COMMERCIAL

Christchurch Corn Exchange

The following is the report of the Christchurch Corn Exchange for the week ending Friday evening, the 2nd m There is little or nothing to report that is new in the state of the gram produce market during the past week. Business is exceedingly heavy. There is, however, a better feeling being manifested for feed grains. It must be borne m mind at the same time that values are not much affected by this inquiry. The exceedingly low prices now ruling has induced specula tion, any material advance in price would probably have the effect of checking this movement. A slight benefit, however, might be anticipated, as competition will prevent a monopoly, and reduce the speculator’s gains. The potato market is a little firmer, but without any advance on last week’s rates. The Sydney market being the only reliable outlet at present will,°it is expected, upon the arrival of the heavy shipment per Wakatipu—viz., about 680 tons—give way. This cargo is the largest ever imported into'that market in one bottom ; consequently, with the supplies arriving from other places, prices may be expected to recede considerably. Recent advices from Sydney quote potatoes at L 3 to L 3 10s. per ton, accord ing to condition (sacks included), New Zealand grown having the preference. Wheat.—Good milling samples are sale able at for 3s. 6d. to 3s. 7d. per bushel ; second rate, 3s. 2d. to 3s. 4d. ; chick ■wheat, Is. 9d. to 2s. 4d. per bushel.

Oats.—The demand for this cereal is still good. A slight advance on last week’s quotation with an upward ten dency. Good short milling samples Is. 6|d. to Is. s|d. ; feed samples (good), Is. 2d. to Is. 6d. ; inferior quality, llfd. to Is. Id.

Barley.—Really good malting samples are in demand, but difficult to obtain. For this quality 3s. 3d. to 3s. 6d. is obtain able ; second-class malting, 2s. 4d. to 2s. 9d. ; feed parcels, Is. 6d. to Is. Bd. per bushel. Potatoes. —There is no alteration to note in value, 225. 6d. to 255. per ton -being the prices at which business is transacted. Sacks, extra, for forward delivery in August and September, 355. per ton. Grass Seed.—Little or no business is being done in this article, prices remain as before 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. Cheese and Butter, —The former is in good supply with a very slack demand 4d. to 4-|-d. ; for the latter a moderate de mand exists at from 9d. to lOd.

[by telegraph.]

Dunedin, July 2,

Prime beef, 275. 6d. per 100 lbs.; mutton, 3d. per lb.; wheat, 3s. 6d. to 3s. lOd.; oats, la. 3d. to Is. 5d.; malting barley, 3s. 6d. to 3s. lOd.; potatoes, L2 55.; hay, L 3 to L 4; bran, L 3 ; pollard, L 4 ; flour, L 9 103. to LlO ; cheese, 5d.; bacon, lOd.; hams, Is.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows :

The next mails for the United Kingdom, , <&s., via San Francisco, will close at Ash burton on 16th July, and will be due in London on 31st August.

For Christchurch and North at 6 a. rn. 9. a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia. &c., at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.15 a.m. daily.

For Temuka, Timaru, and South at

6 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch at 10.35 a.m., 4.55 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at 10.35 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.25 p.’m. daily. Fr«m Temuka and Timaru at 9.25 a. m. and 5.25 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. in. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas,

Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With Which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). MONDAY, JULY 5, 1880. Railway Refreshment Rooms.

We remember in the old country that at every licensing day a strong force of reformers rose in arms against the grant ing of licenses to railway refreshment rooms. The chief reason advanced for the opposition was that they were too great a temptation to railway servants, and by their existence on the railway lines drunkenness was increased amongst the officials, to the detriment of efficiency in the service, and to the danger of human life. These refreshment rooms gave facilities for getting drunk to guards, drivers, and firemen, and men have been known to join the train at its first start ing, perfectly sober, and yet be reported drunk before they had reached their destination. Human nature is human nature all the world over, and we do not suppose it differs in New Zealand from what we knew it to be at Home. If the railway refreshment room encouraged internperence amongst the railway em ployees in the old country there is every chance that it does so here, and therefore we do not object to the action of Parlia ment on Friday night in striking out the clause in the Licensing Bill which pro vides for granting licenses to these rooms. There are few railway stations that have not in their immediate vicinity hotels where the thirstiest may quench, and the travelling public wanting liquor can always supply themselves at these hotels.

