COMMERCIAL.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1879.

C.Y.C.—The usual weekly parade was held yesterday afternoon, Trooper Scott acting as drill sergeant in his usual soldier like manner. The contingent then marched to the stables, where Corporal Cookson, on the part of the Ashburton members of the corps, presented Trooper Scott with a handsome cavalry bit and burdoon bridle, breastplate, crupper and chain ; and in making the gift spoke in high terms of the progress made by the troop under Mr; Scott, whose thorough mastery of cavalry drill, and excellent qualities as an in structor had had an effect upon the ap pearance and efficiency of the contingent that might be marked by any onlooker. The presentation was made in recognition, not so much of Trooper’s possession of these abilities, but of his willingness to give the corps the benefit of them. The contingent was fortunate in enjoying Mr. Scott’s ser vices, and it was to be hoped they would enjoy them for an unlimited time. Mr. Scott modestly replied for the unexpected recognition of his services after which the contingent were dismissed.

Fire Brigade.— The Ashburton fire brigade turned out in full force on Wednesday night - for practice; the new tube well by Mr. Alfred Harrison’s auction room was tested but found unequal to the task required of it and will have to be sunk deeper. The brigade Avere then put through some ladder and bucket exercise at the station, and acquitted themselves in a satisfactory manner. The open well for the protection of buildings at the railway station and Saunder’s block is now being sunk and will be tested in a few days.

Ashburton School Examination. The annual examination of the pupils at tending the Ashburton school closed to day, the Rev. W. E. Paige and A. M. Beattie having kindly undertaken the arduous duties of judging the merits of the different scholars. Those having been diligent enough during the year to gain prizes or certificates of merit will have them presented publicly .on Monday next, when all parents and friends are invited to attend. The usual six- weeks holidays will commence from that date. A concert in aid of the prize fund wi’l be given at the schoolroom on Monday evening under the leadership of the head master, Mr. Stott, who has we understand brought his pupils to a high state of proficiency in vocal music.

The Mount' Somers Railway. —The formation of the first section of the Mount Somers line, about 10£ miles in length, is now approaching completion. All the for mation is completed, and the platelaying, with the exception of about 2 miles, which has been delayed for want of rails. The ballasting is finished for over seven miles, and the only siding on this length is completed, so that in. the course of about four weeks the line will be ready for traffic. It is ex pected that tenders will he called at an early date for the other portion of the work, and our Mount Somers friends may look, within a year, to having a quicker and sgfer means of transit than the present rough road and the uncertain fords in the Ashburton river furnish them with.

Reading and Oratory. —The extraor dinary eloquence of one of the greatest orators in England (says Dean Stanley), Mr John Bright, was entirely formed by his reading good books. These have made that style by which he captivates the hearts and wins the attention at once of he most uncultivated.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, Dec. 19. The Council met at 10 and adjourned till 11, when Mr. Whitaker said that, as to the lines which had been struck out on the previous night, the Council was placing Govern ment in a difficulty. Some of the lines were authorised by the Railway Construc tion Act of last year. He propsed now to so far meet the views of the Council or to frame the schedule so that their applica tion should be confined to contracts already accepted. He would, however, agree to the item “ East and West Coast, from main line to a junction with the line from Nelson to Greymouth or Hokitika” being struck out, as it was a new line.

A short discussion followed and the Bill was recommitted.

Clause 21, exchange of land in Oamaru with Messrs Lees and Moore, was struck out on a division, by 8 to 9. In the first schedule the following alterations were made '—Authorised rail ways—Line Waikato to Taranaki, struck out; Nelson to Greymouth—sections Npb son to Roumahill and Greymouth to Nel son Creek, with harbor works at Grey' mouth, inserted; Picton to Hurunui— Blenheim to Awfttena, section inserted; Waitaki—Hurinui line-=section Amberley to Waikari inserted, all sections being already under contract, The Bill was read a third time, and the Appropriation Bill was passed. In addition to the lines previously spe cified, the Council struck out the line Waikato to New Plymouth from the list of authorised lire 3 in the Public Works Bill.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, December 19. The House met at one, when the Pre mier explained the Council's amendments on the Public Works Bill, and moved that they be agreed to.

Mr. Gisborne moved —“ That the House disagree with the onunission o" tin o g mission of the Waikato-New Plymouth line, y Ministers said they regretted its ex cision, hut thought the matter not of suf ficient urgency to justify disagreement. The debate is proceeding. The House prorogued at 3 o’clock.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

TO-DAY’S CABLEGRAMS.

