PHASES OF THE MOON.

August d h m Full moon „ .„ 2 359 pm Last quarter 9 5 43 pm New moon .„ ... 17 10 5 pm First quarter __ ._ 25 8 2am

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1898.

Tnus Dr. Macgregor m his annua 1 report on our hospital and charitable aid administration : SUBSIDISED —Surely m past PROPAGATION OF reports I have made THE UNFIT. it obtrusively clear that our subsidised propagation of the unfit is grotesquely absurd. If want of keen feeling, inherited or acquired, is the beginning of degeneration, and vice is due to increasing bluntness, intellectual and moral ; if want of vividness m sensation passing into stupidity is vice merging into crime, then surely whatever tends to petrify feeling is condemned. Gould human ingenuity invent a system so perversely adapted to blind all feeling of self-respect and independence m our people as our subsidised charity ? My experience as a public officer whose chief business is to analyse the social significance of the tendencies manifested within my departmental scope leads me to say, with all the emphasis at my command, that any community that attempts to concede that right of the degenerate to procreate with restraint is merely subsidising the survival of the unfit, A law tacitly admitting, as ours does, not the right to bare subsistence merely, but even to modest comfort of all who can .assume a sufficiently plausible appeararce of poverty, is simple delirium. Our hospital system is also greatly abused. The trustees everywhere, except m Auckland, are lax m enforcing payment from persons who are able to pay for their maintenance. In Auckland last year £3140 was collected, m Dur,edin £1363, m Wel lington £1617, m Ohristchurch £524. The column of figures iv the reports on this anbjpct ought to be seriously pon dered, for it is vjry significant. The outdoor department m some of our hospitalr, and especially m Wellington, is attaining alarming proportions, I have drawn attention to it year after year, and I have personally remon strated with members of the Board. '1 hoy, too, aro naturally afraid of resisting the popular demand for cheap medion.l treatment, and are apt to forget, that they are administrators of a public charity. They say they do their best, and perhaps it would bo unreasonable to expect them to resist the current vicarious humanitarianism that runs so high m our town.

Local and General.

V Admiralty Chaiits — The Marine De ; pavtment (reports a Press Association telegram from Wellington) recently drew the attention cf the Admiralty to the f,icb that on the latter'a charts Tom's Rock, near Terawhiti, near Wellington Heads, is shown as being awash at high water. The Admiralty has promised to alter the charts sc as to show that the reck is awash at low water only. A Bolt from the Blue. — A strange accident, which narrowly escaped being a disaster, occurred at the mouth of the Potomac river, United States. During a thunderstorm a flash of lightning struck the switchboard at Fort Washington, which controls all the mines laid along the river. Three of the mines exploded with tremen dous force, sendiDg enormous spouts of water high into the air. Many of ihe craft m the river had hairbreadth escapes from a disaster. Annexation of Hawaii. — The R. M.S. Moana took the first news of the proposed annexation of the Hawaiian Group to Honolulu. Referring to the matter, the Honolulu Evening Bulletin says ; — The Moana has made herself more popular than ever by bringing tho news of annexation. She was covered with bunting when she rounded Diamond Head and those m the pilot boat thought it meant peace or annexa tion news. The placard • House Passed Annexation 209-91 ' was hung over her aide, and was greeted with a cheer. Coming up the harbor the Bteamer blew five blasts. The crowd on the wharf knew what it meant, and cheered loudly time and time again. Legislative Would be Deadheads — From time to time members of the House of Commons looking with loDging eyes on the privileges of Colonial Legislatures, hint at \ the desirability of their being allowed to travel free over the railways. Mr Carvil suggests for the c msideration of the First Lord of the Treasury a definite plan. He wants the Treasury to subsidise railway companies of the United Kingdom by a pay ment to the extent of £50 per aunum m respect of each member of the House will ing to avail himself of free travelling. As has been shown on earlier occasions when the question has been raised, it meets with very littlesympathy among tho general body of members. A Felt Want.— There is a movement on foots m the Mayfield district to have the local post office made a money order cilice. There are strong reasons for this, an impor tanb one being that there are a large number of young people who do not spend all the money they earn, and would like to pace the Burplus m the savings' bank. They cannot go to Ashburton to open an account, and btill less do they want to go to Mount Somers. Then thje banks charge a guinea a year on small accouuts, and many young people have m cons quence withdrawn their accounts. Facilities for making use of the savings' bank would be gladly welcomed by these. May field Presbyterian Churoh. — Mr J. R. Barton, the Presbyterian missionary who has been laboring amongst the people at Mayfield for the past two years, haa just left to take up the work at Cheviot, and his place at Mn.yn'eld has been taken by Mr W. Ham. Mr Ham has been laboring for the last ten years at Orepuki, m the fir south, and a lengthy report of the meeting held there to say farewell to him and his wife is given m the Ch'istian Outlook of last week. He was presented with au affectionate farewell address from his people, Bupp'e. mented by a substantial purse, and many kind things were said of the work he had done amongst them, and the loss his departure would bo to the district. Mrs Haiu had also been a laborious worker, and the members of the ladies' prayer meeting took ! occasion of the farewell nv.eting to present her with a handsome silver teapot, accom panying the gift with many expressions of good wishes and encouragement. McDonald and McDiarmid's sale has now only fourteen days to run, and as they have j to give up possession by August 15, we J would advise all m want of foot wear to I ipspeob their really first-olftsg stock before j gUFoh&BJDg eliawhtre.

