The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1891. THE FINANCIAL YEAR.

To non-political financiers it is a continual wonder that there should bo any difficulty m apportioning to each year its proper items of revenue and expenditure. There are m the com mercial and financial worlds many firms and companies whose yearly transac tions exceed m volume those of the colony of New Zealand, yet it is only m the rarest instances that any questions arise such as those which appear to puzzle our financial authorities and their critics from year to year, and are more numerous and the opinions upon them more widely divergent when to the end of the financial year is added the complication of a change of Govern m»nt. Sir Harry Atkinson, by way of a last word at his opponents and suc cessors, addressed to his Excellency the Governor a particularly glowing ac count of the financial position of the colony, concluding with the assurance that, at the end of the financial year, there would be a surplus of £150,000. The document imposed upon nobody. It was too good to be true, even of a country governed for three years by such a heaven-born financier as Sir Harry Atkinson, and the present Government had not been a week m office when the rottenness of the figures on which the estimate was based be came evident. First of all came an imprest of . some £20,000 for salaries which Sir Harry had left out of ac count. Then there cropped up a sum of nearly £30,000 for absolutely neces sary works on the railways, which must have been met by the late Government had they remained a few days longer m office. Then came £10,000 for exchange on remittances to London, which any junior clerk would have known must be paid seeing that the remittances themselves were taken into account. That wonderful account " unauthorised expenditure," which was exhausted to the last shil ling, also swells the list of unconsidered trifles which were snapped up by the Atkinson Government. Other liabili ties which beyond question belong to the year just ended were ignored m Sir Harry Atkinson's estimate, and the sura total of these omissions on the expenditure side is so large a3 to wipe out more than one-half of his promised surplus. But the revenue side of Sir Harry's estimate has also proved fal lat ious. Railways have exceeded and stamps have come up to the estimate, but customs do not nearly reach the ex - Treasurer's estimate. The revenue is, however, purely a matter of estimate, but the mannAr_n£.-/lealina...wi*-J» *he eXpenUl ture, to which we have referred, can not be called finance; it is purely juggling with figures, such as would not be tolerated m a public company, and should not be permitted m dealing with the affairs of a country.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

No encampment passes away without some little fracas, and the encampment just closed at Palmerston North was no exception. The Salvation Army were the victims. The volunteers one evening played havoc with the Army's instruments and the big drum— that indispensable factor of the Army's music—suffered. It was no trouble for someone Jto put his foot through the drum. Tho Army made a claim for £7 damages, but whether they will succeed m obtaining , it is a matter of doubt.—"Post," Rehearsals for the production of the cantata "David" by the choir of the Pres byterian Church and their friends have been proceeding satisfactorily under the con ductorship of Mr L, Owen, whose abilities m this direction have already bsen demon strated to Ashburton audiences. The prin cipal solo parts will be taken by Mrs Crisp, Mr and Mrs Flower, Mr Millar, and Mr Black, and the chorus will be stronger then when the cantata was given three years ago. i The performance takea place m the Presby terian Qfoureh to-morrow evening. Mr Piimsoll stamps that his visit to Canada has so far modified his views thai} he will no longer press for the slaughter before shipment of lean cattle which arc sent ta England to be fattened on grass when the pasture season is over m the Dominion, but he still instst« on the abolition of the ocean-trade m fafc cattle. The Montreal live-stock shippers, m defence of their trade, have put fo/ward statistics showing the ex. fcremely low death rate on the regular steamship lines. In five years the the Allan Line took over 130,334 head of cattle, and 340 died, or about a third of 1 per cent; m ten years the Beaver Line carried 98,166 head, and 349 died, About the same propor tion ; while the mortality among sheep was 2^861 m 159,091, or nearly 2 per cent; m nine yeirs ihg Donaldson Line lost 641 out of 81,870, or J p«r cent j thg Thomson Line, 413 out qf 61,26,3, or g per cent; and the Temperjy and Ross Lines, 568 out of 27,309, or over a pei? cgat, Deducting the heavy losses on halfra-dozen stpamqrs last autumn, the lafcter percenta.ges would be much reduced. His Majesty the King of Siam has a very effective method of dealing with trouble some prophets, or of testing whether they be true or f^lse. The "Hongkong Daily Press " of Febyuaiy 0, cpntains intelligence from Bangkok, the capital of $ism, to the effect that " his Majesty haja issued an important order respecting the Chinese Chows, or sorcalled prophets, who, it is generally supposed, are connected with the secret societies, and lately caused so much excitement m the the bazaars by proclaiming that Bangkok was to be burnt to the ground, These fanatics, by some jugglery, pretend to mutilate their bodies, and publicly boast that they are omnipotent, and that neither fire nor sword destroys them. It is dffuculb fop the Government to peremptorily interfere with the representatives of those societies, whose members so largely predominate m Siam, but, whilst not strictly forbidding cheir recognition, his Majesty lias wisely ordained that m future none are to be looked upon as ' true prophets' unless they can i sit for half an hour m a burning fire and remain scathjesa. 1* Holloway's Ointment 4™ |?ij^ls,— These world-renowned remedies &re confi dently recommended to miners, navvies, and all who have to work underground, or where noxious atmospheres exist. The minute particles of coal op metal whioh permeate the air m such places tend to block up the lungs and air-tubes, giving rise to bronchitis, asthma, and palpitation of thel heart. In Hotyoway's remedies will be found a safe and easily used medicament,'for the penetrating properties of tb& pintment relieve the local congestions and |&c W>iJ4}y laxati ye effects of the pills cause the liver to act fpoely ? and the breath to become unembarrassed. By early resort to these remedies many ''a serious illness made be averted, aud Bou'ud pe|| of health maintained.

