COMMERCIAL.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the " Evening Echo". FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1879.

At every election, and not seldom j.n the House itself, log-rolling has been made the text of very declamatory speeches. More especially has the denuncia tory power been directed against log-roll ing as connected with railways, it has been said, and not without good founda tion, that member have often come to an understanding with each other, and as an outcome of such understanding there have been railways laid down in various parts of the colony, which, though greatly bene fitting the particular they run through, have been notoriously barren of returns to the public exchequer- The Minister for Public Works, in his ment delivered last Tuesday, made & threat i«hat ought to exercise a very whole some influence, if given effect to, in stop ping log-rolling in the future. He hinted at levying a tax upon the districts enjoying those unproductive railways with a view to remunerating the public funds for the outlay thos 9 lines have caused. In fact, hie threat would have the effect, in <<?th©r words, of making certain districts pay out of their|ovvn pockets, by direct taxation, the difference between their railways’ re turn, and the amount Government may consider a fair return for the money ex pmcled. There are railways working in ttie colony at this moment that are only V»ie&cial to a very limited of land#

and they have not conduced in any way to more extensive settlement, for the simple reason that in the districts they pierce there is no land of any use for settle ment by agriculturalists. On the other hand, there are extensive tracts of land in other parts of the colony that would afford large areas of settlement, but no railways are near them, and the finance of the colony is not in a position to find railways far them. The whole country has thus to pay for the benefit given to those districts whose railways are linvemunerativc, while the advantages of railway communication are not enjoyed by all alike. The Govern ment seem to have determined, as far as they can, to stop this sort of tiling in the future, by only consenting to the construc tion of such lines as will assuredly give a good return, both by the extension of settlement, and in hard cash as profit on their working ; and it is with much plea sure that wo remark the whole tone of the Statement in relation to railways, which evinces a wide-a waken css to the state of affairs we can only regret has not been shown in the past, for warnings have not been wanting that “white elephants” were here and there being fed. The following quotation from the statement is suffi ciently indicative of what our remarks point to :— 4 ‘ The duty is placed on us of considering how to make our railways pay a' larger contribution towards their cost by skilfull and economical management, and of submitting all future proposals for new railways to the same rigid scrutiny as private investors would make, and firmly rejecting them unless a strong probability can be shown that they will prove remunerative. It must not, however, be forgotten that the domands of the public have forced on the Govern ment the adoption of a more expen sive mode of constructing railways, and greater speed in transit than was at first intended, thus necessarily interfering with the paying character of these undertakings. Ho doubt great collateral advantages are gained by the construction of railways, but after all the practical test of useful ness is their being or not being used. If, therefore, it is found that the traffic on any railway is so small that great loss results from its working, it may, I think, be assumed that either it is badly managed, or that, being useful only to a few, it ought not to have been constructed.”

Serious Accident.— Last night Mr. George Harris, farmer, while returning from the Forks with a load of firewood, accidentally fell and the dray wheel passed over his chest. He was removed to an adjoining house, and a messenger at once drove into the township for Dr. Ross, who went off immediately and attended to Mr. Harris’s injuries. Grand Lodge, 1.0.G.T. —At Thurs day’s session of the Grand Lodge, 1.0.G.T. at Christchurch, Bros. Thomas Scott, and Robert Elston, from the Ashburton Star of the East Lodge were recipients of the Grand Lodge Degree. Amongst other business a recommendation was received from the Dunedin Pioneer Lodge. It drewattention to the habitual breach of the law which forbade the sale of liquor to children, and attributed much of the drunkenness now existing amongst women to this cause, and also indirectly much of that amongst men ; urging also the effi cient and regular enforcement of the law. At the evening sitting the Lodge decided to hold its next session at Wellington. A large tea meeting was held in the evening in the Oddfellows Hall, at which 400 people were entertained, and Mr. J. W. Jago and Dr. Roseby delivered eloquent addresses.

Cricket. —On Tuesday next a match , will be played on the Do main ground between the first eleven and next twenty two selected from the local clubs. The following players will comprise the eleven:—Messrs. G. Andrews, Bruce, Buchanan, Denshire, Field, Fooks, Grant, Hodder, Hill, S. Saunders (captain), and Whitely. Emer gencies—Douglas, E. Saunders, Mainwar ing and Harris. As the twenty two (which will be captained by D. Amos) will have the services of A. Andrews, Harris, Shury, and several other excellent bowlers, and a host of grod batsmen, the majority shou d win. Play will commence at 11a.m. sharp.