Chuistchurch Backs. — A large number of people left Ashburton by the midday train to-day for Christchurch. Signs op Spking. — The willowa m the Domain are bursting into leaf. A week of mild weather will see them quite green. A su burton Rifles. — The annual reunion of officers and members of the Aehburton liixles will be held m the Oddfellows' Hall on Tuesday next. ! Football —The following will represent the Ashburton Football Club against the Afchburton Volunteers on Thursday:—' Flower, McKee, Wilson, Dixon, McTigue, Purchase, Pilbrow (2), Curtis, Orr, JNicoll, Wilson, Smith. Hockey. — The following hockey team will represent Tiuwald m their matches against Christchmch at Christchurch on August 11, and agaiust Kaiapoion August 15, at Christ- Church:— H. and A. Millichamp, W. and A. Huston, M. A. and W. Fitzgerald, G C. and A. Clark, C. Simpson. Emergency — C. Smith. Referee — Rev. J. Blackburne Bands of Hope, — There was a large gathering at the Primitive Methodist church on Tuesday evening, when a Bind of Hope meeting was held, connected with the Endeavor Society— Mr H. Hardley m the chair. The programme consisted of recita tions, dialogues, solos, etc., the Rev Mr Mann giving a short address on temperance work.— A Band of Hope meeting wbb held at Methven last week presided over by Rev J. R. Clark. There was a very large attendance, and an excellent programme of music and recitation was gone through. Presentation. — Lasb evening, the com mercial room of Mr H. F. Britton'a Com mercial Hotel, was the scene of a pleasant little gathering of railway officials, repre senting the staff of the Ashburton station, and a few friends, who met to say good-bye to a member of the staff— Mr Herbert Chap man — who has been promoted to the rank of relieving officer. In the absence of the station master, Mr W. V. Thiele occupied the chair, and m opening the proceedings said they were gathered together to say farewell to an old comrade who, he waa pleased to say, had been moved several steps up the ladder. Mr Thiele felt satisfied that no one m the service deserved promotion more than their friend and comrade, whom they were pleased to meet that evening. Though the notice had been shoit, the whole staff had determined that their frieud and co-worker should nob leave them without some little souvenir, to remind him of the years spent m the railway service m Ash burton, and on behalf of his brother officers and himself, he asked Mr Chapman to accept, as a small token of their esteem and regard, a handsome silver mounted travelling companion, which he trußted would remind him of his old associates. Mr Chapman, m returning thanks for the handsome present aud kindly expressions, said that he was sorry he was leaving Ashburton where he had made so many friends, and where he had always found such a congenial lot of fellow-workers. He assured them that the time he had spent amongst them would always be looked back upon with pleasure, and he trusted that the friendship which exinted between them now would long con linuo. The health of the (juest was then proposed by Mr T. Bie, ze, and heartily drunk with musical honors, aud acknow ledged, as were also a number of other com plimentary toasts. During the evening several songs and recitationH were given,. and a.most enjoyable two houra was brought) to a close by the eioginji of ** Auitl Lang Syne " and " God S*ve the Queen-" Mr Chapman left for Christchurch by this morning's early train.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

• Ashlmrton. j The usual monthly meeting cf the Ash burton School Committee wag held on Monday evening. Present— Messrs Craig head (chairman), Meddins, Phaup, Rulp, Chapman, Macpherson, and SiJock. Apolo gies were received for Messrs Hanm«r and Duncan. j TUB J'PEDEJKO. The Chairman explained that the school had been again closed on the recommendation of the sub-committee appointed to consider the question and report. FINANCE. The bank account showed a credit balance of £29 15s lid. RESIGNATION. The Board wrote accepting Mi'bs Tucker'B resignation as pupil teachor. Miss Tucker also wrote, enclosing copy of her resignation as sent to the Board, and a medical certifi cate. headmaster's report. The headmaster's report stated that the attendance was improving, after the closing of (.he school for five weeks, the average for the last week being 327. He regretted Miss Tuuker's resignation. He had received an application from Mrs Willis for leave of absence for three weeks, on account cf ill health, and recommended that leave be granted ; also that Miss Trezise take Mrs Willis' place, and Mr Percy Revell take Miss Trezi9e'a place, temporarily. Leave was granted to Mrs Willis as requested, subject to a medical certificate being handed m. Miss Tucker's resignation was accepted with great regret. PUPIL TEACHER It was reßolved that the inviting of applications for the position of pupil teacher ba held over till next meeting. CONCERT. A Committee was appointed— consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Phaup, Meddins, flardio, Maepherson, and the Secretary — to consider the advisableness of holding a concert, and report at the next meeting. VISITING COMMITTEE. Messrs Chapman and Macpheraon were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. REPAIRS WANTED It was resolved to write to the Board regarding some repairs that were urgently wautod, and the meeting adjourned.

