The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et. Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1891. THE AUSTRALIAN SHEARING TROUBLE.

Labor and capital are again face to face m conflict m Australia. Last Spring difficulties between the squatters and the members of the Shearers' Union completely disorganised every branch of business connected with wool. Sheepowners did not get their sheep shorn at the proper time, carriers by land and water and wharf railway and warehouse porters were forbidden to handle wool shorn by non-unionists, and the outcome is that shipments of wool from Australia up to "the pro sent tiire are several thousands of bales less than m the ordinary course of events they would have amounte;! to. The Shearers' Union, a powerful com bination of some 28,000 men, has never receded from the stand it took up m enforcing its rules and regula tions for the conduct of shearing ope rations and the payment and treatment of shearers, but, nevertheless, the squatters one way and another managed to get their sheep shorn. Subsequently the pastoralists formed themselves into a strong Uuion, rating themselves to a substantial amount to provide a fund with whicli to fight the Labor combi nations, and from which to indemnify their members for any loss caused by strikes or other movements of those combinations. A set of rules was drawn up and the Pastoralists bound themselves to allow no other rules to be observed m their sheds. Shearing was due to begin about a month ago m certain districts of Queensland, and the usual shearers and other hands turned up at one of the stations on the given date. They wore confronted by the Pastoralists'agreement and rules,which they were asked to sign as a condition of being employed. ' Compliance was refused, and the s.heep re main unshorn. The Pastoralists rules contained, we are informed, no very objectionable provisions, the principal difference between them and the Shearers' rules being that the former secure to the employer the manage ment of the shed and the right of judging whether or not th 1? work is properly done ; the Shearers' rules provide for a committee of the shearers being elected to manage the shed and to decide upon the quality of the work, should such be questioned. The masters' rules also provide for the employment of men irrespective of Unions, while under the Shearers' rules rules Unionists will not work with non-union.'sts. The Shearers' Union has endeavoured to obtain a conference ■withthePastoralists, but the latter insist as a preliminary to any negotiations upon the Unionists conceding the principle of freedom of contract. This the latter will not do, and there the matter stands at present. Any thing like serious friction between shearers and sheep fanners lias seldom occurred m New Zealand, especially m recent years, and the Shearers' Union is practical!}' a dead letter here. But we have the word of respectable men, small fanners many of them, who have gone to Australia for the early Spring shearing, that the condition of Shearers there would be 'insufFerable were it not for the Union. It is not so much a question of the actual rate of payment as of the charges made by squatters for stores, and the housing and general treatment of the men. A Government enquiry into the accommodation provided on stations—such as that asked for m the New Zealand Parliament by Mr Buick—is much wanted m Australia; and if nothing less will compel the squatters to be reasonable m their charges for stores the percentage of profit which they are allowed to charge must be fixed by law.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

We are informed that the five candidates for seats on the Borough Licensing Com mittee mentioned yesterday as being Templar candidates, were nominated by the New Zealand Alliance. The Female Orange Lily Lodee No 5, Ashburton, held their monthly meeting last Tuesday, Sister Page, President of the Lodge, presiding. It was decided to hold the meet« ings on the last Thursday of the month m future. A large number of ladies of Ashbur ton and district have already joined, and more are coming forward, ao that the success of the Lodge is assured. On Thursday morning last, the man Neil McNeil (who had been the previous day sentenced to a week's imprisonment for drunkenness and resisting the poHce), was under preparation at the Ashburton police station for a journey to Lyttelton goal by the early train. Constable Smart was to be his escort. McNeil was permitted to go to the rear of the premises while his breakfast wa« getting ready. He had only been five minutes m privacy when he was called for his meal. No answer was returned, and an investigation showed that the prisoner had made off. A search, m which all hands at the station took part, proved fruitless. The search was continued all day, and every part of the county was communicated with ; but until last night no tidings of McNeil could be obtained. It appears that he had made straight for Alford Forest, which he reached on Thursday night. On Friday morning he took the road to Mount Somcrs, and about four o'clock m the afternoon Constable Morgan, of Methven, came across him some distance from the Mount Soniers township. Two hours after, Constable Crockett appeared at Mount Somers m search of the same fugitive. McNeil was brought to town this morning, and for the offence of escaping from justice, M-asrs Alora and Thomas gave him another week m which to " purge his contempt" of prison discipline, Mrs Burton gives some curious facts about dog life m Syria and other Eastern countries. l)ogx exist there by hundreds and thouands, without owners or care, and are a kind of community by ' themselves. Each one belongs to a particular quarter of the city, and is not allowed to live elsewere. She treated them kindly and fed them, while the inhabitants beat and stoned them, and m gratitude they undertook to fit cart her and Sefend her from iimin. When she went out to w»ik, a dog always met her as if ap oointed by the whoie community, accom n-.'-'fld hei'to the border of bis boundary, ™,i ,v.«"<kl hw ov&v *a one belonging to that Sorter* wi> did tU<? mm thipg m ¥s tnnl' Eachdo A v^C'lhU tail, ftS if bidding good bye wtV & worA V» *»* »»W also she has often, m the * e?fj a dog come barking from £**** ottbe mountains. Meeting the dogs on L .nc D°K; ei of the village, there would be biuet. I'"' few minutes, then a general backing m concert; then one dog would start for the middle of the village, with a similar result there; then a single dog again for the farthest side of the village, followed byj a general barking there. " Whatever the canine news is," she ways, " m about twenty minutes it is paused round to all the (logs iv , Damascus."

