The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1891. CURRENT TOPICS.

" Let us talk about the weather" sings one of Gilbert's characters. To day, everybody is talking about the nice rain that fell yesterday. We ■understand'that, with the exception of the fall on New Year's Day, 1890, it is the heaviest that has fallen for three -■■years.---- It will do a vast aniount of good, and indeed has come at a very critical time. Grass and grain alike were m need of moisture, and farmers' spirits are noticeably brighter since the rain came. Mr^ Ivey, of Lincoln College, says that his observations for a long series of years prove that the best crops are grown m seasons when there is a rainfall of• three or four inches m each of the spring months, August, September, October and November. Let us hope that the present will be a season of that sort.

It has long been held that rain could be brought on by violent con cussions m the air ; such as the firing of artillery, but it has been left for the Agricultural Department of the United States to take up the matter seriously. Tho mail brought news that experi ments were being conducted, the means used being the explosion of balloons m mid-air, and a certain degree of success had been attained. The cable message that we publish to-day evidently refers to the continuation of these experi ments with increased success. If rain can be made to fall by the explosion of a few pounds of dynamite sent up into the air by a balloon, there is no reason why the Canterbury plains should m future suf'e? from drought. We com mend the idea to the County Council.

The price of wheat is moving up wards again, and this is another fact that has a cheering effect upon farmers. Most of them have a good breadth of wheat sown this season, and the possi bility of something like four shillings a bushel next harvest is calculated to make them feel on good terms with themselves and their fellow creatures generally. There are strong indica tions at present that this very com fortable price will be obtainable, and give our farmers another step m the path of prosperity. It must not be forgotten, however, that India will have m the future to be reckoned with as a wheat-producing country, and the mistake of building up too sanguine hopes must not be made.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A public telephone station and bureau is now open at Belfast, Canterbury. A meeting of those interested m the Aah burtoti Working Men's Co-operative Society ! is called for Tuesday evening, There is no sign of the Auckland boot makers' strike ending. The estimated cost to the Unions to date is £5000. Lord Dunraven will not proceed this year with his intended moMon m the House of Lords m favour of the formation of a State Department of Labor. The maximum amount of alcohol, says Parkes, that a man rakes daily without injury to his health, is that contained m 2oz brandy, | pint of sherry, \ pint of claret, or 1 pints' of beer. Michael Healy, Jeremiah Healy, and Pat rick Rahally, of Headford, were arrested recently charged with seriously assaulting with stones a man named Henry Williams, who has been boycotted ever bince he gave evidence at the Parnell Commission m favor of the ••' Times." Another important sale of first-class farm ing laud is announced. Messrs Miles and Co. have received instructions to sell by auction, next December, 1234 acres of that well-known splendid property, the Alford Estate. Mr Edward Isaacs, a very old Victorian I and Auckland merchant, died at Auckland on Thursday morning, aged 71. He arrived m Victoria m 1842, founding here the well known firm of E. and A. Isaacs. He bad one daughter, who is the wife of Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. Mr Tregear's report to Ministers on the operations of the Labor Bureau for die month ending August 13, shows that the Bureau has forwarded 637 men to private employment, and placed a number besides on railway and relief works; m all having placed 1188 men. Mr Tregear repeats the testimony which he bore some time ago as to the excellent Salvationist work m the same direction.

I There was steady rain at Oamaru on ' Wednesday night ' and Thursday. The condition of the district as to crops and pasturage had previously been looked at with considerable anxiety, as no rain of any moment had fallen for the past three years and the present rainfall was the heaviest experienced during that time. The pas turage crops will receive an immense amount of benefit. The area m crop m the district is very large this season. The committee meeting called for yester day evening, at the Borough Chambers, for the purpose of establishing a United Board of Health, lapsed for want of a quorum. The only members present were Councillor Brooke (Ashburron Borough Council), Mr Donald McLean (Chairman of the Upper Ashburton Road Board), and Mr G. W. Andrews (Chairman of the Hampstead Town Board). No doubt the stormy night was responsible for the absence of the other delegates, and steps'should be taken to con vene another meeting forthwith. Mr Francis Yourrel, of Dublin, who arrived a( Chicago on June 29, tells a, re markable story. He says that m consequence of advertisements promising free passages and free farms he and thirteen friends left Dublin for Brazil, and French and Portuguse c nigranfcs were tike.n on board at various ports to the number of 1300. The vessel feft , Liverbool on Marcli U s and on her arrival at at an out of the way port m Brazil they were treated like galley slaves. They were thrown into dens where Russians a;«l 'Italians were dying of yellow fever, and were beaten with bludgeons. The free-farms were all humbug, the sole object of the advertisers being to procure slave labor for the coffee planters After several weeks of terrible hardship Yourrell and tnree others escaped to Santos and worked their passage to Santiago and thence to Baltimore. Wpiftng to the f'.Ags" (Melbourne) with reference' to the supposed suicide of Miss (not Mrs) Picketfc at peylojj, accounts of which have been cabled here, Mr J. IL Pickett, the brother of the deceased lady, says that the statements that have appeared are incorrect. Miss Pickett was filling the position of principal of the Blmddist High School at Ceylon at the time of her death, a position which shp had accepted of her own free will'and choice, ()n £he"24fch of .June last her body was found at fchq bottQin of a well m the garden attached to the school, and the jury that sat on the inquest returned a verdict of "Found drowned." fi/ htiis been made to appear m certain quarter* h«rc that Mis Pickett committed suicide, and it is this jjnp.ression that Mr Pickett wishes to remove. His sj^ter wf s perfectly happy and contented, ancjl Wall iii njind a#d b'p,<iy, besides with the teachings of Theosophy, to. which creed Miss Pickett belonged, niakg it a rnos£ hejnqus act to commit suicide. Mr P-ickett feels cepfajn that the unfortunate lady fell into the w&li by accident, '