MAYFIELD.

— ♦ From Our Own Correspondent DANCES. At the very enjoyable dance m the Ruapuna Hall on Friday evening, which has beeu already noted m your columns, Messrs Ibell aud James E. Samuels ably fulfilled the office of M.C.'s. During the nighb Mr R. Montgomery gave a song, aud Messrs Samuels and Hewitt recited. The former received a deserved encore for his rendering of '• How tin favorite beat us," when he gave " Mary's 'po3sum pet" very much to the amusement of the audience. — The bachelors of Mayfield are determined to have a good night of it on Friday first, at their invitation ball m the schoolroom, when it is to be hoped they will be favored with good .weather. NEW MINISTER. Mr Ham, who has lately been m charge of the most southern Presbyterian church m Southland, has come to take charge of the Mayfield and adjoining districts, m plaoe of Mr J. R. Barton, transferred to Cheviot. He preached his first sermon here on Sunday morning, to a large congregation, and gave a very earnest discourse from Romans i— l 6. His family will nob come up until the rooms of the manse have been papered, which the ladies of the "sewing bee" m connection with the churoh are having; done, with funds derived from their sales of work. MORE NEW BUILDINGS. I understand thab Mr Gourdie, builder, Ashburion, ia to start building next week for Mr William McLaren, on hia Laggan farm, Hekeao settlement. I understand that it is to be somewhat larger than Mr Eggleston's, put up some months ago by the Bams builder, abont which I expre sed myself m my "notes" at the time. Still another dwellinghouse is to be put up for Miss E. Peter, on her division of Anuma estate on the Limestone Creok. Mr Gourdie is also to be builder of this house. FAT SUEEP. On Thursday laafc a special train of twenty, five trucks of fat sheep were despatched , from Valetta, to Mr Olarkaon'a order. This . fine mob of 1500 prime freezers were from Mr Ballantyne's Ruapuna farm, under the management of Mr George Scott. Mr jjallantyne has had a magnificent crop of turnipi tfaia season, hence the Above good

PARLIAMENTARY.

