Commercial.

Unibed Preia AsHociation—By Electric Telegraph—Oopytighb London, May 2 Woos-~At yesterday's eales metinois were tinohangerl, and low eroßsbreda were irre gular. The sales include the following clips:—Otairl, 5d jKillarney, 7|l; Kiakatoo The American visible wheat supply is i estimated »b 63,631,000 bushels

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET.

The Ashbnrten Agency of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows on May 3. 1901:— Wheat- Prime milling Pearl _ 2s l£d „ „ Tuscan.- 2s 2d ' „ „ Hunter's 2s Id i New Oftts—Dims 1b Id to la ljd ■ „ Danieh Is Id to la l|i M Sparrowbills Is 2d to Is 2|d  Canadian Is 3d Barley—Malting, prime 2s i Inferior Is 6d Peas—-Blue Prnsaian 2s 9d „ Partridge 2s 7d to 2s 93 ! Chaff—Good oataheaf 37s 6d Grass Seed—New Is to Is 6d The above are prices current paid to farmers oh trucks at Aehbnrton

DEATH.

PATOHiS€t--At her residence, Toi Tol Valley' NeieODf on .April 3ist, Sarah, tho beloved wife of James Patching, and mother of Mre J. and 6. C. Primmer, and Mrs Ales Headry, of Ohristohuroh. After a long and pafafn! illness. Deeply regretted.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1901.

[The present .is a good opportunity to suggest to the Borough Council the propriety of providing better streets for the town, One member of the late Council drew attention on more than one occasion to the unsatisfactory con dition of several of tha streets withie the Boroogb, notably those m the immediate vicinity of the railway station, which are certainly not calcu lated to give travellers by train a very favourable opinion of the way our city fathers manage matters of that sort. It was no exaggeration of the position whenjihe Councillor alluded to said that Btoms were lying about Wfsfc 6treet as Urge as pine apples. In fact, bouldsrs of that size can be found there any day. Only a few weeks ago a resident picked up one and expressed <m intention of taking it to the Council Chambers, but »a it has not appeared there yet, we pre sume he found it too heavy to carry far. Surely if the Council can only afford to put shingle on the streets there should be some limit aa to the size of it. We have pointed oat m former articles that the formation of roads and streets where there is much traffic, with very coarse shingle and boulders is not economy. It may b- eh aper m the *irat instance to cover the ways with material taken hap h'.zard from the riv >r bed. Bat the first charge upon (he rates is not the only cost to the ratppayere. The wear ai,d tearon horses feet and le»s, and on 'he wheels and springs of vehicles, and the accidents resulting from striking against boulders make up a pretty large bill annually, which peisons using the stree's have to pay. This brings us to the question whether it would not be cheaper m the long run to form the streets of the town with broken metal. The latter would coat »it present twice as much as shingle costs; and the surface would not only be incomparably better, but the streets would not require one fourth as much repairing. In fact the difference m the initial cost would be almost, if not altogether counter b*l»need by the saving ia maintenance; that is, assum ing broken metal had to be brought from any distance. But if the Borough had a stone crushing; machine the coat woaid be very little more f> r ' r^ken aieta's th<*n it would be for shingle. We trunk that th® Council will give the subject of road formation careful con sideration at an early date, for Aah burton cannot lay claim to be aa up to date Borough while boulders are scattered so thickly about its streets. llt is true that if an enemy were to threaten us, the present condition of affairs m this connection might he an advantage, as the defenders could easily arrange foe good cover with the big bou'ders that are always bandy. But it is hardly worth while compelling us to pat up with so much inconven ience for a possibility so remote as that referred toi j

Local and General.

Wbathbb Fobeoart. — Captain Edwin forecasts :—Strong north to west and south vresfe winds glass fall indications of rain. A Land Slip.—We uuiierstand that Mr Andrew Dswbod, of Watertou, has loat several sheep through & land sip afc the beach a few days ago Ifc appears that some of the high bluff t collapsed, and the aheep, which were grazing on then?, were buried. A Convenience toe Settlers— To meeb the convenience of persons residing m outlying dietriotp, a copy of the Railway Timetable will he kept at ail Post Offices for the oonvtnioce of those deeirous of consult* ing the same, This, of course, only applies to planes where there are do statioatnftiterg. Cantebbuby Land Board—At the Can terbury Land Board meeting on Thursday Thomas W Oleeve (lot 60, Highbank) was given one month to be m permanent reoi denoe, and J D Shirley (lob 60, Highbank) throo months to comply more iabisfactorily. Thomas Robinson and A H Dalton, of Weaterfield Village Settlement, were granted % final extension of six months m which to j comply, failing which their leasee will be j forfeited. I Wakanui Koad Board — The general election of members of the Wakanui Road Board resulted as followu:~No 2 Ward, Meaars D J Doak and G W Leadley ; No 3 Ward, Messrs A 0 Cameron and P Jones An election for one member for No 3 Ward will be held on Tuesday, 2ist met; nominations clone on 11th inst. Thb Highbank SBTTLEEB~At the Canter bury Land Board's meeting on Thursday, the application of the Highbank eettima for relief by remission of rente, on account of losses sustained, was further considered, and it was resolved to reporb to the head office that the arrears of rent due by the settlers are considerable, and that they h&vt been treated with great leniency m regard to payment, and are still owing a considerable amoanb on promissory notes for grass seed i supplied, j JBigh Fchool Board. — The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashburton High School Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present — Messrs Andrew Orr (chairman), j W B Denshire, S S Chapman, and M Btitt. An account was received from the Ooupty j Council for £2 is 10<i, for cleaning race ii Mr T. McKay's reserve. It was decided to pay the acoount m this instance, but to reply that m future the Board muab be consulted before each work is done. The master's reporb was read, showing the number on the school roll to be 47, with an average attend ance of 45. Accounts amounting to £52 2a Id were passed for payment, and the Bo»rd rose.