A Turkish Quaker seems an a-uomaly novelty, yet it is reported that many Turks attend and a few take part m the Friends' meeting at Constantinople. The preaching is mainly m the Turkish language. A large shark, 13ft Gin long, was caught m the waters of Moreton Bay, - Queensland, some few weeks ago by Mr J. Crouch. On the animal being opened the following miscellaneous coll option was ißscovered :-- Twenty-one sea mullet, a. native bear, an opposs.um,uUirtlo's fin, an,iguana,'a wallaby, a ijarpet enake 3ft (Jin inlaagUi.-and several minor articles of commerce. ^-,. The monthly meeting of. the Fienriugton Temperance Society was hold on the ] 4th iiist. Rp.v A. Blake m the chair. The schoolroom was quite full, and a varied programme was gone through consisting of songs by the children, recitations, readings, and a dialogue m which seven persons took part, all 'pi which were excellent., A special feature was a violin solo by a young friend from Ashbur ton. Mr Sawle addressed the meeting. With respect to the revenue derived from the drink traffic lie asked if it was right, to derive revenue from that which is 'destruc tive ; and went on to show that there was a fallacy m connection with the argument from, ■revenue, as it was counterbalanced by loss,' and no real good was done. By the testi mony, of Canon Wilberforce, the State of Mainp, before prohibition was the poorest m the Union; to-day it is the ridie'st. Sir Morell McKeuzie held that no one should take alcohol bnt under the directions of a doctor. With reference 1 to (Jenoral Booth's project to raise the submerged tenth, an eminent London* minister had said that unless the drink traffic were stopped, there would be another tenth submerged. He also pointed out the-fallacy there was m drawing any argument m favour of .'com pensation- to publicans from the ir»oney paid at the time of the emancipation of the slaves m America. The* slaves were property Thhd were redeemed by the money paid, but the license of ■tile publican is only renewable annually. These are but a few points m an address which contained a great, deal of instruction. ; The best medicine is*i^Eiijider and Sons Euealpyti Extract.- Test its eminent power ful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.— the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. His Majesty the King of Italy and medical syndicates all over the world are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have-no occasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and univer sities, the official communications of the Consul General for Italy, at Melbourne; the diploma awarded by the International Exhibition Amsterdam-T-ali these are authentic docu ments, and, as siich, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated at the clinic of Schultz, M.D. Pro fessor, etc.-^'fC. 8., 24 years old; conges tional abscess On the thigh. Incisions made ia two places. Although Lister's dressing was applied, the secretion became, two days later, very copious, and had adopted a fcetid decomposed character. The temperature rose enormously. In consequence the dressing was removed and m its place were made during the day-time repeated irrigations with Eucalypti Extract. The offensive fceter dis appeared very soon, the fever abated within a few days, and the patient recovered after the lapse of Several weeks. In this instance we must not lose sight of the fact that the atter treatment saved the patient's life*'— Advt.) ■ 3 .

POLITICAL.

(FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORRES PONDENT.)

Wellington, August 21. LABOR BILLS. The Committed of the Legislative Council brought up their report on the Factories Bill tins afternoon, m which they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with crtain amendments. Tn clause 9, providing for '" notice to be given to inspectors with 'particulars of factory or workroom," the penalty fcr non-compliance m reduced from £50 to £'JO. Flour mills and sugar refineries are included m the exemptions from compul sory lime washing. In clause 36, com pelling the doors of the factory or workroom to be kept unfastened, the words " whilst work is going on m such factory or workroom " have been insetted. The minimum age of girls employed as. type setters has been reduced to fourteen. In clause 74, requiring claims for exemption from any provision of the Act to be publicly advertised, the provision that •they should also be communicated to the Trades and Labor Council of provincial districts has been struck out. These are the only material amendments made by the Committee. The Bill was ordered to be committed on Wednesday, FEMALE FRANCHISE. It is understood that Mr Fish intends to move an amendment to Sir John Hall's Female Franchise Bill, that women shall be eligible for election to the House, and for nomination to the Council. This is intended to throw ridicule on the Bill. THE SEACLIFF ASYLUM. A great part of the "afternoon was taken up with a discussion on a matter arising out of the charges made m a Dunedin newspaper against the Seacliff asylum authorities. Mr Fish-put question to the Hon. Mr Cadman, whether his attention had been called to a report of a conversa tion m a railway carriage between Magis trate Simpson and Dr McGregor. The Minister replied that he had been noti fied, but as the matter was interwoven with the Seacliff enquiry he would defer his reply till the report came up. Mr Scobie McKenzie characterised the pre- i aence of the question op the order paper as being as degrading to the House as the, eaye 5-droppin'g was to journalism. He credited Mr Fish with a good motive m asking the question, but regretted that instinct had not warned him off such a matter. He also thought the Minister should have absolutely refused to take cognisance of anything which had re ference to a private conversation over heard and made public. Several speakers followed iii a similar strain, among them Mr Fisher who thought the example of the British Parliament should be followed. Recently on an indecent question being placed on the order paper the' House re solved bhat the member m whose name it stood be not heard. Mr Fish defended himself by saying he wished to give the two officers referred to an opportunity of denying ihe allegation. l?he matter then dropped, Hie House unanimously agree'ng (hat the eavis-droppingand pub lication were exceptionally contemptible, 'and many expressing grave doubts of the veracity of the journalist publishing it. A great deal of interest is taken for and against Mr Hainercon, but there is a very large majority of members m favor of his removal from the position of Public Trustee, The opposition to the Govern ment's resolution arises lLore from social friendship towards the man than political opposition to the Government.

