Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1898. THE WATER SUPPLY QUESTION

There is one aspect of the water supply question which has not yet been fully presented to the Borough rate payers, although it is really the most important of all, and that is, the extraordinary league and covenan' into which the Borough Council has apparently entered with the proprietors of the Canterbury flour mill. We say 11 apparently " because the Oouucil, for reasons which it i 3 difficult for out siders to understand, has seen fii to enshroud its proceedings m the matter beneath a veil of mystery. It seems, however, from the Council's advertisements, that it proposes to acquire the whole of the mill intake, and hazy mention is otherwise made about a proposed lease from the Council to the mill proprietors of a supply of water for the mill. Now, this is a subject upon which the Council ought to take the ratepayers into its fullest 1 confidence Everybody understands tho utility of a supply of water for] Hushing the street channels, and we! have hitherto known the probable cost! i of such a supply, although what it is 1 going to cost m the future is altogether! problematical ; but, before the Borough is committed to engagements with the Canterbury flour mill, the burgessee are entitled to know the why and wherefore. The mill is a private business enterprise, and whatever profits it makes pass into the pockets of its proprietors. If these gentlemen are willing to enter into the suggested arrangements with the Borough Council it ia because they hope to make money,' out of the transaction. They have for! years past drawn large volumes •..©£] water out of the river without paying! a ptiiny for the privilege, although] mill-owners m other place 3 ha'vtf frequently to pay largo sums for wateit power. They have long, been at logger/ heads with tho Wnkanui Road I3oard( which complains that they send wafer] down the Wakanui creek, and thuJ destroy ith roads. Thry are now afl daggers drawn with the Oountjj Coui.cil. Under these circumstances' they nre probably shrewd enough to perceive that the Borough Council would be a very useful buffer between themselves and other public bodies, or even between themselves and private individuals who might consider their rights invaded by the mill owners ; and that if there is to be any litigation it! would be much moro convenient tJ at the Dorough Council should do the fighting than the mill-owners. We do not make these remarks by way of reproach, or suggest that the mill owners have done, or are doing, any thing wrong. They are simply acting aa shrewd and intelligent men of busi nesp, looking sharply after their own in terests. Ie is not their place to look after the public interests ; nor can it matter to them how much of tho Borough funds are spent m litigation. It is, however, of great consequence to 1 the Borough ratepayers to know the nature of the proposed alliance between the mill-owners and the Borough Council, its cause and probable consequences ; because, if things go wrong, the ratepayers will have to pay the piper. A few hundred pounds will coon melt away m a Supreme Court suit about water 1 rights. V\ 7 hafc jn the world has the Borough Council to do with supplying the Canterbury Flour Mills with watt r 1 The mill is not even situated within the boundaries of tlio town. Tho Council might as well undertake to supply the Woollen Factory, or the proposed meat freezing work I*,1 *, with water. We invite the ratepayers seriously to consider the position. We do not question the motives of the members of the Borough Council, which q.re doubtless excellent m all re spects , but w.e question their prudence very much indeed. They are now on the high road to a co=tly lawajjit with the County Council; and what is it all about? Supposing the Borough Council succeeds m the action, a great deal of money will have been spent, and what will be the practical gain to the Borough 1 Simply nothing what ever. The Borough Council will then be able to take water from tho river to i flash the street channels juot as it does now, and just as it has always done,, without the slightest interference on the part of the County Council , and the only tangible result wiil be that j tho Borough Councillors will be able to s-iy, we were right m the view which we took of the law, and the County Councillors were wrong. But will the g(j.me bo worth the candle ? We under take to say that not half-a-dozen bur gesses outside of the Council care two straws m what public body the control of the riyer is vested, pi-oy;ded that the Borough gets all the water which it requires; and why should they £ The burgesses look at the substance and not at the shadow. We are not going to discuss the legal question which has been raised by the Borough Counci', bsjfc we do not hesitate to assert that, viewed m the light of common sense, it ia a reasonable, t^ing that some one public body should h'aV? ; $9 mttol Qt the river, for tf th c i

County Council, the Borough Council, the Town Boards and Road Boards whose territories abut on the river, and ai y capitalist who choosr s to erect a mill, are one and all to be at liberty to pcs; away at tho river a8 they please, confusion worse confouuded wi'l ensue Supposing, however, that the Borough, instead of being successful, is un.«ucceas ful inits litigation — aid theur, certainty of the law is proverbial — what will he t! c position then Why, the Borough Council will have squandered many hundreds of pounds, and a special rate will have to be levied. There is this further and important consideration to be borne m mmd — that the Borough Council ia putting itsftlf into a position of utter antagonism to the County Council, aad, if continued, the inevi table result will be to sever those happy and harmonious relations which have [always subsisted between the two Councils, and enabled them to act together effectively whenever the public interests require it. Again we ask, Cut hono 1

Local and General.

