THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

Startling Revelations.

The Times’ special correspondent tele graphed as follows on Tuesday : The report of the Civil Service Commis sion, which will be laid on the table of the House shortly, is of a most damaging and sweeping character. The Commissioners commence by saying that they have not yet had time thoroughly to investigate the whole subject, but that it is necessary that reforms should be immediately instituted they consider it advisable that they should make what is practically an interim report as early in the session as possible. They further say that they have been unable to deal exhaustively with all the Depart ments of the Civil Service, and confine their report chiefly to the Public Works and Survey Departments. Speaking of the Civil Service generally they point out that close upon 11,000 persons, or nearly one-eighth of the adult male population of the colony are in Government employ, and recommend the extensive cutting down of numbers and the reduction of all salaries by per cent. The principal portion of the report refers to the Railway Department in which they say there has been frightful waste and extravagance, more especially in the Middle Island, where they assert there has also been gross mismanagement. In support they instance that too many kinds of engines are in use, and that immense quanti ties of valuable stores have been and are going to destruction for want of pro tection from weather, etc. They point out the fact that had the supplying of the stores been thrown open to competi tion by calling for tenders, a great saving would have been effected; and they com ment severely upon what they allege to have discovered, namely, that Mr. Con yers holds an interest in a firm which re ceives large orders from the Government. Mr. Lawson, Commissioner of Railways in the North Island, is also made the subject of adverse comment. Amongst the specific charges of mismanagement, the Commissioners state that in Nelson one railway manager is getting a most dis proportionately high salary on a line on which ouly two trains run daily. In the Engineering department of the railways they say there is no consistency or general agreement. The report is very severe on the fact that the Railway Department had for some years back taken credit to itself for a saving at the rate of L 5 per ton on iron in the manufacture of points, &c., in the colony, this calculation being based upon the price of iron when at its cheapest years ago, while the fact is that, at the market price of iron during late yearsj the work has actually been done at a loss of L 5 per ton. They condemn the unnecessary cost of the lines of the Sur vey Department, and indicate mismanage ment in the fact that owing to bad surveys in the first instance, large blocks of country have had to be re-surveyed. The report also recommends the reduction of travelling allowances to all servants of the Government. The recommendations of the Commission are altogether very sweep ing, and will take the House by surprise when the report is tabled.

A TERRIBLE TALE OF THE SEA.

Three Days without Food or Water,

An official inquiry into the loss of the loss of the barque Ulster, of St. John’s New Brunswick, was concluded at Liver pool on April 10th, before the Stipendiar Magistrate, assisted by nautical assessors. The inquiry revealed a terrible story of hardship and privation. The Ulster sailed from St. John’s on the 28th January last with a cargo of timber for Liverpool, and up to the Bth of February had fair weather and favorable winds. At mid night on the Bth, however, the wind backed, and a heavy gale commenced to blow. At daybreak the storm continued unabated, and the heavy seas shipped from time to time caused the deck to break adrift. Captain Exans, the master of the vessel, thereupon got his crew to work at throwing the deck load over board, which was done until dark, the pumps meantime being kept going at every opportunity. The night having come on again, and the gale being un abated, the boat skids were broken by the seas, and two of the boats—the pinnace and the gig—as Well as all the loose things about the deck were washed away. On the 10th the weather moderated, but the folk wing day another gale came on, and about 2 p.m. the binnacle and the wheel were carried away by a tremendous sea, which threatened to engulph the ship entirely. At 4p. m., during a lull in the storm, the crew were able to go below and get some dinner ; but while they were so engaged, the ship was struck by a hurri cane from the north-west, which caused the main yard to break away, and threw the vessel on her beam ends, the port rail being under -water. At 6 p.m. the cabin door was burst in, and some of the men took to the rig ging. At daylight on the 12th it was discovered that the steward was miss ing, having probably been swept away from the rigging by the waves. Later on the swelling of the timber in the hold caused the hatches to burst open from below, and the vessel became waterlogged, upon which the crew took refuge in the upper lazarette, where they remained helpless for six days, subsisting on pre served provisions, which they obtained by breaking through the bulk-head into the cabin. All that could be found to drink was a jar of fresh water. On the 18th the crew left the lazarette and took to the rigging ; but the raging sea swept away one man, an A.B. belonging to the Lon don, named Lindsay, and the intense cold and exposure caused another man named Anderson, a Norwegian, to - die in the rigging. The cook became delirious from the terrible priva tions to which he and all the others were subjected, and jumped into the sea in a fit of frenzy. For three days the un happy men remained clinging to the rigging of the waterlogged ship, having neither food nor water to sustain them, and their sufferings, being increased by the fact that two steamers were sighted, which, m spite of the signals made by the despairing men, passed on without noticing them. On the 22nd February they W§ve seen by the steamer Jlipparcus, which took them oft m her lifeboat and brought them to London. The above facts having been shown by the e\ idence, the Board of Trade Court, in giving judgment on the 10th, exoner ated the master from all blame, attributing the loss of the ship to the terrific weather which prevailed in the Atlantic at the time,

Economy and Retrenchment.