A Snake Killer in the Poultry Yard. —The visit of the illiteracy showmen who made their appearance here on the race days, will be long remembered by a select few of the citizens. The exhibition of these people consisted of the livingskeletou of a lion, two bears suffering from the effects of seasickness and a vigorous young “Indian snake-killer.” The Company lodged at Mr. Garland’s Railway Hotel, and the animals "were located in the yard. When the showmen left they regretted the dullness of the times, and left a legacy to Mr. Garland the snake-killer. Two days ago this useful, if not ornamental, quadruped got away and has not since been seen. He has, however, succeeded in making himself felt. Finding no snakes to feed upon, he has contented himself with poultry, and has killed num bers of fowls and duck/? locoated within a considerable raidus of the hotel yard. Ducks have been found tom to shreds, and fowls leave been discovered with deep in cisions in their bodies. Hardly a poultry yard in the neighborhood has escaped. Here is an opportunity for the Acclimatisa tion Society. If they can only secure this “ snake-killer,” and set him at the spar rows, there would he no need to lay poison £or their destruction.

Would be Cooks. —It is terrible to contemplate what mischief a little well directed etfc&jgy may accomplish. Miss Fiddler, a young iady who started busi ness in Dunedin sum® time ago as a te-aefe&r of the art of cookery, has just completed a tour of New Ze.aikud .emd is about to jks,ve for Tasmania, While Mbty Fiddler Ims a large amount of W'Opjk jn jthe lpoilipig ap<jl | stewing line, it is alleged sfrat her lessons j have utterly ruined the ufti and j domestic peace of many j (establishment. Ladies whose tendmv' Augers were rarely soiled by anything worse (than the keys of a piano, have betake® jjtye,»?selves to the kitchen, and it is quite * * ,cov>Rion thing for their husbands to fed enamelled with dough. One gejjtlci&UA Informs us that some fancy fowls that he wOsviv !, have taken any money for, perished ffkWUg J}\B absence, his helpmate on returning from 1 #, <cooking lesson having decided to try her proficiency in boning fowls. Another declares ibvt his household and all that inhabits lit is hfljng ruined and surfeited with puddings, pancakes, and dishes bear ing unpronounceable names, It is quite possible to have too much of a good thing.

TELEGRAPHIC.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland. Dec. 12

Among the passengers by the Rotorua are Mr. Alex. Hannah, a member of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce ; Mr. Stephen Mason, Glasgow, and Mr. G. M. Black, the well known cotton and sewing thraed ' manufactures, Anchor’ Mills, Paisley. They are on,a tour through the colony.

Wellington, Dec. 12,

Government have introduced a Bill to allow the appointment of one more Minister. The aggregate of Ministers’ salaries is not to be increased, but a pro Tata reduction is to be made to provide for the extra salary. The New Ze tland Loan and Mercantile Agency reported under date, London, Dec. 9:—Wool.—The sales closed at an average improvement of lid. per lb. The principal advance had been in cross-bred, superior greasy, superior combing, washed medium, and inferior washed medium, .and inferior washed and scoured. Up to date, 125.000 bales Have been sold, and 5,000 bales have been withdrawn. During the past sales, 45,000 bales have been taken for exports. Leather—best sides are worth Is. Id. per lb.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS

( Reuter's 1 elegrams.)

London Dec. 10.

Lord Salisbury, in the course of his speech at Walford. declared it was im possible to establish the peasant proprie tory, and although it might possibly ensure political safety, it would be im possible to remedy the agricultural dis tress.

Madrid, Dec. 10.

The Ministi’y has resigned, in conse quence nf a difference regarding reforms in Cuba. A now Ministry has been formed by Senor Carstella.

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Dec. 11

The trial of the bushrangers is con cluded. All the prisoners were found guilty and sentenced to death Melbourne, Dec. 11. Electoral activity has commenced throughout Victoria. The . Legislative Council passed the Stamp Duties Act under protest. Stran gers were excluded from the Assembly. At G p.m. stone-walling began.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT’S TILEGS,AMS

AuoKLiND, Dec. 11

Mr. James Mackay, Land Purchase Agent, has written to the Waste Lands Board, claiming right by virtue of -a Go vernment promise, to buy at LI an acre, 170 acres of Piako Block, Upper Thames, advertised for sale. The Chairman stated he had communicated with the Govern ment, but had received no answer as yet. Grahamstown, Dec. 11.

