Wolsm&jy! They were m«t d ifcarm' «»e lin expressing their resolution of violently re sisting the annexation policy. The Turkish Ministry is o.iusiu' sjri )iis anxiety.

AUSTRALIAN

(Renter’s Telegrams.) Adelaide, O ;t. 23. Parliament is to be prorogued to-mor row. The Totalisator Bill has passed.

INTERPROVINOIAL

Auckland, Oct. 25.

Seaman Moore, of the Naval Brigade, has been promoted to the rank of petty officer, for gallantry in jumping overboard from the gunboat during the recent ex plosion, and saving a comrade’s life. Funds are being raised for a benefit to the suf ferers.

Owing to the decision re Sir George Grey’s seat for Christchurch, the candi dates for the Thames seat will have to re tire, unless Mr Sheehan fulfills an alleged agreement with Mr Rowe.

Auckland, Oct. 27. Arrived—Rotomahana, at Russell, three days and eleven hours from Sydney. A man named William Robertson, arrested for attempted rape, was mate of the Luna. The attempted offence was made on a passenger named Sarah fright, at night while the steamer was lying at Russell.

The Rev. F. Parks, of Ponsonby, has resigned his position as Wesleyan minister and settles at Wanganui, with the intention of taking orders in the Anglican Church. Gbahamstown, Oct. 27.

Asad accident} happened last night to Dr Gilbert. About ,7 o’clock, desiring some stimulant, he went into his surgery and in his hurry took a bottle of bella donna tincture in mistake. He poured out 2 ounces and swallowed it off, only finding his error after finishing his draught. He immediately took a strong emetic, and also mustard, and in a few minutes threw olf a great deal of poison. Medical men were summoned, who used the stomach pump and administered slight stimulants. The patient appeared getting on satisfactory, but at one o’clock his heart suddenly stopped, and he died without a struggle. He told what he had done, and it is bblieved it was purely a mistake. Mr Mackay has not succeeded in ap prehending Pakiua nor Epihi, nor is he likely to succeed. Mr Rowe has telegraphed to Mr Sheehan calling on him to resign in terms of an agreement made with the candidates who retired in favor of himself and Sir George Grey, which was that either should provide a vacancy for the Thames to allow one local candidate to be elected. Cambridge, Oct. 25. At the Cambridge show, held yesterday, Mr A. A. Fantham, formerly of Canter whiffy district, won great honors with his sSSrWxorn herd. His chief point of excel leiMpraa in the young stock which he has bream Waikato. His nine months roan bffll calf, Darlington, by Lord Darlington the Second, dam Rosebud, carried off' the Champion prize for the best bull last year. Fantham’s yearling ball. Lord Stephenson, woii the Champion prized thus proving the excellence of his herd. M‘Lean and Co’s imported Clydesdale mares were a show in themselves. Westport, Oct. 25. A general holiday was kept yesterday to celebrate the driving of the last spike in Dey’s. contract of the Westport Colliery Company’s branch line. The ceremony was performed in the first break, half way up the incline tramway. The work is considered the largest of its kind in the world. Westport, Oct. 27. Norman M'Kenzie, laborer, at Wai mangaroa, is in custody on a charge of attempted rape on a child 8 years old, on Saturday, at 8 p.m. Accused was suf fering from the effects of drink. Timaru, Oct. 25. The tender of John Anderson, of Christ church at £4lO, was accepted for a new iron surf boat-for the Harbor Board.

The ; first of the new wool clip reached (own yesterday. Dunedin, Oct. 25. All the papers express themselves pleased at. the termination of the deadlock. The ‘-‘ Times,” referring to Sir George Grey being , unseated, says “ It would be more satisfactory if it involved the retirement of the late premier from the House, but

W® must be grateful for small mercies. Mr Macandrew will meet with very little , sympathies from Otago electors. Although Dunedin, Oct. 27. .At the City Police Court this morning Captain Charles Clark was charged with assaulting Mary M'lnnis by putting his arm round her waist, kissing her, and sailing her a bonnie wee lass. After hear ing the evidence the case was dismissed. - It excited great amusement in Court. The adjourned inquest on the tramway victim, John Meldruni, is now proceed ing. Ah Foo, charged with forgery, is re manded for a week.