11 Economy and Retrenchment.’. These words form the refrain of the Financial Statement, and they have also become a sort of watchword and rallying cry from the Land’s End to the John o’ Groats of the colony. Looking at what the Govern ment now in office have done in the direction which these words indicate, he would be ungracious indeed who would not accord them a fair mead of praise. In fact they have done more than ever was attempted before, but as a set-off again it may be urged that the circumstances -of the colony never before required so many turns of the screw as the state of affairs to-day render imperative. On the other hand, with the estimates before us, and some time spent in looking over what they contain, it is palpable that far more could be done—and, we fear, must be done —before the colony is satisfied that economy and retrenchment have been carried to their utmost point. It is easy to find fault, easy to point out diffi culties ; but a far different thing when, burdened with the responsibility of ad ministration, one is called upon to act, remedy faults, and rectify errors. Still, those estimates show strange figures. The census gives us a population of 400,000 over, while column upon column of the 128 foolscap pages of the Estimates show amounts to be paid away as salaries to Government officials, until, roughly totting up these sums we find that more than a million is thus annually disposed of. We say it is easy to find fault, but not so easy to suggest a remedy. Government tells us that they have already reduced the pay-sheet by £50,000, and they purpose a still further reduction. But on the face of it a million pounds paid away for the conduct of public businers amongst a population not so great as some provincial cities in the old country is surely extraordinary, and much could yet be done in the way of retrenchment that has not been attempted by Govern ment. We are fully aware that much hardship will be entailed if the pruning knife is ruthlessly inserted, and many public servants dispensed with ; but then, again, economy and retrenchment are the cry, and without economy and retrench ment exercised in a very great degree we must submit to additional taxation. Even with these virtues exercised as Government have exercised them, we must still face a property tax, a beer tax, and increased stamp duties. But is the country to be taxed simply because the Government do not care to bring the Civil Service within the limits that the circum stances of the colony can afford 1 When a man in business can no longer afford employment to a large staff of men, he does not keep them on, —however much he would wish to,—and pay them out of capital, simply because he knows they will encounter hardship if he discharges them. Were a large contingent of the public officers now in the service of the Govern ment to be discharged, and sent out to seek a living from other masters, there would doubtless be hardship encountered by many of them. But how much hard ship has been encountered, and is now being encountered, by hundreds at this moment, who have never enjoyed the sunshine of Governmental favor, nor pocketed a penny of Government money. As soon as employment became scarce through the inability of employers to pay wages, hundreds were drifted off, to find a living as best they might. In how many in stances Government pays salaries ranging from £6OO to £I,OOO a year, it would not take long to find out with the estimates before us, and we do not think it would be very difficult, if earnest and firm men set themselves the task, to say how many of these could be “regretfully dispensed with owing to financial difficulties.” Salaries like these are not 3uch as should be paid at the present time, especially when additional taxation has to be re sorted to to find the money to pay them with. If the colony cannot afford to pay the rate of wages, nor to employ the number of servants, that are paid out of the public funds, then clearly they ought to be dispensed with. It is all very wefi to raise the cry of the public service being impaired by a too free issuing of the walking ticket; but when such efficiency as we already enjoy is only secured at a cost to the taxpayers that they cannot afford, and can only meet by dipping further into not too well furnished pockets there ought to be some preparedness to risk the threatened inefficiency. We do not fear the advent of this inefficiency— there are too many competent men threatened with a relegation to the ranks of the unemployed for the threat to have any meaniug, and Govern ment servants know the state of financial affairs throughout the colony as well as other men do. The above remarks refer only to servants of the General Govern ment, and when the host of officials em ployed by local bodies are taken into consideration some idea of the extent to which officialdom obtains in this over governed colony will then be obtained.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD, THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1880.