iSHBCRTONRIJFLES—The annual meel- ing of the Afihburton R flea will be held ©n Tuesday May 7th. Reckption Committee.—A meeting of the general reception committee will be held f.his evening m the County Council Chum hers, A full attendance Is expected. Land and Income Tax Retubns—The Commissioner of Taxes notifies that the returns under the Land and Income Assessment Act muat be made before the Ist day June next. Longbeach Road Board — The annual meeting of the Longbeach Road Board called for ro'day lapsed for want of a quorum, Messrs JON Grlpg and T j Wilson being the only numbers present A Fine Show.—Mepgre Mitchell & Turner invite inspection of their windows which contain a very fine display of their goods. In one window is exhibited a collection of beautiful materials for ladies evening; wear and m the other some very fins specimens of Colonial manufactured ruga are shown? Station Masteb for Ashbueton •— A Press Association wire etates that Mr W Bnsa station master at Onehnnga for four years has received notice of his early trans fer to Ashburton. He ha" proved himself a most obliging and bigb'y efficient officer. The Shohtaghof Trucks.—The shortage of tracks for the carriage of grain still con tinues. At moßt of the stations m Canter bury and Otftgo where much loading is done, greab quantities of grain may be Been wait ing to boaanli away, a good deal of ib being pot under cover. Thaohbrs' Colonial Scalb* — Chairmen of School Committees and teachers, and all Interested, are notified that the Commission on Colonial acVe of siaffa and salaries of public sohoot teachers will sit m the Board room, Normal school, Christehurcb, on the 10th and 11th hast, : . Alleged Mukdbe—At the Magistrate's Cour^Wanganu'jyesterday, the case against George Shannon, alias Shanahan, of alleged murder of Mrs Peters on 24th of last month waa heard. The evidence was of a strong circumstantial nature. The accused, who was nofc represented by counsel, reserved j his defence, and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the supreme Court, Shoktagi of Fish—la connection with the correspondence re reported shortage of large fish m the Ashburton river, we clip the following from the report of the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. <lMr Mendel soln moved pursuant) to notice'—" That fhe Society obtain permission from the Colonial Secretary to net the rivers with a view to throwing out the fi«h." He said tho Temuka, Oplbi, and Pateora were overstocked wi h fish ao that it was diflr cult to gee fish m good condition, and they were getting Rraaller year after year. The motion was rej cted. Coursing — The Oamaru Challenge Stakes meeting vr\n concluded yesterday, the last four dogs left m being from Napier and the stakes were divided by Mr Buttermore'e dog, Rory O More and Mr Lopdell's bitch Princess May. Ib may be Baid that the hares did not as a role run at all well, on the two last days especially, many of the courses being determined by the run up. The opinion was general'y expressed that some improvement m the arrangements m this way will be neeecs" ary to secure go d entries for the next meeting. The entries iv the Ashbarton meeting to be held on 'J hursday, next on the Tinwsld race-course have filled up well, and if the hares run as well as last year's hares did some good sport may be expected. Wjilowbv Band of Hope.