MAIL NOTICES.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — - ‘ r _ From Christchurch at 10.35 a. in., 4.00 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Chertsey, Rakaia, &c. at lu. oo 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.m. daily. From Wakanui and Seafield on Tues days and Fridays at 2.30 p. m.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a. m. 9. a.in.,-and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia. &c., at 9 a.m. and~’5 > -p.m 1 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 aim. and 10.15 a.m. daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, ' Mount Somers/ and Ashburton - Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For i Wakanui, and Seafield, on Tues days and Fridays, at 6 a. m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary | alterations) as under:—

Thursday. June 10. For Northern Ports, per Te Anau.

SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1880.

The Distress in Chris rcHURCH. —Two hundred and seventy persons were sup plied at the Christchurch Soup Kitchen this morning.

Fire at Longbeach. The boiling down shed at Longbeach station was de stroyed by fire on Saturday evening. The fire was discovered at eight o’clock, and it was not till past ten that the flames were got under, then only after the shed had been burned to the ground. Some 500 pigs were saved with great difficulty, and some other property was rescued. The accident represents considerable loss, and we have not yet learned what insurance, if any, was on the building.

Civil Cases. —In the case of Saunders Bros. v. Jameson (heard at the R.M. Court yesterday), in which plaintiffs sought to recover a drill alleged to have been lent to one Lowe, a farmer at Kyle, and which had been seized by the R.M. bailiff under a judgment summons, ob tained 'against Lowe by the defendant, as trustee in the bankrupt estate of Dudson, his Worship reserved judgment till Thursday. A similar case, in which C. F. Reed, Esq., of Westerfield, was the plain tiff and Mr. M‘Rae defendant, was de cided in plaintiff’s favor. Owing to the de mands on our space we are compelled to hold over the evidence till to-morrow.

The Volunteers. - -Last night th« Com mittee of the local rifle company held a meeting, when Captain Bullock stated that he had received a cheque from Govern ment for L 93, being capitation grant for the past year. Several members having paid the cost of their uniforms, it was ‘re solved that 10s. out of every LI capita tion grant qualified for, should be re funded to such members. Arrangements were also initiated for procuring a uniform for the band. It was further stated that' the Volunteer year had now been altered, and that there was just time for members by very regular attendance to qualify for next year’s grant. It will, therefore, be imperative that no company drill nor inspection parade be missed by members until they have six of each. Capt. Bullock was elected Treasurer, and Color-Sergeant Dolman and Corporal Vaughan appointed as a Finance Com mittee.

Farewell. —Last night the Presby terian Sunday School Teachers’ Associa tion, of which Mr. W. Ennes has been an enthusiastic member, entertained that gentleman to tea in the church, previous to his removal to Invercargill. The table was very tastefully laid out, and was /ire sided over by Misses Henderson and Guvin. After tea, the President, Rev. A. M. Beattie, delivered a short address, expressive of liis regret at losing so valu able a member of the Association. He also had another reason for regretting Mr. Ennis’ departure : he had a lai'ge number of votes for the eldership of the Church, to which Mr. Beattie had hoped he would attain. After each of the speakers had spoken in turn, Mr. Ennis replied, ex pressing his gratitude for the kindly feel ing shown by his fellow teachers, and his regret at leaving them. The ordinary business of the Association was then pro ceeded with, an item of which was the ap pointment of Messrs. Orr and Gavin as representatives to the Sunday School Con ference in Christchurch. The Raphael Troupe.— Those who at tended the Town Hall last night had a treat ; the Raphael family giving an en tertainment which was appreciated by the audience immensely, if we may judge by tlie applause awarded to the talented juvenile performers. The youthful Blon din showed that he was a worthy type of the great original, his feat of walking on a thin wire with a sack over his head, being unequalled fora lad of his age. Miss Selina Raphael on the trapeze was loudly ap plauded for her performance, and the small boy who did the tumbling, fairly took the audience by storm. The only part Signor Raphael took himself in the play was holding up a long pole, with Master Burnett on the top of it, who per formed a number of miraculous acts which fairly brought down the house. The ter psicorean part of the business was appre ciated, and the performer encored. The only drawback to a complete success was the want of an orchestra, in which Signor Raphael was disappointed at the last moment. The proprietor informs us that he has made provision for this at the enter tainment to-night, and we can confidently recommend our readers to a really good display of muscular Christianity and in struction to our youths as to what they can do with their human forms divine.