Personal, —We regret to learn that Mr Thomas Bullock has been laid up for nearly a week by an attack of influenza.

AcciDiCNT. — As Mr W. P. S. Elmslie was riding home from the Tinwald sale on Tues day last, he got thrown from hs horse, but does not appear to have received any serious injury .

Diseased Meat.— ln the Magistrate's Court;, New Plymouth, thlß morning, William Woods was fined by Mr Stanford, S.M., £5 and costs for exposing a diseased beast for sale.

Dante and the Oddfellows. — The Oddfellows 1 lodge meeting, which m ordinary course would have been held to-night, will be held on Monday night instead, so as not -to clash with Professor Dante's entertain | tainment m the hall this evening.

A Ktjnawat. —A horee a'.fached to a gig was standing at the railway ktalion this morning, when it was startled by somethiug and bolted. It careered down East Street, turned the Havelock Street corner safely, and negotiated Devane's corner into Case Street ; but the gig cime to grief near Mona Square. The horse then got clear, and was caught uninjured by Mr George Hitching". Tho turn-out ia understood to be owned by ii country visitor.

A Record.— On Thursday, at two o'clock, Mr W. P. Daly made a start from the Ash burton Post Office on his wheel, to try to lower his old record of 2 45 to the Canter bury Hotel, Methven, and back. In spite of the unfavorable state of the road for some eight mi es on the Methven half, and three spills on the return journey, he covered the forty-four miles m 2hrs 31imins, thus lower ing his previous record by 13J minutes. The journey to Methven (ill on the up grade) was covered m the good time of Ihr 6mins.

Strakge Mortality Amongst Cattle. — During the last fortnight the whole of a herd of eighteen cattle, belonging to Mr George Thompson, of Para, Marlborougb, died mysteriously. A local veterinary surgeon pronounced the cause of death to be pleuro-pneumonia, but Mr Gilruth, the Government Veterinary Surgeon, to whom a portion of the remains was sent, and who since visited the district, is satisfied that none of the animals died from pleuro pneumonia, and is inclined to think that their death was duo to something poisonous m the herbage. The Department of Agricul ture informs the FoH that the cjlony is entirely free from pleuro-pneumonia. The IFkro or Paxtiauo. — Lieutenant fTobson, tho hero of Santiago, who bravely conducted the operations of sinking a collier m the channel of the harbor, had, it appears, a remarkable career at the Military Academy, at Annapolis, for during his first year he wus sent to Coventry by his cl is? mates, and m Coventry he remained. The r«ason f r this action was that while m charge of a f quad he reported a cadet who spoke m the ranks, and according to an unwritten law at the academy, no cadet must report another. One man alone stood by him. Ah the end ef two years his class mates called on him, and offered ta take him out of Coventiy, an offer which he Old not ••ccept, remarking, "II have got a'ong for two years. I think I can finish." Ho did finish alone, and at the head cf his olaBS.

