MAIL NOTICES.

Note—On and after October 1 the parcels post system will be established between New Zealand and New South Wales at the same rate of postage as to the other colonies.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit.. SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 1893. RACE PROGRESSION.

A. southern contemporary referring to a recent article in this journal, takes exception to what is styled our "ex alted opinion of the manners and morals of the ancients." We cannot find anything in our article that ia more pronounced than the following quotation in allusion to our ancestors." — " We fear that we cannot compare favorably with them in many re spects in which our manifold advan tages have given as every opportunity to excel." We think every student of history and thoughtful observer of human nature will admit this is a very mild way of expressing admiration for the people of the past. We might have gone farther ard said that the manners and morals of the present clay are not such as to encourage the hope that posterity will see much to admire in them. We may perhaps be excused if we attempt to show that the tendency of modern civilization and modern education ia not altogether in the direction of exalting the morals and character of the young. Manners and customs have changed just as fashions in dress change. The ques tion, however, is have they changed for the better 1? Two thousand years ago boys were taught to respect age, to bear pain, to tell the truth. Men were made to respect the law, and in the early days of Greece and Home, the law was no respecter of persons. Criminals were made to feel that punishment would inevitably follow crime, and we have more than one in stance recorded of a stern and un flinching judge condemning his own flesh and blood to suffer the dread penalty of the law. Have we—with all our education and increased know ledge—improved upon this? Are we not constantly called upon to listen to the complaint of an angry parent that his child has been punished by the school teacher ? And when some mis creant has been found guilty of a deed of cruelty or violence, does the law always take its proper course 1 Is it not much more common that pressure is brought to bear upon the fountain of justice and the arm of the law is arrested 1 The criminal either gets off' scot free, or has the punishment miti gated. Justice says, in effect— "Jf°* are guilty, and in theory ought to suffer the penalty ; but in practice, it is convenient to let you escape that you may go and do the same thing again." The greater the criminal the greater and more persistent are the efforts made to save him from nunishment, and the manner in which justice is ad ministered in the nineteenth century will surely excite the wonder and arouse the pity of future generations. This sentimental tenderness is pre sumablyaproduct of modern refinement, but it has had and is having a very in jurious effect upon the morals of the age. The prevalence of rowdyism, the increase of the ' larrikin' element in all classes of modern society is in a great measure due to it. The only time when human beings can be conveniently made amenable to discip line, and trained in the habits of life that should regulate their after actions, is the period of youth, and we do all we can to encourage the belief that there should be no interference then with their desires—no check upon their inclinations. If they should go so far beyond the limits of even our forbearance, and common decency should compel a protest to be made by somebody—both for their own good and that of society at large—then we hs parents step in and save them from punishment, and as often as not resent the proposal that it should be inflicted. What can we expect to result from such a course of treatment as this? The police records of this country and of all countries whers such protection,

is given to the seeds of incipient crime furnish a sad but unanswerable reply. Would it not be better for the people of this generation, as well aa for posterity, if we were to train our children rather on the lines laid down by the sages of antiquity than on those which are being followed with such blind recklessness of the inevitable end. I Since writing the above we have noticed an article in a late issue of the Melbourne " Argus " which shows that the opinions we have here expressed are shared by • the leading Australasian journals. While admitting the general improvement in the social conditions of life in the present age, our contempo rary contends that " co-incident with the progress is an outbreak in new and more dangerous forms of that brutality from which, apparently, no human society can deliver itself," while sym pathy with the criminal is becoming quite the fashion amongst the upper and middle classes. New Zealand probably is not worse than any other country similarly circum stanced with regard to the subject we have been discussing. But if New Zealand would be in the van of social progress, as recent events would seem to imply, she must strive to get rid of this false sentiment, this maudlin tenderness, which rushes in to save the transgressor from that punishment which the law and expediency would justly award him.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