Dentistry. —Our Rakaia friends will observe that Mr Armstrong, dentist, will be in Rakaia on Saturday, on which day he may be consulted. He intends to make a short stay in the Rakaia district, so that those requiring his services had better delay as little as possible.

Ashburton Cricket Club.—A meet ing of tlie Ashburton cricketers was held last night in the Council Chambers. There was perhaps the most satisfactory atten dance of players and friends of the Club that has yet gratified enthusiasts in the game, about twenty being present; and the spirit of lovers of the game in Ashbur ton have suffered a fresh revival in con sequence. Amongst those present were Messrs. Guinness (President), Douglas, Branson, Poyntz, Fooks, Ireland (2), Eyton, Shury jun., Curtis, Meech, Nel son, Amos, Ferriman, Price, sen., Price, jun., Strangman,. G. and A. Andrews, Hill, Hodder, Martin, Mainwaring, Grant, Groves, &e. After the president had addressed the meeting, counselling the cricketer’s to stick together, and to know no feeling whatever in the affairs of the Club, but the promotion of cricket, he stated that the Club business of the evening would be to recommend to the Domain Board the direction in which to spend the recent grant they had received from the County Council. Previous to the discussion of the question, a resolu tion moved by Mr. G. Andrews, and seconded by Mr. Poyntz, was put to the effect that members of the Club who wish to remain members be requested to pay their subscriptions of ss. An amendment by Mr. Branson was proposed—“ That a new Club be formed irrespective of any existing Club, the subscription to be a guinea.” This was seconded by Mr. Nelson, and being put as against the motion, was carried. Messrs Fooks and Douglas were appointed a committee to collect outstanding subscriptions. The primary business of the evening was then proceeded with, and a discussion on the subject of the Domain then took place, on the suggestion of Mr. Price, to form a working committee consisting of Messrs. Amos, Grant, Strangman, Nelson, Marsh, Andrews, Mainwairing, and the mover, to recommend to the Domain Board the best method of improving the ground. It was resolved that a meeting of the Ashburton Cricket Club be held on the 22nd instant for the purpose of receiving the report of the treasurer, &c.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter s Agency.) The Australians. London, June 7. The cricket match, Australians v. Eighteen of Malton, was commenced to day. The Home team went in first and scored 45. The Australians then went to the wickets, and all were disposed of for 53 runs. When the stumps were drawn for the day, the Eighteen had lost two wickets in their second innings without scoring. The wicket was very dead, and prevented good batting. Afghanistan Affairs.

In the House of Commons this evening, Lord Hartington made a statement re garding the state of affairs in Afghanistan. He said he hoped the British troops would

be able to withdraw from that country in the autumn. Candahar will be created a separate Government without permanent occupation. The treaty of Gandamuk will be abrogated. Lord Hartingtor. further stated that instructions had been sent to Earl Ripon, the new Viceroy, to abandon or retain the frontier positions, according to their merits.

The Markets. Five per Cent. New Zealand 10.40 Loan, 103. Five per Cent. New Zealand Loan, 1889, 102. Four and a-half per Cent. New Zealand Loan, 1879 to 1904, 98. Adelaide wheat, per 7961 b., ex warehouse, 41s. Gd. ; market quiet but steady. New Zealand wheat, none offering in the market. .Adelaide flour, per 2801 b., ex warehouse, 375. 6d. At the wool sales to day, 10,200 bales were offered, making a total of 382,800 bales catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was flat, and to effect sales lower prices had to be accepted. Board of Trade Returns. The Board of trade returns of imports for the past month show an increase of L 781,250, as compared with last year, and the exports an increase of L 750,000 as compared with the same period. Corrections. London, June 7. Adelaide wheat is 51s. 6d., not 41s. 6d. The Board of Trade returns of imports for last month show an increase of L 2,781,250 (not L 781,250) as compared with last year.