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 9 The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE LIGHT LOCOMOTIVES BILL. On the prui osai that the am ndments made m the McLean Light Locr m rives B;ll be agreed to, Captain Russell pro tested against the measuro applying only to a privato person and c mtendid "that it should be a public measure. The Premier questioned whether it was possible to transpose a private Bill into a public Hill. Mr John Hatcheson, the member m charge of the Bill, said that he agreed with Captain Russell's views. The debate was adjourned m order to ascertain if it was possible to make the Bill a public one. THE LATE SIR F. BILLON BELL The speaker read letteis from MrH.D. Bell and Mr E nest Bell thanking the House for theic exuresbion of condolence m connection with the death of Sir ; Dillon Bell. j On the motion of the Premier it was decided to enter the letters m the Jour- ; nals of the House, THE GEIS ERAL B STIMATES. ! The General Estimates for the year 1898 99 were introduced and referred to Committee of Supply. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Colonial Treasurer, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, delivered his Financial Statement m Committee of Supply. He said — It is pleasing to me, on this as on former occasions, to relate to hon. members that there was another sub stantial surplus as the cloae of the financial year. It appears to me to be of no importance whether the real and substantial sum of £52 L, OOO with which the year closed is called a ''surplus " or a "balance," the amo ant is available for expenditure during the current year. The exact figures of the balance with which the year concluded were £521,144, after payment of £10,000 for the patent rights of the cyanide process, and the transfer of £300 000 m aid of public workp. A word or two now about the revenue and expenditure of last year. FEC SIFTS DUKIKG THE YEAR 1897 98. The estimate for the year, £4,793,000 ; actual figures reached, £5.079,230 ; pro ducing an excess of £286,230 over the estimate. A glance at the table which accompanies my statement ahowa how^ the excess is made up, but I miy briefly mention the largest amounts — namely I £61,400, from Customs and beer duties ; £59,200, from stamps ; £95 5 0, from railways ; £13 300, from territorial revenue ; £34,800 from land and income, and other heads of revenue. Tiie land and income tax h»s come m wonderfully I well. The last named tax has reached a r cord amjunt, and very fairly indicates t!in general prosperity of the country. The Advance 3to Settlers office was able to repay to the consolidated fond £22,000 i of the arrears of advances made from time lio time from that fund. lam happy to mention ihafc during the current year I think the office will be able to repay the | baUnce of these advances as well as to ! provide for the due payment within the year of the half-yearly amounts of interest upon the oao million and a half loan, borrowtd for the purpose of lending upon morfgat.-efl. EXI'ENDIIURK PUKINO THE \EAR 1897 98. Thrt acrual expenditure reached was £4 912,372. and the estimate waa set down at*' £4 979 ' 74, resulting m a saving of £66 702. The working railways vote was exceedt d ly £27,798. but J do not imagine much exception will ba fcak; h to his when ifc is taken into consideration tins len-Iy £100,000 of excess revenue was afc the fcavne time obtained. BE ULT Off THE WOBKING OF 1897 98 hUfIiarAKISED . The result of the transactions of tb.3 revenue account for the financial year ending March 31 last may be set down I thua — actual receipt-, £5 079,230; less actual expenditure, £4,912 372 ; balance, £166,858 Arid bal'ince at beginning of year, £354 286 ; surplus at end of year, £5«1,144. I THE PUBLIC WO-RKB JfUND 1897-98 ' In accordance wich authority obtained last session, the separate accounts of the j lands improvement and the native landa purchase have been discontinued as from April 1, 1897. The transactions now &imply form part of the Public Works fund. During the year it became necessary to assist the ways and means of the Public Works fund by making use of the unissued portion of the aid to public works and land settlement loan, and for thia purpose £125,000 was raised by the sale of debentures, and £100,000 was received as a temporary advance against the short dated debentures of the loan. In the early part of the year the £300,000 appropriated from the consolidated fund was made use of, and a further sum of £50,000 was temporarily transferred, pending arrangements being made m London for the issue of the 3 per cent stock, by means of which the half million of authorised loan was to be issued. THE LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES ACCOUNT. The balance In hand to credit of this account at tho commencement of last year was £4, and during the year £111,400 debentures was created and issued under rhe Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886, and refunds of £4501 were made to credit of the account under the provision of section 8 of the Government Loans to Lt.cal Bodies Act Amendment £ ct, 1896. These sums, amounting m all to £116,005, have enabled loans to be made during the year to the amount of £75 ; 257 to local authorities, and £18,770 towards opening up for settlement blocks of land, having a balance of £21,979 to the credit of the account at the end of the year. TIIR TUBIIC DEBT 1897-98. The proas d«jht was £44,366,618 on March 31, 1897, and £44,963,424 on March 31 las*-, produc ng an increase of £596,806 during the year. The net debt on March 31, 1897, was £43,552,324 ; on March 31 last it. was £44,081,521. , CUSTOMS AND LAND AND INCOME* TAX REVENUE. I feel justified m estimating the Cus toms revenue at a similar sum to the amount actually received last year, namely, £1,935.000. The beer duty revenue I havo estimated at £71,000, the revenue last year having been £72,179. The revenue derived from the Land and Income taxes during the past year was £382,498, or £17,497 over the estimate, and about £5000 over theieceipts of the previous year. The steady increase m the Income Tax receipts has been the best possible evidence of the advancing prosperity of Ihe co'ony. Certain con cessions which it is thought equiable to maka will tei:d to a reduction of the Income Tax recoiptr. The purchase by the Government of estates under the L»nd for Settlements Act also tends to decrease the Land T*x receipts ; but i is expected these reductions will be more tha.i compensated for by an increase m the Land Tax receipts resulting from the new valuation. Ido not, however, p'ac trip* estimate for the year above £390 000, which meanß an increase on last yeat's receipts of about £7,5C0. Turning now to matters which concern the present hour, an 1 affect the remaining months of fehe financial year, I propose to give hon. members Bom« Idea of the estimated ways and means of our revenue account: — ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 1898 99. The estimated expenditure of the current year out of our consolidated