W. T. C. Mills, late clerk to the Heath- J cote Road Board, has been committed for trial on several charges of embezzlement. Three Sydney bakers—James William Evans, John Sobs, and Beithold Stehr— have fcean fined in sums ranging from L 22 to | L 49 (or selling light-weight bread. la these days of dying ewes it ia retfcshing to learn that Mr W. T. Wilson, of Winoh more, has been able to save scund and well 105 lambs from 97 ewes—not a single death. Tne ewes were Mr E.W. Wright's merinos, mated with Mr John Grigg's L?icester rams. The Rev Albert Ager arrived from Victoria by express today and will conduct the services at tha Baptist Church to-morrow. A reception tea meeting will be held on Wed nesday next as notified in our advertising oolanns. The annual tea meeting in connection with the Flemington Presbyterian Ciiurch will be held on Friday,next. Among the Bpeakers at the publio raaeting will ba the Rays Or. B« IngHs and J. Abemethy. An excellent pro gramme of song and music will be provided, and a large gathering is expected. An'arnuairg y^t significant oomment on the proposal to introduce the reading and oursory study of selected portions of scripture into the publio school curriculum may be ofhreJ by r cording a circamatanoa fiat happened recently in a Bohool where this sort ot thing 13 done. A biy hid lo repeat b portion of the 23rd p-a'm, and this is what he Baid. "The Lord is my shepherd, Ido not want him. Ho makes ma to lie down en green parsnips." The name of Charlotte Yonge is one well known in New Zealand, Mi?s Yonge having out of the profits o! her novela " The Heir of Ra'icljiid " and " The Daisy Chiiri " endowed a bishop ie witbin the New ZsalanJ Eeoesiis ti a' Provinc, and also p&ri-'y fit' d i v the late Bishop Selwyn'a misso.i.ry schooner Southern Grose. Mi s Yongeb&s j ist at ioed her seventieth year, and a presentation is temp m*da to her by means of shilling sub script'cia from a 1 admirers o her novels. A pubiio meeting w..S ln'd in tha library, M thven, on Monday las% to consider the question of sports for Nbw Year's Day. Thero wiS a good attendance. I', was unani mously deoided to hod the usual sports on J»nu*ry 1, 1891. The Treasurer stated thst there was a balanoe :"n hand from last year of £13 List year's programme was erbtanti a'ly adopted, tha principal alterations being iocre;sei stakes for tone of the raoe?. A committea was elected to carry out the neoessary arrangements. The " Morning Bulletin," of August 3, pub hhed ht Rookhampton, contains a letter signed James Ryan, Piilmerston North ( warning people against leaving Qieansland to come to New Zealand. Mr Ryan says :—" I know things are bid in Queensland at the preeent time; well, they are not better in this colony. I hava lived for fifteen years in Queensland working amongst the stations baok from RooKhamplon, and a.3 Rockhamp toa was my homa, and all my brothers and sisters live there, I know both the ooast ond baok country pretty well. I can safely Bay I never Baw anything like the poverty in Queens'and that there is in New Zealand at the present time." •' When I uaed to travel the country lectur ing," said tbe retired temperance talker, "I oanied wiih me as a frightful example a man wi h a brilliant red nos", and daring my reniaiks I would cill upon him lor testimony. On cno occasion we struck a small town in New Jersey, where we had an audience of abjut one hundred people. I was making fina headway with my lecture, and at the ptopar tima I g'anced over tho orowJ and said, ' Will (he gentliman with the rod nose plea re use to his feet ?' Of course my man got up, but beforo he could do so thirty-ssven mm hai risen slowly to their fett, and I don't thi: k I was ever so much c nbarrassed in my life "_"Datroit Free Presß." ! Two your.g married couples presented I them3e'v s on August 7 before a jury of maideas and bachelors in the quaint old town of Dunmow, Eißex, and claimed the flitch of bao >n, the annual award of which has made the place co famous. The presiding judge was a local auotioneer, who admin, istered to the candidates the oustomary oath whereby they swore that for a year and a day they had" ne'er made nuptiil transgression," nor "sinca the churoh clerk said ' Amen' wished themselves unmirrisd again." Mr Francis Wabb, a railway olerk of Wednes bury, and his wife were the first to submit to the ordeal of a searching crcsa-examiuation. Counsel on their behalf having elicited that "by means of their quier, pesoeable, tender and loving " life they were fit end qualified pereons to receive the coveted distina'ion, (inoiher lawyer rose in the c pacity of " Devil's advocate," and sought to throw doubt on their story. Failing in this, he naxfc applied himself to weakening the case of | Mr and Mrs Philip Garner, of West Molesey, Surrey; but the* horse slaughterer and his wife also proved too muoh for him, The cross-examination afforded unbounded amuse, ment to the assembled audience, who were highly delighted when a verdiot w»3 given in fuvor of both oouples. At the cloas of the | trial the winners were required to kneel on thirp stones and take the neoessary oath in presence of some thousands of spectators. A third coupie from Birmingham were prevented by illnees from engaging in the coDteet,

The Puit Dirwin line id interrupt north of Hawkei- and cable traffic is going viu West Aus ralia. Mr Pu>-nell will speak at Rakaia on Fdday, j at Me;hven on the Tuesday following, and at Lseaton on the Friday—eight o'o'.ock eaoh evening. To-morrow Ihs anniversary ot the Ashbur tm Wesleyan Sanday School ia to be cele brated, Special attention has been paid to the singing by the ehil ren, who will have the aid of tho full choir of the church, and an orchest aof twemy insUumentr. A together the gathesiDg should be very attrac he. The Cliristchurch Prohibition Leagues have passed a motion approving of the candidature of G. J. Smith and the Key J. O'Bryen Hoaie for Christchurch ci'y. The final selection of candidates is postponed for a week. Before Messrs E. Chapman and W. Morgan, J.P 'a, at Mtthven, on Friday, 0. Hume was fined one shilling and costs for obstructing the road by leaving three bags of coal thereon. Tho Benoh wished it to be publioly known that leaving Buoh things on ,the road was contrary to law. —J. Hee waa fined one shilling and costs for a oow at large. A deputation of citizens waited on the Committee of the Chamber of Commexoe at Christohuroh yesterday with regard to the state of the Volunteer force. A resolution was paS3ed by the Committee regretting the inaction of ihe Government in not giving due consideration or effect to Colonel Fox'b report, and urging the Government either to reorganise the force or abolish it altogether. A sensational burglary waa committed at the drapary establishment of Messrs A. Millar and Co, Adelaide. Entrance was gained through the lantern light oa the roof of the bui'ding, end by meanß of knotted ropes the burglars descended on to the ground floor, thirty feet below. They evidently had entered the place with the object of carrying off the safe, which contained over £300 in cash, but though they removed it to the back portion of the premises, they were unable to get away with it, further progress being blocked by the ironplated doors. Four publio meetings have heen held by Vienna workmen of different nationalities two by those of German origin, one by Poles, and one by Greeks. Ona of the German meetings was dissolved by the authorities. At the other three resolutions were adopted in favor of universal suffrage, the Czechs and the larger of the two German meetings also adopting resolutions protesting against the Woiking Men's Chamber?, proposed by the Government, and again3t the sentences passed on Socialists implicated in the late riots at Brueun and Prague. At the Polish meeting one of the speakers made some startling assertions regarding the state of thinga prevailing in Galicia. Two thousand communes, he said, had no eohocls and many teaobers were starving owing to the low salaries received.

