MAIL NOTICES,

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

Ashburton Grardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 4, 1893. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mrs W. D. M. Bum on "Woman in the 20th Century ): to-night. Weir, the tenor, sings. The Ruahine left Rio de Janeiro for England on October 1, with her cargo of frozen meat in good condition. The Tongariro arrived at Wellington from London, via way poits, this morning. She left Plymouth on August 19, Teneriffe 22, Capetown Septemder 10, and Hobarfc at 7 p.m. on^the 29. Variable weather was ex perienced on the voyage, which was unevent ful. A curious phenomenon occurred recently at the village of Gamlingay, in Cambridge shire, A dense cloud was observed to be passing over, which suddenly burst, and, to the astonishment of the villagers, it was seen to be a shower of ants, and similar winged insects. People and the ground became smothered with them, and they I swarmed in millions. Every step taken crushed hundreds of them. A young man named Thomas White Mc- Lellan was captured while engaged appar ently in a burglarly in Rattray street, Dunedin. He was seen in the building I from Watson's Hotel, and the polke were informed. They brokelnto the place, and found the man under a sofa with a parcel containing trousers and vest. He has \ een remanded to allow the police to work up a case. The consequence of the scarcity of domestic servants in Krazi', owing to the abolition of slavery, are described in the last British con sular report from the Rio Grande do Sul. It appears that not 1 per cent of the male or female servants will sleep in their master's house. They insist on leaving at the latest by seven o'clock in the evening, and will not return before seven or eight in the morning. Far this reason some houses have a pane of glass in one of the windows taken out through which the baker and milkman ps?s their woods on their early morning rounds without troubling a member of the family to get up and open the door. It is said to be quite common for a good cook to insist on the family dining not Liter than five o'clock in order that she may be able to put the kitchen in order and go home early. If these or any other demands arc not granted the servant leaves without any notice, there being appa rently no law of master and servant in Brazil. The wages average £2 to £5 a month with food. Then servants are all | n.sgw>ejs or mulattos, and are nearly all freed skwes- b»t i)i spite of all their drawbacks fchcy are generally preferred to white servants, who in Brazil 'have nearly all worse failings than the blacks. One reason for the scarcity of domestic servants is the number i of factories which have lately sprung up in I yjpi.ch. needlewoman or handy workers can | g O t treble tha \yages of a domestic servant with shorter hours of labw- Tte OnSLOW Biscuit. The latest ami most tlelic&te pissjujt (oapufacwed by Aylseltjjrqok uud Co, ■

Upwards of 2000 women have applied for enrolment in the city of Wellington. The fine weather has brought the bathers out, and the swimmiug bafchs are now being regularly used. At a meeting al the Lincoln School of Agriculture on Tuesday a portrait in oils of Mr Ivey, the late director, was formally presented to the Board of Governors of Can terbury College. At a meeting of the Committee ot the Canterbury Jockey Club on Tuesday the question of assuming control of certain trotting clubs in Canteibuiy was discussed, and ife was decided to refer the matter to the racing conference. On Monday afternoon two ladies who wore on the beach near Kaiapoi saw the body of | a man with a lifebelt round it floating in the surf. Information was given to the police and a search made, but so far the body has not come ashore. Mr Wilson, the general manager of the Midland Railway Company, has cabled Home the result of the division on the com pany's proposals, and the terms of the Pre mier's amendment, which waa carried. He thinks that nothing can be done till next session, and expects a speedy recall Home. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill haa been assented to by the Governor, and is now in force. Under it any receipt or dis charge given for wages or salary no longer requires a stamp, no matter what the amount may be. This includes receipts to the Government. A girl named Florence Nicholson, aged 16 years, swallowed a quantity of match-heads at Auckland on Tuesday. Constable Brown having been informed, ran to the house and made a strong emetic which he gave the girl. It caused her to vomit more than twenty match-heads. She is in the hospital, and will probably recover. She letfc a lecter for her father, saying that she was tired ot life. He had done all he could for her, but it was no good. The enormous increase in the sums paid for compensation for loss of and damage to goods by the railway companies is attracting atten tion in England. Whilst in the past half year the London and North-western railway paid £8248 compensation to passengers in jured, it paid £30,475 for loss and damage to goods, The Midland railway in the same period paid £18,836 for damage and loss of goods—nearly three times what it paid for personal injury to passengers. Burniah is a paradise for married couples (says the " Globe,') to judge from the census report. Marriage there differe from the European variety in being " the result of mutual affection." The young couples start life on a da and cooking pot. They build their houses with bamboos, they light their fire with bamboo, and they now and then have bamboo for dinner. When they tire of each other they try divorce. But no j woman will marry a man who has con tacted the habit of divorcing his wives. And domestic life is placid, owing to the ex treme evenness of temper of the Burmese. In Burmah the police courts must have a holiday every other day. The Baud of Hope quarterly meeting was held in Sfc Stephen's school last evening and was very well attended by members and their friends. The Rev T. A. Hamilton presided. An excellent programme was gone through and the evening was a thorough y enioyable one. A temperance recitation entitled " Mrs Bounce's Tea Party" was given by eight of the members and was capitally tendered; Mr R. S. Beau gave an address on. " Perseverance " and illustrated his subject by references t ■> the lives of great explorers—Captain Cook, Mungo Park, Sir John Franklin, Living stone, and others. Recitations were given by Mr Bitem*n, Lily Ro:ot!orn, Eva Scott and May Taylor ; pianoforte solos by Irene Hamilton, Nina Kelly and John Kemp thorne ; and songs Ly Miss Fcoks, Mr R. S- Bean and the 1. A. Hamilton. Samuel Fox, 33, a printer, wearing a red slouch hat, which he refused to remove, was eh irged at the Mansion House, London, on August 7, with wilfully disturbing the con gregation in St. Paul's Cathedral. As he persisted in his rtiusal when placed in the dock, alleging that he would not uncover for conscience sake, Grover, the gaoler, promptly removed the head-gear, and then the evidence was heard. The prisoner claimed that he hid a right to keep his head covered, and it was quite contrary to the custom of the Quakers, to which sect he belonged, to take off their hats iv any place of public worship. The Lord Mayor ordered him to piy a fine of 40s, or fourteen days' hard labor in default. The accused then asked for his hat, and on its being handed to him he immediately replaced it on his head, but while being removed to the cells he loudly declared that he would rather go to prison than pay the fine. "Oriel" in the "Argus" draws the following fanciful picture of the effects of female franchise :—" New Zealand is going to be a happy place. There will be no pubs, except on the Mildura basis; no clubs, no alcohol, no barmaids, no ballet girls, no exhibitions in the shops and the art galleries of the undraped female figure—none, in short, of those little comforts which till now have been considered indispensable to the moral well being of the average citizen. Bachelorhood after the age of nineteen will be considered a penal offence, but should the culprit plead want of means, a position with a salary sufficient to support a wife aud family in decent comfort will be found for him in the civil service, which will be devoted entirely to this object. Every hus band must be within doors at 11 pm., with out a written permit from his wife and the wives of the next-door neighbours. Juries of matrons will adjudicate on divorce and breach of promise cases, and, as a special ctution, good-looking men will be forced to wear veils when using the public thorough fares. When all this haa been accomplished it is difficult to tell what will happen. Presumably the entire male population will be so ill that the medical men will have to prescribe stimulants, or else the female voters will kill each other off until they are reduced to an insignificant minority and things will settle down to the old basis."

