MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alteration s:— WEDNESDAY, September 6. San Francisco mail. Due London Oct. 11.

Ashburton Guardian MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1893. CHILD MURDER.

In an article recently on the Makin cases, we dealt with the question gener ally of baby-far.ning. The remarks we then made were prompted by the per usal of several articles written by Aus tralian contemporaries and by the recollection of othera from the pens of Home journalists. Those articles lifted the veil that covered a terrible state of affairs in the larger cities of (he neigh boring colonies, and those of Great Britain and the Continent. Wo felt at the time a species of grim pride in the assurance that we were writing on a subject of which this colony had no experience, and that if vice was ram pant in the larger cities of New Zea land, the crime for which Me kin paid the last penalty of the law was almost unknown. At anyrate we had no sus picion that it existed to an extent to warrant Colonel Hume, the Chief of the Police in New Zealand, whose annual report has since reached us, writing in this strain :— Before concluding this report attention is called to what appears to be a growing evil in th;s co'eny—viz., 'baby-farming." That this evil exists there can be do doubt; and ifc appears thatchildren, either by advertise- i ment ot otherwise, are placed in most un suitable homes, where it is perfectly well understood that the sooner the child dies the b«tter pleased all concerned will be. It ap pears to me that a similar Act to The Infant Life Protection Act, 1872, 35 and 36 Viet,, chap. 38, might with advantage be placed upon the New Zealand Statute Book, which would meet the difficulties of the case as regards infants placed out to nuree by pro viding tor the due registration ot name, and home where childien *re co received ; and, further, by directing inspection of such houses, etc. Another system of disposing of infants is by so-called adoption, where chil dren are taken for a lump sum entirely off their motheis' hands: provided no more questions are asked. Sums from £6 to £20 -ire paid down as a premium ; and for such helpless infants there is absolutely no pro tection. The recent disclosures in Sydney considerably openei the eyes of the public on these matters, and I believe some legisla tion is now absolutely required to deal with this evil in this colony. An officer in Colonel Hume's position does not write such a report as this without having good reason for so doing. He has at his command all the police organisation of the colony as an intelligence department. Every police constable, sergeant, detective or other officer, has in one way or another, in the course of duty, opportunities for becoming aware of the existence of houses of a questionable character. No house of ill-fame can be conducted for many days without some member of the police force becoming aware or at least suspicious of its character. No man cm carry on a business for bidden by the law, or conduct one sanctioned by the law in an illegal manner for long without information of the fact finding its way to the police; This tribute fco the efficiency of the police all must pay who have any intimate knowledge of the opera tions of th# organisation who have the charge of the public peage, and ji the offenders are not always brought to justice, the fault doe 3 not by any means always lie at the door of the police. Failures to convict frequently occur, but in nineteen cases out of j twenty when a case is brought by the police, the alleged offender, whether | acquitted or convicted, is guilty. $ut; it frequently occurs that vases are not brought before the Court because though the police have no doubt at all o€ the gujjb of the parties th_9 evidence

available is not of a kind that would convict. But all the same the police organisation can be counted upon as reliable enough on a matter of the kind Colonel Humo refers to, and his refer ence to it in his report ia such a refer ence a3 deserves the immediate atten tion of the Legislature. The subject is not an attractive one to dwell upon, and we only care to urge the adoption of the remedy suggested by Colonel Hume—the passing of an Act similar to the one in force in Britain. In fact, with a few verbal alterations to suit this colony the whole Act could be adopted here, and once read by our legislators in the light of Colonel Hume's sport, we have no doubt that it would be passed through both Houses of Parliament without discus sion. There are doubtless houses in which a child or perhaps two are out at nurse, and are being loyally cared for. The Act would do no harm but rather assist those who discharge their duty to children properly in this way, but the Act would suppress establish ments to which [children were taken with a sinister object. As to the Adoption Act, which Colonel Hume looks upon with some suspicion, an amendment is necessary making the re ceiving of an adoption premium illegal, and requiring those who assaume the position of parents to others' children to satisfy some recognised authority of their bonafides, and their possession of means to maintain the children of whom they wish to take charge. We trust Government will see to an Act of this kind becoming law this session, and are pleased to note that the matter will be at least considered, I a Governmental promise to that effect having been made last night.

THE STOCK BILL.

