The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1879.

Inquest at Tbmuka. —On Tuesday Mr Guinness held an inquest on the body of James Guy, a cadet in the Temuka Post office, who died suddenly last Sunday. On hearing the medical evidence of Dr. Gumming, who made a post-mortem ex amination, the jury returned a verdict that deceased died from pulmonary apo plexy. Cambridge School Committee. A meeting of the Cambridge School Com mittee was held in Mr Megson’a house on the Ist inst. The members present were Messrs Megson (Chairman), Watkins, Lloyd, Dale, Margetts, and Ashton. The Chairman recounted the business done by himself since last meeting, and the work executed on the school grounds, which had been considerably improved by fen cing, planting, etc. The business done by the Chairman was approved of. Mr Joseph Lloyd was appointed Secretary and Treasurer to the Committee, and a vote was recorded expressive of the Commit tee’s satisfaction with the manner in which the improvements on the school grounds had been carried out. It was resolved to apply to the Board of Educa tion for the special grant to defray the cost'.of the improvements. The Chairman and 'treasurer were appointed to sign cheques, and the outstanding accounts for stationery, etc., were ordered to be oaid, after which the resignation of Mr Lill, as a member of the Committee, was accepted, and the pieeting adjourned.

Thg thief, pleaded guilty in the f Court to-day to the charges laid against him, and he was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. He has been carry ing on a systematic robbery of the fowl houses round the township, and no less than 22 birds were produced in Court as evidence of his guilt. His Worship severely reprimanded him in passing sen tence, adding that larceny of that kind had been frequent of late, but thanks to the smartness and ’energy of the police, his Worship was able to make an example of Moore, and such thefts would be put down with a strong hand. The Rotomahana. —The Rotomahana bears out as yet her good character for speed. She did the 200 nautical miles between Wellington and Napier in 131 hours. The nearest approach to this time made by any other vessel was 16 hours, by the Mongol. South Rakaia. —We notice that a meeting is called by Mr C. N. Mackie, Chairman of the South Rakaia Road Board, to be held on Saturday evening, for the purpose of urging upon the Govern ment the necessity of cutting the tunnel to Akaroa harbor. As this work is fully 50 miles away from Rakaia, and that township has direct communication with Port Lyttelton, we must acknowledge our ignorance as to why Rakaia should take the initiative in a work which, so far as we can see, is more a matter for the Akaroa County Council to move in than the Rakaia residents. Holloway’s Pills. —These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated consti tution than any other medicine in the world. Persons of nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become decayed by billious affections, disordered stomach, or liver com plaints, should lose no time in giving these admirable Pills a fair trial. Cough, colds, asthma, or shortness of breath, are also within the range of the senative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete and permanent. They are as mild they are efficacious, and may be given, wit confidence to delicate females and young chil dren.—Advt.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.] (from our own correspondent.) Wellington, Oct. 15. The manner in which Major Atkinson’s statement of finance was received last night was, if possible a more serious calamity to the colony than the frightful state of things which the statement re vealed. Sir George Grey did not question a figure nor any of the facts adduced by the Treasurer, but spoke of the deficiency and the hypothecation of the £5,000,000 loan as a matter of very little consequence, and one which every one knew before. His supporters who followed, spoke in much the same strain. Mr Wood made a lively speech, taking the ground that ruin was the necessary consequence of Sir Julius Vogel’s borrowing policy. Every effort was made by the Opposition to ob struct business, but they had calculated on a friendly and partial Speaker. In this hope, however, they were deceived, as Mr O’Rorke was strictly impartial in his ruling, and insisted uponbeing obeyed. The Opposition can, of course, talk away time, and from the signs they have already given this will probably be done. These tatics, however, will probably be useless, as I learn there is every likelihood that the top item on the Thursday’s Order Paper will be the no-confidence motion, that is, after Mr Bryce’s Native Affairs Statement has been made. The division on the no-confidence motion, after Mr M‘Caughan’s desertion will very likely leave Ministers in a minority of four. It came out in last night’s debate that Mr Mac andrew has never consulted the Treasurer as to the means available for public works, nor given any notice as to what claims would have to be met, but has simply car ried on as if means were inexhaustible and entirely at his command. Such is the proposed Premier, who, with Messrs Fyke, Sheehan, and Co. at his elbow, is to take charge of the stranded Govern ment ship next week. Later.