AUSTRALI A N.

{Per Renta's Agency.) Samoan News. Sydney, June 8. . The schooner Tamar has arrived from Samoa, and brings the following news. Her Majesty’s corvette Danae, twelve guns, has shelled two of the principal vil lages, which has incensed the Samoans, who threaten to swarm into Samoa city and massacre the whites. The Danae re mains to protect the white population. The Coal Miners’ Strike. Sydney, June 9. A ballot has been taken amongst the miners of the proposals submitted by Mr. Lloyd for the settlement of the stiike. The men have, however, rejected a com promise, and the strike continues. A Supposed Bushranger Arrested. A man has been arrested at Tumut on suspicion of being Joseph Brynes, the bushranger. He has been remanded for identification by the police. The Victorian Reform Bilb Melbourne, June 9. The debate on the Reform Bill in the Assembly still continues, and is not ex pected to close this week. Sailed. Sailed —The Rotorua, for New Zealand, yesterday.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Suicide. Auckland, June 8. A market gardener, named Pemberton, attempted to commit suicide this morning

by cutting his throat. The cause assigned is drink.

The Rev. Gentleman.

All the charges against the so-called clergyman at Drury have broken down. The Hannah Mokau.

The Hannah Mokau, over which there has been so much squabbling, is to be sold by order of the mortgagee.

Grasses.

Mr. James Farmer has forwarded to Auckland Museum from London a case containing fifty different species of grasses suitable for arable land. Death of an Old Identity. ' Wellington, June 8. A man named Con. Croft, the well known bellman, was killed this afternoon by a runaway horse. A Paralytic Stroke. Mr. Ewen McColl, Government librarian, received a severe stroke of paralysis this afternoon. The Publicans and the Licensing Bill. Wellington. June 9. At a meeting of Licensed Victuallers last night, a deputation was appointed to wait on several members of the House of Representatives this afternoon, placing be fore them suggestions and alterations in the new Act, which would be prejudicial to the publicans. A Neglected Infant. ~ ' The body of a newly-born infant was found on Kaiwarra beach last night ; as. yet no clue has been ascertained as to its mother. Girls of the Period. At the Magistrate’s Court Annie Peter sen and Lena Smith, two young girls, were sentenced to six months’ hard labor for larceny from a dwelling. The Waitaki Election. Oama.ru . June 8. The nomination of candidates for the seat in the House of Representatives rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Hislop, took place to-day. Nearly 300 persons were present. John Reid, Wil liam Henry Sherwood Roberts, and G. Jones were nominated. The show of hands was—Reid, 6 ; Roberts, 5 ; Jones, about 200. A poll was demanded. Pluck Rewarded. Dunedin, June 9. Constables Townsend and Colborne re ceived LI 0 eacli for their plucky conduct in capturing Butler. Railway Changes. The Star states that the General Manager of Railways in future will be known as Traffic Manager ; Mr. Conyers is to be designated as Railway Manager ; Mr. Armstrong, Locomotive Engineer here, takes charge of a small station in the North Island. Madame ITrso’s Concerts- Madame Urso’s concerts concluded last night. It was the greatest success ever held in Dunedin. Sherik, the accompan ieist, has been appointed conductor of the Choral Society. Wooden Hotels. Invercargill, June 9. Mr. Downie-Stewart’s action re wooden buildings is greatly , approved of by the publicans here. The owners of stone and brick hotels concur; that the action of the Invercargill Bench in threatening to close wooden houses next year is tyrannical, arbitrary, and a stretch of their powers.

The Effect of the Beer Tax.

(From our oivn Correspondent.) Christchurch. June 9. The Beer Tax ha 3 caused a great con sternation among the brewers, and the customs officers visited the brewers early to take stock. The amount of tax collect able from the five brewers will range from L 3,500 to L 6,000 each.

THE BUDGET.