The Stock Bill which has been introduced by the Hon. John McKenzie seems to need very careful considera tion before it is placed upon the Statute Book. It appears to be too complicated and much too drastic to suit the majority of sheep breeders in this county. At the same time it must be admitted that it bears evidence of having been very carefully I drafted, and if the objectionable features are eliminated in Committee it may eventually appear as a very useful measure. The repeal of the three previous Acts dealing with the subject is a step in the right direction, for the common practice of amending portions of an Act, and permitting the rest to stand, is vexatious and confus ing to the general public. Amongst the new provisions there is one pro hibiting the driving of stock along any highway between certain hours in the evening and the morning—in other words at night, and it strikes us that although this may be hailed with satis faction by the casual traveller, and may to some extent tend to put down sheep stealing, it will be found very incon venient to farmers. For everybody knows that a great many are so placed that they have always to start with the stock before daylight in order to reach the saleyards. And to make the conditions as irksome as possible the following has been inserted in the clause:—" Tt shall be no suffi cient excuse for driving stock at any prohibited hour that the said stock were intended for transport either by railway train or by ship departing at any particular hour." The provisions with regard to ear-marking are ex ceedingly drastic. These may be brought into operation by an Order in Council, in which ca3B "any person who ear-marks otherwise than by punching the ear, or any part of the edges or tip thereof with a punch or nippers, is liable to a penalty of £50, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years." The majority of the new clauses may, with trifling alterations, be found acceptable to sheep breeders. But we fail to see that the Bill as a whole can be expected to prove very effective in putting a stop to sheep stealing, which is so prevalent in some parts of the colony. We do not find any attempt in the new Bill to remedy one of the greatest evils which exist as the law now stands, and that is to cast upon private persons the responsibility of prosecuting sheep and cattle stealers. Unless the Government undertakes this duty, the drastic provisions in the new Bill will not be found very effectual in preventing crimes of this kind.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The wedding ring of the Princess May w. ■ made! from a nugget of gold taken from the gold mines in Merionethshire, Wales. The football match yesterday afternoon between Christ's College and Wanganui College was won by the former by 12 points to 9 points. At the quarterly meeting of the Primitive Methodist circuit on Wednesday the "Rev James Cocker was voted an increase in his stipend equal to £20 a year. We remind our readers that Saturday is the date fixed for Mr D. Thomas' sale of Mr Andrew Dawson's farm near Wester field s The land comprises 200 acres, subdivided inta five paddocks, and the whole is as of good quality and well fenced and watered. There is a gentleman a,fc lpsn who hai '• resided in the colony for 30 years, and u# till Saturday last (says V Post") had not eee!n citfew a football jnatoh or a horse race. Now hjebaa witnesced a foothill contest, and as a result he is eagerly looking forward to tlie time when he will get the opportunity seeing a dividend paid out on jbhe ator. A Woodland man had a horse thai; slobbered so much as to excite the owner's disgust. He read an advertUement in an JEastsr^ paper where a man for a dollar promised' to s,«?ad/i repeipt that would cure the horse of his annoying habit. Jle sent for the receipt, which simply readV-^-'^eaqh jour hors.o to spit,"

An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch Hospital Board waa held on Monday after noon, when Mr C. Mackinley flilson waa appointed honorary masseur to the institu tion. Here is a good story of a lady butter maker of the old school, who was well up to date in knowing the supreme importance of the most scrupulous cleanliness, and of not touching the butter with her hands in the process of manufacture. " W hat I doeß is," she Siid, " I put on a pair o' my 'usband's white gloves, and makes hall the butter in 'em; then my 'usband has 'em clean for Sundays, as I rinses 'em well." A valued correspondent at Doric, quotes Mr VV. White's letter objecting to the irri gation race going through his land, and warning residents of the dangers that follow, Mr White had "four years' experience of the Bakaia river, having been at work building the bridge for that time, and so knows the river, and that it would never do to bring down a race," etc. Our correspondent re marks that the present race from the river as flowed for four years, and nobody hasl been drowned yet! A meeting of the Committee of the Aahr burton Cricket Club was held last evening —Mr Purnell, the Club's president, in the chair. Messrs Denshire and Lane were ap pointed to represent the Olub on the com mittee of the proposed Athletic Clubs As sociation. The appointment of the match and ground committees waa then proceeded with. Messrs Lane, Cuthtjertson, and Mitchell were selected for the former, and Messrs Allenton, Black, and £. Andrews for the latter. A draft of the proposed rules was considered, and it was resolved that a general meeting of the Club be held on Mon day next for the purpose of adopting them. Messrs Orbell, Marshall, R. Curtis, Fowler, Murray, Fie.d, Hunnibel, and Faterson were elected now members of the Club. The football match Ashburton 11. v. Tradesmen, played at the Domain yesterday, resulted after a good game in a pronounced win for Ashburton by one goal and one try (seven points) to nil. The match waa well contested, both sides being evenly mated. The fine play of the Ashburton backs was neutralised by the first rate collaring of their opponents, who were, however, not so well up in the finer points of the game. - For Ashburton, Hewson, full back, played well; Pritchard, who scored after a splendid run, Purchase (one try), and Matson, were most noticeable. For the Tradesmen, Trezise, full back, and Shear man, Todd, and Hefford, were the best of a very even lot. A meeting of those interested in the Springburn Coal and Lime Company was held on Wednesday. Promoters and share holders were represented. The prospecting Committee, Messrs Sharplin, McFarlane, and Dove, reported that a drive had been put in near the outcrop and they were now on a seam of coal six feet thick of first class quality. It was resolved to further extend the drive, it being deemed advisable to thoroughly test the ground before proceeding with the kiln and tramway. Estimates of the cost of kiln were furnished, aad after considering these the meeting closed. The Christchurch prohibitionists have sent a telegram to Mr Reeves asking whether at the Resident Magistrate had convicted thi licensee of one of the Sydenham hotels foi illegally sellng liquor, the police would be instructed to close those of the Sydenham hotels with illegal licenses, in terms of Judge Denniston's decision 1 A reply has been re ceivedf romtheCommissioner of Police stating that it is understood there is an appeal against the magistrate's decision, and if so, the the police will take no action till the matter has been finally settled. Sir Robert Stout promised the prohibitionists to bring the mattei before the House. A highly respectable Indian gentleman, s member of the Bombay Anthropological So ciety—Mr Sarat Chandra Mitra—has coir< forward with an apparently well authentic ated Btory of a girl who has been discoveiec! in Jalpaiguri, in the den of a bear. The youog person's habits were decidedly bearish for ahe tried to bits and saratch those who came near her, went down " on all fours," foi locomotion, and " growled at meals." Noi is this all. A Bengal Zemindar captured in the jungle a wild boy, whose only approach to speech was the utterance of chattering sounds like those of a monkey. Mr Mitra is of opinion that when, as sometimes happens, an intant child is abandoned in the bush, there is nothing absurd in the idea that it might be adopted by a female wild animal that has lo3t her young. The women in Finland do a good part of the work of the community. Amocgst the lower classes they drive the market carts, sweep the streets, mend the roads, and row the boats. They do not, however, with a few exceptions, serve behind the counter. Among the .better class the women work quite as hard aa they do in the lower. In the banks there are far mor.e women than men clerks. The same thing is noticeable in the bureaux de change. In the Post Office, and in the State office, women are in the majority. Women teach trades to the cripples and to the blind, and industrial arts to the little boys and girls who attend schools established for that purpose. A black silk dress is the orthodox gatment for old and young, and is worn alike at a coffee party or a wedding, no dainty ornaments being allowed. Mr Iceley, the New South Wales magis trate, who pays periodical visits of inspec tion to Lord Howe Island, is now (says an Auckland paper) in a rather awkward pre dicament on that isolated piece of land. He was disembarked there on the last visit of the mail schooner Mary Ogilvie, which then proceeded on to Norfolk Island, intending, in the ordinary course of events, to call for Mr leeley on the return trip to Sydney, The Bchooner, however, was totally lost at Norfolk Island, so that the magistrate is detained at Lord Howe Island, with all means of communication with the outside world completely cut off. It ia expected that a Government steamer will be despatched from Sydney, when his plight becomes known, to convey him back. The island was formerly used as a convict depot, and lies ibout 200 miles off the Australian coast, north-east of Sydney.