Obstructing the Railway.— The two boys—H. Mason and W. Palmer—who were charged at the Supreme Court to day with obstructing the railway line, got six weeks’ imprisonment. Mount Somers Building Stone. —A sample of the Mount Somers quarry stone is to be sent to the Melbourne Industrial Exhibition. Mr E. A. Peach being the exhibitor.

The Christys. —The Amateur Chrisfcys repeated their entertainment on Saturday evening. Again, however, the weather was against them, and the house was thin. In spite of this discouragement the pro gramme was gone through with spirit, and hearty applause was frequently elicited.

Change op Proprietary. —lt will be observed from a notice in another column that Mr. George Willcocks has transferred his coach business to Mr. Thomas Cotton. Tom is well known as an expert driver, and has piloted the Longbeach coach for some time past. We wish him every suc cess in his venture.

London Art Union.— Mr. J. Stanley Bruce, the local agent for the Art Union of London, has furnished us with the list of prize-holders for the present year, from which we observe that two prizes have frllen to New Zealand colonists, one of the lucky individuals being our respected townsman, Mr. J. Sealey. The Hospital. —Dr. Trevor, who has been appointed medical officer to the Hospital, announces that the building is now available for the treatment of cases of emergency. This will remove the necessity for taking cases of accidents, &c., to Christchurch, as has hitherto been the custom when anything serious occurred.

Accidents. —On Friday last, while Mr. John Hefford was carting shingle from the river bed, his horse be came a little restive and kicked. Mr. Hefford received a kick on the right hand which dislocated two of his fingers, one of which was also fractured. —On Saturday, while Mr. George Eagle was opening a bottle of soda-water the bottle burst, and fragments of the glass striking one of his wrists severely lacerated the flesh, and severed some of the arteries. Mr. Eagle lost a large quantity of blood, and it was only with great difficulty that Dr. Stewart was able to staunch the wounds.

The Weather. —Since Saturday night we have had an almost continuous down pour of rain, the intervals of cessation having been few and far between. As a result the rivers are running high, and creeks that have been dry for months are carrying substantia', streams. As yet no tidings have reached us of any damage having been done, and the trains have run without any interruption. There has been such a long stretch of dry weather that it will take a somewhat persistent and heavy wetting to do much mischief, but should the copious rainfall continue that we are now having we may look out for reports of flooding. On Sunday morning the congregations at the various churches in town were very sparse, owing to the damp ; but in the evening, when the rain was falling in real earnest, and the wind had risen to the force of a gale, the at tendances were a good deal more at tenuated. One congregation numbered four besides the choir, while none could count more than twenty.

Run Down. —The Invercargill Working Men’s Club has been closed for “ financial reasons.”

Bigamy. —A butcher named Lawlor has been committed for trial at Auckland, on a charge of bigamy. Loyal Contracting. —A portion of the Timaiu breakwater recently slipped out. It was found that it had been propped up with bags of concrete instead of resting on solid blocks. A Works Committee. —One of the Kaiapoi Borough Councillors evidently fancies that the Works Committee of the Council is a farce, and he is to move their discharge and the paying of an extra LSO a-year to the Town Clerk to do the Com mittee’s work.

Greymouth. —The commencement of work on the Greymouth breakwater was celebrated on Saturday by a demonstra tion. Since the protective works were first commenced, the export of coal from Greymouth has quadrupled, and the com pletion of the works now undertaken will enable the Greymouth mine to supply 50,000 tons of coal per week. The New Courthouse, Christchurch —The new Magistrate’s Courthouse at Christchurch was opened this morning. It is a commodious stone building near the Supreme Courthouse, and at the opening there were eight magistrates present. Mr. Perceval, as representing the bar, congratulated the Bench on the transition from the old building to one BO much superior.