(Age Special. ) London, Dec. 17.

An army of 10,000 is collecting at Peshawar, and will march in a few days. General Rsberts is confident that he will be able to,hold Cabul until the relief comes. He has five months’ supplies. An outbreak has occurred at Herat be tween Cabulese and Heratic . §The regiments of Yakoob are unable to restore order.

Mr. Waddington suggests collective mediation by the Great Powers to settle the Greek frontier difficulty. The Crown Prince of Germany has submitted a scheme for the establishment of a Germany colony at Samoa which has been favorably received.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TO-DAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Dec. 19.

Rewi is recovering rapidly. He holds a meeting of Ngatimaniopoto on Saturday. A steward of the s. s. Tangihua, named George, was drowned at Aratapu. He fell overboard. The Melanesian schooner Southern Cross arrived from the islands after an eight months’ cruise. She left Bishop Selwyn and party at Norfolk Island all well. Passengers—Rev. Godrington and Cummins.

Invercargill, Dec. 19.

The Town Council last night decided to ask the approval of the ratepayers to a fui'ther loan of L 20,000 for general pur poses.

BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LAST NIGHT’S CABLEGRAMS,

(Reuter's le/egrams.) London, Dec. IG. Arrivals —Gloria and Star of the North. Parliament is summoned to meet for despatch of business on February 15. The Court has granted a writ of error in Orton’s case, upon doubts whether the Court ,was empowered to pass two sen tences for the same offence.

Dec. 17

Three per cent. Consols are at 97. Five per cent. New Zealand 10.40 loan, 101. New loan, 99 J. Calcutta, Dec. 17.

Telegraphic communication with Cabul is interrupted near Jagadahak Pass. Gough reports that the tribes beyond Gundermuk are obstructing the British advance.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's Telegrams.) Melbourne, Dec. 18. Arrived—Albion. Arrived—Wakatipu. Sailed —Tararua, for New Zealand. The French Commissioner presented the Mayor with a Sevres vase from the Re public of France.

(Special to the Association.) Sydney, Dec 18.

On Sunday two girls, aged' fifteen, fought with fisticuffs, nearly naked, in the presence of a mob in a low Buburb. It was apparently pre-arranged. Mr. Shepperd, a member of the As sembly, summoned Mr. Samson, a respect able citizen of Gore, for threshing him publicly in George street. The result of the East Sydney election is regarded as evidence of a general deter mination to resent the interference of the Catholic hierarchy in educational politics. Brisbane, Dec. 18. A company has been formed for tram way construction.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

LAST NIGHT'S TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, Dec. 18.

It is feared that a young man named Seager has been drowned while crossing the Aohanga river. He had been em ployed at Glence station, and was crossing the river when he was swept from his horse. Nothing has been seen of the body. Dec. 27 has been declared a bank holi day throughout the colony. Mr. W. N. Searancke has been ap pointed an interpreter under the 12th section of the Native Lands Act, 1873. Alterations and additions to the rates for conveyance, delivery, and storage of goods, parcels, &c., on all the New Zea land Railways, appear in the “ Gazette.” Nelson, Dec. 18

A strange case of suicide occurred at Collingwood the other day. A man named W. C. Smith, who recently lost his wife, was on his way to give evidence. Smith called, at the house of Mr. Boggis, and complained of being ill. Boggis fhereupon went to the Court to explain Smith’s absence, and on his return found him dead with a piece cut out of his throat with a pocket knife. At the in quest a verdict of tempory insanity was returned,

To-day a married woman named L. Wilkins, aged 43, was found in the Mai tai river, Trafalgar street. The woman had been mising since Saturday, hut litle notice was taken of it, owing to her eccentric and intemperate habits. An inquest wtil be held. Timaru, Dec. 18.

A meeting of proprietors of most of the principal newspapers in the Colony was held at Timaru yesterday, at which repre sentatives of the following papers were present: “New Zealand Herald,” ‘•'Auckland Star,” “Wellington Post,” t( Lytteitop Times,” “ Timaru Herald,” “Dunedin Stßp/’ “Dunedin Morning Herald,” and “ Otago Daily Times. ’! The business transacted was of a confidential nature. The special wire question was fully discussed, and the Conference met 1 again at ten o’clock this morning.

Oamaru, Dec. 18. At the inque t leld to-day regarding the fire which occnred on the night ;■

December 13, in the shop of Mr. Russell saddler, Thames street, the jury returned an open verdict. Invkrcargill, Dec. 18.