A special train will leave Timaru for Oamaru to-morrow, at 7.20 a.m. J Part of the young plantation at the Oamaru I racecourse was destroyed by fire on Sunday. A man m Brisbane has been fined £10 for saying he wan. a detective. - A Mr David Crisp, ot Hobart, is the happy possessor of a pony of the Welsh breed only twenty-seven inches high. At Footscray (Vie), a boy poured gun powder into the fire from a pocket containing 61b, when the lot went off. He is not ex pec tod to recover. The New South Wales Cricket Association have decided to give their patronage to the English team that is about to visit Australia, provided the visitors do not hold them re sponsible for incidental expenses. In a list of subscriptions (o the Sydenham Prohibition League Expense Fund we notice the following :—Ashburton Sons and Daughters of Temperance, £3 3s; Ashbur ton Branch New Zealand Alliance, £10. The proceedings m the Shelly Bay torpedo explosion enquiry began on Monday. The evidence is being taken m private, but from the position of the witnesses called it is evidently to be a thorough investigation into the circumstances. The Medical Conference, sitting a* Nelson, have resolved to drop the Medical Bill, and to advocate the amendment of the existing Medical Practitioners Registration Act, with a view to the formation of a Medical Council and to secure a higher standard of medical education. "Atlas," of the "World," is informed by a well-informed correspondent at Berlin that the story of Prince Bismark going to the Empress Frederick and "humiliating him self " by requesting her to interfere to pre vent his dismissal from office is simply the pureft of fictions. The "Oamaru Mail" understands that the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company have secured the contract for the manufacture of the Kharkee cloth for the new uniforms to be issued to the New Zealand volunteers. The New Zealand cloth will be a slightly yellower shade than that of yictoria, being more of a tussocky color. Owing to the illness of Mrs Ward, his Honor the Judge found it. necessary yester day to postpone further sittings of the District Court for a week. The points of law m the W. de B. Wilson cases heard yesterday are to be argued before hig Honor m Christchurch on a day to be fixed. The latter arrangement will be more convenient for counsel, who, m the cases involved, are all city lawyers. '•■"■■' A retiring New South Wales rabbit in spector was asked to fill up a certain depart mental return. Here is an extract from the papei sent m: — Question, "How many rabbits are there m your district ? " Answer, "Goodness only knows, I don't.' — Q., "What do you think the proper height for a rabbit-proof fcace?" A.., "Sufficiently high to prevent a man slinging rabbits over it. . While Dr Dale, of Birmingham, has been rebuking church goers for arriving late, a preacher of Salt Ste. Marie, m Michigan, has been bringing much more serious charges against members of his congregation. Sud denly stopping m the midst of a sermon the other evening he exclaimed m tones of anger —" There is flirting, talking, note-writing, gum-chewing, and visiting going on here, and I will stop until you get through." After fifteen minutes, the indignant minister fouud that they did not "get through," so he left the pnlpit and instructed trie janitor to turn the congregation out and lock the church up. The " Oamaru Mail" remarks that the name of the township of Feildiug seems to form a stumbling block to the spelling capacity of a number of its contemporaries. Four different journals, all from the North Island, cannot keep thee before the i. This recalls the story of the novelist Fielding's encounter on the question with his relative the then Earl of Denbigh. In answer to his lordships enquiry why the novelest spelled his naire differently to the way used by the titled branch of the family, the former anssvered that " it was probably because his was the only branch of the family who.knew how to spell," AH w«. same, the North TvUnA «o<rrxiehip Is named after the Denbigh family and spelled Feilding accordingly. A fashionable marriage took place near Melbourne recently when the Hon Rupert Carrington, a younger brother of Lord C&rrington, ex-Governor of New South Wales, was married to Miss Euith Horsfall, daughter of Mr J. S. Horsfall (formerly a director of Goldsbrough, Mort, and Co., and at present holding an important position m the New Zealand .Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Melbourne), at St. Matthew's Church, New Norfolk. The ceremony was of a private nature owing to the illness of the bride's mother. The young couple left for their honeymoon trip to England per the Ballaarat. During the day congratulatory telegrams were received from H.R.H. the Prince of JVales and from other English aristocratic acquaintances of the bridegroom.. The following extract from a report by the Melbourne ''Argus" of a Shearers' Union meeting is of interest, as shewing what sort of counsellors are conducting the agitation: —Mr W. Spence, president of the amalga mated Shearers' Union, said that if the shearers wanted a republic they could have it m a week, They had 10,000 men who were perfect horsemen, and all carried arms to shoot kangaroos for a living, and they could get 10,000 more m New South Wales. They could put a bulletin every spot of the six of hearts with a revolver. He had come there to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, as the only chance the shearers had of stating their case was from the platform. All the newspapers had to say were deliber ate untcuths, but it would not do for him or any other, labor leader to tell falsehoods. The shearers were merely living m camps because it was better than living singly, and they camped near railway stations so as to get rations from their friends m the south. At the monthly meeting of the New Zea land Trotting Association last night, a reply to a letter from the Association was received from the Colonial Secretary, appointing the Association the governiag body of trotting m New Zealand, An application for affiliation was received from the Canterbury Metropo litan Coursing Company, Limited. Mr Quill moved that the application be granted. The motion was not seconded, the delegates pre sent considering that there were already a sufficient number of Clubs m existence to meej; the requirements of the public. Mr tyefreifct'e,xp.lainfid fchafc eprtajn gentlemen m Papanui lia'd waited on liiji] i asking \t the Association would allow a new club to be started m Papanui, and he had advised them fo withold any application to the Association. Mr Quill then said that if thp application of the Coursing Company Vas not granted they I would do all m their power to upset what had been done by the Association. In connection with the International Miners' Congress dow sitting at Paris it is ! interesting to note the tone of jubilant con g'ratulatiohjsadogtsd \x\ a statement publishd m recent Home papers Qn j}he ga&t year's condition of the coal trade m Germany, I France, and JJelgium. It has everywhere been " highly satisfactory," The. syndicates are strong and flourishing, They have no fear of keeping up for a long time *'the present remunerative rates," There are no stocks and no large stores, These lordly "rings" keep a firm grip on the consumer, so that he must pay the price the syndicates may decree from time to time. It is a bright ' picture—for the capitalist. But what of the workmen who bring up the coal that is being so cunningly manipulated h) the interests of the coal owners, There has been no increase m wages. The Continental miners are steeped m poverty. The wealthy owners may combine and dominate the njarket as they please. The colliers are scarcely allowed to. m§o.fc If} d}sgp.3 tljelr qwh misery. When, therefore, f? selung prices are and haw ..long been at a iQvel which leaves a wide margin of'profit," is ty wonderful if the miner begins to think it fciin,G to nut m a claim for an increased share m ihe proceeds id hfa own labor ? JCeatinG'S Gqtoii Lozenges cur.c. '(Qoujjhj Asthma, Bronchitis, Medical' testlmbny states that no other medicine js so effectual m the cure of these dangerous malftdles, One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or tw<S at bedtime ensuaes rest. For relieving difficulty f breathing they are invaluable. They con tain'no opium nor any violent drug. v ; Sold by all Chemists, m tins| iV l|d ;.kujj!-tte 9<J •aeby : "-■■'' :!-!-': ■■^■■ n-^i-} ■'•<- ' " I

