MAIL NOTICES.

The letter-box will be cleared for des patch of correspondence from Ashburton Post Office to the under-mentioned places as follows: — For a.m. p.m. p.m. .Burnham and Dunsandel ' (daily) ... 3.15 Chertsey and " Rakai* (daily) ... ..'• ... 6,30. 3.15 6.20 Chrisichurch and North (daily) ... 6.30 3.15 6.20 and on Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays... 10 30 Droiror* (daily) ... ... 6.30 Eiffelton and Willowby. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays... .. 10.30 : Elgin, Wakanui, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, ,: and Saturdays 6.30 , Flemington, Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 3.40 Geraldine(daily) .. ..10.30 Greenstreefc, Winchmore, and Forks, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 6.30 Lismore, Tuesdays and Fridays.. ... ... 10.30 Methven (daily) ... ... 3.15 Mt. Somers, Springburn, Bushside, and Alford Forest (daily) 4.0 Mayfield and Rnapnna, Mondays and Thursdays 4.0 Newlands, Tuesdays and Fridays 11.0 - Oatnaru, Dunedin, and South (daily) ... ... 12.30 Selwyn (daily) 6.20 Temuka & Timaru (daily) 10.30 12.30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs diys and Saturdays ... 3.45 Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, : and Waimate (daily)... 10 30 j; and on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays ... 3.15 Wheatstone, Ashton, WaUrton, and Long- ■ beach (daily) 3.45 N.B. — Letters containing anything of value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered. Letters containing coin, if posted un registered, will be compulsory regUtei'ed ani charged doubled, registration fee.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :— THURSDAY, July 28. For Northern Ports, per Takapuna, at 6.30 a.m. For Puyaegar Point, per express (to con nect with Hinemoa at Bluff), at 13.3* V p.m.; late fee letters, guard's van, ex press, at 12.53 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe (specially addressed "per Orient steamer"), Port de Galle, India, China, Japan, etc., and also for Australian Colonies, per express (to connect with s.a. Wairarapa, at Port Chalmers) : —Ordinary letters at 1?£.30 p.m. ; late fee letters, guard's van, express, 12.53 p.m. FRIDAY, July 29. For Northern Ports and Australian Colonies (except Tasmania) per Waihora, at 10.30 a.m. Note.—The postage of newspapers to places beyond New Zealand is bow one half penny per 2ozs. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DIRECT MAILS. , Bimutaka, left June 7, arrived London July 24. lonic, left June 23, due London August 3. Ruapehu, left July 7, due London August 16. • Tainui, left July 21, due London, August 30. HOMEWARD—SAN FRAJfCISCcrMAILS. Mariposa, left July 16, mail due London August 17. OUTWARD—-DiraCT MAILS. Doric, left London June l«k due July 25. ' '■» Ruahine, left London June 25, due colony August 8. Arawa, left. London July 9,') due colony August 22. OCTWAKD—SAN FRANCISCO MAILS.' Mail per Zealandia left London July 9, due colony August 12.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1892. MR LEADLEY AND OUR SELVES.

It would have been better for the prospects of the Ashburton' branch of the New Zealand Farmers' and Country Settlers' League, and for Mr George Williair Leadley," if, when those responsible for the conduct of yesterday's meeting discovered that that gentleman was not prepared with a speech, they had entrusted to some body else the part allotted to him m the proceedings. . However, this courts was not followed, and Mr Leadley, having no case, proceeded to abuse what he considers the opposite side, nameiy, ourselves —or, to be e*act f the AshburT(W Mail. As most of oup comments on the League first appeared m the ooluinns of this paper, and m order that Ajr Leadjey may at the earliest possible moment put himself right by admitting himself to have been wrong, we deal with his remarks here.. Mr Leadley stated that by the exercise of our imagination or invention, he thought the latter, we had discovered that th<i League was * "squatter*"' league, It so have made of tbe . • - ..„ studiously avoided the use of the term "squatter," and the word/has not once appeared m our columns m connection with the League. Mr-Lead ley said that we denied the right of farmers to unite. We have never denied that right, but on the contrary have often deplored the apathy of farmers m many omtt?rs that affect them as a class, in cluding political matters. Mr Leadley accused us of having called the League " a party." If we had done so it would have been nothing very dreadful; but we did not. The League claims to be a non-party organisation;* and we pointed out that it was indisputably a party league, and must be considered so, until by actions or proposed action* it shows itself to be otherwise. Mr Leadley facetiously asked the Mail— " What is a Squatter ? " We ask Mr Leadley—" What is Truth ?" The impressive silence with whiph his attack on the Mail was received by the meeting showed that his remarks were not approved, and should have made him think before saying more. We will not retort upon Mr Leadley by ap plying to him the terms to which he has laid himself open, nor will we dictate to him the line of conduct he should follow under the circumstances. We will not even say that there is only one course open to him. There are, m fact, two courses : he may frankly ad mit his errors, or he may leave them unretracted and let them stand on it cord as a specimen of the misrepresen tations which it was thought necessary to use m order to induce Ashburton farmers to join a Jeague having for its ostensible object the protection of their own rights and interests.