The first annual distribution of prizes in connection wit! the Girls’ High School took place this a ternoon. About GO chil dren were present, and there was a fair attendance of friends. Professor Black was amongst the speakers.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, December 19. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) embezzlement. Henry Williams Ford was charged with bezzlementof a watch, value, Ll2 10s. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and Sergeant Pratt conducted the prosecution. John Pratt deposed—Am Sergeant of police in Ashburton. About half-past ten on the night of the 16th th inst. Mr. King wood reported to me the loss of a watch from his bedroom at the Somerset Hotel. I went with him to the hotel, and and told prisoner of the loss, and also that I wanted to search him in his room. I then searched him and found the chain produced in the Court, which he was wearing. He claimed it as liis own pro perty. The watch dropped out of his drawers on the floor. Both articles were identified by Mr. Ringwood as his pro perty. lam informed that their value is LI 2.

By Prisoner : —I held up the chain pro duced before you. You did not say that it belonged to your sister. You did not fiud the watch yourself and give it to me. I picked it up on the floor. Alfred Ringwood said—l am cook at the Somerset Hotel. The prisoner slept in the next room to me. He was in my room at 3.20 on the morning of the 16th. He would have to pass my room to reach his own. I left my room at six o’clock. I did not fasten the door. 1 sent prisoner out of my room into his own bed. I hang my clothes behind the door. My watch and chain were in my waistcoat. The watch was a lady’s gold Geneva one, and the chain of jet, with a gold swivel. The articles produced are the ones I had in my vest pocket. Prisoner had no right to take the articles. I value them at Ll2.

By the prisoner—A person named Ed wards was in the room with me at the time. He stood by the door, which was ajar. I did not leave the room while you were there.

By the Court —When I. left my room in the morning I left the watch and chain in the waistcoat. I did not again take the waistcoat till 9.30 that night, when I missed the watch and reported the loss to Mr. Shearman about 10.30, who advised me to go for the police at once. George Eagle, sworn—Am night porter at the Somerset Hotel. I was in pri roner’s bedroom on the night of tlie 16th inst. when Sergeant Pratt searched him. The watch produced fell out of his drawers on the floor, and Sergeant Pratt picked it up. Prisoner said it was a mystery to him how it should come on his person.

The Magistrate gave the usual caution, and prisoner said—When Sergeant Pratt came to me about 11 o’ciock on Monday evening, he told me that a watch and chain had been stolen from the hotel, and asked me to let him search me, which I did. I had not the slightest idea at the time that the watch and chain were in my possession. The Magistrate committed prisoner to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court at Christchurch. LARCENY OF A WATCH. William Brennan was charged with stealing r watch, the property of William Quibble. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Denis Moroney, constable, sworn, said —The loss of a watch was reported to me yesterday. I ; rrested prisoner on the charge, and he admitted having had the watch. I afterwards received the watch produced from Mr. Quinn. Prisoner had nothing else on him. James Quinn, watchmaker, sworn, said —Prisoner came to my shop on Wednes day last, and offered the watch produced to me for sale for 10s. That is about its value. He gave his name as William Ellis. He said he wanted the watch back on Saturday, and would pay me the 103 back and the cost of repairs. Wm. Quibble, sworn—Am a ploughman. Was at the Somerset Hotel on Wednesday. Saw prieoner there. We were drinking together, I had the watch produced in my pocket whilst there. We left the Somerset together and went to M £ Kenzie’s, and I missed the watch next morning. Had not seen prisoner since till to-day. I did not give him leave to take the watch. I valued it at L2.

By the prisoner.-—Don’t recollect giving you the watch in Shearman’s to take care of. You did not take me to M‘Kenzie’s Prisoner in defence said that the watch had been given to him in presence of Mr. J Shearman, and he then took Quibble to McKenzie’s and laid him on the sofa. The complainant put the watch in prisoner’s pocket. As they were both tipsy he didn’t know any more about it. Joseph Shearman, sworn—Am barman at Somerset Hotel

To prisoner—l did not see prosecutor give 3 r ou a watch. Prisoner asked me to take charge of it. I refused, and he then put it in his own pocket. The prosecutor was in liduor.

The Magistrate said lie was quite satis fied as to the theft, and sentenced prisoner to three months, with hard labor. CIVIL CASES. Fergus v. Carlton.—Mr. Purnell for paintifi’; no appearance of defendant. Judgment for Ll 4 7s.