The Kurunui Hill mine found quartz at 360 ft. level. There was a great demand for shares yesterday and to-day, and the sales were made at 7s. 6d. and Bs.; closing prices, Bs. The Thames Company announces a dividend of 2s. 6d.

A resolution was passed asking the Liberal Association to convene a special meeting to consider Mr. Stephen son’s resolution denouncing the constitu tion of the Waste Lands Boards.

The Carandinis open at the Academy of Music to-night.

Gisborne, Dec. 11

The plant of • the “ Poverty Bay Stan dard 44 was sold yesterday to Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, who bought it to ship to Auckland on account of the “Free Lance. ”,

Napier, Dec. 11.

The criminal business of the Supreme Court is finished, with the exception of a charge against M 4 Lennan of wife murder. This case will be taken on Monday, and is expected to occupy ten days or a fort night. There are 33 witnesses for the prosecution. Dr. Hector, who is here as a witness in M‘Lennan’s case, has consented to deliver a lecture on the geological formation in Hawke’s Bay. In 'the charge for forgery in the Sup reme Court to-day, the j ury brought in a verdict of “ Guilty, without felonious in tent.” Justice Richmond said this amounted to acquittal, and ordered the discharge of the prisoner. Wellington, Dec. 11.

An extraordinary meeting of the share holders of the Wellington Tramways Com pany will be held on Dec. 22, for the pur pose of considering the following resolu tions :—“That the Wellington City Tramway Company (Limited) be wound up voluntarily, in accordance with the provisions of ‘ The Joint Stock Com panies Act, 1860,’ and the amendments thereto.”

A deputation waited on the Minister for Public Works to-day, urging upon Go vernment the necessity of pushing on with the WellingtoUrFoxton Railway. The Minister replied that .the Slim of L 54,000 had been placed on phe Estimates for the work, and Government intended to push on with the work as speedily as funds would permit. A carbine match between the Welling ton and Dunedin Artillery will Ire fired shortly. Dunf.din, Dec. 11.

Harbour Board meeting to-day, Mr. Risk Referred to the newspaper reports pf yen] arks of Mr. Macan drew lasjfc njghl ifo ( 9PP/?slng the Board’s claim fot extended bo'iuWWg powers, and of the determined hostility displayed by him towards this Board, Tim speaker also resented what lie termed .4 gratuitous insult offered by Mr. Maeandiw, in im pertinently stating that the Board was really ruled by one member. The Chair man said he had read the report of the speech, and with great surprise and regret, inatypuph as from the exceedingly kind and frank manner in which Mr. Macan drew had met him when in Wellington recently, as representing the Board, he had hoped that any difference between Mr. Macandrew and the Board had been set at rest.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday, Dec. 11

Among the notices of motion was one for the suspension'of the Standing Orders as to the passage of Bills till the end of the session; another that all Bills not passed this session should be taken up next year at the stage where left off. Eighteen Bills came up from the Lower House and passed the first readings, and the Land Act Amendment Bill was read a third time after an ineffectual attempt by the Hon. Colonel Whitmore to insert a clause exempting some selectors in Hawkes’ Bay from personal residence. There was considerable discussion oil the Maori Prisoners’ Trial Bill, in which nine members spoke, but there was little new elicited.

Captain Fraser warned the Govern ment that if the prisoners were kept at Dunedin during the winter, many would die of cold.

It was asserted by one speaker that a greed for the land by the Government prevented a settlement, which Mr. Win taker denied, saying the whole of the Plains were nothing compared to the peace of the country. He also denied the rumour that Government intended some violent action in regard to re-occupation.

The Bill was then read a second time

The Wanganui Bridge Debentures Bill was read a second time, after a short debate.

The Couucil adjourned from 5 to 7.30. On resuming, five more small Bills from the Lower House were read a first time.

The Confiscated Land Enquiry and Maori Prisoners’ Trial Bill, and the Wan ganui Bridge Debentures Bill passed through Committee and were read a third time.

The Public Entertainments Bill was thrown out, and the Council rose at 9.10 p. m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, Dec. 11 The House met at 7.30 p.m. REPORT.