his ardent admirers regard him as the wiliest of politicians, he has found more than hismatoh in Sir George Grey, and having, in a weak moment, lent an ear to the voice of the charmer, he must take the consequences.” At the City Court to-day James White law, was fined 20s and coats for exposing meat for sale which was not fit for con sumption. It is ;runiored that the medical school will, he rempved from Dunedin to Christ church. • 'Walters, who had been arrested on a writ of attachment from the Supreme Court and admitted to bail, was brought before Mr Justide Williams this morning. A viva voce examination having taken place, the Judge whs satisfied that no contempt of Court had been committed, and Waters was discharged. The whereabouts of Mrs Woodlock and her child is not known. The Taieri Agricultural Society has agreed'to~-amalgamate- with the Otago Society on certain conditions. . An inquest on the body of John Mel -1 dram, who was yesterday killed by the tram took place at the Hospital. The ' ’driver having given evidence that the tram car was being run carriage first, and that there was no brake, it being out of ( order and under repairs, the Coroner ad journed the inquest, as the matter had assumed a serious aspect. |- : i L Invercargill, Oct. 25. g The ministers in town have decided to 9 discontinue the practice of Sunday

funerals, except in cases of absolute necessity. At the meeting of the Town Council last night a motion —“That inasmuch as the bank of the Corporation had declined to float the water loan of £IOO,OOO, further action on the part of the Council in regard to Dunsdale Water Scheme be postponed, and be not further proceeded with without the sanction of the rate payers ” was lost by 4 to 3.

LATEST

LATEST FROM EUROPE (Renter’s Telegrams.) London, Oct. 24. Lord Harrington, at a Liberal demon stration at Manchester, stated that the abdication of Yakoob Khan precluded the possibility of a British resident at Cabul, without sufficient protection. The Liberal party called on the Powers to respect treaty obligations, and would insist on the Government of England combining with Europe in efforts for the maintenance of peace, to oppose aggression, and protect the weaker.

Despatches from Sir Garnet Wolsety, dated October 7th, state that annexation is irrevocable, and he recommended Go vernment to acquiesce in the same. News from Cape Town to October 15, states that troops had been sent to Middlebuiy, owing to disturb* nces among the Boers.

London, Oct. 25. Best Australian beef tallow, 39s tie!; best Australian mutton tallow, 40s. Vienna, Oot. 24. The Austrian Defence Commission have held their first sitting.

AUSTRALIAN

( Reuter's Telegt ams.) Sydney, Oct. 27. Three Europeans and three Chinese of the ketch Pride of the Logan, have been murdered by Natives at Cloudy Bay, New Guinea. Arrived —City of New York from Auck land. Adelaide, Oct. 27. Parliament has been prorogued. The Governor, in his speech, congratulated the country on the prospect of an excellent harvest and commercial prosperity.

Per our Special Wire.

Wellington, Oct. 27.

A lad named Williams fell down the hold of the steamer Albion to-day. He re ceived a severe shaking, but no serious injury. An inquiry into the circumstances con nected with the accident to the steamer Wellington’s machinery on Wednesday, was held to-day. Evidence was given, attributing the cause to a flaw in the cast ing. No further inquiry is deemed ne cessary. The Collector of Customs held an in quiry to-day into the cause of the accident on the steamer Stormbird on Friday, by which the seaman Long lost his life. No new facts were elicited, and the evidence proved it to be purely .occidental. A deputation from the Ladies’ Christian Association waited on Messrs Levin and Hutchison to present a memorial relative to the necessity of establishing a home for destitute women. Messrs Levin and Hutchison promised to give the matter their earnest consideration. A memorial was also presented to the Mayor, who intimated that he would bring the matter before the City Council at the earliest possible moment. At the inquest on the body of Louisa Taylor, who was found dead in her house yesterday, the jury returned a verdict of accidental suffocation.

Both ends of the cable are buoyed, blit boisterous weather prevents the steamer working at it. She leaves at daylight should the weather moderate.

An elderly man named Dan Neil has been missing for nearly two months. Serious apprehension is felt for his safety. Arrived—Kiwi, from Napier and east coast. Sailed —Penguin, for Auckland via east coast; Albion, for Melbourne and south. Cleaved —Amelia Ross, barque, for Auckland.

New Plymouth, Oct. 27.

The castings made on Saturday at Vivian’s Foundry were turned out of the moulds this morning, and were in every case thoroughly satisfactory. The magnets made to the order of Dr. Lemon were perfect. He ordered the magnets be lieving the Taranaki iron sand of closer grain than ordinary metal, and would consequently retain the electricity longer. The ornamental castings were all ac curately made, and the bogie engine wheels of the finest description, both as to metal and manufacture.