A theory is an impracticable plan for doing something that, is impossible. A man no sooner get 3 old enough to know how to talk well than he learns the value of not talking at all. The principal difference between wages and salary la that the man that draws a salary has to spend most of it m clothes or lose his job. Mi Samuel Hordern, on whoaa behalf Nordenfeldt was purchased at the recent Silvia Park sale, must be a very wealthy mar, as >t Sydney writer is informed that the profits from his business last year amounted Lo the large sum of £180,000. Baron Hirsch recently asked an English lady of rank to sell one of her horses because lie had one exactly like it. The lady de clined rather curtly, whereupon the Baron Rent her his horse, with the message: " Although I ii.m disappointed, I am still desirous that they should go m a pair." "Yes," sighed tho disappointed mother, " I brought my sou up very carefully and piously. As soon as he was old enough I got him to join the church and made him give mi; his solemn promise that when he married he would marry a Christian woman." "And he -lidn't?" "No; he married one of the girls of the choir." The Piako County Council have every year declined to pay the demand made by the Auditor-General for auditing the Council's accounts, and the Auditor-General has now stopped the amount claimed from the subsidy coming to the county. The council have got a professional opinion that the charge should fall on the Consolidated Fund, not on the county fund. Mr A. VV. Randell has just received a small shipment of choice lemons, grown m the Mediterranean and shipped by Orient steamer via the Suez Canal, to the Australian colonies,. They are very fine fruit, and their good condition shows that with careful pack ing such fruit can be carried any distance, The lemona are each wrapped m tissue paper and then tijhtly packed m rows m the cases.

Mr F. Moss, who was recently appointed British Resident at Karotonga, has returned after having visited all the islands of the group, and held meetings of the natives. The qiustion of the liquor traffic was dis cussed. Mr Moss proposes to institute a system of regulation and license, so as to check the importation anil the use of spirits amongst the natives. Some of the natives think there should be strict prohibition. The adherents of the New Zealand Alliance have taken up the matter, and are endeavour ing to have all traffic m liquor prohibited throughout the Island groups. Mr Moss had an interview with the Governor on Thurs day. A Wellington contemporary states that at the invitation of Mr O'Conor the supporters of the Elected Executive system have held a meeting. It was arranged that all present should constitute themselves a committee to advance the interests of the scheme, and that, if the session should be prolonged, an effort should be made to set up a Parliament ary Committee to collate information as to its working elsewhere, and publish it for the enlightenment of the House and country, with a view of taking more definite action m the future. Meanwhile the Committee will continue to work quietly, with Mr Saunders as its chairman and Messrs O'Conor and Buick as secretaries. As the result of a recent whip it is estimated that twenty-six members of the new House are favourable to the proposed reform. The teachers and scholars of the South Rakaia School, with their friends, met on Wednesday to say gooci bye to the. assistant mistress. Reference was made to Miss Bilton's earnest and successful work m the school during the past two years, to her kind sympathy, unvarying courtesy, and general popularity. On behalf of those pre sent Miss Howell presented Mi«s Bilton with a beautiful souvenir as a mark of the esteem and regard m which she was held. All present then joined m wishing her long life, health, and happiness iv her new sphere of duties. The gift was suitably and feel ingly acknowledged. * A new patent self feeding attachment for threshing machines was shown m work a*' Mr R. Macinfcyre's farm, Ashburton Forks, on Thursday. The self-feeder is Maindonald's and was attached to Mr J. W. Hampton's machine, fhe feeding attachment consists of a revolving drum with projecting forks, fixed over a hopper into which the cut sheaves are placed ; the sh javes are taken by the forks and passed down to the threshing drum. The mechanism is very simple, calls for very little extra power, and is not liable to become easily deranged. A number of farmers and contractors witnessed the trial, and expressed satisfaction with the invention. Now, when the price of threshing is cut so fine, every invention calculated to save labor is of moment, and we are not surprised to hear that at least eight self-feeders have lately been brought out. Maindonald's has a good reputation m the northern districts, and several have already been sold here.

The Committee of the Amateur Swimming Club met on Wednesday evening, Mr A. Harrison m the chair. It was reported that the Club was meeting with a large amount of support, and that many special prizes had been given for the Club's first annual meeting on March lltli. The following gentlemen had promised to present special prizes : — The President, Mr Hugo Fried lander, and Messrs E. Kempthorne, Alfred Harrison, E. F. Wright, J. Henry, H. M. Jones, D. McFarlane, and F. JFerriman (the last named offering a special prize for the costume race); also Ashburton Borough School Committee and Mr W. Malcolm for boys attending the Borough,' Hampstead, and Tinwald Schools. Permission to use the Baths on March 11th will be asked for by a deputation who will wait on the Borough Council on Monday. The following pro gramme was decided on :—IOO yards, Club Championship ; diving for plates ; 50 yards handicap m heats ; walking the greasy pole ; 50 yards school race; 75 yards handicap steeplechase; 40 yards costume race (hat, coat, vest, trousers, and boots); 30 yards tub race; 75 yards scratch, open to all comers (amateurs only); and consolation race, 50 yardi. Brooke's New Zealand Annual and Handy Book of Reference for 1891, published by Mr C. M. Brooke, chemist, East street, is t to hand. It is a neat little pamphlet, con taining, besides the usual information of an almanac, a number of useful domestic recipes, veterinary prescriptions, gardening and farming notes, account pages, and so on. A valuable feature are instructions for cheese and butter making, written specially for this work by Mr A. W. Stokes, of the London Dairy Supply Association, which should be studied by all interested m dairy ing. The merits of the "Perfect" and other sheep dips made by Mr Brooke are of course set forth, though their efficiency and economy are already known. The patent " duraplastic " horse ball made m England specially for Mr Brooke is illustrated, and a seasonable recipe for the preparation of fruit-preserving syrup is also given. This Bkst Rkmkdy foii Indigestion — Norton's Camomile Pilla are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which 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 mild m their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is l|d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine vendors throughout the wo Id' An application, made by afirmof runholders to the effect that the incoming tenant of the run which adjoins theirs should be required to pay m to the Crown Lands offioe on their account half the value of the dividing fence erected by them, has been before the Otago Land Board. It was pointed out, however, that the Fencing Actprovides that if a person, after notice to the occupier or owner of the adjoining property, puts up a fence, he has the right to recover half the value from his neighbour, with this distinction as regards a Crown tenant, that where a fence is con structed under the provisions of the Act, dividing any lands held by Crown tenants from any adjoining lands it shall be at the option of the tenant, instead of paying half the cost of the fence, to pay the person who erected the fence 15 per cent, interest on half the cost for each year of his term of oc jjMijation. That being so, it was clear that the uieonnug tenant of the run adjoining that held by the applicant possessed the op tion of paying the lSpercentiuterestinstead of paying half the cost of the fence, and under 1 circumstances the Board was left with out any j,vite}'fiative but to decline the appli. nation,

