The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH. 17, 1891. THE PROPOSED ONAWE FESTIVAL.

Some time ago a resident of the Akaroa district who is well-known to take a great interest in the Native race, their history and traditions, sug gested to the chiefs of the Ngaitahu tribe that the anniversary of the Onawe tight, which would be celebrated at the Onawe pah to-day, March 17, would be a favorable occasion to obtain some particulars of that great battle, one of the most striking events in the history of the South Island Maoris. The Ngaitahus who will meet to-day at Onawe are the descendants of those who escaped from the pah when it fell before Rauparaha and his followers after a few day's siege, and nearly thS whole of the defenders were mercilessly put to death, their conquerors afterwards, feasting upon the bodies of the slain. The proposal of the resident referred to was received with approval, and he gave a fat bullock as a contribution to the feast which was to be held, and this being noised abroad led some injudicious neighbors, both European and Native, to conceive the idea of expanding the gathering into a festival after the old barbaric custom. The idea at first found favor, and further contributions to the feast, not only of food but also of wines, spirits and beer were promised. There were to be sports and racing, and as the grand at traction the " haka " was to be danced. Excursion steamers and visitsfromother Maori settlements wsre arranged for, and the anniversary of the slaughtei of •the-former inhabitants of the Onawe Peninsula wag to be celebrated by a gigantic show. Such proceedings could not be countenanced by the lead ing men among the Natives. One of them points out that a few years ago the Maoris would have " resented the proposal now made by the English settlers at Akaroa as a curse, an insult only to be atoned for by blood : for no greater insult can be offered to a Maori than to cook food on a place sacred to the dead." The ministers and missionaries to the Maoris were unanimous in their dis approval of the proposal, and in fact it was looked upon by all well-inten tioned people as meaningless and degrading; and it is satisfactory to know that those most immediately con cerned—unless as has been suggested speculative hotel keepers were the moving spirits in getting up the exhi bition—namely, the Ngaitahu chiefs j have asked their native brethren not to attend, and the affair will doubtless end in a well-deserved fiasco. There is a very great difference of opinion as to the propriety of asking the semi civilised North Island tribes to give exhibitions of some of their now nearly extinct savage customs on the occasions of visits from distinguished strangers, but there can be no question of the untlesirableness of encouraging any tribe in this Island to revive the customs which they have long since abandoned as degrading. The Maoris are fast assuming their place in the community as civilised and educated citizens, conforming in everything to the manners and customs of the English, and any attempt to awaken a spirit of barbarism and savagery merits the strongest condemnation.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Nevy Brighton Tramway Company has offered to purchase the Christchurch City Corporation's tram lines, Consideration qf the offer is deferred. Th« youth Stone who was accidentally shot at Sumner on Sunday is reported to be Ul a slightly improved condition, though not yet o*:. lfc of danger. The Secretary °f the Swimming Club informs us that E. fiigglus and not W. Mitchell was placed second in the Club Championship race last Wednesday. A Government inspection parade of the Ashburton Rifles will be h.pjd this evening at 7.30. Camp requisites w$ b,e seiyefl out at this parade. A good muster is particu larly requested by the commanding officer. Mr R. Alcorn, J,P., this morning dealt with a first offender in the usual way, The accused had been drunk in a public place the previous evening. A large batch of summonses was issued from the Property Tax Department at Wellington on Saturday against persons in all parts of the colony who have not bajd the Property Tax. Colonel Bailey, who has been appointed by General Booth to take command of the New Zealand force 3of the Salvation Army, arrived in Wellington by the Coptic on Mon day morning, And wjitlj Ijjs wife and family are passengers to Lyttejtan fry the Tarayvera, Colonel Bailey has seen service for tli,e An#y in ! England, Canada, and Africa, and Mrs Bailey is a Canadian. The " Wanganui Chronicle" says.that 0* lucky man was reported to have made £500 at the recent races there, through having "struck a double." It appears that the wife of Hf.e gentleman in question does a little in foj'tftUui: -i^ijing, using the cards as her medium. Acting upoji t;jio information received in this way, the geniimuiw h>a§, on several occasions, tested the reliability of ijis wife's prognostications, and conseqnentiy acted upon them and made a coup. The Coninrfttee appointed by the Christ church City Council ibo consider the question of diseased meat and tainted milk, have reported that as regarded dise ( ?.s.cd meat they did not see that further action beyond the present system of inspection could be taken without incurring expenses which the Council were n<>t able to meet at present. It was .also pointed out that the Council under the legislation now in fwcp had plenty of power. As regarded tainted milk the Committee understood that th,e matter; would come under the notice .of the Confer ence To be convened in Wellington, The Minister of Lauds has been very favourably impressed with the appearance of the crops in Southland. He told the Inver eargill people at the banquet they gave him that he was delighted with the beautiful golden colour of the crops, showing that' they were mature and heavy, and that only jt few weeks' dry weather was required to en sure th.c reaping of a magnificent harvest. And he would ,c<Al timy that in this respect I Southland \yas better 1 off .tiwfl any other -portion of New Zealand. In the North Island he had found the cr,ops altnpst de stroyed by wet weather, and in the north <»f ibis Island they were stunted and com paratively a failure through the weather having been too /try. only real crops he had seen were south of ftlld