Saundees Bros. v. Logan.—The sum mons in this case had been taken out two month ago, and house service had been ordered to be executed, but the bailiff had not yet effected it. Warner v. Pender.—Claim LI 3s. Id. Plaintiff deponed to the goods having been supplied to the defendant, and that no offer of settlement had been made.

Thomas Radford, book-keeper to plain tiff—l gave the goods to the boy to deliver. Some were given to the defen dant’s wife.

The defendant, Robert Pender, said that more goods were charged for than received, meat is charged for during the time both his wife and himself were absent.

The defendant s wife said the bill had five items charged which she had not received.

Case adjourned till Tuesday 30th for further evidence.

AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.

*‘TIIE AGRICLI!,TURALIST.” No,. VI. THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST.

The first batch of your early settlers, I believe, arrived at Port Lyttelton (then better known as Port Cooper) in Decem ber, 1850. At that time the Province of Canterbury was a wild, uncultivated tract of country. .Some time.ago, I read with very much interest the remarks made by one of the early settlers, in response to a toast at some festivity. In effect it was, as well as I remember, that in those by gone days there only existed at Lyttelron one baker and one butcher ; and that the early settlers had to wait with patient for bearance in turn for a loaf of bread, which was handed to him hot from the bake-house. The sum of two shillings was paid for the 41bs. loaf. A somewhat similar process had to be undergone for obtaining a supply of mutton from the primitive butcher at the cost of Gd. per lb. Beef was not in supply in the early days of your pioneers. TLo fir?t watergsup ply was from a well situated in a place known in those days as Sail’s Gully. This source of supply was so over-taxed that the truth of the old proverb was well ill ustrated, “the early bird gets the worm,” for those who were not early risers had to waituntil uature filtered the water through the sand before their requirements were responded to, and some of the recipents in case of an extra supply being needed for their requirements had to keep watch over the night, waiting for nature to give them their wants. The subsequent ar rivals in the sixth vessel,. the Isabella Hurcus, who landed the following March, 1851, did not fare much better. At a later period Christchurch was not in a very progressive state. The now city could only in those days boast of its pioneer butcher, five sheep per day for a time met all repuirements. The rate of labor then was only four shillings per day. Flour was LGO per ton, and for a time the sup pliers come from the older settlements, chiefly from that of Tasmania, better known then as Van Dieman’s Land. It was not until some 10 years after the early settlement days that you became supporters of wheat, for I notice there is, in the second report of the Lyttelton Chamber of Commerce, for 1861, some interesting commercial information —namely, the entire export of grain from New Zealand during that memorable year is set down at 55,654 bushels, valued at L 13,112, of which Canterbury contributes the major half, 25,820 bushels, valued at L 7634. The total wool exports from New Zealand during that year amounted to (official value) L 443,392, to which Canter bury contributed L 189,498. Your money borrowing and lending in stitution at that time seemed to have been confined to one banicing house. The fol lowing extract may help to show how you have progressed. It is from the “ Lyttel ton Times” of the 16th July, 1861 :

“ The result shown on examination of these figures is this, that the Union Bank, during the last quarter of 185 S, used none of its own capital[(not allowing it credit for the coin reserves and fixed property), but on the contrary was indebted to the colony in the sum of L 31,851. At the same period of 1859, when the restrictive action of the bank had commenced, we find the colony indebted to that institu tion in the magnificent sum of L 3075, while in 1860, when that action had borne its fruits, we again find the bank debtor to the colony in the amount of L 56,920.” The compiling of the total wool and grain exports from New Zealand in this creditable production seems to have been a good precedent. It is a pity it had not been followed out by the present Chamber of Commerce in Christchureli, so as to give at a glance the total value of exports for the year from all the Now Zealand ports, and comparative statements for past years, giving the total separate values of the chief articles of your New Zealand production. From 1862 to 1866 you were in a dormant state ; as your total value of grain exports during these years only reached L 3936. Your agricultural pro gress did not make much head-way until 1868. The values for this year were L 56,120; in 1870, or eight years after, the wheat exports had only doubled the grain exports of 1868—namely, 449,203 bushels of wheat, value L 113,853. In the next two years you had more than double both the quantity and value, as in 1878 for the year ending 30th June, your wheat exports stood thus bushels, value at L 234,853. I will now briefly refer to your wheat exports, as it seems clear to me that in this description of corn you may be expected to go on largely increasing your area—because the demand for both oats and barley must be limited, for you will be confined to your own local markets and to some of the ports in the Australasian colonies, and therefore there will not be the induce ment for you to increase the production of wheat ; for in the case of the latter the markets of the United Kingdom will always be open to you. The important matter of having your agricultural statistics properly and care fully compiled is worthy of your grave consideration. It appears from the general agricultural statistic returns for the wheat of New Zealand for last year that the following are the figures for the wheat area and yield :