Mr J. Lawson, the Commissioner for Constructed Railways in the North Island arrived by train on Saturday night for the purpose of making arrangements for the approaching opening of the line as far as Stratford.

Christchurch, Oct. 27.

A young man named David Grubb, a clerk in the Post Office, has been com mitted for trial for stealing letters from the Post Office.

H. Saunders is to be tried at Timaru, and will be remanded there in due course.

A public meeting is to be held to morrow night at which the Liberal Asso ciation intend to submit five resolutions, deprecating the bidding for power by open bribery, and protesting against the election of a member for Christchurch by a Parliamentax-y Committee. Timaku, Oct. 27.

Is has been decided to try the forgery case in which Edward James, H. D. Manning, and Saunders are implicated, at Timaru next week. It is creating a great deal of interest.

The following is a summary of the entries for the Agricultural show which is to be held to-morrow and Wednesday : Sheep, Merino, 115 ; English Leicesters, 33 ; Border Leicesters, 31 ; Lincolns, 28 ; Romney Marsh, 33 ; Cotswold, 0 ; fat wethers, 4 ; total—27o. Pigs, 3. Cattle —short homed, 40 ; heifers, 3 ; Ayrshire, 3 ; fat cattle, 3 ; total—ss. Horses— draught, 48 ; other horses, 41; hunters, 3 ; total—92. Poultry, 14. Implements, 57. Dairy produce, 22. Agricultural produce, 24, Extra exhibits, 7. Oamaru, Oct. 27. A meeting of the Oamaru and Naseby Railway Committee was held to-day, at which the following resolutions were

passed;—(l) “ That the Chairman and Mr Gibbs be requested to address a letter to the Minister for Public Works, urging the desirableness of causing a complete and careful engineering survey to be made over the distance intervening between the terminus of the Windsor and Livingstone lino, and the nearest point of the main trunk line on the Kyelmru Flat, with a view to determining the grades, distance, and cost of constructing the same, and asking that provision may be made on the votes for Public Works this session for carrying out such survey.” (2) “That snch letter set forth the reason why the completion of railway communication with the interior is desirable and and expedient. ” (3) “ That the members for the district and MrDe Latonr, M H.R., be written to, inviting their aid and co-operation in the matter, .and asking them to endeavor to secure the placing of £2OOO on the Esti mates for the purpose in view. ” Dunedin, Oct. 27.

Government lias decided to open two additional miles of the Oamaru and Living stone railway, to provide work fur the un employed. An inspection made on Saturday shows all the harbor works to be in a most satis factory condition.

Over £9OOO have been subscribed here in sweepstakes on the Melbourne Cup.

UNKNOWN

THE INQUEST. The following is the driver’s evidence in the inquest on John Mcldrum Andrew Smith, engine-driver was the last witness. He said that he wished to give evidence, and, having been sworn, deposed : —I have been engine-driver of the tram car Washington about three months. I was driving that engine south about2p.m.. Where lam placed I can see a considerable distance ahead of me, but on approaching any object within fifteen or twenty yards I lose sight of it, except when it is to be seen out of the side window. After passing St. Andrew street I saw two horses and carts backed up towards the carriage shed. I took no notice of them because they were quiet. There were four gentlemen on the car. I have constantly warned the conductor against allowing passengers to remain on the outside, as it stops my view and causes danger. On crossing St. Andrew street I told the boy to clear the platform. Pre viously during that trip I had stopped the train and cleared the platform. When quite close on deceased's horse I saw it move away from the footpath. The train car must then have been within three or four yards of the horse’s head, though I can not tell within some yards of the distance an object is when I once lose sight of it. Seeing the danger, I reversed the engine to go in a different direction, and stopped it as quickly as I could manage. About twenty yards from the horses I drew up to get over some bad places, and went about two or three miles an hour —slower indeed than a person would walk. Be fore then I could only have been going about six miles an hour. If the en gine is in good order I can stop the en gine and car in its own length when going at the rate of five or six miles an hour. This is all the rate we were allowed to travel at. At the rate weave going at the time of the accident, and with the engine in good order, I could have stopped in half the car’s length. Ido not know how long it would take by reversing the en gines to stop the trains, but it ought not to take so long. On this occasion the steam was very weak. The steam should not be used at all for stopping. The proper way would be to shut oil steam and apply the brake. The brake was in very bad order. The four brakes to the front wheels were off. They were in the shed when the brake broke about three days before the accident. I took the engine to the shed, and reported the accident in the book kept for that purpose. The brake was sent to the foundry for castings, but these were not ready. The reversing leaver with the steam has since done duty as a brake.