CABLE SUMMARY.

Lord Charles Beresford's London resi dence was entered by a burglar on Friday. The man was delected, and shot in the leg by the noble lord. Mr Thomas Eldridge, formerly of New Zealand, has left property to the value of £96,030 His New Z aland estate is bequeathed to his son, Mr Arthur Ernest Eldridge. An association under the title of the National League has been formed in London and the provinces, with a view of taking steps to abolish the House of Lords. The King of I'aly, fearing that Marshal MaoMahon was dying, sent him a telegram expressing the gratitude of tin Italians for his services in the war of 1859 against AUatlii.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, October 13. The date for th^ payment of the land tax is fixed for the seventh of December. In the Supreme Court the proprietor of the Victoria Hotel at Petone appealed agaiast a conviction by a Resident Magis trate (or damage to the footpath, through the existence of a cornice on his premises, 1 causing rainwater to drop on the path and wear it away. His Honor said he was of opinion that the information sufficiently charged the proprietor wi.h an offence under section 240 subsection 77 of the Municipal Corporations Act. He was of opinion that an Act within the subsection referred to had been disclosed, and' that the erection of a cornice could not be justified. He agreed with the finding of the Magistrate that an offence had been committed, but he thought defendant had been hardly used in the conviction, affirming it, but tho penalty was reduced from £5 Is to Is, the defendant to pay costs. The amalgamated carpenters and joiners have decided to support Sir Kobert Stout and William McLean for the city. The third candidate has yet to be selected. Sailed—Rotorua for Lyttelton. Pas sengers—Misses Cameron, Wynn-Wil liams, and Wauchope, Mesdames Hamil ton, Piunketfc, and Parish, Lord and Lady Glasgow, Ladies Boyle (3}, Lord Kelburn, and attendant, Messrs Clayton, Hamilton, Wells, Studhoime, Plunkett, and Parish. Dunemn, October 13. Over 5000 names are on the Port Chalmers roll.

COMMERCIAL.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

London, October 12, The weekly returns of the Bank of England published to-day, show the total reserve to be £16,494,030, and the pro portion of reserve to liabilities 45.68 ; consols 98. Three months bills are dis counted at l£ per cent, with the market firm. New Zealand 4 per cent, inscribed stock 104];, 3k per cent, inscribed stock 95k Frozen mutton, first quality 3^d per lb ; second quality 3|-d. At the wool sales at Bradford there was a fair enquiry with prices for cross breds firm, but merinos were weak. New Zealand long-berried wheat, ex warehouse, is quiet at 29s ; South Aus tralian wheat, ex warehouse, flat, 3,0 i ; Victorian ditto, restricted, 29s 6d. London, October 13. The first of the series of-wool sales is t:> be held on January 16. It has been arranged that all arrivals up to opening day shall be available. Messrs Weddell and Turner are send ing 150 tons of froaen meat to Germany, where it is believed a large market cm be found for it.

Ottawa, October 12. It is reported that ihe Finance Com mittee of ths Canadian Parliament have decided to reconimend the exemption of \yool from duty.

The New South Wales Budget.

(l JER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

(Received October 14, 11.20 a.m.) * Sydney, October li. The following is a forecast of the New South Wales Budget. There will be no fresh taxation, as the revenue shows an upward tendency, and the Treasurer will predict that the oolony has now turned the Qovmu

San Francisco Mail.

