The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1892. THE ENGLISH SMALL-HOLD INGS BILL.

The cable brings the gratifying news that the Small Holdings Bill intro duced by Mr Chaplin, President of the Board of Agriculture m the Ira -1 perial Government, has passed through Committee m the House of Commons, which practically means that it will be come law, ,»We have already given a sketch of the principle and intention ef the measure, and later Home papers enable us to give some details of its provisions, which will be of interest if only to compare with what is sought to be done m New Zealand. Under the Bill, if it has not been subject to im portant emendation, every County Council will be empowered to borrow, and the Public Works Loan Commis sioners to lend money, at interest not less than 3J per cent, for the purchase of land to be sold or let m small hold ings. The limits as to size are ono acre to fifty acres, (or if more than fifty acres, not m excess of £50 valuation per annum) m small holdings to be sold, and one acre to ten acres m those to be let. As to the amount of money to be borrowed of the State no County Council is to borrow more than will in volve a charge upon the rates equal to a penny m the £ sterling. It is esti mated that the limit of the total for Great Britain will be £10,000,000. The risk of loss m carrying out the scheme is to lie upon the ratepayers. fivery rural County Council is to ap point a committee, whose duty it will be to inquire into every case m which one or more of the electors petition for action on the ground that small hold ings are required m the county. The committee will report to the County Council, and if the report is favorable, it is assumed that action will follow. There i 3 no compulsion upon land holders to sell land, but the local authority will purchase land by private agreement, and divide it into small holdings. The County Councils are authorised to spend money m making roads and fences, m draining, and m building, as far as they deem such works desirable; but it is intimated that the purchasers of holdings shall erect what buildings they require if their means enable them to do so. On3-fourth of the purchase money i 3 to be paid down by the purchaser of a holding on the completion of a sale, while one-half may remain to be paid oft* by instilment i within Ltcy years, with interest or by means of a terminable annuity. The remaining fourth is to be a perpetual quit-rent, redeemable, however, at any time, at the option of the purchaser. During ten years, and for as long afterwards as any portion of the purchase money remains unpaid, the holdings are to be held subject to certain rules, JSTot more than one dwell ing-house is to be built upon a holding, and not one un less the holding is of a valuation exceeding £25 per annum, or other wise is deemed Ly the Couny Council to be sufficient to support a family m ] comfort. Any house built is to be m accordance with the sanitary reqmre j ments of the authority. .No subdivi sion or letting is to be allowed. The Bill also provides for the advance of money to enable a farmer to purchase liis holding, up to fifty acres, by agree ment with his landlord, under condi tions identical with those above named. The County Council may let land m holding i not more than ten acres, under similar rules to those just mentioned. There is provision m the Bill that the local authority may erect necessary buildings on a holding w'iere the holder is without means to do this ; and the cost thereof is to be added to the purchase money or the capital value on which the rent is calculated. The local authority is further empowered, where the present tenant of a small holding is anxious to purchase the same from his landlord, who might be willing to sell, to lend the tenant three-fourths of the purchase money on the security of the land. Sogreat isthedesireonthe partof both great political parties to gain the rural laborers' vote that very little opposi tion to the Bill was anticipated. There would be attempts to make it com pulsory, and otherwise to alter it m the supposed interest of the farm laborers, but no considerable opposi tion to its main principles. The absurd I regulation preventing a small lessee from living upon his holding would also m all probability be amended. There was also a feeling of making it a National instead of a local or county scheme, the already heavily burdened rural ratepayers being somewhat restive at the pros pect of becoming liable to further taxation. The Gladstonian Liberals have also formulated a Small Holdings Bill, m the name of MrHaldane, a Scotch mem ber. The vital difference between the two schemes is that Mr Haldane proposes to apply compulsion. It is to be placed m the power of any six ratepayers to put the Bill m operation. They may go to the County Council and represent to that body that a demand for small .holdings .exists m a certain locality, and on that represen tation the Council are bound to act or | to report to the Secretary, declaring their reason for declining to make the provision demanded. Tfr> Bill will also carry out a suggestion m*de bj Mr Gladstone that the County Councils should be empowered to lease land and to let it out to tenants, thus becoming landlords, Means are provided for the borrowing of money fop the erection of buildings One other new feature of the Bill is a proposal to recompense the County Council m hard cash for the work and rink it is called upon to undertake. To this e«d them vV'JI *>c, a quit rent, payable by the pui'cbasep, the advantage of which is to accrue to the ratepayers.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