—-The winter session of tho Bind of Hope eotnmsnced on Thur day, May 2nd, when tie schoolroom was filled Rev J D J'ory occupied the chair. Miss Robers, who it vetting the district m tho interest of the AWiancc favoured the audience with an address. Mr \V T Lill (re biriLg vice president) gava a speech. Mies It Harding sang a so'o. Mr U W Raiding (retiring Secretary and Treasurer) gave iho, financial statmant m which ho, stated the Band of Hopo had a credit balance of £2 la 2£d Officers were then elected for ( 6he enamng year. Rp v J D Jory was elected president, Messrs J Wnteon and G Astoi, viue Fresidrnts ; Mr U W Harding, Spcref ary and Treasurer. Tho following were eleoted a) a c-mnib I;^—Alnl;^—Aln H 1 Wheeler, Misaes N Gray^urn nnd L K^nniugton, Messrs SS Chirm.n, W T Lill, W Harming J Williams, 8 Ht»yman, L P.atley, and H Of bourne. Mi*s Maggie Lill was appointed to taka charge of the p'edge bonk and blue ribVn. The mpeting closed *."ith a vote of thanks to Miss Eoberf, j Promotions-A Gazette of the 25'.h April \ contains lists of promotions of officers who are serving or who have served with the New j Z-aland Contingents m South Africa, with »fl°ct from the dates givan. The following a>-e thore of South Canterbury officers:— 21st October, 1399—Michael Egan Lindsay, to bo Lieutenant; 20th January, I9OO—J T. M Hay hurst, to ba Captain; G Orawahaw and J Findlay, to be Lieutenants; I7th February 1910—T Jowaey to be Major, H L Bourn to bo Lieutenant; 30;h January 1901™G Baily to be Lieutenant, Surgeon C E Thomas to be Surgeon Captain; 6^<h April, 190t—Kurgenn ;G E Gabites to be Surgeon Captain. The following \ are pro*, motions and appointments m the New Zealand Militia: — 20th March, 1901— Captain Crawabaw to be Major; 21th March 1901—Lieutenant H to ba Captain j 28th December, 1899—J B Hughes to ba Lieutenant; 10th January, 1901— Lieuten ant J G Hughes to be Captain. An Actress Assaulted. — Charlotta Saddler, wife of Alfred Edward Saddler, ( known theatrically as Walter B*ker s was arrested In Melbourne on 24th instant on a warrant charging her with an assault npon MJag Frances Rose, a leading mem. ber of Mr Bland Holt's dramatic Company Miss Blanch Wilson also ongaged at the Melbourne Theatre Royal who applied for the warrant, gave the following grounds for doing so. On the night <>f the 20th it seems, she and Miss Roas bad jasb left the Theatre after the perfor* msnee, when a woman disguised as a young girl, with long hafr, hanging down her back, and a skirt reaching just beJovv her knees, rushod from a right" "of'way, flung a pannikin fall of some liquid over Miss Rfls", and struck her on the forehead with a walking stick. The actress walked to a chemist shop, where her wound, which was bfeeding considerably, was dressed, and then went home, and had to remain m bed owing to the injury. Her assailant, according to informant, tan away, but not btf<>re she had been recognised. When the last mail left the hearing of the case had no'i been con' eluded. The Receptioh Ball—A meeting of the j Raturoed Troopers Ball Committee took ! last evening, at the Couooil Chambers. Present—Messrs WjJ Tlmmina {'w the ohair), R Clark, T G Morrieaey, B Nordon, H Garner, and F Msiownring (secretary). A telegram was read from the Mayor-Elect of Chriatchuroh, stating that it was the intention of the Ohristchuroh Committee to entertain the returned troopers on Tuesday and Friday of next week. The chairman stated that under these oiroum* stances the date of the bill would have to be left open. The chairman waa instructed to interview Mr H Frledlander, at>d endeavour to obtain further information re arrival of the Ashburfcon Section and to l&y such information before the General Com* mittee, which moots to.night. The tender of Mrs Morten for catering, and of Miss Himmouds'Band, of three instruments, were accepted. Messrs; "lark, Garner and the Chairman were appointed a Committee to draw up a programme of dance?. Messrs X Clark and E Garner were appointed M.C's. !It was arranged that on the returned troopers entering the ballroom the assem blage should sing the chorua of ' Home Sweet Home;' Tho procuring of decorative E emblems waa left m $ha hands of Mr E | Nordon, who was added to the decoration committee. After the transaction of further routine business, the Committee adjourned