The Colonial Treasurer delivered his Financial iStatement last night, in the House of Representatives, from which we make the following extracts regarding the Government’s new SCHEME FOR LOCAL FINANCE and proposals for the ordinary services of the current year. I said last session that the Government would this year re commend the discontinuance of subsidies. To propose the abolition of grants in aid of local bodies • without substituting a workable scheme in their place, would be trifling /with the subject in a manner which, I venture to think, would not meet with the approval of Parliament. Our aim is twofold—our duty being first to place our general finance upon a sound footing, and second, to put our local bodies in such a position as will enable them to do the work which rightly de volves upon them, and which must be done by them if the country is to be prosperously settled. I do not think it convenient to trouble the Committee to night with many reasons for discon tinuing the subsidies. That question can be better discussed when considering the Bills which will be introduced to give effect to our proposals. I may, however, point out to hon. members that the system of subsidies has operated unequally. It has largely helped the rich and populous districts, while giving little assistance to those which are poor and thinly peopled. It must also be remembered that they were proposed as part of a scheme to which full effect has never been given, for the land fund has been so generalised instead of localised in provincial districts, and the expenditure upon public works instead of being limited in account and confined to arteral undertakings, has been lavish and extended to works of all descriptions. The magnitude of this ex penditure will be evident when I say that we have increased our debt for public works within the last three years and a half (the time during which subsidies have been paid) by L 9,000,000, which means an annual mortgage of L 450,000. The circumstances of the colony having greatly changed since the system of sub sidies was introduced, and it being evident that the Treasury cannot continue to pay them without the imposition of fresh taxation, the case for the reconsideration of the whole question is complete, for it is certain that Parliament will never con sent to levy additional taxation for such a purpose without full enquiry and careful deliberation. In the scheme which I am