Very Stkange Advice.— A peculiar correspondence has just been published at Bristol. A lady, Mrs. Edwards, has been refused communion by the vicar of Cheddar on the ground that she had married the brother of her deceased hus band. The Bishop of Bath and Wells had been appealed to, but he supported the vicar. Ultimately Mr. Edwards, the lady’s husband, appealed to the Arch bishop of Canterbury, and his reply (Lon don Telegraph) seems the strangest of all. He is .quoted as follows: “In similar circumstances my advice has been that persons so circumstanced desiring to com municate should go to some church where their history is not known. ” Mr. Edwards in a further letter says this advice is some what startling, as it recommends persons situated to obtain the church sacrament, if not by false pretence at any rate by a concealment of the truth. Holloway's Pills.— These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated con stitution than any other medicine in the world. Persons of a nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become deranged by bilious affection, disordered stomach, or liver complaints, should lose no time in giving these admirable Pills a fair trial. Coughs, colds, asthma, or shortness of breath are also within the range of the sanative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete any permanent. They are as mild as they are efficacious, aud may be given with confidence to delicate females and young chil dren. Their action on the liver, stomach, and bowels is immediate, beneficial, and lasting, restoring order and health in every case. — Advt]



Edmiston, Gundry & Go. FOR SALE, BY PRIVATE TREATY. THE undersigned have for sale by Private Treaty, the following Pro perties : R.S. 28216, 7,8, 9, containing 686 acres, which will be sold in farms of 100 acres and upwards. This property is within 4 miles of Ashburton township, is very good land, and will be sold on very reasonable terms, viz, 10s. per acre cash and the balance at a low rate of interest on a term of years. 210 ACRES on Gould and Cameron’s run. This property is partly fenced with gorse fences. 128 ACRES at Chertsey, all securely fenced, and is at present sown with turnips. This property will be sold at a low price on easy terms. 125 ACRES at Greenstreet, securely fenced with live fences, and sub divided. and a permanent stream of water. 285 ACRES at Greenstreet, to be sold or let on a purchasing clause in one or more blocks. This is excellent land, and laid down in English grass, and well watered with creeks. This would make a capital farm, and will be sold on very liberal terms. 210 ACRES close to the township of Ashburton, with good dwell ing-house, stable, granary, &c. This property will be let for a term of years at a low rent. 500 ACRES at Orari, in one or more blocks. 150 ACRES at Tinvald. A capital farm, being all fenced and ready for cropping. There are three creeks running through this pro perty. 150 ACRES at Ashton. A well com pact farm, together with house, stables, &c. Price very low. 800 ACRES at Mount Possession. 1500 ACRES near the spread Eagle Hotel. T.S. No 879, Ashbui’ton. T.S. 301, 302, Burnett-stre.et, Ash , burton. T.S. 247, Kermode Street, Ashbur ton. T.S. 182, 183, opposite Church, Tinwald, a bargain, &c. EDMISTON, GUNDRY, & CO., Auctioneers and Estate Agents. Agents for the gOUTH BRITISH FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. Capital £1,000,000. Risks taken on all kinds of Property, Growing Crops, Grain in Stack, Thresh ing Machines, &c. EDMISTON, GUNDRY, & CO., East Street. 106 T. Bullock. TO LET FOR CROP OF WHEAT 200 AORBS 200 About six miles from Ashburton, on the Wakanui Estate. FOR SALE OR TO LET, WITH A PURCHASING CLAUSE, 450 AOEE FAEM 450 Or in Two Farms—one about 220 Acres and another about 230 Acres. Well watered on Longbeach Run. Also, 50 Acß E 8 50 Ashburton Forks, now in grass. For Sale, cheap dwelling house of seven rooms, near the Parsonage, East Town Belt. To Let, two shops in East Street. Also Office in do. Two-roomed house with lean-to, in Mona Square. Two-roomed cottage near Mr. Hay T. Smith’s Also, That old established blacksmith and wheelwright’s workshop, and Dwelling House in Ashburton, centrally situated, close to the Somerset Hotel, and now in the occupation of Mr. H. J. Edwards. For full particulars Apply to 453 c T. BULLOCK.