CRICKET.

[PBB PRKSS ASSOCIATION]

! London, August 29. In the match ag&insfc tfre Australians at Blackpool, tha Hornsby sixteen W»<Jf 172 in their first innings, or H behind thfl colonials. The leading additional acorers were Sondey 2£, Hazelwood 19, Maudfe; not out, |6. The Australians in th^ir second innings have lost three wickets'for 65 runs, Gijfen being principal scorer with 22. " . ;

SUPREME COURT.

[per press association]

Wellington, August 39.

In the Supreme Coucc this afternoon William Mudgeway was convicted of wounding a woman named Louisa Holism hy striking her with a bottle during a quarrel in John Street, Wellington, and was sentenced to nine months hard labor.

COMMERCIAL.

The New Zealand Land Association, I Limited, has received the following cable I message, dated <J London, August 29. J The wheat market ia slightly better, i 1 New Zealand average i* worth 26s per j 4961b. New Zealand long-berried is worth 28s per 496ib. New Zealand f.a.g, is worth c i.f, to arrive 253 6d per 4801b. Quotations nominal. Washington, Augusb 29. The defeat ot the ratio amendment is regarded as fatal to the hopes of the bimetallistß, t hough Senator Voorhee's Bill is in favor to some extent of bimetal lism. It is believed that the silver men will now endeavor to forca a compromise between Vcorhee's and Wilson's Bills. (Received August 31, 11.50 a.m ) London, August 30. The quantity of wheat and flour afloat | for the United Kingdom is 2,086,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,372,000 quarters. It is estimated that the visible American supply is 64,900,000 bushels. An Australian cargo of wheat to arrive in September sold at 29s 6d. Gold is now flowing freely into the bank. Three months' bills are quoted at 37s Bd.

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK.

Christchubch, August 29, There was a large attendance at the Addington market to-day, The entries in nearly all departments showed improvement on those of last week, and business, though not over brisk, displayed its former tone. Store Sheep.—About 3000 came to hand, the bulk breeding ewes with a small propor tion of crossbred wethers and hoggets. Hoggets, 8s 9d to 12s; crossbred breeding ewes, 14s 3d to 163 7d; a line with lambs at foot reaching 19s 3d ; forward conditioned crossbred wethers, 13s to 13s 9d; a line of merino ewes in lamb, 4s Bd. Fat Sheep.—Between 3000 and 4000 were penned, the quality except in the case of a few picked lines being inferior, and a good number of merinos increased in the entry. Crossbred wethers brought various prices from 12s 9d to 22s 3d; ewes, 10s to 18s; halfbred wethers, 14s 9d to 2ls Id : mixed wethers and maiden ewes, 15s 4d to 16s 3d ; merino wethers, 8a to 16s Id. ) Fat Lambs — About fifty were entered and sold from 12s to 16s. Fat Cattle. —123 head entered, the bulk being cows and heifers with a few good steers. Best steers brought £8 10s to 113 j medium, £6 to £8; heifers, £6 to £1115s; cows, £5 10a to £9 53 ; prime beef realised as high as 27s fid per lOOlbsi and inferior up to 23b, , Store Cattle.—The largest entry for some tim», and the only class in which busi ness was really good. A line of forward young steers and heifers brought £4 13s. PjGsS—A medium yarding and a good sale. Baconew brought 25s to 66s ; porkers, 16a to 30s*