Sparrows. —Mr. Merrill, of Kaiapoi Island, has this season reduced the spar rows in liis neighborhood by half a cart load. ISupremb Court. —The criminal ses sions of the Christchurch Supreme Court opened this morning. There were 19 cases set down for hearing. A Good Figure. —A lot of greasy merino wool, belonging to Mr. G. W. H. Lee, The Warren, Oxford, brought Is. 6|d per lb. at a recent wool sale in London.

Stonebreaking. With a view to alleviate in some measure the distress ex isting in Wellington, the City Council are to provide work at stonebreaking for the unemployed. The city finances will not admit of any greater effort. Duty. —An Italian organ grinder re cently proceeded to Albury (N.S.W.), with organ and monkey, for the purpose of crossing into Victoria. The Custom house authorities on the Border stopped him, and demanded L 6 10s. for duty.

Hibernian. —The Auckland Herald i s responsible for the statement that when Mr. Reader Wood was talking about Sardanapalus, and Irish member thought he was referring to a Hibernian celebrity —Sir Daniel O’Phelus.

Retrenchment. —With a view to economy, we understand that directions have been given by the Postmaster- General for the discontinuance of the special trains which the Suez mail has hitherto been sent from the Bluff to Christchurch. The number of letters expedited by this special train is considered quite insuffi cient to justify the expense which it en tails.

Coal. —The Orepuki (Southland) Coal Company have forwarded to the Mel bourne Exhibition a column of shale the full thickness of the seam, viz., some five or six feet. The seam descends through the coal at an angle of forty-five degrees to unknown depths. The company have sunk into the coal seam about eighteen feet, and have not yet passed through it. The coal improves in quality as they go deeper. Burglary.— The Chief Post Office at Timaru was burglariously entered on Saturday night, but the would be thief was scared by a telegraphist who slept on the premises. The safe had been at tempted unsuccessfully, and several drawers were rummaged. The culprit escaped. An unsuccessful attempt was also made to break into Messrs Hallenstein’s establishment in Timaru.

Ministerial J ustices. —There is one odd thing about the roll of Justices (ac cording to the Hawke's Bay Herald) which is worth noticing. All the “ continuous Ministry ” are Justices, so are all the present Ministry. But of Sir George Grey’s colleagues only Mr. Gisborne is on the roll. We look in vain for the names of Sir George Grey, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Stout, Mr. Fisher ; n 1 Mr. Thompson. The Kelly Rewards. —The persons instrumental in the destruction and cap ture of the Kelly gang become entitled to large rewards, amounting altogether, we believe, to about LB,OOO. In April last it was notified that the rewards would be withdrawn at the end of three months, but that term has not yet expired. There is also a standing promise of a pension for the children of men killed or injured in attempting the capture of the bush rangers.

Larrikinism. The Wesleyan soiree, which was held on the 15th ult. in the Ponsonby Hall (Auckland), was charac terised by a novel feature, gratuitously supplied by the “ idle vagabond boys” of the district. A select band located them selves in the porch, and willingly fur nished all the applause that was necessary for the various speakers and singers. They also kindly varied the proceedings by re producing, with artistic fidelity to nature, the many variations of the feline voice, relieved at frequent intervals by capital, though of course dissonant, imitations of canine cacophony. At one period a lively duet between an enormous tom and a co quettish tabby broke shrilly upon the ear, and fetched the enraged doorkeeper; while at another stage of the proceedings, the snapping bark of a human terrier was wafted gently round the hall. This mis chievous band concluded their night’s per formances by loudly applauding the rev. gentleman who rose to pronounce the benediction.