The Sydenham Borough Council have acquired land for the construction of a public swimming bath. Ladies are specially invited to attend tlio public meeting, exiled by the Mayor, to be held this evening in the; Borough Oh&mbors, to further the objects of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The meeting is called for eight o'clock. The Christchurch City Council on Monday night decided to write to the Syduiiham, Si Albans, and Lin wood Councils asking them to send delegates to a conference with a view to arranging far tlie amalgamation of thore suburbs with the city. The St. Patrick's Day concert at the Oddfellows' Hall this evening in aid of the Convent Schools promises to be most snecess ful. The programme, which appears in another column, is a capital one, and the arrangements, which include some new features, will be very complete. The Winton correspondent of "South land News ":—" The farmers here are in the middle of perhaps oiiejof the best harvests the district has ever produced. The grass seed harvest was also a large and very prolific one. Some of our farmers who had a con siderable area in seed this year will net a neat little cheque for their labor." A writer in the "Fortnightly" says that the Fins have accomplished wonders in self g6vernment. Since 1816 they have put' the currency on a thoroughly sound basis, have constructed a network of railways owned by the State and worked at a handsome profit. They have placed education within the reach of the poorest, have transferred the land to the peasantry, have drawn up a model penal code, and finally have developed a high class system of agriculture. The author exclaims enthusiastically: "Finland is assuredly the best governed country in Europe." If, as we are told, the Fins have solved the drink difficulty, and have' destroyed caste, the praise can hardly be considered excessive. A meeting of the Coldstream Road Board was held on Saturday, all the members present, and Mr E. H. ©.dbson, chairman, presiding. The Board, after considering their financial position and liabilities, found that it would be necessary to strike a rate of in the £. It was decided to carry out certain works on Dobsbn's roaid to enable grain to be carted from Coldstream Estate. Among business done, the following resolu tion- was passed:—"That the inembera of the Coldstream Board " unanimously agree that the moneys payable by Government on behalf of perpetual lease settlers and others in this district would be most beneficially expended in supplying those settlers with water, and therefore urge the Honorable the Minister for Lands to direct that these moneys be paid over to the County Council, to be expended for that purpose." To those about to marry "Bill Nye' addresses the following remarks :—Marri age, if not carried to excess, is a wise provision and a sacred obligation. Marry your opposites so far as possible especially as regards sex. You will never regret it. If possible marry above your'station. Both of you should do this.. It is sure to advance your race. Bo not marry a foreigner unless highly endorsed by those in .whom you have perfeot confidehbe, unless you do want to very much indeed. ' Do not encourage long engagements. It is better to get weary of each other at your leisure after marriage than to fly round and. do it before hand. Courtship, however, is a most delightful industry, and should not be rashly broken in upon by marriage. Some people seem to be admirably fitted.for suitors, but fail in other occupations. This is veiy fortunate, indeed. No suitor can be sure of a permanent situation. The supply greatly exceeds the demand. During the sittings of the Australian Shearers'., Union Conference in Adelaide, a sum of £(5000 was voted as a first instalment to assist the Queensland Union to uphold the principles of unionism. The conference further pledged itself to assist the Queens land Shearers' Union in its present struggle without limit as to either money or men. In the course of an address at the confer ence, the chairman said the action of the pastoralists in New South Wales,- Vic toria, and Queensland was clearly one of at tack, and the attitude of the unions was simply one of defence against the unreason-, able attacks af the capitalists. He expressed the opinion that labour would win and the pastoralists of New South Wales and Vic-', toria be taught that a victory of unionists in Queensland meant a victory of unionists throughout Australia. The pastoralists in Queensland might gain a temporary success I with Government and military to back them up, but that should be no reason why the shearers of Australia should be disheartened. The applications to be placed upon the burgess list which have caused so uuich stir, ■ came before the Sydenham Council on Mon day night. It was moved "That public notice be given that the applications for alterations to be made to the valuation roll and burgess list are open for inspection, and that all applications and objections thereto must be lodged with the Council before 4' p.m. on Thursday, the 19th of March, 1891, and that the applications and objections shall be open for inspection for seven days from the date thereof; and at the expiration of that time the Council shall hold a special meeting on Thursday, the 26th March, 1891, at 7 p.m. to consider such objections." It was con tended that tjiis was a deliberate attempt to postpone those applications in view, of a certain event, (fhe returning officer had p,re- : viously stated that he had fixed the licensing election for April' JO,) and an amendment was moved —■" That all applicatiqnß received before 9th March last from persons desirous of having their names placed on the fourgess list be considered and finally dealt with by the Council." The amendment was lost and the motion carried, and the applications are again shelved. The first of a series of fortnightly meet- j ings of the Ashburton Political Association was held in the Orange Hall, on Saturday evening last. There was a good attendance of members, and Mr H. Barnes vice-chair man p^djscl. The Committee appointed at last' meeting to dravr ivy a cqde of rules for the guidance of members during debates, submitted their report, which jva& adopted. Mr Ltytlecot gave notice to move at the next meeting, •'• Thfj.t in fijtnre the contribution for members be sixpence gsr mmith," The, principal event or the evefiing was'the, e§say, pead by "Mr W. Leggett, on thjj "Rights, of lyabor. 1' Mr Leggett dealt with the question'of |ai?ge estate^ ii,n4 fclw i«jpqi?tan.t part they played on the labor question, touching on the subject of landlordism, especially in the Old Country, stating that such a system tended to moke the rich richer and the poor poorer 1. He sketched the history of a rustic "free bora Englishman" frpm the cradle £p fche grave, and showed how much worse off he was,, than jj, neorq during the time of sjayepy/ Mr Leggett, who spoke for an hour, was listened to atten tively throughout, and was loudly applauded on resuming his spat. Tlips subject fqr the, next, meeting will be a dabate between Mr J. Keir and Mr YV. Leggett,-—'Mr Keir tak ing "Individualism," and Mr Leggett "Social ism." After some financial business had been transacted the meeting adjourned. Statutory Declaration.—l, Franz Raabe, Ironbark, Sandhurst, in the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do sqlemnly and sincerely declare 'that on £h<s 25th June, 1877, njy son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, in spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr fyfacgiUivray that an amputation of the injured limb had bgcpme imperative, in order to .save life. At this juncture I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Glp'bulus, and by the application of the same I had too satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night quf of all danger, and to-day he is recovered. I may just tu}d fcljaj; it was whe,n the crisis had betjn reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this solemn declaration, etc, Fbans Raabe, Declared at Sandhurst, in the colony foj Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, before me, MoritzCohn, J.P., -(Advt.) (j The Best Remedy for Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all. Jibe disease to whjoa we are 'gubjeata Norton's Pilm, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the ■Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild in their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is l£d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine vendors thrpughovt the wp 14'

