The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1880. Financial Statement.

The Financial Statement delivered by the Colonial Treisurer on Tuesday night was one of the most comprehensive we have ever perused, and will, we are con fident, convince politicians of all shades of opinion that the gentleman at the head of our Treasury is thoroughly con versant even with the minutiae of his department. Assuming charge of our finance at a most critical period, Major Atkinson at once applied himself to the onerous duties of his office with an energy and ability which enabled him to produce from the disorganisation of his predeces sors a tolerably clear Statement for pre sentatian to the last session of Parliament. At that time he promised that a clearer and more comprehensive Statement should be placed before the House, and the fulfil ment of this promise is ably accomplished in the Budget now under consideration. The Treasurer, after briefly referring to the preceding Financial Statement, ex pressed confidence that the present check to our prosperity is only temporary, but at the same time dwdfc strongly on the absolute necessity of rigorous economy and the determination of Government to bring the annual expenditure within the the annual revenue by reducing the former and, if necessary, increasing the latter by additional taxation. It will be remem bered that when the Financial Statement of last session was presented, it was im puted by the Opposition that the Minister in chai’ge of this department had exagger ated the difficulties of the position by greatly under-estimating the revenue and many friends of the Government re gale! eel the views of the Colcnid Trea surer as too. gloomy, but the result of the financial year has been even worse tl an Major Atkinson’s anticq ati >r s, a deficiency of £133,790 occurring instead of £131,824 as estimated, and this not withstanding the fact that large savings have been accomplished in almost every branch of expenditure. The revenue fell short of anticipations by £261,441, a large deficiency occurring in both Customs and stamp duties, but in reference to the former the Treasurer remarks it is rather a matter for congratulation, assuming it to be an indication of more thrifty habits and greater self denial on the part of our population. We fear that stern necessity has had more to do with this result +han any permanent reform in the domestic habits of the taxpayers, but we earnestly hope, notwithstanding the temporary in convenience it may cause so far as the revenue is concerned, that the assumption of the Minister is a correct one. The receipts from railways felljshort of the esti mate by £113,072, but this is ha some way counterbalanced by a saving in expendi ture of this department of £43,242. The total expenditure appears to have exceeded the total receipts by £990,081, aod the total debt of the colony has now reached £27,409,113, subject to an actual charge of about £1,535,000 per annum. Of the £5,000,000 loan £3,060,000 has been used, and it is easy to ap preciate the anxiety of Government last session with a prospect of only £300,000 of the proposed loan being floated. The discontinuance of subsidies was fore shadowed last session, and it is honestly announced now as a necessary step. At the same time a scheme is propounded which, we think, will be a convenient and efficient substitute. Local bodies will be entitled to collect rates from General Government on Crown property and Maori country lands, and native owners of property within boroughs will directly contribute. The Government hope by reductions in several branches of expenditure, inclu ling their own salaries, to efiect a saving of £523,000 on the year’s expenditure. It is intimated that there will be a slight in crease on the rate of freight on the rail way, and that personal effects, furniture, and books will be exempt from the opera tion of the Property Tax. This exemp tion means a loss of £40,000 a year to the revenue, and we are disappointed that the Government made the concession, although we do not see our way to disap prove of the tax they have substituted, viz.—a beer tax of 6d. per gallon. It is expected that this tax will produce £IOO,OOO per annum, and, with an in crease on the succession duties will leave the Government with a surplus of £41,291 with which to end the financial year. We shall return to the consideration of this Statement in detail when space and oppor tunity offer.

“ Misfortunes Come not in Single Spies, but in whole Battalions.” —On Tuesday afternoon a cow, belonging to Mrs. Gordon, the widow of the late Alex ander Gordon, who perished in the snow on his way home from Ashburton last winter, fell down a well seventy feet deep. Immediately on hearing of the occurrence, Mr. John Lambie proceeded, with all the neighbors, to extricate the animal. A lantern was lowered into the well, but, owing to the accumulation of carbonic acid gas, the light immediately went out. A billy was then procured and filled with fat, making what is commonly known as a “ slush light.” This was lowered into the well, but immediately went out. A larger billy was then filled with fat and set on fire, making a large blaze. This was gradually let down until all g the gas had dispersed, when a man was lowered into the well, who fastened a strong rope around the head of the cow, and after some difficulty the dead animal was drawn out. This accident will be a great loss to the poor widow, for whose benefit it has been arranged to give a concert at Kyle <. n the 18th inst.