The Coroner —This is an explanation of the accident. Then how was it that this engine was allowed to run in this unsafe condition ? Witness—l don’t know. The matter was reported, and nothing being done, I have been compelled to keep a look out and take what precautions I could. The Coroner —Then you were actually deprived of the very power of doing your duty I

Witness—Yes, sir. The Coroner—Did you consider it un safe to work the engine in tins condition I Witness—Yes. I told the superintend ing engineer so every day. The Coroner—Did you tell Mr Proud foot ?

Witness—l believe Mr Proudfoot did not know anything about this until the in quest was called. The Coroner —Then if you had had a proper brake even admitting that the horse did not bolt till you were within yards of it, do you think that you could have prevented the accident I Witness —I believe that considering the distance the man was under the cart, I could have saved the man’s life if the car had been in proper working order. lam not confident of this.

The Coroner —Do you consider it danger ous to reverse the engine ‘I Witness—lt is dangerous to reverse the engine, because being a compound engine and car, it might explode some day if that were done.

The Coroner said the jury would doubt less agree with him that from the serious complexion the matter had now assumed, an adjournment would now be necessary for the production of the evidence of Mr Craig, the superintending engineer, and others.

An adjournment was consequently agreed upon, and it was decided to sit again on Monday, at 2 p.m. [By Telegraph.] Dunedin, Oct. 27. The inquest on the body of John Meldrum, killed on the tramway on Friday, was concluded to-day, when a ver dict of manslaughter was returned against John Craig, superintending engineer. The driver was exonerated from blame. A rider to the effect that a boy should not be allowed to act as a conductor, and that the line should be provided with a turn table to obviate the necessity of engines running reverse ways, was added to the verdict.

The Drainage of the Ashburton and Rakaia Plains.

A meeting of delegates from the Ash burton County Council, Mount Somers, Upper Ashburton, Mount Hutt, and South Rakaia Road Boards was held at the Road Board Office, South Rakaia, on Thursday, the 23rd inst, to consider the scheme and ropotl r of Messrs J. H. Lowe, Railway Engineer; W. Baxter, County Council Engineer ; and R. P. Bain, C.E. > as to the practicability of draining the plains of storm water-, by leading it into the Rakaia and Ashburton rivers Present —Messrs 0. N. Maclde, (Chair man), South Rakaia Road Hoard : Mr Stitt, Upper Ashburton Road Board ; D. Cameron, County Council and Mount Somers Road Board; Mr M'Millan, Mount Hutt Road Board; and D. G. Holmes, South Rakaia Road Board. On the motion of Mr M'Millan, seconded by Mr Stitt, Mr Mackie took the chair.

The Chairman road the report, which has already appeared in our columns, which was accompanied by a tracing ol the district, sliowiug the courses the storm water takes on the plains, and spoke of the work as being essentially necessary for the benefit of the whole of the plains, and it was for them to decide whether tliis w-as a feasible scheme. Bor ins part, he did not agree with the whole of it. He thou read a few clauses from the Public Works Act bearing on the subject of public bodies taking private land for diver ting water courses, and for drainage . He (the Chairman) thought it would Ire a too expensive scheme to take the water from near Methven to Allen’s Chasm.

Mr Stitt was of opinion that the first expense in these matters was always the least, and contended that it would cost more more to repair the damage done to roads every year hy the floods than to go into a more extensive scheme at first. Mr Holmes understood that it would take something like thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds more to take the water from near Methven to Allen’s, there being afa 1 from the terrace of the river inland, and the terrace there being a hundred feet higher than where it was proposed to take it it into the river at Barr Hill. It was quite evident that something would have to be done at once, as there were miles and miles of fencing destroyed below the railway line by the last flood. He approved of the scheme with detail alterations, and would support it.

Mr M'Millan did not think the scheme would be of any service to the district he represented, and they would object to carrying it out. Mr Mackie, although ho could not agree with the remarks of Mr M‘Mi!!an, was inclined to oppose the scheme, as he did not think the plan of stripping seven and a i alf acres as proposed at the outlet of the dry creek at Methven, would answer the purpose intended, there was such a heavy volume of water coming down the dry creek when flooded. He was afraid it would ho too expensive to keep the hole clear of silt. Mr M'Millan thought it would not answer, as it came over so much loose shingle in the creek before it came to the proposed sink, and did not appear to de crease in volume.