COMMERCIAL.

(Received October 4, 10.50 a.m.) Sydney, October 4. Wheat, chick, 3< 2d to 3s 3d ; milling, 3s 7d ; New Zealand, 3s 6i, Oats, best feed, 2s 81 to 2s 9,1 ; Tartarian, 2i lid to 3s, Barley, Cape, 2s lid ; bran, 7|d ; pollard, 7sd. Peas, Prussian blue, 4s 5d to 4s Gd. "Potatoes, New Zealand, £417s 61 to £5 ; local, £5 7s 6d , Circular Heads, £5 to £5 10s. Onions, £6 10.*. I Butter, dairy, 7--1 to 83 ; factory, 8d to 9d. Cheese, 3d to sd. iiicon, 5d to 7d. Mijlboubne, October 4. Wheat, 2s lOd to 2s lid ; flour, stone makes, £6 10i ; roller brands, £6 17s 6d. Oats, Algerian, 2s ; New Zealand, 2s 4d. Barley, malting, 4s 8d to 5s ; Cape, 3s lid. Bran, 6£l to 7d ; pollard, 7M to 81. Be*s, 3d4d. Potatoes, £5 10.3 to £5 12a 6d. ' Butter £d, with a downward tendency. Cheese, New Zealand, £d to 511- Adelaidb, Ociober 4. Wheat, 3s ; flour, £7 12s 6d. Oats, 3s 4d to 3a 9d, Bwn, 7M \ pollard, 7|d.

The General Election.

MR I, R. C. CUNNINGHAME-GRAHAM AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