The Melbourne Cup scratehim;3i date July 26 (yesterday) us published by our contemporaries, include the name of Tiraillerie instead of Tirailleur. . There is no doubt Tiraillerie is coirecfc,' but our *elegrim wag dUtimstly Tirailleur,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

This mo.ning an nebriVe 'a first offender, was fined 5s and costs, or forty-eight hours gaol—Mr Thomas, J.P., on the bench. Next Sunday the Very Rev Father Chaetagnon will celebrate mass at Rakaia and veopers m Ashbnrton at the usual hour. A movement is on foot at Oamaru to send a quantity of potatoes to Melbourne for distribution to the distressed there. The Union Steamship Co. have agreed to carry 200 sacks free of charge, and application is being made to the Railway Commissioners for free railage to »ie breakwater, and to the Victorian Government for the admission of the potatoes free of duty. There was a large gathering of the share holders of the Working Men's JCo-operalive Society at the Arcade on Tuesday evening for the quarterly meeting. The President, Mr T. M. Jones, explained that it would be necessary to hold another meeting m a fort night, and it was decided to adjourn to that date without proceeding with any of the business. Zeehun is a very muddy place, and~tn"e ladies there have adopted a new fashion m | tiress, which might with advantage be taken j up here m wet winters. They have their ; dresses cut so as not to come more than half way below the knee, and wear gaiters. The Lawrence Arbor Day committee have passed a resolution, asking the Railway Commissioners to plant with trees both sides of the railway, and suggest that birch trees, which would eventually be suitable for sleepers, be planted ; also recommending the commissioners to offer prizes annually to the stationmasters for the best kept gardens. Efforts are being nvxde at Waimate to erect a large clock m the New Post Office now m the course of erection. The Borough Council voted £20 towards the clock, and a canvass of the town for subscriptions is being made. The cost of the clock and the alterations to the building will be about £150.

Mr John Anderson, founder of a well known Royal Polytechnic Warehouse m Ar gyle street, Glasgow, died on June 7, aged 76. The "Witness" says that Mr Anderson came to Glasgow from Perth m 1835, an or phan and friendless, and m two years saved enough money to enable him to open a small draper's shop m Clyde terrace. By degrees he built up the largs business m Argyl* street. His widow, five sons, and tw« daughters survive him. Speaking at the great eight-hour demon stration m Hyde Park, London, on Labour Day, Mr John Burns said that betting was becoming a greater evil than drink among the working classes m England. He wanted them to understand, with regard to this eight-hour day, how mm;h better it was to spend £10,000 m getting labour members into Parliament thaa £200,000 on a strike. "But how many Bri^sh working-men," he asked bitterly, " who for the sake of this forego putting a bob on Orme ?—who, I am sorry to say, wasn't poisoned the other day. Yes, I mean it," he added, as a laugh fol lowed his words. "This betting business is a greater domestic terror, a greater curse i than drink itself to the working man; and if I thought the eight hour day was going to give him leisure to demoralise himself with such things I'd pray that he should work for tw«nty-four. Regarding New Zealand oats the " Keiso Mail" of June has this to say :—lt is generally thought that Scotland is the •nly good oat producing country, but the New Zealanders say that they can grow better, and m proof of this they have sent a couple of cargoes (the first ever shipped to this country) to the order of Messrs Bell and Adamaon, of Durham, one cargo of nearly 13,000 sacks having been discharged at West Hartlopool and the other at Tyue Dock. The firm has a large connection among colliery owners and their testimony m favour of the new oats will, no doubt, lead to further im portations. The oats are chiefly for horse feeding and oatmeal, and it is said that the finer qualities are much better than any Scotch oats that ever were m the norfch country. Those known as potato oats are especially good for race and carrhge horses, and Lord Durham has taken a quantity of them for his new stables at Lambton.

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN.

'IRS PKESS ASSOCIATION.)

THE UNION BANK.

London, July 26. [ The balance sheet of the Union Bank of Australia shows profits amounting to £100,000, of which £11,000 are to be carried forward. The assets exceed £20,000,000.. The deposits have in creased during the year by £700,000. The bank has not suffered by the recent failures m Australia,

ANOTHER COMPANY Itf TROUBLE,

At a stormy meeting of shareholders m the Imperial and Colonial Finanoe Agency, resolutions were passed m favor of winding the company up, but a scrutiny was demanded. It was ad mitted that investments had declined to the extent of £50,000.

DAMAGES AGAINST POLICE.

. A Scotch dr€ssijjjp3al£<3r recovered £500 damages from two policemen m Glasgow for arresting her as an im moral character.

LORD SHERBROOKE.

Lord Sherhrooke is seriously ill.

OBJTUARY.

Dr Claughton, formerly Bishop of St, Albany is dead,

MOIQQQO.

a«Vfcan of MQ.ro.agQ profe^se* The w » • .- W iour to the penitence for his ucu^ British Commissioner.

DISMISSED THE SERVICR.

Sir James Fergusson, the Postmaster- General, has dismissed two officials m his Department for soliciting candi dates at the election to take up their grievances.

THE ULSTER CONVENTION.

Mr Labouchere asserted that the delegates to the Ulster Convention were paid officials. The statement is denied, and an apology demanded.

TROUBLES IN AFRICA.

