The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1891. CURRENT TOPICS.

The congress of delegates of School Committees and others iuterested, to consider the important question of making Elementary Agricultural science a subject for teaching m the higherstaudards m the primary schools, is fixed to be held on Saturday, August 15. It is unnecessary for us to go over the arguments m favor of all who are interested m the future well-being of the country taking steps to be repre sented at the congress, ■'•chool Com mittees that have nob yet appointed delegates should do so at once. Mr J. R. Wilkinson deserves every support m the steps Ise lias taken to initiate active interest m the subject, and that, the result of the deliberations will not be fruitless is certain, the Minister of Education having expressed the desire to be furnished with a report of the proceedings. It will be remembered that the conference of Christchurch School Committees passed resolutions similar to those which Mr Wilkinson proposes to submit here. Ih another column some further particulars, m the form of a circular to School Com mittees, will be found. The full report of Mi- Wright's speech m the Financial Debate has been placed m the hands of most of his constituents, and will no doubt be the subject of criticism. It is, as Mr Wright's speeches almost invariably are, a clear, business-like exposition of his yiew.s, and m its dealing with the financial proposals on the Government it is one of the best speeches of the debate, from the Opposition side. Some of hjis conclusions are open to argument, and hjs illustrations -are of the exceptional nature that prove the rule rather than the contrary, Mr Grigg himself says that his is an exceptional case; and as for the Islington Meat Works, they cannot be us«d as an illus tration of the working of the Land Tax any more than can the Aslib'-irton Woollen Factory—rthey will, we take it, come under the category of manu facturing concerns. The question of freehold versus leasehold is m Mr Wright's view much m favor of the former, and he gives very good reasons, but omits any nqtice of the fact that , one of the chief contributing causes to the recent depression was the msh of eyerybody who had money to buy freehold land, leaving themselves with out working capital, and ultimately being eateu out by the mortgage. Mr Wright evinces a«i desire to promote the welfare of smaii s^tlprs, i whose importance as a class he fully recognises. We may refer at another 1 timeto sGn?e of Mr Wright's arguments.; i The hint that comes from Sydney, that the Californians are looking to the: possibility of again shipping wheat to Sydney, will not cause our farmers much care. Tito, price at which the wheat can be delivered m Sydney is 1 above the present value there, which is j a fact that is not calculated to lead to: business, Jn New Zealand stocks of i wheafc are very ljght for the period of. the year, indeed suggestions ljave Leen ; made that we will flu/ 1 ourselves short before next harvest, and while we do not think that; will h& the ease. }ye can scarcely have much to spare iov Aus tralia. The last venture m importing wheat from California to Sydney was not so successful as to cause similar speculations to be lightly entered into m future, and we are inclined to regard the present announcement as a bear dodge"

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A trial of Reid and Gray's digging plough will take place next Tuesday iii "Mr Rule's paddock, comer of Princes strcetfiltd Smith's road (late Netherby Farm). A Loudon tradesman recently received an order for sixty rfour pairs of shoes for the daughter of the Grand Duke Paul of Russia, a child less than a year old. The Minister of Agriculture has written "to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association that he will not take steps to declare the colony free from sheep scab till after next shearing. The following is how a happy father gives utterance to his feelings m the "Otago Daily Times":-—" Gwtone.-On the 19th July, at her residence, Palmerston, the wife of Mr J. T. Gwynne, of a son. —Vive le roi!—Oh, rest and be thankful!" At a meeting of the Oainaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association, called to consider the recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture, it was decided to take ho action regarding the ,land tax proposals, of the Government, as it would bring the society into the discussion of politics, the members holding that the proper place for that would be a public meeting. A cigar, if it is a good one, made of pure tobacco leaf, contains valeric, acetic, butyric formic, proprioric, prussic, and carbolic :ici<"s creosote, ammonia, sulphurated hydrogen, pyridene, virtdine, picoline, and rabidine ! If all. this'accumulation of horrors is to be found m a pure cigar, smokers will probably be a craid to ask what an adulterated one contains. Mr E. M. Smith, the member for Taranaki, informed the House the other day that there were too many young women m his district for the young men—Mr Buekland said it was no wonder the young men had left New Plymouth ; and the women wouM go too as soon as they could ; and a whirl wind would come, perhaps, some day, and blow the few old fossils that remained into the sea. Members and former members of the Fire Brigade are requested to meet at the Brigade Station to-morrow afternoon at half-past two, to attend the funeral of the late Mr George Parkin, who was one of the founders and for many years the Treasurer of the original Brigade. The Oddfellows, of which Order Mr Parkin was a prominent member, are summoned to meet at their Hall at a quarter past two for a similar purpose. Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, at the Oddfellows' Hall, a series of transformation scenes, illustrative of the Tarawera eruption and destruction of the Rotomahaha pink terraces, will bo shown, and Mr Crook, of Cliristchurch, will exhibit his celebrated lime-light views. The enter tainment is m connection with the Art Union promoted by Mr J. L. Higgs, by whom the transformation scenes have been painted, and ticket holders will be admitted the fi^st night free. John Cooper (of Oainaru) wrote to the Wo itaki County Council offering to kill small birds on behalf of the Council at a remunera tion of £1 per thousand, birds to be taken from any place where the Council might mention. He added that he had been accustomed to killing birds m the Old Country, and had all the appliances handy. It was resolved to accept the offer for a month's trial, the birds to be delivered to the member for the riding m which they are taken, or to the clerk. The modern alchemist, an American named painter, who is charged with attempting to defraud Mr Streeter, of Loudon, of £40,000, was agaui brought before the magistrate at Marlborough street on June 2. Evidence was given of his having bought a quantity of " Brown gold " m a powder, such as is em ployed m painting upon porcelain, from the manager of the Sheffield Smelting Company m Clerkenwell. Dr Dupro said a sufficient quantity of this powder would have tjie effect of changing a melted sovereign into a lump of gold worth three sovereigns. The prisoner was committed for trial. Our unemployed difficulty (writes our Melbourne correspondent) is practically over. Mr Minim's frank offer to find work for a!l who wanted k, and his stringent enquiry into the circumstances of those who piof jssed to do so have settled the business. Of tho 5000 nnemploye 1 only 687 entered their names as applicants, and of those enquiry showed that 200 were m work already. I'orthe4B7 remaining Mr Munro will find work at once. But as I have already said, the really poor will go near Mr Munro. They tramp the streets fro:n morning until night begging for] a job whenever they can see a chance of finding a listener, anil sometimes ti'ying to borrow or beg a shilling if they see a sympathising friend. They are the last people in' the world to beg anything of Mr Munro; just as he is the last man m the world to give, anything away, and the consequence is that none of the unemployed who want work or want to get back into the life of decent competence which is produced by hard labour will ever go near the Treasury.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