There was a good attendance, including a fair sprinkling of ladies, to hear Mr I. R, 0. Cunninghamo-Graham's address bo the electors of Aslourton hi the Ocld fellowa' Hall last nighc. His Worship the M-iyor occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Graham said that tho country had \ been overrun with Conservative election agents of late, and was not unknown to prohibition r.genta; that, as he did not in tend to employ any canvassers himself he thought it best to address rho electors at an early date and he would therefore pro ceed to speak on the main political ques tions. At prfsenb there were five candi dates announced for Ashburton, two were Conservatives, two Liberals, and one Pro hibitionist. He might be mistaken but he thought that was the case. The fran chise had been extended to women lately and as some of them might nob b« as familiar with political questiens as the men, he might be forgiven if he seemed to he seining up an old grievance when he took them back to the original cause of the land difficulty in the early days. In the first place a Conservative might be described as a man who conserves his own ideas and desires to maintain the laws of the land as he finds them, while a Liberal and Radical Government such as the pre sent, devotes itself to the reform of the internal affairs of the country with a view to social improvement. He thought all knew what a prohibitionist was. It was a political power which had sprung up within tho last twenty years. He would commence with the LAND QUESTION, which in all times had been recognised as an important one, even as far back as the Jewish dispensation. At that time all lands whbh by any means had been trans ferred, were returned back to their origi nal owners or family every fifty years, the year of restoration being known as the Jubilee. By this means they prevented an aggregation of land in the hands of individuals. The more evenly the land of a country was distributed, the better it must be for the people. If treated from a Biblical point of view it would show that land was a sacred thing, and one not to be treated like articles of produce and merchandise in th? manner of buying and selling. " The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof," was a passage of Scrip ture written over the Corn Exchange <^f London, and the Bible had many such passages. It was treated differently here, da did not think the present state of things was as originally intended by the Almighty. He would explain how the land in New Zealand had been dealt with years ago, when all the land was waste land. The Government of the day wished to let the land in leases, and on that ac count allow certain pre-emptive rights to lessees, but unfortunately when in posses sion these lessees invented other pre emptive rights and upset calculations. The first thing they did was to buy up all water course, river, and road frontages. He himself had suffered considerably from this evil. He had tried very hard to purchase a frontage but could not Another thing they did was to buy up <H\ the land surrounding certain blocks, which were thus rendered of little U3e to any bat these owners, and they ould then obtain them with little trouble. This method of acquiring large quantities of land was we'l known as the "gridiron" process. These persons had their ap pointed agents in Christchurch, and they had th^ir names put down on one Biard day ready for the next. This f ict he found out by accident himself. In order to ob tain land it was necessary to have one's .mine in the Board book pre vioiis'y ; and on seeking to have hia na.ne put on he found that the clerk had a standing order from fifteen others to put heir names on in the way mentioned Isy that means, if a poar man wanted [and in any district, and went to look for it, these owners would almost invariably hear <fir, and send a messenger to Ohrist church or telegraph and circumvent him. [t was by thesa ways thac the large had accumulated. But the great .bamptdb for land did not commence until the Railway system was begun, when it was snen that the land would be come very valuable. When Sir Julius Vogel started his railway scheme, he saw what would take place, and he wanted to reserve the land for the future emigrants, some of whom he (Mr Graham) had no doubt were in the hall. But the Govern ment of the day—a Conservative one would have none of it. The members were all independent men then, there was no competition as there was now. When sll these lauds ware thus acquired they absorbed the estate of the country and the question was—" How was it to be remedied V During the time of the Atkinson government, which was purely i Conservative government, there was a general social upheaval all over tho world, and we also had strikes here. He would not say that we wanted the strikes, but hey had this advantage, they opened the eyes of the people aa to who were the peopVs benefactors and who their o. n eniieß — the Conservatives or the Liberals and Radicals. At the last election, that issue was before the people, and they returned the present govern ment by an overwhelming majority. When in power they set to work to remedy the trouble of the land blocks, md the unearned increment gained by die construction of the railways. For this purpsse thpy carried through Parlia ment what is known as ihe progressive tax, which mennt that the land was sub jected to an increa-ed scale of taxation pro portionat ly to its ncreased area or value. This the Conservatives did not like at all, and they were now trying to move heaven and earth to get it repealed. Me Rolles ton, in a recent speech, objected to ifc, an I in referring to the injustice of such taxa tion, quoted the words of John Stuar' Mill that Urge estates acquired by thrift and industry should not be taxed to the same extent as small oners. John Stuart Mill in making that statement was referring to English estates, the circumstances of which were very different from those in New Zealand. But the historian Hallam put a far different complexion on the position, when he showed that the majority of the large estates in Bri am were not acquired bj' thrift or industry. In the districts where the recent miners' strikes had occurred Earl FitzwilUam owned large tracts of country. Neither he nor his family had acquired ihat land by thrift and industry, but it h*d been given to his ancestor by Henry VIII. purely in recognition of services us a courtier. The land was taken from whit had been then the Church of England, but was now the Church of Rome, and if the land had been fairly dealt with it would have gone back to the Commonwealth, and not into the hands of any one individual. These large estates mi»ht have been obtained without a breach of our laws, but t here certainly ; was a breach of the law of God, mmely of the tenth commandment, in which we were commanded not to covet. This was certainly nothing else but greed and j covetousness. He considered the pro gressive tax a fair and reasonable one. The old Chartists fifty years ago had asked for the same principle. A few months ago the Minister for Lands had proposed another plan for the divid ing of the lands, and had passed through the Lower House the Land for Settle ments Bill, which stipulated that areas not less than 1000 acres could be bought by tho Government for sub-division at a fair and equitable price to the owner, It would easily be seen that such a step was absolutely necessary, as at the present