The natives have expelled Belgians from the Katanga district, between lakes Victoria and Albert Nyanza, which the Brussels Company have been endeavouring to exploit.

THE STRIKERS' WAR.

Washington, July 25. A soldier at Pittsburg was sus pended by his thumbs for half an hour and then expelled, for cheering the man who shot Fick.

BURNING OF EDISON'S WORKS.

Mr Edison's electric- works at Sche nectandy have been burned down. It is & total loss.

THE CHOLERA.

St. Petersburg, July 26. The people of Astrakhan are rebell ing against the precautions insisted upon by the authorities against cholera, and are pillaging the public offices. The doctors are m hiding, and two chemists were killed by the senseless mob.

A SYDNEY DEFAULTER.

Sydney, July 26. The defalcations of Foggarty, the de faulting manager of the Permanent Mutual Benefit Building Society, who is believed to be m South America, amount to £11,700. They have been traced as far back as 1886.

New Zealand Farmers' and County Settlers' Leaqgue.

FORMATION OF A BRANCH IN ASHBURTON. A meeting of farmers and others was held m the Arcade' Chambers yesterday afternoon, m response to an advertise ment which appeared m one columns, which stated the object of the meeting to be the formation of a branch of the New Zealand Farmers' and Country. Settler*' League. There was a large actbiidahoo.of farmers—themeeting opening with thirty three, but as business proceeded neatly every speaker was interrupted by the entrance of moru farmers, until every seat m the room had been occupied, and the back part of it filled «ith those for whom no seatd wore available.

Mr '.\ J. Harper was called to the chair.! Tn opening the business, he said he had been asked to preside at the institution of the Ashburton branch of the Farmers' League. He did -so with pleasure. It was the fashion nowadays for men of all tiades and professions to unite for the protection and furtherance of their in terests, and doubtless union waa strength. But m so duitig, let 1.0 one for a moment doubt that " the good of the colony ah a whole is the object of every true-hearted man amongst us, and lhat we combine— not m selfishness, not as seeking undue power, but that v/e may work together harmoniously with all our fellow colo . nists to make this country, so favoured by nature, the home of a happy, prosperous , and united people." . That cml would be i the best attained by industry and perse , verance, by rendering to every man his | due, and by striving to hod fast the heri ! tage of liberty handed down to us by our British forefathers. Where one member suffered all must suffer. All had a right to be he&rd who |lived the lives of good citizens, helping honestly to increase »y their capital or labor the wealth of the community. Farmers represented the most important industry of the c«'ony, on whose prosperity the welfare of the rest greatly depends. Looking to the Old World for the sale of their produce, and indebted to the English capitalist for the wherewithal to redeem and cultivate the land, it behoved them to acknowledge with thankfulness the assistance so ob tained, and bylevery means m their power to increase a belief m the honesty and credit of the colony. Let them show the world that m spite of the passing effer vescence of politicians, and the friction of party government, thq people of .New Zealand do not love oppression, but delight to pay a fair day's wage for a fair day's work, and that the hard-working farmers, who are striving to develppe her resources, will unite m the determination to protect the indus trious, live and lefc li< Tt\ and tax no man unfairly. These were his sentiments, which he had taken the trouble to think | out and record. lie was glad to see co large a meeting, as farmers did not usually take the trouble to come out m such strong members to look after their own interests; but now that they had done so he trusted they would fix upon some definite line of action, and adhere to it. Mr Purnell would move ihe first resolution. , Mr C. W. Purnell said he had pleasure in'moving the first resolution : — That an Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' an! Country Settlers' League be formed.