I The local option arbitration proceedings at Maryborough (Victoria) have resuUed m £9629 being awarded as compensation. Mr Thomas Bent, the new Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly was origin ally a market gardener at Brighton. A voting man stowed himself away m the freezing room of the steamer Duke of Argyll while she was loading at Newcastle, intend ing to get a free passage to England. He was found some hours afterwards m an almost frozen condition. Mr Dibbs, the New South Wales Premier, made i sarcastic answer to a deputation which waite 1 on him to ask that ijhinese made furniture should be stamped. He asked, why not go further and stamp the cabbages grown by the Chinese. Stephen Island, where the lighthouse is now being built, is almost unique amongst , New Zealand islands, as though of consider able size there is not a spring of water on it. The lighthouse staff will have to obtain wafer from Wellington miles; they can save sufficient rain water to serve their purpose. The challenge of Mr Knot*:, the temper ance lecturer, to give £5 to anyone who would produc3 ah ilf-pinfc of beer, wine, or spint3 that was absolutely unadulterated ha? been takan up by Mr Mandl, of Hoki tika, who offers to forfeit £150 and close his brewery if Mr Knott can find any adulter ated beer on his premises. The" Otago Daily Times" is given to understand that before the representative m this colony of the Alliance Fire and Alli ance tVlarine Insurance Companies opened negotiations with the Union Insurance Com pany for the transfer of its business the National Insurance Company were ap proached with the object of ascertaining if there was a probability of an offer being accepted for that company's business. As no inducement was held out to continue negotiations it is understoo 1 no formal offer was made. The Edinburgh Review," m a review of the Badminton Library volume on " Riding and Polo," says :—" One thing, at any rate, is clear; that the true breeding places of the Australian horse are New Zealand and Tasmania. The temperate and equable cli mate of these colonies make them essentially suitable for horse breeding. The dry sea sons with which Australia is often cursed Bjuriously affect the young stock, and pro duce bad grtss and undersized animals. In the future, therefore, we look to see the breeding of horses carried to a great extent m New Zealand ; and that colony will, sc far as horse breeding is concerned, be the Ireland of the Antipodes." The extension of Messrs Sparrow and Berry man's tailoring business has rendered necessary a considerable addition to theii premises m order to accommodate their large staff of workmen and afford con venience to their customers. They have accordingly leased from Mr Lane the billiard room, for some time disused, of the Somerset Hotel, which has been turned into a most suitable work-room, being •well lighted and ventilated and m every way convenient. The old workroom is now the cutting room, and the previous cutting room has been coi.verted into a fitting room and office. The alterations have given more space m the commodious shop for the display of the large stock of everything requisitive for wear by men of all occupa tions. The conjugal condition of the people of New Zealand, as disclosed by the last census, shows that there were 159,000 unmarried males under twenty years out of a total of 327,326, while the number of unmarried males over twenty was 70,197. The propor tion of uiiTKm'ied men of all clases is there fore 70.02 per cent, the proportion of husbands being 27.61 and of widowers 2.37 per cent. Out of a total of 293,393 females, 123,852 are under the age of fifteen. The unmarried females over fifteen number 190,552. There is an excess of bachelors over of 6788. Canterbury has 2516 more spinsters than bachelors, while O:ago has 773 more. In all the other districts the reverse is the case, and the chances of marriageable young ladies must he correspondingly greater. In Hawke's Bty the excess of bachelors over spinsters is 1337, m Wellington 2129, m Nelson 1486, m Westland 900, and m Marlborough 644 It may be interesting to the victims of the "Picturesque Atlas" agents to learn thai the company formed to publish the work was a huge success. Big dividends were p.vid, and when the work was completed the cipital account just balanced. If it hid been vound up shareholders would have got back the whole of their capital m addition to what they had previously received m dividends. But instead of liquidating the ompany has entered upon other enterprises, for which the articles of association give authority This work, however, does not, it is p.iid, require move than half the capital that was necessary to carry on the original business, and tli3 New South Wales Supreme Court was recently asked to confirm a reso lution reducing the amount from £75,000 to £37,500. Mr Justice Manning found him self beyond the guidance of authority, and' had to follow the lead of common sense. He, therefore, confirmed, the resolution, and thu3 indirectly sanctioned a thing which the law forbids being done directly. Much scandal has been aroused m Japan owing to certain allegations regarding the behaviour of the passengers carried on board the Japanese warship Hirfei-kan, which has recently visited the leading ports of Austra lia. On the return of the vessel to Japan complaints were lodged by one of the passengers that the proceedings of some of those of board had been calculated to bring the flag of Japan into contempt. In Bris bane, too, it was alleged, some of the passengers had been seen m a state of in toxication, m which condition they had in sulted several ladies. It was further alleged that one of the passengers had engaged or attempted to engage m trade, a proceeding a Japanese gentleman would prefer beggary to rather than be guilty of. An enquiry was instituted, when ie was found that one of the passengers had m his possession some fans, wine (sake made from rice) and lacquerware. The offender was thereupon severely reprimanded, and he "being of a fiery disposition, and scrupulous about main taining his honour untarnished, proposed that he should atone for the disgrace he had brought upon the ship by committing hari kari, viz, suicide by ripping open his stom ach." It is added that he was with great difficulty prevented from carrying out his put p |!. Tne best medicine known is SANDER and SONS ISUCALPTI EXTRACT Test it eminent powgpful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc,—rthe relief is instantaneous, Thousands give the lnosfc gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Ifaly, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occa sion to offer rewards m p/oof of the genuine ness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, the official communication of ■ the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated by SiegenJ M.D , Professor, etc. Burning of the right hand' £hro.ugh fc)|<3 explosion of a small oil stove." yj?lJ.e cpfiWynjij? §}}' the yolar and palmer side of tlje l>and of th<? thirty-year ' old patient was completely separated and { ifted up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose and half of the phalanx of the nail of the ' middle finger was coaled. The wounds thus ' contracted lusglgcl m three wetks wilder duly applications of Eucalypti Extract dressing. The patient has retained the fu use of her hand.— (Advfc.) I LvU'OKTant to Cyclists. — A good Safety $jcycle for £lp los. Repairs and Cycle accessorial tit exceptionally low rates afc Saviiab's f * "' Cycle Works, 110 Colombo stroofc, Christ, hurch Thk Bust Remedy fob Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confident^ rec<?iniifet>d^4 ft 8 a simple remedy for 'Indigestion, wh|cl* js tk? c^ijse of nearly all Mxc diseases to' 'w.hie'li we iiftt subjects; JSTo&ton's Pills, with' Justice called tjhe ' Natural S,trgngtheß.er of the Humaji Stomach," act as a pQvwful tonic and gentle perient, are mild ip their operation, and safe under any cU'cumsfcaßGes. Soijl m battles, at Is l|d, 2a 9d, 11b, by all medicine vendors throughout the *ot\d) \