time when a large estate was put on _ the market the poor man could not get it as it was the men already pretty well to do who profited by it, the poor man being ieft out in the cold- He quoted the in stances of Acton and another. After a reference to the succession duties which the speaker proposed to increase by a graduated scale, and give to the Govern ment power to remit altogether in the caso of purchase of the estate from the legees, he went on to say that the Upper House had thrown out the Land for Settlements Bill, but if the present Liberal and Radical Government were again returned they wou^d not dare to do so. Ie was the only way to solve the problem of the unemployed. Another important subject was THE EuUOiTION QUESTION and it W3.H naturally a question for the ladies who knew more about it than men do, and were better judges as to the education of their children, as the children were hi their hands from their very i earliest years. There had been a good deal of agitation amongst, the clergy in Christchurch on the subjects of having the Bible in schools. The idea was a good one. There had also been consider able interest in. the nutter in Otago where they had formed a .Bible League. It was a auestion which had his heartiest sympathy. The Bible was one of the best £Mnu<Us of political economy, which fact the Conservatives were not likely to forget. If the scholars were well versed in those principles which prevented the aggregation of land in the hands of individuals their time would not be wasted. Moreover, the Bible said that "righteousness exalteth a nation," and if that were true, the converse would also be true, which would be that godlsssness degradeth a nation. There was another point on which his audience would not perhaps acquiesce. They knew that for certain reasons our Catholic friends were unable to participate in ouc educational system. The reasons were that there were certain passages in the Bible which they did not see in the same light with us, As a proof that they were staunch in their belief they had spent £60,000 in schoolsand he thought they were entitled to consideration. If grants were made to | denominational schools it would relieve the pressure in the public schools. As an instance the Borough school had been in a congested state and Hampstead school had been built to relieve it. The Church of England school close by was kept empty The latter school, he had no doubt, would start at once if a grant were allowed to it. Besides it was to the in terest of the state to bring the subjects up to fear God, and money devoted to that cause would be well spent. If a grant were made to these schools in the large centres, such schools as Bishop Julius proposed to collect the waifs and strays from the streets, would be insti tuted, and these waifs would receive a re ligious education and would be returned to the state good citizens. He had heard that the Presbyterians were agreeable to grants being given, provided the Bible was read in schools. Another burning ques tion was the GOVERNMENT LICENSING BILL, which was now the law of the country and by which a three-fifths majority was necessary before all the public houses should be closed. Our friends the prohi bitionists said it was not fair that a majority of one should notdoihe same thing. That meant that by the law sixty nub of a hundred votes were neces3ary, hut the prohibitionists considered only fifty-one should be necessary, a differenca of nine per cent. But Government siid rtat there was always nine p3r cent non effective, to use a military phrase, who had no voice. Of these some mi<?ht be inva lids, or foi other reasons might require stimulants. It had been said that in the case of invalids (hey could gat it from the chemist, buc it would be at a greatly enhanced price and even then what chemist would be likely to open at Cherfcsey to supply such cases ? 'Laughter), Besides, the extreme pro hibiionists would exclude the importation of liquor. There were half a dozen different disaases iot which liquor was almost invariably prescribed. Our friends* the prohibitionists would probably refer to some doctors at Home who had said that liquor was not absolutely necessary even under those circumstances; but though they doubtless had the best of motives, to shut up all the houses would be cruel and inhuman to many who had been ordered by their medical men to take liquor. He thought it would per haps be best on the whole not to deal with the matter any further at present. He would let the prohibitionist candidate state his views, and then he would be glad to controvert them. Hie reason for ad dressing them at so early a date was that our Conservative friends had been so actively canvassing that he thought it was time each candidate came out and showed his true colors. He thought the Govern ment Bill was a f*ir and reasonable com promise. They must rememb r that it did not require a three-fifths majority to reduce the number of publichouses. The Government had tried fairly and honestly to do their duty in the matter, and he would not be one to turn th«i Government out on so small a cause, a difference only of nine per cent in a Bill. Then the pro hibitionists objected to the hotelkeepers having any interest beyond their one year's lease, but he would remind them that there was such a thing as fairness between man and man. They had spent considerable money on their buildings, and in some cases prohibitionists had shared in the profits of the erection by supplying part of the materials, and he considered that any change should come in a gradual way. They might say tha^ the change had been going on for ten years, but he would reply that there w*s no specUl legislation towards do-ing the publichouses until the present Bill became law. One Bill which had been thrown out by the Upper House was the MANAGEMENT OF RAILWAYS BILL. The railways was a large asset, the value being about £15,000,000, He sup posed the Commissioners managed these railways in a commercial spirit. At pre sent they paid three per cent. He thought f-hat was sufficient, and that the time had come when the rates should he reduced, and as long as they paid three per cent it was their duty to the country to lower the rates. There had been certain charges made against the Commissioners, but he could not say whether or not they ware true. He considered it almost amounted to cowardice on the part of Government the handing over the control of such a large portion of the public estate to an outside management. Therefore if elected he would support the Government in hav ing a voice in the management of rail ways. Another subject he had seen mooted in that night's paper. He al luded to the Swiss REFER ENDUSr. As the House was now constituted he considered the suggestion an excellent one. If the Upper House were an elective body it would not be required. But it was no use to talk about an elective Upper House unless a very strong Go vernment were returned who would do the same as Mr Gladstone was now doing —casting about f .ir a means of so dealing with tli3 House of Lords in the matter of Home Rule, that the wish of the people would be respected. Without that nor thing but the referendum would do. Referring back to the education ques tion he asked—.-" Who were the < bjectors to the Bible in schools ? One class was, •he good and pious people who attended to their own children's religious education but forgot that other children were neglected in that respect. The other class was known as agnostics or free thinkers, bub h9 would quote the opinion,