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

Mr David Thomas reports upon the live stock market in the Ashburton district for the week ending August 29 as follows :—On Tuesday, at the Ashburton yards, the usual weekly sale of live stock was held, when 3452 sheep, 40 head of cattle, and 10 pigs came forward. There was a large attend ance of farmers and others, but only a few seemed bent on business, and although the sales affected at auction were of a dragging nature, I managed to quit all my entry, which comprised 2051 sheep, 19 head of cattle, and 5 pigs, with the exception of 200 sheep and 8 head of cattle. My principal sales were as follow: —In sheep—24 fat crossbreds, 12s Id ; 47 merino wethers 7s ; 75 crossbreds, 13s 7d ; 49, 13* §d ; 42, 14s 6d; 15, 14a ; 3 crossbred hoggets, 14s ; 211 full-mouth crossbred ewes in lamb, Us lid ; 120 merino ewes in lamb, 4a 6d ; 152 croas bred freezers, 15s 7d; 120, 16s 7d ; 199 cross bred two-tooth ewes in lamb 13s 4d ; 56 crossbred ewes in lamb 93 3d; 28 merino •wes, 3s 6d; US crosatied freezers, 16<j 9d; 531 crossbred hoggets, 10* 10J. In cattle - 1 fat cow, £7; 1 springer at £5 5j j lat £5 10a and lat £5 15s; 1 diy cow, £1 2s ; 5 yearlings, 31s ; 1 yearling, £1; and 5 pigs 283. Tak ng lhe sale ali rouad.it was a tone better, and as the grass is coming on now sheep ought to rule at somewhere near their old values, especially ewes in lamb. Horse and Produce Market.—On Satur day last I held my usual weekly sale of horses, when the entry comprised a lot of old crocks, there being only two of any quality at all, and these I got rid of without any bother. Good young dnughts would sell well in the Arcade now if vendors chose to bring them in, and sell at reasonable values. I sold cattle, pigs, fowls, and sundries at market values. Land. —Prior to the horse sale I sold two sections just over the north belt at £59 each, and 38 acres near Maronan at £20 per acre. These- properties were sold under instruc tions received from G. L. Greenwood, Esq., Official Assignee, Christchurch. MesBTB Friedlanderßrothers report upon the live stock market for the week ending August 30, as follows: -There was only a limited entry of sheep at the Ashburton Yards oh Tuesday last, the totals being 3450 sheep, 40 head of cattle and 10 pigs The attendance was moderate and business not very brisk. The fat pens were well filled with both crossbred and merino sheep, nearly all of which were disposed of at prices which show no improvement on late values. Several lines of really good quality freezing sheep wsre yarded, while store sheep were represented by a few lines of crossbred ewes in lamb and two or three lota of hoggets. Fat Bheep in butcher's pens realised—cross breds from 12s Id to 14s; merjno wethers, inferior sorts, 7s to 7« 9d, and better quality up to 103 id. Three lines of well finished fretzers were disposed of at 153 6d, 163 7d and 16s 9d. These prices do not leave a profit for the grazier. A line of partly fioished two-tooth crossbreds were turned, out unsold, 14s being the best offer obtain-' able. Aged ewes in lamb were sold at from 9s 3iU> 12s, with no very strong demand. Two-tooths of the same class made 13s 3d. Hoggetß. small sorts 8s 9d to 10s 9d. Merino ewes in lamb were hard to quit, and only one lot, culls, were sold at 3* 6d. Of our entry we sold 298 small hoggets at 8s 9d, 145 fat merino wethers at 10s 4d, 2 fat cows at £7 ss, 2 heifers at *6 12s 9d, 2 heifers at £7 17b 6d, and 2 steers at £9 ss, and a faw head of store cattle at full market rates. Privately during the week we sold on ac count of clients 380 freezers at 17s, 430 three-quarter-bred hoggets at lls (3d. Messrs Miles and Company, Limited (E. W. Hanmer auctioneer) report as follows upon the weekly stock sale held at the Ash burton yards on Tuesday, 29th inst:—The smallest market of the season up to the present was collected at the Ashburton yards on Tuesday, whea the totals entered were 2031 sheep, 19 head cattle, and 10 pigs. In some few instances a slight improvement in prices Was perceptible, and no doubt with the indications of an early spring and a plentiful growth of feed, a good rtcovery will be realised. Our entry comprised 63,1 sheep and 2 head of cattle, which were cleated with the exception of a line of crossbred ewes, The sheep for butchers' purposes comprised 21 pens of about equal numbers of crossbreds and merinos, which ranged from 12a Id to 14s Qd for the former and 7s to 10a 4d for merino, Crossbreds for freezing sold froth 15s 7d to 16a 9d under stock competition* Breeding ewes also met with quiet trade, and sales were hard to effect at lls lid and 13s 4d for sound mouthed crossbreds and merinos up to 53. Hoggets sold in buyers' favor at 8a 9d and 10s 4d for good stores The cattle market did BQi prove so brisk aa usual, and Beveral vendops'preflrreel to hj>ld over. We sold 63 merino wethers at 7s and ?s 9.d, 26, cross, bred wethers at 14s Id* 147 merino ewes in lamb at 5s ; 7 lambs at Bs,, and we have alto disposed of privately 500 crossbred wethers ftt 14s. ■"'„-. „ , Oif behalf of Mr 0. G. Reßtell we held a clearing sale on Wednesday, 2Jrd inst., on his property on the Alford Forest road, when we were favored with an exceptionally large attendance of the public. ; The furni tuf& ¥^s all disposed of at satisfactory priSes under'good 1 'com^efcj Mop. and in cbn nectibn wit|i this portion'of the auction a word ,of prais<j is due to Mr P. Williams for his excellent arrangement of the' numerous articles submitted. An extensive list U horses, cows, vehicles, etc., also hacl » ready sale at favorable rates f—ll light horse*, ranging from £7 10s to £16.10; cows, £3 10s, £5 101 to £8 } pig*, 104 to U ss,