f Mr W. H. Hales is gazetted Engineer-in J Chief for the colony ot New Zealand, the ap-V pointment to date from the Ist April, 1892. At the R. M. Court this morning before Major Steward, J.P., Henry Wai met, an old offender, was finsd 20t3 for drunken ness. Michael Ford, who already stands com mitted for a similar offence was to-day, at Christchurch, committed for trial on several charges of forging and uttering cheques to different townspeople. Mr J. E. March, superintendent of Village Settlements will attend at the Courthouse, Ashburton, at 8 p.m. on Saturday next. to meet intending applicants for sections on the Waimate Labor Settlements. The Wellington "Post" advocates the sale of the Hinemoa, and Stella, and the puachase, with the proceeds, of a large steamer that would be available for cable laying and repairing as well as the transport of stores to th 3 lighthouses and islands. Duiing the month of April Ihe number of arrivals were exceeded by the departures by (533, the rescectivo totals being—anivals, 104S ; departures, 1681. The largest totals arc m connection with New South Wales, 125 persons having leftfor that Colony* and 784 having arrived from it. Oa Tuesday last Mr T. H. Pilbrow, shooting m the riverbed near Westerfield, killed a black shag, m the crop of which was found a trout weighing about a pound. Thi3 shows the destructive nature of these birds m our rivers, and that a sports man should never lose a shot at a shag when opportunity offers. Another shag was shot on Thursday, which al o had gorged itself with trout, It is announced that Sir John Hall, find ing that his health, which has for aome time beeu m an unsatisfactory state, does not im prove, has on medical advica decided to take a trip to Fiji, and left for the North on Wednesday. This means a postponement of any further addresses to his constituents, but. he hopes to be back m time to spealt m one or two centres of his constituency before the "House meets. The Minister for Lands has undertaken that delegates to the agricultural conference ut Christchurch next week will be paid the cost of return railway or steamboat fare. Mr Richie, secretary of the Agricultural Department, will represent the Government at the conference by permission of the delegates. Mr Moffatt, a farmer on Kingsdown, near Timaru met with a very serious accident on Wednesday, He was walk ing with a loaded dray, driven by one of his sons, down a steepish hill, with the brake hard on, when, through looking round at a following vehicle, he tripped and fell under the wneel. He was caught by the hip 3 and skidded along the haul road for over a chain, before another son driving a dray ahead came back and stopped the team and rescued his father and took him home. The doctor who was called m found Mr Moffatt very much bruised, but no bones were broken.. He could net yet say, how ever, whether any internal injuries had been sustained. The aunual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Thursday. The balance sheet showed that thi club began the year with a debit balance of £416, and ended it with a cradit balance of £566. The receipts for the year were £13,331.10s including nominations and acceptances £3746. Tin gate and grandstand money was £'2657, and the totalisator £5132. The expenditure was £12,348, including stakes £10,124:; salaries, t'573 ; and permanent improvements, £463 The Grand National meeting realised a profit of £494; tho Spring meeting a profit of £1119; the Autumn meeting a profit of £150; and the Summer meeting a loss of £103. The balance to credit of general profit and loss account was £8472. The I balance sheet was adopted. Mr F. C. Tarbart was re-elected judge, Mr fe. Garforth clerk of the scales, and Mr G. G. Stead treisurer. On Tuesday evening the premises of Messrs Mitchell and Turner, m Tancred street, were burglariously entered. The thief, whom the police suspect to have been a very young person, appears to have been well acquainted with the arrangements of the place. He fc-jok au old tomahawk from a coal bunker m tha rear of the premises, and With this imple ment, used as a lever, forced the screws of the catch out of the framework m one of the back windows. It was then easy to litt the sasli, but thiee iron stanchions still barred entrance. One of these was displaced m the same way with the tomahawk, the decayed timber of the window sill offering but slight opposition. Entrance to the store was then obtained, and thief ransacked the money drawers, but got only some three shillings or so m coppers and small silver coin, Two cheap ties were also taken away, but nothing else has been nrssed. Up to the present the police have no clue to the thief. The aunual report of the Jubilee Institute for the blind has been issued, and from it we learn some details of the work done by this admirable but too little known institution. There are now nineteen resident pupils m the institute at Auckland, and blind persons are also taught al home. Since the commencment of °work the staff have taught eighty one persons to read Moon's books for the blind, twenty-eight to emboss their own correspondence m Braille type, and twenty-seven to correspond by pencil and type-writer with persons who are m poc-ssssion of sight. A new building was rendered necessary and is now nearly completed, but the Committee have now t) face the heavy expenditure of furnishing it, and are also desirous of establishing a fund to aid the aged and indigent blind, of whom there are a great many m the colony almost entirely destitute. The indefatigable Mr Abbot is canvassing Auckland, and the Committee are sending out subscription lists to other parts of the colony. One of these is now lying at our office, and any subscriptions sent to us will be duly acknowledged and forwarded to the Committee. The annual general meeting of the parishioners of the sub-division of Tinwald, m the parochial district of Longbeach, was held at the Parsonage on Wednesday even ing last. There was a very good attendance. The Curate, the Rev T. Farley, occupied the chair, and expressed the pleasure he felt at meeting the people of Tinwald at this the first annual meeting of this portion of the cure. He had met with a warm reception by the people here and m every portion of the district, and believed that m the main they were sincere and loved their church— the great historic Church of England. He hoped the good feeling already existing would be deepened and cemented as time went on, and he hoped that God would abundantly bless them and cause their work to prosper. The total receipts for the year from Tinwald amounted to the satisfactory sum of £94 3s Id, which, after deducting a few pounds for necessary local expenses, had been paid into the general fund. Mr Red inayue, on the motion of Mr Heseltine, seconded by Mr Tippett, was appointed churohwardej:). and the following gentlemen, viK. :—Messrs Culverhouse, Co'j^gan, Lowe, Legget, and Tippetc were elected a vestry for the ensuing year. Votes of thanks were passed to the lady organises, the Sunday school superintendent and teachers, and the ladies of the sewing bee. This concluded the business of the meeting.