of one of the greatest modern freethinkers on the subject—Professor Huxley--who was a member of the London School Board. Professor Huxley said that though the theology of the Bible did not altogether commend itself to him, he did not know a bo;>k which was a better sub ject for use in schools, Mr Graham, who was listened to attentively throughout, then intimated his willingness to answer questions, Win 3. 11. Steel said that as tliore were hdics present who were now on the roll he thought it would be well to give them the premier right to speak. The ladies not responding to the invi tation, Mr Maynard asked how long Mr Graham had been in favor of reading the Bible in achoo's, as it was the first time he had heard him speak for it, and it was not long since he had heard him speak very strongly against it. Mr Graham said he was not at all as tonished at the question, and it was only fair he should state his reason. Still, he never had been a public man. He had not been in the General Assembly and he did not know that people had a right to ask why he had changed his opinion on any subject. He came there as one of themselves, with a blank programme and he could change it as he liked. (Loud Uughter). Years ago he had tried to see whafc could be done towards getting the Bible in schools, but there had always been an obstacle till now. The time alluded to by Mr Maynard was at a meet ing of a private association, and even then he had. made the qualifying assertion that if the women got the franchise, there would be a change in opinion. Another question was—is Mr Graham in favor of an Elective Governor ? Mr Graham in answer said his own opinion was that so long as we were an integral part of Great Britain, we should have a Governor nominated by the Prime Minister of the day. These Governors gave us credit. They went Home and talked well of us. This helped to keep up our prestige, and to cement the bonds be tween the Old Country and new. Our Governors were political men, who when in the English Parliament could answer questions about us, &nd he thought we would be unwise to elect our own Ga vernor. Another que&tion—will Mr Graham give hia opinion of the Labor Bills ? Mr Graham said there was no need to say much about the Labor Bills, the matter had be«jn so thoroughly threshed out in Parliament lately, when the Bills were under discussion and were thrown out wrongfully. This Liberal and Radical Government had tried to remedy the working man's grievances but the Upper Houae which represented capital had up set them. The present was a Liberal and Radical Government. Radical signified going to the very root and this Govern ment were looking into the wrongs of the people. Mr Maynard asked what a prohibition candidate was ? Mr Graham said his questioner was better able to answer the question than he was. The newspapers had published a list of the Frohibition and Direct Veto League. The members had brought for ward a candidate straight from the Lsague, and his questioner knew all about it. (Laughter.) Mr Crooks—lf returned would Mr Graham be in favor of a uniform set of books for use in schools ? Mr Graham said ifc was a difficult ques tion to deal with unless the Government took some steps in the matter. Scholars were at a gr.^at disadvantage in having to continually change their books, and it was in the interests of education that a uni formity of text books should be in vogue, and if returned he would certainly endeavor to secure it. Mr J. Keir said that Mr Graham in speaking on the liquor question had said that to close all the houses by a bare majority would be inhuman, but that the 'government Licensing Bill was quite right. He wished to know if nine per cent, represented the difference between human and inhuman ? Mr Graham said the difference was that three ■ fifths was a substantial majority, and one which commended itself, and which would not be got by a catch majority, and a fair one if it became the law of the land. He didn't anticipate that there would be sufficient Prohibi tionists for some time to close all the public houses. He hoped not, Mr T. M. Jones asked if Mr Graham would agree to ba elected by a three fifths majority 1 Mr Graham said he had already itnswered that question in a letter in a published paper. It might seem hard for n minority to be so totally disregarded but of course they often have compensa tion by being victorious in other districts. Mr Maynard again asked his prohibition question. He was quite aware of the answer, as Mr Graham hai said, but others might not be. Mr Graham explain ad that some time ago there had appeared in the Ashburton *' Mail" and " Guardian " a certified copy of the Prohibition League, and that league stated as its objects the closing of publichouses by an absolute majority. (Mr Keir —" No.") The prevention of importation of drink and other things. If any more information was wanted he would refer them to the Secretary, Mr Keir. Mr J. Keir—" Will Mr Graham tell us whether he is still a member of the League j or not.' Mr Graham said he was astonished at Mr Keir asking him such a question, be cmse Mr Lawry and himself had had a passage of arms in the newspaper over the matter (laughter) and he could not say more. His questioner must have seen it as there was very little escaped the obser vation of Mr James Keir. Mr Keir asked the question again. He said he was secretary v the League and ha had not got Mr Graham's resignation He had got his signature and hk shilling. (Laughter). He wished a definite answer to his question, Mr Graham said that he had been in duced to join the League ignorantly, and he certainly had signed his name. By so doing he had bound himself not to vote for a candidate who did not support pro hibition views and as he did not Intend to wo to the polling booth he would not break hia pledge. He would also send his resignation. Mr T. Scott asked, if elected, would Mr Graham be in favor of a system by which in a case of election where there were more than two candidates^ after the lowest had been rejected the highest two would be balloted for separately. Mr Graham eaid he had been in consul tation with Major Steward over the matter and that thelattergentlemanhadshown him a scheme which wasin operation in France. This system would have the effect re ferred to by Mr Scott and if elected he would vote for it. A vote of thanks moved by Mr Elston and seconded by Mr Page was then put and carried, and a vote of thanks to the Mayor closed the meeting.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, October 3, The Council met afc 2 30 p.m. APPOINTMENT OF MANAGERS. Managers were appointed to draw up reasons for the Council insisting on its amendments in th« Workmen's Wages Bill and the Land Act Amendment Bill. THE ELECTORAL LAW BILL. Reasons were received from the House of Representatives for disagreeing with the Council's amendments in the Electoral Law Amendment Bill. The Attorney-General moved that the Council do not insist on its amendments. The motion was losk by the casting vote of the Speaker, the numbers being—ayes, 13 ; noes, 13. Mr Bo went Mr McLean, and Sir George Whttmore, were appointed managers to draw up reasons for insisting on the amendments. COALFIELDS BILL. The Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Act, 1877, Amendment Bill, was read a third time and passed, THJ3 STOCK BILL. The Stock Bill was cohsidered in Com* mittee. I Clause 53.—" Stock to be driven only in day time " —was amended to provide that stock could be driven to and from any public saleyard after nightfall, such stock co be driven only along public roads, and a distance to be limited to six miles. A further amendment was agreed to, giving auctioneers power to permit stock to be driven at other hours than between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in winter, and 4 a.m. and 8 p,m. in summer. A new clause was added, providing that all expenses and charges of carrying this Act into execution, and all money to be paid by way of compensation for destruction of stock, shall be borne from sums of money to be appropriated from time to time by the General Assembly. The remainder of the Bill was agreed to without amendment. The Bill was reported and put through its final stages. At 10.20 p.m. the Council adjourned till next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS DISCHARGED. On the motion of the Premier a large number of Bills were discharged from the Order Paper. REPLIES TO QUESTION, Replying to questions, the Premier said that he intended to make enquiries wfrh respect to the alleged discontent among the police force in regard to pro motions, and that the Government had decided to expend £100 in repairing the graves of soldiers buried at Rangiriri. Mr Rolleston asked what the Govern ment intended to do with regard to the Government Railways Act Amendment Bill. The Premier said that the Legislative Council, in striking out the clauses on the Railways Bills, and directing the House to appoint certain persons as Commis sioners for another year, had offered the Bouse one of tne greatest affronts he had ever known of. The Government had determined to act in a constitutional manner with respect to the matter, but he would remind the House that it was not yet reduced to such a position that it could be dictated to by a nominee Ghamber. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. MINING ACT AMENDMENT. The various clauses in the Mining Act Amendment Bill passed with verbal amendments and the alterations made by the Goldfields Commitiee. The Bill was put through its final stages. NATIVE LAND PURCHASE BILL. On the motion for the committal of the Native Land Purchase and Acquisition Bill, Mr Kapa spoke at great length in condemnation, of the measure, and urged that it be postponed till next session. The Premier pointed out that the Bill would nob come into force till January i, and in the meantime the Government could ascertain the views of the Native people on it. Mr Thompson said that the Native members showed unreasonable opposition to the Bill, which was really in (he interest of the Natives themselves. Mr Mackenzie objected to Mr Thomp son playing the candid friend to the Natives in this manner. Mr Taipua hoped that the Bill would be postponed. He spoke at greath length against the Bill. Mr Parafea also spoke. Mr Carroll said that he had done every thing in his power to make the Natives acquainted with all that was going on in connection with this Bill. Mr Kapa and Mr Taipua had admitted to the Native Affairs Committee that they were not so much opposed to the Bill theni3elves, but were compelled to oppose it owing to pressure from outsiders. Mr Rolleston thought that the Bill should not pasa through in the last hours of the session. He hoped that even yet the Premier would consent to withdraw it. Sir Robert Stout did not think the Bill ac all necessary, but he would not go so far as to vote against it. In the course of hid reply the Premier said that the Natives were being dealt with fairly by the Bill, and Parliament could no longer stay its hand, as the whole country was being kept back by this Native land difficulty, The motion for the committal was carried by 22 to 10.

