Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1900. THE DREDGING INDUSTRY

1 The Mercantile and Bankruptcy \ Gazette returns to tbe charge against abuses in tbe dredging industry as follows :—Since our article of a fort night ago upon the dredging industry appeared, we have received a com munication from one of our readers who dißßentg, so he says, from the con clusions we dra*v therein, and from our suggestion that the practice of issuing vendors' paid up shares should be restricted by legislation. Against this, however, very many reflecting persons have been good enough to inform us that they are quite in accord with our views, and there is some probability, so we hear, that measures will be laid before the House during the ensuing session to check the abuses to which we have referred. Already, these vendors' shares are coming into Christ church, and, we believe, into Wellington, in shoals, with instructions to place them as rapidly as possible and afc any price forcasb. Before the slightest attempt has been made f o test whether a dredg ing area is likely to give gold at all, the promoters' shares are being offered. We understand that some two thousand claims have already been applied for upon the West Coast; to put dredges on these will entail an expense of twelve millions sterling, and if the dredges are to be built in the colony at the present rate of construction, some thing like fifty years must elapse before work will start upon some of these claims. No wonder that those who have embarked in these ventures must move quickly if they wish to get $he

expected profit; with such a pressure of companies coming on, ife will only be those who got their prospectuses on the market first, that will have the least chane . Long before the laggards are ready, the public will have lost all they have, their pockets will have been exploited to . the u'naost, and the owners, and the syndicates, and the underwriters, or whatever else they call themselves, will have to throw up their claims. They know they are not worth, intrinsically, sufficient even to warrant the expenditure of the very moderate sums necessary to keep them from reverting to the State. It goes without saying that given fair piny, a great future awaits the West Coast dredging industry, but it has not the slightest chance of making any head way until it is purged of the crowd of sharpers, tenth rate stock brokers, hard upe, et hoc germs omne, who hope to get it in charge. Ab a fwld for invest ment it will be profitable, but only when the capital goes into the claimß, instead of into the pockets of those i who have no intention cf assisting the industry at all. How many of the gentlemen who take up dredging areas are content to associate themselves with a few others and pool sufficient money to buy a dredge, and take the risk ; no such thought ever comes into the head o? seventy-five out of a hun dred o£ those who hold claims today. Of the two thousand claims taken up on the Coast not five hundred will be worked by the holders themselves. The holders of the other fifteen hundred have about as much intention of find ing a pound of their own money to work the ground, «s they have of pros pecting for diamonds at the present moment upon Majuba Hill. We should of course be sorry to think that the future of the dredging industry was entirely ra the hands of the class of people we refer to There is no ground for auch an assumption. Throughout the colony there are sharebrokers of highest standing, men of integrity who discountenance anything in the nature of sharp conduct, who have nothing to do with anything unless it is clean business, and as a company, like a man, may be known by the company it keeps, investors may to some extent gauge their risk Jby considering the character of those who are associated with the venture. A sharebroker who commands public confidence will not become foster parent to a rank swindle ; even he, however, ma} not be at all critical as to the question of loading placed upon the capital, nor may he have any strong opinion as to the desira bility or otherwise, of permitting a ven dor to bear the market at any time by throwing his paid up Bhares upon the market. We have one suggestion to make to our members of Parliament, which, if given effect to, would assist the dredg ing industry better than anything we can think of, and that is to make it illegal to issue any prospectus of a dredging claim until a certificate had been obtained from the Mining Depart ment that the statements contained in the prospectus had been verified by a Government officer, that the land was fib for dredging, and that the capital was not too much over-written, To give this certificate, the expert would, of coarse, have to personally examine the gronnd, and a statutory fee of twenty-fiva to fifty pounds shou'd be payable by the promoters. Such an inspection would be gladly welcomed by those who were acting honestly, as a certificate would practically mean floating the company, and if the neces sity of passing the Government doctor barred the nefarious operations oi those of whom we complain—so much tho better. We are quite tare that something will be done, as capital is wanted to develop the industry, and none will be forthcoming until the present system is altered. Who will contribute capital to any of the com panies whose shares will be placed on the market, when simultaneously with the invitation for subscriptions it is dis closed that the vendors can undersell the contributing; shareholders at anytime A person binding himself to pay a pound as a contributing shareholder must have less Bense than a newly-born b»be, when he knows that shares fully-paid up to the same amount may be offered, at any moment, at a price not ono fourth perhaps of what he sees, under the con tract, he may be called upon to pay. The public, to some extent, hare the remedy in their own hands; when they are asked to take up stock in any of the companies coming from the Coast, let them search the prospectus and ascertain whether the vendors are taking any reasonable proportion of the risk ; if they are not, we hope the public will pass th 6 prospectus on. By doing so they will be money in pocket.

Local and General.

% # On the fourth page fco-day will be found a portion of a short story.

Irish Soldiers—There are 25,000 Idab soldiers in the Army of the Empire in South Africa. «

Tub Pbicb op Mutton—Owing to the high price of mutton at Home and in our local market, the butchera are compelled to raise the price from June 1.

Postponed Sale—Owing to the proposed Patriotic Demonstration on Thursday next Mr E W Hanmer has postponed Mr Hooper's sale until Thursday, June 14.