The Want oe Work. —The following story, told by the Christchurch Press, shows to what straits some men are re duced by the want of employment : —“An apparently deliberate instance of a man choosing dishonesty and the shelter of the prison rather than liberty, houseless and hungry, came before the Lyttelton magis trate on Saturday. The circumstances, as related by the man, were—That his name was Alexander Simpson, about twenty-six years of age, and he came to New Zea land from Adelaide about two years ago. He bad lately been swagging, looking for work, sleeping out at nights, exposed to cold, wind, and rain, and, being penni less and hungry and in this condition on Friday, he went to G. B. Philp’s shop, on London street, and took an oilskin coat from a number there hanging outside the shop. With this he went over to the police station and gave himself into cus tody. This was the story he told the constable, and so told it, with apparent emotion, to the magistrate on Saturday. In reply to the Bench, he said he was a laborer, and willing to work at anything for wages. The police said the man was unknown to them, and the magistrate, un willing to enter up a conviction until further inquiries were made, remanded him for a week.

Supreme Court

[by telegraph. ] Dunedin, July 5

The Judge’s charge was merely a con gratulation to the jury, on the lightness of the calender. George Joseph Alexan der pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny and got six months. Wellington, June 5.

I'he criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning. The Chief Justice, in his charge to the Grand Jury, said that the calendar was an average one, and briefly referred to the cases. A charge against Gen. Bickerstaff, for larceny, is proceeding. A true bill was found against Thomas Williams, for larceny.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(By cable from Reuter's Agency.) The Markets. London, July 2. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,650,000 quarters. The market rate of discount is f below the Bank rates. The total stock of tallow in j London on July Ist was 16,000 casks. The Australian Cricketers. The cricket match between the Austra lians and Newcastle was continued to-day. The former in their first innings scored 222 runs. Murdoch made 117 before he was given out leg before wicket. Bradlaugh. July 2. Mr. Bradlaugh has taken his seat in the House of Commons. The Melbourne Exhibition. Colonel Sanford represents the Royal Commission to the Melbourne Exhibition, and starts on July 21. Turkey Disobedient. Constantinople, July 3.

The Turkish Government has deter mined upon resisting the decision arrived at by the European Conference, and ex tensive military preparations are being made for mobilising the army corps. Ayoub Khan. Caloutca, July 2.

Authentic intelligence has been received that Ayoub Khan, Governor of Herat, who for some time past has been supposed to be making warlike preparations to wrest Candahar from Shere Ali, the newly-ap pointed ruler of that province, has now actually left Herat and marched south wards with a considerable force to Ferrah, a place aboul 250 miles from the city of Candahar. In consequence of this informa tion, a British column has been despatched from Candahar to Girislik, on the road to Ferrah, to support Wali Mahomed, who commands the Candahar tribes, and is preparing to resist the advance of Ayoub Khan.

AUSTRALIAN

(Reuter's Telegrams.) The Kelly Affair. Melbourne, July 3.

It is now doubted whether the plate layer whose body was found at Glenrowan was murdered by Ned Kelly, as at first supposed.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) The Unemployed. Timaru, July 5,

One hundred and thirty men, forty eight of whom were married, attended at the Town Hall this morning, at the invita tion of the Mayor, and offered to proceed to the Albury railway works, on the terms offered by the Government for the relief of the unemployed. The names of the applicants were taken for submission to the District Engineer, who had promised employment for forty—the married men to have the preference. The secretary to the unemployed urged the necessities of the single men, but was informed that nothing could be done beyond forwarding representations to the Government officer. The Storm. Heavy rain has fallen for forty-eight hours continuously, the rivers have been much swollen, but no flood damages are reported. The Orangemen. Forty Orangemen, wearing yellow rosettes, held their annual church parade yesterday. The procession was un molested. The Gale. Wellington, July 5. A three-roomed cottage, at the back of George street, was burned down this morning. Fire. Dunedin, July 5. A strong S.W. gale is blowing, but no damage has been done as yet. Found. Dead. Invercargill, July 5. A man was found dead this morning at New River, near the Elbow. It is sup posed he had fallen from his horse when under the influence of drink, and died from exposure.

The “Glasgow Herald” on New Zea land.