Mix Bunny brought up the Waste Lands Committees’ report on the Bill for pro viding sites for Working Men’s Clubs. The report concurred in the objects of the Bill. teachers’ annuities. Mr. Bowen asked the Minister for Education whether Government willduring the recess consider the question of estab lishing a system of retiring allowances for teachers of public schools, in connection with the Government Annuities depart ment. The Hon. W. Rolleston replied that statistics were being gathered regarding teachers and their families, so as to institute a scheme of pensions and annui ties. district railways. Mr. DeLautour asked the Minister for Public Works whether, in order to enable the House to arrive at a decision upon the proposals made in the Public Works state-, ment in certain cases where companies formed under the provisions of the District Railways Act have begun work, and are unable to complete their lines, he will cause the following information and papers to be laid before the House previous to the second reading of the Public Works Bill : —(1) What projected railways are proposed to be treated for, and what companies represent such rail ways ; (2) who were the original pro moters of such railways ; (3) what amounts have been expended by several companies upon works other than surveys, and what are the respective longths of the lines pro jected ; (4) to produce copies of the pros pectuses published in each case by original promoters ; (5) maps showing as nearly as possible owners and several areas owned by such owners, ten miles on each side of lines projected ; (6) what area of Crown lands contiguous to such projected lines would be rendered a\ ailable for agricul tural settlement by completion of said lines ; (7) all correspondence, of whatever kind, between the companies who have applied for assistance and the Govern ment.

Mi’. Oliver said it was proposed to ask Parliament to authorise Government to treat with these companies, each one upon their own merits. Government would pledge itself that no arrangement in virtue of the power to be asked for would be entered into, where the bargain was on such terms as would give the companies a profit on their undertakings. The only proposal on the part of Government was that they should get poAver to deal with each case on its own special merits. The information asked for would be given, so far as it was in the possession of Go vernment. THE BANKING ACCOUNT. Mr. Seddon asked whether Government had made any arrangements with any of the Banks for the banking account of the colony ; and if answered in the affirma tive, w r ould they for the information of members lay before the House a statement showing particulars of such arrangements: if answered in the negative, would they use such expedition as would enable them to complete the arrangements in time to lay the particulars before the House pre vious to prorogation. Major Atkinson said the matter had been dealt with by a Banking Arrange ments Committee, Avho had reported on the subject. Government had not yet had time to consider the question, and were s.fraid it was not likely to be con sidered before the House rose. If time to do so were found, the information would be given the House,

FIBB BRIGADES, Mr. Pitt asked if they would, in future, provide free passes upon Government rail ways for members of Volunteer Fire Brigades, when proceeding or returning from public Fire Brigade demonstrations. Mr. Oliver replied that arrangements for allowing Volunteers to travel on rail ways had been made at reduced rates, and these were charged to a vote passed for de fence purposes. The same arrangements could not be ;pad k e for Fire Brigades, and a Committee had J'eporfod &gafogt the ex tension of the system of such Government, however, recognised the use fulness of these brigades, and would con sider the matter with a view to getting some arrangements made to meet their case.

PUBLIC WOKKS BILL. Replying to Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Oliver said he expected to bring down the Public Works Bill to-morrow.

MISCELLANEOUS, , Amendments made by the Legislative Council on the Registration of Electors Bill were adopted. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee, and re ported with amendments. ; ' 1 :

PROCEEDING WITH BUSINESS. j The Hon. J. Hall moved— £ f That the Standing Orders be suspended’, in order that fresh business mivhfc be gone on with affce" J 2.30 a.m.”

Mr. Turnbull opposed the motion, and during a short speech in opposition, members left the House, and sufficient numbers were not left to admit of the mo tion being put. : . The Hon J. Hall said in that case mem bers would have themselves to blame if business was not far enough advanced to admit of the House being prorogued. He then moved that they go into Committee of Supply.

Mr. De Lautour opposed, stating it was unfair to bring up the Estimates at that time of night, seeing that members had been at work all last night to 4.30 this morning. , , Mr. Turnbull spoke in the same stra in, when he was interrupted by Mr. Maoan- ' drew, who pointed out that they, ha arrived within five minutes of the tim when no other business could be taken up He suggested that Government should. withdraw the motion for going into Com mittee of Supply, and allow other business to be gone on ivitli. Mr. Turnbull replied that he disclaimed all intention of attempting to t waste time unnecessarily.

Meantime 12.30 a.m. arrived, and as no further business could be taken up, the proceedings closed.

(By Telegraph to-day.)

After a great deal of talk the House went into Supply early in the morning, when the Immigration Estimates were passed, all proposed increases being struck out. The House rose at 2.10.

AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.