I Fobeikn Officers—Among he fonignars I who fell on the Boer side at the battle of ' Uolenso w&b Count Emile Beauregard, who i was once an officer in an English Lancer I regiment.

The Rainfall—Mr E. Herring reporta the rainfall during May at Alford Forest, 5 50 inches ; at Alford Station, 2.43 inches

Wa» Balloon—A full-eizad w»r balloon, j with ail its fittings, costs nearly £1000. The bladders of about 74,000 dead oxen are used to miks a /nedium-s 7, a.d balloon. A bladder akin balloon is far superior to a silk balloop. Rents in a akin balloon close almost autt m*tical!y, and the leakage is of the slightest. A Lord Mayor's Signature —At the meeting of the County Council yesterday His Worship the Mayor produced a letter he had that morning received from the Lord Mayor of London, acknowledging the receipt of £1000 forwarded from Ash burton for the War Fund. The letter was passed round, but the signature proved absolutely undeci pherable The Lord Mayor for the current year is Alfred J. Newton.

A 1 hick Coal Sham —A miner at a coal mine above Millertown, Wesiport district, saye the Westp»>t News, stated that a Beam of coal there was from 60ft to 70ft thick. Aa Instancing the value of this, he said that in England he had known companies to sink a thousand feet to work ase m from srt5 rt to 6ft in thickness. If the miner is correct in his estimate then Millertown has an undoubted future before it.

Miss Mart Andebson.—Miss Mary Anderson (Mme.de Navnrro), the once famous acferees, was renowned while on the stage for her devotion to the services of her Church (*he belongs to the Roman Catholic communion). That her religious zaal has not waned is shown by the fact that she has recently erected near her old home in Ken tucky a monastery for a body of Franciscan monks. It is intended as a memorial to her uncle, who was himself a Franciscan priest, and from whom she received her religious training when a girl.

A Runaway—On Thursday last a four horae team gob away from the goods Bhed at Methven railway station, and made off at top speed, narrowly escaping the gate posts and nearly running down a drill. The body horse fell, and was dragged some dis tance, but luckily thechains became detached and the fallen horse was pulled clear of the wheels of the dray. Willing hands soon oiptured the team, and no great damage was done. Bub for the timely assistance Mr Charlie Selwood there might have been serious consequences.

A Pegdliab Ca;b—At the Dunedin Su preme Court, in the cnarge of perjury al leged to have been committed by Annie Nesbit, ia a oaie heard at Oamaru, his Honour after hearing the evidence fcr the prosecution, said the statements which were made by the accused had nothing to do with the case, and she corrected them b«fore she bft the box. Xt came to this —A person in cross-examination was led into making an untrue satement which had nothing to do with the case, and the statement waa cor rected before she* left the box. It waa ridi culous. The Crown Prosecutor having dis claimed liability, the jury by direction of the j idee, returned a verdict of not guilty. I 0.0 F., M.U.—The Loyal Ashburton Lodge held its fortnightly meeting on Friday evening, the N.G., Bro H. Thompson, pre siding. There wa« a fair attendance of members, also a number of visiting brethren. Sick pay was passed to four members on the sick list; also to one member of a sister lodge, and the usual routine business trans acted. One candidate wan initiated into the Order, and one proposed for membership. Is was resolved that the lodge walk in the procession on the Pretoria demonstration day, and all membera of the lodge were asked to attend and make a good muster, and every member who had the regalia waa invited to bring it along. Wrh visiting brethren and membirs from the other lodges in the district the Oddfeliows should muster fairly strong. The day fixed for the demon stration is next Thursday, and the time and place of meeting will be duly advertised.

COLLISION IN A TUNNEL.

Six Killed—Nineteen Injured

Six passengers were killed and nineteen injured by a collision which occurred a few weeks »i>o on the underground line of the North Briti-ih Railway at Glftßgow, between Q teen st reet and Charing Cross stations. Bith trains wero carrying workmen to the Singer factory at Rilbowie, and were well filled. The first entered tho tunnel about six o'clock in the morning, but when half way through it came to a standstill, owing to a defect with the brake; Meantime the second train had been signalled to proceed. The half-mile of the clear line w»a quickly traversed, when the red rear lights of the first train suddenly showed through the gloom, and the driver of the second train, in the few seconds afc Ilia disposal, was utterly unabl* to avert a aollision. With tremendous force the engine daubed into the carriage of the firat train smashing those at the back and sending a violent shock throughout the train. The three last vehicles were wrecked, and in every com partment passengers were thrown from their seats and suffered more or leas severaly. In an irs'-anfc indescribable consternation prevailed ; the coofiaed situation, the extreme darkness, and the uncertainty aa to what actually had happened, together with the danger of exposure, in the work of relief, to taaina on the adjoining set of rails, peculiarly intensified all the horrors of the situation, With the groana of the dying and the injured, and the shouting of otherß, the aoene was indescribable. Men rushed hither and thither seeking safety, and as they expected every moment to hear a train approaching from the other direction, many of them got as close to the wall of tho tunnel as possible. Meantime the officials at both stations had been informed of the occurrence, mnd they hurried to the spot to give assistance The scene which preaented itself waa terrible. Several of the carriages had been smashed nearly into matchwood, and the wounded were lying about every where, some of them having been removed from the train by their fellow-workmen. The work of clearing away the wreckage w*s attended with much difficulty add bo little danger, but it waa prosecuted with unremit ting vigour until all the dead and injured were extricated.