1 Dante — Regarding Professor Dante's per formance m Timaru last night, the Herald fays:— "The clever prestidigitateur ami illusionist Dante had a good house again last night, nnd his clover entertainment was greatly enjoyed. Ho is acknowledged to be the best artist m his line who has ever visile! Timaru, hie ' passing' m sleight-of hand feats being marvellously good. The i! ! u*"on8 arc very cleverly devieed and well <:iirried out. The aeii.U cyclist is pretty as I'.vfll as mysterious, and takes n high place amnr.ost elaborate illusions. Well known oit. : z-n3 formed the committee for the 1 o übinet ' seance, and they appeared to be as much puz?'ed by their closer view of the smart work Hone as other spectators by i their more distant one. A blindfold reading | of cnrds and figure 3 by Mdlle. Edmund*, was a clever feat, however it was done." I The Professor appears to-nighc at the Odd j fellows' Hall. j! The White Nile. — There is a serious |j danger to which Egypt is liable, and to I which it will continue to be liable until the I Soudan and the Upper Nile are brought J under civilised rule. Dr. Robert Felkin I writes m the Wild Wtrld Magazine-.—" Sup | posing the- White Nile were ullowod to ie a main iv tho Khalifa's handß, one could never '! aay when it might not bo diverted into the j Rod Sea — the old course which tradition |i says it originally followed As things are, Hit is quite possible to divert the river at the V Sixth Cataract, and the Abyssinians have I threa'ened to do this very thing on more i than one occasion. Gordon himself ad j mitfced its possibility, and said that anyone I with a ton of dynamite could easily block up I the passage through which the river flows at J this spot. The Nile could then be diverted I through the desert until it found itß way I into the Red Sea. And without the JNile, 9 where would Egypt beV' I L'ps itf Vienna, — Some statistics have I just be^n issued which demonstrate the | wretched social conditions prevailing m j Vienna. In the Ist distrior, inhabited for I the moat part by the Well-to-do burgher j clasß, 12 children die out of every 100 born. I J In the 4tb, 6th, 7th, Bth, and 9th districts, J I which are chiefly inhabited by the same j class of people, the percentage of dexths is I from 17 to 20. In the districts, however, I where the working classes dwell, the per- I centage abends as high as 30.7. Thus, Iwhtreis only one-ninth of the children die m the rich quarters, nearly a third sucputnb among the lower classes. It ia stated on good authority that nearly two-thirds of the children of one of the Board Schools have nover slept m a bed. Juvenile crime m Vienna shows mo9t alarming statistics. In the years from 1881 to 1890 nearly 9000 children under 14 years of age were im j prisoDed, and nearly 5000 were declared to be homeless A Curious Cask. — Sir Francis Jeune (says the correspondent of tbeMelbourney/ne) has just decided an extraordinary case. Dr i Chides Oscar Murphy, a physician practining I at Manchester, and a devout Roman Catholic, desired to marry his houaekeepor, Martha Price, The priest whom he consulted pointed N out that it wa3 not a wise proceed ing, fti»d so the doctor m 137& compromised tho matter by going down on his kneea m company with Mips Prico, and m the mosfc solemn manner invoking the presence of the Lord, and at the saime time the two parties promised to be true to each other to death, yhe priest said this was a valid marriage, and a certificate was given to that effect by tha 'y'icar-generaj, and countersigned by Monsignor Hill. ' .Cardinal J/aughan doubted 'he wisdom of the certificate, and would not have granted it. Sir Francis Jeune decided that though he believed that both parties acted bona fide, the marriage was not good m law. It appears that on this point the common law and the statute law are conflict ing. The question arises why Dr. Murphy j Hid not marry Mies Price ia the Roman, I Qltholio Ch'urcij, i

ELGIN.

From Our Own Correspondent. SCHOOL CONCERT. The School Committee afc their las' '■ meeting arranged for tho annual school concert on S ptomber 2, and the arrange meuts for ifc are now well forward. As u3ual the organisers have been very successful m getting performers, among whom Mr Lambic and his phonograph will be very amusing. It m a pity thac a neighbouring district should, after the concert ia advertised, also choose the same date for a tea meeting and social. These gatherings are always matters for a little give and take among the neighbouring districts, and doubtless both would be more successful were it not) for the clashing of dates caused by one district after all arrangements had been m*de by »no -her. MORTALITY/ AMONO HORSES. There seems to be considerable mortality among horses during the past month. Ooe farmer, on losing a eeoond one, had its stomach opened, and found it literally eaten away by the bot grubs. Other farmers have also suffered losses attributed to the same •ause. 1 The scarcity, and m fact, absolute wane m some cases, of green feed is believed to be to some extent the primary cause of the grub 3 being so troublesome this year. NEW MiCHINB. A trial of Mr Hardley'a patent broadcast sower was held at Mr J. Cochrane's on Thursday. The machine (never used before) started off and worked throughout the day withoub a single hitch of any kind. In previous sowers, the heavier seeds have always sunk to the bottom of the seed box and the lighter sorts come to the top, owing to the shaking of tho machine as it went over the ground. Ib is the important work of keeping the seed thoroughly mixed that Mr Hardley has had m view m the construction of his machine, and with complete success, as those who saw the sower at work can testify. Farmers who have used it to bow mixed and unmixed seeds are all unanimous m its praise. DEBATING CLUB. , The usual mtetings of the Debating Club are still well attended — a fact which speaks for the interesting evenings that are spent. The attendance has always been over forty. The last evening was devoted to singing, dancing, and games, and was happily spent by those present. For the next meeting a debate has been arranged between Mr Leadley and Mr Maynard. The subject will be '• The present Government, its faults and failings and its points of excellence. A crowded house and a lively debate are expected.