THE CHICAGO EXHIBITION.

JThe Board of Co&trol of|J|hte *' World's Dolurabian Exposition " ;do not* mean io allow any .stone to remain unturned which may help to further, the success af their big show.. They intend, 3vidently, that it shall wipe out,.all memory, of the great Paris Exhibition, xnd no project was e\;er vjorked m the iysteruat'c find persistent manner ■m which the organisers of the Chicago Fair have set to work. Ihe great " American nation," as citizens of the United States love to call themselves, do not, we believe, include modesty among the many virtues which are fostered under the star-spangled banner, and certainly there is no trace of it m the proceedings of the Exposition authorities. The United States has never until very recently shown any desire to cultivate commercial inter course with Australasia. Even a subsidy to the San Francisco mail service, by which the States benefit comrnerically m a tenfold degree com pared with Australasia, has been per sistently withheld ; atid, to crown all; an outrageous tariff has been imposed to prevent any possible chance of any of our products being able to compete m the American markets. Under all the circumstances the invitation con veyed by the Hon. Alexander Camp bell, the Special Commissioner to Australasia, to the repi'esentative bodies of Australasian colonies to send " an adequate display of their products, as illustrative of the variety and extent of the resources of the colonies," can scarcely be characterised as anything else than a piece of "Yankee im pudence." Mr Campbell, m a mani festo which has been telegraphed, throughout the colony by the Auckland agent of the Press Association, states that his mission is to demonstrate to the several Governments and other representative bodies the great benefits likely to -result from their sending collections of exhibits, and he dilates upon " the prime importance to Aus tralasia of cultivating commerce with America*, which would always afford a practically, unlimited market for the latter's products, its wool and tin m particular." It would have tended more^ directly to the end which our American cousins profess to have m view, ha,d they first of all removed or lowered the effectual barrier that they have raised against our products. True, Mr Campbell says that " though the close protectionist policy advocated by Colonel McKinley had. many sup porters* m the States, there was a growing majority who favored, if not actually free trade, at least reciprocal barker m regard to such staples as mentioned, and the regular articles which the colonies were wont to export from, America. When the colonies saw m its true light the great import ance of exporting direct to this great market, the present steam service would, good us ib was, soon prove m Lullicient, and a large fleet of passenger andcargo vessels of improved speed would be placed on the Australian-San Francisco route." A truly delightful prospect! Unfortunately the stern 'rea|ity of the McKinley tariff is a mulch clearer, if less pleasing, vision. sJi\der the present fiscal system of the United States, it is impossible that the original intention of these exhibitions can be kept m view. The object of the first' Great Exhibition, that of 1851, m London, was to- bring the nations to j gether and promote'the peace of the world by laying the foundations of international trade. The peace o? the world.will be the subject to be con sidered by one of the many congresses that areio be held during the Exposi tion period, and at it and some of the other congresses on social questions we hope New Zealand will be represented, but international trade can hold but a small place m the scheme. The inter national trade that the Chicago. Ex position is intended to extend is") of a one-sided sort, m which the United States will take all and give none of the advantages; New Zealand can well be content to look at this prospect fnom a distance. It is to be but a gigantic show, an attraction to traveUers and sightseers, and a means of bringing " foreign capital" into the States m general and the city of Chicago m particular. Nine-tenths of the "litera ture" which the " Publicity Depart ment " of the show is s.o industriously circulating bears out this view. Com merce is left m the back-ground, and the wonderful sights to be seen are expatiated upon m glowing terms. The Honorable Alexander Campbell will.have some difficulty m "demon strating," to the satisfaction of' the New Zealand Government at any rate, the "great benefits likely to result" from their spending money m exhibit ing at such a show,

COURSING.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION ]

I DIJNEDIN, August 20. The weather is very wet and the | atter.da.nce limited. The card was run [ once through. ! Champion Stakes ; winner, £50 and trophy valued at live guineas ; second, £20, and trophy valued at two guineas ; two dogs at £10 each.—Watermark beat Mariner, Laburnum beat Overend, Smokd beat Wee Sandy, Kinsman beat Bluecap, Bantam beat Stormy Night, Cora Lynn beat Stirling Maid. Carbine beat Biddy Alone The , Maiden Stake (51 dogs) is worth £120 ; the First Sapling Stake (16 doss) £32 ; and the Second Sapling Stake (12 dogs) £24. Dunei^i^, August 21. Champion. Stake—Second round.— Watermark beat Laburnum, Smoko beat Kinsman, Carbine boat Bantam, Cora Lynn a bye. Maiden' Stake.—The folio wins?: were left m after the second round :■— Winter Rose, Laurestina, Magnifold, Pine Apple, BeadonwelJ, Harrington, Carlo, Sprinol- stqn, Royal, Spruce, Sachem, Stamriore, Holyrood, King Bruce. The following survived the third round. —Winter Rose, Pine Apple, BeadonwelJ, Springston, Merrie England, Spruce, [ Sachem, King Bruce (a bye).