To-Day's Telegrams.

United PreßS Association—By Electric Telegraph 1 imaku, Jaoe 2

A meeting of ratepayers last night, at which fifty were present, paeaei » resolution in favour of the Borough Council negotiat ing with the Gag Company for the purchase of thi works, and if the price asked is not satisfactory the Council is to «eek legislation to provide for an appeal to arbitration* The same meeting discussed the rating of unim proved value?, and, in pursuance of a petition signed by 250, the Mayor will take a poll on the question. 1 Dunedin, June 2 Hartle and Kiley dredgiug returns show 207 ounces for the week. | New Plymouth, June 2

A violent southerly gale on the coast caused the steamers Aorere, Glenieg and Moa to shelter at the breakwater. The latter was bound for Waitara, but waa unable to enter and will discharge here. The Rotoiti is believed to be sheltering off Oakaura. PALMEBBTON NORTH, June 1 The Colonial bank building in Palmerston North has been based with a purchasing olauaa'by the borough council. The premises will be utilised as a public reading-room and library. Stratford, June 2 The open meeting of the dairy managers' conference was well attended yesterday, Mr | J Young presiding' Addresses were de livered by Mr Ruddick on a new combined churn and butter worker, and fishy butter ; Mr McGowan on the supervision of the milk supply, Mr Robertson on sampling and taring, Mr Kioaella on starters and cream, Mr J A Gilruth on bacteriological, Mr Ruddick a general review of the dairy industry, Mr Johnson on grading, and the Chairman on the churn and butter making. A. resolution was passed that those present consider Stratford a suitable site for a dairy school* A banquet in the evening wag a great success, Mr Kuddick received an illuminated address from the managers and a handsome travelling bag from the graders, amidst loud cheers. 1

PRETORIA, THE BOER CAPITAL.

Pretoria ia in many respects the most agreeable of all South African towus for permanent residence. It is on the high plateau where the air is dry and bracing—a climate suggestive of Colorado in its virtue for those whoso lungs ere we&k. Geographic ally, it is admirably situated as the prospec tive centre of a railway net destined to bind Delagoa Bay wilh the African West Coast and Cairo with the Cape

Bloemfonteio prepares one for Pietoria; both bear the stamp of their bucolic origin in the vast open pkce afe the centre, where long ox-trains can find roat and the farmeis dispose of thfir produce fiml quarters during the periods of religious congregation. Pretoria \n not to-day bo pretty a town as Bloemfontein, but that is for reasons which may be obviated; Bloemfontein gives the impression of good taiste, of general comfort, of harmonious development Ab Pretoria, on the contrary, we find Boer cabins with mud floors ranged alongside of pretentious Government buildings, built obviously to impress the beholder by their size. The Boer Government in 1881 was practically without money excepting for the indispens able. The gold mines suddenly threw into the empty treasury of this " cowboy " Ad ministration, so muph money that it was rather embarrassing to know what to do with it. Instead of working slowly and spend ing the money for the future good of the country by establishing good schools, and building roads, bridges, and things calcu lated to increase comfort, they aoted on the assumption that intercourse wit h their neigh* : bours was a bad thing, and tint to ba strong they must remain a peculiar and isolated poople. The money which should have gone to the construction of railways was diverted into the building of huge forts. Pretoria has an excellent supply of delicious water, which runs in refreshing abundance before the very doors of the inhabitants. This is an inestimable blessing in South Africa, where the one thing lacking is water. The streets of Pretoria are broad avenues, laid out originally rather with reference to the great ox-trains than to the probability of normal trsffio likely to prove crowding. At present the streets are much too wide for the population, and the expense of maintain ing them and laying the dust is, of course, heivy. But when this shall have become the centre of the prospective dominion of South Africa we shall feel for the original Boers something of the same gratitude as ii cherished in America for those who planned the national capital on the banks of the Potomac—with a view of posterity

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Coioed Press Association-By Electric Telegraph Wellington, June 1

Government are issuing detailed lints of each contingent, with the names, addresses, and occupation, and names and addresses of next of kin. From these returns it appears that the actual number who sailed for South Africa 1b as follows :—First Contingent, 213; second, inc'uding 39 gun detachment, 258; third, 261; fourth, 461; fifth, inoludiDg 69 reserves, aud two who sailed in the Tropes, 594 J total 1787.

Timabu, June 1

At the annual meeting all licenses were renewed, and in the borough extended to eleven. The committee discussed toe ques tion of extension, bat there was no oppo sition,

HIGH SCHOOL HOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburtnn High School Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Mesa-s A. Orr (chair man), W B Denshire, M S'itb, 8 8 ''hapman, H Friedlander, and M»j ir Steward.

FINANCE.