In last night’s debate, Mr M‘Lean spoke of Mr Ballance as j the member who had sold his master, and those who trusted him, for 30 pieces of silver. Soon after the House met this after noon the adjourned debate on the Qualification of Electors Bill was called, when Mr Sheehan proposed the previous question to prevent the Bill being carried, and the whole afternoon was spent in talking against time, the Opposition talk ing to prevent the Bill being passed, or their votes recorded against it, and the Ministerialists to prevent a division, in which it is now believed they are in a minority of four. Nothing very good or bright was said on either aide, and Mr Moss was cut short by the 5.30 adjourn ment.

The Government will allow the motion to come on for debate as soon as Mr Bryce has made his Native Statement, which is now postponed until Friday evening. Mr Saunders’ Local Option Bill should come on this evening, and it is possible that both parties may agree to let it do so.

Wellington, Oct. 16.

Sir George Grey’s speech last night was one of the wildest and most egotistical and boastful ever heard in the House, and was well and very severely answered by Mr Rolleston. Another such speech would bring his majority to a minority, as Mr llolleston’s exposures of the Old Knight's misrepresentations were loudly cheered by many of those yet voting with his party. Sir George seems to be utterly unable to keep out of sight for a day, however much the intentions of his party may require him to be quiet. He declared that no business should be done in the House so long as the present Government held their seats. Even the Local Option Bill was not allowed to go on last night.

The Native Statement has been deferred until Friday evening, go that on Tuesday the vote of No-Confidence will be allowed to come on. There is no doubt that Mr Macandrew will try to include Mr Sheehan in his Ministry—but Mr Macan drew, Mr Sheehan, Mr Pyke, Mr Shep hard—to say nothing of Mr M'Lean’s re cently dubbed “ Judas Iscariot”—will be rather too many of one sort, even for the Greyites, and they will probably be ob jiged to include one or two men of respect able pharacter besides Mi Montgomery.

DISTRICT COURT

[Before Ilis Honor Judge Ward.]

WEDNESDAY, October 15. IN BANKRUPTCY. John Broom, Taylor and Bill, and James Daly (for whom Mr O’Reilly ap peared), obtained orders of discharge. Re Jas. Daly, application for certain moneys held by the Bank of New Zealand. Rule nisi granted. Mr O’Reilly for appli cant.

Re Samuel Findlay, Thos. Reid, and Fred. Laurence. Application for order of payment of costs. Orders granted. Mr Branson for applicants. Re Thomas Dudson. Application for order of discharge. Mr O’Reilly for ap plicant. Application adjourned. Re Thomas Miles, and Thomas Roun tree. Order of discharge granted. Mr Branson for applicants, instructed by Mr Crisp. Re William Munro. Application for the examinath nof witnesses. Mr O’Reilly conducted the examination.

Harry Friedlander, sworn —I am Inspec tor of Health for the Borough of Ashbur ton. On the 18th of April last I took a bill of sale from Munro. I did not see Munro before the bill was executed, but I saw him afterwards. I did not examine the schedule, as my agent in the matter, my brother Hugo, told me what the bill contained. I signed a blank cheque for my brother to pay the amount of considera tion, and he filled it up for £230. I did not know what the amount was, but I told my brother to deduct his commission in the transaction from it. I usually draw upon my brother when I want money. He always transacts my business. His Honor —How could your agent, who was acting for you only, deduct the commission from the amount. He was not the bankrupt’s agent. Witness—Munro was not a bankrupt at that time. My brother did not promise to indemnify me against loss on this trans action.

Mr. O’Reilly to His Honor—Witness declined to answer that question before the trustee.

Witness—l produce the account sales of the stock sold under the bill of sale.

His Honor —Commission again ! The account sales show commission !

Witness (examination resumed) —I made a demand for the money of Munro at the saleyards in Ashburton before the seizure. I only saw Munro once, and it was at the saleyards. That was the only occasion I saw Munro in reference to that business. I made no demand except that once.