FIRE BRIGADE CONCERT.

There might have been, with advantage, a larger audience at the Oddfellows' Hall la3t night on the occasion of the Fire Brigade's concert — notthat the attendance was by any means small, but the Brigade expect a crowded houae at their annual concert, and feel disappointed when the attendance comes short of that. The programme opened with an overture by Gates' Band— two violins, cornet, double bass, and piano ; followed by the Bong "Tramp of the Fire Brigade," fairly sung by Fireman J. Dorm, with the whole Brigade members m chorus, with Miss Kidd at the piano. Mies Kidd, to Mrs Claridgft's accompaniment., S3ng "The Shamrock," m good style, and Mr Hammond — Miss Devace accompanying — sang " True till death," m better voice than usual. " Killa!oo " wa9 the song given by " Paddy 'Murphy " m character, which was encored, and Mr 1 Treston was the other comic singer, also ia character, and also encored. Miss Godfrey, a young lady, with a sweet voice of good compass, sang " Come, birdie, come," and for an encore " Love's screuade," both very welcome items. Mrs F. Howie, of Gisborne, who had been specially engaged for the concert, possesses a remarkably rich contr *lto voice, with which no little pains have been taken m training, and her treatment of the numbers entrusted to her w^s captivating m the highest degree, her interpretation of "She wore a wrealh of roses-," being the treat she gave m response to an encore. After the music il programme had been run through the well-known farce "Bix and Cox" «aa given m lively style by Miss M Barratt and Messrs Gates and Fook?. A scene of wild fun and frolic foiiowed when the Darktown Fire Brigade took charge of the stage, and at its conclusion the floor was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till a late hour to the music of Gatea' Baud.

A FRIGHTFUL DEATH.

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph.

i Invercargill, August. 25 Yesterday, at West Plains, Joseph Smith, i over seventy years of age, who had been engaged by Mr Thomas McDonald for the past three years, was seen about half-past 11 o'clock m the forenoon when he got bread and butter from Mr McDonald, bub at 2 o'clock when he went to the old man's hut he found the door fastened. He called to him, and, receiving no answer, burst the door open and found Smith face downwards on the fire and quite dead. The right arm, face and chest were badly burned, there being very little left of the fingers, and the arm waa nearly roasted rff. It is supposed that while sitting m front of the fire he was seized with a fib. A blanket that he had evidently wrapped round his shoulders for warmth was nearly burnt away,

AN ILLEGAL LOTTERY.

United Press Association — By Electrio Telegraph

Intercargill, August 25 The secretary of the Southland Cricket Association was fined £5 to-day for dispO3 --| ing of articles other than works of art by art union. The offence was not denied, but it was pointed out that the promoters of a similar affair m Wellington, who had broken the law m the same way, had not been prosecuted. Maj >r Keddell, S. M., said that failure to prosecute m one place was no palliation of an ;offenco m another. As the penalty could be £200, and all who took part m the lottery were liable, the fine was not heavy.

COMMERCIAL.

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. London, August 25 Buxton'a wool citculur predicts excellent prospects for the ensuing sales, A rise m merinos is probable. The arrivals of wool to date amount to 215,167 bales, of which 50,000 have been forwarded to the manu facturers. It is probable that a quarter of a million bales will bo available for sales. Ottawa, August 25 The Manitoba wheat crop ia estimated at 26,000,000 Lushels.

METHVEN STOCK MARKET.

There waa a fair attendance of farmers and others at the usual monthly sale of sheep, cattle, &c, which was held at Methven on Thursday The yarding totalled about 3000 sheen, 14 head of cattle, and 5 pigs The sheep consisted chit fly of crossbred ewes j m lamb, for which the demand was very poor f only three lots finding buyers at auctioD, though it is reported a fair aniount of business was transacted privately.' Fat sheep were represented by a line of 120 ocossbred wethers, but these were passed m at 15s 4d. Two fat cattle (1 cow and 1 heifer) sold readily, beef apparently being as scarce m Methven dietript as m Ashburton. Storeß were slow of sal». The following prices were obtained ;— Halfbred ewes m Jamb, 270 at 9a Id j merino ewea m lamb, 104 at 3s lOd ; crosabrod hoggets, 95 at 7s 3d. Fat Cattle.— l cow and 1 heifer at £n 17a 6d each. Store Cattle.— 1 steer £2 7a 6d ; 4 heifers, £1 14s. Dairy Cattle— 4 springers, £2 10s each. Horses, & 0 — Light horee cart and harness, £14 10s ; grey draught gelding, 4 years old, passed m at £39 10a. KOZiB XJESA. ft*q«*fc Reliable

