —well, I am fond of a bit of singing, but that's better then going about swearing, I think. And it don't take much to get into my head since I fell through a skylight and had my ribs broken, and my collar-bone broken, and my head smashed in. Veiy little upsets me now." The defence, though amusing, was not accepted as a sound one. The Hon W. Rolleston writing to the """Press " with regard to the assertion made by the Premier, at the banquet at Wanganui t)ii Thursday night, that he (Mr Rollestoa) was the first member to draw the honorarium for last session, points out the mode of pay ment. TlieSergeant-at-Anus asks members to give him the necessary authority to pay what accrues to them into the bank at which they have an account. The Treasury then deals with the whole of the payments upon the vouchers passed by him according as the time is a whole or part of a session. Mr Rolleston simply gave the Sergeant-ar-Arms the authority he asked for, after lie had twice applied ior it, irrespective of what the amount might be, this being a matt.e,r for j the Legislature to determine. | To-day's "Pr-jss" contains a retraction and apology to Mr Thomas, lessee of the Wairau accomodation house in respect of a libel contained in an artiole published in the " Weeky Press " la&t October, on the death of George Lamb, of Wairau, rabbit poisoner, ■who was drowned in the Wairau river,, in July, after having spent the previous evening at the accomodation house of the plaintiff. The article in question practically charged Mr Thomas with supplying to Lamb and his mates liquors which were deadly poison, and which led to Lamb's death, and to one of his mates losing himself within a stone's throw of the plaintiff's public house. It admits that the statements made were not justified by the facts of the case, and hopes that Mr Thomas will accept the apology, and discontinue the actions commenced against the "Press" Company and the publisher of the paper. The Dunedin " Star " publishes the follow ing :—Accounts from some of the men who went to Tasmania to work on the Zeehan rail way are not at all in praise of the situa tion in which they now find themselves One man writes to his wife in Dunedin to the effect that when he arrived at the works, after eight hours' journey from Hobart, he found quite a number of men who were dissatisfied with their position and ready to return to New Zealand the first opportunity they had. The rain, they told him, had been so continuous that no steady work could be done, and for that very good reason they got no money, with out which they could not obtain food. And even although they had money, they went on, food and everything else was " terribly dear." For instance, bread is 9*l per 41b loaf, meat b'd and 9d per lb, butter Is 6d, bacon Is Cd, and other edibles are dear in proportion. The r_an to whom we refer found out for himself that this was all too true. He had, in addition, to pay £2 7s 6d for a snail tent, which it was absolutely necessary to get for shelter. He advises any who have a mind to go over to stay in New Zealand, and, if they have paid their passage monej , to lo3eit rather than go across. Only Chinamen, he concludes, can live in such a place. The party who sends this information is a most respectable man, and there is every reasou to believe that the c.intents of his letter are perfectly reliable.

The best medicine is Sander and Son Eucalpyfci Extract. Test its eminent power ful effects in coughs, colds, influenza, etc. — the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. His Majesty the King of Italy and medical syndicates all over the world are it 3 patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occasion to offer rewards in proof of the genuineness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and univer sities, the official communications of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne ; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic docu ments, and, o,s such, not open to doubt. We j ftdcl here epitome of one of the various cases i treated at the clinic of Schultz, M.D. Pro fessor, etc.— " 0. 8., 24 years old; conges tional abscess on the thigh. Incisions made in two places. Although Lister's dressing was applied, the secretion became, two days later, very copious, and had adopted a foetid decomposed character. The temperature rose enormously. In consequence the dressing I was removed and in its place were made during the day-time repeated irrigations -with Eucalypti Extract. The offensive fceter dis- j appeared very soon, the fever abated within j a few days, and the patient recovered after the lapse of seveiai wpeks. In this instance we must not lose sight of the fact that the latter treatment saved the patient's life." (Aclvfc.) 3 Tick Bust IJejikdy for Indiuimtion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently ecommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to whicn we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are niild in their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is l^d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine y^piclors throughout the wo Id! ; '

ALFORD FOREST.

(FROM OUlt CORRESPONDENT.)