GENERAL SUMMARY. A sensational tragedy was enacted in a church at Mouopelier, France, on i ugust 27. While mass was being ce'ebrated, a lady proceeded to a pew occupied by M. Jean Jouissant, a prominent lawyer, and fired four shots into his body, killing h'm instantly. The wildest excitement pre vailed. The woman told the police that Join sant refused to return a s>ura of monay she had entru-tcd to his care. A flood occurred in North China on August 12 which destroyed 1400 vil'ages in the metropolitan prefecture of Shun tiemfu aloLe and 10,000 lives were lost in Kiant ung. It was the most extensive in undaticn since 1800. The Chinese Viceroy, Li Hung Chang, ia urging the Emperor to exterminate all foreigners in China, particularly English men, Fifteen bags each containing the lower part of a human trunk were washed ashore in Saloniea, Turkey, on September 4. Four women were murdered in " Jack the Ripper " style in Ostburg, Island of Cadiz in the four days preceding Sep tember 4. No arrests were made. The twenty-sixbh annual congress of the Trades Union of Great Britain and Ireland opened at Belfast on September 4, when 400 delegates wer present. The congress is estimated to rapresent 1,250,000 working men. Mr Samuel Mooney, the new president, said that trades unionism was destined to be an honored instrument in freeing Ireland from the terrible incubus of religious bigotry and political intolerance. He de ne unced strikes as criminal folly in all cases where the resources of civilization have not been exhausted in the effort to avoid the use of such extreme measures. It was reported in Dublin on September 20 that Archbishop Walsh had gono secretly to the United States upon a mission connected with the welfare, spiritual and temporal, of the Irish. The ''Pall Mall Gazette " gives much space to an article in regard to the recent attempt to secure the release from prison of Dr Gallagher, the convicted dynamiter. It speaks sneeringly of the efforts made by ex-President Harrison and President Cleveland to secure Gallagher's release, and says that the object was to curry favour with the Irish vote. The " Gazette " is the organ of Mr Aston, the American multi millionaire. The " Times " in the course of a leader on the dismal prospects of the agriculture of Great Britain says that foreign compe tition depresses the price of cattle and corn; that the imports of animals and meat will swamp the markets this year ; that Great Britain wiil be more than ever dependent on foreign supplies, and will require at least 28,000,000 quarters of wheat from abroad. France must import twice as much as she usually does. Germany has already begun todraw on the American markets for her supplies, and when nations thus bid against each other, says the " Times " article, there is a fair chance for prices to advance. English naval men are beginning to doubt the usefulness in warfare of the ironclad rann. When the Camperdown ran down the Victoria the former's ram was so seriously damaged that the ship's safety was endangered. The cruiser Forthmore suiik a merchant vessel near the Isle of Wight, and the damage to the warship's ram was very serious though the collision was slight. In the recent Frenc'i naval manoeuvres tha big bactle ship Formidable ran down an Knglisb cargo boat and her ram was badly twisted. Th;se facts give naval constructors a panic. The estimates for new vessels, as an nounced in ill 3 House of Commons on September 7, were—li'ngland £3,988,000; France, £2.298,000 ; Russii, £1,692,000; Germany, £9,471,000 ; Italy, £1,000,000. The mail race between the America line steamship New fork and the White Star liner Teutonic, from America to England, ended on the afcernoon of September 6. The New "York won by more than three hours. The gathering of the harvest in England was practically fiuished on September 4. With scarcely an exception it is the worst known. As a result of the defeat of the Home Rule Bill in tha House of Lords, the London Radical papers aU unite in calling for the abolition of the upper legislative body. The London " Daily Telegraph " on September 6, commenting upon the ap proaching visit of a Russian squadron to Toulon, expresses some alarm at this renewed approachment between France and Russia, and declares that it is neces sary for Great Britain to review her position and possibly to review her policy. A bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln erected as a memorial to.the Scottish- American soldiers who fell in the Ameri can civil war was unveiled in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the cemetery set apart for the burial of Scottish-American soldiers. The municipal authorities, many dis tinguished guests, and a detachment of Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's Regiment) were present. When Daisy Montague, the ballet girl ac the London Empire, left there on the morning of September 2.1, she was joined by a man. When near King's Cross the pair was stopped by a second man. Just what passed between the three is not known. They talked in a loud and angry tone and attracted the attention of. passers-by. Eventually one of them shot the woman, killing her instantly, and then he shot trie other man dead and then ha turned the weapon on himself. When the police arrived they found three dead bodies. The latest exhibition of a mutinous spirit by British soldiery took place on September 15 at Aldershot. A number cf prisoners belonging to the first Infantry managed te obtain liquor and finally broke down the door of the guard-room. The disturbance raised an alarm ; the guard turned out from all sides &nd the mutineers were overpowered. The London police officials notified all the English banks on September 19 that a gang of notorious American swindlers i had arrived from the United States wi' h the intention of undertaking a systematic campaign against the tanks in the United Kingdom. After serious consideration and con sultation between'-the coal owners and experts Sir George Eliott, originator of the scheme published in London on September 21, has proposed that the local leseos of the United Kingdom shall form an immense co-operative union charged with the entire working of the c^al de posits. He proposes after 5 per cent, is paid on debenture shares and 10 per cent, on ordinary stock, that the next 5 per cent, shall be divided among share holders. All profits beyond this will be divided amon^, tha lessees and workmen. The Lord Chief Justice will be entrusted with the fixing of the price of coal. The scheme is based on an estimated output of 145,000,000, tons,' and the capitalised in terest of the lessees at £100,000,000.

SPORTING.

MELBOURNE NOTES,

(per press association.)

Melbourne, October 13. E.K. and Maber are scratched for the Caulfield Cup, Sternchaser was again an absentee from the track at Caulfield this morning, bat the reason is not known, ,

DIRECT VETO.

THE REV L. M. ISITT.