revenue accounts amounts to £4,743,876, } excluding £350.000 m aid of the Public ■ Works fund, which latter amount is pro vided out cf the surplus of last year. The actual expenditure last year amounted to £4,612,372 ; therefore the current year's estimate to'als £131.504 m excess cf that, of last) year. £53,599 of this arises from the extra provision for interest required on the new loans laiaed or authorised during the past or current years. The departmental estimates show a vet increase of £83,982. Classification and increased facilities are answerable for £44,031 of additional expenditure for postal, telegraphic, and railway services, to kuep pace with the increasing popula- I tion. Ti e Education Department ahk* for additional expenditure, amounting to i £8,549. There has been a cons&nsus of opinion that our permanent force and our i volunteers should be strengthened and , made more efficient. These improve- 1 meuts cannot be effected without additional cost, consequently the esti mates of the Defence Department will be found to be increased by £25,896 ; and m the Colonial Treasurer's department there is an increase of £13 254, but of this sum £13,000 arises from a conttibntion from the Land and Income Tax department as valuation faes, which are credited, and includsd under the bead ;,f " Registration and other fees." The Police Departmemt shows an increase of £7554. Ie has been apparent for some time past that the police force of the colony was numeri cally weak. On the present estimates we are therefore providing tor the engage ment of some fifty extra men. The estimated ordinary expenditure for 1897 --98 was £4.669,074, as against £4,743,816 for the curient year. ESTIMATED BEVENtTfi 1898 99. Very car9ful consideration has been given to the figures finally adopted as the estimates of the accruing revenue of the current year. The figurts I have set down for thi< year amount to £5.023,300, which is £230,300 more than I estimated for last year, and £33,930 less than our actual receipts. Contrasting the present estimates with the actual receipts of las" year, the increases amount; to £30,87 i, and the decreases to £64.801. My colleague the Minister of Lands anti cipates a distinct falling off m the revenue derived from the disposition of oar lands The receipts from cash sales and deferred payment selections are rapidly growing less, and m some csea pastoral runs are falling into our hands, and will require'.tobe relet at lower rentals. These cases will probably result m decreased revenue to ihe amount of £36,296. SUMMARY. Bringing the estimates of expenditure and revenue together, the position at the close of the current financial year on March 31, 1899, may be set down as follows— balance brought forward to begin the year with, £5521,144 ; less to be transferred to the Public Works Fund, £350,000; balance £171,144; estimated expenditure 1898-99, £4,743,876; estimated revenue 1898 99, £5,023,300 ; excess of revenue over ex penditure, £279,424 ; total £450,568. From the above amount I purpose to seb aside £100,000 for old ftge pensions ; and to trans fer to the Public Works Fund £25,000 m aid of harbor defence works and defence ser vices ; £25,000 m aid of the additional re quirements of lunatic asylums, new methods, etc., and inclusive of the amounb already expended and liabilities incurred ; £25,000 to defray the cost of the erection of our parliamentary library and central part of the Legislative Buildings. I think the time h)B now come when we might with advantage make a substantial concession m the fchape of granting, say, a, remission of five per cent, of the preferential duties now imposed on goods manufactured m the Mother Country, This remission if made will probably amount to £50,000. The appropriating of the fcuma I have above in dicated will reduce vhe above total to i £225,568 from which amount further reductions will also require to be made to provide for the usual mpplementary esti mates, and for the proposed additional grants to local bodies, aud to insure the amount required next year for the payment of old age pensions. The total ways and meant) of the Public Works Fund unexpended on March 31 la&fc, : amounted to £326,392. I hope to be