f- In Bnland there is one MP to every 9100 electors; m Scotland, on* to 800; m Ireland one to 7400. Belgium and Holland smoke 84ez of to bacco a head, Germany QBvz, England only g4oz.

County Council

The following oouoludes our report of yes" terday'smreiinj; :~ Ale ter of apology was res.d from Mr W. Morgan, forn^n attendance, Mr Lam!4e regretted that the Council had not made arrangements to procure a proper race cleaning machine. Under the present system of spade and shovel the work was never thoroughly dono. A raca cleaning plough whs an immen«e saving of labor, and by it at much ooald be done m one day as m twenty under the present style He advocated a reporb being obtained from the engineer oa this subject, and he moved to that effect. 'J he Chairman was pleased this matter had been brought up. They were diatinotly behind the times m this respect, and an efficient Implement should, he thought, be obtained. Until the Council took charge of this cleaning it wou'd not be satisfactorily done. At present the races were only tinkered with and he was convinced an improved method should be adopted. Mr Wright enquired if it was suggested to procure only one machine, (Mr Lambie— No ; half a dijMU.J Theee machines would require to be adjustable to various «iz;d races. He considered the owners of the land were tha persona who should have the machines. j Mr Friedlander thought the question a much larger one than the mover imagined The subject had previously been brought up m the Council, and he would now suggest that a Committee be appointed to consider the matter before aiking the engineer to report. Mr Lambie—Some of the larger land owners already have race ploughs which accomplish a lot of work m a tingle day. The Council might procure from six to twelve machines, and charge the land owners for the work performed. Messrs Sbitb and Chapman supported, and the former spoke m favour of the Council taking over the race cleaning altogether. Mr Buckley thought they would ultima-' tely run short of Water, and they would be forced to take action. As a large land owner he could say it was impossible to get the raoes cleaned m the time granted by manual labour. The work had been done by him under contract with the ploughs mentioned, and this system was vastly cheaper, Mr Lambie'a proposal was a seep m the right direction. Mr Wright considered that if tbe rae^s were cleaned too thoroughly they would thus decrease the supply of water, which would escape if the silt were removed too c'oieiy. Mr Buckley suggested that an estimate be obtained from land owners as to the chainage of racßß they would be prepared to let the Council clean. It was ultimately decided to obtain tbe \ Engineer's report before appointing a committee. Correspondence was read from the District Railway Engineer with respect to necessary repairs to the north Kangitata stock bridge, asking for £50 to be forwarded, and the work would be pub In hand at once, and it was resolved that this sum be forwarded ; ! with respect to a similar application for repairs to tbe south Btngitata bridgef a reply wai ordered to be sent that this was altogether m the Geraldine county, and under the oontrol of the Geraldine County I Council. ! Mr Wright moved that the Engineer be Instructed to take the necessary measures i to provide sufficient sheep bridges over the I larger racea m the upper part of the Bangi- I tata district and to provide, where desirable, ! concrete connections at the flood gates, and !to roport at next meeting. The district was i m ampie fun'p, and the whole of this bridge system required attention. la the main races, ten to fourteen feet of water had to b« crossed by travelling sheep, and at times there was more trouble than m croosing a river, and loss of sheep had also occurred. Mr Friedlanrler would like to see the lower district attended io m this matter Mr Chapman thought the Council should have a voice as to tbe locality m which theee bridges were to be erected The motion was carried Mr Chapman referred to the inceasing traffic on the Ashburton bridge for cheep. Sometimes matters reached a very congested stage and made sheep travelling decidedly unsafe. Seven or eight t: apt were j>mmed at times, and tha Bheep being travelled to thfl fre<eng factory became bruised. E« wou'd suggest the preae.it railing to protect foot passeogers be removed, and the bridge spice would thus be widened . If necessary another footbridge might be erected oa the western side. The bridge at present was much too narrow Mr Harppr contended that there were hourß when very iittle traffic occurred, and this was the time for sheep drivinp- Any alteration would mean a Urge expenditure. The portion reserved far foot rtaiaongers was v. jry little used &s pedestrians preferred the open bridge. An extension would nob be r> quired if the present railing to protect foot passengers was done away with, an! the bridge strengthened at this part Mr OhapmaD. moved, and it was carried, that a Committee be set up to ascertain what •tsps could be taken to facilitate the crossing of sheep over the bridge, comprising Mestre Wright, Buckley, Harper, Friedlander. and tha mover, and that the Borough Council be requested to appoint two deputies to attends A letter was received from Mr Herring suggesting that if the Plantation Committee purposed planting another blook on the Alford estate, it) should be placed near the Alford Forest towehip, and furthertuggested tbe phntiog ef larch. Mr Herring's letter, and also the engineer's report oa this subject", w*re referred to the Committee conoerned. It was decided to request Mr Farrell to remove his fence erected across th* Hinds river A report was received from Mr W. Gal. lagher, Mayfield, that the Rangifcata gorge r*cs had been scoured out for twenty-eight yards ai the result of the recent heavy flood opposite the old Bite of the blacksmiths shop, and about thirty chains from the headworks, and a few chains higher than the other breaches. This flood had risen to twelve inches witbir* tbe top of tbe dam. The ohaiimjtn explained that the necessary sanction to procure the loan of £1200 had been b> cured, Mr Wright said that this work should have been done long ago. If it wers not proceeded with at once, other floods might create further damage and cause a larger expenditure) than was re § aired at present. As the money was now reported to be available they should push on with the work at once. He thought tbe Council should at once inspect the locality and the proposed work. Mr Friedlander thought the difficulty of BujELoientty drying the concrete pipes could be averted by erecting a shed as cover, Messrs lambie and Buckley supported an immediate prosecution of the work, and on Mr Frredlaodor'e motion it was rosolyed to proceed with fche construction forthwith. The Engineer wished the Council to visit) the headworkp, as there was a risk of the pipes not drying sufficiently, there being hardly any sunshine at the spot. The circum? Btancse, however, justified the Council m ( taking the risk, as % couple of floods now might do sufficient damage to put the work beyond the present available money. Mr Friedlander enquired if the pipes could not be made m Aahburtou, but it was Bhown that railways, oart&ges, and possible breakages would largely increase the cost under this process, Mr Friedlander further moved that the members of the Council proceed to inspect the site of damage on the 13th insfc, and that a special meeting be held at the works on that date, and this course was adopted. It was decided to make immediate appli cation to the Government for the required loan of £1200, IHE COUNCIL'S ET iAV* The special Committee reporter on Mr PurneH'e foimer letter advocating a private bill and special order re alteration of main tenance water race by laws to meet euoh esses as that recently lost m Court Mr Wright thought that if the bylaw had originally been properly corded the difficulty would not have arisen and the case would not have been lost. A mistake had arisen over the non-insertion of a word or two. The bill might not be carried, and thus lead to further expense Mr Harper replied that the Committee had given this subject a lot of thought, and they had tried m every way to avoid the necessity of a bill, but their solicitor urged its nsceafcity, as this would cover everything and render them perfectly safe Tbe Committee's report was m favor of tho bill, aad g special order was adopted Tha Chairman read an application frots the Chtißtchuccb Reception Ootnmibte«»