The Oddfellows' Hall was crowded on j Friday night in res-p nse to the announce- ] ment that the Rev L, M. Isitt would, lecture on the liquor traffic and the direct veto. Mr John Larahie, of Kyle, occupied the chair. Be thanked the audience for the honor they had conferred upon him by placing him there bs chairman. It was scarcely necessary for him to say anything about the gentleman they had come to hear. He was so wtll known and had such a reputation as an able and eloquent speaker that he thought there was a treat in store for them. Personally, he was in favor of the direct veto, considering it to contain the principle of the Referendum which he hoped would follow in its wake aa the law of the land. He then asked for Mr Isitt a patient hearing, and called on him to address them, Mr Isitt, who was heartily applauded on rising,said the subject on which he was about to speak had already been discussed on that platform by three political aspir ants. Two of these were Conservatives, who were at least consistent with their political tenets in opposing the direct veto, and one was a bastard Liberal. (Hooting ) He would keep to his assertion in speak ing of a professedly Liberal who, when he was contesting a seat against Sir John Hall, could go the direct veto ; but, when it suited his purpose, could oppose it when fighting a direct vetoist. He could respect the opposition of those who were openly opposed to all Liberal principles, but Mr McLachlan was as likely to be false to his pledges if in Parliament as he was over this question. If anyone pre sent could make a necessary three-fifths majority, and half the votes to be polled before a measure coald be carried, con sistent with true Liberal principles they were smarter than he was. In referring to the evils of drunkenness he said that as far back as the time of Pliny that great historian deplored its effects, and Plato bad really been a prohibitionist before his time. If he had had his way there would have been so many conditions placed on the sale of liquor, and so few would be allowed to take it, that there would have been very few wine shops. From that time to the present the evils of the liquor traffic had been in evidence. 300 Acts had been placed on the English Statute Book for the purpose of coping with the difficulty and had failed, till now the little minority had grown to its present dimen sions, and was agitating for the direct veto. Mr Wasoa had said that the pro hibitionists exaggerated statements, that the people were more sober than they were fifteen or twenty years ago. He (Mr Tsitfc) was glad that such was the case, but who had ihey fco thank for it 1 Not men cf the Wasonstamp or of Mr McLachlan's, notwithstanding the fact that the latter gentlemau said he was known as a tem perance'reformer in his district. (Laugh ter). Iha statement reminded him of a man who had claimed to be a temperance reformer becausb he said he had pat drink down all his life. It was the teetotallers who had by their unceasing war against drink caused the improvement, but he did not care how much better we were now than twenty years ago. there was still too much, and he was using a justifiable phrase when he said that the sod of New Zealand from the North Cape to the Bluff reeked with the blood cf the victims oi the drink traffic. (Voice —Bow, wow ") " Well my friend, if you choose to bring yourself down to the level of a pu { py it's your fault not mine." (Laughter.) As proof of his contention they could take the Ohristchurch press, the secular press of the colony, and they would find that for the year there had been either a death or an awful tragedy from drink, every sec -nd day, and ho challenged the contra diction of the statement. And-yet Mr Wason had said they could not ha/c a much hetter system than the present. Sir Robert Stout had said to him that, ap^rt from any religious feelings, he did not conceive how anyone could see the di»*e affects of the drink traffic and not be moved co overthrow its power. His op ponents complained that these prohibi tionists were too emotional, and yet people wculd get excited and give vent to their feelings in all manner of ways over the elections, but directly they came to speak of the drink they must have no emotions, no feelings, but be calm, very calm. They could not close their eyes to the fact that drunkenness had decreased. They had to thank God for that, but surely any man with any patriotic feeling at all would feel that the evil as at present, was not one fco ba dismissed with a sneer. He had no one to go bail for him as Mr Pur nell had gone bail for another when He referred to the fair and impartial state ment of Gilbert Stringer in his report on prohibition in the United States. He (Mr Isitt) had said to himself "someone's been asle?p." Mr Stringer had been paid by the Licensed Victuallers Association of New Zealand to go to the prohibited States and to pick up anything he could against prohibition. He thought that in the face of that Mr Purnell would scarcely believe his own statement. He (itfr Isitn was biassed, the Judges said so, bub he would give them the opinion on the evils of drink of a man who was above sus picion, he referred toMrThomas Bracken, the late secretary of the United Associa tion of Brewers of New Zealand. Mr Isitt then gave an excellent recitation of a poem by Mr Bracken, entitled " The vilest fiend of all," and was heartily cheered at its conclusion. He went on to say that after the piece had been pub lished in the "Prohibitionist" much to the author's disgust, Mr Bracken excused himself by saying that it had been written in his young and curly days when he did not know much about it. Ho (Mr Isitt) hought the poem was far more credit to him than his miserable excuse, when a paid officer of the brewers. When the Licensing Act had been passed, it was ihought that it contained the power to prohibit licensed houses, and he could prove it. Mr Richmond Hursthouse, Sir William Fox, Mr Wakefield, and the Hon T. Dick, who introduced it, were all of that opinion. No one ever doubted it until the Sjdenham public houses were closed. He was legally biassed, and could not sit on a licensing committee, but Mr Louisson, ex-mayor, Justice of the Peace, and brewer, could legally sit on the bench on Monday morning and fine a man for being drunk on Sunday through drinking his or some other brewer's beer sold during prohibited hours, Mr Louisson said he deplored the drink as much as he. All he wanted was that people should drink as much beer and not get drunk. At the Brewers' Conference in Wellington Mr Louisson had said " Those Prohibi tionists are going to send Isitt to the States, and I want you to pay a tax of 3d a hogshead for a few months, in order to send a man to fetch home another tale." Many thought that they were extremists who advocated prohibition, but regulation was impossible. Mr Wason had referred to a recipe to take the place of brandy, quoted from the "Prohibitionist." His statement was quite true, but the recipe alluded to had been accepted in good faith and by mistake inserted in the paper. The next issue of the paper apologised for and explained the mistake. Ihe principle of the" direct veto was that the people should have the right to say whether there should be an increase, or a decrease, or no licenses in their district, and any Liberal who tried to wriggle away from that position was not true to his principles. The main plank ef Liberalism was govern ment of the people, by the people, and for the people. Mr Purnell had said what a terrible thing it Would be if bj the rule of the majority 501 persons could chop off;