The large meeting showed that the farmers took an interest m this more pent. They were the only community m the colony that had n* union for the protection of its own interests. The working men had their trades unions for the skilled artizans, labor unions for the protection of the rights of unskilled labor, with a central controlling power like th 3 Maritime Council, and there was a political labor Union m the Knights of Labor, while traders had unions for their protec tion, and merchants' interests were con served by Chambers of Commerce. But farmers had no Union. Sometimes when an election was on they displayed a de sire to work together m their own in terests, but when ,fche election was over they relapsftd again into their old apathy. The Farmers' and Country Settlers' League was intended to be a permanent organisation, and the present programme of it, which had already appeared m the papers, and would be distributed among them m printed form, was intended to suit existing political circumstances, and would no doubt be changed as new ques tions »rose. Socialistic newspapers throughout the colony asserted that this was a large landowners' league. If it was a league at all it was one of hard-working farmers and country settlers who intended by it to form a strong and efficient barrier to the tide of socialism that was surging up m the large towns of the colony, and to protect the country against the present undue preponderance of the large towns. The farmers formed cne community, and comprised both large and small farmers, and to him it seemed only right and proper that those most largely interested should come forward And make their voices heard when the interests of land owners were threatened. When the rights of trade were threatened, no one expected the small shopkeepers to corns forward and ohampjpn toe rights assailed, but those interested looked to the mer chants who formed the Chamber of Com: merce to dp so. The interests of the large and the small farmers were the san>e f aiiq fchp interests of the farm laborers were identical \pitii them. The speaker then went on tq speak of the programme of th§ League. Articles two and si* specially merited the attention of fanners. They declared the League's intention to. ppposQ fall attempts to "***ee heavier state burdens upqn the f ""^fclum uoon the owners ci ownemot uiuv. ■*- -< . m $ << ifc other kinds of property . _" .« viewed with just alarm those provisions 01 the Land and Income Tax Act, 1891, which. tax the farmers and country settlers so much more heavily than t!v> town dwellers and money lenders wpth equal means to pay taxes." There was much misconception about the new taxation, and a good deal of light *tquifed to be thrown upon it. The great principle pervading and underlying Ihe new taxation was that the land must pay a higher propprtion of taxation than other property. This was an entirely new departure m taxation, and all the best English financiers, all recognised financial authorities, had hitherto recognised that one of the chief camp* m a sound system of taxation was that all direct taxes should be equal m their incidence, and that every man should pay m pro portion to his means. Take a few in= stances of how the new taxation acted. Two men coming to New Zealand had each £6000 which they invested. One put his money m the bank at fixed deposit at five per cent. That yielded him £300 per annum. He paid nothing under the Income or any other tax. The second man invested his £6000 m unimproved land. Under the ordinary land ta^; he wou'd have to pay £25 at Id m the £, and £3 2s 6d under the graduated land tax at jd m them-in all, £28 2s 6d. Supposing the land to be improved to the extent of £2030, leaving £4000 unim proved value, then he pays ordinary tax on£4ooo-£l6 13a ,4& A farm, if the land is good and well situated, njay possess an unimproved value of £5000 without being a large landed estate. Yet, even if such a form is mortgaged up to the hilt, the nominal proprietor has to pay a graduated tax upon the whole of £5000, although he has no real interest m the land. A small farm of 200 or 300 acres was worth, say £1500. Reckon that improvements are Allowed at one third of the value. Deducts £500 exemption, and, £500 remain to tax at

Id— £2 Is Bd. Such a farmer cou'd not expect to * realise more than £150 a year; yet he must be taxed, and the land tax must be paid whether the owner makes a profit or not. The speaker then went on to show that farmers did not gefc the benefit of the £3000 exemption for improvements, as I valuers did not allow it. £3000 m money | may have been spent m improve nents, and yes the farm altogether not be worth : that money. The valuers firsi took the i unimproved value, and the difference b..- j twuen. that and the gross va'uc they I allowed'a? improvements. It hud been I i<iid that the smaller f irm^rs would not I pay any more under the new taxation than under the old, but theie were i several answers to that. With the large , surpluses of the last two years thfi pro-' perty tax. had been reduced by half ; but fai merrf had to look ahead and corsichr what would be the ultimate effect of the new taxation. Supposing the new taxa tion to nave had the effect of bursting up the large estates, the income from the graduated tax would disappear, and the ■•small farmers would have to make up the difference. If any more revenue were wanted, it could only be raised by an in crease m the ordinary taxation. An important question to consider was the origin of this new taxation, the under lying principle of which was the new one that land should pay a higher proportion than oth«jr properly This new departure was taken at the bidding of the labor unions and th« laud nationalise™ m targe towns. Socialistic and land nationalisa tion doctrines prevailed among the work ■ ing classes m the larger towns far more widely than most farmers seemed to think. A meeting of the National Liberal Association was held at Dunedin on May 2, 1891. Mr Seddon was chair man, and Messrs Earnshaw and Pinker ton were present, The programme adopted included among other clauses " the sole tenure of land to be a lease from the State," "the nationalisation of the land, mines, all railways, and the coastal marine services," "land succes sion duties to be paid m la»d," and "that Government undertake as a State function the employment of all needing work." The speaker drew special attention to the article requiring all succession duties to be paid m land. This proposal had m view the ultimate nationalisation "of the land without compensation. The organisation ha ring these as articles of their programme was railed *' Liberal," was a living organisation at the present time, and its paid secretary was Mr Buick, a member of the House. Mr Gladstone would not put his name to that kind of Liberalism ; but these were the people at whose bidding Government had propounded the present taxation, and were now acting solely m the interests of the laboring classes m the large towns, whom they were demoralising and pauperising by depriving them of their self reliance, and leading them to believe it was the bound3n duty of Government to support them from the cradle to the grave. The speaker made a reference to the single tax question, which had been championed before the Premier by a deputation, and the Premier had expressed sympathy with the views expressed. Mr McLean, a Wellington member, was a member of a single tax association there. Mr Purnell also spoke on the unfairness of the town triple representation m Parliament, while the country electors had only one vote. The intend n of the new Electoral Bill to reduce the qualification to three months was another indication that it was time the country people bestirred themselves, and combined for their protection. He would like to see one. strong League m the colony that would be able to speak authoritatively. Small farmers' cluos m the country districts were all very well, but one strong oolonial League, to which all farmer* would belong, would give them that protection which they at present did not have, and which the towns hid secured by all sorts of unions. Me D. Williamson seconded. More than twelve months ago he had advocated such a union as this, and was pleased to see so large a meeting assembled to institute a branch. He endorsed all Mr Purnell had said. When he (Mr William son) became the owner of land he felt it was an unusual thing to be able ro stand on one's own soil. He had only come very shortly before from the Old Country where he had always stood on some one else's land, but on his own he felt he could do what he liked. Tho Crown grant of his land sxid it was his, to hold for himself, his heirs' successors, and assigns for ever. This was the meaning of freef hold. But the new tax went m the direction of removing this freehold. Bringing the title of land into question had a very serious, aspect. It was every man's desire to obtain a piece of land m freehold, but if fche title were to be rendered insecure what would be the end of it ? government, and the newspapers supporting them, said the small farmers would pay no more tax than they did before. Government meant to secure the support of the small farmers, who were many, m order to heavily tax the large farmers, who were few, and m doing so offered a share of the spoil to the small farmers. This was not a good principle. This league was not an aggressive but a protective one, and farmers large and small had a perfect right to protect them-1 selves. Some newspapers seemed to think they had no such right of combina tion, but that they should remain quiet and let things $ake their course. A large combinational farmer*, sinu'larto the qiher combinations that existed m the colony, would be well able to. protect the agricul tural and pastoral interests, which ware the most important m New Zealand. These > industries had. been singled out for extra taxation, and if farmers, pulled together, and instead of being divided at election times, looking after many little things, and negiec't:"£ &eir awn first and best interests, they would be w*C" ?bla ta pro tect themselves, for they were by far*the strongest body. All the other things jjhey sought after at election times now would certainly follow, if (;hey were only as well united "as they ought to be.