The Uriwera Country.

The visit of the Go ernor Co 4he for bidden country of the Uriweras has been markedly different m its incidents to those which attended the first European progress through it. That was m 1.868, when Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore crossed the country m pursuit of the bloody handed Te Kooti and his gang. The all conquering emollient of time has tamed the Uriweraa considerably since then, although they still warn us that they must nob be considered to be on visiting terms with us, nor will they have anything to do with our Land Courts. But m those days the welcome they gave our brave fellows was from the vifle and the spaar. The Governor was pretty well provided with creature comforts, but fair George Whitmore was one of tho-e who believed m the military maxim that the enemy's country should provide for the. invaders, and it may ba supposed that m this wild region the provision that the men would be able to secure did not cause them to let out many holes m their belts. One morning they had quite aGo 1-send. One who was m the rear tells us that he heard n shot or two m the front, and all hurried forward as as possible, virhen it was found that a cow had been shot. In the eagerness of the men to get a share of the beasi, the carcase could hardly be seen for the multitude of knives at work upon it, and m a very few minutes its bones were bare, and the still smoking steaks transferred to the men's haversacks. The Governor told the Uriweras that on his way he had shaken hands with Te Kooti. That was just what Sir George Whitmore would have liked to have done. They followed him close however through the narrow bush tracks and gorges of the country. The old villian never had such a time of nervous apprehension m his life as during his flight. Several times the colonial troops entered a village on the one side as Te Kooti took to the bush on the other, and it happened on more than one occasion that the Te Kooti band were obliged to leave their camp m the morn ing with auch precipitation as to leave their breakfasts m their colonial ovens or the troops. r There have been changes n the Native disposition since then but the Uriweras are not yet conquered. Another twenty years or less, however, and not only will' the visit of the then Governor be permitted but those European abomination, the swells of London with high white collars, trousers wide ab the pockets, and an air of general haw-haw-ness about them will be able to wander there, no Uriwera daring to make them afraid.—"Rangitikei Advocate. '

The Shearers' Agitation.

[PJ3R PRESS ASSOCIATION. ]

Brisbane, April 7- The correspondence impounded at the time of the arrest of the officers of the Shearers Union is of a most re volutionary character, and Recommends the resort to arms. It also mentioned that the Union would indicate to the shearers ia New South Wales when the time was ripe to adopt such a course. Sydney, April 7. The Pastoralists Union has received another proposal from Amalgamated Shearers asking that a Conference be held to discuss present differences.

Melbourne Notes.

(from our correspondent.)