the heads of 499 ; but wouldn't it be a terribler thing if 499 persons (the mino rity) could chop off the heads of 601 (the majority.) If they allowed the rule of decision by the majority to be broken down in this case it would soon be broken in others. He did not believe in public houses, but if by the direct vote the people showed they did want them he wou.d be content to put up with them, reserving the right to plead and agitate and make his minority into a majority. It was quite consistent with Conservative principles to oppose the direct veto, but he was a bastard Liberal who was content that all other matters should be ruled by the majority, but would not go that length on the drink question simply because he feared the result of the votes, and therefore would not give the people the power. Mr McLachlan had said not long ago that if when in Parliament the direct veto be came a Government measure he might be found somewhere else in the matter. "Let him deny it if he can." As Mr Wason had said in referring to the Govern ment Licensing Bill, the people had asked for bread and had got a shingle pit. The people had unmistakeably asked for a re form in the drink traffic that would lessen excesses, but ex publican Mr Seddon, for many years at a grog shop bar on tho West Coast, had sacrificed Liberalism for the love of his ©Id trade, and with his con frerea had brought forward and passed the Licensing Bill, giving, besides the unjust provisions re voting, a three-years' tenure to licensees. By the direct veto, if the people wished it they could double the number of hotels if they chose, instead of decreasing them, so that if a majority of ; people were against prohibition they had nothing to fear from direct veto. The rev gentleman waa listened to at tentively, and waa frequently applauded during his speech. The chairman then announced that Mr Isitt was willing to snswer questions. From,,a question by ote of the audience considerable discus&ion and comment took place on Mr Wason's action in purchasing the house and land of the hotel at Barr Hill, shortly after the Methven railway opened. Mr Isitt thought Mr Wason was perfectly justified in taking steps to have the hotel closed under the circumstances. At the same time if he> through being fortunate enough to possess sufficient money, was able to have a hotel closed, the existence of which he objected to, poor persons without that monetary influence had an equal rtght to have their wishes carried ouc in such matters. Mr Shury mounted the platform, giving his tastiniony against direct veto and prohibition. Once, he said, the people had had absolute power, and what had they done with it ? He alluded to the French Revolution. He had been at the gold fields in the early days when liquor was prohibited, and its consumption at 5s a bottle smuggled in was as great as if there were no prohibition. He had also witnessed the inconveniences arising from there being no public houses near, in which 1 o hold an inquest when needed, and he considered that hotels were neces sary. Mr Isitt announced that at the conclusion of his lecture on Monday night there would be a vote taken of those in favor of or against the direcb veto. A. vote of thanks to the chair closed the, meeting.

Ariel Bicycle Club.

The monthly meeting of th 3 Ariel Bicycle Club was held on Friday evening in the Arcade Chambers. There was a good attendance, and Mr D. Zander occupied the chair. Th'rteen new members were elected. The Captain, Mr J. Forbes sent his resignation, as he was leaving the district, and Mr D. Zander was unanimously elected to fill the vacant ofice. Ifc was ako decided that the resignation be re ceived with regrefc, and that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr J. Forbes for his past" services as captain of the Club. Messrs T. Boyd, P. Mansell and W, Thompson were appointed the Club's delegates for the year on the New Zealand Cyclists' Union. Mr J.. Mii'ler was elected to take Mr Forbes'position as delegate to the Ash burton Athletic Association, and Mr k. ( Fooks' name was added to the committee. As the Cash Club of Christchurch had decided to hold a race meeting on December 16, it was decided that the Club's race meeting be held on January 10, and the Committee was instructed to draw up a programme. It was also resolved that a road race be held on November 1, starting from Friadlander's corner to the turning of Beach Road near the Wakanui Mill, and finishing at the Post Office. The same handic*ppers as officiated for the previous road race were appointed. It was decided that as the roads were in good order, and the Club intends to use its best endeavors to promote touring, fortnightly runs be held. Sundry routine business was dealt; with, and the meeting adjourned.

N.Z. Rifle Association. Meeting.

[PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Oamaru, September 14. Oaptain Haiimn reports very favorably on the site of the proposed range for the New Zealand Rifle Association's meeting. He says of the site, ** it is a large grass paddock enclosed by a gorse fence op posite the racecourse, lying between the railway and the sea. The land rises very moderately but regularly towards the coast, and is of such extent that the range to be selected may vary in direction from east to south the whole quarter of a circle, From examination, I think bearing 167 degrees may, as a firing direction, prove the most satisfactory. Taking a lins with thab bearing I tried the ground at 200, 300, 500, 600 and 700 yards, and came to the conclusion that very little worjc would be required in erecting moundß to fire from. The range is perfectly open and there is nothing near jo change the true course of any wind which may blpw. In, this respect I have seen no site anywhere in New Zealadd to compare with it, There would be no back ground but the sky ; the shots would go out to sea, and there would be no danger to the public. Thare is no lack of sites for camp."