The resolution was carried unanimpusly. Mr John Grigg moved the second reso lution as follows :—r That the programme of the Central League be adopted as the programme of the Ashburton Branch. The question of why were they there could be answered easily. They were face to face with a threatened^ single tax. It was not a question of large landowners against small. That was simply a decoy, for when the large landowners had been b&gggd the small ones must be the next victims of thia j»«tyipn, Had farmers been united m the past there would have been no need for the meeting they were' holding. But jbhey had not been so, and had fallen m consequence into the hands of professional politicians, who had no in terest m anything but the mnuey they re ceived m Wellington for their political se jf vices. This district had seat such represen tatives to Parliament. After wit, it had been said, was only good for catching blind horses. The farmers of this dis trict m political matters had wit after. they sent these men to Parliament, but he trusted now they would have che wit to look after their own interests. Nine tenths of the products of the colony were raised by the farmers, and jt was the in terest of the producers to age that the money raised by chem m the country should not be spent by men m the towns. The farmers had been terribly deserted by so-called conservatives. The two words Liberal and Conservative wsre sadly misundersjtood. The men from the. country districts had been sadly divided m the past and had not voted for the farmers' protection. One member the

district had Bent to Parliament had voted or the huidtsu of o'udutblo aid being borne by the land. Jsver since 1877, the tendency had been to let the town get the better of the country. He urpol the farmer* to look atter themselves. , Their homos were being afraoked and [their British lights assailed. Without freehold what weuld be the .fecurity of any property ? What did true Liberalism mean?—To have no class tax but to yield to every man the fruits of his own industry and energy. This was uot a question of large versus small farmers, but of all owneis of laud, as when the large landowners had been taxed out of existence, the burden which had proved too heavy for them would have to be borne by the snwll farmers who sail remained and had taken their places, Mr G. W. T 'radley seconded the reso lution. Ho ..ad pleasure m supporting the programme of the Central League. The Ashburt-m Mail had made a dis covery -or perhaps it partook more of the nature of an invention than a dis covery—that the ChrisUrhurch League was essentially a squatters' league. There were those who denied the farmers any right to combine, and when farmers did so these papers stood aghast, seeming to think that they ought to bow their shoulders to the burden like dumb driven cattle. He had a personal knowledge of and acquaintance with most of the men whose names appeared on the prospectus of the League. They would hardly accuse Mr John Grigg of being a squatter, or say that he was not one of the most piactical and hardest working farmers m the colony: they would net call hia friend Mr Peter Drummond a squatter : and the secretary, Mr H. W. Peryman, was one of the hardest working farmers m Canterbury. Were these men squatters ? Perhaps the Mail would tell them what a squatter was. There had been a, controversy m that paper between Mr Ivan Rankine Cunningham Graham and Mr John Holmes, m which Mr Graham had been great on the subject of squatters. Mr Graham had been a squatter himself and ought to be well up on the subject. The improvements exemption under the new taxation was a delusion and a snare. He had not been exempted m the valuation of his property to more than two-thirds of what he ought to have been, and it was the same through outWakanui, where the land for rating purposes had been raised all round about £2 an acre. The tax he and others m the district would hare to pay to Govern ment on their land was a more bagatelle compared withr local rates that followed thw valuation. Wakanui had no less than five local rates to pay on the as sessed value of the land, and this was more than they ought to bear. The Mail said the League was a party. He ad mitted that it was a party-a party who "will oppose all class legislation as a violation of the rights of all citizens to equal la* 5 ; and will oppose all attempts to place heavier State burdens upon the owners of land than upon the owners of ether kinds of property." He trusted that all would stand shoulder to shoulder and demand justice. Theresolution was carried unanimously. Mr S. S. Chapman moved the third resolution as under:—