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(Received July 25, i.0.15 a.m.)

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION.

London, July 24. Mr Brand, Radical, has been elected for Wisbeach by a majority of 260 over Mr Duncan, the Tory candidate.

BIGAMY CONVICTION QUASHED.

In the appeal case, Rev Mr McLeod y. Attorney-General of New South Wales, the conviction of the former, who was arrested m New Zealand for bigamy, was quashed, with costs, on the ground of want of jurisdiction.

A MILLIONAIRE'S DEATH.

Washington, July 23. The autopsy ordered by the Snpre'm* Court of the United States shows that McHcnry the millionaire, whose body was exhumed, died a natural death.

SPORTING.

VIOroRIAN GRANt) NATIONAL MEETING.

(I'EK TBESS ASSOCIATION] Mklbouknp; ; July 24. The following U fcho result of the Grand National Hukulk Race, of 1500 soys. Three miles. Crusoe, 9st 121 b 1 Ooldleap, 95121 b ... ... 2 £or6y, J.Ost9lb ... ... 3

Keatino's Ooiutit iozh'sokh euros Cough Asthma, Bronchitis. ■ Mmlical t^stimoiir spates that no otlier medicine is so ettootual m the cure of these dangerous maladies One J4ficv r ge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensuacs v^b, For relieving difficulty o jDreathing'.they arfe ihyal.uai^lj?. They con tain J).Q om'uin 1191* any' violent ■'drug. '" Sold by aljl v Gly?i»fe'fs/w> tpifs, "is J^d $nd" 2s ;9d each

POLITICAL.

FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORRES . PONDENT.)

Wellington, -July 21. THK MCDONNELL CIAIM. The Public Petitions (M to Z) Com mittee reported upon the petition of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, to the effect that m their opinion he is entitled to receive a pension from the time of the institul.ion of the pro-ess m 1869. They recommend thai, the fiimira of his pension be paid to li'iii by the Government. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. The Bill providing for the payment of Legislative Councillors at £150 per annum, and members of the House at £240, provides also that the amount shall be payable m equal monthly instalments; also that the actual travelling expenses to and from Parliament shall be paid to each member; further, that the honorarium shall nob be touchable as a security or pledge or m execution. appraisers' biij. The Appraisers' Bill, introduced by the Hon. Air Seddon, provides that all appraisers must be licensed, or not act, under a penalty. . Applbationsfor licenses must be made to the 1 >cal authority, to whom the fees are payable. The fees to be reduced if the applicant be an auctioneer. Appraisements must be made on stamped material. False appraise ments rer.der the appraisers liable to punishment as misdemeanants. f/UDCJE EDWARDS' CASE. A return submitted to-day of the cost of die Edwards' appeal shows -Coat of reporting, £73 5s ; passage of reporters, £13 12s ; printing, affidavit, etc., £152 7s 6d ; paid to counsel, to H. B. Yogel, and to Crown Solicitor, nil. This was m re | ply to Mr Fisher, and the Minister of •Justine said the return was necessarily in complete at present. NEW PLYMOUTH. Mr E. M. Smith, the energetic re presentative of Taranaki, m asking Go vernment to get one of the squadron to call at New Plymouth, paid his-.district had been too long unnoticed (laughter), and it. was time lie put its claims forward. He could assure the Government the ship would be received with a cordial welcome (hear hear). Such a visit would strengthen the bonds existing between the mother country and the navy of the colony, (laughter aid applause). Mr Seddon re plying said he would not like to expose ono of the ships to danger, and wanted more information about the soundings m the harbor where a dredge had been needed. Mr Smith gave a "lowing account of the district, where just by the Sugar-Loaf rock there was forty feeb of watar, with a rise of twenty-one feet, and where dredg ing was workmg wonders ;"" where also," he .pursued, "we have wine—prize wine -r-from our grapes." (Loud laughter and applause). MrSeddonlaughinglypromised to see what could be done. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The second reading of this Bill was the first order of the day, bu 1" on its being cilled by the clerk Sir Georte Grey got up an 1 pointed out that h n. members were as yefc little acquainted with the new and important Bill, and that it might be well if the Premier would adjourn the debate. The Premier replied th.a 1; he would be happy at the wish of the House to do so, and Sir George moved accordingly, and half suggested that the Premier sliouH make a speech m explanation of the proposals, which would enable members to understand the Bill, better. The Premier ratorted with some asperity that ha had no explanation to give; the Bill sooke for itself, The House sanctioned the adjournment of the debate, and re sumed the discussion of the Land Bill. ■Wellington, July2s. The debate on the Land Bill want on. the Opposition showing a very fixed de termination bo carry outthe deba'«, and the Government equally fixed extermination to go to adivision. Mr Valentine having spoken one hour and a half, Mr fish at half-pa.st two called attention to the presence of strangers m the gallavies, and the House divided, tho result being 38 to 15. With much alacrity, the "Hansard" staff and newspaper reporters Hed. This move was probably made m the interest sf the "Hansard" men. who had had very hard work sinre three o'clock m the afternoon. The scene after the clearance of the galleiies was very lively. Members be came recriminatory, and some violent laugua«e was indulged m Mr McKenzie was vigorous and the Government firm. It is generally believed this is merely a prelude to a gcod deal of stormy weather

THE UNEMPLOYED.