I am neither a shareholder nor a deposi tor in the luckless Premier Permanent Building Association, and do not, there fore, bear any ill-will, on account of personal leases, towards the gentry who wrecked that institution. And if the Gourlays, the Murphys, and " borrowers " of that kidney are to go soot free there is no particular reason why Jimes Mirams should not be let down gently. If the men who had the money are to be left alone, why should theinen vrholetthemhave it be kicked ? Mr Lingridge also appears to be of this way of thinking. According to the "Argus" the pomt has been raised as to whether the term of im prisonment to which James Mirams has been sentenced includes the period which elapsed between his conviction on one charge and the termination of the second case in which he was a defendant. Two months elapsed from the time of the con viction of Mirams until he was sentenced, and throughout this period he was ad mitted to bail. Mr Langridge, the Chief Secretary, has made inquiries into the matter, and finds that it is customary for a prisoner's term of imprisonment to be calculated from the time of his conviction, and although a prisoner may be out on bail, he is regarded as being in the custody of his friends. The two months referred to will count therefore as portion of Mr Mirams' term of imprisonment. After this we may expect to hear that Dogherty's friends are stirring, and that he also will have his term of imprisonment shortened. Why not ? By the way, I suppose the treasurers of the Coilins street Independent Church have written off as a bad debt that £5000 which Mr Mirams promised to give to it. And what about the £50,000 G. W, Taylqr was to give ? G, W. T. has oleared out of Melbourne, and is living en prince in England. Collins street knows him no more. The question is : -Does he re member his promise to give £10,000 a year for five years—or wa's the perform ance made contingent upon the continu ance of the land boom ? Two or three amusing incidents in connection with visits of "gentlemen from the country" to the city have occurred during the week. First, I must mention the eccentric individual who went into the Union Bank, and demanded payment of a sum of money which he stated was lying to his credjt. He made mattery & the B.ank. for a quarter of an hqur hy knocking the iuesscha:er over, making frantic attempts to sel?:e the ledger-keeper by the hair, and threatening to pound the manager into minoemeat if he didn't 4{pay up." The poor fellow was arrested, and next morning fined a couple of pounds for his conduct. Then there was the elderly party who went to the Bijou Theatre with his dog, and purchased two stall tickets. T]py--man and dog — were quietly taking their seats when the manager of the theatre objected to the quadruped's presence there! The dog's master rose in anger, and claimed that as he had paid for two seats, he had a perfect right to plaoe "Jim" in one of fchem. "Jim," he urged, was always at his side, and he was not going to be parted from him now. Of cjurse man and dog were ejected from the theatre, but not-wifchoufe the aid of a polioeman, and the nex>; morning "Jim's" master was fined £2 in the Police Court, for creating a disturbance. Undoubtedly the manager of the theatre was right in objecting to "Jim," but one cannot help f eejing a touch of sympathy for the unsophisticated countryman. Not so for the foql who came tp town with £300 m his pockets and lost nearly the whole sum to a couple of spielers, who induced him to^play "a game with nine pieces of paper. It seems almost incredible that in these, enlightened clays any man can be so deiypaly ignorant of the snares of city life as to allow a couple of fellows, whom he had never seen before, to entice him into a publichouse in a by-way to play a game of chance so called. Talking about coun try-men, I must not forget to mention the death of Joseph Francis Sweeney, aii old time wa<?h tfriVer, w^U'lwrim throughout'j

the colony as one of Oobb and Co.'s reli able whips m the early days. The old fellow committed suicide the other day. He had been penniless for weeks before he threw himself into the sea and ended his w«r'dly troubles. It will interest many m the country—and m the other colonies, too, for the matter of chat, as the name is well-known all over Australia —to learn that "Cabbage-tree Ned," the. prince of coachdrivers m the fifties, is now a member of Doctor Carver's Wild West Company, at present exhibiting iv Sydney. Ked drives the coach which tie Indians attack on the imaginary prairie. M»rch 24.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(is* .press association.)

London, April 6. Mr Gladstone gives a most indignant { denial to the statement made by Mr j Parnell that a number of dynamiters visited him at Hawarden m 1886, and consulted him with reference to Home Rule proposals. Sir E. 0. N. Braddon, Agent- General for Tasmania, Sir Graham Berry (Victoria), Sir J. F. Garrick (Queensland), and Sir Dillon Bell (New Zealand) have been appointed to represent their respective Governments at the postal conference, which opens m Vienna m May. The Victorian loan is quoted at a premium of f per cent. Investors are l making enquiries with regard to the loan, and Sir G. Berry, the Agent- General, expects that it wijl realise between JE9B and £99. London, April 7. j General Booth, who has be»n suffer ing from influenza, is improving. The Colonies Committee set up by the House of Commons has reported that the condition of the United King dom does not warrant a general scheme of emigration. Sofia, April 6. M. Bendereff, who is looked upon J as one of the instigators of the assassi- I nation of M. BeltclefF, Minister of Finance, now states that the murder was an act of revenge on the part of certain sections m Bulgaria for the execution of Major Panitza for con spiring to dethrone Prince Ferdinand. He also says that similar outrages will be continued at intervals until Russia frees Bulgaria. Washington, April 6. Negotiations for the settlement of the Behring Sea fishery dispute on a reciprocal basis have abruptly termi nated, owing to the absence of Presi dent Harrison. Vienna. April 6. A general labor agitation is" taking place m Austria, and strikes m various trades are being organised. Several conflicts have occurred between labor agitators and the police.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 7. Mr Birch was presented to-night with an address at St. James' Hall, to which was appended a large number of signatures from various denominations. In his reply, he went into his strained relations with the Tabernacle people, but did not siy whether he was leaving Auckland or otherwise. Hokitika, April 7. The Bank of New Zealand shipped 563103s of gold, valued at £22,525. A miner named Robert McFarlane was found dead near his claim at Kanieri. At the inquest a verdict was returned of death from heart disease. Dtjnedin, April 7 Some clothes have been found on the* banks of the Clutha river, about half a mile from Balcutha, which have been identified by a swagger as those of his mate, whose name he could only give as "Mick." It is supposed the mnn has been drowned. In the vest was a watch and chain and m his coat a flask of whisky, a pipe, two purs-.es, some tobacco and cigars. Jonathan Snow, an elderly man. died ftt Outram to-day m a fit.