R.M. Court. —ln consequence of Mr. Guinness’ presence being required at Rakaia to-day, there was no sitting of the Bench in Ashburton. Judgment in the case of Saunders Bros. v. Jameson, and his Worship’s decision in the assault case heard on Tuesday last, will be given to morrow.

Entertainment at Kyle. —The good folks in the Kyle district have not forgot ten the widow and family of the poor man, Alexander Gordon, who died in the snow storm last winter while on his way home to Seafield from Ashburton, and arrangements have been made for a con cert to come off in the Kyle schoolroom on the 18th inst., the proceeds of which will be handed over to Mrs Gordon.

Matson, Cox, and Co.—Mr C. Percy Cjx having become a partner in the busi ness of Matson & Co., whose connections are now ramified over Canterbury, the style of the firm for its operations in this district will be Matson, Cox, & Co. As we'|annouuced some weeks ago, the firm will shortly erect large premises in West Street, at the corner of Burnet Street, The amount of business transacted being anything but an “ airy nothing,” the firm having already acquired a local name, re quired only a local habitation to complete their position, and this “ habitation” when erected will do honor to the firm, the township, and the district. Ashburton Forks Railway.— We hear it rumored that the Mount Somers and Alford Forest districts are to be, if they are not now being, canvassed for signatures to a petition to Government not to extend the Mount Somers Railway to Mount Somers, but to take it towards Peel Forest instead, and to carry the Ashburton Forks and Rakaia line to Mount Somers. We do not guarantee the truth of the rumor, but from the tone of tlie last discussion in the County Council on this subject, it is quite within the bounds of possibility. The Raphaels. —This talented little company gave another entertainment last night to a fair house, and to-night they repeat their entertainment for the benefit of “ Little Joe.”

Railway Bicycle.— The Yankees are always ahead in matters mechanical. To day we had an opportunity of witnessing one more step forward they have made. It was a bicycle intended for the use of railway inspectors of the way, and it is astonishing how easily a man astride this new kind of bicycle can get up “ steam to a speed of from sixteen to twenty miles an hour. The legs of the rider having nothing to do in the act of propulsion, as is the case with the ordinary road bicycle, the whole work being done by the hands and arms, and the motion of the body is exactly the same as that in rowing. The machines will be found exceedingly useful to inspectors, who can now mount a bicycle and reach a distant working ground or weak spot in the line without having to wait the most suitable train.

Temperance Lecture. —We regret ex tremely that, through pressure on our space, we are unable to do more than congratulate our temperance friends on the very satisfactory atten dance at the Templar Hall last evening, and for their being able to obtain the services of the Rev. A. J. Smith to lecture on such an interesting theme as that of “John B. Gough.” Although the hall was not uncomfortably crowded, the whole of the sitting accommodation was taken up, and a few had to stand. The lecture was listened to with much in terest, and at intervals the audience burst out into merry peals of laughter and applause at the many humorous anecdotes related by the rev. lecturer, and in the more pathetic portions, not a few felt in clined to give vent to their emotions in a very different manner. Mr. Smith said that J. B. Gough had been designated the “ prince of orators,” it might not be ont of place to characterise the rev. gentle man as “an encyclopedia of anecdote,” for from beginning to end, Mr. Smith kept the attention of the audience fixed by interspersing his remarks with these essential auxiliaries to successful lecturing. Mr. Gough’s childhood and youth were briefly referred to, his mother being a schoolmistress and his father a soldier, the latter having been at the battle of Corunna. After alluding to the fondness of Gough for his parents, and his natural abilities, which were even utilised more than once in his boyhood to swell the almost empty purse of his mother, the speaker dwelt at length on Gough as a drunkard, as reformed, and as a temper ance lecturer. At the conclusion of the lecture, a vote of thanks was proposed by the Rev. B. J. Westbrooke, seconded by Mr. Craighead, and carried by acclama tion. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr. Isaac Scott, terminated the proceed ings.—After the meeting was over a number of gentlemen remained behind, at the invitation of the Chairman, to take into consideration the advisableness of in stituting a total abstinence society es pecially for the friends of temperance who might not feel disposed to join the Tem plar Order. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee for the pur pose of carrying out the proposal :• —Revs. Hands, Keall, Smith, and Westbrooke, with Messrs. Olsen, Craighead, Sando, I. Scott, Stokes, TIIO3. Scott;, and.. G. W.- Andrews. It was also arranged that meet ings similar to the above should be held monthly, and several gentlemen’s names were mentioned as being likely to render their assistance by giving lectures. We understand the Rev. Mr. Hands is to deliver a lecture at the next monthly meeting.