asking for a contribution towards the funds. The Premier had promised that an Indem jty Bill should be passed to legalise the expenditure of local bodies on this matter- He had endeavored to get th« train to slow down when passing through Ashburton to give the people a ohance of seeing the Royal visitors, but as yet had no definite reply:. He would like the whole Counoil to tzpress an opinion < n the application for funds. Mr Wright stated that whilst he was a loyal subject of the Crown, he would not feel justified m voting money from the Gouniy funds for a reception m Chrißtchurch. Mr Fried lander thougt that as places outside the four centres had been ignored altogether, they should not be expected to contribute. The £1000 to be granted by the Government for expenditure m each of the four centres he considered was sufficient (or the taxpayers to pay* The Government had also arranged to illuminate Anhburtm, and some expense would be involved locally on that score I k was unanimously resolved to reply that the Counoil could not tee its way to contribute SLAVOHTBHIKG LIOBNSES A circular was read from tha Department of Agriculture, re slaughtering licenses The Chairman stated as this sutjot was a complicated one, he had obtained their solicitors opinion m order to ensure their poeition. Is was optional whether or not the Council should establish abattoirs, ; under the Act. If they decided m the negative, the Coanoil could issue licenses for such slaughterhouses as they thought desirable Mr Stitt wished to be relieved of offioe on this Committee, and Mr Friedlander was appointed m his stead! The matter waa ultimately deferred RETURNING TBOOPERS The Chairman stated it was proposed to welcome the returning troopers who had been collected m this county. He thought it the duty of the Counoil to join with others m granting them a good reception WATER BAOB CLEANING A letter was read from Mr Wm Jatnieson, Dromore, stating that the water raoe through his property was enlarged to provide the necessary water for the Fairfiold Fretziog Works, and he asked that instead of his cleaning it that those who derived most benefit from it should be at the expense of keeping it clean It was resolved that the Council could not entertain the rf quest ALTKBATION OF BOUNDARIES A letter was received from the Council's solicitor re alteration of boundaries of the Rangitata and Anama Boad Districts CLEARING BLACKHILL COWING Mr George Gerard wrote that he had expended £6 m clearing the Blackball cutting.—As it had oosi him that) amount to keep it m repair, he was voted this sum as applied for It was decided that Aa&ma and the Mount Somers Road District comprise the Mount Somers Biding, and Rangitata Road District comprise the Rangitata Riding HESKRVBS Several reserves of the Council were re lat POND SEBVIOEB Messrs J Withell, of Ealing, and G H Seweli, Mayfield, were granted pond services WINSBBSLOW TRACK The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote that as the proposed bridge site was on private property, although Messrs McFar lane and Cameron agreed to dedicate the land required for a road, the proposal to expend public money would be deferred until this had been arranged WHITCOMBK PASS TBACK A letter waa read frOM the Department of liands and Survey respecting the Whit oombe Pass Track, stating that a foot track is now constructed to within five miles of the Pass, but it was now too late m the season to complete, e.s the snow would soor be clown RAXB A special meeting was then held and it waa decided to strike a rate of | i m the £, payable on 20lh inst, the Clerk to be the collector, and Mestrs Chapman and the Chairman to sign the rate book. NOTICE OF MOTION Mr Harper tabled a notice of motioo that the water race charge m the Ashburtoc- Ringitata water race district bo reduced from 7d to 4i per chain for the ensuing year

THE PREMIER AT HOKITIKA.

j United Press Association—By Electric : Telegraph ! Hckitika, May 3 The Premier addreßsei a large meeting [m the Town Hall tonightt He siicl that i last year the revenue had increased by £1,665,000-. Last) year's revenue was £6,012,267, and the expenditure £5,479,703. Considering all the remissions made, ihe Government can claim a record financial year. There was a great saving m the working of the railways since the people resumed control. The reductions m rates and freights amounted to £300,000. This year the percentage of earnings on the cost was £3 19s Sd, and the actual profits £599,389, against £571,535 for the previous yean The Government intended to mike fur her remissions. Notwithstanding the remissions, the Poat and Telegraph results for the year were most satisfactory Telegramß had increased 94 per cent, the number of offices 80, the telephone connections 215: He spoke m favor of a State oable between New Zealand and Aus tralia. He thought the time was ripe for a conference m respect to Imperial affaire* It would be an advantage if the Homa Govern ment favored a Royel Commission with Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand represented, m the interests of the Empire's trade m rsspect to the eerious competition of foreign countries, Regarding the railway stock and locomotives imported to meet the increased traffic, he said that m future the Government intended to manufacture their own rolling stock. They would enoomapa technical education ami *chools ofagrtoulture m country district?. He also alluded with pride to the success of the l»nd policy and the settlement of the people. In the country there was a growing demand for laud. He suggested an amendment m the Land Aob m the direction of lha Betterment principle. He advocated the North Island truck rail way beisg pushed on, also the Otago Oantrah Referring to the extension ot <r*do to outside markets;, he dwelt on the great opening m South Africa, and the p-oposal to erect cool stores there. Be also said there was a favorable opening m Chili He justified their social legislation, which was attracting the notice of other countries, aad pointed out that the great strikes m the coal ! and iron trades m Great Britain spoke of unsatisfactory conditions. The timber industry and the wa«te forests would also reap advantage if taken under State control. The rating on unimproved values was the proper system of taxation. He hoped to pass a Local Government Bill next session, as at present there were too many local boiiep,

THE CRISIS IN CHINA

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrighb London, May 3 The Foreign Ministers Committee m Pekin recommend a four or four and a half per cent loan of seventy millions, guaranteed by the Powers, to cover the indemnity of sixty five mil lions, or otherwise that each Power shall accept bonds to cover its indem nity. The Committee is unanimous m recommending an effective five per cent advalorem maritime customs im ports tariff, the assignment of tha na tive customs to the service of the in demnity, the duties on flour, butter, cheese, foreign clothinp, and spirits, but not to interfere with the likin duty or land tax. The majority of the Ministers recommended a ten per cent customs duty, hut those of Great Britain, America, and Japan opposed it.

SOCIAL COLUMN.

(Oy B P Moncrieff)

[The matter included m this column is contributed and paid for.]

Would '■ Prohibition' he Beneficial or IMsastrous ?