“ THE AGRICULTURALIST.” Part IV. THE CHIEF AND FORMIDABLE COMPETITORS AS AGAINST THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICUL TURALIST. The American may fairly be placed at the lmad of the list of your competitors, and as one destined to make aln ost im measurably inci’eased productive power. At present he is your great rival, and he is indeed a formidable one. I find I shall take up too much of your time were I to do other than refer briefly to his position in general terms. The following are the export values from the United States for the years 1878 and 1877, of live stock, meat, and breadstuff's, as taken from the “Chicago Farmers’.. Review,” and are worthy of having a place in this paper. This statement is only one of the many potent facts which I wish to bring under your notice, to show that you have too many lions in the way for you to he dor mant. Export values of live stock, meat, and bread stuffs for the.year 1878 and 1877 from’the United States— ■■ • -

From the above it is clear that the exports of the particular class of produce specified had increased in value in the year 1878 over that of 1877 by 72.2 per cent. A few re marks may be necessary to illustrate the •ncrease of her live stock, and dead meat trade with Great Britain since so recent a date as 1876. The entire quantity of meat imported into the United Kingdom in 1876 from the United States was 16,165,6321b5., the money value of vhich was L 359,395. In 1878 it had risen to 53,661.,2161b5., with a money value of L 1,264,764, while from Europe the total money value of dead meat was only L 66,535. The value of imports of all classes of live stock into Great Britain from America and the Continent was L 7,454,482, and with dead meat added L 8,785,781. ,Of that sum nearly L 4,000,000 was from America. Evefyyear, it has been pointed out, Europe can spare fewer cattle; and it is to America British consumers must look to make up the deficiency in the Home supply Sooner or later all these importations of meat must tell upon the consumers’ butchers’ bills; but at present tfley remain, strange to say, as high as ever. To give you some idea of the prodigious resources of America, the following may be of interest to you. • •

THE LARGEST FARM IN THE WORLD. The largest cultivated wheat farm on the globe' is said to he the Grondin Farm, not far from the town of Fargo, Dakota. It embraces some 40,000 acres, both Go vernment and railway land, and lies close to the Red river. Divided into four parts, it has dwellings, granaries, machine shops, elevators, stables for 200 horses, and room for storing 1,000,000 bushels of grain- Besides the wheat form there is a stpck farm of 28,000 acres- In seeding time 70 to 80 men are employed, and during har vest 250 to 300 men. Seeding begins about April 9th and continues through the month, and is done very systematically. The machines follow one another around the field some four rods apart. Cutting begins about August Bth, and ends in the fore part of September, succeeded by the threshing with eight steam threshers. After threshing, foe stubble ground is ploughed with great' pfoilghs, drawn by three horses, and cutting two furrows, and this goes on until the weafoer is cold enough to freeze—usually about Novem ber Ist. There are many other farms in the territory, and in the same neighbor hood, and they are tilled in much the same way as the Grondin. The surface of the land generally is almost level, and the soil rich and black. The product of one field of 2,315 acres is 57,285 bushels, some 2§ bushels to the. acre. The average yield of foe'papula sfoest farm is 20 to 25 bushels per acre, ihe concurring testimony is that it is unequalled as a wheat region in the world. The estimated average wheat yield in the United States, from the highest agricultural authority, is put down at 13 bushels per acre. I cannot close with cousin Jonathan’s power of competition without bringing

notice thp cheap rail* way carriages he is!-favored with. FREIGHT CILARGKS.ON AMERICAN RAILWAYS. The cost of railway transport of goods varies very much on different parts of railway systems ; but not so much on the main line of different countries. For instance, the lowest cost of carrying freight yet reported in America is found in the report of the Northern Central Railway for. 1878, which gives the cost per ton per mile on the Susquehanna division, 47 miles long, as 8.35 cent, or 0.175 d (say about one-sixth of a penny) per ton per mile. On the whole road, however, the average cost is about twice as much, and on one of its branches (a distance of only nine miles long) the cost is nearly ten times as much -3.246 cents. , per ton per mile. It is not often the companies report separately the cost'on ' 1 different sections of the same road. If A they did, perhaps some of them would show a lower cost than this. Freight has been carried between Chicago and New York within the past two years at #0.4 to #0.44 or 2d. to Is. 10d._ per ton per mile, equivalent to 20 cents., 0r,.ab0ut,,.. lOd. per lOOlbs. from Chicago to New: York. •• • ; . ML The American has been one' of the foremost as an inventor-, of. labor savings machines on the farjm He 1 those who have a natural inyentjye turn of mind. It is very desirable to point out the forced' necessity there is for the. agri culturist to use all such machines, as the farmer must now be on the constant watch for improvements to enablehira to hold anything like his ground as ? a com petitor in the general altered condition of agricultural matters. ..... J. r: ! ' INDIA. A