The Chairman stated th*b the debit balance at the Bank wa* £271 9s 2ct.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence was received and de»lt wi'li as follows :—

From the Registrar cfthe Senate of the New Zsaland University, in reply to ihe Board's protest re the abolition of examina tions in the small centres. The Senate had no intention of abolishing such examinations, and the Board's resolution —like a number of others received—was based on incorrect information.—Received

From Mr R McDonnell, asking for com pensation for, or permission to remove, a what* purchased by him from the previous tenant of reserve part 1120

From Mr J Bant, lequesting permission to straighten the water race through reset ye part 1120, tendered for by him.—4 eub committee, aoneiating of Messrs Stitt and Denshire, was appointed to examine the race and tuke action, a'so to repot t on Mr McDonnell's application From Mr G A Sincmers, late headmaster, enclosing an acount for books supplied to the school and moneys expended in sports material ; total £4 14s 7d.—Passed for pay msat headmaster's beport The headmaster reported thad the school re-opened on May 29, with one new pupil. The number on the roll was 28 boys and 12 girls—total 40 DRAFT LEASE The sub committee appointed to consider the preparation of a draft lease for the Board reported on certain clauses required, and it was decided to have a draft lease drawn up in accordance with their report 7BES IN ARBIARS The Clerk was instructed to again inter view a person whose faes were in arrears SUPPLY OF F»EL Tenders for the supply of fuel were received, and that of Jamea Elliott accepted LKAVE OF AB3INOI Leave of absence was granted to Major Steward during the session of Parliament ACCOUNTS Accounts, amounting to £57 14s lOd, were passed for payment, and the' meeting termi nated

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following concludes our report :— CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence was read and dealt with follows :—From the Returning, Officer noti fying the election of Mr W Morgan as a member for the Mount Hutt riding. Frora*he secretary of the Fireworks Com mittee,' re Transvaal war, asking for a donation and requesting the Council to send a delegate to the meeting to be held that night* Mr Friedlander was appointed delegate to the meeting. It was decided to vote £2 2s towards the demonstration to celebrate the final success of the British arms in the present war. On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Chapman, it was further decided to erect a fl*g-staff at the office and purchase a Union Jack. Members were unanimously in'favour of having a fl»g- The Council was an impor tant body, and should have a national fUg. The Tinwald Town Board wrote?? a water raoe damaging the road.—The engineer to report. From Mr J. Holmes thanking the Council for their valedictory resolutions,™ Received, From Mr W. P. S. Elmslie, applying for the transfer of plantation reserve to his brother. —Granted subject to the Offioial Assignee's consent. From the Mount) Peel Road Board re some repairs required to the road way at the south end of the Rangitata traffic bridge.—Work to be done. From the Chairman of Highbank Do main Board, asking for a vote of £25 to wards fencing and planting to Domain reserve, as they were called upon by adjoin ing owners to fence. Messrs W 0 Davis and Ketkhan, as a deputation, waited on the Council in support of the application. The reserve had been let for cropping, but the cop wai blown out. They had no sources of income except whab rent might be got from it, but the reserve was situated in the middle of the township, and it did not leb freely, as in a paddock opposite let for stock, thirty?eight> sheep had been worried, and owners were not very keen on renting the reserve. The Board would willingly hand over to the Council their liabilities. Replying to the chairman, the deputation saii fthere was a demand for the domain at Highbank. The young men had formed a bicycle club, and as soon as something definitely fixed up they would form a bicycle track.

Mr Friedbnder pointed out tint the Council had previously granted nimilar requests. He moved that the request, be acceded to the amount of £25

Mr Johnston seconded the motion, which wa» carried

it was also decided that the planking committee be authorised to allow 1000 trees for planting the reserve. From Mr Purnell, re Messrs Wilding and Go's account for legal expenses te Cameron's intake.

From the Longbeaoh Road Board re con structing and repairing roads and bridges.— Held over.

From the Longbeaoh Road Board, offering to repair footbridges over races in their district! if the Council tupplied them with timber.

RACE CONCESSIONS Several water raora concessions were dealt with,

ACCOUNT*

The accounts not having been audited, the annual meeting was still further adjourned.

DEMONSTRATION COMMITTEE.