Mr O’Reilly referred to witness’s ex amination before the trustee, in which he had stated that he had seen Munro at Tin wald regarding the matter.

Witness said that was after the seizure. Continuing—The bill was not registered. After the goods were sold they did not realise the amount of the bill of sale, and I was a loser by the transaction. A reaper and binder was not sold because no offer was made for it. I did not receive the money drawn at the sale. My brother got it—my agent. I bear all the loss. Mr O’Reilly—The witness refused be fore the trustee to say who bore the loss —he or the firm.

Witness —The reaper and binder is still at my brother’s place. Could not say what is its value. A pair of harrows was also left unsold. Hugo Friedlander—Munro has been sending his corn Home through me for the last two seasons. I rendered him a copy of the account sales of the wheat sold at Home. He could have seen the original if he had wished, but lie never asked nfe to see it. The account sales for this'season, had not been rendered as they were not yet to hand. Munro had made so many statements about his grain that it was difficult to remember them all. He had said he had 3000 bushels to sell, then 2000, and so on, and when the quantity for sale actually came up it was only 1500. Witness—l cannot stand this, Mr. O’Reilly. lam very short tempered. His Honor—You must stand it. It is for me to interfere if Mr. O’Reilly goes beyond his duty. Witness—l was advised by my solicitor not to answer.

His Honor Well, be advised you wrongly. Examination resumed—

There were two separate transactions in oats, one at 3s. sd. and another at 2s. 4d. The high price was got because the grain was early in the market, but the actual value of the oats was 3s. I have received a letter from Home by the Suez mail stat ing that some of the wheat had been sold. On this wheat I advanced 2s. 9d. per bushel to Munro. I hope there will he a balance still to come. The firm made that advance, not Harry Friedlander who lias no interest in the firm whatever.

Mr O’Reilly — At the examination the witness declined to say whether Harry was in the firm or not.

Witness— There are other two brothers in the firm, but not Harry.

Witness said he had a conversation with a man named Norrish, and with Mrs Munro regarding the money, but no attempt was made to influence them with Munro to procure liis signature to the bill. Told Munro that as we had the money he had better sign the bill, as we did not know how long we might have the money. Did not tell Mr. Norrish and Mrs Munro we would carry them through for a twelve month. Ail Munro’s property was not included in the bill of sale, He had the land, under a purchasing clause from Mr Grigg. The amount of the cheque went for small debts incurred in the current expenses of the farm. His Honor —Did you know that all the man’s available property was included in the bill of sale 1

Witness—As far as he told us, all his live and dead stock was; but the man said he had only a few pounds in money. The security was given to Harry Fried lander for whom I acted. The bill of sale was enforced so soon after execution be cause happening to be in town I learned the stock was to be distrained for rent. That was the only reason. In conversa tion with Mrs Munro, I said signing the bill would save us from pressing for pay ment of what was already owing. Two shillings and ninepenco was a risky ad vance to give on grain as prices then went. We declined to answer some questions to the trustee because we were so instructed by our solicitor. Mr O’ Reilly—The solicitor was not pre sent at the examination, He must have anticipated these questions. Witness Munro made away with harrows and other articles. Could not give the price of the reaper and binder as it was broker in some parts and repairs

fifi iUieh'i jviji tHm' 11 ' 1 ’ Airieim '. '■<, * • . .. ''Mr. O’Reilly then said that thq credi tors had instructed the trustee to institute proceedings to 'get the lull of sale aside, but some of the creditors thought it would bo more satisfactory to recover the con sideration owing for the bill of sale, LJoO. His Honor —Under what section of the Act. Mr. O’Reilly—Under section 111. His Honor—l do not think it lies witn me to direct. It must rest with your own judgment, Mr. O’Reilly. You can go foi an order nisi. , Mr. O’Reilly—Very well, your Honor. Mr O’Reilly applied for costs against the witnesses who had declined to answer before the trustee. His Honor granted costs remarking that witnesses in any bankruptcy exami nation were bound to answer. The Court then rose.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT ASHBURTON.