CABLE SUMMARY.

Stocks, of Hull, rode a bicycle twenty-five miles in "59min 31 3 sth sec, beating the world's record. The Duke of Edinburgh proclaims that it will be the chief task of his/ life to administer the Duchy of Coburg. The " Daily Chronicle " thinks that,' judging by its budget, New Zealand just now must be one of the " hal lowed islands of the blest." A German expedition sent to avenge the death of Lieutenant Bulow stormed th«l forts at Kilimanjaro after an hour's fighting. Many were killed and wounded. The " Pall Mall Gazette " sajs that, owing to Viscount Drumlanrig receiv ing precedence in the Peerage over his father, the Marquis of Queensberry, the latter threatened to assault Lord Eosebury. The police, however, guarded Lord Rosebury; and eventu ally the Prince of Wales interposed and settled the quarrel. Mr G. W. Fleming warns intending emigrants to the colonies to beware of an enticement held out by Mr M Hume Black, late member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Mackay, who was some time ago sent to England by the Queensland Govern ment to promote the interests of that colony;- Mr Fleming points out that the Government of the colony which Mr Black represents rendered no real help to the unemployed during the depression.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Welungton, August 30. The STew Zealand electrical syndicate Have received a cablegram from London stating that the select committee ap pointed by the House of Commons to en quire into the dispute between the tele phones and tramways re the use of the earth as a return, has decided in favor Of the tramways. Sir James Hector has returned from Cheviot to-day, where he has been to ex amine ihe seam of coal discovered on the estate whilst excavating for road purposes. His report is not yet prepared. Resolutions adverse to the Government Licensing Bill have been carried by the Pioneer Lodge of Good Templars, the Wellington branch of the Temperance Union, the Executive Committee of the Wellington Prohibition League, the Ad vance Division of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance, and the friends of the Wesleyan Church Band of Hope. Thomas George Frazer, who was ac quitted at the Supreme Court on Monday on a charge of stealing a quantity of jewellery from a woman named Ada Bond, was this afternoon caught red handed leaving the Empire Hotel with a quantity of wearing apparel the property of Mr Caincross, M.H.R., and Mrs Cairn cross, who occupy private apartments in hostelry; Frazar is suspected of being concerned in a robbery at the Oriental Hotel on Monday night, when the rooms of several boarders were entered and valuables stolen. To-day the police shipped back to Sydney two or three of the " spieling" fraternity, who were before the Magis trates Court yesterday, on a charge of vagransy, and released on the condition that they left tin colony.

The Wellington Meat Company.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wellington, August 39. At the annual meeting'of the, Welling ton Meat Export Company the report and balance sheet, telegraphed on August 1, were adopted. The Chairman said the Directors regretted to meet the bhare holders with such an unsatisfactory state ment. The quantity of Btock received from Stock owners for freezing on their own account was co email that the Directors found it impossible to declare a dividend from that source. The Board had dirested to go into the market and purchase, and although that policy had not resulted satisfactorily, »li 3 Board had been justified in adopting such a course? The policy was one which the Directors frit must be adverted to. The purchasing of stock in the colony bad now become the rule with most Companies. There had been a great drop in prices at Home, and he did not think it was surprising to find that last year's operations had not b^p.n a success. The present state of things could not continue. The Company must buy at a prioe which would leave a margin to itself, The Company's plant was second to none in the colony, and he felt certain they would get a fair share of work. During the past three yeaii there had been an increase of stock in the Wellington and West Coast districts of 1,200,Q0Q head, and he felt sure that the time was not far o^F when the whole plant would be wanted. The Ammonia process ! had been a success, and the plant would, when required, do ample justice. Dur r ing the past few years £24.000 odd had been written off for depreciation, ao that dividends had not been paid without making due allowance for wear and tour.