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

United Press Association -By Electric Telegraph Wellington, August 25 The Council met at, 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF A QUESTION. Mr Ormoud gave notice loask the Minister ofEJucation whttlier any of the A shares created by the Banking Act, 1894, have been sold or are they hold by the Govern ment. LOCAL BILL. The third read ng of the Stratford Elec-ric Lighting Bill was agreed to, and I the Bill passed. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE BEFORM BILL. The debate on the second reading of the Municipal Franchise Reform Bill was con tiuued by Mr Rigg, who thought tint the Bill did not go far enough, and intimated that he would move m committee to include lodgers. Mr Oliver and Mr T. Kelly generally approved of the Bill as ib stood, and ex pressed a hope that the result would be a marked improvement m municipalities. Mr Shnmski opposed the Bill, and ad versely criticised the proposal to include lodgers. The Minister having replied the second reading was agreed to on the voices. GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS SILL. The Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill, to extend the borrow ing powers under the Act of 1894, gave rise to considerable discussion, Mr Macgregor leading m opposition to, and Mr Twomey and Mr T. Kelly m support of the Bill. The debate was adjourned till next day, aud the Council rose at 4 45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, August 25 The House met at 2.30 p m. THE JOLICE COMMISSION.

The Minister of Defence, m reply to Mr Smith, said that the printing of the Police Commission was not yet completed, and he could not say when the report and evidence would be placed before the House, TUE FINANCIAL DEBATE

The financial debate was resumed by Mr Kaihau, who said that notwithstanding legislation which m the past had been enacted, dealing with native affairs, justice had nob yet been done to the Maori people, who m their original simplicity had beeu a happy and prosperous people, and always had plenty ot food, but whose condition had been made worse by the operation of native legislation. Mr Rollestnn, referring to statements made by the Minister of Lands last night, said he wished to put on record that they were incorrect. It was not Sir George Grey's Act of 1873 which had stopped grid ironing, but an Act passed by himself m 1873. Sir George Grey's Act had dealt with preemptive rights, while his (Mr Rolleston's) Act dealt with gridironing. He had been accused of attempting but failing to stop girdironing, but it was not a question of trial, as he had initiated thd whole step, because he thought that gridironing was very improper m connection with land administra tion He quoted at some length from the Journals oi the Provincial Council of Canter bury, Bhowing what his action had been m the direction of stopping: gridironing. Referring to the map showing the effect of gridironing, he said that its production by the Minister of Lands was beneath the dignity of a Minister, and his implications had been most unfair, as nothing had been done by those who acquired the lands shown on the map which was not lawful. He bad not intended to speak m the financial debate, and considered that it was a cruel wrong that the whole question of land administra tion hsd remained statiouary without any attempt, bsidg made to remedy the evils under vrh : ch hundreds of settlers were suffer ing. He had never seen worse political corruption than that connected with the Government Land Valuation Act. Speaking of the Land for Settlements Act, he contended that the prices of estates acquired under it should bu decided by a judicial tribunal. Mr Lcin« said that the Government had no policy, and that when the Opposition were twit ed on their want of a policy it was an endeavonr to get them to formulate a policy ao that the Government could U3e it them selves. Mr McNab said thafc the greatest com plaint against the Government land valua tion was the apportionment of the total value to unimproved and improved valuss, the va'uors having reduced them to the minimum va'ue of ihe improvements. Mr McNab was epsaking at the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr McNab continued his speech on the Financial Statement. Referring to the arguments brought against the land and income tax, he Baid that the total exemptions uuder the tax amounted to £54,190 103. Mr Pirani eaid thab a Minister of tNe Crown m the present debate had reached the lowest depths of personalities m intro ducing on the floor of the House the name of a woman whom he did not know. One noteworthy facb respecting the finances of the colony was the enormous amount of money at the Bole control of the Ministers of the day, and it was time that the country knew of it. In the Estimates for the present year, the amount set down for contingencies was £144 320, and other amounts regarding which no definite information could be obtained by tha House, and over which it had no control, brought the total up to over £500,000. Ihe public accounts were now simpler when compared with those of some years ago because they gave less informa tion. In 1896 the Colonial Treasurer had under-estimated the revenue by £312 000 and m 1897 by £264,000, and he (Mr Pi'rani) predicted thab for the present year the under-estimate would be at least ±'208,000. The expenditure had been over-estimated m 1896 by £65.000, and m 1897 by £67,000, and he asumed thafc for the present year the over-estimate would be 60,000. Instead of the gross surplus at the end of the present yoar being (3433,000. he was of opinion that it would be nearer £658,000. He considered that it was robbery of the Savings Bank depositors for the Government to reduce the interest by \ per cent to add £15,000 to their Burpu9. The state of affiira revealed by the Police Commission respecting the police force was nothing compared with the state of corruption existing m the Civil Service. If the Premier gave him a Royal Commission to morrow to enquire into the Civil Service he would bring out some facts which would astonish the qountry. He referred m general terms to some of these cages of alleged corruption, The Premier asked Mr Pirani to give the names of the persons to whom he referred. Mr Piraai said thab he would not be a party to hand any person into the power of the Premier, but wou'd give names and facts before a duly qualified tribunal, After the conclusion of Mr Piraoi'a re maiks the Premier said that he did not want the names of these persons, but he asked him to give him sufficient informatien, so that he could trace whether what had been stated had transpired. Mr Taylor s^id ; I will give the names. Mr Pirani said thab every fact he had stated was on the records of the colony, and some of the cases had been under the Premier's own notice.