India has been referred to as likely to become one of your competitors. The shortening of the distance between India and the United Kingdom, since the open ing of the Suez Canal, has not only re-’ duced the rate of freights* but found a market in England for the wheat produced in the former country, The climate of India cannot as a rule be considered favorable or reliable for wheat growing, it bears no comparison to that of America. The following is some guage of what has been accomplished by one of your new competitors already :—The export of wheat from Calcutta during the past two or three years has reached as much as 1,149,667 maunds in some single months of the year. . This is equal to 1,573,171 bushels. The freights are very favorable. By steamers to the United Kingdom, via the Suez Canal, LI 2s. 6d. per ton is about the ruling rate ; while by sailing vessels, via the Cape of Good Hope, 10s. per ton is the usual rate and as ruinously low as ss. per. ton has only been paid occasionally during Hie period I have referred to. ' ' ''• ,

OUR SISTER COLONIES—SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND VICTORIA. The former seems to hold her Own, and goes on increasing her area of wheat growing, despite her low average yields, of 5 24«60ths bushels per acre in some of the worst seasons, ■ notably that of. 1876. The highest estimated average wheat yield in South Australia, if I remember correctly, was about 12 bushels. —The yield in 1877 was reckoned at 7 46-60ths bushels per acre, and that of last year at equal to 7 bushels per acre—the average in many places in 1878 ranging from 23 to bushels per acre. Considering these/ light yields, and the proportion of seed used —i. e., about bushels :.. per acre, to produce a return of 9 bushels, which seems to be a geod average yield, and to analyse this further, it is clear one-sixth portion of the gross production is wanted every year for seed purposes. Or to put this important mat ter more forcibly to you, it' takes one acre to produce the seed needed for sowing six acres. It is therefore only reasonable to conclude that unless some different system of agriculture is followed, South Australia cannot he looked upon to make much further advancement in wheat growing, considering year by year she will have her increased population to provide for. Her estimated total yield last year is returned at 9,007,624 bushels. After providing fop seed requirements for the same f*cpeug@ 94 last year, 1,929,204 bushels will be needed, and at least 1,300,000 bushels for home consumption. This gives her an estimated surplus for export of 5,778,220 bushels. To carry this a little further, in 1864, fifteen years back, South Australia ex ported equal to 3,062,080 bushels of wheat, so that in fifteen years she has barely doubled her export of wheat and flour. It is true, the agriculturist of South Australia is fortunate in living in a coun try, where a righteous policy of‘ commerce is followed, by which he is enable to ob tain full value for the money he expend* for his requirements. Under this natural state of trading he has thriyeq, With reference to the position ef the Victorian agriculturalist it can scarcely be saick he has thriven, although he has been cultivating the soil under the flag of pro tection to native industry since its first agitation in 1865. As he is your jiqqrgsf; competitor, I feel satisfied jjhat he* has a fqturg in stqre, and with yoqr indulgence I will make a feiy remark* respecting pis position. He had - by thi* policy in his favor a protection of 1* duty on every lOOlbs of grain imported Into Victoria. During all this time he has enjoyed the advantage of this duty over his inter-colonial competitors. The production there nqw is fully equal to her requirements, although the climate for wheat growing seems somewhat irregular. . The area in wheat in 1870 was 288,514 acres, giving 5,Q97,Q56 or’ an average yield estimated at 19.8 bushels' t« the acre. In 1879 the wheat areA was

691,622 acres, yielding only 6,060,737 bushels, or an estimated yield of 8.7 bushels to the acre. The general' average wheat yield in Victoria extencjfog qyftc the fon y p ars in ay jje'put down at 13.2 bufoels pbr‘a<jre.“ v |t js fory striking that foe increased arpa ip whppf in 1879 over 1870 was 4(j3,iQß aprps’; ; yeti t|)9 yield in 1370 only gxceedejl'foat of IwQ by 363,681 •bijfoebfobq foqU the 403,103 acres extra in wheat barely gives 3 return of 1 bushel an acre upon the increased acres. >