From the- above, your province is credited with, nearly two-thirds of the wheat growing area in New Zealand. The acreage : conclude there cannot be much doubt about, for it appears to be the Uni versal opinion of the agriculturists that the estimated yield as above compiled is considerably in excess of the thrashing.

machines’ returns. The corre. iqiosi of these yelds is of the greatest imrortaucc’,; both to the agriculturists, the consumers,' and others outside your colony. It is desirable that these records should he made as accurate as practicable, anymore especially so when the wealth of your country is computed from such informa tion. They are often used as a means to place before the British public your wonderful productiveness, and therefore should be made to agree with the actual thrashed yield as near as it is p is sible to do so. It is to be hoped that this most important duty will be performed by the Government statist, with the usual assiduity appertaining to his department. If the compiling of the particulars of agricultural products were taken at a later period in the year,'when the probable results of .'-the yields might be arrived at with greater accuracy, this in formation would then be more reliable.’ Besides these means you have another most effectual one at your disposal—- namely-—-having an export free entry passed for all corn shipped at all the ex port ports in New Zealand, the truth of which, and the market export value, should bo declared before the officer in charge of the Customs. By adding to these exports the estimated quantity re quired for seed and home consumption, you have then not an assumed but a real. result ; at least you have one as reliable as can be got at. These figures, divided, by the acres of your various kinds of corn will give you the average yield which might be compared with the returns of the agricultural statist, and by such mean's corrected. This is "a matter of such vital importance that I would venture to sug gest that you as agriculturalists ask your governing authorities to establish the system I have pointed out, to be made one of the stringent la ws of the Customs department. For the purpose of a further reference which I wish to make, I assume for the object of calculation, the general wheat yield all over New Zealand for last year to be 20 bushels per acre (although I am informed on very good authority that 15 bushels would be a very 'liberal estimate). However, I propose giving your colony the benefit of the larger one. The statist's returns give 22.94 bushels per acre as the general average return. Taking the wheat area at 264,577 acres at 20 bushels equals 5,291,540 bushels ; allow seed at one and a half bushels on the same acreage as last- year, seed require ments will be say 396,865 bushels ; and home consumption, say on a population of 420,000 at the low estimate of 5 bushels each, 2,100,000 = 2,496,865' bushels. This gives an estimate available for export from all New Zealand of 2,794,675 bushels. Add the estimated surplus available for export from South Australia say 5.778,220, which gives total available from the two colonies of 8,572,595 bushels. A :

The county of .Lincolnshire in England threshed last year 10,000,000 bushels. I refer to this to give you convincing proof of the insignificant position you hold, as a wheat exporting country. Taking New Zealand and South Australia together the joint exports are not equal to the produce of one of the counties in England by one and a half millions of bushels of wheat.

NEW ZEALAND S PRODUCING POWER. The stability of the producing power of New Zealand as a corn growing country, cannot bo -more forcibly illustrated than to instance the results of last yeat, especially in your Canterbury province, with'the unfortunately low rainfall, and particularly' that chronicled at Christ church—l3i inches —during the whole year. With such an unfavorable season as you experienced, your wheat yield per acre was in ore than double that of Victoria, with her'fair average rainfall for the sea son, and nearly three times that of South Australia for the same year. Your lowest yield, under the extreme circumstances I have cited, was more than that of your sister colony in her very best years, and nearly .double the highest yield ever reaped and thrashed in South Australia. It may be worthy op note that the

RAINFALL OF OVER 2 INCHES IN JANUARY LAST SAVED YOUR CORN CROPS FROM ALMOST total ruin. So .much for the value of a proper system of gauging and recording the rainfall.. A country with such a.humid climate as have most parts of New Zealand;' is destined to he a favored field for settle ing- a large : population, when the great natural producing advantages are better known. None of the other Australasian colonies can place on record such facts as are disclosed in this paper, the accuracy of which can :be verified. These results should be very gratifying to yon as agri culturists, ... ....

iln this letter I referred to your com petitors. Admitting that the United Kingdom is a great consuming country, it is also, on the other hand, one of immense producing power. The following will have a stimulating effect when I tell you that to meet the general depressed state of agri culturists the Duke of Bedford had generously remitted half a year’s rent to his tenantry in Cambridgeshire, Bedford shire, and Devonshire involving the esti mated deduction of receipts to His Grace of L 70,000. It appears that other abate ments of rent have been announced in Fng’and, varying fi«o:n 10 to 30 per cent. This points to a systematic general reduc tion in rents, which means {[affording the cultivator more competing power.