THE REVOLT IN BRAZIL.

Bio be Jatsiebo, October 2. There is a food and coal famine in the capital, but the rebels are reported to be fully supplied. It is estimated that they have munitions of war sufficient to last six months.

The Trouble in South Africa.

Capetown, October 3. An impi of Matabeles, seven thousand strong, fired on the Chartered Com pany's scouts near Fort Victoria, and afterwards passed in a north-easterly direction. Sir Henry Loch has author ised Mr Jameson, the company's agent, to send a strong contingent to recornoitre. (Received October 4, 10 15 a.m.) Capetown, October 3. A collision between the Matabele impis and the Chartered Company's forces is imminent.

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS v PHILADELPHIA.

New Yokk, October 2. The match between the Australians and the Philadelphia team *vas finished to day, the Australians being defeated by an innings and 68 runs. The Australians in their first innings made 199 ; Graham 25, Giffen 62, Black i ham 22. In their second innings they made 258. Trott and Bannerman made ! a very good stand, bub their efforts were not -well seconded by the rest of the team, who failed to save a one innings' defeat. Trott made 58, and Bannerman carried hia bat through the innings for 79. Both men were loudly applauded ou returning to the pavilion J

THE ASHBBBTON GPARMAKj_ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER L X 893,



THIS WEEK G. J. NEILL and Co, ARE SELLING- Berlin Wool Is lid Beautiful.Dress Goods 3d per yard Splendid Plush la 3d per yard White Calico 2s lid per dt-z Kn^Unbleached Twill Shoetiag 9H Heavy flannelette 3M Cotton Shirting 4H Men's Tweed Suits 17s bd Boys Tweed Suits 4a llcl BOOTS- BOOTS. BOOTS. WE STAND UNRIVALLED. Women'B Morocco Shoos Women's Strong tothetSnoM^to M [fl. J. NULL & CO.'S. FBIKDLANBEB'S OOBNKE, BAST STREET TEBMS-OASH. »« DISCOUNT.