about to submit to the Committee, I must ask hon. members to bear in mind that I take it for granted, first, that sections 5 and 6 of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1877, which authorises the subsidies and grants of 20 per cent, of the land fund to counties, are to be repealed, and, second, that the pro ceeds from land sales are not to be used for the ordinary purposes of Government. The ground being thus cleared I will now endeavor to describe in sufficient detail the scheme we propose to give effect to our proposal. I shall have to ask authority to introduce two Bills. The first will be an amending Bill. It will re move the present restriction upon rating ; that is to say, that it will permit of local bodies having the right to levy rates to any amount they consider necessary for local requirements, not exceeding 2s. in the pound. If passed as a special rate, it will authorise boroughs and other local bodies to borrow at any rate of in terest the ratepayers may choose to give, and to any amount, subject only to these restrictions—(l) That the principal and interest ■ of all new loans shall be made payable in New Zealand. (2) That any local body desiring to raise a loan shall before doing so levy a special rate suffi cient to cover the interest and sinking fund upon the money proposed to be borrowed, such rate to be continuous until the debt has been repaid. The Bill will also require that any local body which has already'borrowed upon its general revenue shall, before again entering the money market, levy a special rate to cover the interest and sinking fund upon the exist ing loan or loans as well as providing by special rate for the new loan. This and other powers given by the Bill are ap parently very large, and will, I fear, be considered dangerous by some, but, sir, I would point out that if local bodies are to be really useful, they must be made inde pendent and responsible. - The one pre caution to be taken is to see that the rate payers spend their own money, and not the money of other people, and this will be carefully provided for in the Bill. I now, sir, come to a further and still more radical provision in the Bill. It is clear that all who benefit by the expenditure of rates should contribute towards them,, and carrying out this principle to its legitimate conclusion, we propose that all Govern ment property (including the waste lands of the Crown) and, subject to an impor tant qualification, native lands, shall be liable to rating, with the exception of the Government Houses in Wellington and Auckland, the Parliament House and grounds, the General Government build ings in .Wellington (by which I mean the large building upon the reclaimed land), and the railways and wharves. Whatever may be thought of this proposition at first sight, it will, I am sure, on mature reflec tion, and when it comes to be discussed in all its bearings, commend itself to hon. members as fair and reasonable. I will, sir, first state how we propose to deal with the Maori lands within counties in which the Counties Act is in force. It is a fact which I think should be recorded that some eleven mil lion acres of land in the North Island are still held by less than 41,300 Maoris (men, women, and children), and that not one half-penny in the way of rates has ever been imposed upon the natives by this House for the construction of roads and bridges which are being made throughout the country, and by which their lands are being enormously increased in value, although it is true and ought to be noted to their credit, that many of them have voluntarily paid rates and contributed from time to time towards the cost of public works. The whole Maori property too is exempt from taxation under the Property Assessment Act. Sir, the Go vernment think that the time has arrived, and we hope and believe that our Maori friends will agree with us in our opinion, that henceforth all Maori property in boroughs shall be subject to taxation to the same extent as the property of their fellow citizens. But, sir, further than this, we do not propose to go. We think, after careful consideration of all the cir cumstances of the case, that on the grounds of public policy we may reasonably exempt owners of native country lands from the payment of rates. It is clear, however, if this is done, that some equivalent must be found to enable those counties containing a large area of Maori land to carry out the duties we are im posing upon them. Therefore, we are compelled, by considerations of piiblic policy, to depart in this way from the principle of the Bill, It is clear that the cost of exemption should fall upon the colony at large, and not upon the localities on which the burdens are imposed, upon the assumption that all the land will con t"ibute its fair share of the local taxation. Is is proposed to limit the amount of ordi nary rates leviable upon Maori country lands to one-half the rate levied on the ordinary land in the district in which they lie, but not exceeding ninepence in the £, and upon waste lands of the Crown one shilling in the £ upon the annual value, these lands being practically unrepre sented in the local governing bodies. This limitation is not, I think, unreasonable. The total estimated value of Maori land is 16,370,000, but of this, L 5,200,000 is situated in counties in which the Counties Act is in operation. In any satisfactory scheme of local finance, means must be found to construct our main roads throughout the colony. Some provision must be made to repair damage done by floods and tempest to our roads and bridges, and some help must be extended, if possible, to our district roads. This, then, brings me to the second Bill to which I referred as necessary to give effect to our proposals. The title of the Bill will be the Local Public Works Bill. It pro vides for the constitution of an unpaid Board, consisting of the Minister of Pub lic Works, the Engineer-in-Chief, the Surveyor-General, and the Public Trus tee. The duties of the Board will be to pay the rates on all waste lands of the Crown, to pay the rates on the Maori country lands, to make grants in aid of the construction of main roads, to advance money to construct district roads. This will be done from funds the constitution of which I will now describe. As I have before said, we shall ask Parliament to set apart the proceeds of land sales for special purposes, not permitting it to be used for the ordinary expenses of Govern ment, charging against it only the costs of its administration, including survey. Looking at the fact that our unsold lands ai’e estimated at a low average as worth L 12,500,000, I think we may, therefore, reasonably expect to realise not less than L 300,000 a-year for some time to come. The charges on the land revenue should