(From (lie Edinburgh correspondent of the Otago Daily 7 'imes.

The Glasgow Herald, which is, next to the Scotsman, the leading journal on the north of the Tweed, had an article in its issue of April 27 dealing with the constant borrowing of money in Britain by New Zealand. This subject has hitherto been more frequently and vigpriously com mented upon in the English papers than in those published in Scotland, for reasons which it is not difficult to guess ; but there are signs of a change in this respect. In the article under notice the Herald says that ‘‘New Zealand is the most fre quent and most insatiable borrower among all our children, and she is the one who most ostentatiously parades in print her wonderful progress, her astounding enter prise, and her incalculable resources. Truth to tell, we are getting somewhat weary of the boasts and promises of the ‘ Britain of the Antipodes. ’ ” Then there comes this downright aver ment—“ The plain fact remains that the great Colony of New Zealand is entirely supported upon borrowed money. ” Anxious, however, to be within proper bounds, the article goes on to guard against the idea that New Zealand, though so great a borrower, is bankrupt. f( Not only,” it says, “ is she at present perfectly solvent, but is destined with care to become a rich and a great cpuntry. But she has to learn the dangers of trading too much on borrowed capital, and she needs to realise that she has burdens enough at present to engage all her care and industry and economy for several years to become able to bear them with comfort.” The article then proceeds to notice the projected formation of another company for lending money on landed property in New Zealand, calling the said company “another of the gigantic pawnbroking establishments of which New Zealand has already so many, and which have done some good and more harm to the Colony.” It acknowledges that these

concerns have been profitable to British investors, but deprecates any addition to their number, saying that “this sort of thing has been overdone.” Judge Bath gate comes in for a a rather sharp rap over the knuckles for his couleur cle rose articles in “ Chambers’ Journal,” but there is an approving reference to an article in the Otago Daily Times of Feb. 27, contradict ing Mr. Bathgate’s statements. The fore going will give you some idea of what the leading paper in the chief commercial city in Scotland thinks of our borrowing pro gress. I find that people speak of New Zealand in a very different tone to that adopted by them when I returned thence six years ago. Now there is very generally expressed uneasiness, not to say distrust, while some even take it upon them to pro phesy that “ there must be a smash if things go on there ranch longer as they have been doing.” I mention facts, and refrain from commenting upon them.

A Case of Severe Exposure.

Some people never seem to get the right idea of a subject, somehow. They were talking up at M'Allister’s the other evening of the sufferings the poor people turned out of doors by the recent hurri canes in the Southern States, when a bash ful young man with a green necktie, who was silently squirming on a straight backed chair, in a corner, was asked how much exposure he thought it was possible for a human being to endure. “ Exposure, Mum ? Yes, mum. Well, the most terrible instance of exposure I ever knew was something that happened to myself a few' years ago. ” “Indeed,” said a young lady. “ Tell us all about it. ”

“ Well, you must know I had a great habit of walking out through the Park, and strolling on the beach near the Cliff House. One Sunday morning, very early, I was tempted by the extreme heat to slip into the surf and take a bath, which, as there was no one around at that early hour, I finally did. Judge of my horror when I came out and found that the tide had risen and carried off my clothes.”

“ Ahem ! ” interrupted the hostess, “ won’t—won’t you try some chocolate, Mr. Skidmore ? ”

“ Thanks, in a minute—just as soon as I finish my story. Yes, every stitch I had in the w r orld was gone—everything except a chest protector, and I was forced to walk into Van Ness avenue, where I lived, with nothing in the woi'ld but that between me and the sneers of the heartless world. I’ll tell you how I managed. I just tied this pro ” But just here three ladies fainted, while another, with great tact, sat down at the piano and shrieked “ Nancy Lee” at the top of her lungs, under cover of which the dead and wounded were carried off, while the sincere but misguided young man w r as coaxed out into the hall and handed his hat.

The City of Timbuctoo—An Arab Town that has Negro Inhabitants.