Mr Wilson said that m all probability the member for Palmerston (MrPirani) had been misled with respect to the Civil Service by the tittle-tattlinga of disaffected Civil Servants. Mr Taylor said that the appointments to the Civil Service which had been complained of had been necessary m order that the solidity of the Liberal Party should be main tained. The exigencies of party had necessitated the appointment to a position of trust of a citizen "who a few months ago had disgraced himself by drunkenness ab the Governor's table. He cited several other Q*se3 of a similar nature, and give a general indication of who the persons were. Referr ing to the Emerson enquiry he said that it was to the interest of his party that hisguilfc should not be proven, and a Magistrate was appointed to conduct the euquiry who had submitted a report m the direction desired. He (Mr Taylor) was not surprised that the , lawyeraof Wellington had recently petitioned ] for the removal of a Magistrate from the j Benoh. He was prooeeding to read a certain ( ] letter written by Mr Ward m conneotion I j with his private business, but the Deputy. I € Speaker ruled it out of order, He was I ( attempting to give a r&ums ol the, letter!*

when Mr Ward again raised a point of order, but before he hud etated it aeveral membe a rose to a point of order and complained that Mr Taylor had applied the term " You miserable coward ! " to Mr Ward. The Premier moved thab the words be taken down. The r«puty-Speaker asked if it were the pleasure of the Houae that the words be taken down, aad when the voices had been I given he stated that apparently it was the general opinion of the House that the words be taken down, and he directed the clerk lo take them down, which was done. The Deputy-Speaker said that the words I used were contrary to the Standing Orders . and disorderly, and he proceeded to name IMr Taylor for having used them. He asked Mr Taylor if he had any explanation to offer. Mr Taylor said that he was not on his feet when he made the remark. He had used the words, "Oh, you miserable coward," bub if they were a transgression of the Standing Orders he expressed regret at having so transgressed and desired to with draw the terms complained of. He then retired from the Chamber. The Premier moved :— " That the House regrets that Mr Taylor has transgressed the Rules of the House, by using the words taken down, bub having withdrawn them, and apologised, and expressed regret, no further action be taken." Mr Smith protested against the action of the Premier m not giving Mr Taylor an opportunity to withdraw the words^eom. plained of. Mr Carson moved as an amendment :— " That the resolution be nob entered on tha Journals of the Houae." The Premier said that he intended to follow this course after his motion had been agreed to. Mr Pirani Baid that no unprejudiced person who had witnessed tha Boene would deny that Mr Ward had provoked it by stating that if Mr Taylor persisted m referring to his private affaire, he (Mr Ward) would attack Mr Taylor on bis private affairs. Mr Buohanan, Captain Bussell, and Mr Duthie expressed the opinion that; they had never known a case where a member having retracted and apologised, his apology bad not been accepted. After further discussion the Premier cited an instance when the House had refused to accept an apology from Sir Julius 57pgel, and passed a similar motion to the one now proposed. His action had not been actuated by party motives, and unless the motion was i agreed to it would be impssßible for business to be conducted as it ought to be. The motion was agreed to on the voices. The Deputy-Speaker conveyed the re solution to Mr Taylor, who was brought into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Anns. The Premier moved that the resolution be not entered on the Journals of the House. Mr Taylor said that he would prefer that the motion was not moved. Several members suggested that the motion be withdrawn. The motion was negatived on the voices. Mr Taylor resumed his Bpeech, and con tended that it wouid be to the future benefit of the colony if the Government would ab stain from borrowing the £500,000 mentioned m the Financial Statement. If the colony was to be prevented from slipping into a slough of despond, it was the bounden duty of the Honae to destroy the influences which were making for the destruction of democracy. Mr Fisher made a warm persona! attack on Mr Taylor and characterised his speech as the most disgraceful ona he had ever listened to. Referring to the Police Comv mission he said that the evidence of no respectable person had been taken by iW L - He criticised the statements made by the" Opposition speakers during the debate, and especially the speech of Mr Scobie McKenzie. The House rose at 1.55 a.m. Mr Fisher continued hiß speech on the financial statement, and on the motion of Mr Carson the debate was adjourned. The House rose at 2 5 a.m.