Mr Holmes thought that it would absorb a great quantity, and it would bo impossible to estimate the amount of per colation during its course down the dry creek. He thought it would bo a very beneficial work, and could be carried out at very small cost. Mr Cameron, although bo did not bind himself to the theoiy, was of the same opinion as Mr Holmes. Considerable discussion ensued, and instances were given of the amount of water absorbed in pits where gravel had been excavated.

Mr Stitt was of opinion that for the Ashburton side they ought to clear out tlie creeks as proposed to a certain point, and then, by cutting a channel into a large and well defined water course, load it into the Ashburton river nearly direct. He thought it might even be better still to cut a direct course and divert it ont of its natural channel, and lead it more directly into the river.

Mr Cameron said the fall was so great in the locality that that would not bo safe. He thought that clearing tlie present creek and cutting off a few of the bends, and leading the water into the channel pro posed by Mr Stitt, would be the most advantageous and least expensive. Mr Mackie regretted that the engineers were not present at the Conference, as they might have been able to give detailed information on some of the points mooted.

After a considerable amount of dis cussion, the following resolution was passed, with only one dissenting voice, all present agreeing that the matter should be taken up and gone on with as soon as possible, believing that by the time the surveys and working [dans were prepared the work would be ready to be commenced, about February, when the grain, etc., would bo off the land. The following resolution was moved by Mr Holmes, seconded by Mr Stitt, and caraied —‘ ‘ That in the opinion of this Conference, consisting of delegates from the County Council, Mount Somers, Mount Hutt, Upper Ashburton, and South Kakaia Road Boards, the scheme for the purpose of carrying off tlie storm waters between the Rakaia and Ashburton rivers, submitted by tlie different engineers would be advantageous to the district, and is urgently req fired; and they also recommend that roads should not be used for channels in carrying out the work.”

Mr McMillan wished to record bis opposition to carrying out tlie scheme un less the cost was borne by the districts directly interested. It was resolved to forward the fore going resolution to the County Council.

A vote of thanks to tho Chairman terminated the proceedings of the Con ference.

CHERTSEY CEMETERY BOARD.

A meeting of the above board was held in the Chertsey Schoolhouse on Saturday evening. Present—Messrs. W. A. Brown, A. R. Markham, R. Campbell, H. Childs, W. Payton, and W. Leslie. Mr. W. A. Brown, on the board assem bling, informed them that he had waited upon several members of the County Council, and after having discovered that tire grants were already allocated, he had interested himself in the matter, and he had now the pleasure to inform them that a grant of fifty pounds had boon placed to their credit in the bank. Row the mem bers had been gazetted, and he presumed officially notified, he had called them to gether for the purpose of spending this money as advantagously as possible. On the motion of Mr. Leslie, seconded by Mr. Markham, —“ That Mr. VV. A. Brown be chairman of the Board. ’ Carried unanimously. Mr. Markham explained to the Board that Mr. Wilkinson was unavoidably absent through indisposition. Proposed by Mr. Markham, seconded by Mr. Childs, “ That Mr. W. B. Payton be appointed Secretary,” Carried. After genuial conversation as to the distribution of the land for different sects and denominations,

It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Childs that tire land should be ploughed and fenced the same as the recreation ground, and that separate tenders should be called for ploughing and fencing, plans and specifications to be seen at A. R. Markham & Co.’s Store.

The Chairman was instructed to procure tire necessary books and stationery, after which the Board adjourned.

ASHBURTON CONTINGENT, C.Y.C

The Cavalry turned out for the first parade of the season on Saturday after noon, but the attendance was small, only seven troopers putting in an appear ance. They marched to the North Town Belt, and were put through the sword exercise by Trooper Scott, who shows considerable efficiency as a drill instructor. A meeting was held in the evening at the Somerset Hotel, Sergeant Bruce in the chair, who gave a resumd of the pro ceedings of the company at the last general meeting, held at Sergeant-Major McGuin ness’s, Christchurch. It was resolved that five officers should be elected, of which Christchurch should nominate three, and Ashburton, Christchurch, and South bridge one each, so that there probably would have to be an election to decide upon the officers. A drill instructor would also have to bo elected and the whole company would have a voice in the matter. Very suitable candidates had made application, and there would not be any difficulty in filling up the office ; the successful candidate would have to pass an examination, and be approved of by the Covernment. Captain Strouts had re signed the command of the corps, and Lieutenant Slater had taken his place. The business of the evening was to nomi nate an officer for the district. Three gentlemen in the locality had been men tioned as suitable, and it was for the members present to decide upon which to recommend.