Solomon Islands.

ALLEGED CANNIBALISM,

(per press association.)

Sydney, April 7. News from the Solomon Islands states that Mr Howard, manager of the Stevens party, of Dunedin, has been murdered at Tigi Island. While two boats containing recruits were proceeding to a French schooner, lying off Tigi Island, the recruits capsized the boats m the surf and swam ashore. They barbarously murdered the boats' oxews as they landed, and it is believed that the bodies of the unfortunate men were afterwards cooked and eaten.

DISTRICT COURT

ASHB URTON—TUESDAY.

Before His Honor Judge Ward.)

IN BANKRUPTCY. In re W. de B, Wilson.—Motions \>o sec aside certain payments. M^ Russell, for the Deputy Ofljcial Assignee,« Mr Wilding fqr- Messrs Mitchell and Turner ; Mr Efaiper for Mr John Orr. These were motions for orders directing that the payments by bankrupt to Mitohell and Turner, on or about Bth October last, of £253 % Id and to John Orr of £218 12s be declared null and void, and that the respective amounts be re-paid by Mitchell and ( Turner and John Orr to the Official Assignee, together with costs incidental to the summons, on the ground that the payments by bankrupt were fraudulent under the 27th section of the Bankruptcy Act 1883 Amendment Act 1884, as amended by section 15 of the Amendment Act 1885. The cases were taken together and a jury of four was empanelled, com prising the following gentlemen :—Messrs T. Scaly (foreman), John Kilgour, Joseph Lloyd, and Samuel Mullins. » The hearing of the case la»ted until past six o'clqqk, and lengthy evidence was taken fchd long addresses were delivered to the jury by counsel. J. R. Colyer, clerk of the District Court, produced the documents m the bankruptcy, with which readers are ;al ready familiar, and J. C, iiell, Popiity Off(cia| Assignee, m crass-examination! by Mr Harper, said that if the sums ikr,v moved, for were obtained, they would only increase the indebtedness of bankrupt to tho bank, as the account was greatly over drawn and the securities held by the bank had by a recent application, to- the Cffcirfc been declared void. None of the monfeys pa|d Qn the cheques sued for had b^on paid out of funds m the estate other tfan what the bank supplied backed by Benny, Mitchell, and Orr as guarantors. * W. de B. Wilson, the bankrupt, Re tailed thri purchase, while sin partnership with John Davison, of 1200 acres of land for £6200, and m October of 1890, |he purchase of Maranui Batata from Tff,v