THE IRISH RELIEF FUND —A LIVELY REPLY.

To the Editor.

Sir,—l have read in your recent issues your correspondents’ letters concerning the Irish Belief Fund, in which my con duct is characterised as “ inhuman and disgraceful.” I say “my conduct” be cause I am one of the Commitee, and charges made promiscuously against that body generally must refer to individual members particularly. I cannot allow such to pass without- making a few remarks thereon ; therefore I wish your readers to remember that when the Ashburton Relief Committee were appointed it was about the beginning of harvest, and nearly every person knows —although the Ashburton people did not seem to know —that a farmer’s duties at that time are most arduous. I was appointed one of the Committee to canvass for subscriptions, without ever having been asked whether I was willing to undertake such a duty. That duty meant riding forty or fifty miles at a

most unfavorable time. The sympathy of the meeting was very strong, as far as words went ; but there it seems to have ended. But the laziness of the Ashburton portion since that time seems to have come out much stonger, except where self interest is concerned, for not one amongst them could find time (of course, that is how they put it) to solicit subscriptions within, the narrow bounds of the Borough ; but they must appoint someone for that pur pose and pay him for it—out of the sub scriptions, I presume. Their unreason ablenes to expect a farmer to canvass, as I have said, and at such a time, while the promoters were lounging in their easy chairs and issuing their orders, must be apparent to anyone. Their indolence, I think, in that matter became infectious. I showed my paper to many. They pitied the poor Irish, but they gave me nothing— “A man may hae an hone it heart, Though poortith hourly stare him ; A man may tak a neibor’s part, Yet hae na cash to spare him.” I then paid my subscription to Fried lander Bros., and told them how matters stood, which I thought would be sufficient. But a short time ago I received a letter, very much to my surprise, from the Borough clei'k, asking for my subscrip tions. As I had no money to give, 1 did not think it worth while to send back .their-piece of paper. lam neither a, Con .naughtman nor an Irishman, and maybe somewhat destitute of the “ sympathetic glow. ” But so far, no call upon me for aid, even for the relief of the heathen, as clergymen call them—not for their conver sion, but for providing the ' necessaries of life—has ever been made to me in vain. But Mr. Flagherty Pat O’Reilly, the gnarled limb of the law, says my conduct is “inhuman,” and “ Subscriber ” says that I am a “ disgi’ace to humanity.” But hold—l wonder if there is libel in that ? That brings me in mind of Mr Branson and his preference the other day for an ugly blade dog before a strapping servant girl, He must lea cold son of clay. His mother “honest woman, may think shame, That he’s connected with her.” Had he been) bred to the plough, I h ove no doubt but he would have sung “ The gust of joy, the balm cf woe, The aoul of life, the Heaven below, 1m rapture giving woman.” I deny that my conduct has been disgraceful, and . as “Subscriber” wants my name published, I give it here in full. For some time back, I have been under the delusion that my contribution . had assisted to feed and clothe some poor family. But where is it ? 111 the bank. Think of that, you subscribers. It is many a day since I saw the London Punch , ancl I was not aware that “ the starving Irish are deemed fit subjects for a joke.” I cannot join in it. If they are so, I think it is most likely to be among the members of Mr. O’Reilly’s profession. If the people of Ireland are allowed to die of starvation it is a disgrace to the English 'Government, and shows the necessity of reform, towards which I am willing to give another pound for that purpose.