I desire to point out to you a striking proof that jou as agriculturists cannot look to high rates ruling for wheat, unless wav or some other unforeseen calamity, takes place of .a disturbing nature, and tlv's would only have a temporary effect. Even taking the average price for wheat per quarter of the 16 years P have given you—be., 51s. per quarter—-rnd during this period the Franco-Eruasian war ex tended from 1871 to 1874/orthe effects of' it, it seems doubtful if this average can be maintained. The high rates ruling in 1867 and 1868 may, I have no doubt, be traced to some calamity or other.

* It is generally an acknowledged fact' the farmer as a rule bears the general burdens, occasionally imposed upon him with for bearance, and is one not early moved into taking an active part in measures even ef-

J _ . ~.V; ' "V. gV'A feeling his. well being. Although he is crediterlAvith; possessing an ample share of shrewdness of a certain kind, still he has submitted, with what- one might almost venture to call complacency, to the ex tremely high railway tariff rates charged for the . carriage of his produce. Yet, strange to say, during all the present political, controversy in the country he has never put to the candidate aspiring to a seat in Parliament. * The following simple but nevertheless all potent question : Will 3’ou pledge yourself to advocate a substantial reduction in the railway rates ? Tlnvcost of the railway lines in New South Wales and Victoria are put do wn -at about' L 14,587 per mile, while those in your country are put down as costing about L6Q.00 per-■■anile. In the first named.. colony :I.ton of produce is carried a disD V tance of 150 miles' 'tiF'an'exp’brb'pb’^fdi 1 '' 55 * 15/2, which in your country, to carry 1 ton only- a ..distance of 50 miles/tb f.o.b. it costs 14s. lid; The difference is strik ing. New SouttebWales, »with her low railway rates, pays L-4 4s. sd. interest upon the capital expended on railways.,- - - with the ruinous rates charged, do not pay -. : .3 percent, interest upon tfi.e.>outlay, whilft./.-h you have to pay interest on your public debt at about-5 per .Gpyerjn-b.oT ment has mis-managed your affairs, as -V compared with those- of youir neighbors. Before concluding, I trust you will not consider Tam travelling * butsi&e 16- terest of the- agriculturistysshen I make bold enough "to tell you. That you will not .only be helping yquiLcvivn interest,. djjit u that of every well wisherJo/the prosperity of New Zealand, by not'countenancing the present lions which.,are7 threatning your course of success—namely, universal suf frage and what, is termed protection to native industry. These two measures were -carried*. into Victoria, • -and theyy have bi'ought her to the very Hf brink or ruin. The following in- ’ ~ stances I will name to you—a cer tain class'of-artisan (whose calling I will not mention) say they have prospered so well under the protective tariff of 50 per cent, duty in: their favor-, that-they now- ••■c publicly petition for an increase :up to 100 per cent. The chairmakeiy wood-turner, furniture maker, and coach-builder, are moderately petitioning for. a 50 per cent, duty as well as to foster each,, .their par- ... ticular trades, and from the carriers are petitioning for 15 per cent, to prevent the importation, of calf-skins into Melbourne. , ; One more instance I wish to point out to you —that of the Victorian axletree maker. The following particulars I have gleaned from one of the debates in Parliament in that colony. Under the late tariff, an invoice of imported axles LlO4 18s. fid. was sub ject to. a protective duty of L 22 16s. 6d. y Still the axletree maker did not prosper. ./ It is now proposed under the amended * ' tariff to increase the spoliation from L 22 16s. Gd. . „to L 93 4s. for the . object of fostering the Victorian riafive industry of axletree malting.’ To give another proof of the commercial position Victoria now holds with-the other Australian colonies. The following is re corded in the leading Victorian organ — namely’ “ That oiijthe Ist of June last, in London, there were 38 ships loading for Australia, with an aggregate of 48,758 tons, divided as under :—For Sydney, 16 vessels representing 21,2,32 tons ; • Adelaide, 14 vessels representing 1G.936 tons ; Mel bourne, 8 vessels, representing 10,590 \ tons.” f'-