General Booth's Scheme

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

Wellington, May 19. With reference to General Booth's im migration scheme Ministers state that the General gave tlje promise tljat before any thing was definitely done he would give them sufficient notice to enable any legis lation thab might be found necessary to be passed m the coming session. As they have received no intimation from him, and no reply to their cable message lias as yet come ffcm the Agent-General, they are still aba loss how to explain the cable '< news of the last few days. j

LADIES COLUMN.

According to the report of the Irish Ladies' Work Society, an increased demand exists for nightcaps, which are now being elaborately made. There are only three places m the world where women possess all the privileges of voting which are accorded to men, viz., Iceland, Prbairn Islands, and the Me of Man. The Vicoroy recently visited an hospital m India, one of the specialities of which is an operation for the re-cons>truction of noses for Hindoo wives whose husbands out of jealousy have inflicted upon them a disfiguring mutilation. The Empress of Germany has declined to become president of the Association for Dress Reform. She thinks that the pre- | sent style of dress is becoming and healthful, and that corsets are a restful support-., without which women would be seriously uncomfortable. Bishop Potter, of New York, m a recent sermon, deplored the presence of I beauty m woman, because it "leads her to sin, and deflects the pious flowing of life's stream." The Bishop considers "it is an open question whother it is worth while to have beauly at all." This curious advertisement appeared m the columns of a London paper—" If the lady who pocketed the china cup from the .little tea service set when my furniture was on view at will return it, I shall be obliged, and will hand a donation to the funds supporting the place of worship she makes use of." The British Bird Society, which seeks to discourage the wearing of the plumage of birds on ladies' h its, is having consi derable effect ok a section of the com munity, A professional fowler complains that m the previous year he was asked to get 8000 gulls, but this year he has not shot one, the ladies' association having stopped the demand. The tea-gown which fair woman most approves is modelled, though she does not know it, after the death-robe m which the Queen of Scots laid her head upon the block. Would anyone suppose there were such associations joined with the long robe "spangled with gold," with its train, and its borders of feathers, and its angel sleeves, and its wide Medici collar of lace, and its chain of '"' sweet smelling beads ?" A semi-medical journal professes to have discovered a new remedy for scold ing wives. It is of the simplest possible character. The husband has on'y to en courage his wife to smoke, m order to calm her over-wrought nerves. Shake speare apparently had never heard of tobacco. Had he lived m these days, he would have made Petruchio present Katharine with a box of cigarettes, accom panied possibly by the injunction that she must not smoke more than six a day, It would appear as if leather trimmings were likely to enjoy greac success. Ac first leather hems were- used to border the short skirts of shooting and fishing costumes, then many people found such hems very useful for coui.try and travelling dresses, with jackets bound with the same stuff at the pockets, cuffs, and collar. Leather bells, waistcoats, gaiters, ani sleeve gauntlets were never more worn thin this year, and, labely, bretelles (braces) have become fashionable ornaments for dark serge dresses. As men are said to be increasingly averse to marryintr, "Miranda" m the " World " suggests, as a further develop ment of the idea, that they should only be allowed to remain bachelors by passing a number ff ser re exam', between the ages of thirty aud thirty-five, the penalty of failure being wedlock at ihirly-six! " Mirand i " fears, however, that obstacles will be raised to the making of these emi'iently enlightened and sagacious laws by a leaislative assembly composed of blind and blundering masculine humanity. : A hdieV paper is responsible for the following cutting :—" According to an authority on the yubject, there is a great deal of character m a man's moustache. Wlkmi the moustache is ragged and, as it were, flying hither and thither, there is a lack of proper self-control on the part of ii-s owner. If there is a tendency to curl at the outer ends of the moustache there is a tendency to ambition, vanity, and display. When the curl turns upward there is » geniality combined with a love of approbation ; when the inclination is downward there is a more sedate turn of mind, not unaccompanied with gloom." According co a Home paper, the ladies of Oarnnrthen recently held a debate at which the subject of discussion was, Should ladies open their husbands' letters '( The discussion seems to have become very warm indeed, m the course of which one young and innocent maiden timidly ventured to state she thought that ladies should not open their hus bands' letters, and characterised such a proceeding as " inquisitive, unwomanly, and improper." All the matrons present immediately sat upon her ; and one stern Minerva-like lady proposed an amend ment to the effect "that ladies were jerfectly and legally justified m opening their husbands' letters, and also m making the fullest inquiries into all their business transactions." This was carried by an overvhehm'ng majority ! "At home" days are going out of fashion. Women who held them with irritating legularity or.cc a week, and were sometimes unkind enough to have a second for their husbands on Sundays, have now reduced their number to once a month. A few who find them specially il.i", stale, and unprofitable have, with j admirable ctteness, fixed on fifth Mon days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays, and so make these lively occasions occur only once m three months or s). It only now remains for some smart woman to adorn her card with the legend, " forty-second Friday, 1893," to cap the praptices by which so many are sliding out of their weekly penr ance. Even that might be bettered by a more daring individual who should pro mise to be rt home the second Sunday m the week. "At Home" days have a certain con\enience, it is true, but the inconveniences they possess are countless, chief among them being that it is most inconvenient to talk to the very woman you have cone miles to 'see [m all the bustle of a crowded room, and if you have something very important to say to her, you must go home and write it. Second that one invriably meets the people one does not want to meet, seldom or never those whom aie does,