The Liquor Tkabe and Agricultuhe Great stress is often laid by oar Hquor friends on the • fact' that •if the liqaor trado were abolished the wages, profits, and rents of the la bourers, farmers and landowners, Ac, m the cultivation of barley, hops, and grain, would disappear with ir, and British agriculture would probably re ceive its death blow' So says my authority, • The Fallacies of Teetota lers,' and we are further informed that 1 the total number of bußh«-l=i nned m the production of beer giv. t> ia the official returns for 1895 was 55,389,095.' Thie, at 22s lOd jper quarter, amounts to £7,904,485, and deducting Messrs Walker's estimate of 30 per cent, for foreign barley (£2,371,345), it leaves £5,533,140 as the value of British barley. The total produce of bops m 1896 was 453,138 cwt, value at 35 perewt, £2,285,940 Messrs Walker also inform as that,! 441,000 acres are under grain for dis tilling purposes. Allowing 35 bushels per acre, gives us (at 22s per quarter) an amount of £2,122,312. Thus the total contribution of the whole liquor trade to agriculture is shown to be as follows :-— Value of British Bsrley ... £5,535,140 „ „  Hop? .„ 2,265,940 „  „ Grain ... 2,122,312 9,951,392 Taking the Government estimate of 29 per cent as paid for manual labour m agriculture, we have a wage amount (oat of the above) of £2,877,203 for, growing barley, &c, to destroy m making intoxicating poisons. Of course, it may be pointed out that I am comparing 1895 with the returns for 1899, a difference of four years, and with an increased drink expeudi ture m 1899 of 13.80 per cent over 1895. To avoid any chanoe of exag geration we will ignore the fact that during the last few years German glucose, araenic, and other wonderful chemical mixtures have been more extensively need instead of malt. This, of coarse, will not increase the amount going from tfaa liqaor trt.de to agricul ture. If however, we increase the 1895 total by 13-80 per cent, it will give us the value of British barley, bops, and grain as amounting to £11,290,544, and the w*ge total to be £3,274,257. But' under Prohibition ' we propose to spend £20.270,434 m agricultural produce. Possibly it may be argued that this is ncere assumption ; quite so, but it is assumption within the region of probability Drink and Starving Children. | Oonsider for a moment the thou sands of homes m which men and women m the receipt of good wages keep their families m a state of semi starvation, A daily paper can hsird!y be taken up bufc we see some cases of men or women being summoned by the Natioual Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and, m nearly every case that Is published drink is the cause. A typical case was reported m the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (June 27th, 1899) ;■—« At the North Shields Police Court, Jane Oxley was summoned for neglecting her children, aged respectively 11, 9, 3 years and li months. The neglect consisted m her leaving her home immediately after her husband went to work m the morning, and not; returning until latß at night. The younger children were left to the care of the two elder girls, aged 11 and 9 years, The husband said his wife had been addicted to drink for 10 years past. She had pawned his clothes and almost every thing m the house, and some of the children's clothing he had been com pelled to destroy on account of their filthy condition. A neighbour said she had seen Mra Oxley very drunk repeatedly. The children, and especi ally the baby, were not properly fed. The baby's left arm was burnt, and the wound was neglfcted. The Inspector (N.S,P.C.O)said the bedding consisted of filthy rags, and the smell of the pla3B was most offensive. It had been necessary to remove the children to the workhouse. The woman was sent to prison for two months.' This ie only one case, but think of the thousands] m a similar state throughout the coun try. Ren»ovs the drink from these people and see the effect. Their faomea wou^d assume a different aspect en tirely ; new furniture, clothing, etc, wouid be required, and children s would be fed, not starved. The consumption of food stuffs would increase enor oioosly. Farmers would not require to grow barley, and hops for the drink trade, as the demand for bread would be so largely augmented that their hands would be kept fuHy employed m growing porn, and other produce, at probably higher wages than they at present receive, as better prices could be demanded b} the farmers. Disasters Prophesied Under Pro hibition. The amtzing statements ot liquor dealers as to the effect of 'Prohbiition' |s Been m the following quotation from that alarmist pamphlet. ♦The Fallacies of the Teetotalers/ m which we are solemnly assured that 'under prohibition poverty and wretchedness would spread like locusts over the land, starving men sod women wculd be driven by thousands into the ranks of crhhioalg, and our workhouses would not hold the pnupers clamouring for admission, The hand of civilisation would be put back indefinitely and it is not too much to Bay that we would be confronted with a 'social revo lution of a more threatening kind than* we have erer yet had to face. How Prohibition would Benefit Agriculture The following shows us bow agricul ture would benefit under Prohibition, aod what it at present receives from the drink trade ;— Amount to be spent) Wage on Agricultural Produce, Totals. Prohibition £20,270,434 £5,872,425 What the liquor "trade now spends 11,290,544 3,874,267 Uuder Prohibition the farmer wonld receive extra £8,978,890 Labour would b&iieHt to the additional extent of £3,604,168 And this is how 'agriculture would receive its death blow !' 1 can quite understand the farmers gating (bat tke