The parched residents of the Plains could do worse than spend a week along the hill sides, for the luxuriant feed has scarcely ever been surpassed, the lambs present a splendid appearance, sheep are doing well, and cattle are a complete- drug in the market. Dealers and breeders are both in excellent humor, which i 3 not a bad symptom to judge by ; in fact thesn last few years owners of cut out bush sections, which ' formerly wcut begging at original cost, of say two pounds per acre, find the value has about doubled through sheep breeding. Taking one settler with another from the north branch of the Ashburton to Bowycr's Stream, the addi tional annual income from this source only ranges from twenty to fifty pounds, accord ing to the size of the holding. Lambs arc being sold here from 8s to 10s each, and sheep are being c'riven from long distances to fatten here. The oat crop may be termed good, the rains of the past week causing a rapid final growth, and although at present a bit on the green side, another week will find harvest general all along the line. Here and there are a few good crops of turnips, but the fearful nor'-westers discounted all hopes of this being the rule; indeed it seems marvelous that things should look so well after a series of unusually heavy gales. Mr William Rayers is still at the Ashbur ton Hospital from the effects of the recent calamitous fire, bitt is recovering. The school was examined recently by Dr Anderson, and the report may be looked for any day, the number of failures being remarkably small when the recent prevail ing and continuous sickness is taken into account. The children are now enjoying *i month's vacation, and the Education Board has had a new floor laid down which wa3 badly wanted, as well as executing minor repairs to windows and doo/s. The annual school treat will take place on March 6th. Messrs Sharplin and Vincent's Saw Mills at Springburn are a success. They are not only shrewd men of business, but know their work thoroughly, and the demand for squared timber is greater than the supply, though twelve men are regularly employed, and are working overtime. When the new brick, lime, and coal company manage to place another dozen men vn, we should imagine there will be rosy times for the working people. Mr A. AfcFarlane is about to replace his old homestead with a more commodious residence, but whatever new feature it may present, it is certain there will be no change in the old hospitality. Mr W. S. Chapman has just finished a large stable and chaff house, and altogether things do keep moving in the right direction, and we, see no reason why they should not keep right on.

SETTLEMENT ON EDUCATION RESERVES.

In view of the fact that the present Ministry stands pledged above all things to do all in its power towards encouraging and assisting the progress of settlement on the lands of the colony, it may safely be. anticipated that they will not willingly neglect any opportunity of furthering that most desirable object. Indeed the recent manifesto of the Premier not only shows this in the plainest possible terms, but also indicates that in localities where there are no Crown lands available for laborers' holdings steps will be taken to acquire for the Crown areas of private lands to be afterwards notified for this purpose. This is quite right and proper, but as has already been pointed out on several occasions, not only in our own columns, but through other channels, there are localities where there are Education Reserves admirably adapted for cutting "up into small holdings, and such reserves ought without any avoid able delay to be acquired by the Government in exchange , for other lands to be granted to the School Com missioners or other trust bodies in whom the reserves are vested. This would place a number of areas of land admirably adapted for the object in view, at the disposal of the Government without the outlay of a penny of purchase money, while the Education Trusts would lose nothing—perhaps gain, somewhat—by the grant to them of other Crown lands under pastoral lease.in exchange. That all this was possible, in respect to any of the Education reserves, of which there are in Canterbury and Ofcago well on for a million acres, was pointed out to Sit H. Atkinson's Government by Major Steward some months ago, and definite proposals for the acquisition in this way of some two square miles of country in the immediate neighborhood of Waimate were submitted to the late Ministers for Lands and Education. The Hon. Mr Hislop, indeed, in November last proceeded to Waimate and inspected the lands in question, and also interviewed some sixty or more intending settlers thereon, and, with a view to enable negotiations for an exchange, the School Commissioners agreed merely to let the grazing right over one of the reserves, the lease of which had fallen in from month to month, until some definite arrangement could be come to with the Government. All this has been suspended by the change of Administration, but there can be no doubt, we think, that Mr McKenzie will gladly carry out the scheme submitted to his predecessor, provided no unforeseen difficulty occurs. We scarcely see how it is possible that there should be any such difficulty, as the law enabling such exchanges ap pears to us to be explicit enough. This will be found in section 3 of the Public Reserves Act Amendment Act, 1889, which reads as follows:—"The Governor may, in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, exchange with any person or body, politic or corporate, the whole or any portion of any public reserve in classes 1., 11., or 111., for any other land which the Governor shall deem of equal value therewith, 1 and more suitable for the purposes of , the reserve ; and the Governor and any such person or body, politic or corporate, may do or cause to be done all such acts and things, and make, sign, or execute all such instruments,' as may be necessary to effectuate any such exchange. All land obtained in exchange by Her Majesty, or by any person or body politic or corporate a» aforesaid, shall be held by Her Majesty, or by such person or body politic or corporate respectively for the same objects and purposes, and upon the same trusts (if any), as the land given in exchange by Her Majesty, or by such person or body, politic or corporate, was held, Whenever the estate in any public reserve is vested in any local body, or the control or management thereof is vested in any local body, no such exchange shall be made or carried into effect without the written consent of the local authority representing such local body, or in whom such control and management is vested, for that purpose first had and obtained." All this seems plain sailing enough, and as the Canterbury School .Commissioners have shown by their option 30 far a willigguess p facilitate '