METHVEN COURSING CLUB.

At the coursing meeting at Mount } Hufct on Wednesday, the All-aged Stake was won by Mi- W. Fox's Promise, with Mr D. Cameron's Manton runner-up ; and the Puppy Stake was won by Mr Espey's Twilight, with Mr J. Gilchrist's (ns) Jubilee runner-up. A Supplementary Stake was won by Mr D. Cameron's Lady Yeiv. It wa3 a very, good day's sport. Mr P. Murray-Aynsiey a satisfactory judge.

SPORTING.

f'''/ SCiIATCHINGS. ;^^-J -~—- .... , , , /'IXIVEII riIF,SS ASSOCIATION.) ('. "' t ' . ■ i [ Mklijourne, August 20. Flinder^., has been scratched fur the Melbourne '.Cup, and Freedom (New Zealand) for/'jtlte Melbourne Cup and tho iiJanlneld'Cjup; ■; * - Lo-vnoN, Aiu_'ii%t 19. rriic racehorse Riuguiastcr li:is boon shipped to India.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(PER I'ilBSS ASSOCIATION]

■ 'Wellington,'' August 21. ■'' The C mncil met at 2.'3(X BILLS ADVANCED. : Tho Consolidated Stock Bill and the Lunatics Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The Post and Telegraph Classification Bill passed through Com mittee withojut amendment, was read » third time, &nd passed. Committal of the Shop Hours Bill was postponed till Wednesday,'

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

.. . : August 21. The Houss met at 2.30. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government had not, power to purchase large estates ; but they "hoped to' obtain that power under the Lf|nd for Settlement Bill; It was not the intention of Government to place' a suni on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of paying the chairmen of the various Committees of the House. < ? THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE. . Mr Ballance moved a resolution remov ing Mr R. C. Hamerton froni his office as Public Trustee. He said he regrettxjd.it had fallen to him to take steps for the removal of an officer who had for; years held office without a single 'charge! being brought, against him. After he had received the report of the Public Trust Commission, he felt it was not desirable m the public interest that Mr Hamerton should continue aa Public Trustee. Mr Hamerbon Tiad committed errors which, ill the Public Trustee, should not be overlooked; but ha was convinced the mistakes were not made with any evil intention, and there were no acts of corruption charged against him. With respest to the letter which had been read m the House that afternoon from Mr Hajnaerton," to the', effect'that lie had not been m a position to receive an impartial .hearing at the hands of the Commission, Mr Ballance pointed oub that Mr Hamer ton was afforded every opportunity to state his case before the Commission. He had no objection to Mr Hamerton being heard at the bar of the House it the House wished it ; and he hoped that lion, gentlemen would come to a con clusion without introducing any Jjarty feeling into the question. ; Captain Russell very much doubted whether the' House had power.to remove Mr Hamerton from his office under present conditions. In order to. test the question, he moved the following arnend inent:—"That, as no distinct, charges had been formulated against Mr Hamer ton, and as no evidence on oath had been taken -before the House, this House is of opinion" that Mr ■ Haniertoh's re^iovitl from office without having had an Oppor tunity of being heard at the bar of the House-would be" irregular arid unconsli tu'io'ial." He quoted from authorities at some length to prove that an officer who-held his office during good behaviour could only be removed by a distinct vote of both Houses, and on evidence taken before the House on oath, not at second hand ; and he contended- that evidence taken before a Royal Commission was second hand. ■' Like that of a Judge, the office of Public Trustee was a ministerial one, and was held during gojd.behaviour. Mr Rees held there was a great differ ence between the position of a Judge and that of a patent officer. A Judge could only bo removed on account of- mis behaviour, either m his office or out of it. The patent of the office of the Trust Department was not guarded by any such proviso, nor was, there any reason why it should be, ( . ...: Mr Ballance said he could not accept the amendment, and asked the House to carefully weigh the arguments adduced by Mr Rees with reference to the respec tive positions of a Judge and the Public Trustee, m deciding this case, without asking Mr Hamerton to appear at the bar of the House. He contended that Ministers were following a precedent of the House of Commons. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The Bouse resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the motion of Mr Duthie the debate on the Hamerton question was adjourned till Tuesday. ' ' ; PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. Mr B.allance moved the second reading of the Payment p,f Members Bill, He had long been an advocate of the payment of members, and he held that it was a just and proper principle. Government were nob making m any respect a new departure by this Bill, as for many years payment ;'9i members had prevailed m the* other Australasian colonies. As to the amount proposed to be paid, namely £240 a year for the House, and £150 for the Legisla tive Council,' he did not think ihj amount mentioned was too much for the members of the Legislative Council, as he was of opinion that that body should comprise a fair number of members representing tlio labor interest ; and £240 was only a fair remuneration for members of the Lower House who had to live m Wellington for the whole session. If.members were not fairly paid there would' only be one class of men who coukV afford to enter Parlia ment, and that would be against the in terests of democracy. He pointed out thabthe Bill would also prevent the scandal that arose out of two sessions, and the separate payment for each session, as pro vision was made for the £240 being paid yearly by monthly instalments. Mr Bryce supposed, he should be justi | fied m referring to this Bill as oae of the Government's policy measures. The Premier had referred"to Victoria, but the sessions there lasted eight or nine months, while the payment to members was: o,qly £300 per sujnum, Ab to, the argument that members were pub to much expense, lie pointed out that every member could attend to his own business directly the session was over, and surely he did. not require £240 a year to cover the expenses he was pub to. Eo one m the colony denied the right of members io re ceive moderate payment, although it was contended, m , many .quarters, that the amount fOrould not be so large as to place them. * under the head of professional politicians. He' protested against the lavish expenditure entered into by this Bill, m proposing to increase the pay ment to members of the Legislative Council. If the colony wag going fco pay ibs|enqrmous amount of interest, they were not justified m thrdwing-away its means m this manner. No doafot an increase of Ministers' salaries would follow this Bill as a matter of course ; but he failed to see how such a proposal could be m keeping with the policy of retrentchmenfc. He moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, i Mr Moore seconded theamendmoJai. Mr TarjAer qaid he had been returned to Parliament as one possessing some advanced ideas, but the Bill before the House waa altogether too advancac! for