As a finish, I will venture to say that if Mr. Ivess had been in Ashburton, with his warm love for his countrymen and his enthusiasm in this cause, the Irish Relief Committee would not have gone to sleep as they have done, nor I been under such a delusion as I have been, and the disgrace would have been at tached to the proper persons, and Mr. O’Reilly and “ Subscriber ” saved the trouble of trying to saddle it upon such as your humble servant James Brown. Wakanui.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(By cable from Reuter's Agency.) The Wool Sales. London, June 8. The wool sales closed to-day. The total quantity sold during the series amounts to 360,000 bales, and 25,000 bales have been held over. Merino wools have closed at par., and crossbreds are 2d. to 3d. lower, coarse sorts being 4d. Abolition of Flogging in the Army. An official statement has been published to the effect that the Government has decided to abolish flogging in the army and navy from next yeai\ The Australians. June 9. The match between the Australians and Eighteen of Malton, in Yorkshire, was resumed to-day. In the second innings the Home team have lost eleven wickets for sixty-one runs. The weather was very showery during the day, and in consequence of this play was stopped. Sir Bartle Frere. It is announced that Sir Bartle Frere’s salary as High Commissioner at the Cape has been stojaped. This is said to be not owing to any objection of the Liberal party to Sir Barbie’s continuance in office, but to the fact of cessation of his duties as High Commissioner. Lord Lytton. } Calcutta, June 9. i » The Right Hon. Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India, has arrived at Simla. The Election of President. Washington, June 8. General Grant’s prospects of being again elected President of America are now improving. General Grant’s Opponent.

The Republican Convention have chosen Mr. Garfield as their candidate for the Presidential election. Mr. Garfield is a Congress man in the State of Ohio. The Vice-President.

Mr. Arthur has been nominated as Vice-President of the United States.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Renter's Agency.) Payment of Members. Melbourne, June 9. In the Legislative Assembly, all opposi tion to the payment of members has ceased. Mauritius Sugar; Market. A telegram from Mauritius, dated June 2nd, says that the sugar market remains unchanged. Freights are nominal and tonnage scarce.

Oats. Melbourne, June 10. Oats are very dull. Melbourne Exhibition.

The time for the receipt of wool entries or the Melbourne Exhibition has been xtended to Ist Deceinb er, and wool to be d eliverable up to 23rd December.

Not a Bushranger. Sydney, June 9.

The man who was arrested on suspicion of being Byrnes, the bushranger, was sub sequently released, as he turned out not to be the man wanted. Brooks v. Swanwick, Brisbane, June 9.

In the case of Brooks v. Swanwick, in which plaintiff, a prisoner, sued for Ll5O given in charge of the defendant to de fend him at his trial, the latter has been released on recognisances.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) A Maori Burned to Death. Auckland, June 9.

A Maori named Tickey was burnt to death at Omaha. He was mad with drink and is believed to have set fire to his house and hanged himself, as a charred rope was found round his neck. “Someone had Blundered.” Napier, June 9. It was known on Tuesday morning by a merchant at the Spit that the beer duty would be imposed, and he cleared out his stock to an hotelkeeper. A brewer also got an inkling of the state of affairs, and acted accordingly. The duty saved by one hotelkeeper alone was L6O. At a meeting of licensed victuallers held before the Stateinent was made, the tax—the amount of which was known—and the question of who was to pay the tax, were discussed. This morning a worse blunder was made. The police had received intimation early in the evening that they were to hold themselves in readiness for extraordinary duty. They remained up all night, but no further in structions came. It was not until ten minutes to ten o’clock that they received official intimation of what they bad read in the papers three hours before, and the brewers were not slow to take advantage of the delay. All the carts in the town were employed in carting beer, and the whole duty collected did not exceed L 250

The Brewers snd the Beer Tax. Wellington, June 9.