" Civis" writes: --In a paroxysm of candour a weman of fashion is said to have confessed that she had attended nearly 800 darccs m search of a lord and master; but instead of a husband, had caught bronciitis 14 times, pleurisy thrice, and o rer 100 colds m the head. I copy this inf>rmation from m English society journal and can't say thab I fine ib incredible--the statistical part of it, thab is. Whelier a woman of fashion, or any other kindof woman, would cosfess to such statistic may be thought doubt ful, but the figires themselves are credible enough. ISo loubt 800 dances are a large order ; peaunally X should prefer 9 term of penal simtu.de ; but then I am not a woman offashion m search of a lord and master. Fa* §J|c|i a woman embarked cm suclj a quest'there k no' oihei' Wiiy X

suppose than to dance like Bt. Vitus or \ the daughter of Herodias till she dances I into matrimony or her grave. The latter I alternative has to be faced, though let u»s; hope, m the interest of humanity, that it '• is generally escaped. Women of fashion are not common m these latitudes—thank heaven ! Nevertheless there are husband hunters, and a good many of them art tempted to places their hopes chiefly m the opportunities of the ballroom. Let them be undeceived ! They may catch colds m the head that way, but the chances are small of their catching a husband. The qualities that the marry ing man m this part of the world chiefly desiderates m his future wife are nnt those that can be illustrated on the liirht fantastic toe. He wants a quiet, sensible girl who can take life soberly—who won't ask for idleness and luxury, a big house i and a big income, but will b« content to begin at the bottom of the ladder as, most likely, her father and mother began bofore her. To those colonial girls who turn up their pretty noses at this pro gramme I commend the instructive experience of the woman of fashion as given above.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER UESS \SSJ JIATIOK

LABOR MATTERS.

London May 18. The Durham strikers have declined to accept a reduction of 13; V per cent, m wages, and resolved to continue the struggle.

THE QUEENSLAND NATIVES.

Professor Henry Druminond m an interview with the "Pall Mall Gazette" declared that the Queensland natives were treated as veritable outcasts. Their lives were freely taken m certain districts on small provocation, and no questions asked. Their grievances were far worse than those of imported Kanakas.

ANOTHER RAILWAY ASSAULT.

A curate named Bell lias been arrested on separate charges of assault on two young ladies m a railway carriage on the line near Hungcrford.

THE NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES.

The New Zealand athletic team will probably compete m the International athletic meeting at Paris m July.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Mr Samuel Montague, M.P. for Whifcechapel, will move at the Con ference of Chambers of Commerce a resolution favoring the decisnal system of coinage. The Agents-General of the British colonies have been invited to become vice-Presidents of the Con gress,

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

A proposal m favour of plural voting was defeated m the House of Com mons by a majority of forty seven. In the division on the motion to abolish the dual vote the Liberals voted solid as a party with tiie ayes. The Tories demanded redistribution on the basis of equal value votes. Mr Gladstone, replying to a com munication from the Liberals m Kent, said that the Irish scheme would pre vent the interference of the State m Church matters. Id the course cf his speech, Lord Salisbury denied that by his remarks a few days ago he had tried to foment rebellion m Ulster. Lord Salisbury, speaking at Hast ings, said England ought to bo pre pared to retaliate on hostile, tariffs, but without excluding raw materials or food. They might, however, tax such luxuries as wine, silk, lace, &c. Foreign affairs he regarded as absolutely f cairn at present, and said he was confident arbitration would ultimately replace strikes. Referring to the speech "The Times " and " Standard " express the opinion that commercial retaliation would be an unwise step to take. At a meeting of the Women's Liberal Federation it was decided to endeavour to abolish artificial barriers to the employment of women m every trade and profession, and to make an attempt to equalise the wages of the sexes. A resolution was also carried expressing tbe hope that hotels would be closed on Sundays.

THE TAMBI EXPEDITION.

A British expedition has stormed two towns near Jebah. London, May 19. Information has been received that the British troops fired the town of Jebah, losing eight allies,

THE ANARCHISTS.

Brussklh M.iy 18. Two leading Anarchists m the city have been sentenced to three and four years respectively.

THE VENEZUELA REBELLION.

New Yoek, May 18. It is reported from Venezuela that Grarsia, the principal Government general, has been killed m Caracas, the capital.

THE TONQUIN PIRATES.

Hong Kong, May 18. The French have captured a pirate stronghold m Tonquin, but the attack cost them 280 men, including five officers.

FATAL FLOODS IN AMERICA.

New York, May 18. Two hundred houses m Sioux city, lowa, have been submerged by flood's. Numerous deaths arc recorded. Fifteen hundred families of St Louis are rendered homeless by floods, and four hundred square miles of farming lands have been submerged. Traffic on the Union Pacific Railway lines is stopped.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE SELLS' CIRCUS ACCIDENT,

Sydney, May 19. At Glen Lines criminal sessions, Coleman, the driver of the train m which the accident happened to Sells' Circus, was found not guilty of man slaughter. The charge against Kelly, the guard, was withdrawn.

MrSSING CUTTER.

The Welcome Home, cotter, wifh nine hands, left Sydney m November last for the Kermadec and Norfolk Islands. During December four men deserted, and since that nothing has been heard of the vessel. The Insur ance Companies settled all claims m connection with the cutter and, cargo t<Klaj%

INIERPROVINCIAL.