CABLE NEWS.

Uoited Pre?a Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright; London^, August 24 During a cinematograph exhibition at Penge, m the CfMfiherwell .(^strict of Surrey, a canvas and wood. teiit caught fire, and 200 spectators? narrowly escaped.

August 25. Phillip Callan was sentenced at Gibraltar to ten years for the attemp ted murder of Hubert Birkin at the Hotel Bristol, Tangiers. Callan waa Birkin's secretary, and hoped to benefit by his will out of the insurance on Birkin's life.

Paris, August 24 In consequence of the intense heat, the route marches m connection with the French military manoeavres have been prohibited.

WAR NEWS. AMERICA AND SPAIN.

The Manilla Rebels. .allegations Against the War Department- United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Washington, August 25 Messn? Edward White, of Louisiana, and B. F. Tracey, formerly Secretary for the Navy, have been appointed additional tepresentatives of America I on tho Peace Commission, j The Manilla insurgents are willing I to surrender their arms i£ they are I as3ured that the islands will be under | American or Briiish protectorate. General Miles make 3 serious allega tions against the War Department°of I suppressing and garbling messages and I not furnishing promised resources. I Madrid, August 25 J The first steamer conveying a portion lof the Santiago garrison has reached I Corunna and was received with great j enthusiasm. Queen Christian tole- I graphed her congratulations to the I troops. Sixty deaths occurred on the J voyage. j The Show.— For many years we have j been rushed with orders prior to the Bhows j and holidays, and late customers have been. j inevitably disappointed. We therefore J respectfully invite all who will require now J suits, &c, for the approaching summer to J call early. We have juat opened out our J new season's goods, and as we anticipate a J i" 1 ",™ 6 * increase of business, our atook of new. fashionable, and durable suitings, &o, ia I probably the largest ever shown m Ashbur- I ton, comprising a!l the latest novelties, and I a special line of Fox'a celebrated Cheviot 1 serges, which we are making to measure m the newest styles at three guineas per suit • also trousers to measure m a big assortment I ot fccotob, English, and Colonial tweeds and worsteds for 15s 6d per pair (usual prices i* m to 25 ) 5 and saddle tweeds : Suits i-o 10* and trousers to measure 17a sd. Fit style, and workmanship m every garment i guaranteed. -Cbaiqhkad and Bbbbyman ' burtot eading TTar 8U ° r8 aDd Outfitterfl » ABb -' Wheels m your head, ungreased. That's awkward. Not drink? No. Flu. Flu, you know what that is? Influenzi, that'anot Droi, gn t on by swallowing a box of dominoes its a very severe oold m every part of the oocty ; the treatment is pure, simple, and effective. Take Woods' Greab Peppermiat, Uure; »t knooke it out every time, P^tf

THE ABHBUKTON GUAHDIAN FRIDAY, AOGHST 26, IS9S.



Auction Sales— To-morrow. Nicoll Bros , at East Street Central Auction Rooms — Sale of sosond-hand jewel- lery, cutlery apples, bicycles, clothing, etc., at 12 noon. David Thomas, at the Arcade— Horseß, etc., under bill of Bale, at 1 o'clock. T. Bullook, ab the Arcaie— -143 acres, Seafield, at. 11.30, Fried lander Bros., Ltd, at West Street Mart — 500 acres, .Sherwood ; also con- traotor'a plant, at 12.30.