After soma discussion Trooper Wilkie proposed, and Trooper Pyke seconded— ‘ ‘ That Sergeant J. Stanley Bruce he nominated as the ollieor to represent the Ashburton contingent. ” All present spoke in high terms of the qualifications of Sergeant Bruce, and h s energy and perseverance in connection with the contingent, and the motion was carried unanimously, those present pledging themselves to assist Sergeant Bruce to the best of their ability in for warding tlie interests of the corps. It was resolved that until further notice a drill shall be held every Thursday at 6 p.m., foot and horse parade alternately. Throe new members wore proposed, and the meeting closed.

Prospects of the Iron Trade.

There are at last gleams of hope in the prospects of the iron trade. With the e x ‘ ception of the output there has at last come an equalisation to the demand, and this brings a sounder state of the trade- The exports to Germany, checked by the imposition of heavy duties, are now be ginning to recover, and as prices of iron and articles of iron rise in Germany, the imports of our iron will be raised to their normal height. The American demand has shown a sadden increase, but this is one which cannot be relied upon as per manent, and all that it can be relied upon to do is to lessen the stocks of British iron and to yield a few orders for rails, either under exceptional circumstances or for parts of that continent to which Great Britain is relatively as near as the iron producing regions of the United States. It is the opinion of some qualified to judge that under no circumstances, not even with a repeal of the protective duties, would the United States become a large and continuous customer to us for iron goods: for it is increasing its own produc tive resources so fast that it will speedily be able to supply itself with all its needs, except in periods of such intense demand as set in occasionally, when the comple tion of railway lines for bounties, or from suddenly-developed traffics, becomes ne cessary. There is a steady growth in the shipment of iron to France and Spain, as as well as to one or two other countries, though it is too much in the shape of pig iron. In other words we are supplying more material in its crude form to these countries ; and, though it is satisfactory to notice a growing trade, it would be much more so if it wore a trade in manu factured goods, and less in the materials for manufacture. Generally it may be said that wages have arrived at the lowest attainable level ; and, though economies in other directions may be to a slight ex tent practicable, yet it is the lower price and tlie lessened cost of transport, coupled with the recovery of some nations from financial crises, which are now bringing about the first symptoms of recovery in the trade.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Wk do not holil ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by onr correspondents.

RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

To THR Lin Ton. Sin, —Your paragraph in Saturday’s issue, that the officers’ election for the corps, is incorrect, but I wish to say that my resignation lias been sent in. I am, Ac., C. Caveamsii HuniiEi,.

Burning of the Deadwood City.

The greater part of Deadwood, the chief town of the Black Hills mining district, U. S., was swept away on Sept 2d by a conflagration, destroying property worth several million dollars, and’leavmg several thousand people without shelter. The latitude is about 42deg.; the altitude about 3,000 ft.; and the nights at this season of the year are often severely cold ; but timber for building houses and fuel can be obtained without difficulty, and the supply of provisions is abundant. Dead wood, like the mining towns of California, in early years, was built, of wood, and when a lire got a good start there was great difficulty in checking it. There have been probably a score of fires in California as destructive as that of Dead wood, but most of them occurred more than 20 years ago, a id those who wit nessed them are rapidly decreasing in numbers.