able to I transfer from revenue this year m aid of the Public Works Fund an amount of £350,000, thus bringing the total ways and means under this fund up to £676,492, against which there were liabilities amounting to £394,427. Aa the expenditure, including £156,731 spent on additions to open lines, | amounted last year to £865,543, and wili j probably amount to about the same sum again this year it will be evident to Hon. members that the available ways and means are not sufficient to meet our requirements, even up to March 31 next. The construction of public buildings, such &b post and tele graph offices, lunatic asylums, benevolent institutions, and court houses, harbor de fences, maintenance of main roads, and road's m localities where there are no rail ways, the construction of trucks for the development of our mineral resources — all this class of work is a reasonable charge upon the revenue. As will be seen from my summary of expenditure, we propose to take from revenue £425,000, aud we further pro pose to obtain this year, m aid of the Public Works Fund, and more particularly for the class of work previously mentioned as national and permanent, the sum of £500,000. It did not, however, follow that ib was in tended to raise or appropriate the whole of it this year, but he considered it necessary, so as to avoid complications, to place the Public Works Fund m a more favourable position than it was on March 31 last, when there only remained a balance of £51,492. In order to carry on the necessary works, he had on the first and second Imprest Supply Bills to transfer £225,000 from the Consolidated Fund to the Public Works Fund. Such assistance as this would have been impossible had ib not been for the elasticity of the finances, and he therefore deemed it the more prudent course for the future to have sufficient m haud at the end of the financial year to meet the public works requirements, independent of the revenue for some little time thereafter. CONCLUSION. The Statement concludes as follows : — I have now almost concluded, and although this is perhaps the shortest financial state ment that has been delivered for many years past, still it is concise, treats solely of finance, gives auccintly the abate of the finances of the colony, is instructive, and I hope not uninteresting. The continued pro sperity of the colony leads me to the con clusion that we are on safe lines and that there is nothing ephemeral, Land valuos are maintained, there is no sign of decrease m our revenue, our population is increasing, and the same can be said of our imports and exports ; the settlement of the people on the land is progressing satiafacorily, the output of gold and coal mines is steadily improving, the labourer scouring the country for work, commonly known ap the '• swagger," is now becoming a thing of the paat, and the employ ment of nearly the whole of the workers, privately and publioly, has proved beneficial to the colony as a whole. Labour-saving machines have, it is true, thrown out of employment many men, and this will con tinue, bnt although this entails individual hardship for the time being, with the changed conditions other avenues must be opened, and the private employer and the State can and should assist m utilising the surplus labour. The safest and permaneut solution is to place such of them as are willing upon the land. Aa to the future outlook, being neither pessimistic nor opti mistic, but desiring calmly and dispassion ately to gauge correctly the position, I feel confident that with strict economy, reason, able expenditure on reproductive works, thus providing for tl;ose who are willing and able to labour, the settlement of the people on the land, with proper regard paid to the development of our vast miueral re sources, with due provision made to en&nre the export of our principal products m good condition and increased markets therefor together with the continued energy and enterprise of our colonists, we have a bright and prosperous fqture before us and I shall look forward with hope ta beiug able m my next Finanoial {State ment to again congratulate the people of our colony on their improved position, and to fttraouaee fcha.6 my expegtatiotw