AKAROA ELECTION

(PFR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, January 30. The hearing of the Akaroa election petition concluded at 4 p.m. The de cision, will be given at Lyttelton on Monday morning. Sir R. Stouc's main contention was that the principle had'been distinctly laid down that the Court could not disturb an election for .any blunder or irregularity not expressly shown to have altered the result. In support of this he cited Regina v. Tescnmaker, .New Zealand •J urisr. Vol. 1, page 78, and Rjgina v. Jones, New Zealand Jurist, Vol. 2, page 45, find several English cases. He submitted that the roll was not conclusive evidence that all whose names were on it and who did not Vote were entitled to vote, as they might have voted m another electorate. Mr Fisher, m reply, submitted that m the Wakanui case the principle was laid down that the roll was conclusive .ks to the right of those whose names' were thereon to vote. There were 465 persons on the roll who did not vote, and the Court had a right to draw the inference that these persons would have exercised their vote but could not. The majority for Mr Joyce was only 107, and it was quite impossible to say to what extent he owed his majority to the fact of Lyttelton booth being open till seven. Mr. McGregor had a majority at eight booths, and as all these closed at six o'clock he lost the benefit of the votes which might have been polled had they been kept open till seven. The other side said chat many freeholders might have voted m other districts, but the onus of proving this rested on them. Two witnesses stated that they had gone to Little Akaloa polling place to vote, but found it closed at 6.15 p.m., and were thus prevented.

Rev. Charles Clark.

Last evening the Rev Charle3 Clark gave at the Oddfellows' Hall the first of the two lecture-entertainments of his present Ashbur ton season. Charles Dickens was the author laid under contribution for the motive of the lecture, and some of the most varied of his characters were depicted. Dickens was of old one of Mr Clark's most popular subjects, but last evening an entirely new selection from the novelist's writings and characters was presented. Beginning with an appre ciative tribute to Dickens' humanity and r.he purity of the motive of his writings, Mr Clark proceeded to give us the first example of his human portraits a delinea tion ol the "Pickwick" shooting party. From the immortal chief m the wheelbarrow to the boy m leggings, every individual of that famous band of sportsmen was presented vividly to the audience; indeed, the very veal pie and the tongue became almost visible as Sam Weller was represented unpacking the luncheon basket The noble death of Sydney Carton, as narrated m the "Tale of Two Cities," was depicted with a force of dramatic arc worthy of Irving ; and then, with another swift change the love story of Daniel Copperlield was made, the subject of the interest of the audience, and the churm of the story, and the loveable nature of many of its characters were beautifully presented to view. A complete exoneration of the novel from being weak m humorous characters was exemplified by the introduction and mimicry of Dan'l Peggoty's " mawther," Mrs Crupp, and the magnilo quent Micawber and his better half —the dinner at David Coppcrfield's chambers being selected as the principal scene. Once more the humour changed with the recital of the Sistory of the worthy " King of the Cheap Jacks," Doctor Marigold. The sale of the wedding ring; his sufferings from his wife's "temper" and her ill-treatment of Sophy ; liophy's illness and death;, the finding, teaching, marrying, and return to the "cart" of the new Sjphy, were vividly depicted; and the lecture closed with another tribute to the genius and power of the author. Mr Clark carried his audience with him with all his old success, and showed his versatility m a most artistic manner, delineating the most widely different charac ters with a perfect freedom from roeretrici-' ous trickery. Applause was frequent, though at many points silence was compelled by the emotional deliverance of the lecturer. The attendance was good. This evening "The Tower of London" and the suencs that have taken place within its bounds, m the course of centuries, will be Mr Clark's subjects. Popular prices will be charged.

CORRESPONDENCE.

IWe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expiessed by our correspondents,)

IRRIGATION.