A telegram descriptive of the disaster says : —A fire broke out in the Star Bakery, in Sherman street at 2.20 this morning, and, following that thoroughfare, swept everything before it on Lee, Main Gold, Wall, Patton, and William streets, and several residences on Central Avenue. Fanned by a light breeze, and having nothing to contend with except a very inefficient (ire department, everything was at the mercy of the flames. Less than half a score of pronounced fireproof warehouses withstood the severe tost. The buildings being mostly of wood and poorly constructed, they burned like so much chaff. The Are spread with such wonderful rapidity that any attempt at saving .anything would have been useless. All along its course terrific explosions of gunpowder, petroleum, liquor, &c, were of frequent occurrence, and buildings were blown to atoms. The hook and lad der apparatus and hose carriage were the first tilings to burn, leaving nothing but a few feet of worthless hose with which to battle against the devouring elements. The new water works were tried for the first time yesterday, and this morning were put to their full capacity, with little success in subduing the flames, on account of the scarcity of water. The hill sides were almost a solid sheet of flame, and water from the Builder ditch could not he had, otherwise considerable property would probably have been saved, as the ditch ran almost directly over the worst spot. The wildest excitement prevailed on account of the fearful force of the flames, and the people thought of but lit tle besides saving their own lives, hun dreds escaping with only their night clothes. Every team within miles of the city was called into service to help save what could be got out. There are pro bably 2000 persons homeless, and many are destitute. About 125 buildings, be sides 50 or 60 dwelling houses, were do stroyed ; and while it is utterly impossible to get any definite figures regarding the loss, well-posted business men place it at from 1,500,000d01s to 2,000,000d015. The fire is still burning, but all its material is exhausted and there is no danger of its spreading, unless there should be unfavor able change in the wind. Several of the firms whose fire-proofs were saved have posted notices that they will open up for business in them on Saturday. Lumber is being hauled rapidly, and building will commence as soon as tbo debris can be cleared away, in a far more substantial way than before. Most of the merchants who have lost their wooden stores will erect brick ones in their stead. Labor is in great demand, and everything presents a lively appearance. A meeting was held by prominent citizens this afternoon, prompted by numerous thieving operations since the tiro broke out and the many cases of lot jumping, at which Judge Moody presided. It was decided to call upon Colonel Sturgis, commanding at Fort Meade, for a company of troops to act as guard over the property of the unfortunate sufferers by the fire, whichrequest was promptly complied with, and a company of cavalry was at once sent here, together with len waggons and two ambulances to transport destitute citizens to Fort Meade, where they will be fur nished with camps and rations, which kind offer was made by Colonel Sturgis. All the saloons are closed by order of the sheriff and the city presents an unusually quiet appearance. A citizens’ Committee of Safety, numbering seven, were also ap pointed at to-day’s meeting, who will assist the sheriff in preserving the peace. Evil doers, if caught, will be speedily dealt with. A proposition to organise a Vigi lance Committee 100 strong was voted down emphatically. The Fost-oftice which was destroyed, lost fiOOOd d in postage stamps and stamped envelopes, but no mail was destroyed and coaches are run ini' regularly with daily 7 mails, g Numerous kind offers of assistance have been made by Eastern merchants, but will hardly be accepted, as the mer chants bear their losses with the best possible grace, and are not inclined to place themselves under any obligations, at the same time appreciating the willing offers made by Eastern houses in all branches of trade. The surviving mer chants have not taken advantage of the necessity of the hour by advancing prices on staple groceries, as was generally ex pected, and prices remain the same as usual.

The insurance companies who hold a majority of the risks on the destroyed property are the Firemen’s Fund, of San Fsancisco, the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and the London and Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company. Another telegram sent the following day says.:—The city has presented an unusually* attractive appearance to-day, the flattjfes and smoke having abated enough fd allow the mass of ruins to be cleared away and the erection of tents and small wooden shanties, of which there have been from seventy-five to a hundred put up. Almost every class of business represented on Main and Sherman streets are all having an immense rush of custom. Prices have not advanced, except in a very few instances, where the demand for some

article was greater than the supply. The daily >apers are issuing smalt sheets, being struck off at Lead City and Centr. !. They contain little else than fire news. Lumber is being hauled in by every avai'- able team in this vicinity, and is bringing 4(Mo!s. per thousand. The mills are running night and day, but nut enough can ho brought in to supply the enormous demand. Some had shinties erected within five hours from the on,break of the fire. All day tele grams have been pouring in,, offering stocks of goods, money, clothing food Ac. but as yet nothing but merchandise has been accepted. No Relief Committee has been organised as yet, and there will pro. bably be none. The people who are bankrupt and homeless do not want aid from the outside world. Merchants and others are very generous, and are able and willing to stand their share of the burden. At a meeting of the members of the Bar this afternoon, resolutions were passed asking Judge Moody to remain here in stead of attending the October term of the Supreme Court at Yankton, so that, in case his services should be needed, they would be at hand. The Supreme Court will probably adjourn a few weeks, until the city is partially rebuilt and quiet re stored. Competent judges place the total - loss at fully 3,000,000 although some time must elapse before the exact figures can be obtained. The bank vaults were opened to-day and were found intact. Chrono meters on the time locks were still run ning. Botli banks will open on Mon-lav. All that was saved of the county records, b ioks, Ac, wius one sot of books from the Treasurer’s office. The assessment rolls were all destroyed, and at a meeting of the County Commissioners this afternoon, a new assessment was ordered to be taken as soon as possible. Strong guards are on duty at the bank vaults, the outer doors of which were left unlocked, and no one was allowed to pass without being recog nised. Two men were killed and two more wounded at the Homestake mine, Lead City.

Aerial Navigation.