Thursday, October 16, 3879. .Before Mr. Frank Guinness R.M. DRUNK. John Brady, charged with being drunk and disorderly. John had been fined 10s in June, and had been repeatedly before the Court. He was fined 20s. or go to prison for 48 hours. Jeremiah Sullivan, “ guilty, sur ” of being drunk with John Brady was fined 10s.

PENSIONER MACCARTHY.

Ivavanagh Maccartliy, the old fellow who appeared some days before the Court for drunkenness, was had up for vagrancy. He had spent all his recently drawn pen sion, and had gravitated, as was expected, to the Resident Magistrate s Court. Mac cartliy is very deaf and very near-sighted, and it was only with difficulty he was made to understand what was said to him. He denied being a vagrant, and addressed the Court very glibly. He was not a vagrant, but suffered severely from his head. He was not fit for anything, couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, and was not able to work. His Worship sentenced prisoner to three months’ imprisonment, and was told that it was “ the worst case that ever came before His Worship.” TIIE lIEN CASE. James Moore, the individual who is ac cused of wholesale robbery of the Ashbur ton hen-roosts, appeared in answer to two charges of larceny of ’fowls to the amount of £3 and £1 2s. 6d. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Pratt said a complaint that he had lost nine fowls was made to him on the 9th, by John Hefford, and on the following day witness went to Moore’s house in the Wakanui Road. Prisoner was not there, but witness waited for him. When Moore came he was told of the ac cusation against him, and in reply to in quiries as to where he got the fowls the heads of which were lying in the back yard, he said ho had bought them, and the feathers were in a sheet and a bag in the house. Inside the house 22 fowls were found. Prismer at last confessed to having stolen the fowls from two places —one near the new schoolmaster’s house, and the other Hefford s place. Prisoner wept when he made the confession, and said he had no money, and that was why he had made the theft.

John Hefford, carrier, said he had 14 fowls in his hen-coop on the 7th, and on the Bth nine of them were gone. He next saw some of his fowls on the folio ring Saturday at the police station. He valued the fowls stolen from him at 2s. Gd. each. His fowl house was enclosed in his back yard. Mr C. B. M. Branson, Clerk of the Court, bought some fowls from the pri soner on several occasions, and gave 2s a pair for them. Sergeant Pratt again entered the box, and deposed to having been informed by Mrs Perham of the robbery of her fowl-house. Told prisoner he was also suspected of stealing that lady s fowls. Eighteen of the twenty-two fowls found on prisoner’s premises were identified as Mrs Perham’s property. Mrs Perham, Burnett-street, kept fowls on her premises. She had 44 fowls last Thursday in her fowl-house, which was secured with a string at night. On Friday morning last 24 of them were missing. The 18 then in Court were her fowls. Valued the missing fowls at 5s a pair. His Worship said prisoner hacl been stealing fowls and selling them at a price far under market value, showing he had a guilty knowledge of the larceny he had committed. These larcenies were becom ing frequent, and must be put a stop to. The police had shown remarkable smart ness in the case. Prisoner was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for the first offence ot theft from Hefford’s, and six months for that from Mrs Perhain’s—l2 months in all. CIVIL CASES. Bull v. Spencer —Claim £2O. In this case defendant borrowed a horse and saddle from plaintiff. The horse had been lost by the defendant, and plaintiff had not been able to get it again. The defence was that all due care had been used in securing the horse, which had broken its tethering to the waggon and got away, Judgment, after a lengthened hearing, was given for the plaintilf—£lo of the claim, £4 16s damages, and the costs of the case and witnesses’ expenses.

Truth is stranger than Fiction.- “ Lynx,” in the “ Tasmanian Mail,” writes ’—Would any one imagine that in these days of usury and keen competi tion for the “bawbees,” a man would allow a cool thousand to remain in a bank for thirty years or so without mak ing any use of it, and moreover without getting any interest 1 Such a case has just come to light in Hobart Town, and curiously enough, too. An old man, whose appearance brtokened anything but affluence, bid for a number of shares at a recent sale, and offered the knight of the hammer his cheque for £BOO in payment. Very doubtfully the paper was presented at the bank upon which it was drawn, when it was explained that the bank had a large sum of money to the credit of the name of the drawer, but, as the depositor had not been heard of for the last twenty seven or eight years, the presentation of the cheque caused no little surprise. En quiries were, however, instituted, and the buyer of the shares duly proved his identity, and secured the u ansfer of the cash. 1 have not heard whether the bank has made the simple-minded de positor a present in return for the gratuitous use of his savings during so many years. ”

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE-COUNCIL.