THE COMING LAND BILL.

Following upon the vigorous retrench ment in the departments of Public Works and Defence recently, announced by the Hon. Mr Seddbn, the Minister in charge, and which is doubtless indicative of the policy to be pursued by the present Administration in respect to all other departments of the public service, we how have it on the authority of the Minister for Lands that a measure will be submitted to reform' the abuses which have grown up'under the existing land laws of the colony. Speaking at a banquet given irihishonourat Invercargill Mr McKen 7AQ animadverted upon the mistaken policy which had been followed in the days of Provincialism by the sale of. land, worth £2, at 10s an acre—a fourth of its value—merely to suit the ! exigencies of finance (" to make ends meet") with the result of the creation of enormous estates, the existence of which blocked settlement, and which were, as he put it, " a curse" to Invercargill, and, (lie might have added) many other towns in the colony. He denounced it as " wrong thus to to have allowed the land to go into the hands of speculators," and went on to show that it is now more than ever necessary that the lands of the colony should be conserved. He pointed out, as we have always contended is the case, that only a very limited area of the remaining Crown estate is suitable for settlement, asserting, and we be lieve quite correctly, that the total area of such land does not exceed 2,800,000 acres. And in reply to those who urge—and there ai*e such persons—that the Crown should divest itself of this as speedily as possible, on the plea that such a course would put " an end to the land question," the Minister shrewdly and truthfully says that instead of arriving at finality by such a policy we should only thereby arrive at " the commencement" of a land question of a still more difficult character. Going on to declare his intentions with regard to land legislation and adminis tration, Mr McKenzie announced that he proposed "to get a liberal Land Act passed through the Houses to amend abuses. One of his ideas was that they should assist in some shape to get settlement, and he was prepared to say to any man avlio wanted to buy, ' buy and be your own freeholder'; but they were quite right to tell him that he could not hold the land for specu lative purposes. Dummyism he in teilded to put a stop to by trying to induce the Government to make it criminal to evade the Land Act. Another important matter was the construction of main roads and drains on the land—making it ready for settlement —and he had no doubt his colleagues would assist him to get some money," He also referred to " the iniquity of shutting up good forest land," and announced his intention "to get at the bottom of all abuses " in the Southland (and, we presume, also other) districts. And we have no doubt whatever that lie means what he says, and that he will set about his task with a vigour and determination which will achieve success. It is pleasing, too, to notice that the Govern ; ment mean to endeavour to readjust taxation, with a view to lightening the burdens which now fall upon bona fide settlers. To this end there is to be not only economical administration, but also an entire cessation of borrow ing, as the Government think it " necessary that there should be a rest from borrowing," and that the colo nists of New Zealand should be " directed to live within their means and depend upon their own resources." Enlarging upon these points Mr McKenzie said:—"They would all recognise the fact that it would be a difficult matter to tell each district that they could not have this and that luxury from borrowed, money, and he hoped the time would come when they would be backed up by their fellow colonists and so enabled to give practi cal effect to their policy. They were satisfied that in the event of being able to, dp, without borrowed money the people would s,ee fqr themselves how necessary it was that they should be economical, not only with their own earnings but with Government money, and if they did that they would deserve a certain amount of thanks from the settlers of the colony. Then it was their intention, if allowed to remain in office long enough, to lighten the burdens of taxation on the people of the colony. They recognised the fact that the bona fide settlers were over burdened with taxation, ajid was their intention tq equalise this burden. "t?hey wovxld agree with him that Inver cargill, qs well as other town,s, depended entirely upon the country districts for existence. If the setters, a^.wflli as the ijo^n,speqp}e were ya-. lieved, it would help to compensate them for the want of borrowed money." These utterances are of a very satis factory sort, and if the policy therein indicated be firmly adhered to, it will unquestionably meet with the accept ance of the House and of the country.