The bulletins issued by the Govern ment labor bureau, giving information respecting a quantity of work, princi pally m the bush m the North Island, have led the " New Zealand Times " to rush to the conclusion that there is plenty of work for all willing hands, that the unemployed "live m the land of bunkum," and that the exodus is made up of people who will not work \ when they have ttje chance. We re- gret exceedingly the attitude that our contemporary has taken up on this question. It will be quoted by those who are as ignorant of the re d state of affairs £is he appears to be as proof that the well-intentioned efforts of the Government to provide work for those m want of it, are so much trouble and expense thrown away. For the last two or three years everybody lias been aware that plenty of bush work was to be had m the North Island, and good wages were to be made. Many stout working-men from. Canterbury went northwards, and so far as money went did very well, but their accounts of the rough life deterred any but the most robu.it from following them. It is not every man who is physically fitted iov bush work, and we are of opinion that very few men who are so fitted are to be found among the unemployed, Many such have been among the departures for Australia, where mining and town work are the attractions rather than agricultural occupations, Our unemployed are for tha moat pavt men who never are m regular work. They consist to a very large extent of failure's from almost every patli of life —fanners,' cjerks, shopmen, ana. broken down or half-ti'ainect meohaii|c!s 'and tradesmen' pred'omiuatihg. A veiy large proportion are naturally, or from misfortune or their' own faults,' far fipu.} I'Q^ust physically. Of what use ik 'It to jbell such njei'f ff« t^e^e £ljat there is plenty of work for them m the | foujjh? They cp,.n manage to do a' bit oi work at sijeaving time, tjai'Vfjstjng, fchriasjjing, chaffrcutjblng, and sq on, but a hard day's v/qi?k js beyond thfeir powers. For them the Village Settle ment sghpme is particularly adapted. They are year by year becqujing less able to rough it, and with horues and as much land as they can cultivate themselves, they can get as much work m ordinary seasons as will maintain them. But jtl#s season formers, who are our principal employers, of }abor ; have no money to spend ? and the an employed cry is consequently heard., Its intensity is best shown by the report of the Salvation Army laboi' bureau, which states that m the first

month's operations upwards of three hundred applications were received, and ' employment could be found for less than one hundred. The labor market is no doubt m a healt'.y state ,m the Wellington province, but before our contemporary calls for the closing .of the recently-instituted department' he should look beyond the limits ot" his own district. He would find a very considerable number of men willing to work, but for whom work within the limit of their powers is not forthcom ing. This fact is " the new develop ment that must be faced " —notythat of men refusing to take bush-felling— and it is a problem that will not be solved by rash statements of badly informed newspaper writers. I

THE MARKETS.

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London, July 23. The Bank of England returns published to-day show the reserve to be £17,2(34,000, being an increase of £1,312,000 ate com pared with the previous week. The pro portion of reserve to liabilities i* 42 per cent. Consols, 95h Three months' bills are discounted tt 2J; per cent. Business is restricted. New Zealand 4 per cents, 105 ;3i per cents 94. New Zealand lon^-bemed wheat is quiet at 41s. For cargoes on passage sellers are asking 40s 6d, but buyers offer. 403. South Australian wheat is flat at 43s 6.1. Victoiian is also flat at 41s 6d. New Zealand hemp is m poor demand, and shows a decline of 10s per ton. Frozen mutton, Canterbury, 4§d per lb ; lamb 4|d. Beef, forequarters, 3|d. No. 1 best Scotch pig iron, f.o,b. m Hie Clyda, is quiet at 47s 3d.

Grain and Produce.

The following is the Corn Exchange- Report for the week ending July 24. The market for all cereals ia without any appre ciable alteration. Wheat is only dealt with m a hand to mouth manner, while Oats are weak, our southern neighbours doing nearly all the trade m this line. Baklky, as is usual at this season, is not readily sought for, although any prime lines can be placed at oar quotations. Bkans and Peas have a fair enquiry, and prime samples, if hand threshed, can be readily placed. Grass Seeds and Colonial Clovers for spring sowing, are now well under notice, and the latter, m sympathy with the en hanced values of imported seed, show a slight increase. Potatoes are having a bad time of it, and there seems little probability of holders obtaining anything like remunera tive prices this, season. Quotations are as follows -.—Wheat, Tuscan, 4s 3d ; Pearl, 4s Id: Hunter's, 4s. O;its, milling, Is lOil; short feed, Is 8d ; other sorts, Is 7d to Is •tf.l; Barley, malting, 2s 9d to 3s ; feed, Is 6cl to 2s; Beans, 2s 9d ; Peas, 2s9d to2s lOd, feed, 2s Gd ; Grass Seed, machine dressed, 5a 3d to 5s 6d ; Cocksfoot, 4^l to si<l; Potatoes, nominally 17s (kl at country stations. Dairy Produce, unaltered. The above prices are f.0.b., excepting potatoes; sacks extra.