Whllistoton, May 19. The "Evening Post's" correspondent afc Cartertoa states that the jubilee of Odd fellowship m the colony will be cekr bratcd at Wellington next year, an! that steps will be taken for farming a grand lodge for New Zealand, and throwing off Lheir allegiance to the Manchester Unity. In the Appeal Court to-day argument \ m the case Shaw Savill and Albion Com pany v. Timaru Harbour Board was heard, m the appeal by the Board against the order of the Registrar fixing costs. Judg ment was reserved. Duke din, May 19. The Education Board withholds its opinion re supplying books and appli anco.3 to schools by the Department, until details are forthcoming; that it would be sufficient to prescribe * uniform set of boots for use m schools m each ! education district; that two years' notice at least should be given to booksellers ; that one training college would be inade quate and unsuitable ; and that a separate training college for men and women is al together unnecessary. At the Police Court to-day, the charge of illegal betting against A- T. Price and Thomas Barnett came on, but after the hearing of some evidence, was adjourned for a week. The offence is alleged to have been committed on Easter Monday. The annual report of the Acclimatisation Society shows that the society's work, as regards iish has been very successful. Nothing definite has yet been settled as to the success or otherwise of the salmon experiment. The Rhine salmon have prospered fairly, but not the Rhine trout. The stock of American brook, Loch Leven, Scotch burn, and brown trout has been well maintained. Winged imported game has almost disappeared before stoats and weasels and rabbit poisoning, and nothing has been heard of the part ridges, plovers, grouse, and mountain quail which were liberated. Tde chairman of the Charitable Aid Board stated to-cUy that the City Council would have to pay this year £40 per month more than last jcar for charitable ail. X An * autograph letter by Sir Walter Scott m a good state of preservation, realised £4 at auction. Invekcakgijx May 19. Captain Lovett, of the steamer \rdle, was yesterday selected from twenty-seven applicants from all parts of the colony for the post of assistant harbormaster. Mr H. H. Port, who died on Tuesday at Riverton, aged 82, was the oldest Oddfellow m the colony, having been connected with the order for sixty years. The Bluff Harbor Board to-day resolved to build a further extension to the wharf of 160 feet, and to obtain plans and specifications for a slipway suitable for the requirements of the hirbor. In the course of discussion some members advocated the construction of a dock, but the majority considered the expense too heavy m the meantime. Mr J. G. Ward mentioned tliat the revenue of the b.)ard was £15,000 per annum, and the total expenditure, including interest on loan, £6000, leaving £9000 annually available for harbor improvements.

CRICKET.

(l SB PKES» ASSOCIATION.)

London, May 18. When the English team had scored 214 the innings was declared closed. The additional scorers wore—Dixon 69, Ferris 3, Flower 30 not out. In the second innings Lord Sheffield's Eleven had lost two wickets for 117, Grace 63, and the match was declared drawn.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

ASHBURTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

TO THE' BDITOB. Sir,—As you recently drew attention to the state of th s bridge, m your columns 1 think it only right to say now that the public must be much gratified' to sse the 1 step.3 that have been taken to have the evil complained of remedied, and the planks laid level. One other danger I learned sinse my last, namely, that to loaded drays. Drivers were m fear of an axle snapping.—l am, etc. Fjrequent Passenger, i

THE Deeming Murders.

PER PIIESS ASSOCIATION,

London, May 18. The Privy Council will first decide as to the right of appeal m Deeniiug's case. Two eminent criminal lawyers have been retained on behalf of the appellant. When Deerning's case comes on Lord Halsbury will preside at the Privy Council, with a full Court, the House of Lords adjourning for the purpose, If the appeal is granted, the order for respite rests with the Colonial Office. MKLBoraxß, May 18. The gaol authorities have decided not to allow Mr Lyle to visit Deeming without special permission. (Received May 20, 10.45 a.m.) London, May 20. The Privy Council unanimously refused to allow the appeal m Deeming's case.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

| fJBR PJR6.SS ASSOCIATION],

(Received May 20, 10.45 a.m.

HOME RULE.

London, May 19. Mr Gladstone, replying to questions said :as now under Home Rule Catholics would be prevented from injuring Protestants, and he promised if he returned to power, Imperial pro" hibition of all ecclesiastical establish ments.

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.

A preference loan issued by the London County Council of £120,000 at 1| per cent was subscribed over two told at an average of £89 3s sd, which is £3 15s above the minimum, The Council will expend £1,600,000 m public works.

THE QUEENSLAND LABOR QUESTION.

London, May 19. The Aborigines Protection Society has denounced the revival of Kanaka labor m Queensland as a cruel and debasing form of slavery, and declares that recruiting simply moans kidnap ping and stealing.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received May 20, 10.45 a.m.) VICTORIAN RAILWAY AFFAIRS. Melbourne, May 20. Mr Speight, railway commissioner, has issued a writ against the " Age " claiming £25,000 as damages for libel, \u cowmeutiug Ott his suspension. j

The Late Hon. John Martin, M.L.C.

(PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington. May 19. The late Hon. J. Martin's estate under the last property tax assessment was valued at upwards of £120,000. Hi* property is left m equal proportions amongst his ten children.

There were few men better known m Wellington than Mr Martin..* One'of its earliest settlers, hs worked hard m a humble way at the start, and rose to be come one of Wellington's wealthiest citizens and to fill a seat m the Legislate c Council. Mr Siarun passed through all the vicissitudes of colonial life, arid worked well m all. He was a steady, shrewd, and far-seeing man, and deserved the suc cess which attended his efforts. A native of the North of Ireland, he arrived m the colony accompanied by several brothers, who afterwards went to Otago, where two of them are still alive. Three others died m Otago. Only a few months ago Mr John Martin lost his wife, and he seemed greatly shaken by the blow. He leaves a large grown-up family, Dr Albert Martin being one of his sons. It is only a t3W weeks since Mr Martin returned from a month's visit to the Hot Lakes, accom panied by Mr Tringham, and he appeared on his return to have benefited greatly by his trip. On Thursday last he was seized with a severe cold, which settled on his lungs, and he was unable to rally. Ho was conscious to wichin a few minutes of his death, and recognised and spoke to Mr Tringham, who was present. Mr Martin was a large landowner m the Wairarapa. His age was 69. In politics the deceased gentleman was a Liberal, and always voted on that side m the Council. He rarely spoke m the Council, but was a regular attendant. Mr Martin was one of the early promoters of the steamship enter prise m New Zealand, and did his utmost to keep the headquarters of that enterprise m Wellington. He was one of the princi pal directors of the Circular Saw Luie. Some fourteen years ago Mr Martin presented to the city the drinking foun tain which bears his name. His unex pected death will be very generally re gretted.—Wellington " Post "

The Dobson - Kennedy Company.