Wednesday, October 15.

In tlie Legislative Council to-day, aftev the usual routine business, the Hon. Mr Monzies gave notice to ask the Govern ment if they intend to alter the constitu tion of the Upper House. On the Public Revenue Bill coming from the Lower House, Mr Whitaker said he intended to move the postpone ment of all other business till Tuesday, when the House would have settled the question of confidence or no-confidence, the Council would, however, need to meet a few minutes next evening to pass an Im prest Bill Colonel Whitmore expressed his belief that the Treasurer’s Statement had proved the gross exaggeration and falsity of the charges of extravagance made against himself and his colleagues, It was clear, however, that they must abolish subsidies and increase taxation. His official ex perience had shown him that it was almost impossible to reduce the expenditure on the number of the civil servants.

Sir F. Dillon Bell thought Major Atkinson’s statement had a misleading effect in the way it would be put in a brief telegram to England. It would imply that there was an actual deficit of over £900,000, and might do the country incalculable damage. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse thought much reliance had been in the past placed on the land fund, and the lesson conveyed by its great diminution should he well considered.

After short speeches from Messrs Woods and Miller the Bill passed. The Council adjourned at 5 till 7.30 next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, October 15. The House met at 2.30. MR. SHEEHAN GETS THE LIE.

Mr Tomoana said he wished to con tradict a statement made by Mr Sheehan He denied having alleged that Mr Hall promised that the Native Lands Court would be abolished, and all selling and leasing stopped. Mr Sheehan said he would take an op portunity of referring to the subject on the next sitting day. SYDENHAM DOST OFFICE. Replying to Mr Stevens, Mr Rolleston said Government would take steps to erect a post office and tele graph station at Sydenham with the least possible delay. THE SUBSIDIES. Replying to Mr Fulton, Major Atkinson said the subsidies to the various local bodies in Invercargill would be paid as soon as the Deficiency Bill had been passed. FENCING RAILWAYS. In replying to Mr Bain, Mr Oliver said the question was under consideration of fencing the railway line from Bluff harbor to Winton. It was a matter of the broadest application, and to make provision on that scale would involve a serious cost, and would therefore have to be carefully considered. THE IMPOUNDED LAND FUND. In reply to Mr Murray, Major Atkinson said Government was disposed to pay to the local governing bodies in Otago the £54,000 of the land fund impounded by the late Government, and which the Public Accounts Com mittee had reported belonged to the Otago provincial district. It would be paid on the completion of negotiations for the loan. the £5,000,000 LOAN. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Hall said Government had received information regarding negotiations for the £5,000,000 Loan. These had not been completed, but a telegram to hand last night would be laid before the House for perusal. LOCAL INDUSTRIES AND MANUFACTURES. In reply to Mr Levin, The Premier said a Select Committee would be appointed to enquire into the best means for promoting and encouraging manufactures and local industries in the colony. I’UAPEKA MUNICIPALITY. In reply to Mr Murray, Major Atkinson said the Munici pality of Tuapeka had asked for a loan of £5,000 from the Government Assurance Department, but the Department did not consider the security good enough. VOLUNTEERS. In reply to Mr Murray, The Premier said there were no volun teers under arms in the colony at the present time. DOMAIN RESERVES. In reply to Mr Tole, The Premier said Government would lay before the House a return showing the amounts paid to the various bodies having the control of reserves under the Public Domain Act for the year ending June 30th last. MANDEVILLE AND RANGIORA DRAINAGE-

Replying to Mr Bowen, Mr Rolleston said Government will take evidence and report as to the drainage system of Mandeville and Rangiora Dis trict, but whether by Royal Commission or otherwise, had not yet boen decided upon.