not exceed L 1.40,000 a-year, so that should we only get from land sales L 300,000 a-year there will be a balance to credit of at least LIGO,OOO. The Bill with which I am now dealing provides that out of the; balance of the land sales, after paying the' expenses of administration, .there shall be paid to the Board each year the sum of L 150,000. If, however, the land sales in any year should not produce a surplus of; L 150,000, then such a less amount only as the sales may produce will be paid to the Board. I have estimated the land sales this year at only L2C0,000. It is possible that they may produce more, but 1 have not, after careful consultation with the department, thought it prudent to estimate it at more than that amount. The cost of administration and charges is : set down at about L 150,000. The balance, therefore, available this year, should my estimates not be exceeded, would be only •L 50,000. Sir, it seems to the Govern ment that in starting such a scheme as we have under consideration, it would be un wise to attempt to launch'it without suf ficient funds to enable the Board to make a good beginning. The prospects of the surplus land fund for this year reaching L 150,000 being but small, it is proposed to ask the House to make a grant to the Board of L 150,000 out of the loan, so as to place it in funds for the work of next spring and summer. The funds thus created are to be applied to the following purposes :—First, the payment of the rates on the waste lands of the Crown and Maori country land ; second, grants in aid for constructing main roads and repairing damage done by floods or tempest. The rates, estimated at a shilling in the £, supposing every "Road Board and every county levy a shilling rate, would amount to about L 74,000, if rates on Maori lands are included ; but I much doubt if the amount of rates pay able by the Board will often reach L-50,000 a year. The balance remaining, whether it be LBO,OOO or 100,000, will be applicable to main roads only. fPThe main roads I should have said will be defined by proclamation. I have had sketch maps prepared for the information of hon. members, showing the roads it is proposed to declare at once ; power being given in the Bill to proclaim others from time to time as circumstances may require. The grants in aid will be limited by the funds at the disposal of the Board, and will be made in this way : I will suppose for the sake of illustration that the county wishes to construct—and construc tion means forming and metalling roads or building bridges—a section of main road over which it has control, or to repair damage done to a main road by flood or tempest. The Council must obtain an estimate of the cost of the work proposed to be executed, which I will suppose amounts to LG,OOO, the Council will then make application to the Board for a grant in aid. But before the Board can make the grant the Council must show that it has one quarter of the L 6,000, that is L 1,500, at its disposal, which- h undertakes to spend upon the work, or the ratepayers of the county must impose upon themselves a special rate which will repay one-fourth of the LG,OOO, namely, L 1,500, in twenty half yearly instalments, without interest. In other words, three-fourths of the cost of the construction of the main roads will be paid by the Board, and one-fourth by the County either in cash or by way of a special rate extending over ten years. Hon. members must bear in mind that the waste lands of the Crown and Native lands are subject to a special rate, as well as private lands. The reason for making no grants unless the county is prepared to contribute a fair proportion of the outlay will be obvious to the committee. I now turn to the proposed assistance to be given to the district roads, that is to all roads other than main roads. The Bill provides that the Board of Local Public Works may borrow from time to time at 5 per cent, interest, of the Postmaster- General or Government Insurance Com missioners, any sum not exceeding the whole LIOO,OOO, the colony being liable for its repayment, and lend it to the local bodies for the purpose of constructing district roads. The terms upon which grants to be made are, that a special rate is to be levied by the local body desiring to borrow, which shall produce 9 per cent, per annum upon the proposed loan. The interest charged is to be 4 per cent., so that 9 per cent, paid half yearly will cover both interest and sinking fund, and will extinguish the loan in fifteen years. It will be observed that the rate of interest is very low, and the terms of repayment easy. I think, however, hon, members will approve of substantial assistance being given to local bodies for the purpose of constructing roads throughout the colony, if only we keep within our legiti mate means. But the Committee will say, how can the Board borrow money at five per cent, interest, and lend it at four? Sir, this difficulty can only be got over by the same means as is proposed in the case of the funds for the construction of main roads, by making a grant from loan to start the fund. I shall, therefore, ask for L 150,000 to be granted for the purpose. The Board will then be in a position, should the grant be made, to lend L 150,000, or any less sum, at feur per cent, interest, and at the same ■ time to pay 5 per cent, upon such sums as it may borrow up to a limit of LIOO,OOO, with a safe margin for contingencies. BOROUGHS. So far, sir, I have not yet directly men tioned an important branch of my subject; I refer to boroughs. I do not desire to make light of the present loss to these bodies on the subsidies. My proposals will no doubt necessitate for a time a re duced expenditure, but there will accrue to the boroughs the permanent right to tax Government and Native property of not much less than one million in value. I say permanent, for 1 think no one can doubt that if once the principle of taxing Government property is admitted by this House it will never be possible to retrace that step. The rates on all Government property it is proposed to pharge upon the consolidated fund, as being properly in? eluded in tire ordinary expenses of Govern ment. I trust, sir, that the proposals which I have thus briefly sketched will commend themselves to hon. members, as at any rate the basis upon which this important question of local finance maybe ultimately settled. We are all of opinion, I think, that the subsidies should cease if means to a reasonable extent for carrying on the necessary works can be provided in a better way, and I submit that our pro posals are better in every respect. The scheme is sound, because it is based upon two principles which are now unanimously accepted in this House—First, that the