CHURCH SERVICES. ] < T. 8T E FIFE N' S 0 lIUROB X Ashburtou. y FRIDAY — Short Service, 730 pm. , | Choir practice, 8 p m. CONFIRMATION CLASSKS. < SATURDAY— SpeciaI Classus, 230 pm i SUNDAY SERVICES. j August 28. i 8 30 am — Holy C> mmuuion. 11 cm — Morning Prayer 11 a.m and 3 p m — Seafield Anniversary S.-rvices. 3 pm— Dromore— Mr T. Gates. 6 30 p.m. — EveniDg Prayer, REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



Pjbltc Notices ] the patent 3lastic steel HORSE COLLAR. < (Contractors to Her Aluj sty'-i Government War Office. Patented m Great Britain, France, Bel- gium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy; South Australia, Victoria, and the United Stateß of America, etc. LATEST AWARDS.— Silver Medal, Birkenhead Agricultural ' Society, 1990.— Silver Medal, Altringham Agricultuial Society, 1890. Diploma of Merit, Royal Military Exhibition, Chelsea, 1890.— Bronse Medal, Prague Exhibition, 1891. THE COLLAR is an invention whiob wins the approval of all owners of horses who onoe give it a trial. TESTIMONIALS. To Mr F. Ferriman, Dear Sir, — I have taken great paina to Eec how the above Collars would answer, and as you havo taken over the agency for them I am Bending you this testimonial, hoping you will use it for the benefit of the farming community, as I am satisfied the Steel Collar is a great boon to this county on account of the great heat and boulders we have to contend with. I have used them for carting shingle m riverbeds and find that they ease the horses very much. I have also used them m the hottest parb of summer to put m turnips, and find the horses wearing the Steel Collars finished much fresher and took less feed to keep them ; m condition than thoae working m the leather collars. I had a mare sent to me with her shoulders quite raw, and her owner could not cure them. I started to work her m the Steel Collar, and within a month had her as sound as possible. Another man sent me a mare with a tumor on her shoulder. I worked her m a Steel Collar and had her well m a week. In fact I do not think they can be too highly praised, and if once used no other sort will be used again. At the same time I would like to remind all that use them that they must be kept quite clean, a rub with a wet cloth m all thtkt is required. F. A. Saunders. Mayfiold. Ashburton, February 12, 1898 Mr P. Ferriman. Dear Sir, — About a month ngo I purchased one of your Steel Horse Collars for one of my horse?, which 1 found it impossible to work with the leather collar, though I tried every device m stuffing and paddiujt; I could think of. I at last decided to buy a Steel Collar, andßince then I havo worked the horse constantly, and he has done his work with the' greatest ease, and is ontirely free from sore shoulders. I nm bo satis-fled with this one that I intend going m for another. Yours Tru'y, WM. EUSTON. AGKNT FOR ASHBURTON F. FERRIMAN. FOR M E N'S CHEAP BOOTS TH R MEN'S FISE SEWN BOOTS 171 OR MKN'S STRONG OOOK- _ HAMS "Clou MEN'S DANCING SHOE 3 "POR WOMEN'S STRONG BOOTS FOR WOMEN'S FINE BOOTS AND SHOES FOR WOMEN'S WARM SLIP- PERS FOR BOYS' AND YOUTHS' STRONG BOOTS 17 OR CBILD.REN'3 & INFANTS' J BOOTS FOR EVERY ARTICLE OP FOOTWEAR Bke juoon mo wrxoon. AT THE LOWEST PRICES. The Best Establishment, beyond ail doubt, is the 1 A. G. BARTON, Manager. T. H. UNDRILL j [li. CNDRILL.J EVERY REQUISITE^ON HAND. T H. UNDJRILL AND CO,, TTiORNISHrNG UNDERTAKERS Jj URNISHENO UNDERTAKERS TANCRED| STREET, ASHBURTON. Private Address, Peter Street, directly behind Oddfellows' Hall ; also care of Mr T. Andrew*, East Belt. 2 li-oasrn: -x-es^



NOW ON VIEW AT JOHN ORR AND COS., Who have leoured the Agonoy for this Splendid Machine or the whole of the JSouth Island' WE INVITE YOU TO INSPECT WjfYERLEY FEATURES FOI l^ OPifft jf|iS| wf\ FORK OROWN ii CRANK, AXLE, AND, BEARINGS Ladies 9 . Model WAVERLEY, 1898. I JOHN ORR AND CO.,