Lait night the Committee appointed to carry out the daylight demonatratiori in connection with the final successes of the British forces in the present war met in. the Fire Brigade meeting room. There were some forty persons present. Mr P H Cox, chairman of the Committee, occupied the chair. In opening the meeting, he said there were three points to consider:—(l) when would be the most fitting time to hold the demonstration; (2) what form it wan to take ; and (3) if any expenses were incurred how were they to be met. The Secretary ( fclr E Clark) stated that Mr H. Willis had offered to do all the necessary advertising, in conneotion with the demon stration, and Mr W Potter had a'ao made a similar offer with regard to the prinking, (applause). On the question of fixing the date for the demonstration, Mr H Friedlander remarked 'that Monday had been suggested. They could hardly be ready so soon as th»t. Mr J W Malcolmson, as representing the Fretz'ng Works, said tb^r employees would be ready by any day fixed upon. AH de- I partments would co-operate, and they would like to make as big a display as po»«il»le. Mr Friedlander said they would need to be very careful in fixing the date, a? they wished to make as big a demonstration as they possibly could. It was impossible to briDg the country people together by Monday nexo, and moreover they must give thtm facilities for getting into town, and this could only be done by communicating with the Railway Department, which would take time. He moved that the demonstration be held on Thursday next and that the day be made a whole holiday; Mr A Fooks [seconded the motion Mr 0 Bardic a ked if it were intended to run another demonstration when peace w.is declared Mr A & Orr thought it vary probable that the Government would declare a general holiday when pence was declared. He did not think the town could have one demon stration now and then another in three or four weeks. He thought it was rather premature to have the demonstration on Thursday next He moved an amendment to that effect, which was seconded by Mr J Hardley Mr J W Timmins said the drapers would not attempt a second demonstration ; he favored waiting till peace was declared Mr Malcolmsou was inclined to the same opinion ' Mr M Priest said his firm would fall in with any decision of the committee. What did the Fireworks Committee propose ? Mr A Fookf, as chairman of that com mittee, said thai they would follow the lead of the day committee. They simply wished to see a thoroughly gicd and ruccess ful dcH-onstration Mr A J Mullar suggested the Committee adpurn li!! Monday. They wouH then be in sv position to decide, and could ttill hold the meeting on Thursday, if desired. The suggestion was ru!ed out of order Mr McKirea would support the mbtion. There wis no doubt about the British flag being now over Pretoria. The Boers were bow simply a mob ot flying rebels Mr T Bi Upton favored Thursday. If Ohristohurch he'd a demonstration subse quenf-lv, the people could go there to see it Mi Fdedlander wns of the same opinion. Any b<g demonstrations on the declaration of peace would I c h Id hi the large centres, and to these the country people could go Ihe Boers h.ving practically left their capita! to the Brit u /showed that they were orepared to accept any conditions the English Government chose to lay duwn; Thursday would coincide wiih the half holiday, and would be generally acceptable Mr Orr'a amendment was then pub and !ob', only five voting for it. The remainder voted for the original motion, fixing Thurs day next), which was carried On the motion of Mr Friedlander, seconded by Mr Nokes, it; was decided to try and secure excursion fares to Ashburton for that day Mr Malcoimson suggested the demonstra tion take the form of a procession in which they should illustrate the progress of the district. The Uoers were symbolical of retrogression, let the procession symbolise the county's progress, and let all the bands, trades, schools, societies, etc, be urged to join in and make as great a display as possible Mr Timmins suggested te the Firework* Committee the exhibition on a loreen of a series of limelight portrait! of the prominent British Generals Ib was unanimously agreed that each trade, society, etc, taking part would bear its own expenses On the suggestion of Mr Fooks, seconded by Mr Malcolmson, it was decided to appoint an executive of eleven to arrange the details. The chairmen of the two committees were asked to nominate the executive, and selected the following : -Messrs H friedlander, J W Maloolmson, W H Collins, E Stephens; W Patching, J W Timmins, C D Hardie, A A Orr, H MoElrea, M Priest, and W Sparrow. Atthisßtage, Mr R Ourtls, who had just returned from Methven, entered the meeting. When apprised of the date fixed be pointed out it was the date advertised for some time for holding Messrs Friedlander Bros' horse fair, and also the Rskaia sale. These fixtures oould not be altered, and would prevent a good miny farmers witnessing the demon stration The meeting dißCUSsed for some time the question of altering the date Mr Friedlander stated he had overlooked those fixtures when proposing Thursday next The meeting opposed having the holiday on any day but a Thursday, It was pointed out that Thursday week would be unsuitable, as the moon would be about full, and nob suitable for a fireworks display At this »tage, Mr R Friedlander. who had also just returned from Methven, entered the room He said whatever loss might acme to his firm by dates clashing, they would put up with ib rather than ask the Committee to alter their arrangements. The statement was received with loud applause. This being all the business the meeting terminated # At a meeting of the executive held after* wards, it was decided to marshal the pro cession ab I 30 p m on Thursday, and to welcome every patriotic Britisher who would fall into line and endeavour to make the demonstration worthy of the occasion and ! the Ashburton County. Details of the ! arrangements will appear in later issues.

SUPREME COURT.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph

Christchubch, Jure 1

At the Fupreme Court to-day, Walter L Webber, for indecent afsau.lt, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. In the oh&rgt •gainst James Pope, of attempted murder of hit wife at Governor's Bay, the jury found the accused guilty Jof assault, causing actual bedily harm, but recommended him to meroy on account of his age. His Honoi reserved judmeUt till Monday.

SOCIAL COLUMN.

Ihe mailer mntained in this column is paid )or t and is net necessarily in accord with the views advecated by this paper. ]

Famine Scenes in Western India.

The article entitled Famine Scenes in Weßtern India from the pen of Mr T A Bailey is reprintf d in parr, by his kind permission, from the Bombay Guardian :—

The journey to Surat was by night, but part of the journey to Ahtnedabad wr,s iv the morning, and for an hour or so before reaching it one saw clear signs of abounding destitution; the fields were bare and brown, the appear ance of the people at the small stations by the way. and on the road, ai we passed, all betokened widespread Buffer ing. Here and there might be seen little groups in rags huddled together in a dejected, despairing condition, while sometimes might be seen jackals and vultures apparently on the search for tome fallen victim, either human | being or animal. The city of Abmwk i bad itself bore clear traces of want and misery; at tbe railway station we were soon surrounded by beggars piteously appealing for help, but while one knows that moat of these are only following their life-long vocation still there were not wanting signs of hard times. The day we arrived was market day and as we drove past where the cattle were on sale we saw plenty of frames'of cattle bat little more. I was told by a friend, that in some parts the cattle can be bought at such low prices by those who are not prejudiced against eating meat, that they purchase and kill them for the picking that can be got off their bone and then they sell their hides and bones for more than they paid for the live animal. At Ahmedabad before we reached our friend's house, we Baw many pitiable eights ; companies of people clad in rags and exceedingly thin and weak looking, wending their way to the Poor House or to relief works. Following up one such group, we saw a man carrying, stretched on his arms, a perfectly naked boy of about S years of age who was like a Vag of bones and who appeared to be at the point of death. At Ahmedabad 1 gave ray attention principally to the Poor House where there were congregated, the day I was there, 1376 men, women and children. The place used is an o'd prison which is still in good repair and is well suited for the purpose, but be&idea this there are several grass huts erected outside, as the rooms inside are not sufficient. Some of the rooms are used as a hospital, and here they kefp the very sick and dying cases. Of course at Euch a time as this diseases are rampant: the principal one is dysentery, from which a great many people succumb, but anyone who sees them will be forced to the conclusion ' that famine is the first and primary cause. In this place, we saw some appalling e'ghfp, almost all were eiuaciatf d and some of Ihem very far gone. The women were in a sorry ■ plight for clothing, the single garment that many of them had on was usually