the exchange proposed, we trust the new Minister for Lands will lose no time in carrying it out, and if the ex periment of locating labor settlements on the Wairaate reserves prove the success which we anticipate, then it Avill show the way to further successful operations in a like direction]

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The usual fortnightly meeting the Ashburton borough Council Was hel ast nigh.. Present—Ors Williamson, Bird, Paul, Flower, and Keir. In the absence of the Mayor, Cr, Williamson was asked to take the chair. Apologies were tendered for the Mayor and Cr. Scaly. FINANCE. The Chairman said the debit balance at the bank stood at £1686 14s, and the income from all sources received since last meeting had been £65 14s, including £40 from the Canterbury Fire Insuracne Association, subsidy for the year. SUBSIDY. The Property Tax Commissioner wrote, stating that a voucher had been passed for subsidy. £140 12 6d. FIRE BRIGAtiE. The Ashburton Fire Brigade Secratary wrote, submitting the names of the new officers for the Council's approval, and the names of the following new members —Messrs Dorm and C. Chapman. The names of officers and new members were approved, and Lieutenant Quine was appointed Fire Inspector in lieu of Captain Scott, whose ceasing to be a fire inspector was ordered to be publicly notified. 1 reserve. Mr T. Whittingtjn wrote asking that Reserve 776, rented by him should be pegged. The request was granted, as well as permission to burn the tussocks on the section, TOWN CLOCK. Mr R. Murray wrote, reporting that since the 6th February the town clock had not varied more than one second, and that since the 13th December the greatest variation had not exceeded three seconds. The record was kept by the officials of the Post Office. AVATER. Mr Joseph Ward wrote, applying for permission to take water from the nice on Alford Forest road. Permission was granted under the usual conditions—viz., a simple water supply without any liberty to irrigate. FIRE COMMITTEE. The Fire Committee reported as follows :— (1) Your Committee have the honor to report that a conference was held on Thursday last with thb Committee of the Fire Brigade on the matter of the sug gestions as to repairs to uniforms, &c, contained in the letter from the Brigade referred by the Council to your Com mittee. The total cost of these would he about £35, and the Committee of the Brigade made an alternative offer that if an annual subsidy of £80 be paid to the Brigade by the Council (being an increase of £25 on the present subsidy), the Brigade would find and maintain in the future a complete sec of uniforms for the whole number of members, and do small alterations, &c. Your Committee recommend that, before deciding on this matter, enquiries ; should be made at Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, and Timaru as to the amount of subsidy paid to their respective Brigades, and what the Brigades find for that amount. (2) Your Committee also recommend that the alterations to the ladders asked for be done ; and that the goose neck or bead and one hundred feet of hose for the curricle engine, and the material for making the connection for opening the sump in West street as suggested by the Brigade be procured. (3) In reference to the code of tolls to signify the locality of fires, as suggested by the Hatnpstead Town Board, your Committee beg to report that the Brigade has decided to adopt the suggestion, and have now the matter of drawing up the code of signals under their consideration. Clause 1 was agreed to, it being under stood that a copy of the Brigade's last year's balance-sheet be procured; and the report as a whole was adopted. ENOrNEBSS' REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows :— The Labor Gang have been principally engaged in laying the pipe service in East .Street for filling water cart; also carting soil and rubbish, watering streets, clearing side channels, and attending to general maintenance work. The alterations at the Fire Brigade Station — newdoors and partitions, erecting fence, &c, are nearly completed, except the repairs and small addition to concrete floor. Tho report.was adopted. ASSESSMENT COURT. The Clerk was instructed to appear in support of the Valuation roll at the Assessment Court. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £60 were passed for payment, and the Council ad journed.