pooner thia death blow comee the better for ngricu'ture.' It is very sad that we extremists should insist upon bringing such & disastrous state of thinga upon oar beloved country, but happily this alarming view of Prohibition is only another of Messrs Walker's "liquor facts," and they may calm their troobled minds when we tell them that Pro hibition has been tried, and is even now m force m Old England. JIFTY YEARS TRIAL OF PROHIBITION. Let me quote what Sir Geo Trevel yan (late Secretary of State of Scotland) said when speaking some years ago of actual Prohibition on his eatatOß m Northumberland; —Drinking shops ure an rvil m themselves, and they can be abolished and can be extinguished without any disadvantage to the pub lic which m any degree can be weighed against the enormous disadvantages and evils of their existence, Many years ago (1850) Sir Walter 0 Trevel« y&n (late president of rtfee TJ, X.. Alliance took the matter into his own hands and public bouses over a large district of country, Since then a generation has grown up with the tastes and habits which were formed under a new system, with self respect, frugality and a high standard of comfort for themselves, and, what is more important, for their wiv«s and children, and I ventnre to say that the most minute, and even the most mal evolent scrutiny, could never discover, m that district, any evil whatsoever which has resulted from the suppression of the public-houses. On the other band the most superficial observer will see signs on the very face of the country of innumerable blessings which have resulted from the change. Ife has changed the face of the countryside, with the appearance of the people. My neighbours have good health, good wages good house?, full of furni ture, and have caved money. They are neighbours indeed, and not depen dents. THERE IS NOT A SINGLE PAt?PB* ON THE ESTATE Here we have the actual facts under prohibition, showing the fallacy of thia delusive prophecy of Messrs Walker and Son that " under Prohibition our workhouses would not hold the paupers clamouring for relief, " Several of the neighbouring landownete, seeing this wonderful result following Prohibition, have also suppressed the public houses on their estates, with like results, Thus a large district m Northumberland ia under total Prohibition, Thia is s Bomewhat different result to Messrs Walker and Son's pro£)faecy, but poe sibly the best way to excuse them is to say that " their wish (that Probibi* tiop would entail national disaster^ ia father to the thought. " HOW THE LIQUOR TRADE SWINDLES SHE RATEPAYERS That this is done there is abundant evidence to prove, and the liquor trade cannot get rid of the fact The man ner m which large brewing companies audaciously throw the burden of local taxation off their own shoulders on to every other class of the community, being a positive scandal, and a species of robbery which would not be toler ated m connection with any other trade or profession m the kingdom. A case cited at a meeting of * the Blackburn Board of Guardians showed that a public house which had been sold for £23,000 was formerly rated at £150 and had now been increased to £250. In any ordinary business, with a capital value of this amount the rent would probably be at least 4 per cent on that total, that is £920, and the net rateable value £770. In this tase, however, the working men «od other ratepayers of Bltckbarn have to put their hands into tbejr pockets to pay rates on £520, so thftt the brewers may escape paying their taxable share of the poor and police rates, etc. If they were to pay on the highest taxable rent it would he, even then, grossly unjust. My contention ia proved by the fact that m inquiry after it has been found that the drink trade Causfs at Least Thkee-Foubtrs of Pauperism, ako that the police are mainly engaged In looking after the public-bouses. Why then should it not be called upon to pay tbree-fr nrths of the poor and police rates 1 It would mly be just I But our liquor friends do nob beJleve m this, and manage to escape this liability by practi cally swindling the other ratepayers, and leaving them to pay this intolerable burden. The case mentioned is typical of what Is going on all over the country, This I suppose will be, according to ' The Fallacies of Teetotalers,' one of the " blessings" (?) which working mm dtrwe from the existence of the liquor trade, which its subtle agescibs for enriching itself at the cost of every other class cf the community. To show also what A OOST£Y IStrSINBSS it is. I have only to quote the words of Mr Justice Gratham, m speaking of oases bi ought before him at Liverpool Assizes m March 1838. He said : " I find that ont of 101 prisoners SB, or mote than qua "third were brought before me, directly m most cases, and indirectly m *li of them, by drink. Those prisoners, the mere prosecution of the offender at this one assize at Liverpool alone, cost the country £740. That was the coat of the work In court, and of the witnesses and prisoners being brought forward " " There, you ccc, is a sum of £^4Q. without counting a single farthing of the maintenance of the prisoners while they are m prison, to which the country has been pub out by the prosecution of those 38 prisoners. Ihis maintenance of them, owing to the admirable way m which our prison are managed, no doubt la a com* paratlveiy email sum. varying frooa £18 to £24 per prisoner per annum. These 38 were sentenced to 20 years' penal servi tude m the aggregate, at»d 248 calendar months' imprisonment}, so that the cost of maintenance can be easily ascertained." So said Mr Justice Gmtbam. I find that, taking the average maintenance at £21 per annum, the 38 prisoners men* tioned above would coat the country £835 for maintenance, and, with the £740 costs T>ffpTDißCutt6"fisViar6T7TToSSl of £1,595, This Is for one assize only. Whab will the total be for the whole country over a term of years ? The brewers and pub' Means get all the profits accralng from drink ; why should they expect the rest of the community to be taxed fcr pro;aouting and maintaining the criminals manufac tured by them? But perhaps a more reasonable question would be—Why are the other taxpayers so foolish as to allow ife to (xlst la their midsc without protest I

THE ASBBUR'-'UJ*- GOAE lAN i SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1901