WAKATIPU GOLDFIELDS KUXS. In reply to Mr Finn, Mr Rolleston said the late lessees of the Wakatipu goldfields runs had been al lowed to surrender their leases on condi tion that the rents would be paid. No thing had come to his knowledge to cause him to alter that determination about the payment of rents. FIRST HEADINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—Wanganui Endowment Schools Bill ; Lyttelton Harbor Board and Corporation of Lyttelton Exchange Bill ; the former by Mr Ballance, and the latter by Mr Allwriglit. THE ELECTORL BILL. Mr Sheehan resumed the debate on the question of leave to introduce the Electoral Bill. He said Government did not com mand the confidence of the House, and it Wiis not right they should be allowed to bring in that measure. It was really and truly the measure of the Liberal party, and the Government in office did not be long to that party. They had simply

hoi'S, 1 bhoaqcsutbey luiey* phe mandod it. ‘He would thprefoiq rnovcjkjte previous qqqspiqri, but bdtpre doing so, }\e asked, if carried, (guild a similar measure be introduced again that session. The Speaker replied that it could. Mr Sheehan then moved the previous question. The Premier asked leave to explain the course he intended to pursue. Govern ment proposed that before the want of confidence motion was taken they should be allowed to place their policy before the House. [A correspondence on the subject between the Government arid the leader of the Opposition was read.] He had now to state that if they allowed Government the present week to bring up their Bills, they would agree to the no-confidence mo tion being brought on Tuesday. Mr Macandrew said if they agreed to take the motion on Friday he thought that matters could be arranged. The Premier replied that the Govern ment could not possibly be ready b} 1 - Friday. The Native Minister was busily engaged preparing his statement. He was at work from 10 a.in. till 2 o’clock in the morning, and would take all the week to complete inquiries. Mr G, McLean thought the Govern ment proposal was a very reasonable one, and expressed his opinion that when matters were inquired into by the Govern ment, the Opposition would be only too glad to retreat from the position they had taken up. Mr Moss suggested the Native State ment should he made during the course of the debate on the No-Coufidence motion. Mr Seddon said that Government should allow the No-Ooniidence motion to be brought oil at once. In event of that course not being adopted he considered that all business should he suspended, so as to force them into the course proposed. Mr Pitt said it seemed simply to be a question as to who would have the honor of passing the Liberal measures tlie House had been returned to enact. In the pre sent spirit of parties it would be impossi ble to do so. He urged them to adopt some course of action that would enable business to proceed. Mr Murray deprecated the action of the Opposition, and expressed an opinion that the offer of Government was fair and rea sonable.

Mr Wakefield pointed out that the effect of the amendment being carried would he the whole week would he wasted, without any business done. Even after the No- Confidence motion was carried, lie looked forward to the work of the session being carried on with a great deal of difficulty. Mr Speight urged that the No-Confi dence vote should be taken without de lay. In voting for the amendment, he maintained they were bringing the busi ness to a focus. That in the present state, of affairs, was a very important step. Mr Reader Wood said Government had had ample opportunity for laying their policy before the House. To show no im partiality, he would admit the Electoral Bill was a decided improvement on that brought down by the late Government last year. They had therefore had all they asked, and there was no reason why they should not proceed with the motion for No-Confidence. If the House had no confidence in the Government it was non sense to speak about proceeding further than they had gone. There would he no use of a Native Statement until the Go vernment by whom it was brought down had asserted their position in the House.

Colonel Trimble contended that whether the Nu-Gonfidence motion came on that day week or that day fortnight it was necessary that the Government measures should be brought down. It was of great importance Government should take time to mature its measures, and be hoped they would not consent to any proposal that might prevent that course from being pursued. Messrs Cutten and Russell both spoke in support of the view urged by Go vernment.