Presbyterian Assembly.

[per press association.]

Chkistchurch, February 16. The Assembly resumed sitting this morning. The Maori mission report, which was of an encouraging nature, was read. The missionaries, Messrs Honore and Wilson had prosecuted their labors with great success. They are cordially received by the Natives, their meetings averaging twenty to thirty and sometimes a hundred. Reference was made to the waning of Hauhauism. Mr Wilson re signed on account of ill health, and Mr Fletcher was appointed to succeed him. The Committee recommended that Mr Wilson receive an annuity of £20 for three years. An earnest appeal is therefore made for increased liberality on the part of the Church. The Treasurer's state ment showed that the funds had increased, but more money was required. Tile report of the Chinese mission was read, and showed that £12 had been ex pended on the purchase of Chinese tracts and testaments, and that 8000 different sheets and books had been purchased. A considerable portion had been distributed on the West Coast, and were largely and carefully read. Ib was hoped that the Church would sqoii see the way to appoint a Chinese missionary. A deputation from the Ministers' Association was cordially welcomed, and addressed the Assembly, The report on Sabbath Schools was read. It regretted that so few schedules were returned ; only 49 were returned out of 90. They showed 98 schools, 800 teachers, 8573 scholars. It was proposed to have an examination of schools con nectei with the Church. There are 1203 volumes in the libraries of 49 schools. A sum of £190 has bean raised for missions, and £867 for library and other school purposes. The Scholarships Committee reported that Alexander Morrison had secured the divinity Somer-villo scholarship after an excellent examination. The overture on scholarships from the Wellington Presbytery was read and discussed, The overture urged the necessity of increasing scholarships, so that many men of promise might be encouraged to enter the Church. The Assembly this afternoon instructed the Scholarships Committee to endeavor to increase the scholarships offered by the Church. A resolution was passed expressing appreciation of the efforts made by Mr Moss to lessei) the evils of u.nU<?ensec[

drink selling at Raratonga, and urging: that further power be given him to cany out the desire of natives for total prohibition. ? The question of the date of Assembly meetings was remitted to the Presbyterit s for consideration. The next meeting cf Assembly was arranged for February, 1892, in Auckland.

The Te Aroha. Seat.

The following remarks in the Taranaki " Herald " on the Te Aroha olection diffi culty are understood to be from the pen of a former member of the House, well versed in Parliamentary law and usage : — If Major Steward has no precedent tj guide' him in this difficulty, he can, at lea-it, profit by an error committed in the [wist, and avoid a position which a Pro vincial Council once gob into, that could only be settled by a dissolution. It was during the year 1856 or 1857 an election took place for a vacant seat in the Auck land Provincial Council, which was con tested by Dr Pollen and Mr Graham. The former secured three or four more votes than his opponent, and was accord ingly the successful candidate. Mr Graham, finding that several had per sonated at the election, prosecuted them, and thus proved it was he who should have had the seat, and petitioned the Council accordingly. Dr Polierf, finding he would be ousted, sent in his resigna tion to the Superintendent, who caused another writ to be issued for the seat, and a fresh election was taking place at the same time Mr Graham's petition was being considered by the Council. Party feeling ran very high in those days, and each side tried to out-manceuvre his opponentin poiitical strategy. Mr Coolahan was returned without opposition, and the Government so arranged matters that the newly elected member took his seat before the committee had time to bring up their report on the election petition. However, theCounciladopted the committee's repoit when it was presented, and Mr Graham was introduced, and took his seat as a member. Here then arose a difficulty which prevented any further business being transacted in the Council. There were two gentlemenrepreaentinga district which had only the uower of returning one member The late Mr Bartley was the Speaker, and an attempt was made to ompel him to settle v very difficult question by declaring which of the two gentlemen was the representative ; but it was a legal point he declined to decide, so he merely refused to receive the division lists when handed to him, and a "deadlock " ensued. Fcr three days and three nights the Council remained in this position. Beds and meals wore brought to the members, who livod on the premises where the Counsel was beinsc held. The farce on the fourth day was terminated by the Superintendent, Mr John Williamson, (who was thft real cause of the difficulty) proroguing, the Council. He then appealed to the General Government to dissolve the Provincial Council, but the Ministers refused to recommend the Governor to do so, and for a long time matters remained in this fix. Eventually the Council was dissolved and a fresh election put matters right. If the Speaker of the House of Representatives issued a writ for a new election at Te Aroha, and the Court gave its decision in favor of Colonel Fraser, a deadlock would be sure to occur in the House, which could only be rectified by one of the members re tiring or the Governor granting a dissolu tion. The action of the Speaker in the present matter, therefore, was the only way he could meet the difficulty with safety.