The following information in regard to the little known city of Timbuctoo w r as lately obtained by the Geographical So ciety of Oran, Algeria, from an Israelite of Morocco, who was on his way from Timbuctoo to Paris. The Pabbi described Timbuctoo as an Arab town in every sense of the term, built absolutely like all those of the interior. The inhabitonts are Fou lahinegroes, and there are no whites. There are, however, sometimes Jews from North Afrca, who come to trade, but they never settle there. The town is. at about an hour ( s distance to the mouth of the Niger. Its population is about 50,000. It is larger than Oran (about six miles round), but not so large as Marseilles. The tow r n is, in fact, a mass of villages, extending over a very considerable area. The Niger, which passes to the south of the town, flows from the west to the south-west, and is very, broad ; there is an abundance of fish. Navigation is carried on by means of oared barges and rafts, constructed of pieces of wood bound together by cords. The blacks call the Niger the Nile, or “El Bar” (Arab.. “The sea”). The river is subject to regular floodings, which fertilize the lands on its banks, the only ones which are cultivatable ; the inundation reaches the walls of the town. The country is very fertile : the crops are sorgho, millet, rice, tomato, onions, turnips; indigo grows wild. There are also many cocoa nut trees, gum trees, and a tree which produces oil, which the natives use for lighting. There are also forests of valuable timber trees. The country is governed by a Marabout, who takes the title of Sultan ; the present ruler is named Mohamet-el- Bekai. He does not reside at Timbuctoo ; his capital is Ahmet Ella, a town of about 100,000 souls, situated twelve leagues from Timbuctoo. The road connecting the two towns is covered with villages and gardens. The town of Timbuctoo is under the command of a Cadi, who has a very great authority, and who lias under his orders a Tax Collector, also very power ful. The Sultan has no army, but when, fighting is necessary, everybody is a sol dier. They are armed with bows and arrows ; only the chiefs have guns, pistols and sabres. Trade is carried oil princi pally by barter or by means of cowries. Caravans bring cotton and linen goods, glass trinkets, mirrors, arms, swords, guns, pistols (generally of English manu facture), knives, needles, etc. Salt is a very valuable import, a slave often being given for a kilogram or two. The cara vans take back loads of the grain of the country, rice, sorgho, millet, ostrich feathers, gum, ivory, gold dust, lead, copper etc. Trade in slaves is carried on on a very large scale. To the north of Timbuctoo many camels are reared ; to the south the people wander about with herds of sheep and cattle.

A little girl being asked on the first day of school, how she liked her new teacher, replied —“I do not like her; ghe is just as saucy to me as my mother.”’ A little boy in Troy, fatally ill with scarlet fever, was told the doctor’s opinion that he must die, and replied—“ Well this world does not amount to much any way. lam going up, and up where I am going I can look down and see this world not bigger than a pin’s head.” Truth, though hewn like the form of Osiris into a thousand pieces, and scattered to the four winds, shall, be gathered limb to limb, and moulded with every joint and member into an immortal feature of loveliness and perfection.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, July 2. The House met at 2.30. Mr. Fox gave notice to move the insertion of a clause in the Education Act, authorising the reading of the Bible in public schools subject to a conscience clause and a time table.

In reply to questions it was stated that Government wa3 of opinion it would be a great misfortune of deferred payment settlers in arrears were turned off their land, and that Government would, as far possible, take care that their interests were looked after, while also considering those of the public.—A Bill was about being introduced enabling one class of educa tion reserves to be sold or leased.— Government would be prepared to state what they intended doing re the aboli tion of “ Hansard.’’—Under the property tax no man need state the amount of hia debts, whether secured by mortgage or otherwise, unless he wished to have a duction of these made from his properly. Government would not impose a duty op maize imported from America or the other colonies.—The amount credited to the Railway Department on account of special trains ordered by Ministers during the period from Ist July, 1878, to 30th Sep tember, 1879, was L 569. —The Middle Island Native Claims Commission had not reported, and Government did not know when they would. The Commissioners had cost L 1,7 00, and Government had refused further supplies until the Commissioners had informed them as to what they had done.