Ashburton Markets.

MESSRS FKIEDLAJNCER BROS. Messrs Friedlander Bros, report upon the live stock market for the week ending July 2*4 :—At the Tinwald Yards on Tuesday last the entry of all classes of sheep amounted close up to 5000. The attendance of buyers and others was numerous au;l biddings good throughout the sale, prices ruling equal to those obtained at previous week's sale, with strong demand for all classes of good sheep, especially freezers. The following were prices obtained:—Crossbred freezers sold at 1(53 Od to 18s 8d ; two-tooths m for ward condition from 13s to 15s 3d; while crossbred ewes sold at from Us to 12s Gd ; a splendid line of niorino wethers sent forward by Mr Mullins realise! Ho 9.1 to 14s lOd. m Stores—Merino ewes m lamb sold at from 5s to Gs (id ; merino wethers, Gs fid to 7s 6d : cro3sln-e.il hoggets, 9s I<X<, to 11s Gel. Privately we placed 200 freezers and 1208 half-bred twoaooths at full market rates. We offered a catalogue of 420 sheep skins on Friday, The attendance of buyers was large, but"the biddings not so spirited as at last sale, prices all through must be considered satisfactory. Best crossbred butchers' skins made 5s 6cl, 5s 9d to Gs ; while second sorts sold at from is to 5s 3d; merinos from 4s 9d to 5s 4d for best, and from 3s 3d to 4s for second quality ; country skins, for best crossbreds up to 5s 6d, and second quality from 2-s 9.1 to 4s 3d ; inferior sorts at full market rates. Hides and fat sold at rates which have been lately ruling.

MESSRS WILES AND CO. Messrs Miles and Co. (per Mr George Jameson) report—Tinwald Saleyards, Tues day, July 21 :—The entry for this sa.le com prised 4721 sheep, 60 head of cattle, and 215 pigs. There was a large attendance, and biddings were fairly brisk, the prices ob tained being fully equal to Addington Yards rates. There were several lines of prime fat sheep, notably Mr W. Chisnall's and Mr McVeagh's, these brought 18s 8d and 16s lOd respectively, being equal to 19s 6d and 17s 8d at Addington. Store sheep were also m demand, and sold readily at full values. Our entry comprised 2513 sheep, 25 head of cattle, und 85 pigs, and our sales were as follow:—Crossbred freezers, 16s lOd up to IBi 8d ; merino wethers, 14s 9d to 14s lOd ; twortooth OTQssbreds, }2s 6.d, 14s 4d, to 15s ; fat crossbred ewes, Us Id to Us 5d j merino wethers four, six, and full-mouthed, (is 9d to 7s 6d ; merino ewes m lamb, 6s 4d; cross bred hoggets, 9s; also, privately, 230 fat crossbreds at full rates. Cattle—Fat cows and heifers 2 at £4 10s ; 2 at £5 12s (id ; 2 at 15 13s 6d ; 2 at £6; 7 store steers at £3 7s; old cows, 20s to 255. Pigs—Porkers, 12s 9d to 20s ; sows m pig, 30s to 32s 6d. Mr George Jameson reports having sold privately lot 30, part of G^ovo. F,irn, con taining 3 acres 1 rood 39 porches with five roomed dwelling-house at £285 ; also lot 39, part of Grove Farm, containing 30 acres 1 rood, at £15 5s per acre. I held my usual fortnightly skin sale on Friday. There was, a large entry of skins, hides, and fat. Although there was a good attendanca [of buyers biddings were not brisk, and a fall of 3d to 6d per skin took place. The following were the prices ob tained :—Butchers' crossbreds, 4s lOd, 4s 3d, 4s lOd, 3s lid, 5s Id, 6s 3d; butchers' merinos, 4s, 3s 9d, 4s 3d, 4s sd, 4s 8d; fanners' cpqssljreds, 3,5, 3.3 (id, 3s lid, 4s, 4s (id, 4s yd, 4s lid, ss, ss4d j fanners'merinos, 2s 2d, 2s (id, 2s 9d, 3,3, 3,s 3d, 8s 6d, 3,3 9d, 3s lOd, 4s '4d. Pelts,' (id to is' §d. Hides Hd, 2d, 3d. Fat, U-d. ■

MR D. THOMAS. ifv D. fhomas reports upon the Live Stock. Markets m the /Vshburton district for the week ending July 2-4, 1891, as follows, namely:—On Tuesday, at the Timvald yards," the usual weekly sale of live stock was held. There was about an average attendance of' farmers and others interested present, aud/'tjie saje all j.hrough, ej,oej)t m cattle; may b<3 coimdierokf tb; hayel- been a fairly successful one, very few sheep having to be turned out unsold, whilst many of the lines offered brought extreme rates. My ently for'the dny consisted/of 2068 sheep, 33 head 1 of cattle, 131 pigs, and two sheep dogs, afl f.f wlu'ch were cleared at the follow ing prices', Viz., Q5 fat' cro^sbreds* 15s lid ; I 58 store twortooths, I^s 4d; 230 merino ewes, m lan)b, 5s 3d ; S)(| do. do. t\k Id ; 100 dq. ctq., §s §d \ 439, crqssbped hqggets', Us 9d ; 166 hoggets, (|s tyl; 55 crqss.bred hog-, gets, Id ; 692 crqssbred hoggets, lls 9d ; 20 dq. do. Ss 9d 5 \\% crqssbred hoggets, ils Id ; i dq'. l}s <|J and 13 do. at §s Qd. In gattle the deniaiid \yq§ ajaii) veny dull, gpeat difii-QuJty being experienced ii^inaking gales even at puiuQijs y&\,es, I sold fov various olieufes 1 fat cqw, £,5, \ 4 40, heifers, £4 12s 8d; 2 do. do. £8 12s Gd } 1 do. at 45s ; 1 springer, £7 10s ; 2 dp; do; at £3 2s 6d and 1 at £3 ss, the greater portion of the entry being turned out unsold^ In pi<r S) I sold 2Q at 24s Gd ; 1 sow at 42s 6d ; 2 at £1 l4s'6s } at l?s (jd, } at &} !|s ? "4 at IQs qd ; 30 slips., 8s 911; 4- sows jn"pig,''2()S qd';'s do. cU. 20s f I boar, 17s ;20 porkerSj 15s.;' 2Q do. 15i 6d ; 30 slips, ?s | j" boar, lOs; sheep dogs, on account of the late Mj?' Jjee, 1 at Bl 16s and I at £9 ss. I