Victoria has lost her leading commercial .position. She is now at the tail of the list in place of heading it. She occupied the leading place until the fostering and democratic Government took the reins in hand. These facts ought to be a warning to the people of New Zealand. Still, you find, in one instance within your own province, an ably conducted newspaper disposed at present (upon the very point of fostering what is now. a days termed native industries) tp countenance .such a ruinous policy as that followed by the present Victorian Government. This policy now days is called “ Liberalism!” I have to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and-you, . gentlemen, for your, patient; enduaance, as I am afraid I have almost imposed upon you beyond reasonable bounds. I have to acknowledge my in debtedness to tne leading free trade organs published in your sister colonies for some of. the facts I have used in compiling this paper.

A Juryman’s Grievance.

Well, gentleman, have you de .ided upon your verdict ?” asked a country judge the other day. as the jury'returned to the box. “ Did 1 understand that the prisoner’s name was Brown—T. K. ‘•Brown ?” asked the foreman, gloomily, ■“ It is.” “ Then we bring in a verdict of murder in the first degree,” and the fore 'itnan rubbed his hands with an expression of horrible satisfaction. “ But this isn’t a murder case,” said the astonished judge; “this is an action to recover insurance. What on earth do you mean l” “Don’t

make any difference,” growled the fore man. “My name is Brown too —T. K. Brown—and for the last four years some unprincipled wretch of the same surname has had his washing done at the laundry I patronise. The result is that, every now and then I find some of my silk em broidered handkerchiefs and shirts gone, and in place of them about the worst looking lot of old rags on record—things mixed, you see. . “Well, but ——” “I know what you are going to say, but that ain’t the point. The Brown always takes back the things of His I return. Oh ! yes ; but he freezes on to my garment} like a mud turtle to a worm.” “Not withstanding which: ” “ I .wouldn’t ha’., minded it so. .much, but the cold-blooded j appropriator always keeps posted as to When I change my laundry woman,, and. the next week follows with his wash too. Why, I’ve been clear round to all the wash-houses in the city six times already y-this fellow after me like a sleuth hound.” Really, Mr. Foreman, this is all very well, but-——” “I even went so far, your Honor, as to change, my nime— actually had all my underclothes marked Gungleberg—Julius G. Giingleberg—fust • think of it—but what did this wietch do but find it out, and change'his’n,' and'bq- ■ fore I knew it he had gathered;in' six; mote brand-new undershirts, and a set of po’-- jfcunas. '' It’s'no use recommending him to mercy. I’ve explained the whole thing to the. jury, -and they all agree that he ought to be hanged before sunrise if the sheriff can fix the thipgs.in time.” And there was a universal roar of.indigua- . tion from the sympathetic spectators as - the judge ordered a new trial, and put the foreman under heavy bond to keep th* peace.

Friday, December 19, 1879.']

i’HE ASHBURTON H FRAUD.



ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. s. .d. s. d. I'utter, -inferior to best Ib i 0 to 0 9 ! )ggs, dozen - - X, 3 to 0 0 Oheese,. prime quality,. lb 0 9 to 1 0 :<acotv.: ne suy’ a, $ lb o 9 to I 0 Hams in cloth, 8? lb - i 0 'to I 4 L-'lour in bags, ioolb 14 6 Ito 0 0 Oatmeal, 251b - 6 6 to 0 0 f ,ard, lb . - - 0 9 to 0 0



185S 1859 | i860 Deposits Note Circulation Bills Payable Discount and other Advances ... Coin and Bullion, Bank Property, &c. £ 447,515 * 7 4,5 I 9 24,546 £ 512,062 89,136 39,33 1 552,766 99,161 40,022 546,580 514,729 179,504 640,529 643,604 208,706 691,949 635,029 159,765



r i 2 C45 -V g Particulars. Acres. ~ V 0 L‘ to y 2 rt c 0 p 0 Wheat returns for all New-Zealand. 264,577 6,070,599 22.94 Wheat returns for the Province of Canterbury. 1 73^95 3,621,820 20.8 Wheat returns for all other parts of New Zealand, excepting Can- terbury. 90,682 2,348,779 25. S9. 264,577 6,070,599!