him, and he thought. the pronpgAl.to in-' ctcise payment to feetatantfiftme with a pan icularly bad grace m face of the heavy Customs duties on-the neressiries of life. On this occasion lie should vote against Government. • . * '-,'. Mr Saundenj said Government not only put a whip but a cord into ihfy hamls of then- opponents by-biingiiur in%uch a'Bill ;is this.'- Ho^enw^'that any improvement wouM t*ke'^co "m the clhsr of,'members if this iiilPwere given effect .o. Ho woiil I not vote for the second reading, or any other stage of the Bill. tiir (1. Grey contended that without-pay- j iiientof members there would be no free iii£fci£uTi.on-s», and-ftrgreafc amount of talent w u'd be lost to the country. He 'Jiought the amount of payment should be left for the Committee to fix. Mr Swan •■said'his opinion was that the greatest talkers m the House were the smallest workers, and ho should propose m Commifctee that the member be paid at per folio of " Hansard." His proposal was that each member should be allowed to fill a certain number of pages of " Han sard " durinsr the session, affi a deduc tion of say £5 or £10 per page should ha made from the honorarium for every page over the limit. Several other members also spoke, among the number being Mr Wv P. Reeves, who said the Ministers had no deigire to raise their own salaries, but were I content to wait till circumstances justi fied their being raised to their former amount. . ;.• :r, .Tii'e amendment was lost by 24 to 33. The following is the division lts^: — For the amendment—Bryce, Buchanan, Duthie, Fergus, Hall, Harkness; Mac .avthur, Mackenzie, T., McGuire, Mere dith, Mills, J., Moore, Newman, Khodes, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Swan, Tanner, Thompson, It., Thompson, T M Thomson,..l.W M Valentine, Wright.—24. Against tho amendment — Ballanco- Baick, Cadman, Carncro.ss, Carroll, Daw sen, Duncan, Earnshaw, Fish, Fisher, Grey, Guinness, Hall-Jones, Hamlin, Hogg, Houston, Hutchison, VV M Joyce, Kapa, Kelly, J,, Relly, W., Mackintosh, Mills?, C.H., Parata, Perceval, Piukerton, Rees, Reeves, R.H.J., Reeves, W. P., Seddon, Shera, Smith, W.C., Taylor—33. Pan-s -For—Lawry, Mitchelson* Mac-^ konzie, M. J. S., Wilson, Hutchison, G., Russell. Against—Smith, E. M., Ward, McKenzie, J., O'Oonor, McDonald, Fraser. The second reading was carried by 33 to 22. On the question being put that the Bill bo committed on Tuesday, Mr Fergus moved that the Bill be committed that day three months. Lost on the voices. The House rose at 1.10 a.m.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PJSR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

THE FRENCH FLEET'S VISIT.

, ' London. August 20. The British and French fleets have arrived at Spithead and exchaaged salutes. Tiie meeting of the two squadrons presented a grand spectacle. The ships anchored <>ff:Osbome for the day, •■'■ ;. ■■■■. • The Duke of Gonnaught welcomed the French Fleet, consisting of seven .'vessels.;; :. i M. Waddinsjion, the French Ambas sador, Admiral Grervaise, and the senior officers of the French fleet, paid an official visit to the Queen at Osborne shortly after the arrival.'!of the squad roiit - ■'■■■'' Her Majesty the Queen, with the Princesses Louise rand Beatrice, re ceived the visitors at Osborne. Later in the day the officers were welcomed by those attached to ;the English fleet. Th 6 reception of the French fleet at. Spithead has induced a better tone in the French press, ?and the leading newspapers consider that Lord Salis bury is endeavouring to demonstrate that England is free from political ties. THE HOP CROP. Tha prospects of the Kentish hop crop are the best for years. TRISH AFFAIRS. O'Biien urges Parnell to keep the case of evicted tenants above party conflicts. He is willing to co-operate with any proposal for the apportion ment of the money in the Faris banks. ILLNESS... . : , Hr Justice Hawkins is seriously ill GLADSTONE AJSD PARNELL. Mr Gladstone has made an equivocal answer to the charges of Mr Parnell. SHOCKING EXECUTION SCENE. Oonway, the Liverpool murderer, was executed to-day, and made a fall confession of his guilt. The execution was attended with a deplorable sight. The head of the unfortunate man was aJinost torn from his body. When the hangman, Berry, saw the distressing condition, he shouted to the authorities to remove the press* representatives. B.erry blamed the officials for the bungle, and states that they insisted un too much d?op. THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the British Association for the, Advancement of Science is being held at Cardiff. Dr William Huggins, the president elect, delivered a splendid address on spectro scopic astronomy,, a branch of science with which his name had been parti cularly connected. He stated that the discovery of the gelatine dry plate had opened a pathway to astronomy un known before and even undreamed of. The coming year would be memorable for the beginning of plutographic charts and catalogue of the heavens. Dr. Huggins referred in complimentary terms to the work of Mr Russell, the Government Astronomer of New South Wales. ROYAL. BETROTHAL. ] t is rumored that the betrothal of Prince Ferdinand of Rou mania to the Princess Mary of Edinburgh will be announced early in September. ; PRODUCTION AND DISTRI BUTION. At a conference between the labour and co-operative societies it; was re solved to effect a closer union between distributive towns and productive societies, * <