On Friday, I held my usual fortnightly sale of sheepskins, fat, hides, and tallow and was favored with a fairly representative cata logue consisting of 801 sheepskins, 33 hides anil calf skins, 4 Lags fat, and 3 tins tallow, all of which were disposed of at values as follows, viz ;—Butchers' best crossbred green sheepskins 5s 3d, 5s 9d, to 6s each; 2nd quality, 4s, 4s 4d, 5s to 5s 3d each ; in ferior, 3s, 3s sil to 3s 9d each ; butchers' be*fc merinos. 4s 4d, 4s B<i, to 5s 2il; 2nd quality, 3s 3d, 3s Del, 4s, to 4s 2d each ; in fctior, 2s to 3s ; farmers dry skins, Is to 5s •111, each as per quality ; hides, 50lbs and uivler, I.WI per lb ; 50 to GOlbs, 2d ; over (i'Jii)-, 3>l; cut, damaged, and bulls, Id; cilf j-kins, 3d per lb; rough fat, l|d per lb ; tallow, lid per lb. In skins a drop of 4d e:icli has to be reported since the last Sile. Private sales.—During the week, ] have m-ide the following sales of sheep, viz.— i 560 crossbred hoggets, 12s ; 208 do. do. 10s [91; 400 crossbred ewes m lamb at lls 6(1 I 228 freezers, 17s 9d ; and 392 do. 19s each.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

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Typhoid' Over. Wkllington. July 25. The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach's eldest daughter, aged 25, died of typhoid fever last night, after a month's illness. i lid Uurniitlo.veri. In consequence of a complaint of the unemployed on the relief works, Govern ment despatched Mr March to make enquiries. The men urge that they were kept needlessly idle, that the work was improperly measured, and pay decreased.

Agricultural Education.

The following letter has been acldrassed to the School Committees of the Ash burton County by Mr J. R. Wilkinson, of Christ church. Gentlemen—l have the Loner to inform you that the Ashburton Farmers' congress will meet at ihe Main School on Saturday, lAugust' 15, on the .arrival, of tjhe express from Christchurch. I beg you to reconsider whether or not you will- be represented at it, as I can now more definitely state the chief matters that will then be discussed. Briefly, the need cf a congress rises from belief m the principle that the state should provide for pupils leaving the Primary schools, a better preparation for their several trades and callings than miy be got by the usual method of apprenticeship. It should be noticed that the professional, commercial and wealthy classes have suitable institutions for their requirements m the present Hi^li Schools; but the colony has yet made no provision for the special wants of the city indus trial, the suburban, and th« agricultural classes. Not at present referring to the city and suburban, wo come to the agri cultural, and m considering how to meet the ever-growing demand for agricultural education there appear two ways of carrying 'out the work. The first is to place Agri cultural science on the standard's syllabus, and leave the rest of the matter to Boards, . Committees, nvd teachers. The Xorth Canterbury Board by circular (No. 9, 1850) specially recommends agricultural chemistry to the Committees, but it is only too evident that, this first method will be little regarded until Government votes an annual sum for State secondary education, and it is not likely that any Government, however favourable to educational pro gress, will considerably increase the Edu cation vote until m various ways the public fchows itself m. accord; Moreover, the absence of provision at the..Normal School for qualifying students m agricul tural science, and the small number of | pulpils m the country schools are further ' preventives to teaching agricultural j science m each country school. The i second method seems to me far preferable. llt is to make farm schools, one form school for as many districts as will provide a scorn of pupils every year. One such school would be sufficient, 1 believe, for that part of the country between the ; Rnkaia and AshbuHon rivers foe some i years to come* and would also thoroughly j test the plan. The expense of annual I maintenance would not be great, as a good beginning might be made with a staff con sisting of aninstructorinagricultural science a skilful farm manager and a matroi?. While referring to expense, I in*iy point out that so soon as a definite plan for im proved State education is brought forward no one that has studied the matter will be surprised to see a strong public demand arise for an increased education vote m order to carry out the plan; for our State primary education at £3 10s per head per year is rather a poor thing m comparison with the primary education at £10 per head per year provided by the wealthier classes for their children m the lower forms of our High Schools,- and there can be no doubt that the better-off classes are very capable of judging the value of a liberal education. J Whether or not the Congress will suppor. tthe idea of cultivators' associations m each school district I- cannot say, bub there can be ; pio doubt that if these were established a great impetus would be gained towards agricul tural, and also horticultural education. They would also be occasionally of real value to members, thosw grow ing up and anxious to get some scientific knowledge of their daily work ; and they would also be, beyond any comparison, the best means at the disposal of the Minister of -Agriculture for getting the opinion of fanners generally on any subject. Hoping you will find the Congress worthy of your support, lam, gentlemen, yours faithfully, . J. R. Wilkinson. Church Square, Addington, 21st July, 1891.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