Public Notices. NOTICE. EDWARD TAYLOR, BAKER, Saunders’ Buildings, BEGS to intimate to his customers and 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 Bakery Business due at this date. EDWARD TAYLOR, Baker, Saunders’ Buildings. Ashburton, 9th June, 1880. 552c-937g



Boarding Houses. CENTRAL TEMPERANCE HOTEL, BARING SQUARE. THOMAS BROADBELT, PROPRIETOR. PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION FOR BOARDERS. 947g-563c Business Notices. W. WHITE, CONFECTIONER AND BAKER, SAUNDERS* BUILDINGS, ASHBURTON, BEGS 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



EVERETT BROS. AND CO., CHEAP DRAPERS,- HAVELOCK STREET, ASHBURTON. E. B. and Co. are now showing their TIN T E R I) R’A P E R Y, Comprising EVERY NOVELTY IN EACH DEPARTMENT. NEW GOODS ARRIVING MONTHLY. 505 c DAVIS’S Cheap FUR N ITURE AND BEDDING M A N UFACTORY, MOORE STREET, ASHBURTON. EVERY article Sold at Christchurch Prices and guaranteed best of material and workmanship. FUNERALS • CHEAPLY & COMPLETELY FURNISHED W. DAVIS, MOORE STREET, ASHBURTON. 529 c Ashburton Bakery, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. mHO M A S BAKER, PASTRYCOOK, AND CON FECTIONER. ALL ARTICLES GUARANTEED TO BE OF THE BEST QUALITY. Soiree, Picnic, and Wedding Parties supplied on the shortest notice. m* HOT TEA, COFFEE & PIES From 9a. in. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. till 11 p.m. THOMAS TAYLOR, Ashburton Bakery. 492 c rn A Y L O R 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. FORE-QUARTERS, ... ... lfd Customers can be supplied at the prices either from the shop or cart. J. WARD, Butcher. c OTTON & CO. HORSE CLIPPERS, 24 Years’ Colonial Experience. HORSES BROKEN IN TO SADDLE AND HARNESS. Moderate Charges. Apply Baldwin s Hotel, or Brighton Boarding House, Triangle 842g-450c HAVE you Lost Anything ?—Tell the finder through the Herald for a Shilling. If he is honest he will bring it to you without a reward, but you can bait a finder of shaky morals by a tempting offer of remuneration for his trouble. AT £«r a Shilling cash.;



Business Notices. T. R. HODDER & CO. HAVE much pleasure in announc ing to their friends and the public generally, that their stock of WINTER DRAPERY, MILLINERY, MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING HATS AND HOSIERY, BOOTS AND SHOES, IS NOT TO BE SURPASSED FOR QUALITY AND ASSORTMENT, Each Department being replete with everything suitable for the season. JUST TO HAND— A Yery Large Assortment of Melbourne Clothing, MADE ESPECIALLY TO ORDER. T. R. HODDER & CO. having been encouraged by their greatly increased trade in the Clothing Department, have ENLARGED THEIR PREMISES, Enabling them to keep a Larger and More Varied Assortment. Tailoring In all branches by most experienced hands. SUITS, RIDING TROUSERS, HABITS, &c., made on the most im proved pi’inciple, at the shortest notice, and as cheap, or cheaper, than any house in Canterbury. T. R. HODDER and CO., seeking to Encourage Local Industries keep a well assorted stock of Kaiapoi, Roslyn, and Mosgiel Manufactured Goods. Boots and Shoes, Imported and Colonial make, from the best Christchurch and Dunedin Manufacturers. T. R. HODDER & CO., while not pro fessing to sell everything at COST PRICE, are prepared to meet EXISTING COM PETITION and to encourage all Cash Purchasers. An experience of twenty six years Colonial storekeeping has taught our Firm the value of a Cash Grocery Business, which they have found succeed so well in Ashburton since bringing down the prices of many leading commodities, which course they are still prepared to continue and show their preferring PROMPT CASH, rather than risk long credit with large profits. Ironmongery AND Crockeryware AT LOWEST PAYING RATES. Sole Agents for Singer’s Sewing Machines Sole Agents for Wanzer Sewing Machine. Agents for Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company. T. R. HODDER & CO. 407c-948g LATEST STYLES FROM LONDON & PARIS. CRAIGHEAD & CO., Merchant Tailors, TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr & Co.) PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. 982a-445a DON’T! PLEASE! DON'T! STOP ! DO STOP! STOP before you give your next order for a Suit of Clothes. IF you want Style, Fit, and Quality, try the Undersigned. READ the following, then call and in spect the Goods. (YARDS READY) 350 T 0 350 ( CUT. ) JUST ARRIVED—The best Stock of Winter Cloths to be got for money SUPERIOR in quality to anyt liing eve yet shown in Ashburton. ( SAMPLES ) 70 10 70 fSELECT FROM ) Comprising the following : German Cloths, plain and fancy, the most fashionable Beaver Cloths, suitable for Winter Scotch Tweeds, assorted Mosgiel „ „ Kaiapoi ~ ~ West of England Cloths Bedford Cords Irish Frieze, &c., &c., &c. ALL and inspect this Splendid Assort / ment before you order. OTTO: Small Profits and Quick Returns. Terms —Cash. s TYLE and Finish second to none. JgCONOMY £1 Ib. Cash for a Pair of Trousers £3 15s. Cash for a Tweed Suit. The Address is— G. J. F. LUBLOW, THE TAILORING DEPOT, Triangle, Ashburton, Between Post Office and Baldwin’s Central Hotel. 782g-390c