THE SOCIALIST CONGRESS.

Brussels, August 20. The Socialist Congress has resolved to organise a permanent labor cony misssion m every country, for the pur pose or collecting and exchanging in formation. ' . ■ The Socialist Congposs resolved to enquire into the best means of develop ing and unifying the working classeSj to* promote legislation to unite the Workers of the world and secure their emancipation from We system wh.igfc

forces workers to receive a pittance of wage m return for their labor.

THE ZUYDER ZEE.

Thk Ha hut, August 2f», The new Dutch Cabinet proposes to take up m earnest the often talked-of project of draining the Zuyder Zee.

THE GRAIN SUPPLY.

. Berlin, August 20. A majority of the German" Cabinet urge the Emperor to suspend the corn duties for three months despite Yon Caprivi's refusal to do so. ;' '" Commercial depression is expected m Germany as tue result of the fluctuations m the grain market. St. Petersburg, August 20. It is proposed toestablish a Minister of Agriculture m Russia, to grapple with the agrarian problem. Russia is buying grain m such quantities as to create quite a war scare. London, August 20. The London wheat market is as suming a strong tone, Washington, August 20. The price of red winter wheat m the United States has advanced 4s per quarter. ;

FOREST FIRES IN ALGIERS.

Algiers, August 20. Thirty-five thousand acres of timber have been burned at Auummisso, and the fire is still spreading.

CRETAN AFFAIRS.

Athens, August 20. Both Mussulmans and Christians m Crete, are appealing for British protec tion.

THE VATICAN AND THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Rome, August 20. The reason the Vatican . denied hostility towards the Triple Alliance is alleged to be fear lest it should cause schism among the German catholics.

THE REPUBLICAN PRO GRAMMME.

Washington, August 20. The Republicans of Pennsylvania have endorsed Mr Blame for President, the McKinley Tariff, and free coinage ; also duties to prevent America being made a dumping ground for the world's silver. THE TNDIATS T NATIVE PRESS. Calcutta, August 20. Tiie trial of « Bungabasti" for sedi tion has begun. The defendant pleaded " ]?ot cuilty."

DUELLING.

Paris, August 20. Dr Tannerinsulted a Captain Picard at a Boulogne casino, and Was chal lenged in consequence. A duel Is being arranged. The dispute between Dr Tanner and Captain Picard, arose through the former grumbling about the heat of the room. Dr Tanner remarked that it was only Prussians who could make the French open their windows. Captain Picard demanded the withdrawal of the expression, which Dr Tanner refused to do. The affair ended in mutual apolo gies. -"I DISASTROUS HURRICANE. News has been received from the West Indies of a hurricane at Mar tinique. Every vessel at St. * Pierre was destroyed, and the townf much damaged. Many persons were Trilled. Later information confirms the des truction of vessels at Martinique. Altogether thirteen vessels were swamped.

EGYPT.

Cairo, August 20. The Egyptian patriotic committee urge an appeal to the Powers m the event of. Lord Salisbury refusing to open negotiations again for the evacua tion of the country.

CHINA AND FOREIGNERS.

Hong Kong, August 20. The Chinese Government nas in structed its Ambassador at Berlin to protest against Germany joining the other powers without grounds, and to state that no Germans were injured during the recent riots.

CANADA AND THE STATES.

Ottawa, August 20. Premier Abbott, has, it is reported, instructed fcsir Julian Pauncefort, British Minister at Washington, that the Government is willing to institute reciprocity with the United States in articles not imported largely from Eng land, and also offers free access for American fishermen to Canadian waters.  -, , THE CANADIAN SCANDALS. Mr Arnold, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, and Mr Bronskill, head of the Stationery Department of the Government; have been dismissed , over the Canadian scandals. v In the, House of Commons Mr Hugh Cameron, member for Inverness, Nova Scotia,. is moving to impeach Mr Edward Cochrane, member for North umberland, for the alleged selling of Government positions in, his district. The evidence given by the bankers in the Baie Chaileur railway scandal is damaging to the Hon. W. Merrier, Premier of Quebec, and M. Pacaud his financial manager. Two ofticsials in the Government printing bureau in this city have been suspended on a. charge of accepting positions, .

THE CHINESE TROUBLES.