proceeds of land sales should be applied to upland settling the country ; second, that the landowners must for the future practically find the means to main tain the roads of the colony. And it has moreover this great additional advantage, that it will enable us to complete the separation of general and local finance. The one will in future be in no way de pendent upon the other—an advantage which I venture to think will be of incal culable benefit to both the Government and local bodies. Should our proposals meet with the approval of Parliament I shall also ask for authority, where neces sary, to permit local bodies to receive directly every tax or rate which, belongs to or has been made over to them. PROPOSALS . FOR THE FUTURE. The Government, in accordance with what they believe to be the desire of the tax-payers, will ask the House to exempt personals effects, furniture, and books, &c., from assessment under the Property Tax Act. By this concession, it is esti mated that the revenue will lose L 40,000 a year. This necessitates the question of how it can be made good in the most effec tive and least objectionable manner. I fear there are only two practicable courses open to us ; that we may re-impose the tea and sugar duties or we may tax beer.. The Government have carefully considered which of these courses to follow, and have determined to ask Parliament to impose a tax upon colonial beer of 6d. per gallon. It is ...with great regret that I make this proposal, but the financial position of the colony is such as to compel us to resort to taxes which in more favorable times we should not have supported. We also propose to increase the duty upon imported beer by Gd. a gallon. I hope to obtain from the beer tax during the current year LBO,OOO, or at the rate of LIOO,OOO per annum. It will be within the recollection of hon. members that I proposed last year to introduce a Bill to increase the succes sion duties, but that through want of time the Bill was never circulated. I propose-, to proceed with that Bill, and should it become law it will increase the stamp revenue this... year by about L 10,000.. Summarising then, sir, my proposals, for the convenience of the Committe, they amount to this. The deficit between the estimated expenditure and revenue is L8,?09, to which I add the property tax, making a total of L 48,709. The estimated produce of the beer tax is LBO,OOO, to which I add the LIO,OOO for increase of stamp duties, and obtain LOO,OOO, thus showing, if our expectations prove correct, a credit balance of L 41,291 with which to end the year, a margin, as the Committee will agree, none too wide. The Treasurer concluded by expressing a hope that the connection would be realised in future between additional borrowing and additional taxation; that every million added to the permanent debt meant a permanent annual charge of L 50,000 to the colony ; which on’y taxation would meet; and that the difficulties now experienced would teach a lesson of thrift and economy. He them moved as follows:—“That to war.ls raising the supply to be granted to her Majesty, there shall be levied and; charged on and after the ninth day of June, 1880, by an excise duty of sixpence per gallon on all ale, beer, porter or other malt liquors brewed or made in New Zealand before removal from any brewery, cellar, warehouse, etc., or other place in which the same may be stored ; such duty to be levied, collected and paid in such manner as the Commissioner of Customs may direct. That in lieu of the dutieß of Customs now charged on the undermen tioned articles, the following duties of Customs shall, on and after the ninth day of June, 1880, be charged thereon, on importation into New Zealand, or on being cleared from any warehouse for home consumption, viz :—Ale, porter, beer, of all sorts, cider, and perry, in bottle, the gallon, Is. 9d.; ale, porter, beer, of all sorts, cider and perry, in bulk, the gallon, Is. 6d. ” After a long discussion, the motion was carried.

Ashburton School Committee

The usual monthly meeting of the School Committee was held at the School house last |night. Present—Dr. Mcßean Stewart (Chairman), Messrs. Bean, Boyle, Andrews, St. Hill, Jacobson, and Orr. CORRESPONDENCE. The Secretary to the Board of Educa tion wrote, intimating that L 62 13s. 4d. had been paid in to the credit of the Com. mittee for payment of salaries. The Board also informed the Committee that Bertie Stewart was beyond the regulation age, and that, unless it was absolutely neces sary, he could not be appointed to the position of pupil teacher. The Secretary of the Board of Education wished to know whether Reginald Hodder would avail himself of the provisions made by the Board to receive and entertain candidates for scholarships. The Committee were informed by the Board that in future the latter would not allow payment to any master or mistress for instruction given to pupil teachers who have completed their term of service.