IRRIGATION.

MEETING AT DORIE.

An irrigation meeting was held in the Doric school on Tuesday night, the 29th inst. There was a good turn out of resi dents, and Mr Richards was voted to the chair. , The Chairman having read Mr Baxter's report on irrigation, and explained to the meeting that Doric was not included in the irrigation district, called on Mr Lain Die to state to the meeting what steps he had taken in the matter since l*st meeting. Mr Lambie said he had seen or written to nearly all the owners of land whose properties the proposed main wees would run through, and with the exception of the owners of tht> Apton Estate, they nearly all approved of the race being taken through their land. Especially was this the case with Mr W, White in re gard to the higher scheme, and Mr John Storry ya regard to the }ower spheme. After a good deal of conversation about things in general it was depided by those interested to call a meeting at Pendaryes in a fortnight's tjme, to test the feejing of the residents in that quarter on the subject, The Doric people present at the meet ing showed a good deal of indifference on the subject of irrigation in any form ; but after a very eloquent appeal from Mr Boyce the following resolution was carried: —" That this meeting take the necessary steps to get all below our present Wakanui rate declared an irrigation dis trict. . , Mr H f Harrison, explained that the enlargement of the present rtoe would only cost about £60, and there would then be sufficient wfcter for multiplying the races and irrigation purposes also.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.90 p.m. REPLIBB TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr W. Hutchison, Mr Reeves said that a Bill was being con sidered by the Cabinet, to deal with the question of baby-farming in the oolony, and if the House thought the matter of : urgency, the Bill might be passed this session. THE LIQUOR BILL. On the motion for the second reading of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Coctrol Bill, Mr Kolleston said that the Bill had been carrried through too hastily, and the new departure which it made was on the wrong road. He could not support the Bill, and instead of satisfying all parties, as the Government desired, it did not satisfy anybody. This Bill and the female fran chise question had not had fair treatment from Parliament, and he would not be a party to bringing women into conflict without the united action which these two Bills would bring about. They all ad mitted that the question of the liquor trade had to be dealt with, but to proceed on a wrong principle in the eolation of this great problem would be to prejudice the cause of temperance for a long time. The proposals for prohibition were nob only baaed on a wrong principle, and at Variance with constitutional prtctieo, but they aimed at results which experience had shown were practically impossible of attainment and led to sly-grog selling and 6 rinking in a humiliating manner. It had been said that the publicans themselves edited this Bill and that it would be in operative, but he believed that if women were put on the roll ie would not be in operative, and it would have the effect of reducing the number of licenses.' He himself believed that licenses should be reduced, and be also thought that they should enforce the provisions of the pre* sent Uw with regard to adulteration. His vote would go in the direction of avoiding extremes on all occasions, and he should vote against this Bill because it was crude and imperfeofc, and would not settle the great question with which it proposed to deal. : Sir Robert Stout said that the temper ance party did not ask Parliament for prohibition. They merely asked that this question should be Mint to the people for their decision, and if' the people decided that licenses should continue they must obey the voice of the people. The present Bill meant that a minority was to control the liquor traffic, and not a majority. He bubmitted, therefore, that it Struck at the root of popular govern ment. He admitted that the ektreme temperance party were in a minority, and he believed that they would be in this position for some time to oome, buf In some districts they were in a majority. This Billl not only" allowed the minority to rule, but it gave to people * premium, to stop away from the poll, which hs con tended would destroy the principle of the ballot. He h»d been told that the Bill nuf a premium on hotel property, and it fas therefore evidently \a tl*e ' interest of publicans. This w* apparently going to be a question at the General Election, and he asked those who desired to trust the people should trust them at that elec, tion. The BUI gave people no control whatever, and the house was asked to go, back on Liberalism and rpfus* to. trust the people. Prohibition was nnf ortu< rately not within measuraable distance in the oolony, but what he asked for was local control. He moved as an an amend ment that the BUI be read a third time that day six months. Mr George Hutchison thought that they would all agree that the BilJ did not settle the temperance question. Ha especially condemned the proposal m the Bill to rirevenc women held"* and characterised the condition, *fto?™ half voting as absurd. ™?*™**.?*£* of all in the Bill was that it dealt onry wiA the retail trade in JP WjJNj"* and would «o«: •#*. rich 1 men at all, sjs they could order fc the.r two gallons *t a timS if they wished^ it._ The BUI Jas „!„ - n »rtial treatment of the qvles- The Bill was discuesed up to a, Tery lat hour, but ult»m»t P r» Sir Robert^ amend, went was loat^y l 5 to 85. The follow* Ing is tfce division Htff-,