That a committee of management be formed to conduct the affairs of the Ash burton Branch, consisting of—Messrs I Sargent, Geo. Uadley, S. S. Chapman, j>. Williamson, M. Bruce, J. Shearer^M, Red- S*X ne> rJoha <? ochr««. Geo. lamb, R. K llS>i?'SS i"£ nt > R* H" *"*• J- Grigg. M-Stitt W. B. D«n.hire-with powerto add to their number. . Farmers had rights with other men, and these were being infringed. They had a perfect right to combine, as others had done, for their protection. Much had been said about a squatters' league. It was no such thing. Many m that meeting knew what it was to come to New Zealand with little m th^ir pockets, and by hard and honest labor carve out a ■lace for themselves on the land. , The farmers spent much money m the colony, and their whole families worked—father, wife, boys and girls—and worked the longest hours of any working people m the colony. It was their money that was making the colony, and if their rights were infringe! and burdens placed on them they had no right to bear, their position would affect the the farm laborer. He knew mechanics m tho town who were earning ten or twelve shillings a day who had nothing to carry them over a week'a want of work. Surely farmers were more deserving men than these. Touch the farm and you touch the farm laborer. The latter had often to get up early m the morning, walk several miles to his work, eat a cold dinner which -he had carried with him, and get home about seven o clock after his work was over, and all for wages varying from four shillings to six shillings per day, and that not always certain. If the rates affected the farmer they also affected the laborer, so that the interests of the farmer and laborer were identical. They did not want to see serfs around them, but men, and farmers m * petition to treat them as such. Mr Murdoch Bruce seconded the mo fcion m a few words, and it was carried unanimously. Votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman and to Mr Purnell, and a larpe number having given m their names as, members the meeting adjourned.

Imperial Politics.

I.MSR PRABS ASBOCUTTOX]. Loxpon, July 25. The Liberal Unionists have sug gested that Mr Joseph Oowen, who represented Newcastle till 1886, should contest the seat with MrMorlej, if the latter has to seek re-election by becom* ing a Minuter.

POLITICAL.

[PER PRESS ISSOOUTIOjr.]

The Bryce petition' ins rarthpr pop? sidered by the Public FotitioroOommit tee, but no resolution was arrived at. It is understood, that the master wilj gland over till the general motion to expunge the pensure pn Mr Bcypw find others is dealt with by the House at the close of the Financial debate, Mr Allen moved as an amendment " That m the opinion of the Committee the resolution of cen sure should be rescinded from the journals of the House." This was lost by 5 fco 4, the voting being—Ayes, Messrs Allen, Lake, Swan, Moore; Noes, Messrs Karnshaw, E. M. Smith, Cadman, Kelly, Houston. Mr Smith explained that he agreed with the spiric of the amendment but found hitoself'in a !hole! through having to second Mr Cadmaii's amend ment for delaying the matter till the general whitewashing resolution was dis posed of. The ministers of the Wesleyan Ghurcfc, resident m Wellington, met last nighi and c|ec}ded to accept the five years' itinerancy, rathe* th«h rigk the defeat pf the Wesleyan' Methodist Property* Trust Bill. The Wesleyan Bill comes before the House this afternoon on the report of the Private Bills Committee. It will be vigorously opposed, and the promoters of the B,ill wi|l consent |;cj itet bfjing refecred baok to' the Commit Mthep fh^rt h!ap it thrown out.

(frqm our p&ruahbnxa&y CpRB«SPONDKin.) '

Weu^Nqiqx, July 2?. CONGBATDItA.TION^fd^L^MfqXI. - Mr Balltuco baa cabled to Mr Ola*

THE AfiHBTTRTON QtTARPIAN >. WEDNEESDA?, JULY 27, 1898.



NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOKT r pHE Proprietors have much JL pleasure m informing their Patrons and the General Public, that they have opened Tem porary Premises m TANCRED STREET, opposite the Arcade. NEW STOCK NEW STOCK. AYE SPECIALLY INVITE BUYERS OF CLOTHING TO PAY US A VISIT. HATS AND CAPS Jn the Latest Shapes, Including Light Weight, Flexible m Black andi Colored, also Soft Felts, marked at prices to suit every body. -LATEST NOVELTIES SHIRTS, SCARFS, BOWS, RUGS, PORTMANTEAUX, BRACES, COLLARS, &c. NEW ZBAI<AIV» Clothing* Factory. TANCRED STREET. W, H. Webber, Manager,