BUILDING SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The sixteenth annual general meeting of shareholders in the Ashburton Perma nent Building and Investment Society was liekl yesterday afternoon. There was a small attendance, and Dr Trevor, Chair man, presided. . . fcEEOlt!. AXX) itAfcASOli SHEM\ The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the Directors' report' and balance sheet, drew attention to the fact that this was the sixteenth annual meeting. The Society had gone through all the vicissi tudes of commercial vigor, inflation, and depression that the district had gone through, but he w^s pleased to be able to congratulate. tl\e members on finding the Society in as sound a position as ever it had b.een. In these days wJien mon,ey was "a gcjbcl deal cheaper £han it formerly, an tdgh) pqr cent dividend was very satisfactory. After noticing the Society's recent new departure in the introduction ot a system of l-eoeiving small sums with the object of cultivating habits of thrift, he went on to speak of the increase of business this year, which represented some £3000 more than last year. In speaking of the success of the Society he instanced one case in which a total sum of £480 had been invest^ fov which an actual retyrn. of $1120' had been received. The Society had done an immense amount of good to shareholders by enabling them to become the pro prietors of their own homes, and a very large percentage of the town propertied had become the freeholds of their owners by the hejp given by the Society/to invest the twits of tfi'e proprietors' industry and

economy. The Society owed much to its management ; and to Mr Stephens, the manager, 'the Directors' thanks were greatly due' for the energy displayed by him in the Society's interest, and the admirable way in which the books wero kept. The balance ssheefc now submitted showed:Liabilities—To "A"capital shares £5000; "B" investment shares, £"7088 ,12s 9d ; deposits current, and interest accrued on same,. £17,548 0j 9d ; interest accrued on overdraft at Bank, £18 Is 8d —£'29,654 14s lid ; profit and loss, £160 6* 2d—total, £29,815 Is Id. Assets--- By balance of loans* £27,802 oa4d; office property, £040 8s Id ; properties in hand, £164 18s ; interest, etc., in arrear and interest accrued, £321 2s 6d ; office furniture, deed forms, etc., £liO'iJs; 6d ; insurance prenvums (recoverable) £4 16s 2d ; balance in hands of bankers, £771 12s 6d—total £29,815 Is Id Balance profit, after allowing 7 per cent to all shareholders, £160 6s 2d. Mv Bullock seconded the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and bore put all that Dr Trevor had said in regard to the usefulness of the Society and the good work it had done. The report and balance sheet were adopted unanimously. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Messrs Hugo Fricdlander and Thomas Bullock were unanimously re-elected Dhectors. Mr Hugo Friedlandcr in thanking? the meeting for his re-election drew attention' to the large increase that had taken place in the number of investing shareholders this year, as a satisfactory proof of public faith in the Society, The Chairman said the fast that a large number of the new shareholders had formerly been shareholders was a further proof of, the faith of the settlers in? the Society. Votes of thanks were passed to the Directors, to the Manager, and to the Auditors, and these having been acknow ledged, the meeting adjourned. . At a subsequent meeting of Directors, Dr Trevor was re-elected Chairman.

The Governor's Trip.

[per press association.] Mkucer, March Iff. ■ The Governor and party, including Hon. 1 Mr Cadmau and Mr Lewis, Under Secre j tary of Native Office, left by train this | morning for Rotorua, on the way to the Uiiwera country. Lady Onslow and Lady Scott accompany the party as far as Rotorua. The Governor proposes to stay at Okoro hot springs to-night, and go on to Rotorua by coach fco-raorrow. Bey6nd Rotorua the journey will be completed on horseback, but the movements of the party are uncertain. It is expected the necessary information will be received from Mr Bushj R.M., who is making arrangements at the later stage of the journey. It is reported that 1500 natiyes are assembled at Rutuka to" meet' the Governor, and that Te Kooti has been holding; a large meeting there. It jis understood the natives are inclined jto restrict the numbed of the Governor's party, with the object of excluding sur veyors or gold seekers, but any un pleasantness of the kind is likely to be resented, and may result in. the journey being cut short or the visit 'made a very brief one. Mr Rathbone, of the "New Zealand Graphic,"and two representatives of the Press Association, accompany the party. :•' '• ; Huntley, March 16. News just received by the Governor has enabled His Excellency more definitely to decide upon his plans. On Tuesday night the party will sleep at Rotorua, and next morning will proceed to camping ground at or near Lake Roto-iti. On Thursday His Excellency will attend a native meeting at Tekoa and another at Poroporo, which is within three miles of Ruotpki. On Thursday night His Excellency will. inform the natives assembled at Poroporo that he will arrive at Ruotoki again qii Friday morning, and that the whole day will ,'be spent at Rutotai in korero. It is 6x-' pected the party will.return to Auckland on March 26.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Asbburton Borough Council was held last night. Present—His i Worship the Mayor (pre siding), and Crs Bird, Flower, Keir, Scaly, Cuthbertson, Brooke, and Paul. The Chairman stated that the debit balance at the Bank was £1642 12s, and the income from all sources £79 18s 2d, received since last meeting. RESERVES, The Clerk read several tetters from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, pointing out the course the Council would have to follow if they wished a stronger title to such reserves as they held than simple gazetting of investment. An application from Mr Tasker, in regard to the reserve he held from the Council was granted. The application referred to the property known as Spillards', occupied by Mr Tasker. An application by Mr J. ]pswards to lease a reserve abo^e, the Old Men's Home was referred to the Reserves Committee. JUBILEE CLOCK. Mr Murray reported that the towi clock had been only two seconds out at ni,ne o'clock that m.ornjng, and had not been altered Qr adjusted in any way since December %&. FJKE BRIGADE, Leave of absence for four days during the Easter holidays was granted to the Engineer. The Fire Brigade Committee was. allowed another fortnight to prepare*a report. • ,' POUND. ' ' The Pound Cp.mvuitfcge, reported a$ follows s — You.r "Committee have tlpie , honour, "to, recommend that the'present Po^ndkecpe'r, Ranger, and Inspector of Nuisances receive one inQuth's, notice of the torn^in^tiipm of hh engagement with the Council, and that fresh applications be oalled for these offices, one man to act in the three capacities. Applicants to state what amount of rent they will give for the Pound ; the Inspector of Nuisances to receive a salary of £10 per aniiui^ groin' the Council. The officeg, t« t>e' iield for a term of throe years, ' Gr Keir proposed. «n amendment to have the rent fixed by the Council, but on a vote this was lost and the report was adopted. ENGINEERS' RiitpllT. The EngUieeap reported as follows :— At a. meeting of the Works Committee on Tuesday, March 10th, it was resolved that the following recommendations be made to the Council:—That the account of ijhe. U, A, Road Board for taldnq up culvert andmaki»ff ford at N. E. Belt be, p^d. That the wooden licrHng fdfirig the street footpaths be repaired >yher« necessary. The Committee drew up aii estimate of the woripts and expenditure for the ensuing year, which they beg to submit to the Council for adoption. The Cha-irman of the Works Committee has examined the outfall drain, waft rivet bed paddocks with us, and found that the paddock occupied by Mrs Butler had not been prbperly grubbed of broom, etc. ; and also tjh^t some repairs and cleaning should b.a done to the outfall drain. The dandpipe. for filling water cart at the Burnett street crossing has been fixed and will be used directly the side channel is bridged. The report was adopted. After some digcups^ \\ iipas decided to i defer until- su^fy iicae as the,*bverdraft was considerably 1 reduced, any attempt in the direction of macadamising the roads ip. the borough. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE. The statutory estimate of t;eceipta and