The Salvation Army and Crininals.

The serious allegation made recently by the Melbourne police department, that the Salvation Army Prison Gate Brigade sheltered professional criminals who were at the same time pursuing their nefarious practices, was promptly refuted by Com missioner Coombs, chief of the " Army " in Australia. To a reporter he said : — *' I nni in a position to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the men who come within our Prison Gate Brigade have their minds occupied with work dur ing the day, and both then and at night time are under a proper supervision. We had fourteen riien in the home the week before I left Melbourne. We have nearly two acres of land there—land which was bought in a very raw condition—and besides doing the work of gardening several of these men did odd jobs about the city, for vhichthey returned to the captain at the end of the week between £8 and £9 so received in wages. The garden was at first full of rough stones and boulders, and appeared thoroughly intractable. It has been so transformed that you could find few better vegetable gardens anywhere, and we are able to make from 30s to £2, £3, and £5 a week out of it. Besides gardening, the men keep the house tidy, wash, cook, and mend their own clothes. On three nights of the week the men do not leave the home, as services or meetings are held. On the other nights two or three may be allowed out, but we either know beyond a doubt where they are going or send an officer with them. Generally they simply wend their way to a Salvation Army meeting, and they have to be in again by half-past ten at the latest. So, you see, there's not much time or opportunity for burglarious enter prises. If a man is out one night without permission he is not allowed in again. Obedience to rules is very necessary in the work of reform." Commissioner Coombs admits that one old criminal named Foley, who was elevated to the dignity of captain, fell away from grace and went back to his old courses. He argues, however, and not unfairly, that it was something to have kept such a man straight for five- years as the Army did. He complains that it is hardly fair for the police to single out this case and to say nothing about " four of the most notorious burglars" who | stayed as soldiers in the Army for six years, and are now leading steady and consistent lives. Mr Coombs adds that he can point to one man who passed through the Home who is now an elder in one of the Presbyterian Churches, and there are many whom they have helped into respectable situations. As to another allegation in the police report, Mr Coombs state* that in tSydney alone he could point to seventy-one girls ; in addition to about forty in the country, out of a total of 167 rescued from the streets, who are now leading lives of correct behaviour. Colonel Barker, who is the officer most affected by the charges in the police report, it appears is away in England just now. Commis sioner Coombs says that the detectives were always ki the most friendly accord with Colonel Barker, and he cannot un derstand why they should wait until that officer had left the colony before publish ing their statements.

MARKETS.

[per tress association.]