The problem of aerial navigation has taken the place of the philosopher's stone with many, and a gentleman in Paris, M. Julien Duchaud, aged 50, and formerly a brilliant pupil at the School of Arts and Sciences, may be added to the list of those who have had too much learning. Having expended his whole patrimony in experiments, and by invention after in vention tired the patience of friends anti acquaintances, he svccoeded in produ ing an apparatus which lie thought would successfully carry him through the air. He invited his friends to accompany him to St Germain, where he intended to try his apparatus publicly by flying from a terrace to Paris. The invitation was ac cepted, and M. Duchaud, although ho de clared he had no misgivings as to his saccess, thought it would be prudent to try it first and see whether it was in full; working order. He waited until the streets were quite deserted, and at two in the morning he prepared for his aerial flight. His apparatus was something like a sentry-box, built of light wood, and armed with huge wings projecting from either side, and worked by means of pedals. Fortunately, the inventor seems at the last moment to have had some misgivings as to his success. Before casting himself off the top of the house he tied a stout rope to one of the chimney stacks. When everything was ready he clutched the rope and made his leap. He beat the air with his wings, but lie began to sink rapidly, and, the rope burning his hands, lie let go, falling et- '■» a balcony and then into the street, where he was found by the police, attracted by the cries of the neighbors. His sentry-box had prevented him from being killed on the spot, but ho was severely bruised and shaken.

Beer-Drinking In America.

There is, we are informed, a man in Cincinatti who has repeatedly drunk (and stands ready to drink any day) 12 glasses of beer while the tire-bells are striking 12 o’clock at noon. When allowed to save the time wasted in conveying so many glasses to and from his lips by pouring the beer into a large bowl and drinking from it, he has taken the contents of 17 glasses while the hour was being struck. The beer glasses hold one-tenth of a gallon each. Seventeen glasses would, there fore, make a full gallon and a half of beer, after making due allowance for foam. The time required to strike the noon hour on the fire-bells does not exceed half a minute. It remains for physiologists to explain where the gallon and a half of beer which Farbaugh is able to pour down his throat in the time named goes to. It does not make him drunk, and he claims to feel no bad effects after thus gorging himself. The discovery of this case led the reporter of the “ Cincinatti Com mercial ” to go the rounds of the breweries with a view to ascertain the possibilities of beer drinking ; and he found two in stances in waich a keg of beer (eight gal lons) had been drunk by a man in two hours for a wager, and without causing in toxication. At Kauft'mann’s brewery he met with a man who drinks more than ;50 glasses of beer every day ; and has done this for so many years that if the firm had charged him 5 cents a glass for his beer instead of letting him have it for nothing, he would have had by this time to pay the enormous amount of 25,000 cents for it. The reporter says :•“ The men employed in the business begin work at 3 o’clock in the morning, and do not go home uniil 0 in the evening. Their work is much of it heavy, and many of them have been thus employed for a score of years. They are stout and hearty in spite of their weak ness for beer. Some of them are fleshy, but in many instances their parents were fleshy before them. They sleep less than most men. They are not as quick, either mentally or in their bodily movements, a> those in many of the other walks of life."

Arms and Ammunition.—The supply of arms and ammunition at present in New Zealand is officially reported to be as follows : —l7 Armstrong guns, viz., one 40-pounder, six 12-pouuders, tea 0- pounders, ten 24-poundor howitzers, eleven 7-ton guns, eleven 64-poun leva, eleven mortars, and fourteeif iron can uon of various patterns ; total, 74 ordnance of all classes. Small arms—Snider rides, 0919 ; Enfield rifles, 11,430; carbines, 1771. Ammunition —Snider, 1,435,822 rounds ; Enfield, 969,105 rounds ; car bine, 131,317 rounds. Besides these, 3,400 Snider rifles and 500,000 roun U of ammunition for them are on their way out from England.

Tuesday, Qctoeer 28, 1879.]

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

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Best Leg Foremost.— “ Mary,” said an up-town woman to a new servant, “ when you hang out the clothes, be careful to always put the nicest pieces nearest the street.” Very Lazy. —Another lazy man has been found. lie spells photograph, “ 4tograph.” There have been only three as bad. One lived in Kansas and dated his letters “ 11 worth” ; another spelled Tennessee “ lOsC” ; and the other wrote Wyandotte “Y&.”



Levy’s, the great cornet player, occir pation is gone. His lower lip has become paralysed, and no longer will he enrap ture crowded audiences with his silver trumpet. This should be a sad warning to people who bolt without paying tneir printers’ bills. We write more in sorrow than in anger.—Auckland paper.