From the position of the Victorian agri culturalist, he now finds to his cost that

the imposition of the protection, duty put on to benefit him has had foe ygry pnpfigjjig effect. Ifo franply thst qn the one hand,'h.e tfte benefit qf the Is duty on evepy lOOlbs of hri grain grown, on foe other he has been so handicapped

in having to pay, through the imposition of other protective duties, to such an out-

rageous extent for almost every implement and all other accessories essential for

carrying on his calling, that he now find*

f?RH> A V, . PEdBMBSR jg, 1

THE ASHBUfcTeN HERALD,



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. ‘\ r : S. d. s, d, Butter, inferior to best $ lb I o 1 to; 0 9 Etjgs; dozen - -j Vj I 3 ! tO b 0 Cheese, prime quality, lb O; 9 : to i 0 Bacon, prime smoked, i:9 lb di. 9 i to 0 10 Hams in cloth, Ib • i;|vo ' to 12 Flour in loolb y-: 14- <? x ito,. 00 Oatmeal. lj? 251b - v o'-'O to 3^' Lard, la tb - - - 0 q to 0 0



1878 1877 Increase Live stock, meat o n cl breadstuff's, not inclu- £. £. X ding flour 15,266.8x6 9,759.448 5.507,368 Wheat 19.754.300 10,000,336 9,753.964 35,021.116:19,759,784 15,261.333



New Advertisements. FOUND, ip : AST S IiEEP DOG with I J about 3 feet of Chain attached to its neck.' Owner can have the same by paying-expenses. r . .. . - Apply to Candish’s Boarding House. Ashburton, Dec. 11, 1879. 802 a COAL YARD. -, b :t b: o. Messrs, cunningham & co., beg to announce, to the Public thati they /have, : opened a COAL YARD (next Poynte A, Oo:’s Office), for the supply'Sf ! Newcastle Coal in Ashburton. G. s M: 'ROBINSON, 798a—269 Agent.



•T OST, on Saturday, a Scythe Sharpen | j ing STONE. The owner would be glad if the Finder would leave same at the Herald Office. 765 a TTT ANTED KNOWN, the season for ■ VV' is at hand, and we <ean supply; many thousands. Cabbage. Cauliflower, Broccoli, Savoy, Brussel ‘(Sprouts, Celery, and other Plants, for winter supply. 745 a - SEALY BROS. TXTANTED . IMMEDIATELY VV APPRENTICES for Dressmaking and Indies’ Jacket making. Apply to T. R. HODDER & COMPANY. « -i ' f ■ ■ 801 1 TO BUILDERS. ORENDERS0 RENDERS are invited for the EREC TION of a HOTEL at Tinwald, for ME Robert Hill. Plans and specifications may be seen at Quill’s Hotel on and after the Ist of De cember, and at Mr. J. L. Fleming’s Christchurch, on aazd after December 15th. Tenders will dose at Ashburton on January 31st, 1880. 237—741 a TO .BUILDERS. TENDERS. IMNDERS required for Building new _ MACHINE . ROOM at back of the ‘ ‘ Guardian” Office, East street. Plans and Specifications to be seen at Ihe 5 “ Guardian” Office. Tenders to be sent in by 10 a.m. on Saturday. WESLEYAN CHURCH. SERVICES in connection with the Sec ond Anniversary of the above Church, \'vill.be conducted by the Rev. W. BATJMBER, of Christchurch, On SUNDAY, DEC. 14. Collections’ i n aid of the Building Fund Oa TUESD 'AY following, a TEA will he held in tl t© Church, after which a Public Meeting -will take place, . addressed by Ministers a; ul other friends. Music by the Choir. ’ Tea at 0 o’clock.., Tickets, 2s. each. 755 a WESLEYAN CHURCH. PRACTICE on TUESDAY and SATURDAY’ EVENINGS, at 7.30 j o’clock, in the Cb lurch, Ct’-meron street, |. for the Anniversa ty, Meinbers of the j Choir and friends i hvited to a ttend. The usual practi. :© on Frida'/ evening. BL J. WEEKS, 785a—267 Organist.