TO THK EDITOR, Sir, — I have been unable to reply to "Plains Fanner's" last letter earlier, but will now try to give him the information asked for. He denies having formed his opinion on irrigation from what he saw on the Council's farm, therefore I must retract my statement, but m so doing I only strengthen my position and weaken his. He goes on to say he has formed his opinion from the formation of the plains and the difficulties the Council's Engineer has had m constructing the water races, etc. Well, the value of a race for merely watering stock and its value for irrigating are quite dif ferent, consequently no person wishing it for the latter purpose would care where it went through his property so that he had it —of course the less deviation the . better. As to the cost of distributing water over the land, that is bound to vary according to the levelness, or otherwise, of the ground; some places could be irrigated for a few pence, exclusive of the cost of bringing m tko water, and others might cost four or live shillings an acre, but my impression is that the latter figure would take m everything on the most uneven plains land m the county, including the cost of the water were it brought m at one shilling an acre. I fear no practical man would attempt to irrigate 200 acres for "Plains Farmer" at 15s per acre with the supply at present available; at least I should not care to; but with a large service a practical man would jump at it, and only pray for plenty more at the same price. The average cost of irrigating m California has been quoted at 4Jd, that is for each irrigating, and some places are only done once, some twice, and others three times a year—usually twice answers all requirements. I am satisfied it will pay here if it cost ss, but think about Is 6d on the average plains land will prove to be the maximum cost. With reference to ridges or checks being ob stacles during harvest operations, all I have to say is if farmers can reap their crops m other countries where checks are used for irrigation, why could not they do so here ? It seems to be rather a left-handed compli ment to allege they could not, nor'-westers to the contrary notwithstanding. The soil on Kern Island is a sandy loam, fairly good land, while on the north side of Kern river it is a sandy plain, which I have seen an American paper describe as "a sandy .barren plain." There are portions where the sandy loam is mixed with marl, but m my experience not often to bo met with. As a proof that irrigation is a great success m Kern County, I may mention that the County Assessor's valuation for 1888, shows an increase for the year of £529,916 sterling. The crops grown are wheat, barley, oats, Indian corn, Egyptian corn, pumpkins, sweet and other potatoes, sugar beet, mangolds, melons, and all kinds of fruits, and alfalfa for grazing. As to the increase m the yield of grain—well, on the dry plains they simply could not get a crop at all un less it was a very wet winter beforehand, and then the yield was at the most 20 to 25 bushels, but with irrigation it goes from 27 to 50, and sometimes higher, that is of wheat, barley rather larger, and oats run ning from 40 to 70. On Bellevue Ranch m 1878, the year before I left, 2000 acres of wheat and barley averaged 27tj of the former and 32 of the latter, some portions giving 50 of wheat and 90 of barley. From this you will see the land is variable m quality. They reckoned the cost of cultivating, irri gating, aud harvesting it at about 30s per awe.

*" ". " « The "beach farmer" referred to by j " Plains Farmer " has 1 simply a splendid opportunity on a small scale to te::;t irriga tion; bub I am sure from'*M hat he says he has not used the water properly on his grass boid. He says hiu stock will not eat irri gated gnsa, but within the past three weeks I have seen my cows and my neighbors horses eating it with great enjoyment, so my recent experience is directly contrary to that lof the beach farmer; and, moreover, Ihavj seen thousands of head of stock doing excellently on irrigated lands m California. The other day "l W as informed on good authority that a fanner down m Otago had irrigated a piece of his land, with the result that ie is carrying three times the number of sheep now. I leave the farmers on theae plains to make their own calculations as to what the benefit of irrigating would be to them with such natural advantages for the purpose as they have afc hand. There was great opposition to the present water race service at the star*-, I am told, and you may depend there will be as strong if not stronger opposition to a full scheme of irrigation; but it will win its way, and when once m operation will be lauded as the greatest blessing possible by the fanners,who now are suffering from drought. As my name has been made public m your journal with mj conseiiT{, I now resign my nom-de-plume "Cosmopolitan." At a later date I shall refer to Mr Oliver's letter, and give full quotations of averages and yields of irrigated land m California. J. R. COLYER. Ashburton, January 30.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COM MITTEES.

Viewed from an independent stand point, apart altogether from party bias, there can be no doubt that the Govern ment committed an error m putting forward Mr W. C. Smith as Chairman of Committees. The member for Waipawa is. m many respects, a clever man, and he has been long enough m Parliament to become sufficiently acquainted with the forms of procedure. It is probable that he has taken advantage of this opportunity, but a knowledge of this kind, although it is a sine qua rwn for a successful Chairman of Committees, is far from being the only quality required for a proper performance of the duties pertaining to the office. What is wanted is that the occupant of the chair should be dignified m demeanour, quick m arriving at a decision, and possessing sufficient force of character to enforce that decision. There is no reason to bolieve, so far as the past short session shows, that the House as at present constituted is lower m intelligence than its predecessors. Still at the same time it contains a good number of raw recruits who have yet to learn the rudiments of Parliamentary drill. For this reason it was more than usually necessary that the gentleman to be appointed to preside over the delibera tions of the Plouse m Committee should have those qualifications which Mr Smith distinctly lacks. It is well known that the Government desired to put up Mr .Fisher for the post, but that the party utterly refused to agree to this. The objection to the member for Wellington is easily understood. Although, during the last session, he showed himself strongly opposed to the late Ministry, it was impossible to forget that he had previously been a member of the Government, and that the position he took up was governed rather by personal feeling than political conviction. Under these circumstances the Liberal party may be forgiven for their mistake m taking up Mr Smith, but they atoned for their error by dropping him again as soon as they had proved thf-.ir strength m the House. The member for Waipawa obtained a majority, but the debate having been carried beyond the time for adjourn ment, the question could not be put, unless by the unanimous consent of the House. This consent was" withheld, and the' result is that the appointment will remain m abeyance till next session, when, no doubt, wiser counsels will prevail. The experience that new members have had of Parliamentary business, short as it has been, will have a salutary effect. There was, m fact, no necessity for making the chairman ship election, a party question. The choosing of a Speaker was an alto gether different affair. In this, one gentleman was proposed by each side of the House, and not the slightest doubt as to the capability of either to carry out the duties of" the office was hinted at. Major Steward may owe the position he occupies to the fact that the party he had served so faith fully for many years is now m power, but no pet son who knows anything about the matter would assert that he is not quite as competent to act as Speaker as Mr Rolleston conld be. In the case of the Chairmanship of Com mittees, however, the same argument could not have been brought forward. Mr Smith has had no experience of presiding m the House, while Mr Hamlin, his opponent, has hitherto given general satisfaction m carrying out such duties. The only reason for the rejection of the latter was that he was known to be a consistent sup porter of the Atkinson Ministry ; but we maintain that there was no cause for making this election a party ques tion. Then again, there was no imme diate reason for the appointment to be made this week. It was a foregone conclusion that the session would only last a few days, and a Chairman of Committees would not be required. Under these circumstances the Govern ment Party have done wisely to drop Mr Smith, and if there is any necessity for setting up an opponent to Mr Hamlin, it will be quite easy to find a better nominee m their ranks than the member for Waipawa.