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THE ASHBUKTON TRAIN SERVICES Trains cave Ashbartpn dally for— 1 OHRISTOHUROH—at 7.20 am, H »m 3.15 p m, 7.5 p m (express) TFMARU— at 10.55 a m, 3.50 pm DUNK.DIN—ab 12.64 p m (express) SPRINGBURN—at 4.25 p m Trains arrive daUy at Ashbarton from— CHKISTOHUROH—ab 10.45 am, 12.48 p m (express), 8 pm TIMARU-ftt 10.35 a m, 2 55 pm DDNEDIN—at 6.57 p m (expreaa) SPRINGBURN-ab 9.45 a m bphehbbiß "sunT Date Ei'iea Bets M^y 1 .. 655 469 „ 2 ... 556 458 3 .. 657 467 4 « 66S 466 5 .. 6 59 4 64 Phases ot Moon fost May D H M Full moon «» 4 649 » m Last quarter _ 25 510 pm Apogee «. 20 430 am Hew moon «. 18 5 Bpm Firat quarter «» 25 510 p m Perigee _ 17 630 p m Mail Mails oloea for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : SATURDAY, MAY 4 For Northern Ports, per Meura, at 1030 am For Northern P>rta and Weatport, per Tarawera, at 6 30 p tn; late fee letters express 1 train MONDAY, MAY 6 For Tasmania and Australia (due Mel' bourne Maw 12th), Oayloa, India, Ohina, Straits Settlement, South Africa, ftleo United Kingdom, Cootinenti of Europe, (dao London Juno 18th) via BrindiHi,. per express to connect wiih Talune at Bluff, at 12 30 p m TBURSDAY, MAT 9 ForSamo& t Hetwaii,P!ai]ippinßs, Japs»n, also United States, Oanada, etc, United King derm, and Ooetinent of Europe, via San Franoisoo (due London Juno lat), at 30 p m WANTED Known—That we make no charge to the public for the magniS cent exhibition of evening dress fabrics <tod requisites, now on view m our large wiodowi. Iq view of coming feutivities, we would invite every iady to view this partioular WiBdow.—MJTCUELL& TOHNKB. _ PAiIY Pan hahiup powder wants one trial without prejudice, two patty pans for nothing.



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. Poljrpaihic Medical TnAtftnte. Corner of Glouo ster Streeb and Latimer OHRISTOHUROHi (Imnsodifttely behiad the Exchange Bmldioga FIFTH VISIT TO ASHBURTON. FidDAY AFTKRNOO^, V 3rd, 1901, 2 o'clock p.m until Bpm SATURDAY, MAY 4th s 9am until 1 o'clock p m CONSULTATION FRBE.—GRANGE'S lIOTKL. POLY^ATHY, the New Method of Healing, is the | /' JP" »3l^*ri^ pureet and most rupid Systt-rn, as it. cures wilh absolute i ner^ain-'Y such dis«»ppn aeC'ncer, Eplepsy and Afithms, JP^^^^g-p^JMe||g^t 'ocurahle under thr old avtun, »c weU ax aU Chrrnnic gSSJP^^ir^S^i^P^^^ Nervnos Conpbtnta >f Women and Mmv MOBB XbSß^^WTE^^J^L r>rrTTr" UADEB7 f OI.YPATHY than any other system " THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS yy<|R:^gßK^£HWfl^3 as nnrler: — /^^mf^^Mm^'F^Sf^M Fits for Eight Years; also Heart \t^^S23££gjgSSßSlKr& Year medicines have dona me a great deal of good I wR^^HHmEI feel better m every way, and the pains at the beam have WBB^SfS^^^BEEStmi ent<irely left; ma. I have not had one fie sluoe taking your medicine—l remain, yours truly, 9H|MBBfIES^^BB|^tB Jeremiah Foster WBff|Bjiß^*^^^^^rM hvm disease and extreme debility tEflfiJMSJßflHfl^^Kß I nave muoh pleasure m send ng this letter, thanking HHHl^^^^R^H yon very much for the benefit 1 have derived from your WW|BBw^lWßßtt^Kß aiedtoine, which I have been using alx weeks. I was iflßjj9Gjim9lfwH|^^^KlK reduced ia weight from 12at 41b down to 8-t 7tb, and I flßßlMKfwjSgaSJjMtftjß bad quite given myseif np to my Maker; but thank God I^MHBfrßlM|&|lßglMMfl|lM after I had been under your treatment nine daye my |P^jßP^J|B^JPiiMftllUilw|-4HP friends could see a change m me, and I could feel ib t#»"wrTsi-^.w_f|p_ )})£Siom^^ myeejif, and have been improving ever Binae. Yon can *s*fflMßlff'i llilßftj^ST" % — ~3r r am lhis letter foe a testimonial, or refer anybody to me. '^^^S*i "•2SSBES**" Wishing you every prosperity,~Yonrs respectfully, '4 157 John Rlphick . LAMPS. LAMPS, LAMPS. £ MONTH. BEDUOKO PEIOES. 1 MONTH. GAS LAMPS FROM 12s 6i. Northlieht 12a 6d 5 Ueteer 12a 6J, Acetylator 15s, Breckeobridge 17s 6d, Pbenomenoa 18< 6d. Solar 20?, Lumioator 17s 6d LARGE STOOK of OARBIDB on htad c?u@bed ready for aae. OIL LAMPS FROM 3a 6d. KERO'SENB LAMF^I FROM 6s.| Laoent,Ba 6d } Barbtiry Ss 61, Courier 3i 6d, Warner 5a 8 Uacle Sam 6a 6d, Pathfinder 7« 6d, Micmpbpte 7e 6i, Deitz 7a 6d 9 Banner 8a 6d, Lito 9», Olob loe, Toura 10a 6d } Kinglet 12s 6d, Silver King 15s, Holo phofee 17s 6d» Kob-i-Nor 15b, and others too numerona to mention. LAMP OTLB kept In Stock at 6d, od, and Is. Zealandia Cycle Works, BURN ITT STRUT, ASHBURTON. CHOICE SHADES m i^ s «.«o 00 d 8 AR T TONES In Evening Silks ALL COLOHb KEvening Satins LOVELY DESIGNS In Evening Mmrna- NOYE LTIES In Evening Sbawlß V A RIOUS STYLES !m FAFS, GLOVES, HOSE, LAOES, CHIFFONS, BIBBONS SEE OUR WINDOWS MITCHELL AND TURNER, THE DRAPERS-