Mr. Hamlin explained that he had visited the Waimate plains, with the view of ascertaining how far certain reports about the road in course of formation were correct. He reached Stoney River on the 24th ult., and the following morniug rode two miles in the direction of Parihaka, and then turned at right rngles, when he found a road two chains wide and two miles long. There were several streams at that road not bridged yet, which rendered theroad impassable for vehicles, though it could be used by equestrians. From the end of the two miles it was continued to the present camp, near Parihaka, by a good track twenty to thirty feet wide. This part of the road was perfectly traversable ; the other part of it was not, as the approaches to the culverts weEe not completed. Mr. Bryce said the statement made was quite correct. In accordance with what he had stated the other day, he had him self driven from Parihaka to New Plymouth, a distance of thirty miles, in four and a quarter hours, and the only instance where they had to leave the road was at a place where the culverts were not filled up. The Election Petitions and Pharmacy Bills were reported, read a third time, and passed. „ ' In Committee the Licinsing Bill was further considered. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed a 7.30. THE LICENSING BILL. The Licensing Bill was again resumed in Committee. Sub-section 1, clause 18, was amended, on the motion of Sir W. Fox, to read “ one half,” instead of “ two-thirds.”

Mr. Macandrew moved that the whole of sub-section 2, clause 25, be struck out. It proposed to do away with the bottle licenses. These licenses had been tried in Otago and found to work very well. Members who took an interest in the point were absent, under the impression that the Bill would not come on that night. On the suggestion of Mr. De Lautour the motion was altered to a postponement of the whole clause. The Hon. T. Dick said he had reason to believe that a number of petitions were in course of signature in Otago against the retention of the bottle license. He would not oppose the proposal for postpone ment.

Mr. Bowen objected to the postpone ment. The objections came only from Otago and Nelson, where this class of licenses had been in force. This was another instance of vested interests clashing with what was for the general good. Mr. Moss said that it was against the will of many parts of the colony that they had not this form of license. In Auck land they could not get a bottle of liquor or les3 than two dozen unless they went to a public-house, and liquor there was dearer there than in any other establish ments. He had seen the working of the system in Otago, and despite all that had been said against it he was favorably im pressed with its operations. Messrs. Fulton and Andrews objected to the postponement. The latter said that the Good Templars were well pleased with the Bill as it stood. They were impressed with the idea that the Govern ment in this matter was legislating for the good of the country. The motion for the postponement wag put and carrigd. Sir W. FOS objected to clause 2fi prcn viding that the Minister for Public Works may grant licenses at the Bail way Stations. It was a temptation thrown in the way of guards and drivers, to whose care and management life and property were en trusted. It was both a bad and a dangerous system. Mr. Macandrew hoped the Committee would agree in striking the clause out. These places were quite unnecessary, as public houses were always erected near these stations. The Hon. T. Dick said that a good number of leases were in existence at present for railway stations refreshment rooms. The Hon. E. Bichard son trusted that the clause would not be struck out. He argued that they were a great convenience for the travelling public. If they com pelled passengers to go from a station to get reasonable refreshments, it would entail extra delay for trains, and make the journey mqre tedious than it yas. It'was bad enough as it was, and he hoped nothing would be done to make it worse. Mr. Thomson spoke against the system. Mr. Bowen said that these places were greatly abused. Persons not travellers frequented them. They were unneces sary, and hotels were generally erected close to the railway station. • Mr. Saunders said that they were making efforts to prevent licenses being for tho establishment of public houses. was to be regretted that thi*

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, MONDAY, JULY 5> 1880.