Ashburton Live Stock Market.

Messrs Miles and Co., per Mr George Jameson, report:—Tuesday, 27th instant —Owing to harvest operations being m full swing, the attendance was very small m point of numbers, and the entry of stock limited, com prising about 1300 sheep and a few head of cattle. Fat sheep brought Addington Yard rates, and the enquiry for young orossbreds is very good indeed. Our entry comprised about 570 sheep, and our sales were as follows :— ■ 150 crossbred wethers and maiden ewes, each 12s; 30 do. do, each 10s 6d; 150 fac crossbred ewes at 8s Id, 8s 7d, to 8s lOd each ; 240 full-mouthed crossbred ewes, stores, at 5s 6d each.

MR D. THOMAS.

Mr D. Thomas reports upon the live stock market for the week ending January 30th, as follows :—On Tuesday at the ishburton Yards the usual weekly sale of live stock was held. There was a very small entry of stock submitted for the day's requirement. The attendance of the public was also small, and the purchasers that were there were unable to make up their minds as to what values they wouW have to giyQ-. for-sheep;

consequently a portion of a line of good two-tooths had to be passed out unsold, but have been cleared sinew at higher figures.' The total entry of sheep was J about 1300, of which 1 offered 976, and j sold 450 as follows :—ll6 merino ewes and 98 lambs, all counted, 3s (id each ; find 300 crossbred two-tooths 9s 6d each. Fat sheep, ewes, realised 7s to 10s, as per quality, and one nice lino of four-froo'-hs was passed out at 12s lOd each. There were only about seven head of cattle yarded, and what were sold had nearly to bo given away. Privately, during the week, I have sold 1363 two-tooths at lls, 124.5 do. at 10s 6d, 845 do. at 9s 6;1, &74 do. at 9s—most of them to go South. The demand that exists cannot be supplied foe a certain class of sheep, namely, those fit for turnips, and higher values will yet have to be paid, as we have not what is wanted m the district.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN. [per press association.] London, January 29 and 30. Sir Saul Samuel has purchased the lai'ge painting, by Hodges, the Royal Academician, of "The Death of Captain Cook." The Tyser steamer Hawkes Bay is loading at Antwerp for New Zealand. Mr Fitzger&ld, the Australian labor delegate, has succeeded m getting an interview with Mr Gladstone. The latter disagreed with the supposition that legislation is capable of settling disputes between capital and labor. He preferred judicious combination. Mr Gladstone empowered Mr Fitz gerald to convey his*, greeting to the Labor Societies of Australia. The Dock Companies are jointly seeking to impose exorbitant charges for discharging ship 3 from February Ist. 'Tho shipowners are up m. arms agaist the proposal. The French National loan of £21,000,000 was just snbscribed at, the minimum of 95£. | Mr Champion, m an article m the " Nineteenth Century," coinpax-es the Australian Unions to an army of lions lead by asses, the result was a crushing defeat, which has set back the inter colonial federation of labor for ten years. The employers are now welded m a solid irresistible force?. The "Pall Mall Gazette" states that a conference of delegates, repre senting a million of men connected with shipping, has resolved to imme diately take steps to paralyse trade until the shipowners' federation has ceased to make use of free labor

agencies. General Booth makes a formal beginning with his scheme to-morrow at King's Cross Receiving-house. Colonel Nolan, m the House of Commons, asked the Government to join with the other powers m reward ing Dr Koch for his discovery. Mr Smith said there were other'men of science equally as learned as Dr. Koch, and declined to assist. The Press favorably criticise Mr Fitzgerald's behaviour. The North British Railway Company lias promised to reinstate the men when vacancies occur, and agrees to discuss grievances with them and with draw the action for damages. The strikers are willing to accept these terms. The Company has lost eighty thousand by the strike. The Cale donian Company demands the uncon ditional surrender of the men. Baron De Worms, m answer to a question m the House of Commons, said the Government approves of the treatment of the Rev. Shirley Baker by Sir John Thurscon, High Commis sioner of the Western Pacific. Sir J. Fergusson, m the House of Commons, said the . Powers interested had consented to the nomination of a President at Apia. The Balfour Irish Fund is now £42,000. Madrid, January 30. Smallpox is ravaging the city. Three thousand deaths have occurred lately. Berlin, January 30. A Union is being formed here against the Anti-Semitic Association. Paris, January 29. Eyraud, found guilty of murdering Gouffe, has had the death sentence ' commuted. Washington, January 29. The dispute between Jay Gould and the Directors of the Stock Exchange at New York has been arranged. Washington, January 30. The McKinley tariff has lowered wages, and it is expected that the labor Unions will raise a protest. The Court, which is hearing the Behring Sea appeal case, has reserved its decision.