"STRUCK OIL."

Tl:e benefit; for the Hospital' Library Fund was not forgotten by the public on Thursday evening, and the Oddfellows' Hall was well-filled. The pit was crowded, only standing room being available, the second seats were also filled, while about a dozen only cf the front seats wer<* unoccupied. The piece de resistance was the well-known Dutch-American comedy drama, '• Struck Oil," m which Mr Collet Dobson made an excellent "John Stofel," and Mr Frank Norton a " Deacon Skinner" such as we seldom see on colonial boards. The other mile characters were well sustained. Miss Lily Hill filled m the character of John Stofel's wife to perfection, and Miss Idrene Thornton was a lively and caking "Lizzie." The piece ran very smoothly, and was so well played by those who took part ia it that applause was the order of the evening, and many bouquets were thrown. At the close of the piece the Mayor came before the curtain and m the name of the Hospital Board thanked the Dobson-Kennedy Company for their kindness m playing for the benefit of the Hospital Library Fund, and the public for their large attendance. 1% thanks of the audience to the com pany; were expressed m a round of applause. The curtain ♦■•lion rose on the farce of " 8.8., or the Benici* 8.»y," and for about half an hour the company kept the audience m roars of laughter with the absurdities of the piece. The boxing scene between Messrs J. J. Kennedy as " Bob Rattles, the Chicken " and Mr Joe Kennedy "8.8., " (Benjamin Bobbins) a commercial traveller whom the sporting people at a country hotel mistake for J*. C. Heenan, the Benicia B-jy, was very funny. This morning Messrs Dobson and Kennedy waited upon his Worslrp the Mayor, and submitted the accounts m connection with tha performance, at the same time handing Mr Friedlander the substantial amount of £10 10s, which was something mere than the net proceeds,, Cor the Hospital Library fund. The donors expressed their appreciation of the goodwill shown to their Company during the visit to Ashburton, and the Mayor thanked them heartily for their kindness towards the patients of the Hospital. The donation, it may be mentioned, carries the Government £ for £ subsidy. The Company appear to-night at Rakaia m«'TheShaughraun." °

The Polhill Gully Commission.

[PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, May 18. ihePolhill Gully Commission report was submitted to the Government to-day. The Commissions think it would have been preferable for the Government itself to have take the land under the Public Works Act, and they also think there was no apparent reason why the sum p»id for the land should not have been placed on the Supplementary Estimates. No agents appear at any time to have been employed on behalf of the Government to effect the purchase. The average price of the land , bought by Kirk and Atkinson was £36 9s Id per acre, and as it was sold by tham to the Government at £81 per acre there could be no doubt of the extremely dis advantageous character of the agreement entered into with that firm by the Defence Department. There could be no doubt that Kirk and Atkinson had only pur chased and transferrad to the Government the cheapest and roughest portion of the land. The Commissioners showed it was not desirable to incur any avoidable further outlay on the purchase of the Polhill Gully rifle range.

THE MARKETS.

[I'EK I'KKSS ASSOCIATION.]

„„ . . London, May 18. lhe American visible supply of wheat is estimated at 44,000,000 bushels. A cargo <of wheat by the ship Europa. from Geelong, sold at 37s IO.Vd.

fHI; ASHBtJRTOH GWAftMAI?: FRIDAY, MAY 20, lß9£ .



hollo way's Pills.—With darkening days and changing temperatures the digestion becomes impared, the liver disordered, and the mind despondent, unless the cause of the irregularity be expelled from the blood and body by such an alternative as these pills. They directly attack the source of the evil, thrust out all impurities from the circulation' restore the distempered organs to their natural state, aud correct all defective or 1 contaminated accretions. Such an easy means of instituting health, strength, end cheer fulness should he ajipliod by all who?e (stomachs^ arc weak, whose minds are harassed, or whose bruins are overworked ITolloway's m csentially a blood tempering medicine, whereby it 3 influence reaches the remotest fibre of the frame aud effects a uiversu.l good. COLKMANE AND SONS JIUC'ALYPI'E Ex tract is the only genuine m the market and was a warded medals and diplomas at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating all competitors. *or all affections of the Chest and Lungs, Consumption, Asthma, Coughs, Colds, Gravel, and Kidney Com plaints, it has no equal, Agenta—



"Cb4PI£UELL and D,igest|ve Biscuits for Invalids* are unsurpassed made by AULSEBROOK AND 00. JS'inian Hyslop and Cos, Imperial i Pure Ceylon and Indian Teas are the best m the arket —/A v.) Support Local 1nd t;stky. — The Lozenges, Jujubes, Comfits, and London Mixtures manufactured by Aulsebkook ANp Co. are equal ibq b,est imported. Ask for Njnian Hyslpp, and Cp^ Imperial npw sp^sons Pqre Ceylon an.d Indian Teas, SveciaJ prices —i 4dvt)



Kkatixo's Cough Loz^kor* cwre Coughs, Asthma, Bronchitis, Medic*l itestjijjo;iy states that no other medicine is so (effectual m the cure of those dangerous maladies. One lozenge alone gives ease, one or two a£ bedtime ensures rest. Far relieving difficulty ;of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold '[ by all Chemists m tins Is £d and 3s 9d each Have Healtliy Children by nourish ng them with Aulsebrook »f4, Cu's Al'iw- 1 v h Biscuit