Cyril Hawdon for £13 100 j tho mortage of the latter estate and 400 acres more to the A. M. P. Association for £14,000 ; and the purchase of sheep from Mr Haw don. The sheep were mortgaged to the bank of Austrahasia for £1000, the bank receiving his brother-in-law Ross's guarantee for £1000, a stock mortgage over them, and a wool lien besides. On this arrangement, bankrupt drew. from thy bank up to the end of last September about £2500. About the 23rd of that month the bank made a demand and took possession. About the same time, he arranged With Hugo Friedlander, to whom he owed an old debt of about £1500, to take over the bank's securities, pay the reneral creditors 10s in the £1, /who were to take their chance of payment in full after shearing. Mr Friedlander ultimately drew out of this agreement and witness's father-in-law, Mr Benny, a farmer at Southbridge and a man of means, gave the bank a guarantee for £3200, in which guarantee he was joined by Messrs John Orr and William Mitchell. Mr Benny jrave Orr and Mitchell a bill each for £1000 as indemnification against loss by the guarantee when the sheep came to be realised. At this time there were bills current in Ore's hands to the amount of 10s in the £1 of the account witness owed him, and bills were also given by himself and Benny to Orr and Mitchell for the full amount of their accounts, including commission of £40 each they were to receive for acting as guarantors. Orr and Mitchell were to countersign all the cheques he drew. On the day following the giving of those bills, Orr and Mitchell came to Maranui, and said to Mr Benny and witness that they ought to hold cheques for the amount of their accounts instead of bills, and witness gave them cheques and got back the bills, which were desoroyed. Filed about five weeks afterwards. At the date of giving these cheques, owed about £3900 unsecured, ; without means to pay. Friedlander sued him, and he filed.* By Mr Wildine:—When the guarantee j was given knew that if his creditors had 1 come down then he would have been forced into bankruptcy, but did not expect this. The understanding between Orr and Mitchell and himself was that in., return for their guarantee they* were to be paid in full the accounts owed to them as well as £40 each commission. Had no intention whatever of giving them the least advantage over other creditors, and the sole motive in getting their guarantee j wi,s to enable liim to carry on. They got J cheques in return for their bills with the consent of all parties, witness signing them believing that the Bank was a party to it. By Mr Russell—Did not know that these cheques were to be cashed at once when he gave them, and when they were cashed, he saw Orr and Mitchell, pointing out his position. They said they could refund, and about £50 was refunded. Hugo Friedlander said that about six years ago he had transactions with Wil son and a mau named Davis, which re sulted in the firm of Davis and Wilson owing his firm about £1500. They jointly gave him a promissory note on demand. In September of last year agreed with Wilson to advance enough money to pay Wilson's creditors iOs'in the £1. Messrs Orr and Zander agreed to accept this. - Had also arranged to find funds to pay off the Bank, and the bank agreed to accept, but after enquiry did not consider the securities sufficient, and withdrew from the arrangement. Found out that Orr had taken steps to pay him self in full in an underhand way and tixed him with it. He said every man had a right to look after himself, and he had only done what any other man would have done. Henry Zander said Wilson was indebted to him about £160 last year. Arrange ments were made with witness, Orr, and Friedlander Bros by which he was to receive 10s in the £, but the arrange ments fell through In the end of October, saw Mitchell and Orr in the latter's office, and then learned that they had been paid in full. Told them that as he "had had the trouble with Wilson's estate in the past they should have " included liim in the arrangement. Orr told him he had heard that he (witness) had been unwilling to become a suwantor. Mr Russell here said that it" had been admitted by his learned friend that the Maranui run was worth no more than the first mortgage. John Orr gave evidence as to the pro posed arrangement with Friedlander, and also as to Benny andlfilson coming to his office after Friedlander's arrangement had fallen through, and pressing him to join ia a guarantee to the hank of £3200. Mitchell was also present. Pointed out that there was no advantage to be gained by him by doing so, but ultimately con sented (after having been at the bank and learned that the bank was pressing) on the understanding that his account was paid in full. At the bank, itwa#pointed out to witness that unless the account were guaranteed the Bank would sell the sheep at a sacrifice. Gave the guarantee with Mitchell and Benny, and Mitchell and witness received promissory notes for the open account of commission. Went to Westerfield with Mitchell and pointed out to, Benny that he had indemnified Mitchell and himself to the extent of the £500 of accounts, and £1000 besides, as well as for the £3200 they stood in with him for at the Bank. He said that was not what he meant, and the bills were in consequence handed back to Benny, and Wilson's cheques for the open accounts and commission were taken. The cheques , were afterwards cashed. The bill for £1000 was not destroyed. Offeifl wi Mitchell, if any one were wanted to cany on the estate, to step in and do so. By Mr Russell —Was quite aware that had the Bank sdldthe sheep there would have been difficulty on the pait of cre ditors, in getting paid; but witness had Benny's endorsement on Wilson's bill for 10s in the £. Wilson had said that Friedlander would pay the other 10n, Did not promise to give Friedlande* • release ior payment of 10s in the MX. Benny distinctly prom ised to pay all tha. Wilson owed to witness if witness signed the guarantee, and the bills mentioned were given after the guarantee wasi signed. Went to Tft esterfield simply to release Benny, believing that lie liad made himself responsible for more than he thought-^namely for £1500 instead of £1000. The £1000 was to cover all the indemnification on the part of Benny. By Mr Harper—Returned to Mr Benny the 10s in the £1 bill endorsed by him as well as the bill current. Wm Mitchell, partner in the firm of Mitchell and Turner, gave evidence similar to thac of Mr Orr in regard to the guarantee. By Mr Russell—Mr Benny wast liable to him up to £1000 if there were loss to , that amount at the bank. By oonsent of parties the following issues and answers were accepted as the findings of the jury;-- -I.—Was Wilson, at the .time he paid the cheques, to Orr and Mitchell, able to pay his debts from his own moneys as they i became duo ?—No. 2.—Did he file his petition in bank ruptcy within three months of the pay ment I—Yes. 3.—Was the payment made in the ordinary CouitiQ. of business by Wilson ?— No. 4.—Was he liable to pay the same on the day he did' pay them to Orr. and Mitchell?~No. ■'■ " s.—Was the; grantee signed by Orr and Mitchell in consideration ,of the pay ment of their current accounts and com mission for giving the guarantae ?— Yes. 6', —Were the p-omissory notes' which were signed by Benny and Wilson ftiven

>n pursuance of the above '''agreement 'I —■ 7.—Were the cheques signed by Wilson, Orr, and Mitchell given iv lieu of tha promissory notea ? Yea. B.—Were th«se cheques given m pur suance of the above agreement ?— 9.—Was the above agreement entered into, or were the above cheques paid with the view of giving Orr and Mitchell as | creditors a preference over the creditors ? Issues 8 and 9 w^re left to be iinswero.l by the Court, the points of law to be argued by Counsel before his Honor m Chnstchurch, on a day to be ap pointed. The Court then adjourned to Wednes day, 15t.hr April.

Wheat Supply and Demand.