expenditure of the borough for the in coming year, prej)ared by the Clerk, was ; ivaU by the Mayor md ordered to bo advertised as by statute provided. The Mayor said it would be the duty of the Council to kucp watch over t,he items appearing in the estimate, and nob to vote a penny more Lhan was sot asjainst ihose iU;i,i.s in the estimate ; £500 had been put down for reduction of overdraft, and if this wore kept in view for three years .the overdraft would 'disappear af.the end of that time. He would ask the Clerk to keep^ a book, lo be produced at every meeting of the Council, showing the expenditure per foitni^M under each heading, so that the Council would be able to keep jn.view the-expandifcure that. was being incurred. BEOKJ3N METAL. Cr Keir moved that the Works Com mittee bo asked, to brin^ up a report on the cost of macadamising the maiil streets. The motion was earned. XICENSKS. „ ■ ' Messrs Stephens Bros: was granted a kerosene license, and Mr Murphy a hawker's license. ACCOUNTS. The usual accounts wonl passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[PER PKBaS ASSOICATION.] London. March 14. A great Imperial Federation meet ting was held at Leeds to-day. £ord Brassey urged the appointment of a Royal Commission to, enquire into the advisability of a Customs Union with the colonies^ and to advise that an Im perial Conference on a combined system of defence should be held at an' early date, also that an Advisory Coun cil to the Colonial Office should be ap pointed, or the colonies admitted; to share in the conduct of Imperial affairs. The 4 Oxford crew rowed over the course in 19min 17sec, making a re cord, and betting is now 5 to 2 dn Oxford. Sir C. Tupper is sanguine that reciprocity between the States and Canada will be agreed to. London, March 15. At a meeting of the Bank of Eng land shareholders a profit of three-' quarters of a million .was reported, and a dividend of 3| per cent cle clared. Mr LidderdaJe, the Governor, of the Bank, said the liabilities of Bar ings' Bank amounted %o £21,000,000* and the assets to £25,000,000. The outlook was hopeful. : The House of Commons has ad journed until March 24th. ! It is expected that the Irish Land Purchase Bill will be passed through all its stages. Mr tJohn Morley has been offered * a seat on the Labor Commission. Farl Granville has been seriously ill, but is now improving. The feeling is turning in favor of Sir Charles Dilke, and attacks on him are being deprecated. " Buffalo Bill intends to bring some of the captured Sioux Avith him- to England. i (Washington, March 151 , Secretary Blame and Sir J. Paunce forte are arranging for a Convention re the Behring Sea difficulty, St .John's, March 15. | Newfoundland disapproves of arbi tration. Pakis, March 14. News f rom Tonquin reports that the rebels sacked Cobo and massacred the French officials. Vienna, March 14. Baron Hirsch has given half a million to help the Jewish emigrants to the United States. Berlin, March 14. Dr. Miguel will probably be Oaprivi's successor as Chancellor, Belgrade, March 14. The Servian Radicals advocate the expulsion of both the King and the Queen. Hong Kong, March 14. , Three hundred Chinese pirates have been beheaded at Kwang Lung. Ottawa, March 14.. Canada is raising a loan of two millions. ; Brussels, March 14. King Leopold will probably be the, arbitrator in the Behring Sea dispute.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