A resolution was unanimously passed at a meeting of all the brewers here that the duty be added to the price of beer, and collected on delivery. A Deputation. A deputation from the licensed vic tuallers waited on several members this afternoon, placing before them the amend ments to the new Bill recently made by the publicans. The members replied that the question would receive the utmost consideration on the Licensing Bill coming before the House. Against the Government. At the Compensation Court, in the case, of Kirkcaldie and Slains and the General Government, judgment was given for the plaintiffs for L 4853, and fifty guineas costs. The claim was for L 5750, the value of land taken by the defendants for the new railway station. That Property Tax. Wellington, June 10. At a meeting last night of the Political Association, formed for. the purpose of endeavoring to have the Property Tax re pealed, a deputation was appointed to wait on the city members this afternoon, to represent the views of the Association. A Judge on the Drink Traffic. Timaru, June 9.

At the criminal sessions, Judge John ston, in addressing the Grand Jury, ex pressed a hope that the Legislature avould so amend the laws relating to sale of drink as to prevent licensed persons having a pecuniary interest in drunkenness. The criminal calandar contains fifteen cases against twenty-two persons, including shooting with intent, forcible entry, arson, forgery and robbery. Man Poisoned.

Invercargill, June 10.

A rabbiter, name unknown, was found dead in a woolshed at Woodburn station, Waiau. Some poisoned wheat was found on the ground, and there were traces in his mouth. He is supposed to have com mitted suicide or been inadvertently poi soned.

Missing Boat. It is feared a Stewart’s Island boat, the Pride of the South, is lost. She left the Island on Friday and has not been heard of since. The crew was composed of three men, under an old resident, known as Bob Davidson. The Beer Tax and Customs. Dunedin, Jure 10. The Beer Tax here amounts to close on LSjOOO. In anticipation of the new tax considerable' stocks were cleared last month. As contrasted with the corresponding period last year, customs receipts show the following increases :—Tea, L 3163 ; Sugar, L 3,965 ; case spirits, L 4,019 ; kerosene, L6OO ; ale, in bulk (imported), L2OO ; in bottle, L2OO. The Otaki. Private advices from London report the arrival of the ship Otaki, after a smart passage of seventy days, from Port Chalmers. More Legs. , Twenty-two entries have been received for a twenty-four hours, walking match here early next month. Important Gold Discovery. Kumara, June 9. A most important discovery of gold has been made by the Long Tunnel Tail Pace Company. They have been two-and-a half years bringing in a tunnel through a reef which exists between Dunedin Flat and the Teromakau river, and have just broke through into the wash, which for thirty feet averages one grain to the dish. This is 130 feet below the surface, and as the lowest ground at present worked has been thirty feet, this discovery is con sidered very important. All the ground below this depth is workable by ground sluicing, which means nearly the whole of the goldfields.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(PEI i PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, June 8,

The Council sat only a short time, ana the business done was of very slight im portance.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, June 8. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p. m.

NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. Shrimski to aslc why the privilege

of transmitting press telegrams by special correspondents to 10 o’clock p.m. was not extended to this session. Sir George Grey to ask leave to introduce a Bill to introduce a Bill to perpetuate the public services rendered by Mr. Moorhouse to Canterbury. Mr. Murray to move —That the. honorarium payable to members of the House of Representatives be reduced to LIOO, and that no honorarium be paid to members of the Legislative Council, also that the salaries payable to future Governors, as well as to Ministers of the Crown, be reduced. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr. Stewart, The Hon. W. Rolleston said inquiries would be made regarding the order of some Licensing Courts, that unless certain wooden hotels were pulled down and re built of stone, licenses would be with drawn. In reply to Sir Win. Fox, The Hon. W. Rolleston said the posi tion of Judge Bathgate as a Director of the Mortgage and Investment Company, recently formed in London, was incom patible with his position as a District Judge in New Zealand, and he would be made aware of the fact. Judge Bathgate went Home on private business, but was allowed half-pay from the judicial vote and the other half for acting as an immi gration agent. NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time—To extend the franchise to women (Dr. Wallis). To prohibit party processions (Mr. Pyke). THE LICENSING BILL. The Hon. T. Dick moved the second reading of the Licensing Act. In detailing its provisions he said that it was proposed to introduce what was known as local option, also to do away with the bottle licenses at present in force in some parts of the colony. He explained the provisions of the Bill at considerable length, and he asked the House to join with the Govern ment in making it a Bill that would be at once fair to the publican and acceptable to the country.