Mr Whitaker moved the adjourn ment of the debate. The Premier said wliat Government contended for was —having come into office with a majority they should have an opportunity of placing their measures on the records of the House—that, he maintained was no waste of time. They were entitled to have their measures re corded, and that was what they were de termined to do. As a constitutional principle they were entitled to do that, and it was of the greatest importance in making the foundation of representation a part of the constitution of a young colony, that a principle of the kind should not be violated. What the Op position said was this : —You had a majority lately, we have got that majority now, therefore we at once bid you leave the Ministerial benches. Whilst the question was this—Whether they would take the vote on Friday or on Tuesday. All the difference was one sitting day. For the sake of this one day they were asked to lay down a wrong constitutional principle. It was an indecent scramble for office. The Opposition, so soon as they had made one or two conversions outside the House, had taken the course they had adopted. Had the leader of the Opposition had his own way, he believed the proposed for delay would have been agreed to at once. Mr Macandrew said his real object was not place nor power, but.to assist in estab lishing really Parliamentary government by party. Mr Bowen said the conduct of the Opposition suggested to his mind that they wanted to prevent the policy of the Government being made known to the country, and by that means to prevent the new members from being brought within what had been designated party lines. It was monstrous to say the very man whose administration had been con demned should have power to say that a Government commanding the confidence of the country shall not be allowed to disclose its policy. The debate was interrupted by the 5.39 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING.

On resuming at 7.30, after some unim portant business, Mr Macandrew moved the adjournment of the House. He said the proposal he made for going on with the business not having been assented to, he had no other course loft to him.

The Premier appealed to the House to allow the private business on dm Order Paper to be gone on with. He hoped the determination to obstruct business would

I: <4 riSWri l ]t.’Mf ' u • • • • • '*• Sir G.&(|. Grey gtiid he stood ihqrg as an output’amongst men ; he was therefore in the position of an independent member pure and simple, and able to give a dis interested opinion. He denied that any time had been lost, the time spent was of the utmost importance to the colony, which now stood fifty years in advance of what it was at the beginning of the session. Members of both sides of the House were now committed to passing those Liberal measures he had so long advocated. Those who once opposed him would now be bound to go in the same lobby with him. He would drag them along «afc his chariot wheels. It was the duty of all men to in sist on the removal of those gentlemen from tlie Government benches. He had been told that so long as he remained leader of the party members would not vote for those measures. He bowed to that opinion, and retired from his posi tion. It was the duty of the Government to follow his example—to retire when they found they were obstructing the measures referred to. Not having done so simply confirmed the opinion lie had formed —that their chief object was to subserve the purposes of the landed aris tocracy. The lion, member at the head of the Government should not have been allowed to resign Ills place in the Upper House, and the Governor in allowing the resignation made himself a partisan. In fact Mr Hall simply held a seat there as the representa tive of the Governor. The Government having been constituted in that way, it was tlie duty of the House to oust them from the Benches. He would say they did not represent the country, and they ought not to he allowed to hold their seats. An address should be moved to the Governor himself to dismiss them. Mr Hall was the representative of the great land-ring of Canterbury, and the member called to the Legislative Council held a similar position with respect to the North island. If, then, the great Liberal cause was to triumph, it was im perative that such a combination should not bo allowed in the administration of affairs.

■q:The debate on the - adjournment was continued till 11.10, when it was agreed to on the voices. Messrs Reid, Trimble, and Hurstliouse, were the speakers, the first against, and the latter two in favor of the Government.

TELEGRAPHIC.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

[Special to the Melbourne Age.). London, Oct. 15.

News from Afghanistan states that the Ghilzais, and other hostile Afghans, at tempted to break the British communica tion, attacking the Ali Keye ' fortress, but were repulsed with heavy loss. ■

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Oct.. 16. The Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution, with one dissenting voice, in l favor of protection to local industry. Thau Chamber also requests the Government for a Royal Commission on the tariff, as affecting local industry and revenue. A man named Honey, at Hamilton,

Waikato, in a fit of insanity refused all food. He has been missing, and is be lieved to have committed suicide.

A party of Maoris have been put on to clear the line of the Thames railway from Kainereuga to Kirikiri. T. P. Perberton lias been committed on three charges of embezzlement of mouey, the property of Messrs Wilson and Thornton. Bail was allowed, himself in £3OO. and two sureties of £3OO.

Grahamstown, Oct. 16.