AwKtAjro, March 16. The hospital''and Charitable Aid Board irsest to-night to'consider the report of the Commission on ..the' Arnaboldi charges* A Committee was appointed tow»eet a Committee of medical men to. discuss the future management of the Hospital. - A two-ye»ar*old son of a resident of Helensville, Win. Downey, was drowned there on Saturday. Gisbornje, March 16. Mr Gavin, Assistant-Controller, was engaged to-day in arbitrating the accounts betweeu Cook County and the newly formed Waiapu County. The accounts showed the financial position of Qook County Council at the time, o$ separation to be—Assets, £328§ j, li^b^ities, £7?57. Waiapu claims that a large proportion of the, ftjon,e;p. of Ghat Riding having been ypeti in ojfcher Ridings it i* entitled tore ceive mpneys f rou> Oook- Ootmty. Oook, on the otth.etf hand, claims that Waiapu n\v®% pay its shave of the present over draft, The Assistant-Controller gave no decision, but said that the division of lands in Counties that were in debt to, a j Bank was impracticable ; that it must; W I held that all the main roads and perma nent charges must be pmvi<ied rit* before any division of rhs w&aeys- can be made to the Ridings, ( •■■ »>.» "WA^ ANUIi March 16. Mr Willie Spurdle, a well-known attd res^ected resident, disappeared fete on. Saturday night- under mysterious circum stances. Notwithstanding a search, up to the present he has not been heard of. 1 Wellington, March 16, This morning the Chief Justice granted a decree nisi in the case of Bailey v Bailey and Shields, t\ husband's petition for divorce on the grounds of adultery. Formerly the parties resided in Welling ton, bub the respondent ran away, arid the co-respondent is now living in Can terbury. Dunedin, Mar<jh |0., Argument in arrest of judgi»ein| iv the cases ot -Smith v two Insurance Companies occupied |Jvs Supreme Court all day, his Honoy ferrying judgment. Tile empleyees >>f Sargood, Son and Ewen tliyoflghout the colony have made a donation of the money refunded to them on account of their Exhibition shares, amounting to £16 17515 d, to, th,a Dunedin Arb Gallery, The gold rtitww* f 1"0111 e% nfc Companies,, slnicins and dredging, with one quartos, reported to-day and Saturday^ is oy^r 500oz. j • Three hundred attended; the meeting of unemployed, to,-«f.T.y^ tlii) Ma^for presj,di%.. No menibers of"Piu'liuH!,enfc were present, j,s it was thought their presence might lend <i, party color to tho proceedings. A.j deputation was appointed to ; interview the j MiwisJier o{ I^kqlp tjpMWovrQWj ajid phk^J

I before him the exact amouet of distress^ [ prevalent. - At the unnual meeting of>the New Zea l.md Drug Company the report, declaring »,^-,.I )er Cl!!nt. dividend, was adopted. Alt' Nievwrirjlit, the chaininan, said that the previous Government had robbed the company of £1800 over saccharine, and no did not intent to ask Governments for f -ivor& in. the futnre.

The Federal Convention.