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WELLINGTON, AugUSt 30. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. JillXS PASSED. The Gore Electric Lighting Bill was passed. The Oamaru Loans Consolidation Bill was read a third time and passed,» hostile amendment being defeated by 26 to 9. The Gisborne High School BUI, the Mokoreta Cenieteiy Bill, the Kiwitea County Bill, and the Wellington City Suburbs Sanitation Bill were passed. THE ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was fulther con sidered in Committee. An amendment to clause 3, proposed by the Attorney-General to etrike out " oi leasehold " in the interpretation of " non-residential qualification" was de bated at considerable length and was lost on a division b>27 to 12. Sir George Whit more proposed an amendment to the next paragraph in the clause, with the object of providing that women shall not be allowed to exercise the franchise. The debate was Interrupted by the 5 p.m. adjournment. The Council resumed at 7.39 p.m. in committee on the Electoral Bill. Sir George Whfrmore's amendment against the excension of the franchise to • women was discussed for upwards of an hour, the arguments for the most part being the same as those used by the various speakers daring the debate on the second reading of the Bill. On a division the amendment was re jected by 20 to 18, and the paragraph conferriug the franchise on women wm retained in the ekuse. The division list is as follows:—For—■ (18)— L. Walker, Richardson, Wbitmore, Bonar, Kelly, Swanson, Shrimski, Kerr, •Stevens, Riga, Wahawaha, FeMwiek, W. C. Walker, Bo wen, Graoe, McLean, Mantell, Peacock. Agaihst-(2o).—Reynolds, Barniooat, Stewart, McCullough, Pharazyn, Dignan, Williams, Bolt, Jennings, Jenkinson, Whyte, Oliver, Adand, Ormond, Pollen, Johnston, Hart, Holmes, Montgomery, Buckley. Mr Scotland was paired for the amend ment and Mr McGregor against it. Mr Peacock moved a further amend ment to provide that only adult women who were freeholders or leaseholders should be entitled to exercise the fran chise. On a division this was lost by 24 to 14, Mr Jenkinson moved a further amend* ment in the interpretation clause, the effect being to give electoral rights to shearers. This was rejected by 23 to 14. Sir George Whitmore and Mr E. Shrimski expressed the opinion that it was idle to fight the other clauses in the Bill. The best thing to do was to let the remaining clauses go by default. Clause 6— " Qualification, male or female." Mr McLean proposed an amendmont by which leaseholder qualifications should be added. This was regatived by 17 to 14, and the clause was adopted. Progress was reported, and the Council rose at 9.25 p,m.