London. February 14. At the wool sales 183,000 bales have been sold to date. Tallow, medium beef, 255. The N'cw Zealand Farmers' Association are in receipt of the following cable from their London office :— Prime Canterbury mufcton is worth 2s 11d per sfcono The market for fnmp is stronger, with an upward tendency. i The valui of Not Zealand wheat, February-March shipment for orders and discharge United Kingdom, is 3<?s per quarter.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(per press association.) London, February 15. _ There is a block amongst the ship ping in the docks. The police on duty have been increased. It is considered likely that Messrs Dillon and O'Brien will be released at an early dale. Major Bromhead, one of the heroes of liorke's Drift, is dead.. Home, February 15. Cardinal Sucido Parocochi, Vicar- Geueral of his Holiness the Pope, has been detected intriguing to s«cure his succession to the papacy. The Pope has commanded him to resign. '■':'. Washington, February 15. Admiral Porter, commander of the United States Navy, is dead.

AUSTRALIAN.

Syunky, February 16. G. E. Labertouche, the defaulting clerk in charge of Imperial pensions, committed frauds by drawing pensions of men long since dead. Hobart, February 16. The Attorney-General explains that the Federal Constitution scheme which he is drafting is not intended for sub mission to the Federal Convention, and his object is merely to have it privately discussed by the Tasmanian delegates. Copies of the scheme, he states, were marked confidential, and the publica tion of the details was a breach of confidence.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 16. The adjourned meeting of the dele gates from the Employers' Association and Hie labor organisations for the for mation of a Board of Conciliation for the settlement of disputes was held to night, when the difference between the Trades and Labor Council and the Knights of Labor, as to how labor should be repre sented on the Board, was mutually settled on tlie basis that wnen any dispute arose I amongst Unionises the Knights of Labor representatives on the Board should be none but bona fide wage-earners, whilst they would be allowed to s^oiid whom they pleased to represent them when tbr, dis pute to be considered was one in the ranks of the Knights of Labor. The adoption of rules for the Board was then proceeded j with. The Hospital enqury was continued to-night, when DrColLius, Medical Super intendent at that institution, gave evi dence, the tenor of which was a contradic tion of the charges of Miss Arnaboldi. He deposed that the two patients Berry and McKenzie were carefully and properly attended to. When Berry was brought into the hospital he left another case to attend to him, as his was the more serious case. He dressed Berry's shattered hand at once. The man was not in a condition for an operation, but rather than let him die they decided that his hand should be amputated. Miss Arnaboldi alleged that there had been excessive bleeding from Berry's hand, but Dr Collins in his evi dence to-night stated the bleeding was at no time dangerous, and when the man was put to bed after the wound was dressed there was no bleeding. Witness took every precaution to stop the bleeding from the wound. Berry died of exhaustion from the shock, aggravated by bleeding. It would have been highly improper to have amputated the hand immediately the man was admitted. As to McKenzie'sinjuries, which it was alleged bad nob been dressed for nineteen hours after he was admitted, Dr Collins' deposed that Dr Bell, who was formerly House Surgeon at the Hos pital, dressed the Avounds before Mc- Kenzie was sent to Auckland, and, there fore, finding that the dressing had been properly done, he (witness) did not remove it until next day, when the leg was dressed by him. He said that McKenzie was properly attended to, and he frequently visited him. Dr CollinS denied that there was gangrene on the flap of McKenzie's leg after the amputation as assorted. The examination of Dr Collins is to be re sumed to-morrow morning. The Curator of the Auckland Museum, Mr Cheeseman, reported to the police to day the theft from that institution of specimens of gold quartz and sand valued at about £15. They were taken from specimen cases, probably with the aid of skeleton keys. There is no clue to the thief. Professor Brown has been appointed President of the Auckland Institute. With reference to the case of Robert Kurtz, in regard to whom a warrant of extradition was issued for the larceny of £5 put into his hands for a bet in V'ctoria, Dr Giles gave judgment to-day on the application for extradition. He said he had no retson to hold that the applica tion had not been made in good faith and in the interest of justice. The warrant had been issued by a police magistrate at Ballarat, and he (Dr Giles) must suppose that he was satisfied before he granted it. His Worship ordered that Kurtz be returned to Australia, the order however not to teke effect for a month, so . as to «allow of an appeal to" the Supreme Court if it was thought necessary. The residance of Hyatt, shopkeeper at^ Onehunga, was burned this morning. It was owned by Captain Worsp, and was insured in the National Office for £350. Hyatt's furniture, etc., valued at £100, was not insured. Another case involving the liabilities of publicans who sell the right to supply , beer, etc., to their hotels was heard yes terday. The plaintiff was Moss Davis (Hancock and Co.), brewer, and the de fendant W. Lang, lessee of the Archhill Hotel. The right to supply this house | with ales, beer, etc., was purchased by the plaintiff from defendant for £250, but a hitch occurred in the negotiations, and as is alleged by the defendant though the plaintiff denies this, the latter refused to complete the contract until certain condi tions he made had been complied with. Upon this Lang entered into an agree ment with Ehrenfried, another brewer, selling to him the right to supply the house for £300. The present action is for a prohibition restraining the defendant from purchasing beer, etc., from any per son other than the plaintiff or his assigns. Argument on the question of law in volved was deferred until the next civil sittings. Weixingtox, February 16. Lady Onslow leaves for New Plymouth on Friday morning where she joins the Hinemoa and goes on to Manukau. Hon. Mr Copley, Commissioner of Crown Lands, South Australia, arrived in Wellington : yesterday from , the West Coast. Owing to the absence of Ministers from town he was only able to see the Native Minister to-day, but will probably have an interview to-morrow with the Premier, who is expected back from Wanganni to-night. Mr W. Gray, Secretary to the Post Office, accompanies the Postmastor- Genetai to the Postal Conference in Sydney. Sir Harry Atkinson and Captain Russell, two of the New Zealand delegates to the Federal Convention, leave for Sydney direct on Thursday. The general district meeting of the New Zealand Central District of tho. Independent Order of Rechabites opened to : day. Delegates were present from Wellington, Napier, Blenheim ? Waip«,«