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LABOR QUESTIONS. London, July 23. A genera} lock out of tailors m the United Kingdom will take place unless the men who are now on strike return to work by the 29th inst. THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. The first meeting of the Governors of the Imperial Institute was held at Marlborough House to-day. The Pre sident, H.H.H, the, Prinoe of Wales, wtfrmly thankee] the organisers for energetic services iii deceiving s'lbsorip -1 t'ions and devising a permanent form of constitution for the. administration of the Institute. The report submitted by" the Governors stated that t-he Governments 'q£ New South Wales, South Australia, and New iZe^land had not subscribßc] the amounts they had promised. The President askod Sir Saul Samuel, one of the New South Wales Governors, what prospect there was of that colony subscyibing? In reply Sir Saul said that the promise had been made by Sir Patrick Lennings, who was Premier of New South Wales when the Imperial Institute was orga nised, and he was hopeful that it would be redeemed. KNIGHTED. Mr W.illiaiu Earner, sher-ifi qt ths City, qf London, has been "knighted, m GQihmpinorfttiou of the visit of the Emperei' of Germany.

THE CATHOART CASK The Commission appointed to en quire into the case of Mrs Cathcart, an alleged lunatic detained at a licensed house at Rockhampton, under an urgency order obtained by her husband on February 4, resulted m the release or the lady, A strange scene? occurred m Court. Sir Charles Russell, who appeared for the lady, stated it was fruitless objecting to the Judge against the detention of the lady, as since he had examined her m private his Honor had been hostile to her release. THE CORDELIA EXPLOSION. In the House of Commons to-rlay ■the First Lord of the Admiralty wa^ further questioned respecting the fatal explosion on board H.M.S Cordelia. In reply Lord George Hamilton an nounced "that all guns of the type of those on H.M.S. Cordelia would be replaced with others of a later and more approved type, except m cases where the vessels were^bout to be re ieved. " IRISH AFFAIRS. The Convention of : the National League opened m London to-day. Mr Parnell submitted a democratic pro gramme, and m his opening address welcomed Mr Balfour's prorrised mea sure providing for local government for Ireland. THE DE COBAIN SCANDAL. The case of Mr De Cobain, M.P., has been postponed until next session. THE GOLD MARKET. The influx of gold during the week has been £700,000, and the afflux £1610,000. MR SPURGEON'S ILLNESS. The Rev, Charles Spufgeon is rally ing. Dr Herman Addlerj Chief Rabbi, and the Wesleyan Conference have sent letters of sympathy, LORD CARRINGTON AND AUSTRALIA. In addressing a meeting at Wycombe Lord CaVrington said thftt he had re turned from New South Wales a better Liberal, because Australia was the most Liberal country m the world, and the finest for go ahead and independent Englishmen. He declared that no colonial statesman would hesitate to advocate Home Rule for Ireland. THE " HANSARD " COMPANY. The case of the Hansard Union Publishing Company came before the Court m Bankruptcy to-day. Ijie Lord Mayor Isaacs, -who is one of the directors, gave the details of the forma tion of the company, and the purchases of various businesses. He admitted that profits to the amount of £100,00® had been made by sales of these busi nesses to the company. He denied that there was. any cobking of the balance sheets. ALLEGED PERJURY. Cattle and Branbury, two policemen who were charged with perjury m con nection with the arrest of one Alice Millard, have been committed for trial. CROWN LAW OFFICERS. In the House of Commons to-day, a motion, tabled by Mr Buxton, member for Poplar, providing that Law Officers o£ the Crown should not be permitted to engage m private practice, was re jected. THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKES. London, July 24. Mr Shapknell, m a letter to the newspapers, describes the statements made by- the Bon W. A. E. West Erskine, member of the South. Austra lian Upper House, m an interview with a Chicago reporter on the labor ques tion, to the effect that the i*ecent strikes had been calamitous to Aus tralia, as outrageous. IMPERIAL DEFENCE. Lord Brassey suggests the setting up of a royal Commission to enquire into Imperial defence. EARL CADOGA^T. Earl Cadogan has been created a knight of the most noble Order of the Garter. GIFT TO SOCIALISTS. Beklin, July 24. The German social and democratic party have received the sum of 100,000 marks for the purpose of agitation. The donor is named Singer. ' " PROFESSOR KOCH. Professor Koch has resigned all the publiciposition held by him.

THE CHILIAN WAR.

Paris, July 23. The Government has been advised that the Chilian insurgent warship Esmeralda fired twice at a French corvette off Coquiuibo.. An immediate apology has been demanded. Valparaiso, July 24, Two hundred and twenty of Colonel Stephen's troops, who were blocked while attempting to cross the Cordil leras, have reached Santiago. Nearly 3COQ men are still snqwbqund. NeV York, July 23. Conflicting accounts of the Chilian rebellion reach here, and the reported defeat of the President'stroops, at Huasco, with great slaughter on the Bth insk, is denied. qq^viQGp labor^ Mr, Robert L. Taylor, Governor of Tennessee, ordered the enforcement of the law m qutlling the anti-convict riot m Ktioxville, and the Militia were held m readiness. The mayor urged defiance to the Governor's orders, whereupon the latter threaten ed to summon the entire State Mrlitia if necessary, and the leaders of the riqt, SjUbmittre^, ; ■*' ''' Washington, July 24. The Governor of Tennessee is calling a special session of Parliament to re peal the Convict Labor Act. ' New York, July 24. The miners at Tennessee are disposed to await 1 the result of the Governor'^ propo3<ld repeal qf the Convicf, tiaws before going' ai^y further, ' ' ' '

PORTUGUESE FINANCES.