- ■ [PBI; fllfiSS ASSOCIATION. ! Sydney, March 16. ..... At to-day's sittißg^r-Jdeftkin-with druw hisan,iendmpnttoclause3 proposed on Friday in favor of an amendment by Mr Gordon (S.A.), that the tariff and excite, shall be uniform and fixed by the Federal Government, and that the expenses of the latter be appor tioned among the federated colonies on the basis 01: population. He traversed IMr McMillan's figures, and condemned the proposal to hand over the Customs duties entirely to the Federal Govern ment as too cumbrous and costly. Messrs Bray and Griffiths deptecated interfering with the resolution, and suggested that a- sub-committee should be appointed to consider the different questions to be submitted to a commit ! tee of the whole. Mr Gordon said he. willingly with drew his amendment, but could not agree that matters of national policy 1 should be left to a aub-cptmniijtee. j Sir Henry Parkes said he had come ! to the conclusion that Mr Gordon was not desirous of seeing a union brought I About, but only a federation under , which the colonies could conduct their own business. He submitted 'that the ( resolution _ outlined the basig of, the constitution which it was sought to bring into existence, and he recognised that committees should be appointed to report on the details. After a lonj» discussion Mr Deakin moved to insert after the words tf customs duties and duties of excise," the,worlds, «<goods subject to customs duties!^ Sir T. Mcllraith said that uniformity of excise was unfair in some cases. It would oppress one country, and not another. Take for instance the sugar, countries; Queensland, would be al most entirely affected. - He q*ite> agreed that the Federal Parliament;, must hay« the power in its huads, bat he believed there should be a limitation so as to impose excise duties only tm articles produced in all the eolonie-s. Mr Flayford thought it a great waste of i.ime to indulge in a general discussion as they would find that the Committees would not overlook the points mentioned in drafting the Bill. Even if the Committees did err in this respect omissions could soon, be sun. ■plied. ■ ; ..,._,. „,.;,,... . i Mr Deakiri's amendment was then put and carried. Mr Gordon moved a further amend ment that power to offer bounties be exclusively lodged with the Federal Government and Parliament, which was carried. Mr Deakin said he had intended to move a further amendment} but* con tented himself by saying with regard to the fiscal policy that the question of moment was whether 12| per cent; duty- was to be imposed in Tasmania, 15 per cent in Queensland, 20 or 25 per cent in South Australia, and a still higher tariff by Victoria. The latter tariff had been gradually built up, and only during the past two years hacS they enjoyed >fre high rate. Further industries were springing up yearly,, and ho hoped the Fiscal Committee^ [would pay attention to these points. I The colonies with high tariffs stood in a peculiar position, and they required to have great consideration. The arguments applied with equal force to all the colonies, and jt woujd ; jbe neces sary before a satisfactorysolutjion could be arrived at that the smaller colonies should not be required to incur a loss for some years to ccoae. He hoped that the infant industries of Australia would be protected. The resolution as amended was .agreed^ t0.., ( •-. h] .. . ;.,,.. ....... Resolution No % S, with reference to tra4« intercourse, and 'No. witk reference to defence, were carried without amendment! * : *'a i^*'"^ The second half of the resolutions, with refcwentee to franiinf'the* federal Constitution,, were then considered. On resolution Na 1, dealing 1 witn "the constitution tpl the Houses of Parlia ment, Dr Cockburn moved that the words « one third "be struck tint and the word: " periodical" inserted—Mak ing the resolution, .provider fof the periodical retirement of members, etc; This was carried. A. i long discussion ensued oa an amendment by Sir J. Dowmr to omit the words "and amend ing " in the sentence " and to possess the sele poweV of; orig&aiMg • ai^ amending all Bills appropriating re venue or imposing taxation"" The proposed omission raised the question! of the powers of the Senate over money Bills. I)r Cockburn,said., there would be no federation at all if. the amend ment waa not carried. Sir H. Parkes in terjected the ranark that if the amend ment waa earned it would only meant federation between South and West i Australia. Mr Forrest having ex pressed his approval of the amendment, Mr Wrixtoa moved—" (1) That tin Senate have equal power with t!» c House, of Representatives with respect to all Bills except 1 money Bills, 'Bills dealing with duties of custom's and excise, and annual appropriatioras Bills, and these* it shall be entitled to reject but not to amend. (2) Th»,t the Act of Union shall provide ths.'t it snail not be lawful to include ir L the Annual Appropriation Bill any matter or thing other than votes of supply for the ordinary service of the year." Mr P*»kin said he would oppose thfe amendment, because if it were carried into effect the responsible Government would only be responsible to the popular Chamber. The Swiss or American constitutions with a little amendiKeat might be worthy" of con sideration, but to combine portions of these with the British system of Con stitution would destroy the whole fabric. 3ven if Mr Wrixton's pvo posaj did not go far enough & r J Owner's went too far. Mr McMillan did not think the smaller states were likely to interfere wnh Appropriation BUy for ordinary expenditure of the y ear , but there ought to ,* some m,ode of dealing with bills outsjde of ordinary appropriation wbcli WBta be-rejected b^ the Upper Ho_uso. ' •. w Mr Munro. hoped, that uo many

TOff ASBBtTBTON miAftDlAff, TtTESBAty MaWR 17, 1801



MAIL NOTICE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1891 For South America, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, (specially addressed correspondence only), per Aorangi, at 6.20 p.m.; parcels post, parcels at 10 a.m. —This mail will be due in London on April 30, 1891. Postage to the United Kingdom 2^l per §oz. _____



Wautea CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be le>ft at this Offi™ WANTED Good Strong Girl for housework, and *vho can milk. Apply, Mrs Buchanan, East Street, 3 105 WANTED, for Hampstead School, Pupil Teacher. Apply before 4 p.m. on Tuesday to Chairman School Committee, Box 61, P. 0., Ash burton. 3 96 WANTED Known.—Mrs J. Buch anan has opened as Fruiterer arid Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr and Co., East Street. WANTED Known.—lf you want good value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapest, first-class Drapery in town.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. TT/ ANTtfD Known.—"Ye are now W opening all our new Winter Goods in Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c. —fl. C. Segers, Melford House. W""~" A NTEDlKnown. —Cheapest House in town for First-class Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c.—H. C. Seokrs, Melford House. ANTED Known.—Mrs J. Buch- I anan, Fruiterer and Confectioner. | Tea and coffee at all hours ; hot luncheoji on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr ; and Co's, East Street. /POOLING and invigorating Ie« Cream \J as made by H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, East Street. VI * ANTED Known—Some special -' - lines in choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at •' The Corner." WANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens ♦liadiea and Children.—W. H. Collier. WANTED every man xn the County to have a suit of the Ashburton T weeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. a LASS, Earthenware, and China, direct from the Manufacturers.— Robert Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. \ \ I ANTED Known — The Cheapest V y Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannaford's, Burnett fetreet. A t arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch. NOW ON— At Stationers' Hal], Great Sale of Surplus Stock J of Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods'^ ' Music, etc. Great, reductions for cash, I for one m<uith only. Hundreds of books i at less than English price. At L. F. s Andrewes & Co.'s, Stationers Hall. IXT AN TED, working Caretaker for W Farm, who thoroughly under stands all branches of farm work ; married. Satisfactory references or full particulars cf capabilities required. No objection to family. Apply W. F. Somerville, j Lyatt, Weaterfield. 3§jOo PubHc'Notices^ :' wjthJ-eetS aJhcjt "tceltb v CHRISrCHCROH DENTAL SURGERY. Corner of Cashel and High streets > S. M TEii AND C - SURGEON DENTIST ' And at Dunedin aiil Westport fTTE have gained tin FIRST AWARD W "* the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli rinces for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v.*e guarantee the highest class work and perfect tit at the most moderate cosf A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. ' Comple Set — Upper and Lower temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Ajt/^cial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al •nost i m re^iafcel y affcer the extrftction of decayed teeto stumP S wifclloUt CXtm cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE SAS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe] Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at small cosf^ GENTLEMEN requiring the very _ " 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 Shirts. buttoned and laced fronts, all colors, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Q UMMER Merino and Gauze Merino O Undershirts, with long or short sleeves, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. WASHING Derby Ties 6d each, six j 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 New 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, j proclaim it to be the most perfect sewing machine yet produced. Inspection nvitixl. \TE W ZEALAND CLOtIEnG IN FACTOBY, the leading Hat, Cap, and Clothing Manufacturers, EAST STRF-ET, A SHBUBTO3ST Age Jit for the Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machine >V. H. WEBBER,