THE ASHBtJBI'UJN GtJAEDUiSt: SA'iUEDAY, 6CTOBI3K 14, 18S3.



New Goods. _ __ G. J. NEILL and Co. TTTE HAVE GREAT PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THE OPENING UP' °FOUR NEWJPRINGJOODS. Hillincry in alt Ms BraneUes, New Prints, guaranteed to wash, 4}d, s|d, 6|d, 7|d New Washing White Muslm 4|d is sssx *-«. ** «-**jri"^ oijy ls New Coloured Cashmeres, double width, Is 3d New Double Width Sheeting v§& New Flannelettes 3|d. New Table Damaska Is bd CLOTHING- CLOTHING- Men's Tweed Suita 17s 6d Men's Colonial Tweed Suits 253 6d Boys' Tweed Suits 4s lid Men's Strong Cotton Shirtsi la lid Men's Tweed Trousers ba lid Men's Felt Hats 2s 6d Boys' Felt Hats ls 6d BOOTS- BOOTS. BOOTS. Men's Bluchers 5s Men's Nailed Shooters 8s 6d Women's Strong Shoes 4s lldi Women's Leather Slippera 3s bd Women's Canvas Shoes 4a 9d 6, I NEILL & CO.'S. I FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, EAST STREET, TERMS CASH. ___ c ESTABLISHMENT j FOR SATISFACTORY WATOH AND CLOCK REPAIRS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT CHARGES AS LOW AS IS CONSISTENT FOR Sound and Reliable Workmanship is ; S. SALEK'S, AGBNTf or -g^gsssar^ of A Specif mad, of Converging O~_~™ *™"°" **> N°" "* OT W GOODSin O^^Sa iS^l^Z^SXl^^ WEDDING" AND BT B THDAY_PE™s AND PRESENTATIONS. g. BA.T.EK, BAST STREET. . " "TJIIREWOOD, shoH lengths and dry, Wanted. JO for sale. Orders left with Mes o^lh^To^^ jm«^«^!i^ Jj rtto by Mrs Jambs, East otreet. .^ .^ ■mATfiiPO Know7"~For SalTche^, PRESENTS- Presents now W f first ch£ Model Piano by Haake, V being given away to al purchasers ▼ t a farS A Sv''Guardian''office uf Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing just new. Apply Guardian o _^ fi SEqEB3i Mel f O rd House. ANTISD-^A~KoodQeneral Servant. . -■ jpcHELL and Turner's prepara- Good references indispemabie. |yj_ tion3 itjt the Season are Apply office of this pap^ }z--~ acltnowleclKedJo_be_very complete. B-nffi*ftTi~jton*™ (* s«P\ e°b b eJ TAINTED Known.-Choice S t Novel and We don 'a Jo«"ial fc mbe. . n go^ aRd now in. New 80-.-ks by the man. n. • Mminery are to be seen .—Mitchell anb Jo**"B- ____——— ~r-j Turner. TJKIZES gained from Yate«'Seeds, 3;>, ri OLIiIER _ ___ nett street. Boofcg^ ulofc hi n? , etc., go to Mblford i ,00lT7mn^eke3~(3urinQ: these ie ■- House. Beautiful presents now giving CJ turbed times wi.h Ice deam. away to all^urchasere. Ready tomorrow (S»-urday) —H. G. ■777" A^^"£n^wn _ Some won derful, Fj^^o^^^ — W job linea n Drapery, etc., now ! XXI ANTED Known—That A. J. oeingsold; also presents to all purchasers. W Walker repairs Bit yclep, Sewing _\ t o. Segebs, Molford House. *n_Zl~-~.—- » * Corset now landed, |in all eizes.- EAILWAY Bo:'k Stall.—A very large Mitchell and Turner. ___________ and choice lot of books to .elect ™rslo~^el^e7^^ trom. O 55Sj 60aj 7 os, and 755. Fit and rxssshstiysx i^s______^: »nd Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, w^- ANTED Kmmit that Mrs Jarvis, etc. M Monthly Nurse, has removed to MEDICAL Coils made and repaired — —— on the .shortest notice at easy t^ ICKEL Watches at 12s 61, usually urices at A. J. Walker's*, Old Kinder- ll 80 id by ironmongers at 15*, Ihe £ arten 22s 6d and 25s lines still maintain their o : — ■ supremacy over all others at the prices HERBAL Beer, Ginger Beer, Rasp- Ob t' tainab f e onl from s< SaleK( berryade, home made Jams and j ller . Marmalade, and all fresh fruit m season t weuer' T Hour? East Street, Ashburton. 10 18 rv? ANTED Known.-To make room \ \l____! ~ VV for Spring Boots I will give ten THE B' st Kickel Watch i:> the Market p er cen t for cash. Repairs done at once for 15a. Usually s >kl I y Jewellers c h ea per than ever to stay bad times over »t from 20 \ to 25s each. Specially made a tJ. Moisojs, Premier Bootmaker. 818 In England to our order.-Jonir Obr and -- Lo: —■ ■=. —vt-t VV gory? At Hardlevs of course, QOMERSET Meat Mart, Ihe oldest £_ / the best yalue in sheet O the largest, tha best, and the cheap L Lock^ Hinges, Plough Mt. Small '^oods a specialty. . xw Chaina> Rop6) W ire Knetting, Gorse freights guarantped. A trial solicitea. Kniveg> Spa( iea and Forks, Lamps, -W. J. SiLCOOK. *TIM Fender and Fire Irons, and anything /SRICKET^nd Lawn Tennis Material you requirp \J iust unpacked at reduced prces. - New Books, dames and Fancy Goods. ■ . ™= All Roods reduced in price for oash this month.-L. F. Andbbwes and Co, ftr^TN Statlonws' Hall. , lVaJP^w BANG 1 Bang ! Guns! Guns! g # g,s. 00. - Guns! by the best makers and i k--!^_4 fitted with all the latest improvements. $f^ c - Powder, Shot, Caps, Cartridges, Wads, fff and Cases at J. W. Hardley's, East \\\ Stree^^W^wf^ TJNIO« STEAMSHIP COMPANY 800K 1^ in good order and ct-mplete JJ (jp NEW ZEALAND. bought or taken in exchange. JNew STEAMERS SAIL from LYTTEL ock arriving every week. Circulating TON Ag UNDER: Library.—J. Maksden, Newsagent. q _ e ni n g ton _Monday, Tuesday, Wed fSoOKShrSeaTvariety to"luit all nesday, Thursday, «md Book Stall Auckland-Thursday and Saturday. WHO is your Plumber 1 Why W . Sydney—Every Second Tuesday and Habdlky, who is «* Manufacturer Thursday. of Spouting, Ridging, Steel Gutters, Dunedin—Tuesday and Friday. Baths Sinks Tanks, etc., and who has Melbourne—At frequ«nfc intervals. on hand the largest stock of Pumps and For particu ar- apply ft V^^__ - %fENTS;'ASHBURTON j IN olfwßßiS?** tvsn?o* y , and FOR SALE-60 A c res, all in English COUNTESS 2X. been asked fo, ASK AOCB OUOCESB. *"