Amusements. ASHBURTON AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY. “ The Lost Ship.” T [0 W [N HALL. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JULY 9th and 10th. , r FRIDAY —BENEFIT OF M R. . CBOURK, Particulars in future advertisement, 609 c Miscellaneous WANTED, a GENERAL SERVANT. Apply Mrs Saunders, Ashburton Mill. . 603 c . Y* 7AN TED —A good GENERAL SER VV YANT. Apply at once, personally to Mr. Willcocks, Wheatsheaf Hotel, Wheatstone. 559 c



Miscellaneous. Advertisements, inserted under the Shilling rate, must be prepaid. Booked, Is. 6d. will be charged. 625 c ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. Monthly Meeting of the above I Society will be held in Mr. Bullock’s office TO-MORROW (Tuesday) EVEN ING, from 6.30 to 8.30. Subscriptions will be received at the Secretary’s office, Burnett street, between the hours of 9 o’clock and 4 p.m. to morrow, and at Mr. Bullock’s office, from 6.30 to 8.30 to-morrow evening. J. WARD, 414 c Secretary. ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. TENDERS are required for supply of from 50 to 100 CASKS of CEMENT. Particulars may be obtained and tenders delivered at the Town Clerk’s Office on or before THURSDAY, July Bth, at noon. FOOKS & SON, 2g-629c Borough Engineers. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invitee! for PLANTING WILLOWS, Ashburton Forks Dis trict. Particulars can be obtained at County Council Office, Ashburton, and tenders addressed to the Chairman to be sent in not later than 11 o'clock a.m., WEDNESDAY, 7th July next. By order, WILLIAM BAXTER, 3g-630c County Engineer. TO LET—The finest Premises in Ash burton. For particulars apply Everett Bros. , Havelock street. 6270 ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. is hereby given that the Ashburton County Hospital is OPEN for Emergency Cases. By order JAMES E. TREVOR, 628 c Hospital Surgeon.



ST. JOHN’S MASONIC LODGE. THE Regular Monthly Meeting will be held at the Templar Hall on TUES DAY, the 6th inst., at 7.30 p.m. Visiting Brethren are invited. W. H. GUNDRY, 626 c W.M. A GOOD PIANO on hire, by the evening. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. WANTED KNOWN—That C. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has I REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwald Post Office, where he is still open to Sell first-class Boots and Shoes at his usual Cheap Rates. All kinds of Boots Made and Repaired. 805g—417c TO LET SEVERAL Two and Four-roomed HOUSES at low rentals. Apply, 619 c POYNTZ & CO. BOYS’ SCHOOL, ASHBURTON. THE Third Quarter will begin on TUESDAY, the 6th day of July. 605 c D. DAVIDSON. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for AP PROACHES to Bridge over South Ashburton River at Mount Somers. Plans and specifications can be seen at County Council Office, Ashburton, and Tenders, addressed to the Chairman, to be sent to in not later than 11 o’clock a.m., WEDNES 7th JULY, next. By order, WILLAM BAXTER, 992g-608c County Engineer. ASHBURTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. THE MONTHLY MEETING of the above Society will be held at Mr. Jacobsen’s Office, on TUESDAY, July 6. Mr. H. C. Jacobsen will read a paper on “ The pleasures and benefits of Garden ing. ” S. E. POYNTZ, 616 c Hon. Sec. COMPOSITION Dolls, China Dolls, Wooden Dolls, Rag Dolls, Toys, China Mugs, Balls, &c. H. M. Jonrs, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. NOW' OPEN. MONSTER CARNIVAL, FANCY FAIR, AND BAZAAR, IN FOWLER’S NEW BUILDINGS, Tancred street. Splendid Opportunity for PURCHASING BAZAAR GOODS. MR. L MONTAGUE, of High street, Christchurch, Begs to inform the inhabitants of Ash burton and surrounding districts that he has -+— OPENED —+- Those extensive premises known as Fowler’s Buildings, Tancred street, With an enormous stock of FANCY GOODS Of every description. THE SHILLING TABLE IS WORTH A VISIT. Gold and Silver Jewellery. Gold and Silver Trimmings for Fancy Dress Costumes. These Goods are a Special Importation, and will be SOLD AT VERY LOW PRICES. The Sale will last for a Fortnight Only. ,i EVERYONE INVITED. 614c-6g