The Onslow Biscuit The latest and mo"it delicate biscuit manufactured by Aolsebrook and Co. > good safety manufactured by the firm for £15 15s is wonderful value. The te'e graphic addrtas its Saviolk, Christen inch Thy w rid is e^er moving on to war 1 perfection, butseldoni attains ir. ConsLatib iinprovernent is being made m every branch of industry, but m B»kin» Powders Perfection has been peached m War burton's Catt t Be Beab.' i



PUDIIO Notices NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. QOOD News for the Winter- Rest " Makes m English and Colonial BLANKETS at reduced prices.— Njsw Zealand Clothing Factory. RUGS— Opossum, lloslyn, Mossjiel, &c, m endless variety.—New Zealand Clothing Factory. /HLOTHING-You will find it to your \J advantage to buy your Men's and B>ys' CLOTH[NG from us. Capital assortm«nt and piicea rfehb. —Nbw Zea- i t-and Clothing Factory. QAA Pairs Men's Tweed TROUSERS £J \J \J at Bs, just opened, good value. New Zealand Clothing Factory. G~~~iNTS' HATS—If you wish to look well, buy your HATS from the New Zealand Clothing Factory. The tautest shapea and colours to hand. T7~AL.UK Unequalled m Overcoats, \ Waterproofs, Waterproof Riding Aprons, Waterproof Ponchos, Bicycle Capes and Leggings, Waterproofs made to measure.—New Zealand Clothing Factory, Waterproof Manufacturers. f^i EiNTLEMEN'S Natural Wool Under \JT clothing, "recommended by.the faculty." Winter shipments to hand. Inspection Invited. — New Zealand Clothing Factory. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W. H. Webber, Manager. Agents for Wertheim Celebrated Sewing Machine.



Wanted. _ CASH Advertisements under ths heading not exededing SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. '■■_J__ WANTED to Sell—Carrots £1 a ton ; Mangolds, 17s (kl a ton ; Onions from per lb.—A. W Kaxj.kll. s^lol W" ANTED—Apprentices to the Dress making, Apply Mkh Mkeoh, Tancred Street, opposite Dr Trevor's. 5 132 1 »1A NEW Volumes just added to n\y .1 Ov/ Circulating Lib. ary. Subscrip tion 3s 6d quarter; 10^ (kl per annum. H. M. Joses. miNWALD Dancing CU s Templar I Hall, Tinwald. Opening night, Friday Next, May 2). Admission, Is ; L'jdiesjree^ : LJl±®± WAN TED KNO AN-Barrett Bros. will open m Tancred street next week, a well assorted Stock of General Drapery and Clothing. An inspection cordially invited. 5J124 "TIT ANTED Known.— The nicest stock W of New Winter Dress Goods, Mantles, Millinery, &c, U at S. W. Alcorn and Co.'s 5 50 WANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele "brated Electric Corsets w^ only be obtained m Ashburton at W. H. Collier's, "The Corner." __ "ll T ANTED, purchasers of Blankets, YY Flaniiftls, and General Drapery to remomber that Best Value m the trade ia at £r. W. Aloorn and Co.'.s 5 51 WANTED Known. —If you want plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Seg«?rs. " \TTANTED Known.—l have a large YY stock of Tin and Ironware Goods o eeUiot from. Register Grates, Stoves, °ortable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kepf. m Ptock.—J. W. llardley, East atreet, «|202 "I"T7 ANTED Known.-Come and see YY the Bargains now on at Melford House.- H. C. Seoers. ANTED KNOWN. -250 Lvdies Maids' and Children's Ulsters »nd Jackets (mostly good qualities) m arked cheap to clear. Many one third and half the usual price.—ll. C. Segers, Mulford House^ WANTED KNOWN, Wrand display of new Millinery, Ulsters ; and Jackets, at most reasonable prices at •The Cornei?.' ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mirt, S Minders' Buildings. OMERxET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, the best, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. ~\V. J. Sklcook. 1?? HITrCNGTON'S Tomato S=uice. together with testimonials, m:iy be seen at Mas J ambjj', Frukonjr, E*st Street, .and Mas PdAßsoxV>, Fruiterer, Witkanui Road, where orders will be received and prices given. 3 Ibs /""CHOICEST new season's Figs and \,J Cartoon Table Dates m 35b Boxes, 2s each. —H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East street. W* ANTED Known^-That you will make no mistake for quality »nd Variety m English and Col .nial Boots, ami h highly reputed make by calling at 0. Moison's. During coming holidays dis soilnt for Caah. Rejviira done at once, A staff of men always kept sind best material and workmanship gu iran^eeJ. •J*O Mc.er \]u: Times.--1 am «upplyin<r | (,;';v:,:.i^..! Iron Tanks from 30- U.iflran"-;.., v,••,!(•;.;■'•:--i fov twonty yoard, F.n-co ;.'!.;>;••.-., uoep well cylinders of all desiriptiuns. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hartiley, Eas street. 6J201 BALL Dresses, Evening fUoves, Mounts m Silver ami Gold, Mutfs, Fur Collarettes, Ladies' EveJiing Sh-jes. Invigorator Corsets, with strays, V and JN. Zone and all other makes, j'lsr opened. —Andrew Our. 4 57 /^ENUINE SALE, to reduce Stock, VT previous to Stock-faking. Book«, Stationery for office an el private use Music, Account Books all siss-.w, Parlor Garner, and a variety of other goods too numerous to particularise. All goods Reduced m Price for Oasu during this month. —L. F. Andrewes axd Co. Stationer's Hal!, Ash burton.