BOMERHET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, the best, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. Sjlcock. 4J182 O ALVAGE SALE—A large quantity O of Goods slightly soile < by removal during the late fire. WUI be sold at greatly Reduced Prices.—Andkrw Orr CV7*ANTED-Gentlemen before buying » » their Suits and Clothing of all descriptions to inspect our stock. £1000 worth must be sold regardless of cost. — H C. Segers, Melford House. ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and ariety m English and Colonial Boots, and is highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staft of men always kept and best material and worhim rtfihip guaranteed. WANTED Known.—J. Nicholas, Bootmaker, Burnett street, oppo site the Mail Office, is prepared to make Boots and Shoes to order. All repairs done promptly at lowest rates. 7*167 WANTED Known^-If you want good value m first-class Drapery and Slothing for your money go to H. C- Segeus, Melford House. Great reduc tions now onu _ _______ KOSE Trees. Onions, Plough Shares, Flour, Chuff, Oatmeal, Macrocarpa Fruit 'Free*, Tpa, Sharps, Potatoes, Chick Wheat, Oarrots, Insignis, H«y, air, Oats, Barb Wire, and Civility. For the above articles, cheap and good for oash, try J. Thomas, opposite Army Barracks, Havelock street. rpKLEGRAM to A. Okb.—Your offer 1. fur 124 Pieces French Merino is accepted ; Edwards, Bennett, and Co., Christchureli. The above goods are now being sold it hilf »rice at A. Orb's Cheap Sail? ® 4° WANTED Known—ln consoquence 0 f slowness of trade this season, we aave reduced almost everything of our well assorted first'dass Drapery, Clothing, c c. —H. C. Segers, Melford House. t,l/ANTED Known.—l have a large YV stoclf of Tin and Ironware Goodh to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging fcep*. m ptock.—J. W. Hardlev, East Street, 6{202 \ L»L Wool Colonia I 1 weed Stiits to jEX. measure; fit anJ. workmanship guaranceeu': *">«* 60s cash. Roberi Alcorn, Ashbuu"« Qothing Mart, Saunders Buildings. _ VTOW SELLING at Groatly ReducY^ ■UN Prices (for cash), Hundreds of Books on History, Science, Religion, Fiction, &c Photo Albums and Frames, Pictures, Games, Musical Instruments, Music. A large stock slightly soiled at less than half price. Stationery and Account Book*.—L. F. Andrbwes and Co.



CASH Advertisenium* under th^B heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. WANTED" one or two reupectabie boarders. Terms 15d per week, including washing.—Apply Mam, °ffice -7 179 j OST, on Friday night,22nd insfc., one i ; gentlaman's Batten burg Dancing Shoe. Finder please leave Mail Office. 7 174 ■ ■ BAND at the Rink, To-mokro \ Evening (Thursday). 7 175 Tl" r ANTED, smart Girl, Fourteen or W fifteen years old, as Nursemaid. Apply Andrew Young, Wakanui Road. 7 177 \\ J ANTED, Improvers and Appren- YY ticca to the Dressmaking. Apply Missbs Gatjss, Peter street. 7 178 \\7\iNTKD, an Apprentice, sixth VV standard boy preferred. Apply Manager Ashburton Publishing Company. RSCONLAN and Miss Arnott, . Cobtume Makers, having opened m Saunders' Buildings, are prepared to guarantee perfect fit, and latest P*ris fashions. Dresses made from l(Xs 6d. . 7J154 USE Flower's Cough Drops and Sulphur Tablets. H. G. Flower Confectioner, Ease street. T7"EROSENE, Flour, Tapioca, Sago, _l\. Rice, etc., at Wholesale Prices.— The Gash Stor^, Havelock street (opposite Harmon's). 7J153 QPEIGHT'S beht Dunedin Beer always ; O on tap at Butler's Family Hotel. Tj^IRE ! The Salvage Sale will be con- JD tinued for Fourteen Days. All Wool Dress Tweeds at about Half price. —S. W. Amjosn & Co. SALVAGE Sale. Great reductions on pvery article. Trimmed Millinery Half price.—S. W. Alcorn & Co. WAN TE D~ Kiwwn^DrScott'r cele brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained m Ashburton at W. H. Collikk'.h, "The Corner." WANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and Jackets, at most reasonable prices at The Cornb(<.



I Th« world is ever moving on towar i perfection butscldom attains it, Constan improvement is being made m every branch of industry, but m Baking Powders Perfection has been reached m Warburton's Catrt Be Beat. •'Calliope" Cycles.—lllustrated list of " Calliope" Cycles for season 1892-93 is now issued and will be sent post free to any address—Saville's Cycle Works 93 Colombo Street. Holloway's Pills and Ointment. - Soldiers and sailors..—These well-known and easily used remedies are especially service able and convenient to those who, like soldiers and sailors, are exposed to great changes of climate, and the hardships in separable from their calling. Many of the diseases engendered m the system from these and other untoward causes can be checked and controlled by attention at their outset, and m Holloway's remedies will be found a ready means of relief without hindrance from duty. Many a man is invalidtd and rendered more or less a burden to himself and friends from neglect of the early symptoms of his complaint, which calamity might be averted by timely resort to the use of Holloway's Pills and Ointment. Cbacknjsll and Digestive Biscuits for invalids are unsurpassed. Made by AULSBBKOOK AN D Co. ' The Onslow Biscuit. The latest and most delicate biscuit by A.«ilsebrook and Co ,



" PHOTOGRAPHY. GREAT SUCCESS. GREAT SUCCESS.' THIS Public delighted with the Professor* work. The first lot of proofs are now ready for distribution, and are on view at the Studio, Moore •treet, where the Public are requested to inspect the wotk, which will compare favorably with any m the colony. Come early. Business booming. Customer delighted. Studio hours from 930 to .. P'm * A. T. ROBOTTOM,  Photographer, Moore, street, (Opposite Royal Hotel). 7t159 The Best Tea IN THE WORLD. HyalW'a Ceylon. NINIAN HYSLOP, and CO., Tea Importers, 138 Cashel street. Chiistchurch. The Beat Tea IN CANTERBURY for the money, and free from any excess of astringency. COUNTESS 2S. AW YOU? « 7X2l'