in such rags that even these poor creatures, depraved as they must be, more or less, by all they have been through, were ashamed to stand up. The inmates here are well and ten derly cared for. Food is amply pro vided and milk is given to tbe delicate and to the babes ; but despite all that can be done they are dying at the rate of 62,000 per week, The ordinary death rate of the whole of Ahmebabad is 40 per thousand per year. Some reach hers in a hopeless condition, many of them drag themselves along for miles and drop within a few yards of the gate,unable to go further. Others are picked up by officials and friends on the road and sent here in carts. One of the missionaries told mo that th«y found children sitting listlessly beside the dead bodies of their parents quite close to this. It is a gruesome sight to see the nakt>d bodies «f the dead piled together at night to be burned. No distinction of caste can be made here. Men, women, and children, all laid indiscriminately on a pile of wood, then covered with some more wood and the whole set fire to I

me feature of the life in these oamps ii very interesting. It is the impro vised arrangement! for baby life. Some of the people are much opposed to handing over their children to those in charge of the Government kitchem, having some supers' itions idea that they will be taken away from them altogether and killed. So such mothers either erect a hut consisting of a few rags on a stick, and leave the baby there to cry itself to sleep, or pat it in a cloth, each end of which is attaohed to a stick fastened in the ground, thqs forming a sort of cradle. We came across one of these, besides which stood an almost naked boy of about 3 to 4 years old looking most important, if not dangerouß,as he did sentry over his little brother or sister. In the street! of the town we saw several children grovelling in the dust after stray grains of porn which were dropped €%■ route to the grain merchants' shops. On the way back to oar bungalow wn were attracted by the cries of some one in distress, and looking to one aide a little distance from the road we saw a woman sitting beside the bc-dy of her husband who had just died. She was weeping piteonsiy and beside her stood S children looking quite bewildered. The missionary here has taken about 80 orphan children, but many of them come too late, and though they are watched over as if they were his «wn, one by one these little lives ebb slowly out, and the bodies are tenderly and reverently committed to the dust. Some However have been rescued and are daily improving and manifesting a sincere affection for their friend. In, many places soch orphanages are estab lished, and while the prospects of lasting good from this and other work are bright, the immediate effect npon those who have to labour on and witness all the misery and suffering is mast depressing, While at Ahn^ebabad on Sgnday morning, I went out to see one of the Christian villages of the Irish Presby terian Mission (which are a great contrast to those th»t surround them) and on thn way I noticed a long line of men, (vomso, and children moving slowly along carrying on their heads various shaped bundles and brass vessels, etc, I enquired who they