NEW ZEALAND CijOTiunrtt Factory if Eiir "goods. Men's Straw Hats from ls New Tennis Hats from Is lid New Tweed Hats from ls Over 1500 Hats in stock. New Washing Ties from 4d New Tennis Shirts from 3s (kl New Collars, New Shirts, New Studs. INSPECT OUR NEW STCCK. clothing Department Boys' Sailor Suits from 7a Hd Men's Sac Suits from '30s Men's All-wool Trousers from 9s 6d. ALL NEW PATTERNS. TAILORING DEPARTMENT MenVSuits to measure from 59s 6d Men's Trousers to measure from 17s 6d BOOT DEPARTMENT. Men's Nailed Balmorals, 9s 6d Men's Bluchers, 6a 6d Boys' Strong School Boots from 6s 6d. NEW ZEALAND pLOTHING JIAOTORY. ALEX* HENDRY, Manager



ja AII>KB* Boas'Jßucalypti Extrac There are imitations of Euoalypti Extract in the market now, products of simple distillation forming rude resinous oils. In order that these crude oils may not be taken, Our Pure Volatile Cnca. Irntl Kxtraet, which, $s recognised by th e medical division of the Prussian Government to be of perfectly pure origin, as per information forwarded to us through the Consul at Melbourne, March S, 1878 W6lt fs proved by tests made by the Medicial Clinic 3of the Universities at Bonn and Greifswali, Prussia, and reported by Dr Schulz, Professor of Pharmacology tfc Bonn, and Professor Dr Mosler, Director of the Medical Clinic at Greifswald, that only products that are saturated with oxygen and freed of aoids, resinous and other substances, adherent to primary distillation, will develop the sanative qualities proper to the plant. SAKDEB & SON'S EUOALYPTI EXTRACT according to these authorities, and according • to pro fessor Dr Lister, of England; and to Drs Bauer,' Mclntire, Wood, Hazard, etc., of America, Is the only extract correspondingto scientific tests, and the only one which possesses the proper therapeutic value. AUother crude oils are to be classed among the turpentines, which have, wheti used as, medicine, no therapeutic effect and are abandoned as an internal medicament. These so called Eucalypti Extracts, which may have received dist notion at Exhibitions at commercial articles and are used for mechanical pur poses only are discernible :— 1, By their deficiency in pungent odour (which our product, the only genuine Eucalypti Extrac < de velops most freely through its surplus of oxygei V 2, By their alcoholic thin and mobile appearance, being reduced in specific density through the presence of acid*: 3, By their taste, the result of the contracting ten dency of resins and tennates. IE t&3se crude oils, ao callei eucalypti extracts are applied by mistake in ouoe of croup, bronchitis, diph theria, internal inflammations, dysentery, wounde, etc. the c are most appalling, for safety ask ask always for Sander and Sous' JEncalyntl Kxtract and get the old, well-tested and reliablo prepaation.^Saudhurst, Victoria, Australia,-" , IwltrMiltii