AUSTRALIAN.

Syj>ney, January 80. The Trades Hall is investigating cases of alleged sweating m the woollen trade. There was great excitement at Goul bourn over the hearing of the second charge against Captain Rossi of dis turbing the service m the Cathedral. People loudly cheered, Rossi, and hooted the magistrate. At one time violence against the latter was feared. A peti tion is being prepared for his removal from the Bench.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, January 30. The " Leading Wind " has been raised and towed to the wharf. There are still six or eight feet of water m her hold. The ship will be discharged and docked f )r examination. It- is announced that the Government Inspector of Mines lias laid informations against the manager of the collapsed coal mine at Huntley, and McLellan, Kay, and Montgomery, the three contractors for cutting the dip which collapsed. The cases will be heard at Huntley on Wed nesday, and are expected to occupy several days. Three boys, the eldest of whom was eleven and a half years, were ordered by Dr Giles, R.M., at the Police Court yesterday, to be birched for the larceny of some sacks, one of the boys being also sentenced to twenty-four hours' imprison ment. Four other boys were charged with breaking and entering a dwelling house and stealing therefrom. This case was remanded. Another charge against a boy of obtaining a box of tobacco by ! false pretences was also remanded. When ! these cases were before the Court Dr Giles remarked that there "seemed to be growing up a prolific production of future candidates for our gaols." The New Zealand Accident Insurance Company have declared a dividend at the rate of 12J per cent, per annum. New Plymouth, January 30. Boring operations at the petroleum works aye going ou steadily, ana good in*

dications of oil have been obtained. Double shifts will be started next week, and the manager expects fco be down to lOOOffc level m about six weeks. Tho,, bure is down 240 ft m sandstone stratai Oil is now seen floating on the surface of (.ho water brought up from 240 ft, and better indications are obtained every day. c Wellington, January 30. W.liter Doseury, teacher of music, was to-day committed for trial for forging the immo of Mr W. T. L. Travers, solicitor, to .«, cheque. Out of a shipment of 374 stoats and weasels consigned to the Wairarapa North, ltabbit Board only fifty arrived, thus en tailing a loss of several hundred pounds on the Board. The charge against Daniel Jobberns for obtaining goods from Arthur and Co. by alleged false pretences was dismissed, but the Magistrate stated it was competent for the plaintiff to prosecute under the Vexatious Indictment Act, 1879. Wektbpokt, January 30. There was a small rush to-day to Paki hia, on the south side cf the Bulled river, about three miles from town. The sink ing is about four feet and gold is found from the surface downwards. Several claims have been pegged out. Nothing is known yet of the value of the find or the extent of the ground. Hokitika, January 30. » Daily parties are bottoming on payable gold. The new rush looks exceedingly well. A'young man named Jamei Lennahan committed suicide at Dillinan's yesterday afternoon by setting fire to some fuse, putting the unlit endL into the neck of a flask of powder, ana placing the flask under his neck. Death was instantaneous. A well-known resident ot Hokitika, William Smith, a carpenter, was found dead m the river this afternoon. He went across m a boat to get a load of'drif t wood, and it is supposed that he noticed the boat got loose, and [swimming out to get it took cramp, and was drowned. Dunemn, January 30. 'the Hon. W. Copley, Minister for Crown Lands of South Australia, reached Dunedin to-night, and, after visiting the Catlin's and other districts, proceeds North. . A young man named William Guy died m the hospital this evening, having re ceived a severe thrust m the stomach from a bamboo cane wielded by a China mar). His injuries were at first thought not to be serious, but to-day he became so bad that an operation became necessary and his depositions were taken. Two Chinamen, Ah Yum, a fish hawker, and Gee Toy, a vegetable hawker, have been arrested. Guy states. that while he and another man were playing with a ball it accidentally struck one of the Chinamen, who became enraged and, getting the assistance of another man, attacked th« young men, when Guy received a thrust from a bamboo rod. Guy was twenty six years of age, a milkman, and resided with his parents.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[per press association.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

"Wellington, January 50, The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE COLONY'S BANKING CONTRACT. Replying to Mr Stevens, Mr Buckley said that the Government could not gire a definite answer as to whether it was their intention to continue or determine the hanking contract of the colony. The matter Avould be considered during the recess. SIR WILLIAM FITZHEJRBERT. Dr Pollen said that as the prorogation was close at hand, he would move that this Council desires to express its high appreciation and esteem for the very able manner m which Sir William Fitzherbert had so long discharged his duties, and ex pressed its sympathy and regret for the circumstances which led to his resigna tion. Mr Stevens seconded the motion, and ■poke m highly eulogistic terms of the late Speaker. The motion was* carried, and the Coun cil rose at 2.50 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. THK ADDRESS IN .REPLY. At 2.45 p.m., the Speaker, with the mover and seconder of the Address-in- Reply, proceeded to Government House for the purpose of presenting thp Address to the Governor, CHARGES AGAINST THE LATE PROPERTY " TAX COMMISSIONER. The Premier laid on the table a letter written by Sir Harry Atkinson to Mr Gilbert Mair, respecting the charges made by Mr Thompson, the member for Mars den, against Mr Sperrey, the late Property Tax Commissioner. Mr Thompson moved that an enquiry be held into the affair. After considerable discussion this was ageed to. MINISTERIAL S"AT^MENT. The Premier made a Ministerial state ment as to the progress of business. Ha said that he believed it was the desire of both sides of the House than an imme diate prorogation of Parliament should take place. There was no business of any importance on the Order Paper, and the Government proposed to adjourn at half-past fire o'clock that afternoon, and the prorogation would take place next day. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Saunders, the Premier said that the Government intended to con sider the question of amending the Stand ing Orders with a view to the better regu lation of debates m the House. They did nojb consider that any legislation waa necessary on the subject. The amend ments they would propose would not in terfere m any way with the rights of the minority ot the House. Replying to Mr Mackenzie (Clutha), the Premier said that a Bill would be brought m next session to legalise several titles on the East Coast which were rendered de fective through the action of the Native Lands Court. Mr Rees moved the adjournment of the House to enable him to speak on this question. During the course of the debate which followed ieveral members spoke strongly against the action of the late Government m removing police constables from place to place, thus causing great hardship, es pecially on the West Coast of the South Island. Replying to Mr G. F. Richardson, the Minister of' Lands, said that owing to the short time the Government had been m office he had not been able to bring down any amendment on the Land Act, but it would be his endeavour to minimise the evils that had sprung up m the shape of dummyism, and he should never allow any applicant to evade the» law. He should also hold an enquiry into the trans actions of the past two years, and if he found people m possession of lands il% gaily, he should have their leases cancelled. In reply to Mr Mills, the Premier pro mised to introduce a Bill next session, providing that the general body of electors receive the same privilege as sea men of voting under an electoral right between the nomination and the polling day. * In answer to other questions, it was stated, that the ■ Government did not in tend to abolish the stock tax on sheep; that steps would bo taken to have the electoral rolls puvged sit an early date ; and tbat next session the question of re form of the Legislative Council would be taken into consideration. The House adjourned at 6 p.m.