A large number of natives are employed clearing bush for the railway which passes near Te Aroha. ANOTHER MAORI OUTRAGE, 3000 Sheep Impounded by the Natives. Gisborne, Oct. 10. Large numbers of natives are assembled on Arthur’s run at Tokomani, and have gathered 3000 sheep in a small paddock, and threaten to turn the whole on the beach. 300 young lambs have died through losing their mothers. The prin cipal leader in the mischief was Te Mani liera, an assessor from Wairarapa. Mr Rees and Wi Peri indignantly disclaim any connection with the matter. Mr Arthur is taking proceedings to have the offenders brought to justice. Mr Gudgeon, R.M., has written a strong letter to the Natives, warning them not to do anything foolish. Wellington, Oct. 16. At a meeting of C. W. Langstone’s creditors held, it was stated that having investigated several transactions of the bankrupt, it was found the creditors might proceed against him for obtaining goods by false pretences. It was resolved to in struct the trustee to apply to the judge of the Supreme Court for leave to p'-osecute the bankrupt under the Fraudulent Debtor’s Act.

A man named Edward Jones was ar rested at Master-top on Tuesday for forgery at Tijnaj-u.

The cable repairing steamer Agnes, ar rived from Sydney this morning. At the Supreme Court yesterday, in the case of Beere v. Cerwonga, claiming £IOOO damages for malicious prosecution, the j ury gave a verdict for the plaintiff" for £2OO.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Carl Peters was charged under the Law Practitioners Act with executing a bill of sale, not being legally qualified. The in formation was dismissed, as it had not been laid within six months.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS.

{Reuter's Telegrams.)

London, Oct. 13. Three per cent consols, 97J. Total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain, 1,820,000 quarters. Tin is quoted at 86. There have been large Withdrawals of gold from North America and Egypt.

Paris, Oct. 14. Sh abort, a communist, has been elected a municipal councillor of Paris.

Constantinople, Oct. 14. The Sultan has announced his intention to disband 90,000 of the regular troops.

.ZSDX

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Clothing Establishment, lalkHU. ASSIGNMENT of the estate OF MESSRS. AITKEN, PASCOE & CO., CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS, TO Mr. J. H. Morrison, j Manager Mosgiel Woolen | Factory, [-Trustees. AND Mr. JonN Ross, i Of Sargood, Sons & Ewing J r pHE above large Clothing Manufac- J[ turing Firm having had to succumb to these hard times, and assign their estate, we have been induced by the Trustees to purchase the whole of their large Manufactured Stock at a Very Heavy Reduction, and have resolved to sell the same again in our Branches direct to the public at prices at which we could not legitimately sell our own Goods. In fact (without exaggeration) during the next few weeks we are in a position to offer NEW GOODS MEN’S AND BOYS’ ATTIRE, Of Colonial Manufacture, at from .ONE THIRD TO ONE HALF THEIR USUAL COST. HALLENSTEIN BROS., New Zealand Clothing Factory. The assigned Stock will be for Sale in our Ashburton Branch from and on SATURDAY NEXT, 28th JUNE. New Zealand Clothing Factory. 12a Public Notices. REAPERS AND BINDERS. THE Undersigned having been ap pointed agent for the sale o' McCormick’s and AY. A. AVood’s Reapers and Binders, is now prepared to treat with those who will want them for the coming season. FREDK. PAATTT, 555a—88 East Street, Ashburton. LOST— A CHEQUE (No. 7754), drawn by Henry Moffat in favor of James Wilson, on the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, payment of which is stopped—£6 16s. H. MOFFAT, 568 a Wakanui Mill. Tenders. PAINTING. rENDERS Wanted for PAINTING at the Ashburton HOSPITAL.— .pply for particulars at the Works, till ‘hursday, Oct. 16. W. CARLTON, 51a Contractor. BRIDGE OVER SOUTH ASHBURTON RIVER—HOOD’S CROSSING, MOUNT SOMERS. TENDERS are invited for a BRIDGE, entirely of Timber, in 21 spans of 40 feet each; or alternativey for a BRIDGE of same dimensions, with tim ber superstructure on iron piles (the lat ter now lying at Winslow Station). Plans and specifications can be seen at the County Council’s Office, Moore street, Ashburton, and Tenders with marked cheque, equal to 5 per cent, of amount, addressed to the Chairman, to be sent in not later than 10 o’clock, a.m., sth November next. By Order— WILLIAM BAXTER, County Engineer. Ashburton, October 9, 1879. 545a —93