TFB ASHBURTON GtTABDIAN, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY IT, 1891



WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th. j For the United Kingdom and Continents of , Europe and America, and West Indies (via San Francisco), Sairlwich Islands, eta., and also Northern Porta of New Zealand at 6.20 p.m. ; registered letters, 5 j p.m. ; money orders, 3 p.m. Note—lt should be note I that the post age is reduced on letters to the United Kingdom only.



Wanted CASH Adrei'tisenwits trider this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be leftjvt this Offioft TIIRY the Great Drapery Sale now on JL at H. C. Sboeus. rnH(.)MAS~SOUTEß"i37equestecrby7i 1 person to meet him at Post Office, three o'clock, Wednesday, February 18. 2 96 \ 1 7 A NTED—TbrcsWujj Machinists7o V V buy Newcastle Coals at 37s Gd per ton at. my yard for Cash.—Andrew Young, Wakiinui Road. 2t»9 "DRES PINTS.—AII holders of Tickets JL will oblige by bringing them in as soon as possible. - H. C.-Segkrs, Melford House. /POOLING and invigorating Jc« Croam V_y as made by H. G. Flower, Con 1 fectioner, East Street. WANTED Known —Some special Hues in choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." WANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens V*dies and Children.—W. H. Collier. BEGERS' Clearing Sale in all Depart mentis'now on. One trial solicited. -- Melford House. WANTED every man in the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. NEW Ladies' Journals. — Readers, Hazell's Annual, Whitaker's Alma nac, and new Books per Mail steamer at L. F. Andrewes & Co. 2 97 WANTED Known—Ash burton Qua drille Assembly's first Dance will be held in the Orange Hall, Wednesday, 18th inst. Dancing at 8. Gentlemen, 2s 6d ; Ladies free. 2 98 f \ LASS, Earthenware, and China, v_U~ direct from the Manufacturers.— Robkrt Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. " \\j ANTED Known—The Cheapest VV Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannaford's, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iror ware goods made and repaired with cles patcn. T7"ALENT"INES~!"^VALENTINES ! at V L. F. Andretves A, Co. Just opened up a Large and Varied Assort ment to suit everybody. Sale of Surplus Stock shortly when Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, &c, &c, will be offered at GREAT REDUCTIONS. L F. ANDREWES & Co. jfnblic Notices. money to Lend" Tl/TONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, in sums of £10° T^__^sooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, * District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Christchurch. WJTH T£ET« A-...M2JT fCuiH CHRIS ruUCROH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Cashel and High ntrcets Q ~tUT YERS .A N D f~^O. SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin and Westporl rTTE have gained the FIRST AWARD VV - the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v:e guarantee the highest class work and perfect lit at the most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple 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 cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly j painless and positively safe Foe for Administration, ss. j Extraction, 2s Gd. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at small cost /"I ENTLEMEN requiring the very VX latest fashion in FLEXIBLE HATS (all colors) will find a choice stocV at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. WHITE and Fancy Scarfs, White and Striped Vests, Tennis Shir s. buttoned and laced fronts, all colors, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. SUMMER Merino and Gauze Merino Undershirts, with long or short sleeves, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. WASHING Derby Ties 6d each, six for 2s 6d. Increasing demand for these at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. BOYS' School Suits, well fitting, durable, and moderate in price at the Nbw Zealand Clothing Factory. AGENTS for the Wonderful New High Arm " Wnrtheim " Sewing Machines. Latest improvements, new appliances, noiseless motion, increased advantages. ALL who have used the " Wertheim ' New High Arm sewing machine, procla:m it to be the mo3 h. perfect sewing machine yet produced. Inspection invited. .. XT E W ZEALAND CLOTHING _I_N FACTORY, the leading Hat, Cap, an I Clo' liing Manufacturers, I EAST STREET, A SH3BXJ_^TO3Sr. Aye »t for the Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machine W. H. WEBBER, Manager.