New Advertisements. WANTED IMMEDIATELY ' APPRENTICES for Dressmaking and Ladies’ Jacket making. Apply to T. IIT PLODDER & COMPANY. 801 w ANTED—A .GENERAL SER VANT' Apply— Herald Office. 830 a LOST, on the 17th inst., a PURSE containing a Cheque for £l7 .on the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, and 15s 3d in silver. Cheque drawn by Frank Standish in favor of Edmund . Robinson. Finder ’ will be rewarded on leaving same at the Office of this Paper. Payment of cheque, stopped. 831 a CHRISTMAS CARDS—Tops and Pre sents. PI M._ JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. 7" ANTED. —The Herald tells your Wants in'2o" words, for 1/-. TTTE Cheap Advertiser —the Ashburton Herald with its 20-words tariff. D O y : du Want'the News of the Day? 1 Read the Ashburton Herald.



/, ; -NOTICE.. STH AYED on my land at Tinwald, Brown JEJorse;. saddle marked, and branded No. '2-bn .near Shoulder. If not claimed and expenses'paid within one month from this date, will be sold. Apply— D. M‘LEOD, V-''- Near Tinwald. 6Hi Dec;f 1879. • ~ 783 a Archery material.—Bows from ss. each. Arrows from ss. doz. H. M. JONES;-Stationer, Baring Square. £1 REWARD. STOLEN from the Tinwald Hotel mi TUESDAY, .the-11th of Nov. last (Sale Day) a dark grey tweed OVER COAT, the pockets, of which contained a pair of woollen"lined dog-skin gloves, and a bag containing geological specimens. The above reward will be paid to anyone giving' such information as will lead to the conviction of the thief. A. N. MACFARLANE, Ashburton Branch Railway, 832a* Tinwald. nnEACHERS can obtain the MULTI PLICATION TABLES, printed on gummed paper, in any. quantity at the Herald Office, ! East street, near the Railway Station. EULL of Reading Matter is the Herald Every Evening. WANTED KNOWN, the season for transplanting is at hand, and we can supply, many thousands Cabbage. Cauliflower, Broccoli, Savoy, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, and 6ther Plants, for winter supply.. 745 a ■•• '' SEALY BROS. CROQUET full size—2ls. per set. H. M. JONES, Stationer, Baring Square. JUST ARRIVED. PAPER-£©AGS,APAPER BAGS. C( ONFECT lONERS, Fruiterers, i Grocers, Drapers, Seedsmen, &c., can be supplied with Paper Bags, all sizes, and Printed or Plain. WEEKS AND DIXON, General Printers, East rtreet North. SCHOOL CONCERT. —The Teachers k and Scholars of the rAshburton Borough School'will give an - Entertain ment on MONDAY EVENING, in Aid of the Prize Fund. The Entertainment will be given in the ...large room of the school. Tickets of admission J/. 836 a



LONGBEACH ROAD DISTRICT. IVTOTICE is hereby given that the i\ ANNUAL MEETING' of rate payers will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 7th of January, 188.0,. at the hour of 12 o’clock noon, at the Road. Board Office, on Longbeach road, for the purpose of electing two members in the place of Messrs Joseph Clark and Thomas Taylor, who retire by are eligible, for re-election. • V The Poll, if necessary, will be taken im mediately after the nomination, and will close at 4 o’clock, p.m. W, CUTHBERT, •’* • •* Ret mating Officer. Longbeach Road, 20th Dec. 1879. 837 a vT'rANTED —-A : - Tfespectable man Cook VV fora Farm.' Apply to'Saunders Bros 834 a w ANTED, a Rtinner for the burton 'Herald. Ash- V. R. In the District Court of Canterbury Holden at Ashburton. IN THE MATTER OF The Debtors e :. and Creditor! Act, 1876, The Debtors and Creditors Act 1876 Amendment Act, 1878, and of 4he bankruptcy of GEORGE HELENS, of Ashburton Forks, farmer, a debtor. T HEREBY, summon a meeting of the creditors of the above-named debtor, to he held on MONDAY, the 22nd day of De cember, instant, at the offices of Messrs bran son and Purnell, solicitors, in East street, Ash burton, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, to consider the intended application by the said debtor order of immediate,discharge. 1 BUI day of December, 1879- FREDK. PAVLTT, Trustee. BRANSON AND PURNELL, Solicitors for the Debtors,



New Advertisements. PROMISSORY Note Forms, in Books of 25, unstamped, for sale at the Heraj,d Office. Price 2s. 6d. each. INEZ for Marking Packages, Sten cilling, &c. . Large bottles, 2s. each. WEEKS & DIXON, Stationers, &c. , East street.