SPENCER'S MO JS STE R CLEIKANC B. MAKK THE EXTBAOKDINABY EEDUCTIONS MADR FOR IHE LAST FEW DAYS of Tin* GREAT SALE. CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. NOTE THE BEDTJOTIONS— MEN'S SAC SUITS. Former Prices 31s Od, 37a 6d, 3ls 6d, 37s 6d, 45s os, 55s Od Sale Prices 21s Od, 26s 6d, 21s Od, 29a 6d, 3o> 6d, 35s 6d Former Price* 49b 6d, 42s 6d, 47s -Bd, . 85* .Od, 32s Od, 49 8 6d Sale Prices 28* 6d, 29s 6d, 32s 6d, 45s Od, 21s Od, 38s 6d Former Price. 65s Od, 45s Od, 47s 6d, 59s 6d, 62s 6d, 47s 6d Sale Prices 38s 6d, 33s Od, 37s 6d, 37s 6d, 42s 6d, 86s 6d SPECIAL LINES. OolonUl Saddle Tweed Suite, 52s 6d, for 35s 6d; Black Worsted do, 59s 6d, for 89s 6d; Colonial Tweed do, 39a Sd, for 28s 6d; Colonial Tweed do, 87s 6d, for 29s 6d; Kaiapoi, very heavy line, do, 50s, for 37s 6d; Boslyn, very heavy line, do, 655, tor 47s 6d. MEft'S TWEED OVERCOATS. Former Prices 45s Od, 25s 6d, 34s 6d, 82s 6d, 35a Od, 27s Bd, 29s R 45s Salb Pricks 32s 6d, 21s Od, 24s 6d, 22s 6d, 23s 6d, 19s 6d, 24a 6d, 34a 6d JOB CLEARANCE. MEN'S PILK TIES 6 for Is. LADIES' CLOSE-FITTING THREE-QUARTER JACKETS. Former Prices 36s 6d, 19s 6d, 17s Od, 81s Od, 32s 6d SALE PRICES 14s lid, 6s lid, 6s lid, 13s lid, 8s lid Former Prices 27s 6d, 30s Od, 14s 6d, 26s 6d, 31s Od SALE PBICES 13s 3d, 14s lid, 4s lid, 13s lid, 13s lid LADIES* SHORT JACKETS. Former Prices 16s 6d t 12s 6d, 12s 6d, 13s 6d, 21s Od SALEPBIOES 4s lid, 4s lid, 5s 6d, 5s lid, 6s lid Former Prices 21s «d, 18s 6d, 29s 3d, 22s Od, 17. 6d SALE PBICES 6s 9d. 5s 9d, 5s lid, 7s 3d, 6d LADIES' TWEED ULSTERS. Former Prices 8s lid, 8s lid, 9s 6d, 12s 6d, Us 9d SALE PBICES 3s lid, 3s lid, 4s lid, 6s lid, 5s lid Former Prices 12s 6d, 18s 6d, 82s 6d 16s 6d, 10s 9d SALE PBICES 7s lid, 6s lid, Us lid, 9s lid, 6s lid DRESS BEP4RTIBII. MEBINOS—BIack and Colored. former Prices 3s 6d, li 6d, 4s 6d, 3 8 3d, 4s 6d, 8s Od, 3s 3d Is lid, £ 6d, 2. 6d Sam Peicbs 2i5H Is 2^d, 3sisd,Us 7d $ 8s 6d, 8s Id, 2a 7d, Is 3d, llfd, llfd MELTON CLOTffa—Brown, Navy, Maroon, and Oreya, la 9d for ll|d. FBENCH BEIGES—DoubIe Widtl\ 2s lid for Is 9d. SPECIAL A few lengths of DBE33 TWEBDS left, beautiful patterns, really first slass Goods, at the following ASTONISHING REDUCED PRICES: Former Prices 3s 9d, 8s 6d, 3s 6d, 3s 6d, 3s 6d, 2s. 11, 2s lid, 3s 6d, 3s 3d SALE PBKS)SS 2s sd, 2s 3d, 2s Id, Is lid, Is 10|d, Is lid, 2s Id, 2, Id, 2s 3d REMNANTS OF DRESS GOODS AT SURPRISING REDUCTIONS, COLONIAL MADE BLANKBIS AT THE^XAOT MILL PRICES. We shall not replace any lines sold out, hence the necessity of making your purcha&es early. ' . . S. SALEK, - Watchmaker and Jeweller. TEMPORARY PREMISES iT W. C. DAVIS* REFRESHMENT ROOM. Fire. Fire. Fire. MUST BE CLEARED AT A IVY PRICE MST STOCK of Electro-Plated and Silverware, Gold and Silror Jewellery, and other high-class Jewellery, has to be SuLD previous to going into new premises, as intend opening with an entirely new stock. Wedding Present*, Birthday Presents, and Presentation Testimonials. These will be found goods specially suitable and at Less than COST PRICE. Watchmaking and Jewellery Repairing carried on as usual ». SALEK, WATCHMAKER AND JEWF.r.LER.