Miss Gooden, pupil teacher, wrote, asking to be relieved of her duties, as she wished to join her mother, who was residing in Christchurch. Considerable discussion ensued on this application being read, members of the Committee being generally of opinion that it was undesirable to engage any pupil teachers who were not likely to remain in the district. There is a regulation which binds the pupil teachers to remain for four years in the school, but it was agreed that the rule was honored more in the breach than the ob servance. Mr. St. Hill moved, and Mr. Bean seconded—“ That the Board of Education be requested to accept the resignation of Miss Jane Gooden.” Carried.

Miss Constance Andrews wrote, making application for the position of pupil teacher, and on the proposition of- Mr. Boyle, seconded by Mr. St. Hill, it was resolved that Miss Andrews be recoin? mended to the Board of Education.

THE EIjOGOING CASE. . The subrOommittee appointed to enquire into tile charges made by Mr. Underill against the master of the school for im duly punishing children when they were late, reported that, after having made en quiries, they were of opinion that Mr. Underill had no good ground for com plaint, and that the master’s action in the matter was perfectly justifiable. The Secretary was instructed. to advise Mr. Underill of the Committee’s decision. master’s report. Attendance. —The average attendance for the past week has been 177 boys ; 171 girls; total, 348. Number present

THE ASHBRTON HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 , 1880.



Miscellaneous £IO,OOO rate of interest. Ashburton. TO LEND, in sums to suit borrowers, at lowest F. P. O’Reilly, Solicitor, 424c-8350 WANTED KNOWN—That 0. Haw kins, The Tinwald Bootmaker, has REMOVED to premises Opposite the Tinwalcl 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 —417 c VT'EW LINES JUST OPENED—GIass .j\| Inks and Inkstands, Book Slides, Scrap Albums, Desks, Workboxes, Photo graph Frames from 6d. 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, &e. H. M. Jones, Stationery and Fancy Goods Depot, East Street and Baring Square. WANTED— A good GOAT, in full milk. A.pply at once to the ' Herald Office. 551 c ~\TTANTED KNOWN, that MR. VV;-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-536c 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, A shburton. 535c-930g EOOLSCAP Ledgers and Cash Books, - Pocket Ledgers, Where is it 1 Letter Books, Note, Letter, and Foolscap Papers, Envelopes, Court, Business, and Official Drawing and 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. EOUND, at South Rakaia, a Silver Hunting Watch. The owner can have the.same by giving description and paying expenses. Apply, JAMES BRUCE, 543 c ‘ South Rakaia. W. WHITE, CONFECTIONER AND BAKER, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, ASHBURTON, EEGS to announce that he has taken the business lately carried on by Edward Taylor, 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 FIVE POUNDS REWARD. BOST. —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 . L, .EH- -‘~ ■ • • ASHBURTON TOWN HALL CO. NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS. FT! HE Shares recently forfeited in the JL above Company are now open to the present Shareholders, at par, up till 15th June next, after which date, if not all taken up, they will be offered to the pub lic, but as they will he allotted as applied for, and as there is now little doubt but that a handsome Dividend will be pay able for the current year, and as 35 out of's9. are already applied for, Shareholders desirous of obtaining same Shares are re quested to apply without delay to A--: • A THE SECRETARY, At the Town Hall. Ashburton, 27th May, 1880. 503 c



T IMMENSE SUCCESS. THE RAPHAEL TROUPE. O W N H A L L. TONIGHT! TO-NIGHT! THE YOUNG BLONDIN AND THE AGILE TRAPEZISTS. Talented Musicians. Admission—3s., 25., Is. Doors open at 7.30, commence at 8 sharp. 553 c R. GAMBOA, Agent.



' NOTICE. EDWARD TAYLOR, BAKER, Saun dees’ Buildings, BEGS to intimate to his customers the public generally that he has thi s 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 Bakery Business due at this date. EDWARD TAYLOR, Baker, Saunders’ Buildings. Ashburton, 9th June, 1880. 552 c