Mr. Barron said that climate influences had a great deal to do with the necessities that existed for drink, and he thought that in New Zealand that fact would operate against a uniform measure being passed for the whole colony. Mr. Stewart spoke against the impro priety of the total abolition of the bottle license. He looked upon the Bill as a whole favorably. Mr. Seddon complained that ample pro vision had not been made against the ileicit sale of spirits. He also maintained that some concession should be made for the accommodation houses. He also objected to single women being allowed to hold licenses.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. Mix Speight moved all adjournment of the debate on the Licensing Bill. The House then went into Committee of Ways and means, when the Treasurer delivered his Financial Statement. Wednesday, June 9. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. A NEW FEATURE. Sir Wm. Fox gave notice that he would move, on consideration of the Licensing Bill, the insertion of a clause giving rela tives the right of action against anyone supplying liquor to persons to their injury. NEW ZEALAND WINES. The report of the Local Industries Com misson on the sale of New Zealand wines was laid on the table. THE SUBSIDIES. Mr. Sutton gave notice of motion for payment of subsidies to local bodies as heretofore during the ensuing six months. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated that Building Societies would be charged under Section 13 of the Property Tax the same as other companies. Govern ment recognised the importance of the Bill to prevent threatened representations of an indecent or immoral kind, but were prevented by other engagements from in troducing such a measure. Such a Bill introduced by the lion, member would have their support. On cause being shown, the sale of the Hannah Mokau would be delayed for a month. Government had under consideration the propriety of ex tending the time for furnishing the statements required by the Property As sessment Act, but no modification would be made in view of its repeal. Corres pondence between the Government, the Agent-General, and the Loan Agents re lative to L 5,000,000 loan and the conver sion of loans would be produced. No provision would be made towards continu ing the grant of land scrip to Volunteers, and they did not consider Volunteers en titled to any remuneration. NEW BILLS. The following were introduced and read a first time :—To perpetuate the recogni tion of the public services of W. S. Moorehouse, Esq., in the late province of Canterbury (Sir G. Grey) ; to amend the Crown Grants Amendment Act, 1870, (Mr. Rolleston). KNIGHTHOOD. The Hon. John Hall produced the Governor’s message containing a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies intimating the honor of Knight hood had been conferred on the Speaker of the Lower House. He moved that the despatch be made a record of the House. Mr. Macandrew seconded the motion, which was carried, and the compliment was acknowledged by the Speaker. sir julius vogel’s ganoid at ure for Fal mouth. Mr. Gisborne moved for copies of cor respondence, etc., with the Agent-General on the subject of liis candidature for the House of Commons, and also on his being a Director of the New Zealand Agricul tural Company. Sir Win. Fox seconded. The Hon. John Hall promised that the correspondence would be produced. MOTIONS. The following motion was agreed to : A return of amounts paid for advertising and printing to newspapers, from Ist October to 31st March last (Mr. Wallis). Mr. McLaughlan moved for the corres .pondenee relating to the treatment, ‘death, and the inquest held on the body of John Wilson, found dead in his cell in the gaol at Invercargill.

The Hon. Mr. Rolleston produced the correspondence, yand stated that a Royal Commission would be appointed to enquire if deceased had been neglected. The motion was carried, and the House adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING SITTING.

MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. Hutchison moved the first reading of the Bill, which was intended to pro vide for special funds being paid into a special bank account, which could be operated upon only for the specific pur pose it was created to serve ; also to em power additional borrowing when a loan already raised was not sufficient ..to cover the pui'pose for which it was obtained ; to enable the proclamation of private steets public streets, and the abolition of plural voting at elections. , - Mr. Brandon would not.oppose the Bill, but would endeavor to amend objection able clauses in Committee. JiVaAOgTV! A Mr. Andrews counselled postponement for suggestions from Christchurch. • ~|p Miv Shrimski. objected to further; borrowing powers being given to-locaßj bodies. Mr. Pitt favored the . Bill. It got ab sentee owners. Mr. Speiglit had seen fit to change his highly radical views, and would oppose the abolition of plural voting. Hon. Mr. Dick said Government would allow the second reading, but the corpora tions ought to have an opportunity to con- r sider the Bill’s provisions before it passed. Mr. Barron thought this was wise, and suggested three weeks as a fair time. Mr. Hutchison did not object to delay, and the Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be committed that day three weeks. drainage. Mr. Murray moved the second reading of his Drainage ■ Bill, which would cm-. power persons to enter into schemes for the drainage of their own properties, and find work for men at a slack time of the, year. The measure would help the agri cultural interest. Mr. Shepherd moved the Bill be read that day six months. Every shilling was wanted for present engagements, and it was no time to add fresh burdens of borrowed money. Mr. Bain favored the practical purposes of the Bill, but questioned the machinery. The Bill ought to be committed with a view of impoving the machinery proposed. This was accepted by Mr. Murray, and on a division the Bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

THE LICENSING- BILL. Mr. Speight resumed the adjourned de bate. He objected to the Native licenses, as the Natives were keen-witted, and saw the evils of drink. He knew Maori dis tricts that would poll to a man against having drink amongst them. He objected to the quorum of two on the Bench, which was not enough, and to the pro posed billiard-room license, and to the proposal to let clubs go free of police supervision, and strongly condemned these places, which were just where police supervision was wanted. Police super vision should go with all licenses. The family hotel license would only be useful if it were honestly used—there was the difficulty. He suggested that to prevent sale of liquor to children, a clause should be added prohibiting their carrying liquor off the premises. He suggested that wives and children would be more easily induced to give evidence in cases where their husbands and fathers were con cerned if the proceedings were made less public. Mr. Bowen agreed with the general provisions of the Bill and felt sure local option was acquiesced in by the House. He objected to native licenses and to those to family hotels. The latter were a fraud, and would become a refuge for men hunted out of respectable houses. He was glad to see the bottle license abolished ; but he thought the Bill should have defined what a club was, and not left the word in the ambiguous sense it was now. The “ bona fide traveller ” was a fraud and an absurdity, and ought to be abolished, as also the selling of drink at railway stations. Mr. Fulton agreed generally with the Bill. Sir William Fox moved the adjourn ment of the debate till to-morrow night, which was carried. auctioneers licensing bill. The committal of this Bill was post poned for a fortnight to receive suggestions from the Wellington auctioneers. The House adjourned at 12.30.

Longbeach Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held on Monday last, when there were present—Messrs. Grigg (chair man), Chapman, and Dawson. The Surveyor’s report was read and con sidered, and the following works recom mended therein were authorised :—Shing ling of about 40 chains on Isleworth road from the boundary road eastwards. Drain age of the same road for about 60 chains from Lowcliff hut road to Dobson’s road. A bridge over the creek, on die Lower Beach Road. A concrete culvert, with outfall drain of 20 chains, and re-grading of side ditches on boundary road at Man son’s, on the Great South road, a foot bridge over the creek at Tinwald ; a 15- inch pipe culvert at the next ford south of Tinwald, and the formation of the road to be made up level; also the re-grading of this road from Stalker’s to the Long beach road. A concrete culvert at the junction of Osborne’s with Ford’s road. A double culvert, with outfall drain, at Wil liams’ corner on Lower Beach road, and a fenced siding cutting into the Rangitata river on the same road.

A letter was read -from the Ashburton County Council, enclosing copies of the Ashburton County Water Supply Bill, for distribution in this district and another enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. W- Stoddart to the Council, in which that gentleman complained that the Board would not clear out Etie’s creek for him, and asking the Council to compel the Board to do this work. It was resolved not to clear out the creek, as the Board never interfered with it ; brt as Mr. Stoddart founded his claim on the statement that the formation of the Boundary road caused additional water to flow into the creek, and the creek is not actually, the outfall for the road : drainage, it was resolved to-put stanks in the side ditches, and so cut off all water ommunication between road and creek.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1880.