f have been fully realised, and that the wisdom | of maintaining a etroDg finance has baen fully justifiad. Captain Russell asked when the debate on the Statement would be taken. The Premier said that he intended to bring it on on Thursday, but if that day would not meet the convenience of the leader of the Opposition it would be takea ou Friday. Cap! ain Kußsell said that as there were references m the Statement to the fiaance3 of years past it was necessary that more time should be given to examine it. The Premier said that any sixth standard school boy could have compiled fcho figures from parliamentary records. Under all the circumstances he thought the-statement was so concise that the debate could commence to-morrow. He did not see what good would result from prosrastination. Mr Taylor asked wh?n the report of the Police Commission would be presented, as the House wißhed to know if the increase m thePoliceDepartmenthadbeenrecommendod by the Commissioners. He also wished to know why there was no reference m the Statement to reserves for technical educa tion. Mr Rollcston asked when the lands and agricultural report would be presented, and referred to the disadvantage under which members would have to discuss the finances as there was no indication as to how ways and means, when granted, were to be expended. He referred to the Ecarcity of railway trucks, and said that there would be a block unless preparations for supplying trucks were put m hand at once. Mr John McKeczie said that the lands and agricultural reports had been ready for Borne time, but had not been printed owing to press of work at the printing office. Way a and means would be pointed out, and how moneys were to be expended on roads, bridges and public works. The Premier said that as soon as the Government'B financial proposals were agreed to by the House, the men who had been engaged m constructing trucks and wagons prior to the expiry of appropriations for that purpose, would be reengaged. With respect to technical education he said that) the amount voted for this purpose last year waß still available. The increase m the Police Department vote had been decided on upon the recommendation of Commissioner Tun bridge. He waß m a position to p^ce the report of the Police Commission on the table of the House to-morrow, but it would nob be fair to the Commissioners if the state ments therein contained were discussed be fore the evidence was printed. He pointed out that £200,000 was intended to be ex pended on additions to open railways and providing trucks and WBggons. Mr Smith asked when the Police Commis sion's evidence would be printed. The Premier said that come of ie had nob yet been returned by the witnesses. Committee of Supply was set down for Thursday. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated that the position of balneologist for Rotorua had been offered to a competent person at a salary of £800 per annum, but he would nob accept the position unless he were allowed to charge fees for advice, to which proposal the Government could not agree, and nego tiations for the engagement of balneologisb were still pending ; that some seamen pre ferred continuous discharge forms to single forms but the Marine Department had uo objection to the isue of the latter ; that the police station at Nelson would be shortly removed to the prison lately closed at that place, and that the police had been in structed to give every assistance to regis trars of electors with respect to enrolment and identification of electors. 'J he House adjourned at 5 30 p.m. The House resumed ac 7.30 p.m. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL. Mr John McKenzie moved the third reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill. Mr Rolleston asked the Minister if he intended to fulfil his promise to present a return showing the number of cases m which advances were made to settlers who are m arrears of rent to the Crown, and eaid he had heard of such cases. Mr Duthie contended that the advances to settlers scheme was no longer for the good of the country, as the necessity for ifc did nob ! now exist. It had been introduced when rates of interest were high, but plenty of money waß now available at from 4j per cent to 5 per cent, and therefore the depart ment should be diszontinued. He depre cated the colony going on the London market as proposed m the Financial State ment, as the colony was under a cloud m connection with the Midland and Manawatu railwaysand New Plymouth Harbour Board's bonds. Referring to the accounts of the Advances to Settlers Department, he com* plained that they were not a credit to the colony, and showed that concessions had been made by other departments to it m order to reduce the real loss of its working to the colony. The whole scheme was an excrescence on the government, and should be abolished. ! Mr Hogg said he knew of no office established by the Government which had realised to a larger extent the full sympathy and concurrence of eettlers or which had done more to promote settlement and civilisation than the Advances to Settlers Office. The remarks of the last speaker had shown what the Opposition's attitude to the scheme was, if they held the reins of government. The people of the colony should note that it was a declaration on the part of the Conservatives that they would close up the department, and that there would be no more cheap money for settlers. Mr George Hutchison said that Mr Duthie's speech displayed cautiousness aa compared with the clap-trap of the last speaker. He (Mr Hutchisan) did net agree with Mr Duthie that the department should be abolished, S3 he had always advocated bringing cheap money within the reach of the settlers, but he objected to money being raised m London as there was abundance of money m the colony m the hands of the Go vernment departments. At the time when the loan was raised there had been m vogue a flashy policy of raising money m London, I and he hoped that no future loan would be j floated as that one had been by miarepesen j tation. He argued that there had bee a j bungling m connection with the department) since the commencement). Mr Mills said that there was no scheme of national importance which so commended itself to the good judgment of the people of the colony as the advances to settlers scheme. While there had been an abun dance of money m the oo'-ony before the inception of the schema there had been some very tight hands holding on to it. The settlers all over the colony blessed the day that the Government cams to their assistance. Mr Masseysaid that he was as anxious as the last speaker was that the settlers shonld obtain cheap money, but he looked with alarm on the rapidly increasing public debt of the colony. Abundance of 'money could' be lent by the ordinary lending depart ments of the Government, and if the mort gage tax was done away with it wou'd reduce the rate of interest all over the oalony by \ per cen^. He quoted adver tisements from local newspapers showing that money could be obtained at from 4£ per cent. Under these ciroumstances the State Department should be abolished. Mr Flatman warmly defended the Depart ment, and pointed out that the cheap money advertised was lent only m lirge sums and those lending it were simply the agents of English lenders. Mr 'Wilson said it was not fair to com pare State cheap money with that m tha advertisements, as m the case of the latter loans were only made on freehold security where an exceptionally large margin existed. He deprecated the attack which had been made on the ex- Lolonial Treasurer, especially m his absence, for whatever his fdults m public or private life had been, he had done one sterling act m being the first to obtain a 3 per cent loan for the colony. Mr Bollard considered that the Bill was unnecessary, and said that the Government) had injured the workers, widows and orphans of the oolony, as the rate of interest puid to depositors m the Post Office Savings Bank had been reduced after the establish, ment of the Advances to Settlers' Depart ment, Mr McLean opposed the Bill, and pbjocted strongly to further borrowing for advances to settlers. The result of the working of the scheme had been to create competition between the Government Insurance Depart ment and the Advances to Settlers' Depart ment. It waa absolutely absurd to contend] that the ei}t»bU*hmens 0 | t jj e Depa,r6m.eafc