In a "Bte.bjhm's List' recently to hand a detailed estimate of the wheat crops of the principil countries' at the world makes the total 267,800,000 qrs., and th« consumption 272,250,000 qrs , showingadenciencyofnearlyji,6oo,oooqrß. In this calculation full allowances are made for the crops m countries* from which no returns have yet been received, and particularly tor those which gather their harvest at che end of the old year or the beginning of the new one. Full crojis are put down for the Argentine Republic, where the outlook wan v*>ry alarming, owing to prolonged drought some few weeks ago, and for Chili and Australia, too. Moreover, the early estimates of even European countries are usually found too high when they come to be rectified, and probably the deficiency will be fully 6,000,000qr5, which will have to be made good by draw ing upon reserve stocks which were very light m most countries at the beginning of the cereal year. Under these circum stances., an average of 32s Id a quarter cannot be considered a sufficient one. Indeed, it is very disheartening to wkeat growera to see such an average m the face of the existing statistical position. *s it leads them to conclude that nothing short of a threatened wheat famine can send prices up materially.

The Federal Convention.

(PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Sydney, April 7. The Tariff clause was passed without alteration, although Mr Dibbs endea vored to cause the insertion of a section making the Victorian tariff the tariff of the Commonwealth until the Federal Parliament otherwise ordered it. The clause providing for freetrade between the colonies wa3 carried with out discussion. A long debate took place on the clause relating to the apportionment of surplus revenue. Sir T. Mcll wraith proposed—" That the colonies should be charged on a population basis, and that after deduct ing the expenses of the Federal Govern ment the surplus should; be handed back m proportion to the amount con tributed and not on a general average of the whole of Australia." A large part of the afternoon was occupied m debating the amendment. Captain Russell deprecated the narrow lines the discussion was follow ing. Since coming here members must confess their views had under gone material alteration, and the views of the colonies they represept would therefore require to undergo a similar alteration before they could accept federation. He considered that before coming to a conclusion the Conventioa ought to adjour.i for six months,.and m the meantime the Bill should be< submitted to the various colonies, by which means he believed the questions which a majority of the colonies went now unable to accept would be settled on a basis of compromise. The amendment was carried by 21 to 16, Sir J. C. Bray moved that the Federal Parliament determine the mode of distributing the surplus: This was carried and the clauses passed. Clauses relating to equality of trad© were passed. When the clauoe refer ring to the consolidation of public debts of State came up for considera tion. Sir J. C. Bray moved a new clans* —<s That the Commonwealth be liable for the public debts of each State existing at the time of this Act coming into operation, and that each State be liable to the Commonwealth for the amount if any by which the public debt owing by the State shall exceed tte amount of .; per head of the population of such State." Mr McMillan strongly condemned thf motion, which if oarried would do more than shatter the fabric they wet» attempting to erect. . . . After a lengthy discussion themotion was negatived on the voices, and the clause passed. ... Chapter 5-—The States clause, re lating to powers of Parliament, vali dity and inconsistency of existing laws> powers of Governors of respective colonies, were passed.

Conference of Freezing Companies.

. [PBR. PRESS ASSOCIATION.} Wellington A_inl7. A conference of delegates from the New Zealand Freezing Companies opened this morning. Dr Newman was elected Chairman, and Mr Waymouth/6f Christ church, Secretary. The-subjects to be discussed are—(lp The expediency of appointing an officer to inspect meat as delivered to ships, in order to obtain clean bills of lading and preclude sub sequent dispute as to whether the meab shall have beea properly frozen when shipped. (2) The effective survey of ships and ships' chambers prior to -receiving meat in New Zealand, and to require a guarantee from owners in respect of ships that shall have damaged meat previously. (3) The expediency of requiring that the existing practice of paynag premiums to captains and engineers for saving Coal bo abandoned, affording as it does a temptation to withhold coal so as to prejudice the safe carrying of meat. (4) That the captain be held responsible for trie supervision; of machinery and the temperatures of the chamber, during the voyage. (5) To provide- against the care less er improper handling of meat in dis charging it from ships or in docks, and to secure the systematic inspection of tem peratures in dock stores and machinery, and insulation of these stores, fS) The expediency of taking such united action as shall (secure the consent of shipowners to the payment of freight at the destination, and on the delivery of meat in good con dition, (X) Any other business in respect of which united action could apparently be taken in the mutual interest of the persons chiefly concerned in successfully carrying on and developing the New Zea ! land rnea.t trade- Thfi proceeding-, which are not opeae to the press, are expected to close to-morrow night. The result of the Conference will not be made known until the conclusion Qf. the sittings, -'•'-'

TH* ABHBPR.TON (HTATOPIAK, #KDyEBDAY, APBIL 8, 1801



-jITONEY 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 °ostmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Chriatchurch. "•



WntL^EETU jV;';HStJT T"C£TB CHRISrOHLBOH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High streets S. M TEii AND C - SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin and Westport fTTE have gained thi FIRST AWARD W " the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v:e guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Com*oktable Artificial Teeth Replaced Tempoiarily 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 fop Administration, ss. Extraction, $8 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by othC? dentists repaired or remodelled at small «o** . ; ,—-«- — ■ ■"""■'" ••• ■ AUTUMN, *891. LATEST NOVELTIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS 3STOW OIST VIEW AT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. XpYERYTHING new, New Shirts, JDj New Underclotning, New Scarfd and Bows, New Hats, New Suits for Men, New Suits for Boys. Everything new and of the LATEST FASHIONS. New Tweeds and Coatings for Measure Suits to hand. Inspection Respectfully Solicited. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W H. WEBBER, Manager