THP; AFHBtmTON GtUBDUN • gATtIMUY, JUNE I 1900



hTm. JONIS. H. M, JONES. ! STATIONERY BOOKS. ACCOUNT BOOKS. 2FCA C\f\f\ ENVELOPES, imported direct. Commercial Envelopes OU, V )\J\r from 3b 6d per 1000; 5000 at 3s per 1000. Boxed Stationery, latest styles, from 6d, 9d, Is, ls|6d, 2a box.f PIANOS. ORGANS. 44 payments of £1 each wiU purchase a splendid overstrung, ful! tfichord, massive iron-fraran I iaoo, up-'o-date in every particular. Only £1 required to be paid at time of purchase, Call and see this before you bay elsewhere. Organs from 10a per month ; Pianos from 209 per month, BICYCLES. BICYCLES. A thoroughly well built, strong well finished, up to date Lady's Of Gentlemen's Machine, guaranteed, for £14 10s, for one Month Only. H. M. To N E S . BARE CHANCE OF SECURING FIRST-CLASS PIANO OR ORGAN. GREAT CLEARING SALE ' OEgPJANOS AND ORGANS, TgIHE DKEBDEN PIANO COMPANY, through their Representative (Mb Wm. Sttevenson) will hold A CLEANING SALE at their Aehburton Agency, Mr Henry Stephbksons Auction Rooms FOR TEN DAYS ONLY, COMMENCING OS WEDNESDAY, 30th May, when all ine'rumenta wi 1 be sold at GENOINB WHOLESALE PKIOEB FOR CASH! OR ON OUR E4SY HIRE SYSTEM— I'IANOS FROM 20a MONTHLY. ORGANS PROM 10^ 6i MON IHLY. OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN PROPORTION. TEN Y--ARS GUARANTEE given with every Piano, Organ or Harmonium Sold. yiewm-ir; m .^~^rt~v mif— i ■ mi [■■■rim •^«s»kit»«gnßWJ3<«*Tnßtii^.;i<»^'rfffiia»tt^^ IMPORTANT I^Oi: ICJIiJ. GOOD MJ&WS. GOOD NEWS " GKORGE DUNCAN & Co. T^NCRETJ STREET, ABHBURTON, OPPOSITE AR'JAUE. GT\ Q /~1/~\ RECOGNISING by their increasing business that th<i • U. (XfijXJ** inhabitants of Ashtrarton and. mrrouniling Districts appreciate their .fforts in priding them with Grncral I'rapery at astonishing low price., prcpoae t.o give them further practical evidence a 8 the undernoted quotations will prove, v !Z Grey mi White Oalione*. s}-l upwards * Cretonnes, 3| I upwards, Lon ? Lace Our- Stripe Fiannelertot. <l% \ upwards ttin., Is 6| \ upward* (xpeoial va.uo) 33-looh Pink Twill Piannellette (special), Ladles wape» and Jackets, 6s 9,1 upward., «lnnwarda ! L*die»'TJmbr«lla- t 2i lid upward* r 72-fioh Uableaohed Sheeting, 10*1 up- L*dieV Far Necklets (Urge variety) 2. lid wards upwards Gray and White Ca'icoes, 2J per yard Men's Ribbed J A mbs' Woo! Drawers, 2, Mowiirds 1 11*1 upwards Cotton Shirting, 3|l upward.., Leaihor Me.r«F*noy Cotton Shirts, 2i lid upward. Shirty m .A* 4. U ion Bhir t i Dg , B*. Men, g-^tfS?i^er^' Contingent Bu*h Rugs, 2* lid (Belling Men's and Boys' Brace., Ti.«. Ha«dker freelvl chififu, &""•, «o- White ana Brown Torkish Towels, fl| 1 up- Men's Mol«kia and Beaver Corf 1 water. Toilet Covers, 811 upward*: Anumao- Special- ■ 4-ply Fingerinß Wool, 2, 61 pel e»Bsere, 7|i up.va.ds, M.slins, 2| 1 upwards lb, Black, White. »nd Col, ured. JP ¥OU WANT TO SAVE MONEY, DON'T FORG&T GEOKGE DUNOAN & CO., Cash Propers, Tancred Street, Ashbarton. "— Wood NtWTTRdM iHt fhoni. Ertiger learos that the British mean to get Justice for all in South Africa. WE" HOPE the People of Ashburton have learned that we give Justice to our Customers in all oar numerous lines. We have just landed, per the bb " Whakatane," the finegt assortment of Brass and Iron BEDSTEADS ever landed in Tpwn. Latest styles and deHigns. Direct from the Manufacturers in Birmingham. o*ll early and see for yourselves. About 100 Bedsteads to choose from ; all sizes j all prices. BEDDING of all kinds kept in stock and made on the premise*. We have also just received a choice shipment, per the s a Kangatira, of TAPESTRIES, SERGES, .PLUSHER UTRECHT VELVET?, ORETTONES, Etc, for Furniture, 0 And having secured the services of a Fifst-clasa Upholsterer (late of Mel bourne), we are prepared to make New and Repair Old FURNITUBE in np-to-date styles, at lowest prices, on shortest notice. Linoleums, Oilcloths, Rugs, Mats, Matting, Carpets, etc, just opened, New patterns, grand designs, per ss" lonic.' At the request of numerous Oustoiuer?, we have imported a choice assort ment of OILCLOTHS for Dados, which have just opened up in splendid order, Oall and inspect them. For Bedroom Ware, Dinner and Tea Ware, Fancy Goods, Picturm (framed aod unframed), Photo Frames, Vases, etc, see our stocks before buying elee where. Pictures framed in latest styles. Largest stock of Mouldings in Town to choose fmm. Colonial, American, and Austrian Chairs, Folding Chairs, Camp Stools and Wicker Chairs, Bamboo Tables, and Flower Stands with fancy stand and banging pots, also a few Bamboo Over mantles. Bamboo Cornice Poles, al» sizes and prices Ducbe^e Tables and Ohestß, Washstanda and Wardrobes, kept in stock and made to order in any design. Perambulators, Go-Oarts, Children's Chairs of all kinds, at various prices. LIBERAL DISCOUNT FOR CASH, AT T. H. UN DRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, & UNDERTAKERS, TANOBED STREET, o£Poaitg_AßOADß. r m ■■nJUNBTIIUNB. GUNS. CartiiJges Cartridges! Cartridges. Shot. C_a_p_B_. Wads. BEFORE Buying any of the above Sporting Requisites call on ".THK PEOPLE'S IRONMONGER," who has a splendid selection of Guns, etc., by all the best known makers. TO Builders' aod those aboab So build I have in Stock a Choice Assortment of Ti!e and other Kegiiter Orates, Ranges, Mantelpieces, and all builders Ironmongery afc^Loweife Pricei, f'66l_S» TOOLS! TOOLS! I have m immense Stock of Carpenters and Mechanics' Tools, all of the very best makes, and warranted, at; prices which are now reeogniaed as the Sbandaad Bedrock Hardware Pl^RBM bEMBER rTHAT UMONEY SAVED IS MONEY EARNED & BUY FEOM OTin7lT\T\T\TO * \ THE PEOPLE'S PRACTICAL IRON • J3tLHiU U 1 IN O, / MONGER, Burnett Street. Agent for Cleveland and Imperial iiover Bicycles.