Vublio Notices. ii "ii W. W. Spencer & Co. EXTENSION OF W. W. MPKKCKIt. & Con Great Cleaning Sale. Bring heavily overstocked, and in order to make room for a shipment of Goods which we have landing from Home in about a fortnight, we have made Greater Reductions! than ever. All Wool, colonial flannel, IOJd, 4-ply fingering wool, all colors, Is lid; Calicos 2s 3d the doss; Dress Goods 4ld; Wimhinj? Prints, %1, 3|d, and 4|d ; Washiug Mualin _- 2s lid the doz ; Towels, 3|d j pL| each ; a very large Towel 9|d, vJ Rnow 6|,d ; very «ood Ticking, m 6d: double width Sheeting, f] ffi 7A«l; heavy white Linen Twill H 0 Sheeting, ll|d ; heavy cotton Shirting, s|d; Cretonnes, 4|d ; l [n Men's woollen Sox, lHd; Hoys' p H Braces, 4d ; Men's Braces, 8d; M 4J Men's Regatta Bhirts, 2a lid ; ■ jJJ Men's good Tweed Suits. 22b Q .* 6d; Boys' Tweed Suits from £ pC{ 4s lid ; Men's colored Moles f M 7s 6d, now 6s lid ; Boys' do. n W 2s lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. % U Men's Bluchers, 6s 6d; Men's \J] colonial made Shooters, 9s lid; Boys' strong Boots very cheap. Women's strong Elastics, 6s Sd; Girls' and Maids' Kid Elastic Sides and Button Boots 2a lid, 3s lid, and 4s 6d at W. W. SPJBIVCJEIt * C«'» THE ARCADE. jf.B.—We have this day purchased a Traveller's Set of Samples at a discount of 60 per cent. If you want a real bargain now is your_ chance. "~ Tiie~Arcade. THE WOIIAI liCßli COMPANY OF IBf ZEALAND AND MARINE) fTPHE Business of this Company has 1 been TRANSFERRED to the COMMFRCIAL 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 Company's policies will be settled in future. F. ALLEN, General Manager. Wellington, New Zealand, December 11th, 1890. THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSUB ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) Established 1861. ncorporated under Act of Parliament, *l and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. Head Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London Capital fully subscribed ... £2,500,000 Total Inves ed Funds ... 2,351,70? Total Annual Nett Income... 1,132,238 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 nsunmcft effected at LOWEST CURRENT EATES CUFF & GRAHAM, Managers for Canterbury, Christchurch AGKNTS FOll ASHBUItTON FRIEDLANDEK BROS iZ) ** CD W. H. COLLIER W. H. Colliek is now The Corner W. H. CotUKE The Corner W. H. Collier showing The Corner W. H. Collieh The Corner W. H. Collier NEV^ hk Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier awd The Corner W. H. Collikr The Corner W. H- CollierC HO ICE Thb Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier MILLINERS The Corner W. H. Collier ULSTERS, Thk Corner W. H. Collier JACKETS, The Corner W. H. Colierl RIBBONS, The Corner W. H. Collier FURS, The Corner W. H. Collier GI,OVES, The Corner W. H. Collier DRAPERY, The Corner W. H. Collier etc. , etc. , The Corner W. H- Collier for the The Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier AUXiraiir The Corner W. H. Collier ww .?lL-, The Corner W. H. Collier WIjrTKI* The Corner W. H. Collier SEASON. 'IHK Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier The Balance The Corner W. H. Collier of The Corner W. H. Collier SUMMER The Corner W. H. Collier STOCK The Corner W. H. Collier i 8 still being The Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier SOLD OFF The Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. QoLLXBR CHEAP The Corner W. H. Collier to make room The Corner W. H. Collier for Thk Corner W. H. Collier NEW GOODS The Corner W. H. COIXBBR ARRIVING. THE CORNER "The Corner." ~] "^s *&" (Z) JAMES BAKER Trr TIMBER MEECHANT, AND GENERAL FURNITURE AHD i FANCY GOODS WAREHOUSE, HAVELOCK STREET, ')PPOSITK HaHRISONS AUCTION MART, FURNITURE and Picture Frames mude to order in any deaign at shortest notice. Sole Agent for Clegg's Peratnbulators. A't>^° WIE^NBK PIANOS,