Business Notices. Dissolution OF Partnership. 0 _ —_ ORE AND CO., ~p>EG to announce that they intend to DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP on Ist SEPTEMBER They -will therefore, on Saturday, May Ist, offer the whole of their superio stock, amounting to over £20,000 worth of DRAPERY, IRONMONGERY, AND GROCERIES, AT COST PRICE. The reductions in price extends to every Department in our Business, And we trust our Customers will pay PROMPT CASH DURING SALE. All Goods will be marked in plain figures with Red Ink. All outstanding accounts must be paid at once so that partnership accounts may be adjusted. ORE & CO., ASHBURTON & RAKAIA April 24th, 1880. P.S.—A Large Shipment of Drapery Goods just opened up ex Pallala. Guns! Guns! Guns! POWDER. SHOT. CAPS. ORE AND CO. JJAVE now on hand a very fine assortment of BREECHLOADING DOUBLE AND SINGLE-BARREL GUNS, And as these have been imported direct from the manufacturers, we are prepared to Sell at the most Reasonable Prices— From £2 10s to £25. ORR AND CO IS 9c-9g



Business Notices. BEST NEWCASTLE COALS = LAMBTON COLLIERY. gOg. PERTON. 1 A PER CENT. DISCOUNT! for CASH. SPRINGFIELD COALS 40s. PER TON. 10 Per Cent. Discount for Cash. To be delivered in my yard. Acconnts to be paid monthly./ 359 C-7 73G C. PERCY COX. HALLO! HILLO! QUILL AGAIN. REDUCTION IN PRICES. BOTTLED WINES & SPIRITS. T. Q U ILL, SEEING the necessity of a Wholesale Bottling, Wine, and Spirit Store in Ashburton, has determined, to supply that want, and therefore begs to submit the following list of Prices, every article guaranteed to be of the best and purest description. 7 PRICE LIST, Brandy Flasks, 2s. and 4s. per flask. Fine Old Port, per Bottle, ss. and 6s. Superior old Dry Montelado, (old Sherry) sfe. & 6s. Yery old Scotch Whisky, per Bcttle ss. Fine old Irish Whisky, per Bottle, ss. Superior old Jamaca Rum, per Bottle, ss. Fine old Martelle’s Dark Brandy, per Bottle, ss. Hennessey’s Brandy, per Bottle, 6s. Superior Square Gin (J.D.K.Z.), per Bottle, 6s. Superior Old Tom (Swain Booth’s), per Bottle, ss. All other brands equally Reduced. QUILL’S Assorted Dozen of Best Wines and Spirits for £3 10s, containing— -3 bottles Brandy 2 ~ Port 2 ~ Rum 2 bottles Whisky 2 ~ Sherry 1 ~ Old Tom (Ready packed, and forwarded to any part of the County on the shortest notice.) One trial will prove to Quill’s customers the quality of his taps. COMMENCING MONDAY, 26th APRIL. Open from 7a. m to 6 p.m. during winter months. Note Address— T. QUILL’S, WHOLESALE BOTTLING STORES, Commercial Hotel, (Near Railway Station), Ashburton. 751g-336c PRACTICAL WATCH & CLOCK MAKER, JEWELLER, &c. ROBT. MURRAY, MOORE STREET, BEACH ROAD, ASHBURTON, HAYING had over thirty years’ ex perience in some of the leading establishments in England and Scotland, trusts by good workmanship and atten tion to business to merit a share of the patronage of the inhabitants of Ashburton and County. A well-assorted stock of Watches, Clocks, Jewellery, Spectacles, &c. Watch Glasses and Keys, of best quality, fitted. All Watch and Clock Work and Jewel lery repairs executed on the Premises. Specimens of Workmanship by R.M. shown in the window, AT MOORE STREET (Next Door to the Road Board Office), BEACH ROAD, ASHBURTON. 8240-429 M. McCALLUM, AND JEWELLER Every description of Jewellery made to order and repaired. Electro-plating and Gilding. Hair plaits and Devices done. Watches and Clocks accurately Repaired. Diamonds and every description of Stones substantially Set. Clocks from 7s. 6d. each. Do., with alarm, 15s. CASHEL STREET, . . Next Bank of Australasia, Christ church. 221