Miscellaneous p-| A AAA TO LEND, in sums to StIUjUUU su it borrowers, at lowest ate of interest. F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, Ashburtcn. 424c-835g TTTANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw- VV kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at ins usual Cheap All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired;., - 805g-t-417c ■vtEW LINES JUST OPENED—GIass Inks and Inkstands, Book Slides, Scrap Albums, Desks, Workboxes, Photo graph Frames from- Gd. each. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. MUSIC Folios,. with Spring Backs: Concertinas, 20 Keys, from 65.; Mouth Organs, &c. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. j ANTED KNOWN, that MR. NEALAS is now OPENING UP a First Class Assortment of BOOTS and SHOES, suitable for Winter wear, which he intends to dispose of at his usual CHEAP RATES. 924g-53Gc "TTTANTED—A good GOAT, in full V.V milk. Apply at once to the Herald Office. 551 c TTTANTED—TENDERS for CLEAR- V ING Fourteen Miles of Drainage on the Chatmoss Estate. Full particulars can be ascertained by applying to James Scott, at Montgomery and Co.’s Store, East street, Ashburton. 535c-930g TTOOLSCAP Ledgers and Cash Books, T Pocket Ledgers, Where is it 1 Letter Books, Note, Letter, and Foolscap Papers, Envelopes, Court, Business, and Official Drawing arid Tissue Paper. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. /COMPOSITION Dolls, China Dolls, Wooden Dolls, Rag Dolls, Toys, China Mugs, Balls, &c. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. WATCH FOUND. FOUND, at South Rakaia, a Silver Hunting Watch. The owner can have the same by giving description and paying expenses. Apply, -K. JAMES BRUCE, 543 e South Rakaia. FIVE POUNDS REWARD. LOST.— On FRIDAY night, between Quintin’s Bottling Establishment and Mr. Corbett’s Farm, £lO6. Numbers known of the ten £lO notes. The finder will receive the above reward on return ing the same to William Frisby, Green street, or G. M. Robinson, at Cunning ham and Co. ’s office, Ashburton. 553 c T, w. WH IT E, CONFECTIONER AND BAKER, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, ASHBURTON, T>EGS to announce that he has taken the business lately carried on by Edward Tatlor, Baker, &c., Saunders’ Buildings, and trusts by supplying a first class article at a moderate price, to merit a continuance of public support. Best Bread, 41b. Loaf, sd/Cash, 6d, Delivered. 928g-550c CENTRAL BUTCHERY, (Baring Square, Ashburton). J. WARD, Family Butcher, IN thanking the public for their very -liberal support, and in consequence of having so large a patronage, is now in a position to supply the best meat that can be procured at the following reduced prices for cash : BEEF 2d., 3d., and 4d. LEGS MUTTON, PRIME, 3d. EORE-QUARTERS, lfd ' Customers can be supplied at the prices either from the shop or cart. J. WARD, Butcher.



NOTICE. EDW AR D TAYLOR, BAKER, Saunders’ Buildings, 13EGS to intimate to his customers and JD the public generally that he has this day disposed of his Business to W. White, and solicits a continuance of support for his successor. ACCOUNTS. MR, W. WHITE is AUTHORISED to COLLECT ALL DEBTS due to me in-respect of my Balcery Business due at this date. EDWARD TAYLOR, Baker, Saunders’ Buildings. .Ashburton, 9th June, 1880. 552c-937g



> TO-NIGHT. IMMENSE SUCCESS. THE RAPHAEL TROUPE. rjT OWN HALL. T O-N IGH T ! T O-N IGH T ! THE YOUNG BLONDIN AND THE AGILE TRAPEZISTS. Talented Musicians. Admission—3s., 25., Is. Doors open at h; ns; 7.30, commence at 8 sharp. 653; R. GAMBOA, Agent.



TO HOTELKEEPERS AND OTHERS. 'E have been supplied by the Go vernment Printer with a Stock of BILLS now before Parliament, with a view to supplying those who desire intelligently to follow the debates in the House. The first instalment com prises the batch submitted by the Statutes Revision Commission ;rs and THE NEW LICENSING BILL. Price—2s. Each. WEEKS AND DIXON-