NEW ; ZEAI f&x ID RAILWAYS. rjIRAIN A'.BB ANGEME NTS. ANNI'yISS SARY DAY. TUESDAY, I>BG‘ EMBER 16th, 1870, LYTTELTON AN iTcHRISTCHURCH 1 juINE. Ordinary t rains , with the addition of a late train, 1 /eavir . ig Christchurch for Lyt telton at 11. j. sp. m. and returning there - from at 11.4 5 p.m' . NORTHEI iX LI YE AND BRANCHES. Ordinary .- trains .;, with the following ex ceptions:— -The 4 .55 pan., Christchurch to Amber] e y, leav es at 5.25 p.m. ; the 5.5 p.m., And osrley ti ) Christchurch, leaves at 5.35 p. m-1 ; the 4.30 p.m., from West Oxford, 1 eaves at 5.0 p. m. ; the 6.10 p. in., from Ra nsdora, 1 eaves at 6.40 p.m., and the 6.35 p.m., fro: n Kaiapoi, at7.sp.ro. In all cases tin :se trains will arrive at all stati< ms to destination 20 minutes later than iif ,ual. '■ Asp , e :ial train will leave Christchurch j for A nberley at 9.50 a. in., returning j dherefi :om at 9.0 p.: m. A 1 ite train will leave Christchurch for j Rangi ora at 13.15 ] >.m., returning there from at 12.45 rt.m. SOU." TH LINE AN. D MALVERN AND J : WHITECLIFF S’ BRANCHES, i. O rdinary trains. SOtJTHRRID( IE BRANCH. < Ordinary trains, with the following ex .ception:—The 3.5{ *p. m., from Chnst cb .urch, will leave ai 'no. 15 p.m., and be 01 ■ie hour and 25>njini ites later than usual at: all stations to d«*ti) radon. . FARI Ordinary . single fa any two static, vandal District of Car ; he • for retsarr . dug 17th December. NO GOODS ii FREDJK. General Manager’s Oil Christchurch, Dbe- 3 IS. re tickets issued as, within the Pro iterbury, on Satur !sth and 36th, will i up to and includ lAFFlC. BACK. :ierul Manager. CG , 1879. 802 a



New Advertisements. MR HENRY F. ALLEN, (Of Cathedral Square, Christchurch,) SURGEON AND MECHANICAL DENTIST, May be consulted at Quill’s Ashburton Hotel, Ashburton,- from Dec. 8 to 13, in all cases appertaining to the profession of Dentistry. . 787 a NOTICE. O TRAYED on mylandat Tinwald, Bro wn Horse, saddle marked, and branded No. 2on near Shoulder. If not claimed and expenses paid within one month from this date, will be sold. Apply— D. M'LEOD, Near Tinwald. 6th Dec., 1879. 783 a FIRE ! FIRE ! ! FIRE !! ! For the BENEFIT of the family of Mr. HYDE, Sufferers by the late Fire. AN ENTERTAINMENT will be given in the TEMFLAR HALL for the above object on MONDAY, Dec. 15th, at 8 o’clock. i A liberal programme has been pre pared. Admission—Adults, Is.; Children, 6d. 799a—270 CROQUET full size—2ls. per set. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. TO CONTRACTORS. WANTED —150 acres of Native Land PLOUGHED. Price—lss. per acre. Apply at once. 797a—268 POYFTZ & CO. CHRISTMAS CARDS—Tops and Pre sents. H M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. TO PRINTERS. MACHINE FOR SALE. FOR SALE, at an early date,— One Second-hand Double Demy Tape Printing MACHINE, in thorough working order, with rollers, moulds, Ac., complete. We are replacing this machine by a Double Royal Wharfedale, which necessitates removal of the Double Demy Machine now used for printing the “ Herald ” and “ Guardian,” for hand or steampower. Can be seen and all par ticulars obtained at our office. WEEKS & DIXON. Ashburton, October 14, 18ft). 565 a NE W ZEALAND WESLE YAM Published Monthly. JUST ARRIVED, the “New Zealand Wesleyan” for December. Price 6d Sold at the Herald Office, East Street. ! WEEKS AND DIXON, Agent 3. 4 RCHERY MATERIAL.—Bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. V.. R. In the District Court of Christchurch Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors and Creditors Act, iB?6, The Debtors and Creditors Act, *876, Amendment Act, 1878, and of the bankruptcy of WILLIAM FORD, of Westerfield, in the County of Ashburton, Dairy man, a debtor. Notice is hereby given that William Ford, of Westerfield, in the County of Ashburton, Dairyman, has this day (Sled in the above Court a declaration that he is unable to meet his engagements with his creditors. The first meeting of creditors will be held at the District Court, Ashburton, on Thursday, the iStli day of December. 1879, at eleven <0 clock in the forenoon. Dated this 12th day of December, 1879. C. CAVENDISH HURRELL, Clerk of the Court. E. G. Crssp, Solicitor for the Debtor. Bioa A PLAIN DRESS BALL will take place in the Sample Rooms, at the rear of the Somerset Hotel, on the 16th last., Anniversary Day. Double Tickets 5/- ; Single Tickets 3/- Dancingto commence at 8 o’clock, under the Management of Messrs. Whitley and Williams. 811 a