'Wanteti CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Ifftat this Off™ * i ANTED a good Cook and Laun*< * dress. Apply Mks Roberts* Westerfield. 4 60 WANTED to~sell, "300 "acres"good turnips. Apply Thomas Lano- MY, Dromore. 4+59 i ANTED a few dozen Sauce and \ Pickle Bottles.—Mks Whitting ton, next to Police Barracks. 4 58 T OST, on Easter Monday, a Lady's JLJ Plain Gold Bangle Finder will be rewarded by returning to D. Thomas 4_45 WANTED Known.—Mks J. Buch anan has opened as Fruiterer nd Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr and Co., East Sfcrect. ANTED^nown—That Andrew Okr is offering 80 Ladies Sealette Jackets, newest styles, at moderate prices. *§53 AJSTED Known.—lt you want good value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapest first-class Drapery m town.—H. C. Sbobks, Melford House. /POOLING and mvig©fating loe Cream \J aimade by H. G. Flowbr, Con tcti*ner, East Street. _ WANTED Known7~Miis~ J.~BucH anan, Fruiterer and Confectioner. Tea and coffee at all hours ; hot luncheon on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr and Co'f, Enst Street. JIJST opened a choice lot of Lad ie Plush Jatkets, newest shapes. Also a new lot of Ladies' Pelerines and Boas. —H. C. Seqeks, Melford House. ANTED Known—That Andrew Orr is appointed agent for the cele brated Standard Boots. Every pair guaranteed. 4*54 iif ANTED Known—Some special VV lines m choice Dress Gnods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." Tl7 ANTED Known.—'*/e are now VV opening all our new Winter Goods m Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c—fl. C. Sbgers, Melford Hous«. W~~ ANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeda.—Robert Axcohn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. WANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens Oadies and Children.—W. H. Collier. /"I LASS, Earthenware,' and China, j VJT direct from the Manufacturers. Robert Alcorn, T&\ Warehouse and ; Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. YjTANDSOME Presents given away ML m Jum. Now giving tic Vets to every purchaser of 5s and upwards of Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, etc. —H. O. Seger3, Melford House. __ ia/AJNTJ&JJ Known —That Andrew VY Orr is offering at as reat reduction 250 pairs of best Kaiapoi and Roslyn Blankets, contracted for when wool was at its lowest price. 4§52 /"^HtiAP SALE of Surplus Stock will \y be continued for this month only. Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Music, etc., at Wholesale Prices to effect a clear ance. Subscribers wanted for monthly parts of Leisure Hour, Quiver, Gar dener's Magazine, American Agriculturist, English Mechanic, and others.—-L. F. Andrewes & Co.



a ■ hi ps i H i !*«£ I r ° s , S iii h i CO W i GO I HI o I



Public Notices. CJ. Tltox*ntoii I"*w.tlleT LAND, ESTATE AND STOCK AGENT 161 Hereford S(reet, Chrißtchuroh I have suma of ««o ••ey to lend an gco<! Meuritjr ft low rates o interest S«!vera Farms for Sale TO LET, TOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS A WFXLIMPROVEDFARM, of 570 XJL Acres, At Mayfleld, all m English glasses. The Building* comprise seven roomed Dwelling House, Stable, Yards, *c The Farm is wtll-fenced and watered. Immediate possession Forparrioularft apply GEORGE JAMESON, Ashburten ~ FOB B*LE. ~~ Tjt« CORN, CAPE BARLEY, TARES, RAPE. This is the time for sowing. WANTED TO PURCHASE— last Season's Heavy Canadian OATS. __ JOHN G. RESTELL. Andrew Black WATCHMAKER, JEWELLER, AND OPTICIAN, East Street BfOnro Medallist for Watchmaking, London, 1887 AiWAYS on hand, a select stock of Jewellery at- moderate prices, comprising Ladies' Dress and Engage ment Rings, Gold and Silver Brooches, Gold and Silver Changs, Gents' Gold arid ilver Scarf Pins Pencil Cases, &c, &c A large and varied stock of Clocks m Marble and other designs. Rotheram's English Levers m Hunting Cases dust and damp proof. Spectacles and Eye Glasses to suit all sights. Watahes of •very description. Repeaters, Chrono graphs, &c., accurately and promptly repaired and adjusted. First-class repairs m Jewellery and Clocks. Electro-plating and Gilding. AIA WOKKDOKE OX THE PREMISES A Trial Solicited. ANDREW BLACK, WATCHMAKER, <fee.. EASTSTREE^ "THE CORNER," W. H. Collier HAS opened up the New Winter . Stock of Rugs, Blankets, Flannels, Quilts, Furs, Boots and Shoes?, Dress Stuffs m all the newestcolors. Hats and Bonnets m all the Latest Styles. Also showing a large purchase of ASSIGNED STOCK Of a Wholesale Warehouse, including Dent's 6-clasp " Orient" Kid Glova, \ usually 7s 6d, now 4s lid Turkey Twills, 4s 9d per doz, worth 6s 6d Holland Pinafores worth Is 6d, now j 6deach Fancy Aprons formerly 2s 6d, now Is each Ladies' Corsets 2s lid pair (the standard * price of this line is 4s 6d) Black Ribbon 2d, 3d, and 4d per yard, worth about three times this price Heavy Dress Cloths 7|d per yard, worth Is to Is 3d per yard Imitation Moleskin 3d per yard (formerly Is per yard) Children's Strap Slippers Is 3d And many other Special Lines. CALL AND SEE THEM. W. H. COLLIER • THE OORNBR...