POLITICAL.

: r Roo ; v; CH (Inju] K alma) w tabled a •"•lion U, ( it- c-lcc, tlr.f iKcon.l.iot of ao l.iio Guv, nim ™tin Jvi^ the J'JjOs.Uivo Council .v > »pf>p U( , :ii s was u^UtK-ion-,1, highly 1 .ivWible House rV3'l£? °fth* Cffllll° 'jf Lh«

(rß'.{ I'ltK.Sft ASSOOIAT^.)

mi !,■• Wn™raMK, Jt»arv3l The Muustor of L M ,.h HtarSu a tour of inspection of the land r,ft" * f . cdony next, week, counuouc', i(1 South Islajid. • , m c-ao The '' Wtte" to-day for t ll y pro rogues Ptti'Jiainent until JfnUrn-f 2(J

The Epidemic Along Horses in Sydny.

Last week we published iSydnev cablegram relating to an epvlei. ca ]i e d "pink eye," which-had broken <; a noiur the horses m a number of the lai«raM P « of Sydney. The Sydney " H«)d" of last Wednesday h ives the follow, par ticulars concerning the oubbreaLJphe Sydney Tramway and Omnibus Wanv has at the present time 130 how s i c k with the complaint, which is kk™ as pink eye." The disorder is n* ne w here. Mr O. Rayson, the ma* e r of the company, considers that the ejemio id of the nature of influenza. Abe f our years ago it broke out m JS'ew Yoi an d paralysed the traffic. Two yearsjoit was experienced m Brisbane, falso broke out m the northern porti^ o f , South Australia about eighteen iiiths ago. The first appearance of the di^er m the Sydney Tramway and Onibus Company's horses was on Monday l e k at the Glebe stables. Since then 'ree horses have died, and last jnight ere were 130 disabled, but recovering. *he symptoms are that the. horse's eyebe come inflamed and distended, and)ie 'mner part of the (Jye gorged with bid. lhe nose becomes deadly cold, and g*r ally the hind-quarters are paralysed.tn some instances, however, the animal the use of his forelegs. The attack cq, a on quite suddenly, and horses that ci mence on a journey apparently quite 11 will all at once lose their power ando down on the road. The animals suff^ great deal from fever, and the horses tfc have died have been animals thai- h§ been bled. The attacks are not aec sanly fatal, but the horses have to b <nt looked after, and their strength kejt v It is thought that about three /eoi must elapse before the animals wi recoversufficient strength to resume 'or] but up to the present none of the hrst attacked have been able to do so.

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB.

Chkistchurch, January 3 For the Trotting Meeting at the S. w Grounds to-day, the weather was fine d there was a good attendance. Results- Maiden Handicap, of 20 boys ; t, miles.—Sunlight, 4sec, 1; Wakan Msec, 2; Ellen, 12sec,. 3. Fourte started, won by 50yds. Time, 5m 468ec. Dividend, £2 4s 6d. Lincoln Plate (harness), of 35 soys two miles.—Polly Plum, 20sec, 1 j Sun light, 15sec, 2 ; Home Rule, 18sec, 3. Twelve started ; won by a hundred yards. Tinie,*6min. Dividend, £9 6d. Selling Trot, of 15 soys ; two miles.-^ Dooa Thome, 40sec, 1; Staffordshire Lass, 28sec, 2; Thislixum, 40sec, 3. Thirteen started ; won easily. Time, 6min 29sec. Dividend, £418s. Association Ground's Cot (harness), of 60 soys; four miles.—Richmond, 115seo, 1; Cygnet, 95sec, 2; Kitty, 80sec, 3. Nine started; won by fifty yards. Calista broke badly, and ulti mately pulled up, Time, 12min I3sec. Dividend, £3 Us. Pony Handicap, of 15 soys ; one mile. —Parnell, owes 90yds, J ; Twilight, 270 yds, 2 ; Vanity, 250 yds, 3. Nineteen started; won by 100 yds. Time, 3min 36sec. Dividend, £2 5s 6d. Addington Plate, of 35 soys ; two miles.—Lady Warbeck, 55sec, 1; Hurri cane, 35sec, 2 ; Victor, scr.3. Thirteen started; won by 200 yds. Time, fimin 53sec. Dividend, £3 14s. Disposal Stakes (harness),oof 25f f25 soys ; two miles.—Miss Axe, 40sec, 1 j Moun tain Maid, 35sec, 2; Alma, 18sec, 3. Eleven started ; won by 200 yds. Time, 6min 35sec. Dividend, £2 Is 6d. ■ Electric Stakes, of 25 soya; one mile.—Nellie, 26sec, 1; Hurricane, 18sec, 2 ; Victor, scr., 3. Fifteen started; won by a neck. Time, 2min 59sec. Dividend. £53 9s. ' Mr D. O'Brien has purchased Calista, subject to a trial, for £200. The Ashburtonpony Farriell was sold, after winning, toR. Kay, Jun., for £50.