Lrsuox, July 23. The Portuguese deficiency is £3,000,000. The exports for the half yearended June 30th, were £1,000,000, %nd a further £1,000,000 is being ex ported this month, but great financial operations will be necessary to prevent a crisis.

THE MANIPUR MASSACRE.

Calcutta, July 33. The Government ol Ind|a intends'to erect a memorial m honor of those wli<j Aver© killed ib the Manipur iaasswrt,

THIS ASHBURTOiN GUABDIIff, SATURDAY, JULY 25, tS^l



Hollow \y'h Pi^ls.—The Gm^b ]f'eoit.—' The blood is the life, and on its -pupijty oup health as well as our existengg dgneuds, Theso Pills thoroughly cleanse the vitej fluid from all containinajtigns, and by that means strengthen and iiivigGi-afce pjyj whole system healthily stimulate sluggish organs, repress over-excited action, and establish order of circulation and secretion throughout Gvepy part of the body. The balsamic 1 iiij,tti,r,e ' $ IJolloway's Pills exercises iwapvellQUS $\vep iv giving tone to debilitated s*i<i ' jQ.ei'.y.Q.i,^ coastitutions. These Pills dislodge 4i obsty/ijetii^s, Jjoth m the bowels ana elsewhere, a^cl fj-re', on that account, much sought affcoi' for promoting regularity of action m young females and delioatie persons who are naturally weak, or have from ytitne cause become -so. -. True economy. To purchase Countess .•£#l for tv'G sljillings. Free from any ex ,965; of astiin^eiAC^'



The " Dally <«raphic/ J vftfcprijig to the launch of the new warship Fuleaus, jpays— Never, surely, was there such 3. bo^; of machinery as this same Vulcan. In addition to her two propelling engines, she has four circulating engines, four fire engines, one drainage engine, two turning engines, live feed engines, one steering engine, one work' ; shop engine, twelve fau engines, four ash ! engines, three electric lighting .enghtej;, one capstan engine, two hydraulic engines, Bhw? W coin pressing engines, ten water-engines, and,'jii'fcl^e gt-ccinl-plass tor pedo boatf? and small crytfjt which sibeyiuijios, thirty-three otKct gitglwes ; or ninety three engines m all.



NOTICE. . /pHE LOWCLIFFE Contract has been let to MR. C. L. HANSE\ T. 7 161 J. R. BRODIE^ FUNERAL NOTICE. rpHE Friend* of the late Mr George I Parkin ara respeetfuly informed thal". his Funeral will move from the Ash burton Hospital on SUNDAY, the 26th inst., at 3 o'clock, for the Ash burton Cemetery. BAKER BROS., 7J153 Undertakers. ! ASHBUIITON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE. ALL Members to attend the funeral of the late Fireman George Parkin, TOMORROW, Sunday, 2Gth inst. Fall m at Shed at 2 p.m. Sharp. Full Dress. 7 156 By order. Fj^iJ .itii-iHNii»»i'T^;»iiii-.i;:»Jiiflw|.i)»i''j:-ii;:i:!i.|':| | '|Ji|'J'!^Mi!i!t TfIHE members of the Loyal Ashburton X, Lodge No, 6003 1.0.6. F..M.U., are requested to meet at the Lodge room on SUNDIY, 26th inst-., at 2.15 p.m. for the purpose of attending the funeral of their late brother George Parkix. ifuneral Recralia. By order of N.G. 7*154 R. MINNIS, P.S. FUNERAL NOTICE. THE Friends of the late Geo, White (Late Scott's Hotel, Tinwald), are respectfully informed that his funoral will move from Ashburton Hospital on SUNDAY, the 26th inst., at 1.15 o'clock, for the Ashburton Cemetery. BaKKR BROS., 7 148 Undertakers.