Wanted.



LOST, black and tan Sheep Dog, answers to the name of Jock, had a chain on when seen last. Apply R. Jeff, Tmw»M : ________^ WANTED Known, that Mrs Jarvis, Monthly Nurse, has removed to a larger house on Alford Forest Road, near Woollen Factory, where she will be pleased to receive patients. Heat references. Terms moderate. M _lgu WANTED Known-" The Corner " is showing a magnificent New btock of Drapery and Clothing. — W. H. Collier.



H' ERBAL Beer, Ginger Beer, Rasp berryade, home made Jams ana Marmalade, and .11 fresh fruit in season T. Hotjlt, East Street, ABhburton^lOJg •*XTANTED to Sell Settings of Turkey W Eggß . ApplyJhjsoffice : __lQ29 F~~ RK"PoLlCE~wiirm^t at Brigade Station, Thursday, at 7-30 for practice. J. M. Cambridge, Superin tendent- __2_l



BICYCLE for Sale.-New 93 Dunlop Pneumatic Safety, Elswick bearings, tangent spokes— ball-bearings and nickel plated throughout. Apply-/. Taylor, care of Beath and Co., Tancred street. 10 23 TmOUND Brooch. Owner can have same X od paying cost of this advt. Apply this office. 10 J4 TAHITI Oranges, Bananas, Tomato Sauce, good Apples, Marmalade, lomato Plantfl. etc.-MRS Whiitisoton, Burnett Street. f I HB Best Nickel Watch in the Market I for 15a. Usually sold by Jewellers at from 20s to 25s each. Specially made in England to our order.—John Orr and Co. a " iv" SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest the largest, tha best, aud the cheap Mk. Small Goods a specialty. Ful reighto guaranteed. A trial solicited. -W. J. Silcock. 4+lß'J



\\T ON DERFUL Satisfaction. — W The special nickel watch made for S. Salek, sold at 22s 6d and 25s is the best.—Obtainable only from S. Sales, Jeweller. * ™ SUITS to measure, during the sale, 495, 555, 60s, 70s, and 75a. Fit and workmanship guaranteed.—R. Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known—Some wonderful job lines n Drapery, etc., now oeingsold; also presents to all purchasers. H. C. Segeks, Melford House. WANTED Known-For good value in first class Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing, etc., go to Melford House. Beautiful presents now giving away to all purchasers.



WANTED Known—W. H- Collier's noted four clasp Kid Gloves, 2s 6d, have just arrived in all sises. WANTED Known.—Choicest Novel ties in Dress goods, Mantles and MiUinery are to be seen.—Mitchell and Turner. MITCHELL and Turner's prepara tions for the Season are acknowledged to be very complete. ; iQto Haroley Bros, for Bargains ! T in Blankets, 49 pairs of large white suitable for double beds only, 16s 6d worth 255. Extra large Grey, only 10a 6d worth 18s 6d, Selling rapidly.— Hardlky Bros, Arcade.



MX WILLIAM MoLEAN (Evangelist from Ireland), will D.V. preach •very evening this week at 7-30 till Friday inclusive, in the Arcade Ohambers. All are cordially invited. JOJ> CRICKET and Lawa Tennis Material just unpacked at reduced prices. New Bocks, Games and Fancy Goods. All goods reduced in price for cash this month —L. F. Andrewes and Co, SfntionW Hall. _____——. 800K 5* in good order and complete bought or taken in exchange. New Stock arriving every week. Circulating Library.—3. Makbden, Newsagent.



r\OOL yourselves durinar these per / lurbed limes wi h Ice Ci-e^m. Be.vly tomorrow (Saturday) —H. U-. Flowek, Confec ioner, WANTED Known—That A. J. Walker repairs Bi< yclec, Sewing Macbinee, Lawn Mowers, Medical Coils, and all descriptions of light machinery. "TTIOLIN, Case, and Bow complete V fiom 30j upwards. Accordeons, Concertinas, M«»uth Oreana, String-, Besit^Bridgeß, &c — H M : ___ ~|Y' EW Lines in Boxed Stationery, JIN white and tinted, Account and Books, Albums, Wii-ing Cases, Photo Frames, New Goods.-11. M. Jokes.



RAILWAY Book Stair—A very large and choice lot of books to select from. 7_loO BOOKS in great variety to suit all classes of readers, at the Railway Book Stall 710* IF yot want fiist class fruit go to Adams' for F ji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, ate. _ _ 0N 7T Forget to send your Bioycles along to the Old Kindergarten to 'ft repaired, at moderate rates. EDIOAL Coila made and repaired on the shortest notice at easy prices at A. J. Walker's, Old Kinder garten. B" ANGI Bang 1 Bang 1 Gutis 1 Guns 1 Guns! by the best makers and itted with all the latest improvements Powder, Shot, Caps, Cartridges, Wads, and Cases at J. W. Hakdlby's, East Street. Gans repaired.