C.J.C. SUMMER MEETING.

THIS DAY, [FEB. PRESS ASSOCIATION,] Racecourse, January 31. The following are resulcs :— Hornby Welter Plate of 60 soys. One mile and a quarter. Bay King9sfc... ... ... 1 Crown Jewel Bsfc ... , 2 Harkaway lOsfc 41b ... ... 3 Time 2min 14|sec8. Middle Park Plate of 200 soys. Six furlongs. Florrie 2yrs 7st 71b 1 Palliser 3yrs Bsfc 41b 2 Cajolery 2yrs7st 71b ... 3 Midsummer Stakes, of 2 soys each with 150 soys added. One mile and a half. Prime Warden, 7st 121 b ... (Derrett) 1 Freedom Bst 41b ... ... (White) 2 Breadalbane, 6sfc 121 b ... (Kingham) 3 Time, 2min 38sec. Dividend, £5 13s and £5 19s 6d. Selling Race, of 50 soys; six furlongs. Enchantress (nil), Bsfc 121 b (Derretfc) 1 Drift (£SO), 9st 41b .... (Monachan) 2 Ben Trovato (£100), 9st 61b (White) 3 Melbourne, January 30. Don Giovan and St. Andrew have beeni scratched for the Newmarket Handicap, and Little Bernie for the Australian Cup.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[per press association.]

[Southland Freezing: Invebcargill, January 31. The Southland Frozen Meat Company pay a dividend of 8 per cent., absorbing £1003, and* carry forward nearly three thousand pounds. Nearly sixty thousand sheep and lambs were frozen during the year. Seven shipments were despatched, and more could have been sent, but scarcity of tonnage and coal during the strike interfered to some extent. The Hinemoa is expected at the Bluff to-morrow or Monday with news from the Macquarries. The Kakanui has now been away thirty-eight days, the Hinemoa ei^ht days. 3 Vlmara Storcihorea. ~ Timaku, January 31. Messrs McKerrow and Hannay, Rail way Commissioners, were intervied this morning by the chairman and other mem bers of the Farbor Board, m protest against their leasing store sites on the land reclaimed by the Board, and taken from them Avithout compensation for the enlargement of the railway yard. The Commissioners promised to consider the protest. The Mayor alro saw them m reference to the same matter from another point of view, pointing but the, injustice, to person^ wlw had buj^

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JANUARY SI, 1891.



STOCK-TAKING. REDUCTIONS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS For one Month. N E ',f Z E A T AJS D CLOTHING FACTORY *<ieT)l for tbo Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machinepf IV. IT. WEBBER 1 Manager



MONEY TO LEND. -ITONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of £100 to_£sooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Oflice. Christchurch. WITH TEETH JWtiHQUT TCLTH CHRISrOHCJICH DENTAL SURGERY. aCcrner of Oashel and High streets • s/m™ AND Co * "■'■ SURGEON DENTIST And nt Diinedin md Wustporfc WE have gained ihi FIRST AWARD " the Dunodin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical^ Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that re 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 painless and positively safe Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at small cost



Wanted ' CASH Ad erhsements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may bo Off™ WANTED, by young gin, situation as Nurse or Housemaid. —'Apply "Guardian/ Office. 1 181 ,3 TF.PHENS' BROS?~Market House" 73 have secured for this district the jclo ris^ht of selling the Kangra Valley Company's Ten. 1 106 MT«S TRAUMANN resumes Music La sons on Monday, February 2nd. Addru» Post Office, Ashburton. 1 172 MES F. MAKEIG, Wnkanui Road West, Resumes kewons m Piano forte and Singing, on MONDAY, Feb. 2nd. . j 1t166 rPRY the Great Drapery Side now on X »t H. C. Sboeiw. "ORT3SRNTS.— All holders of Tickets JL will oblige by bringing them mas »oon as possible.- H. C. Sbgehs, Melford House. ■ /POOLING and invigorating Ice Cream \J as made by H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, East Street. W* ANTED Known — Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at Tery low prices showing at " The Corner." ANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens •jadies and Children.—W. H. Collier. Q EGERS' Clearing Sale m all Depart O merits now on. One trial solicited. — Melford House. "TIT ANTED Known—The Cheapest W Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vaniaed Iron goods m Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannafork's, Burnett Street. A arge Stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron Ware goods made and repaired with tte3 atcfl. - WANTED every man m tho County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds. —Robert Axcorjt, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. B"~ OOTST BOOTH. "Keep you. feet Dry and s;»ve Doctor's Bills, have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashbur ton. T7-ALENTINES ! VALENTINES 1 at V L. F. Andrewes & Co. Just opened up a Large and Varied Assort ment to suit everybody. Sale of Surplus Stock shortly when Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, «fee, &c, will be offered at GREAT REDUCTIONS. L F. ANDREWES k Co.