PeKin, August 19 t The Lmperor of China refrains from yielding to European pressure because he is doubtful of the loyalty of the provinces, and a .movement against his rebellious subjects may imperil his dynasty. New York, August 19. The«Kew York Herald's" Shan* hia correspondent says that tho situa tion at Pekin is grave. The recent edict is a dead letter. The Province of Hunan is the centre . of disaffection, whence-tha present trouble is bein» Stirred up. . High officials are m favour of a pure-bred Chinaman being elected Emperor, and the present Tartar dynasty expelled There are twenty foreign warships in the Yang-tee-Kian^ and only a demonstration in force wiJI procure redress. . "''] ARTIFICIAL RAIN! - . New ¥6kk; August 20. lorrentsof ram have been produced .during a cloudless sky in Texas hj the explosion Q f dynamite from a balloon,

THE ASHBTJBTOJV GUARDIAN, SATUBUAT, AITCTBT 22, 1891



Hollo way's Pills.—Teaching of Ex perience—The united testimony of thous! amis, extending over forty years, most strongly recommends these Pills as the best purifiers, the mildest aperients, and the surest restoratives. They never prqye delusive, or give merely temporary relief, but attack all ailments of the stomach, lungs! heart, and bowels m the onlj safe and legitimate way, by depurating the blood and so eradicating those impurities wliich are ttye source and constituent of almost every digeage. Their medicinal efficacy is wonderful m renovating enfeebled constitu tions. Their aation embraces all tl|at is desirable m a household medicine. They expel every noxious and effete matter; and ' thus the strength is nurtured and the energies stimulated. True economy. To purchase Countess i Tea for two shillings.. Freo from any ex cess cf as'tringericy. ' Teas free from any excess of astringency South British Tea Company's pure bfends All slove eepers,



INinian Hyslo;>, and Co.'s "Imperial Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from he Tea Plantations.—(A'ivt,)



Public Notices. • v ►» uu ■ ■ !* to- 'tl , I Ou p t3 n Ti T3 « OJ CO CO H"J co w ao oo od to • tx3 HH« (M rj* ■* p Q-, O ... W 02 $ :::::: o fu rt ' w '. '' ' P 3 EXj WSO S q & W w >%&&% rt a ffl « Mm I i I aH g X $ e«a,o 4i 4i gE S3 M (-H O ■ -flj P. of ©03 ° O sss^ci g 3 g *<Si3a |S § i ■■■•7^ SSSScf' I | j '•w p Rococo a 5q i—( i &<£s&§ *- of , . ». r* ss eh w ii'- '- '■■ 15 1 .3 ' ■ §S. H2 f._ S M H^OQ^P 3 § S £• §>



WANTED Known—H. Dudley will sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot.— H. Dudley, Moore Street, 6§54 /~^HEAP READING for all Classes— \.J Hundreds of Back Numbers of Monthly and Quarterly Periodicals at Half Price. Several volumes of Standard Works at Cost Price to reduce our Large Stock. Photo and Scrap Albums, Photo Frames —L. F. Andrewes & Co., Stationers' Hall.



T3OSLYN, Mfesgiel, Kaiapoi, and Ash JL\ burton Tweed Suits made to fniy order from selected patterns. Long and narrow and short and wide as well as ordinary sizes from 40s cash. Robert Alcorn, Anli burton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30, upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all desariptious. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hardley, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East < treet. r 6 [202



WANTED Known—Girls' Boots 2s lid, Ladies' French Shoes3s lid, Gents' Shoes 5s 6d ; at Andrew Urr's Cheap Sale. 6 214 WANTED Known.—That for quality, assortment, and price see Andrew Orr's large stock of Millinery, Clothing, and Boots. No presents, no bribes, but good value.— Andrew Orr. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranceed ; from 52s 61 cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings.



[FINEST Cod Liver Oil. Chest and JD Lung Protectors. Chilblain" lini ments. Brooke, Chemist, Ashburton. S^\ LORIOUS News.—Just purchased a KjT Dunedin Warehouseman's Stock of 90 Pieces French Cashmeres and Merinos at less than half price. Will fee sold during the cheap sale at Is 10|d ; regular puje 3s 9d.—Andrew Orr.



WANTED Known.—Call and secure bargains of Winter Drapery at the Greatf Sale at W. H. Collier's, " The Corner." WAN.Tau- Known—A Melford House Sale will be a genuine Cheap one, it will be to your advantage to call early.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. jiEXTENSION of Premises. Cheap jQj Sale now on at the opening of new Shop. Come and judge for yourselvts. H. 0. Segers.



THE party who borrowed Saunders' Work on Poultry from G. T. Smith is requested to return same to " Mail " Office. 8 136 WANIED, every man m tne district to order a Kaiapoi or Roslyn Tweed Suit. Also* Boys' Suites and Gents' Overcoats m great variety.—Andrew Orr. T~GE Cream off Cough drops on. Un I doubtedly Hie best. EL G. Flowbr," Confectioner East:. Street. W' ANTED KNOWN.—I~ have for Sale all kinds Seed and Feed Oats, Oaten Sheaf and Straw Chaff, at lowest current rates.—J. Heseltinb, Ashburton and Tin wald. 8 Jllß W" ANTED Known.— Having com pleted the alteration of premises we are opening with a genuine cheap sale. Come and see. H. C. Segers, Melford House.