WANTED Known.—To make room for Spring Boots I will give ten per cent for cash. Repairs done at once cheaper than ever to stay bad times over at J. Moison, Premier Bootmaker. 8 18 TDRESENTfc—Beautifnl Presents now XT being given away to all purchasers cTDrapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing tc.—H. C. Sbobbs, Melford House. WA.NTED Known.—The V and N Corset now landed, in all sizes.— Mitchell and Turner.



I jt*. a TTNiON STEAMSHIP COMPANI U OF NEW ZEALAND. STEAMERS SAIL feom LYTTBL TON AS UNDER: For Wellington—Monday, Tuesday, Wed nesday, Thursday, %r.& Saturday. Nelson—Tuesday and Saturday. Auckland— Thursday and Saturday. Sydney —Every Second Tuesday and Thursday. Ounedin—Tuesday and Friday. Melbourne—At frequent intervals. For p&rticu.ar^ apply to MILES ft CO., LIMITED. AGEMTS, ASHBURTON



WHO is your Plumber 1 Why W . Babdlky, who is h Manufacturer of Spouting, Ridging, Steel Gutters, Baths, Sinks, Tanks, etc., and who haa on hand the largest stock of Pumps and Pipe in town. \ITHEREdo you geo your IronmoK VV gery? At Hakdlkvs of course, where we get the best value in Sheet Lead, Nails, Locks, Hinges, Plough Chains, Rope, Wire Knotting, Gorse Knives', Spades and Forks, Lamps, Fender and Fire Irons, and anything you requirp



DO YOU KNOW r\ HAT we are SELLING OFF all our J- NEW GOODS, and giving a dl 3 count of FOUR SHILLINGS OFF JSn«RY POUND FOR CASH, because we are OVERSTOCKED, and MUST REALISE. gy Come and see our Phopfull of New Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Boots, tfec. (all marked in plain figures). Men's Good Tweed Suits to measure during the sale from £2 15s to £3 UU FOR CASH. CRAICHEAD&~BERRYMAN THE LEADING TAILORS AND OUTFITTERS, ABhbwton. 9*62



WANTED, BY a Suitable and trustworthy servant, a situation in town or country. Can furnish the most satisfactory refer ences from the best of families and public places. My qualifications as a servant, are— I am colonial bred and born. lam young, well built, powerful, with a constitution of stone. lam a good worker, willing to work nipht and day, as I never tire. I never require a holiday, as I have no friends to call on. I seldom require a doctor. I never strike for wages or join any society. I require no fcoa, and am a total ab stainer. Of water I use a largo quantity, no matter how filihy. , I have not a single vico or bad habit. I work for all nationalities, and under stand one language as well as another. I have no particular religion, bat will conform to the belief of my employer. In polities I vote on all'sides, particu larly on Old Rulk'k side- I am employed among the rich and the poor as well as in all public places. Every one likes me, and once I work for them they cannot do without mo. I am a saviour of. the people's health. I hold daily receptions in Tancred street East, to which you are al/. cordially invited. My name is RULES ACME WATER FILTER-



NEW ZEALAND CiiOTmura Factoby ariaw oood§. Men's Straw Hats from Is New Tennis Hats from Is lid New Tweed Hats from Is Over 1500 Hats in stock. 1 New Washing Ties from 4d New Tennis Shirts from 3s Od New Collars, New Shirts, New Studs. INSPECT OUR NEW STOCK. CLOTHING DEPARTMENT Boys' Sailor Suits from 7a lid Men's Sao Suits from 30a Men's All-wool Trousers from 9s bd. ALL NEW PATTERNS. T XILORING "DEPARTMENT Men's Suits to measure from 59s 6d Men's Trousers to measure from 17s bd BOOT DEPARTMENT. Men's Nailed Balmorals, 9s 6d Men's Bluchers, 63 6d Boys' Strong School Boots from 5s 6d. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING JIACTORY. ALEX, HENDRY, Manager



]¥ew Jewellery. ]¥ew Jewellery. UTew Jewellery.



"FUST OPENED UP—A consignment t) from Home of the very latest style and newest designs in Gold and Silver Jewellery, Silver and E.P. Ware, etc. Inspection invked of the very choice and High-class Stock, which will be found equal to any in Christchurch and at LOWER PRICES, A Splendid Selection of GOODS, SPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR PRESENTS.



S. SALEK WATCHMAKER, Manufacturing Jeweller, ~: and : 'OCULIST—GPTICIAN. I East Street, Ashburton. The Establishment for first class Watch and Clock repair ing. Charges as low as is consistent with SOUND $ RELIABLE If ORKMANSIIIP



HOLIoWAT'S Ointment and Pills are.beyond al doubt the most valuable and most convenient mcdi eines that travellers can take across the seas to dtstant climes for change of climate and the new conditions and surroundings of life to which they will be ex posed will assuredly give rise to great disturbances of the system and to such especial morbid states of . the blood and constitution generally as will render the n"e o£these effectual remedies highly necessary, for they will in them find a ready and safe means of relief in mol of the disease which, afllcfc the humaa race, a u a with them at hand they may be said to bave a physician always at their call. COtBMANB AND SON SETOAIJI'TIC EXTRACT IB the onfy genuine in the market, and was awarded medals md dnilomas at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide tain* Kmpotrtora. For all affections^ the Chest °and Lungs, Consumption, Asthma, Coughs Gravel, and Kidney Complaints, it has [no equal