THE ASBBOBION GUARDIAN: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10, 189 d,



ASHBURTON PUBLISHING COMAPNY NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS TO "GUARDIAN" & "MAIL." OWING to the very favorable reception given to our recent circular to our ; subscribers to the Mail and Guardian, the , time for receiving subscriptions m terms of ; the circular has been extended to SATUR- DAY, August 13. HENRY WILLIS, Manager.



F. FERKIMAJS. i ~~ I CHEMICAL LABATORY, COLONIAL MUTUAL BUILDINGS, Prinecsa Street. Dunedin, June 11, 1898. F. FERRIMSN, Ashburton. Sir, — I have the honor to report on Sample of Ground Manure forwarded tojme for analysis. I have made analysis with the following result : — I Moisture .. .. •• •• 6*Bo ("Organic Matter 36 60 4 containing Nitrogen equal to 5 4 (percent, of Ammonia V Silica ' 340 Iron Alumina O'W Phosphate of Lime as Boue Phos- phate 48-16 Carbonate of Lime .. •• 4 64 100 00 These results show the Sample to be of ABSOLUTE PURITY, the large percentage both of Phoßphate of Lime and Ammonia showing this. In fact the Composition can i be classed as a Typical Sample, which cao- not be excelled. Your obedient^servant, (Signed) A. GK KIDSTOA HUNTER, M.P.S., City Analyßt, Dunedin. After reading the above the main points to bear m mind are, the quality is Al, the quantity is limited, and that orders will be executed promptly, to enable farmers to bow with their Bpring wheat. It is a well known fact that Bone Dust obtained from gresn bones is the most valuable and lasting manure thac can be applied to the soil. Of thia fact both science and practice afford abundant proof. F. Fl. RRIMAN. FOR JS A. LE, COMPLETE THRESH TNG TLANl 1 . I HAVE for™ private S*le a Complete Threshing Plant, m Bplendid order, consisting of — 1 Eight horse-power Aveling and Porter Engine, 1201ba certificate, worked threo sessoys; Combine, by Homsby, sft drum, with all the lateet improvements, including Oliver's Patent Feeder ; Elevators, by P. and D. Duncan, 26fb long; four-wheeled Whare, Scaleß, andjallneceefiary Belting m pcrfeut order. Full pait eulars can be obtained on ? ppl> cationJ F. FEttßiaiAN. ~~" THE GARDEN. FOR TOP-DRESSIKG THE LAWN, BORDERS, OR VEGETABLE GARDEN I HAVE FOR SALE m 1 and 2 cwt Bags a Special Mixture, consistiug of Super- phosphate ami Konedust, both of which are excellent fcriilissera. The one gives the plant nn early start, the other puts a lasting stamina into it, which results m a large and profitable yield. v F. FERRIMAN- F. FERRIMAN, HAS FOR SALE, FOOT L^VER COPYING PRESS, (Capel and Gaakill's Pateat). SIMPLE. CONVENIENT. CLEAN. I PERFECT COPIES. TIME SAVING. NO BREAKAGES. In Ibis Age of High-pressuro : in business an easy and rapid means of Copying Letters, Invoice?, etc., is of great importance. OHURCH SERVICES. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH' Ashburtor.. TUFSDAY— Teachers' Meeting, 7.30 p m YVKDNK&DAY— G.b'.S., 7.30 p.m. FPI DAY— Short Servioe, 7.30 p.m. Choir Practioa 8 pm CONFIRMATION CLASSES. WEDNESDAY— For Women, m St. Stephen's Ohuroh, 7.30 pm THURSDAY— For Men, m Sb Stephen's Ohuroh, 7.30 pm SATURDA V— Special Class, Sfc Stephen's Church, 2.30 pm SUNDAY SERVICES. August 14. B.3o— Holy Commun:™' 11 a.m. — Morning Prayer 3 p m.— Dromore, Rev T. A. Hamilton. 6,3o— Kvening Prayer. REV. T. A, HAMXItTON,



JOHN ORR & Co. Genuine Sale of Hardware. X7INDING Ourselves largely overstocked m Builders' and general Hardware, and m order to f flvct a speedy clearance, we have decided to hold^a Genuine Sale for ONE MOSTH, when great reductions will be offered^ m all lines. Holding as we do by far the largest and best selected Stock m Ashburton, we are m the beat position to cater for the wants of the goneral public. Below, we summarise a few of the leading lines in'which big reductions are made. iflPl LAMPS. •I-W'l - LAMPS. ;> ' Jcfiiil^!* I ' REDUCTION %>, li^SBK 20 PER. CENT. J l l'l^^^^^^^^^lUßfc NOVELIY & ENTERPRISE. |p| REGISTER GBATES, H| ' BAtfGE*, l^^^^g^B^^p^ COOKING & BEATING |I|!j^^Q|l^^^^^l|||^^^^^^pJ I We have over 20 patterns of iili^wittay ° ffet 6eiection not to be °™ |^ra|^^^^|^™^,^^|BH outside of Ohiisbchurch, and are ,^^^^^^^B quotins them below Oliristohnroh §§iißi;iaiiiffi&iia»ii§wg' prlceß - Fenders, Fire Iron??, Fire Bras ses— Brass Curb 3. We are giving a reduction of 25 per cent on these lines. S-!^*^' FOWL NETTING. Just landed, 10,000 Yards m. oO^yjird rolls ; to \be sold Cheap. 200 Dozen Plough Shares— R.N.F. and Hornsby's ; also Howard's Diamond Chilled Sh,ares for Reid and Gray Pkughs. enamSEwaee. We have jusfc opened 20 cases of Enamel ware from the best English Makers, and are selling at immense reductions. 00 Dozen Enamelled Pie Dishes 6 Dojsfen Er.amelled Mincers 10 Doz^n Enamelled Sauerpans 12 Dozen Enamelled Teapots 6 Dozen Enamelled Oufi'ee Pots 10 Dozen Enamelled Jugs 60 Dozen Enamelled Basins 20 Dozen Enamelled Oups & Saucers 30 Dczen Enamelled Mugs 3 Dozen Enamelled Cullenders And every article now mado ia this poopular material. ELECTROPLATE by the Best Makers, at 25 per cent reduction. Our assortment Kb the largest m Ashburton, and we invite inspection. S^^ •-Si ENGINEERS', BLACKSMITHS', ' M W I CARPENTERS' TOOL^ ■i^^^^^^^^^l VIiRY LOWEST rRIOES * JOHN ORR AND CO., 4*IiLURTQN,