"S^TEW «tock of Birthday 800k.% cloth ■jL\ and leather bindings, suitable for presents, Dream Books, Letter Writers, etc.—H. M. Jones. WANTED Known -Oiutorid "The Prodigal Son," Will Not be peated on Sunday, as previously an nounced. 8 141 A SHBURTON-.WeJeyan Church.— JTjL Sunday, August 23. 11 a.m., Rev S. Lawby ; 6.30 p.m., Rev J. H. Gray. __ " 8 139 WANTED Known—Borough School Closed to 31st instant, after examination. • 8 140



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under chis beadite not exceeding SIXTEEN •, WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Mtat this Office. WANTED Known.—Blankets and Flannels great bargains at.Anoeew ; Oku s. "" ; AN rj^Knov^~(JreaT~CTe^ring. Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—W. TT. Collier. T OST, an old-fashioned Brooch with Jl_J yellow stone. Finder please return bo Mk Shuuy. 8-125



I AM PREPARED TO SUPPLY all the ABOVE MENTIONED ARTICLES IN QUANTITIES TO SUIT PURCHASERS on LIBERAL TERMS. Inspected Invited. John G-. Restell OFFlCE—Arcade. ).  , STORKS-W W ti Street.| Ashburton.



John G. Eestell 1H AYE FOR SALE AT THfi LOWEST CURRENT RATES, All Station and Farm Requisites of the BEST QUALITY. BED CIOVEtt, COW GRASS, VLSIKE, BYE GRASS, COCKS FOOT, RAPE, ABERDEEN, DEVONSHIRE STONE, and SWEDE TURNIP SEED, MUSTV^D SEED, &c, &c. tiSest and kidney seed U and TABLE POTATOES. CAPE BARLEY, SEED OATS, and WHEAT. BONE DUST and SUPERPHOS PHATE of LIME, /^ORN SACKS, Full Weights. •TT|TOOL PACKS, Full Size. "TT7 OOL PACKS, Three-quarter Size m EWING TWINE.



CIGAR DIVAN AND FANCY GOODS EMPORIUM. HARRY FRIEDLANDER has re ceived a large consignment of New Goods m all Departments, and while thanking both old and new patrons for the hearty support accorded to him fiince ©commencing Business, would take this opportunity to MVIKJB ItdPKCfIOJI Every kind of Tobaccp known to users ;. the weed of the very best quality pro curable m the American Markets. A" full Stock of Pipes fco suit tvery i taste, and an abundant supply of Smokers' Requisites. CIGARS of the very best Brands; also CIGARETTES of every description, in cluding the latest "Temple Bar." |s Practised m our Siloon as an Art, and Ladies and Gentlemen will find that the taste and skill of an ab Professor are at heir service. Examination of our samples of Hair* v ork will bear out this btatenient. Licensed to Sell STAMPS. SALOVSDU COIFBURE EAST STREET.



"~~ THE STANDARD 'JBHre «§c Marine Insurance Company OF NEW ZEALAND 1 With Unlimited Liability of Shareholders. |CAPITAL-£I,QQO,OOp-STERIING. "FpIRE and Marine Risks accepted on JD all descriptions of Property and Merchandise; also Crop, Stack, and Machine Risks at Lowest Rates of Premium. Fidelity of Persons Holding Situ a ltions of Trust Guaranteed 7 ARCHIBALD SCOTT, Manager for Canterbury. ROBERT ALCORN, Agent, 114 Saunders' Buildings, Ashburton. Trees.' .Irees. _ THE undersigned has much pleasure m offering a large stock of th® fbllow ing trees, plants, etc., which arc' now ready for planting:—Apples are all twice graited on blight proof stocks and guaranteed to keep clear of the woolly aphis blight on roots. Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, Pears, Plums and Quinces of all leading varities ; Goose berries and Currantb ; Grape-Vines of the best varieties. Pinus Insignis, 1 and 2 year old, Larch 1, 2, and 3-year-old, Finus Laricis, Abies White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Menziesii; also 100,000 Macrocarpa 1 year, a grand line ; and 30,000 2 years transplanted, the best m the district. (Jomo and moo for yourselves. All kinds of ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Roses, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Jas mines, Honeysuckles, Araucaria Im bricata, etc. Also the newest, and leading varieties m Chrysanthemums. N.B. Orders may be left with Mr W. C. Davis or Mr R. Alcorn, East street. All ordeis by post shall receive my prpmpt Attention. Catalogues on application" JAMES PORTER, Clifton Nursery; Allenton Ashburton.



William /gardner, illiam Gardner, grahams road, T I N W A L D, —HAS FOR SALE— FOBEST Sc FJRTJIT XREES IN GREAT VARIETY. PLANTING DONE AS USUAL. Also >n Hand CHoice Cal>t>»ere FlantH 1 Now ready fop Planting Out. TyrONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of £100 TO_jßsooo ?or further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. 0. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office, Chrisfcchurch.



THE ART NEEDLEWORK AND F\"NCY REPOSITORY, / CONTAINS the Lntesb Novelties m V Fancy and ArfcistisNeedlework direct frora Homt. In addition to the above Mrs Adams Has opened special Lines m APRONS, PINAFORES, Ladles', Children's and Infants' CLOTHING. SOCKS and STOCKINGS knitted by latest iirproved Knitting Machine. Agent for Mesdames Weis^el and liutterick's cut paper patterns*, and for thf. Eclipse Dyo Works. Registry Office for Servants). EAST STREET, ASHBUKTQN*



Public Notices. j WANTED Known.—J. Nicholas (late ! with J. Moison) Bootmaker, has opened m shop late T. Chambers, East street. All orders for Boots and Shoes, or repairs, will be promptly executed at moderate charges. A trial solicited. 7 165