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under civs heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. VI A ANTED Known—On "aim atter ■» * July 29fch, all presents will be stopped. Holders of Tickets will oblige by bring fchejo m at once.—H. 0. Melford House. ! \ I "ANTEDICNOWN, that Muffing * and Crumpets can he had regular at W. C. Davis', Confectioner, EasUtreet. Try them. 160 M ARM ALA 1)E OraiTges^exTTa! untT; also Auckland, Sydney, and Tahiti ■ Oranges. Walnuts m any quantity — Adams, Saunders' Building-. 7t140 A N easy way to procure a Piano or /v. Organ is to puiclia.se one on the deferred payment system. Easy terms of payment.- H. M. Jo<E.«. ICE Crealii off. Cough drops on. Un doubtedly the best.' H. G. Flowbk, Confectioner, East Street,, WANTED, at once, thirty or forty young Fowls. Apply, 7+136 D. THOMAS. WANTED Known.—Call and secure bargains of Winter Drapery at the Great Sale at W. 11. Collier's, "The Corner." WANTED Known—OkTSpoorot and Forks Electro-plated and made equal to new at 15s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweller, Enst Street, 4 150 ANTED~lTnown~GirLs! Boots'sfs lid, Ladies' French Shoes 3s I Id, Gents' Shoes 5s 6d ; at Andrew Orb's Cheap Sale. 6 214 WANTED Known.—That for quality, assortment, and price see Andrew Orr'ft large stock of Millinery, Clothing, and Boots. No presents, no bribes, but good value.—Andrew Orr LpINEST Cod LiveTcnTr^Chest and JL 1 Lung Protectors, Chilblain lini ments. Brooke, Chemist, Ashburtou. » i " ANTED Known—!b. W. Alcorn VV will feel oMiged if all accounts owing are paid within fourteen days. WANTED Known. — Blankets and Flannels great bargains at Andrew Orbs. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweoda.—RoßKitT Aixokn, Ash burton Clothing Mart, Saimder's Buildings. WANTED Known.—Great "Clearing Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—W. FT. Collier. W "ANTED Known—ln consequence of the inconvenience lo Customers by the rebuilding of our shop front, we have determine! to give some very cheap iues. —H. 0. Se'gkrs, MeKord House. WANTED, every man m the district to order a Kaiapoi or Roslyn Tweed Suit. Also, Boys' Suits, and Gents' Overcoats in^reat variety.— Andrew Orr. A~NWb~KW^^7"IT3 7oul lf^^The Cash, you Cfin save abcut 6s m every Pound, by buying your Jackets Ulsters, Dress Goods, Millinery, &c, at S. W. Alcorn & Co.'s Clearing Sale. 6_36 (^ LORIOUS News.—Just purchased a ~X Dunedin Warehouseman's Stock of 90 Pieces French Cashmeres and Mernos at less than half price. Will I «.sold dininu the cheap-sale at Is lOkl ; regular pi ice 3s 9d.— Anorkw Omt. {if ANTED Known. — Uave .sec'iii'uu ! VV Special Line of Cashmeres to be ■acrificod at Is per yard. Colours— Navy, Maroon, Grenat, Brown, Myrtle, Ac.-- IT. C. Ski;ers, Melford Hou«e. WANTED Known.—That if you wan real good wea 1 ing boots, to kee.t your feet dry, you can get them m great variety at John Moi.son's, the expert Bootmaker, Town Hall shop, East^Streel ■ ___ 6 73 T "\OUBtE Blankets, and through rais- L' understanding double (juantity sent from Mill. ILive reduced the price os per jviir. —Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. ■__AJ^ \ \ ' ANTKD Known.—l hnv«j a lai-jri \ V stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. R«gister Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilur.s, Spouting and Ridging kept m .stock.—J. W. llardlky, East street. 0J202 WANTED Known—H. Dudley will sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s Cd per foot. H. Dudley, Moore Street. 6§54 TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30 ---upwards, warranted for twenty years. Foroe pumps, deep well cylinders of ?ill description*. Inspection invited. — J. W. Hakdmsv, Jjagj, street. 6J201 fMIEAV 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. Asjdrewes & C©., Stationers' Hall. 'iiTU TEETUi jV ii'JJT TLUIIH j CHRIS rCHCROH DENTAL SURGERY, i Corner of Cashel and High Ktrcels. S. M"" AND Cn J SURGEON ItENTIST, ; And at Dunedin ami Westport. j fTTE have gained the FIRST AWARD' VV at the Dunediu Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli-1 wees for the Mouth, and it v with the greatest confidence that ye guarantee the highest class work and perfect lit at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Complete Set -—Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s* Natural, Duhable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Tempoiariiy al most immediately after the extraction! of decayed teeth or stumps without exfci's fee or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE; 3A$ several times d»ily for the past ten i years, we fearlessly n:-'.eit; that extraction of teeth under its i.uluto'^d is perfectly painless and positively >s:tte. j Foe for Adminiiibiation ss. Extraction, £s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by ot ior dentists rfepßtired or remodelled at 1* we fc rate*



Public Notices SPLENDID EATING POTATOES. »THREE SHILLINGS a Bag, m Store, 1 or 30s a ton delivered. 7H28 D. THOMAS. WILLIAM C\ ARDNER, ILLIAM XJ ARDNER, ; GRAHAM 'H ROAD, T X IV W-A. JL, X>. —HAS FOR SALE— FOREST & FJRXJTT JTJBtEiESS IN GREAT VARIETY. PLANTING DONE AS USUAL. Also on Hand Ctioieo Catrtmgre l?lniit« Now ready for Planting Out. 7§83 flTrees. ~ Trees™ THE undersigned has much pleasure m 1 offering a large stock of the follow ing trees, plants, etc., which arc now ready for planting:—Apples are all twice grafted 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 Currants ; Grape-Vines of the best varieties. Pinus Insignis, 1 and 2 year old, Larch 1, 2, and 3-year-old, Pinus Laricis, Abies, White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Menziesii; also 100,000 Mactocarpa 1 year, a grand line ; and 30,000 2 years transplanted, the best m the district. Come and see 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. Akorn, East street. All ordeis by post shall receive my prompt attention. Catalogues on application" JAMES PORTER, Clifton Nursery, 656 Allenton, Ashburton, fTHE ASHBURTON FIKMTIKE WAREHOUSE OF PICKFORD k HILL In Tanered Street IS replete with Superior Furniture m the newest designs, made from well seasoned New Zealand and imported Timbers. Carpets, Mattings, Floor Oloths, Linoleums, Rugs, and Door Mats of superior quality and great variety m stock. FURNITURE made to order m any design, and warranted to give satisfaction. A good selection of Cretonnes, Tapes tries, and Leathers for Upholstering. Suites, Shairs, Couches, &c., always on hand. BEDSTEADS AND BEDDING. Buyers, please call andinspect our Large and Choice Stocks. Venetian Blinds made and repaired with promptitude. 6JBI ANDREW ORR WILL HOLD HIS G-KEat Annual Sale OF DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS, For O\b Mom™, COMMENCING Saturday, June 27. The Greatest Bargains EVER SEEN m ASHBURTON. JUST PURCHASED, A WAREHOUSEMAN'S STOCK OP FRENCH CASHMERES AND MEBLNOS, At less that HALF PRICE Will be offered during the Sale at MS MOgfllj FORMER PRICE t»S Ofl Andrew Orr. Dwq * a OH T W « . U hi E< H k 1