T. BULLOCK FOR SALE, FOUR Shares in the No. 1 Industrial Building Society. T. BULLOCK ___________ Q A ACRES good Land, below Willowby, f^iXj originally Dart of the celebrated 1 Longheach Estate, and being part of R.S. 15619, the property (f Messrs Chapman Bros. I Liberal terms < f payment can be arranged. Apply to T. BULLOCK. FOR SALE, "ORIOB—JSI 15m per aore. j.43a0 2r. 20p 143a0. Beinß R 8 29024, Wakanut Plains Seafield District. Estate of W. A. Knapman, deceased; to close accounts: Fall particular! furnished, T. BULLOCK, Agenh FOR SALE ~~ ITOUSE Property conveniently situated X >n Tancred Street, being Town Sec tion 439, containing | acre, on which i« erected a dwelling house of 6 rooms and wash house, surrounded by garden, macro' oarpa fence in front, orchard at back well stocked with fruib trees* The Owner, who now resides in the North Inland, is desirous of quitting the property, and offers are invited for the purchase of seme. Easy terms of payment can be arranged T BULLOCK FOB SALS A FARM of 265 Aoies, Springfield District, Rural Sfcti »n 32643, mostly in Engiah grasses. For terms and particu ars apply to T. BULLOCK, Agent, FOR SALE, BUILDING Site, . Wills Street West), being Town Section 1120, containing i Arre. Easy Terms of payment. Apply to T. BULLOCK. TO LET. HOUSE of 6 Rooms centrally Bituaied in Burnett Street: Apply to T. BULLOCK Agent. __________ Price Required, £165 ON account of the Public Trustee, estate of 8. Burforf-, deceased, Hampßtecid, fronting continuation of North East Belt— 1 rood 36 perches, being part R.S. 14380 with two cottages thereon. Offara are invitel for this property.! Terms can be arranged. "™ T. BULLOCK. FOR SALE "TTALUABLE Town Section, nea/- fch V Post Office and Railway station, being No. 505, Wills street, containing J-4cre, estate of J P*ge, decease, it is centrally situated, opposite Oddfellows' Hall Easy terms of payment can be arranged. T. BULLOC TO SPECULATORS AND OTHERS. RAKAIA. TOWN PROPERTY Estate of W. Cox, deceased ; on account of the Public Trustee. Being Lots 356, 354, and part of 352, con taining in all 2 Roods 20 Perches, fronting Mickie and Rolieston Streets, with Build ings thereon ; let to tenants Offers are invited for the purchase of this Full particulars on application T. BULLOCK. T O LE T, SUITE of Rooms, centrally situated in the new Victoria Buildings next Ar cade Burnett Street. T. BULLOCK. _.. __^_ -j a iyij acres, i a ryh 14/ /2 ACRES, 14/ /2 ~p ANGIT4TA District being R.S. 26204 XI fronting the Road leading to the Rangitata Traffic Bridge, some distant? above the Hinds station. Easy teims of Payment. T BULLOCK, FOR HALE, On Account and by order of the Mortgagee K{* ACRES 1 Rood 22 Perches, fronting t) O the sea-beach near Kyle, with a small building thereon, being R.S. 27962. Exceptionally easy terms of payment can b) arranged. Full particulars furnished on app'ication •J*. BULLOCK Agent



Fbsh Pardon —The Home Secretary has granted a free pardon to 1 fat Cambridge University undergraduates, who were con victed of stealing wood for the bonfire on tho nighb of the relief of Ladyamith, and fined.



Indian Famine Fund.—Mr F Ferriman ia sending away his second draft, £45, on Tuesday next;, and will be glad to receive as many donations as possible, so as to make the present draft of real value to the starv ing people.



Land Sale—Mr Frank G Baker, of Methven, has disposed of his farm to Mr John Biker of the same place. The former gentle man anticipates a, trip Home in the near future. He will be greatly missed by a large number of the Methven people.



" Rakaia Rejoicings—At Rakaia, on Thurs* day night, bells were rung and guns fired, and an adventurous band of youths having " commandeered" the Salvation Army drum, paraded the main streets, lustily singing "Soldiers of the Queen," and "God Save the Qaean." On Friday morning fligs were hoisted on the chief business places, and the school children were given a holiday. They marched through the town, preceded by a formidable looking cannon manufactured from the funnel of a portable boiler, and were treated to scrambles for lollies by tho storekeepers. Very little excitement} was displayed by the grown-up portion of the community, the event being taken as quite a matter of coarse.



WANTED KNOWN—That I have ac commodation for Lady Patients.— j Apply Mrs Ainswobth, Ladies' Nurse, Eton Street, Haropstead. Terms on application.



The service! at the Baptist Church to morrow, will be of a special character, la the tveuing an appeal will be made for the starving millions in India. On Thursday next a lebture, "900 milei by bicycle," will describe a tour round the West Coast, A large number of limelight views will illustrate the lecture. A col lection in aid of the Indian Famine Fund will be taken up*