Massey-Toronto Light Binder Ml LIGHTEST IN DRAFT. SUREST TO TIE. EASIEST TO MANAGE" SWIFTEST TO CUT, THE LONGEST LIVED.fI MOST SCIENTIFICALLY 2MADE Stationary Axle and' Raise and Lower Style 5, 6, and 7 FEET CUTS. Of the latter only very few"on hand. £2000 V'jrth of Extras in Stock, which wil be supplied to farmers at manufacturer's prices at any time BAY OR NIGHT FRIEDLANDER BROS.



■_^___M*KMM_b««_fe>*i___V r*^__Mbs 4 J Jolm Orr & Co. INVITE THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS To their Large and Varied Stocks of all classes of Goods, suitable lor the Harvest Field. 1000 Bales Binding TWINE, Crown Brand 250 Bales Manilla Binding TWINE Machine Extras and Fittings 100 Cases Binding WIRE, White Cros 100 Cases Castor Oil Leather Belting, l_tin to 6in Valvoline and Lubroline Oil Lard and Olive Oil Cylinder Oil Perforated Zinc, 3/32>)j7/8 Seaming Twine McCormick Binders. The agents of the_£McCormick reapers and binders have just received news of a Tery exciting trial at Tamworth (N.S. W.) on Saturday, December 6. The prize competed for was the Society's medal, "which was offered to the machines exhibited at their Show ; but in order to have a successful trial they in addition offered a prize of ten guineas, open to all comers. Both prizes were gained by the McCormick, which was awarded the full maximum number pf points. This was the first time this season where the winner at any trial in Australia obtained the full number of points under each heading. The McCormick also gained first prize at Stawell (Victoria) beating the Massey, Hornsby, and Deering. John Orr & Go. THE CDIOIIIL. MUM COMPANY OF lEW ZEALAND (FIRE AND MARINE ) n HE Business of this Company has ? been TRANSFERRED to the POMMFRCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY, Limited, of London, by whom, through the various Branches and Agencies in New Zealand, all accounts owing to and by and all losses under the Colonial Insurance Coinpan/s policies will be settled in future. F. ALLEN, General Manager. Wellington, New Zealand, December 11th, 1890. THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSUR ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) Established 1861. Incorporated under Act of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. Hhad Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London Capital fully subscribed ... £2,500,000 Total Invested Funds ... 2,351,707 Total Annual Nett Income... 1,132,239 HEAD OFFICE for NEW ZEALAND : Lambton Quay, Wellington. With Local Boards of Advice in Australia and New Zealand. General Manager for New Zealand : FRANK ALLEN, J P. Every description of Fire nd Marine Insurance effected at LOWEST CURRENT EATES CUFF & GRAHAM, Managers for Canterbury, Christchurch. Agiwts for Ashburton FKIEDLANDER BROS]] 22