Ttm ASBBtrcfOtf itTAitmAft i THTtBSDAV. AtKHJgT M» I^3



G. J. NBILL and Co. ABE S ELLIN G- Berlin Wool Is lid - Beautiful Dress Goods 3d per yard Splendid Plush Is 3d per yard White Calico 2s lid per d,z Heavy Flannelette 3*d Oott on Shirting 4*d Men's Tweed Suits 17e 6i Boys Tweed Suits 4* Hd BOOTS- BOOTS. BOOTS. WE STAND UHBIVALLED. , AT Q. J. NEILL & CO.'S. FRIBDLANDBR'S OORNBB, EAST STREET TERMS CASH. NO DISCOUNT. * " " " ~~~ Wantea "Wanted -—: — — vT*HE Good Samaritan, Jor the imme a FULL attendance is requested at X diate relief of pain.— Lights Cast A. the TeKorero to-night. Busings Store. _JL Important. ____. « ttt ANTED, All to see Mitchell ani THFrAnnuaf Meeting of the Amateur VV Turner's Pr intWmdow^ Cycling Club will be held Tc-night. -*&».'*-- 8J? w^££E«<£stf t FOUND— Small Parcel Drapery, Tan- Mj nftve j ust arrived in^ll sises. I cred street. Owner can have same _ _ ———■ by paying advertisement. Apply Mail to measure, during the sale, 495, gteief .8.107 O 65 5 , 60a, 70a, and 75a. Fit and r-r- 717Z workmanship guaranteed.—B» Awobs, FRUIT— 1 fresh and large supply to § d » Buildings, hand. To be sold v er y cheap. _ __ Ccme and ask prices and prove for your- y ad ie3> Jackets, Mantles, Supenoi ■elves. Poultry, etc.—Mrs Whittisgton, J^, Dregß Q oo d s further reduced, »c opposite Mail Office^ cash must be had. Compulsory Sale at BOYS' Own Paper, Girls' Own Paper, S^W. Alcors's. ___ Young Men of Great Bnta'n, YTSTATHTED Known—"The Corner "it Merry Boys, Dick's English Library, \\ Bhowing ft magn ificent New Stock Family NoveHat, etc.—H. M, Jones. o{ Drapery and clothing. -W. H. NEW Boak*. Queen of the Black CoMJ*B i_ _ Hanct, The Refugees, A Pair of T^RESENTS— Beautiful Presents non Blue Eyes, Lilts and Lyrics of New j^ given away to all purchaser* Zoahnd, by Marie R. Handle.—H. M. L ,fD ra pery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing Jokes. . etc.—H. 0. Seobrs, Melford House. X%7 AN TED—AII Cyclists to know thab --—^-^ j^ W all kinds of Cycle^ Extras can be , AWlJg^Jcgnj. Iboughfe at Ohmtchurch pnoes from H. M. v ior .^ JoMWk cheaper than ever to stay bad times pvei XTTANTED Known—T. Hoult has at J. Moison, Premier Bootmaker. 818 l'loklea, bauceß, etc. being sold; also presents to all purchasers, t\f ANTED Known— That A. J. H. 0. Sboebß, Melford House. DON'T Forget to send your Bwyoles A^TED RnownT-Genta, Summei along to the Old Kmdergarten to VV Merino *ock BH, Qotton Drawers be repaired, at mod^a^^^ la lid.—Mitchell aso lubnkr MEDICAL Ceils made and repaired \tf aJSTK D Known.—Juat opened on the shorrcsfc notice at easy VV Tennis and Summer Hats, Prin! prioas at A. J. Walker's, Old Kinder- Shirts, etc.—Mitchell and Turner. !____ —— — TjIiKGERING Wool 3d, 200 yds Cotton BOOK** in goo.l order and c. mpltta Ji Reelg 400 yds 3.1. En<(|mou£ bousjht or taken in exchange. JSew Btock of _ a( H ea ' and Children's Hose Stock arriving every week. Circulating f ur ther reduced at S. W. Aicorn & Co.V Library.—J. Mavjden. Ne^a^out. Sftle BAIL WAY Bo k Stall.—A very large vtTANTED Known. — Seasonable and choice lot of books to select V? Go»xia. Cashmere Gloves, 6d pair ; f ti)(m 7 103 j M h Mitts 6d pair; Fur Collars, 2j lid ; top oooghuig. House. Beautiful present* now giving SOMERSET xMeafc Mart. The oldee' away to all purchasers the largest, tha best, and the cheap "T"* ,HO is your Plumber 1 Why, J. W. Mfc. Small 'jfoods a specialty. *v* yy Habdley, who is« Manufacturer frewhta guaranteed. A trial solioitad. y{ gpoufcill - Ridging, Steel Gutters, -W. J. Siloock. 4t182 Bath^ gink 9) Tanks< etc f and w h© ha^ TlTo-NDfRyUL BatisfacUon- "^ W The special nickel watch roadt- ipe m town. _ for S. SHlek. Md at 22, 6d^and 25s v .the _ BRQg# for Bargains b*t.-Obt«inable only from S. SaleK j>. iv Bknketß) 49 pa i rß o f large white Jeweller. 7_« suitab]e for double beds only, 16s 6«? •^TTAVTfft> Known —SaeciafKhiD r-ead, Nails, Locks, Hinges, Plough pq reqmrf YODNG Ladia^' Journals (August) "Renew'of Reviews," Weldon't Joirnals, C» soils' Royal Academy 1 ic tu es, Bi ys of E» jflaijtl, (New Volume) New Games inslcdint; Tiddlcdy Winks Is. New Books and Fancy Goods, Boxe g} Notepapei? and Envelopes, etc. —L. I r - jrifPllWil A»D Co, Stationers' Hall. The Best Dressing 3 _*> A AVER'S * Jrj/ffL H AIR S gjj __9k|__9| Prevents the hair from W HB^flflKa thin, faded, 1 ::""!--="=::": H»E!:i::.-rr- ' period Of «• Mfc. It cures itching humors, and Keeps *w the scalp'cooL. moist, and healthy. S} The base ol Ayer's Hair Vigor is a reflncd w and delicate fluid which does not soil or be- come rancid by exposure to the air, and G~i which is as Iperfect a substitute for the oil supplied by nature, in youth and health, as modern chemistry can supply. Ayer's Hair Vigor « •■ roUSFABXD BY "" m. |g Ir.). t. AYEB ft C^Lomll, Mm., U. S. A. Beware oi cheap imitations. I Tlie name—Ayer—is prominent on the wrapper and is blows in the glass 911 (be M«9»^»*ebPt our bottles. .



STew Jewellery. BTew Jewellery. ITew Jewellery. TUST OPENED UP—A consignment J from Home of the very latest style and newest designs in Gold and Silver Jewellery, Silver and E.P. Ware, etc. Inspection invited of the very choice and High-class Stock, which will be found equal to any in Christchurch and at LOWER FBICES, A Splendid Selection of GOODS, SPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR PRESENTS. 8. SALEK, WATCHMAKER, Manufacturing Jeweller, -: and :- OCULIST—OPTICIAN. East Street, Ashburton. The Establishment for first class Watch and Clock repair ing. Charges as low as is consistent with ■ <& SOUNDS RELIABLE W ORKMANSHLP



HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.-Teaching of Experience, -The unite! testimony' of thousauds, extending; ove* forty veara,- must strongly, recommend th«se pills as the best purifiers, the mLldest aperients, and the s rest re latives They never prove delusive or give merely ftmtfcrai*v relief, but attack all ailmentsof tlie stomach, uffiSt ah* Wwe|» Hi'toe only gafc and I|gitimato j £ay bvrdepurating theb DQd, «nd sojftradAt.mg thpsb imparities which are the' sourcp andi constl^ents of almast every disease. Their medicmal"efficaey rt enfeebled 'constitutions, fftofe IS mibrft4 all :toi*- is Swii^le ifl VS^Wl^ medicince, They esptf every uoxkjus efefe »£«§* and tij»t *Ue Btrengtij ,i« mWri 6»<l wo enl'f'W; B«mftlw4:, : "■ ■ ■■ -:-, .. r>-4- -